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Silent Spoiler: Listeria outbreak raises food safety concerns

Featured

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8:00 pm

Silent Spoiler: Listeria outbreak raises food safety concerns

From deli counters to dinner tables, food safety relies on careful research and strict sanitation. As a multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to deli meats raises concerns, researchers continue to work behind the scenes to ensure food safety standards.

Food safety scientists like Jennifer Acuff at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are
dedicated to improving fresh and processed food safety and protecting food products from
microbial contamination. Some of her work involves understanding how pathogens like listeria
survive and spread — including in ready-to-eat foods.

“One of the things that my research program focuses on is trying to control environmental
conditions so that pathogens are not welcomed guests into that environment,” Acuff said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is investigating a
multistate outbreak of infections linked to Boar’s Head brand meats. So far, 7 million pounds of
products have been recalled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nine
deaths and 57 hospitalizations from 18 states.

“Whenever we see Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks, we see high hospitalization rates and
alarmingly high mortality rates. And that’s because listeria has this incredible ability to cause an
invasive infection,” Acuff said.

Acuff said listeria is unique because it’s what scientists call a psychrotroph, meaning it can
survive and grow at cold temperatures, unlike other foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella
and E. coli. This characteristic makes ready-to-eat foods like deli meats particularly vulnerable since they can remain in cold storage for extended periods. And listeria and other pathogenic bacteria, Acuff says, is particularly dangerous because it doesn’t visibly spoil food, unlike molds.
“We can’t see them on our food. There’s never an indicator to us that the food is spoiled by a
pathogen,” she said. “Doing the sniff test or looking at it to see if it looks okay doesn’t tell you if
listeria is there.”

Acuff is a Cooperative Extension Specialist and also a member of the Center for Food Safety,
which conducts research and develops technologies to detect, control and reduce foodborne
pathogens, toxins, and chemicals, enhancing food safety from production to consumption. The
center is part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“These appointments give me really good opportunities to integrate the research findings we’re
looking into with what is actually applicable to our stakeholders in Arkansas — producers,
consumers and scientists alike,” she said.

Where does listeria come from?
Listeria is a ubiquitous bacterium, meaning it’s naturally present in the environment, Acuff said,
and that contamination often signals a sanitation problem in food processing.

“When we see listeria associated with a ready-to-eat food product, it automatically sends up red
flags because we don’t want to see it in the processing plant,” she said. “It is so easy to
accidentally track it in, whether through workers’ boots or clothing, leaks in the environment, or
even pests.”

The FSIS reported several noncompliance violations at a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia, including
the visible presence of mold, trash and insects.

Mitigating risks
According to the CDC, symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes,
can take up to 10 weeks to appear, making it difficult to promptly trace the infection’s source.
Many people who are immunocompetent recover without medical care, so the actual number of
cases is likely higher than reported. Immunocompromised individuals, such as pregnant people
and those taking immunosuppressant drugs, are at particular risk, though.

Acuff said consumers can take steps to reduce their risk of listeria exposure. If you have any of
the recalled products at home, throw them away immediately. It is also a good idea to clean any
surface area the product might have encountered.

For general consumption, one effective prevention method is to heat deli meats to 165 degrees
Fahrenheit, reducing the risk of listeria infections. Acuff also encourages consumers to be
proactive about food safety when dining out, especially during an ongoing outbreak.

“People should feel empowered to ask a restaurant where their deli meat comes from. It’s okay
to ask for more information,” she said.

While it’s impossible to produce food in a sterile environment, Acuff says it’s important to
maintain strict sanitation standards to minimize risks.

“We don’t get to eat no-risk food,” she said. “So, being informed and knowing, ‘Am I willing to
take this risk?’ is crucial.”

To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural
Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms
and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research
Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X
at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative
Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture,
communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices.
Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the
Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land
grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has
offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research
programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any
other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Waldron Woman Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash

Tammy Teague

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7:55 pm

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Waldron Woman Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash

A Waldron woman was killed in a single car crash on Friday, September 6. The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of State Highway 248 west and Jones Creek Road.

Linda Hamm, 62 of Waldron, was traveling west on State Highway 248 when her vehicle, a 2014 Chevrolet, ran off the road on the south side and struck a tree.

Hamm was transported to Waldron Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead. An injured passenger of that vehicle was also taken to Mercy Hospital in Waldron.

The ASP report stated that the next of kin had been notified.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

News

Tammy Teague

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12:23 pm

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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

A legislative committee has signed off on stronger penalties against pharmacy benefit managers that fail to reimburse local drug stores according to rates established in state law.

The Senate and House Committees on Insurance and Commerce reviewed and accepted new rules proposed by the Arkansas Insurance Department. The rules govern reimbursements paid by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to pharmacies.

An important provision in the rules prohibits PBMs from reimbursing independent pharmacies at lower rates than they pay to pharmacies owned by or affiliated with the PBMs. Also, PBMs must reimburse local pharmacies at a rate known as NADAC, which stands for national average drug acquisition cost.

Legislators have been hearing concerns from local pharmacies about the disparities in reimbursements, and about their concerns that they may have to close if PBMs don’t adjust their reimbursement rates.

The Insurance Department receives about 1,500 complaints a month from local, independent pharmacies about alleged violations of the law. Regulators believe that many more possible violations are not reported because pharmacists just don’t have time to fill out the paperwork.

The Department may levy a $5,000 fine for each violation, with a cap of $50,000. However, under the proposed new rules there would be no cap on financial penalties.

The Department notified PBMs in March that stricter rules were being proposed. In August the governor and the state Insurance Commissioner announced fines of $1.47 million against four major PBMs.

Arkansas was one of the first states in the country to regulate PBMs, which are companies that negotiate contracts between manufacturers, health insurance providers and local pharmacies. In that role they act as a middle man, and they’re instrumental in the prices that consumers pay for prescription drugs.

Since the legislature passed Act 900 of 2015, the Insurance Department has regulated the reimbursements paid by PBMs to pharmacies. Act 900 was challenged in court by PBMs but was upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

In a 2018 special session the legislature strengthened the Insurance Department’s authority to license and regulate PBMs.

The first attempt to regulate PBMs in Arkansas was in 2003. The Senate passed a bill to regulate the companies, but it died in the House.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

In 1993 the legislature approved Act 796 to change the law governing workers’ compensation insurance. At that time, rates were increasing and the availability of insurance was decreasing. A provision in the act requires the Insurance Commissioner to present a report each year to legislators about the market for workers’ compensation insurance in Arkansas.

The commissioner told legislators that the market is strong and profitable, and that rates in Arkansas were among the lowest in the country. In a nutshell, “that is good news for businesses buying coverage for employees,” he said.

Before passage of Act 796 there had never been a prosecution for workers’ comp fraud. Since then there have been 174 cases referred for prosecution by Department’s investigators, resulting in 123 convictions.

RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 1

Ross Fujibayashi

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11:55 pm

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RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 1

Predicting games, well there is not a science to it. A lot of it is luck and last week Adam Hecox and I, our luck ran out. The only games we picked 100% correct were Greenwood vs Bentonville West and Arkansas vs UAPB. Guest picker, Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow went 7-2 in games picked, we went an embarrassing 3-6. Like any good team, that was last week and we are here again to pick who we think will win under the Friday Night Lights and one game on Saturday in Stillwater.

This week’s guest is Magazine Mayor Joshua Scott. We would like to say thank you to Mayor Scott for participating and we hope he out picks Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow.

STONE COLD LOCK OF THE WEEK

Fort Smith Northside vs Greenwood

Last week we tabbed Northside to take home the Battle of Rogers Ave trophy. Heck, they even had a flyover during the Anthem. Those Grizzlies do it big time. Just like this week’s voting of the 5News Yarnell’s Sweetest Play of the Week runoff vote, they jumped out to a big league then lost. This team is a sleeping giant once that switch flips for them. Greenwood last week put up basketball numbers, beating the Wolverines of Bentonville West 70-35. Northside has talent, they will score points, but they will have to stop the Greenwood offense. It was 2021 when Northside found a way to stop Greenwood, could there be a repeat this year?

The Others

Ozark vs Booneville

This one almost became the game of the week, but that Sebastian County rivalry of the big schools is tough to pass up. Booneville surprised two of us with a win of perennial 4A playoff contender Poteau, Ok. Can the Bearcats keep rolling against the Hillbillies? Both teams are projected to finish top in their conference, unfortunately one of them will be taking a loss this Friday. One thing for sure is it will be a rowdy crowd in Booneville.

Charleston vs Pottsville

Last week the Charleston Tigers got another week of prep before they head to Pope County to take on Pottsville. The Apaches traveled to Heber Springs in Week 0 action and came away with a 17-14 victory. Pottsville has a talented senior class that could be trouble for Charleston.

Waldron vs Mansfield

There were two surprises in last week’s picks, Fort Smith Southside beating Northside, and then Waldron beating Paris in Overtime. As a student of the sport of High School Football, and writing this column for the past year, I cannot tell you how great it is to see Waldron pull that one out. While I do have ties to the Paris football program and want to see them have success. Seeing a team that has struggled to find their footing and have positives happen, was just a tad bit better. Sadly, the Bulldogs revelry is short lived, as they travel up Highway 71 to meet the Mansfield Tigers. The Tigers are going to be hungry after a 4-point loss to Bismarck in Week 0

Lamar vs Magazine

Coming off a 14-0 loss to Cedarville, the Rattlers look to bounce back against Lamar. The Warriors played Huntsville last week and beat the Eagles convincingly 49-12. The bounce back may have to wait a week for the Rattlers.

Paris vs Lavaca

I would not have pictured these two teams to be 0-1 this week. Surely thought Lavaca would take care of Dover as would Paris over Waldron, but here we are. The bonus is both were close losses and should provide some excitement this Friday as both teams look to break into the win’s column. Once Paris gets through this week, Booneville awaits in Week 2.

Cedarville vs Mountainburg

While Greenwood and Northside are battling for Sebastian County bragging rights, Cedarville and Mountainburg are going for Crawford County bragging rights. Cedarville enters the game 1-0 after defeating Magazine 14-0. Mountainburg was off last week.

The Razorbacks

Arkansas vs Oklahoma State

Two hours fifty-six minutes. Just over 184 miles mostly on Hwy 412. That is how long the Hogs will travel to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It is only twelve more minutes than they had to travel last week to beat UA-Pine Bluff 70-0, in the stadium everyone loves trash talk. I am excited for this game to have a true test to see how much the Hogs have improved from last season. I would love to say that last week was an indication but that seemed more like a scrimmage, a very lopsided scrimmage.

	Ross Fujibayashi	Adam Hecox	Joshua Scott
FS Northside vs Greenwood (LOTW)	Greenwood	Greenwood	Greenwood
Ozark vs Booneville	Booneville	Ozark	Booneville
Charleston vs Pottsville	Pottsville	Pottsville	Charleston
Waldron vs Mansfield	Mansfield	Mansfield	Mansfield
Lamar vs Magazine	Lamar	Lamar	Magazine
Paris vs Lavaca	Paris	Paris	Paris
Cedarville vs Mountainburg	Cedarville	Cedarville	Mountainburg
Arkansas vs Oklahoma State	Oklahoma State	Arkansas	Arkansas

Community Flu Vaccine Clinic Announced

Tammy Teague

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7:45 pm

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On Monday, 9/23/2024, the Scott County Health Unit with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) will offer flu vaccinations at no charge at the Scott County Health Unit from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. People should bring their insurance cards with them to the flu vaccine clinic. If they do not have insurance, or the insurance does not cover flu shots, the vaccine will still be available at no charge.

“We want Scott County residents to stay healthy this flu season andgetting a yearly flu vaccination is the best line of defense,” Holly Laird Scott County Health Unit Administrator, said. “We encourage everyone to come to the community clinic or the local health unit to get their flu shot.”

Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most adults and children six months and older. The flu virus changes from year to year, and this year’s vaccine protects against the flu viruses that are expected to cause the most illness this flu season.

“The flu should not be taken lightly,” said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, ADHDirector. “We are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their families, because it is hard to predict in advance how severe the flu season is going to be.”

People of all ages can get the flu. Certain people are more likely to have serious health problems if they get the flu. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), people who smoke, and people who live in nursing homes. Therefore, ADH strongly recommends that people in these groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended that friends, family members and people who provide care to people in these groups also get a vaccine—not only to protect themselves but also to decrease the possibility that they might expose the people they love and care for to the flu.

The flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu. Some people may have mild soreness and redness near the site of the shot and a low fever or slight headache. There are very few medical reasons to skip the flu vaccine. These include life-threatening allergic reactions to a previous dose of the flu vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. People with allergies to vaccine ingredients can often receive the vaccine safely, if it is given in a doctor’s office where they can be monitored.

The flu is easily spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching something, such as a door knob, with the virus on it, and then touching their nose or mouth. Good hand washing habits are important in preventing the flu; however, the best way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine.

For more information, go to www.healthy.arkansas.gov or www.flu.gov.

Senator Boozman Discusses Proposed OSHA Rule with Sebastian County Volunteer Firefighters

Tammy Teague

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5:54 pm

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Senator Boozman Discusses Proposed OSHA Rule with Sebastian County Volunteer Firefighters

United States Senator John Boozman met with Sebastian County volunteer firefighters on Wednesday, September 4, to hear their input on a proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule that has the potential to put burdensome regulations on volunteer fire departments in Arkansas and across the country. Also attending the meeting, District 47 State Representative Lee Johnson.

Dale Seiter, White Bluff-Rye Hill Executive Board President, addressing those in attendance.

Fire Chiefs representing White Bluff-Rye Hill, Mansfield, Greenwood, Greenwood Rural, Huntington, EMP, Midland, Hartford, and Barling were in attendance at the meeting held at the White Bluff – Rye Hill fire station. Also in attendance, Northwest Scott Assistant Fire Chief Jack Morgan, Sebastian County Emergency Management and EMS Rescue Director Travis Cooper, Arkansas Rural & Volunteer Firefighters Association’s Bill Byrd, and Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz.

In February, OSHA announced its proposal to modernize safety requirements for emergency responders. Boozman has expressed his concerns to the acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor that parts of the plan could cause unintended consequences and lead to increased costs resulting in potential cuts and services.

In August, the Senate Appropriation Committee adopted language championed by Boozman to encourage OSHA to conduct listening session and outreach with stakeholders to fully understand the impact of new requirements on volunteer fire departments.

“We must ensure firefighters have the tools and training to safeguard themselves and the community, which means any adjustments to the standards applied to them must be carefully considered. OSHA’s current one-size-fits-all proposal could jeopardize volunteer fire departments’ ability to continue operating or drastically limit their resources and personnel capacity. I’m hopeful the plan can be revised with feedback from stakeholders,” Boozman said.

Out of Arkansas’s 1,003 fire departments, 974 are at least partially staffed by volunteers. It is these volunteer-based departments, already operating on tight budgets, that will struggle the most to comply with OSHA’s new standards.

“OSHA estimates these new regulations will cost fire departments $15,000. Given the breadth of the requirements, that figure seems highly unrealistic and doesn’t account for the likely unintended consequences, including the need for in-house lawyers and compliance staff necessary to implement the 250-page rule. It is easy to understand why our local leaders and volunteer fire services view this rule as daunting and unworkable. While I appreciate OSHA’s efforts to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our emergency services personnel, this is another example of a blanket federal regulation that does more harm than good. It jeopardizes the safety of small communities across Arkansas and our country by decimating local fire station staff and potentially leaving them without adequate systems for protection and mitigation. I understand the importance of local volunteer fire departments to Arkansans. In many cases, they are the backbone of our rural communities, composed of courageous volunteers who take great pride and responsibility in serving their fellow citizens. Without them, our communities face greater fire risks, leading to widespread safety concerns and higher home insurance premiums for everyday Arkansans. Needlessly threatening to eliminate these long-standing community institutions is not only sad, but unwise. That’s why I was proud to join the rest of Arkansas’s congressional delegation, led by Congressman Rick Crawford, in denouncing OSHA’s new rule and requesting its immediate rescission. We will continue working to protect our volunteer fire departments and the important mission they fulfill for communities in every corner of our state.”

Concerns by area fire departments regarding the proposed rules included the vague language, probability of misinterpretation, qualifications of exemption, extreme hardships in regard to recruiting and retention. Additionally, questions regarding mutual aid, funding and impacts to ISO.

“This rule will undoubtedly force the closure of many volunteer departments nationwide,” shared Seiter. “If those dissolve, then so does their respective medical first responder programs.”

Boozman stated that the OSHA rule has obvious unintended consequences that “they haven’t thought about.”

The new OSHA rule has been receiving pushback from all over the country. If adopted, however, Federal legislators have the authority to overturn it. “…I don’t want to do anything that will make your job more difficult,” concluded Boozman.

Locally, the consensus was clear, definitions and clarifications to the OSHA rule are needed.

SR Tigers Marked With First Loss Against Bismarck

Sports

Adam Hecox

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6:15 pm

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SR Tigers Marked With First Loss Against Bismarck

Everyone loves seeing two underdogs battle for a heavyweight position. That’s because most underdogs resonate with the average Joe who himself battles the underdog card in life. Neither Mansfield or Bismarck has the pedigree, history, and prestige of a Charleston, Prescott, or Booneville that draws in all the attention. Instead, both programs pulled up their bootstraps last season to earn the attention of the entire state which carried over into both teams first game of 2024, coincidentally, against each other. Bismarck came into the game with a senior heavy roster and high-octane offense while the Tigers rolled onto the field with a roster full of returning starters on their stiff defense. The hype was definitely present in Bismarck as media outlets from all over the state were in attendance. All that was left was the opening kickoff.

Bismarck won the coin toss and deferred to the second half setting up Mansfield with the ball first. The Lions sent off a short pooch kick to try and gain an early advantage, but Matthew Burton was there to snag the ball giving Mansfield’s offense excellent field position at the 46-yard line. The Tigers used their normal ground and pound rushing attack to cross midfield into Bismarck territory on the first play. Mansfield mixed in a couple of pass plays to keep the Lions on their toes which spread the Bismarck defense out just enough to allow Daniel Burton to bust loose on a 28-yard gain. With the ball now at the 13-yard line, the Tigers were in prime position to punch the ball into the endzone, but a fumble two plays later put a screeching halt to the Tigers touchdown plans and allowed Bismarck to gain momentum. Mansfield’s defense then came out and used their defensive line beefcakes to force the Lions into a quick three and out. The Tigers offense came back on the field with a vengeance as Jeremy Strozier pitched the ball to Daniel Burton who hit the outside perimeter like a man on fire going 63-yards for a Tiger touchdown. Mansfield missed the extra point try but still had an early 6-0 lead on Bismarck. Mansfield’s defense again hit the field with every intention of stuffing Bismarck again, but the Lions learned not to run right into the teeth of the Tigers on their first drive and came out airing the ball out. While the Tigers were able to stop big gains with outside linebackers Jeremy Strozier and Samuel Buton, Bismarck was able to pick their way downfield quickly to put points on the board. After also missing their extra point attempt, the Tigers and Lions were all tied up with a 6-6 score. The back-and-forth action continued with neither side giving up an inch as the first quarter came to a close with the same 6-6 lit up on the scoreboard.

Mansfield started off the second quarter with a roar as the defense got their feet under them again. Linemen Cadien Ore and James Bausley wreaked havoc on the Lions offense forcing Bismarck to run the ball outside the box and pass while scrambling. Bismarck was able to gain some yards on their first drive of the second quarter but were soon forced to punt the ball back to the Tigers. It did not take long for Mansfield to capitalize on their defensive stop as Jeremy Strozier made the perfect read option and pitched the ball to Samuel Burton who screamed downfield for a 64-yard Tiger touchdown. Mansfield went for a two-point conversion but failed setting the score at 12-6 in the Tigers favor. Bismarck’s offense again responded with an air raid assault on the Tigers defense. The Lions drove the ball down within the five-yard line when the ball hit the grass. Mansfield pounced on the ball quickly and began to celebrate but that celebration was cut short as Bismarck’s runner was ruled down prior to the ball coming out. It only took one play from there for Bismarck to cross the goal line for a score and tack on the extra point kick giving the Lions a 13-12 lead over Mansfield. Down by one point with only four minutes left in the half, the Tigers stuck to their game plan and ran the ball eating up yards and time along the way. Another read option to Samuel Burton pushed Mansfield into scoring territory with under a minute left. It was “Wild Dan” time from there as Daniel Burton pushed through three defenders from six yards out for a Tiger touchdown to regain the lead for the Tigers. The extra point kick went wide and low leaving Mansfield with an 18-13 lead going into halftime.

The third quarter kicked off with an impressive Bismarck drive that took a page out of Mansfield’s book by controlling the clock. The Lions took the ball all the way down to the eight-yard line while chewing the clock down to 8:28 before zipping into the endzone on a slant pass. Bismarck then added on the extra point kick to regain the lead with a 20-18 score. Tigers dropped the ball on their next possession giving Bismarck even more momentum in the third quarter. The Lions again attempted to capitalize on a Mansfield mistake by scoring on a quarterback scramble from 20 yards out, but a holding call negated the score. Something else that will keep an opponent from scoring is an interception and that’s exactly what Samuel Burton did two plays later giving Mansfield the ball as well as a much needed boost of confidence. Andrew Burton then picked up a big 12-yard run up the gut which brought the Lions defense tight into the box on. That was just what the Tigers wanted too as Trey Powell took the end around pitch and saw nothing but grass as he left Bismarck’s defense in the dust for a 44-yard Tiger touchdown. Mansfield failed on the two-point attempt which put the score at a narrow 24-20 in the Tigers favor. Bismarck got the ball back and popped off two plays on offense before defensive lineman (yes, lineman), Ethan Martin, did some popping of his own and popped high up into the air to intercept a pass. The Tigers offense went nowhere though as they faced a fourth and short but were bailed out by a flag against Bismarck. That closed out a wild third quarter that saw Mansfield up on Bismarck 24-20.

Two great teams, one great game, and a fourth quarter to go. This game had lived up to all the hype at that point for sure. Mansfield started of the fourth with the ball still at their own 21-yard line. Mansfield’s Jeremy Strozier took control of the beginning of the fourth with a big run up the middle then followed that up with a smooth read and pitch to Daniel Burton to get the Tigers inside the five-yard line. The Tigers capitalized on the short field as Andrew Burton plowed his way into the endzone from two yards out. Mansfield successfully added the extra point kick to take a two-score lead over Bismarck, 31-20 with 10:08 left in the game. But when it comes to two teams that are eyeing to make a name for themselves, you cannot count either one out. Bismarck had an advantage that Mansfield could not muster in the fourth quarter, roster numbers. A steady rotation of fresh bodies by the Lions was able to wear down the Tigers 22-man roster as exhaustion from playing both ways began to take its toll. Bismarck sent a rocket pass into the endzone after just two minutes with the ball. The lions added a two-point conversion to bring the game within three points, 31-28. The Tigers fell short on a fourth down trick punt on their next series giving Bismarck a short field at the 29-yard line with just four minutes left in the game. Bismarck wasted little time jumping into the endzone to take 35-31 the lead with 2:48 on the clock. That late score proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Tigers as Mansfield fell to Bismarck with a 35-31 final score.

The Tigers did not schedule Bismarck as their first game to have a cupcake, they wanted a true test. Although the Tigers did not pass that particular test, they learned a lot from the nonconference loss. One thing for sure, both Mansfield and Bismarck will definitely make some waves in the 3A this season and may possibly meet again the State Playoffs for a rematch. For Mansfield though, there is no rest for the weary as they must forget this loss and look ahead at a rivalry game. This upcoming Friday the Tigers will host the Waldron Bulldogs in the ever-anticipated Battle of Scott County. Waldron will enter the contest with a new head coach and a 1-0 record after defeating Paris 27-21 last week. There is no doubt that both Mansfield and Waldron need a win this upcoming Friday, September 6^th to keep their seasons looking positive.

Arrest Reports 8/25

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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3:19 pm

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Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Dylan Davis Allen of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 27 at 12:49 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 28 at 8:53 a.m. Allen was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, and Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Ivy Marie Gossage of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 10:38 p.m. and released on signature bond August 30 at 11:12 p.m. Gossage was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
James Micheal Allen of Howe, OK was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 5:17 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Allen was charged with Theft by receiving $5000.00-$25000.00.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Troy Dewayne Ball, Junior of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 29 at 12:49 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Ball was charged with parole violation and absconding.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Jacob Nathaniel Bowman of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 7:12 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Bowman was charged with ADC Commitment Hold and return to testify.

Richard Shelby Hiatt of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 27 at 12:56 p.m. and released on signature bond August 27 at 3:59 p.m. Hiatt was charged with Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked.

Daniel Lee Hill of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 7:15 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Hill was charged with ADC Commitment Hold and return to testify.

Jakob Jynx Kossman of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 7:56 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with cash bond. Kossman was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Richard A Maciel of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 4:18 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 31 at 8:30 a.m. Maciel was charged with Abuse of Adults – Neglectful Serious Injury.

Jackson William Petty of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 1 at 7:48 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond September 1 at 10:04 p.m. Petty was charged with Theft of Property <$1k.

Amy Lea Pinto of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 29 at 2:25 a.m. and released on signature bond August 29 at 8:14 a.m. Pinto was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Cody Jackson Stafford of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 27 at 4:46 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 27 at 6:25 p.m. Stafford was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Bridgette Michelle Terry of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 1 at 8:53 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond September 1 at 10:07 p.m. Terry was charged with Theft of Property <$1k.

Jackie Watson of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 12:28 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Watson was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Andrew Jay Brewer of Subiaco was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 11:30 a.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 26 at 5:30 p.m. Brewer was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor and Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Todd T. Gunnels of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 2:05 a.m. and released on signature bond August 25 at 8:37 a.m. Gunnels was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others, and Refusal to Submit to Arrest Misdemeanor.

Harley Elanie Lord of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 12:19 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Lord was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Brianna Mae Lowe of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 10:22 p.m. and released on signature bond August 27 at 9 a.m. Lowe was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Stephen Austin Lee Hill of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 2:03 a.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 26 at 3:56 p.m. Hill was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO, and Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Terry Ross Moore of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 12:47 a.m. and released on cash bond August 26 at 6:27 a.m. Moore was charged with petition to revoke – felony.

Arresting agency – Fort Chaffee Police Department:
Kylen L. Wilkinson of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 5 a.m. and released on signature bond August 25 at 9:53 a.m. Wilkinson was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others, and Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
David Lewis, 61 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 26 at 5:04 p.m. Lewis was charged with Reckless driving, fleeing, failure to use turn signal, littering and commercial littering, and driving while driver’s license cancelled, suspended or revoked.

Larry Harrower, 47 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 27 at 8:53 a.m. Harrower was charged with aggravated assault on a family or household member and endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.

Kacey Friddle, 30 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 28 at 7:29 a.m. Friddle was charged with failure to appear.

Aaron Klein, 42 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 30 at 9:36 a.m. Klein was charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication – drinking in public, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Levi Williams, 25 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 31 at 6:17 a.m. Williams was charged with contempt of court, and domestic battering in the third degree.

John-Wayne Gonzales, 27 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 31 at 1:36 p.m. Gonzales was charged with aggravated assault on a family or household member.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
Mary Domenica Williams, 45 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 26 at 9:30 p.m. Williams was charged with defective equipment – head lamps, driving while license suspended, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, absconding / white warrant, and failure to appear.

John Nichols Harris, 32 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 28 at 9:15 a.m. Harris was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury, and failure to comply with conditions of pre-trial release.

Robert Boswell, 50, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 28 at 10:12 a.m. Boswell was charged with failure to appear.

Brandon Wayne English, 37 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 30 at 4:21 p.m. English was charged with possession of meth or cocaine GT 10 GM by LT 200 GM, possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver GT 10 GM by LT 200 Gm, absconding / white warrant.

Jennifer Leighann O’Mara, 39 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 31 at 2:44 a.m. O’Mara was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury.

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**

Greenwood Beats Bentonville West 70-35

Ross Fujibayashi

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1:10 pm

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After a delay for Lightning in the area, the Bulldogs got to work on their hopeful return to Little Rock. Going back to 2004, this looks to be the first time the Bulldogs have reached the 70-point mark. The final score resembles that of the fellow multi-State Championship winning Greenwood Lady Bulldog basketball team.

It did not take long for Greenwood to find the endzone on a Junior Wesley Raggio run. A mix of passes and runs from Junior Kane Archer set up the score with 10:08 left in the first. Senior Hudson Meeker’s kick was good for the point after, 7-0. After a hit and pass break up by Senior Kaylor Jasna, the Bentonville West Wolverines were forced to punt the ball back to the Bulldogs. Greenwood would have create some highlights on this drive, Junior Champ Davis would have the ball stripped and tossed into the air, while Hudson Meeker catches it and gains yards after the reception. A first down reception by Senior Isaiah Arrington set up a toes on the edge of the sideline touchdown catch by Junior Cooper Bland. Meeker’s point after pushed Greenwood to 14-0 with 4:34 left in the first quarter. Bentonville West would answer back with a 69-yard touchdown reception with 3:13 in the first 14-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Champ Davis would go 84 yards for the touchdown on the return. The kick was good making the score 21-7 with 2:59 left in the first quarter. Senior Cash Archer would strip the ball and then recover the fumble turning the ball back over to the Bulldogs. Greenwood would run the time out on the clock with runs from Raggio and Sophomore Mario Dunbar.

Opening the second quarter, Isaiah Arrington would put six points on the board with a 23-yard reception from Kane Archer. The point after would be no good making the score 27-7 with 11:51 in the half. The wolverines would answer back with 55-yard touchdown reception, the point after was good to make the score 27-14 with 9:34 left in the half. After receptions from Junior Cooper Goodwin and Champ Davis, Wesley Raggio would rumble from 18-yards out for the touchdown. The point-after was no good making it 33-14 with 7:28 left in the half. An injury on the opening stopped the play while the player was tended to. Cash Archer added to his career sack total on the Wolverine QB. Bentonville West attempted a Field Goal that would drift left. A fumble on the following play would give the ball back to Bentonville West. Senior Eddy Castelo would get his first solo tackle as a Bulldog. Bentonville West would get into the end zone from 14 yards out, the point after was good with 2:02 in the half making it 33-21. A 44-yard reception by Arrington set up Mario Dunbar’s touchdown. The Bulldogs would go for two points and get it, on a Kane Archer to Cooper Bland reception. 1:31 left in the half 41-21. Defense would hold the Wolverines on 4th down, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. Greenwood ran the time run out on the half leaving the score 41-21.

Bentonville West’s QB would make long run to get them deep into Greenwood territory. The Wolverines would get it in from 2 yards out, point after was good making the score 41-28 with 9:44 left in the third. Several great catches and runs by Arrington got Greenwood deep into Wolverine territory. Archer finds Senior Grant Karnes for his first touchdown on the season, the two-point was good on a Kane Archer run. 8:30 left in the third, 49-28. The Greenwood would stop Bentonville West two-yards short with a Senior Zach Zitzmann stop. Kane Archer would pass to Kane Archer on a batted pass on the series. Wesley Raggio would get his third rushing touchdown from 25 yards out. Hudson Meeker’s point-after was good with 6:37 left in the third quarter, 56-28. Greenwood would take over at the Bentonville West 44 yard line after a fourth down stop by the Bulldog defense. A fumble on the Bulldogs next possession turned the ball back over to the Wolverines, but the defense would stand tall on a fourth down with a Senior Paul Brixey and Cash Archer sack. Also highlighting the series, Senior Radley O’neal with a pass break-up. After two catches from Senior Grant Karnes, Kane Archer calls his own number and takes it in for the touchdown. Hudson Meeker was on the point after putting the score at 63-28 with 3:12 left in the third. Bentonville West would get it into the endzone with five seconds left in the third making the score 63-35. Greenwood would run out the clock in the third.

A fumble on the play turned the ball back to Bentonville West, the Wolverines would not be able to make magic on the drive and stalled out. Greenwood would take to the ground with runs from Mario Dunbar, Junior Cameron Deacon, and Maddox McCallip. McCallip would run in the touchdown, Landon Franklin’s kick would put the score 70-35 with 4:43 left in the game. Bentonville West ran out the rest of the clock on the game.

“We’re really good at doing the little things right and we didn’t do that tonight and that’s coaching, so we’re going to go back. So we’re going to go back and work our tail off as coaches this weekend.” Head Coach Chris Young said following the 70-35 win. “We’ll get better and you know if we want to be where we want to be at the end of the year we gotta play better than that.”

Asked about bright spots on the night and win, “I mean, at times Kane was awesome, was really really good. I thought our receivers at times, minus ball protection, made some good plays. Up front I thought we got better as the game went.” Coach Chris Young said. “Defensively, when we made some mistakes on offense and turned the ball over twice. The defense came out and got big stops. Really proud of them for that.”

The Bulldogs are at home next week against Fort Smith Northside. Northside fell to Fort Smith Southside in the Battle of Rogers Ave. 6A West Fort Smith Southside came back from a 21-0 deficit to beat the cross town rival 34-27. Greenwood faces Southside at Jim Rowland Stadium in Week 9.

The 31st Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride

Featured

Tammy Teague

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8:07 pm

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The 31st Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride

Motorcyclists from across the nation will come together September 22, 2024, for a scenic ride across Arkansas from Searcy through the Ozark Mountains to McAlester OK to honor Native American Indians as a part of the 5-day event. Now in its 31^styear, the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride® makes a five-day journey from Cherokee NC home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to Seminole Oklahoma home of the SeminoleNation.

Riders will line up at La Quinta Inn in Searcy at 9:00am Monday the 23^r^d, and make a scenic trip through the Ozark Mountains to McAlester OK with a Stop at Cadron Settlement in Conway AR at 10am

On Saturday the 21^st The Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride® begins at the Alabama/Tennessee state line off U. S. Highway 72 in Downtown Bridgeport with riders departing at 8 a.m. CST on Saturday, Sept.21. The ride travels U. S. Highway 72 West to I-565 West arriving at Redstone Harley-Davidson at approximately 10:30a.m. for an official rest and lunch stop. The public is invited towelcome riders while enjoying lunch and special entertainment. At 12p.m. riders will depart and head west through Florence arriving in Waterloo at approximately 2:00 p.m.

A kick-off rally offering children’s activities, live music, a street dance, fireworks show and other free family fun for the public to enjoy is scheduled in downtown Bridgeport on Friday, Sept. 20. Bikes will arrive from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Reservation at 3:00 p.m. and the official opening ceremony gets underway at 5:00 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m. with Bottom Holler Band and slated to perform for the special 31^st anniversary is Benny Carl and the Loose Lips Band from Nashville who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. following the fireworks show.

The town of Waterloo will host a free Indian Festival September 20-22in remembrance of all those who walked the Trail of Tears. Presented by the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, the three-day event offers live music on Saturday afternoon and night, flute and drum music and displays from Native American artisans and vendors. A River Walk Dedication Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. to honor those who experienced the forced journey with the grand entry slated for 1 p.m. and bikes arriving around 2:00 p.m.

The ride is held rain or shine. For more information on the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride including a map of the routeand a schedule of events, https://trail-of-tears.webflow.io/the-ride/this-years-ride . Or like us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Trailoftearsmotorcycle

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 called for the voluntary or forcible removal of all Indians from the eastern United States to the state of Oklahoma. In 1838, the U.S. government hired wagon master J.C.S. Hood to transport 1,070 Native Americans by foot and wagon from Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee to what is now Waterloo, Alabama. Much of the journey followed what is now U.S. Highway 72. Many Native Americans died in Waterloo and others escaped into the hills and today, area residents can trace their Native American ancestry to those who fled. As many as 4,000 deaths occurred because of this forced removal of civilized Native Americans from their rightful homes. In recognition of this removal process, the first Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride was organized in 1994 with approximately 100 riders participating, and has grown to more that 10-15,000 riders each year!

A ride in from Cherokee NC will leave at 10am Friday the 20th from the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, and a Ride continuation to Seminole OK will leave from Spring Park in Tuscumbia at 8 am Sunday morning the 22^nd.

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