67.1 F
Fort Smith
Monday, May 11, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 153

Arkansas black bear populations are on the rise … slowly

Tammy Teague
-
0
Arkansas black bear populations are on the rise … slowly

By Traci Rushing
U of A System Division of Agriculture – UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Black bear population are slowly rising in the bottom land hardwood forest of southern and eastern Arkansas according to wildlife expert, Don White, Jr.

Population modeling results from a recent study led by White indicate that the population density of black bears in the West Gulf Coastal Plain — WGCP — of southeastern Arkansas is approximately one black bear for every 5 square miles. The black bearpopulation in the area is growing at approximately 4 percent per year.

As the bear population has expanded in the WGCP over recent years, interest in hunting bears in the area has increased as well. However, establishing and maintaining sustainable harvest levels requires reliable information on the population status. To assist the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, or AGFC, with setting harvest levels, White led a population study using hair snares across the region.

“To establish and maintain sustainable harvest levels for black bears, AGFC biologists need to know the number of bears that occur in the region and the growth rate of the population,” said White.  

During two summers within the past five years, White and his field crews placed 360 hair snares throughout the WGCP, including the Felsenthal and White River National Wildlife Refuges and the Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area.

“A hair snare is nothing more than two strands of barbed wire stretched tightly around three to five trees,” said White. “Attractants such as candy flavorings and fish were then hung from a rope located at the center of each enclosure. As a bear is attracted to the scent, the bear crawls under or steps over the barbed wires. As they do, the bears get their hair snagged by the barbs. From these hair samples, DNA is extracted and used to identify each bear.”

Because the DNA of bears in southeastern Arkansas is slightly different from the DNA of bears in the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains, DNA can also be used to better understand the movement of bears between different areas of the state.

“Bears from the Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas may be dispersing and moving south and southeast. My AGFC colleagues and I are using our bear genetics data to better understand bear dispersal and map the locations of bear movement corridors. This is important work because genetically-connected bear populations are healthier bear populations. Connected populations do not suffer the consequences of limited genetic variability like isolated populations do,” said White.

Throughout each nine-week collection period, field crews checked each hair snare every seven days. These crews consisted mostly of undergraduate wildlife conservation and management students in the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

“Opportunities to get paid to work on research projects provide students with valuable educational and professional opportunities,” said White.   

White is a wildlife ecologist for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture housed at UAM and has studied black bears of Arkansas for almost 20 years. He is also a James White Endowed Professor of Wildlife with UAM.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

Tammy Teague
-
0
State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – The Senate and House Education Committees are close to finalizing next year’s school funding formula.

They have worked all year on the formula, in order to comply with the mandate in the Arkansas Constitution that requires the state to provide all children with an adequate and equitable education.

Committee members have gone over hundreds of pages of data to prepare an adequacy report. Their recommendations will be an essential starting point when the entire legislature convenes in regular session in January and considers a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2025. 

School districts in Arkansas get about $7 billion a year from federal, state and local sources. In 2023 Arkansas schools spent about $2 billion to pay classroom teachers.

Last year the legislature approved the governor’s proposal to increase the minimum teacher salary to $50,000. According to a study by researchers at the University of Arkansas, the increase went a long way toward narrowing the salary disparities between prosperous schools and schools in poor, rural areas.

The state provided all the funding for the salary increase, about $181 million. The majority of that new funding went to poor, rural areas because that is where teacher salaries generally are lowest.

Statewide, the average retention rate for teachers was 74 percent. In rural areas it was 76 percent and in urban schools it was 70 percent.

The retention rate was lower in poor areas, as measured by the number of students who qualify for free lunches. It also was lower in schools that got an “F” on school report cards.

There are about 33,000 teachers in Arkansas and about 5,000, or roughly 15 percent of the total, completed a survey by legislators about recruitment and retention. Also, 807 principals completed the survey and they represent 77 percent of the state’s principals.

There are 12 teacher education programs at state colleges and universities, and the majority of new teachers go through them.

People also can become teachers by an alternative route, if they already have a bachelor’s degree and are knowledgeable in the area in which they want to teach.

Research indicates that turnover is higher among those who have taken the alternative route to become teachers. That may be due to less preparation for the challenges of teaching. However, it also may be due to the fact that those teachers are often hired for the hardest to fill vacancies with the most challenging conditions for a new teacher.

Salaries and health insurance help retain teachers. So do strong training and preparation, along with the presence of veteran teachers who actively mentor younger teachers. It helps more when the mentor teaches the same subject as the new teacher, and when they share time planning lessons.

Last year, the average length of experience for Arkansas teachers was 11.8 years. About 49 percent have a bachelor’s degree only and 42 percent have earned a master’s degree.

Statewide, three percent of teachers have emergency or provisional credentials, which means they are still working on certification in the subject or grade level they teach.

Timepiece: Arkansas Dairy

Tammy Teague
-
0
Timepiece: Arkansas Dairy

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Growing up, virtually every rural farm had at least one jersey milk cow. The jersey resembles a large deer, both in color and size, with large soft eyes and a gentle demeanor that make them ideal for the milk herd. Milking the cow was a daily morning and evening routine, providing the milk, butter, and dairy products for the family.

Both sides of my family were at least part-time farmers, and both made extra income by selling excess eggs and butter in local markets. Jersey cows produce milk with a lot of butter fat which would be separated from the milk, churned, and then placed into molds which produced a pound of real butter. The milk left in the churn was clabbered and, with a little added salt, was consumed as butter milk.

Traditionally, this method of producing and consuming milk products goes back into antiquity. The first milk cows arrived in Arkansas along with the first permanent settlers. Animal herds and urban life do not mix well. As towns developed, farmers in the surrounding areas began producing excess dairy products and delivering it for sale to their urban neighbors. Shortly after the Civil War, Eleithet Coleman became one of the first to deliver fresh milk to homes in Pulaski County. He and his son Fred milked some fifty cows daily, placing the milk into large dairy cans, and delivering it to homes. It was sold in quarts, ladling it by dipper out of the large cans into the buyers containers. In 1915, Walter and Gladys Coleman introduced the use of bottled milk and the trend expanded throughout the state. Most school children of the 50’s,60’s, and 70’s remember the glass pint jars of chocolate and white milk consumed as part of school lunches.

In the 1940’s, Coleman Dairy installed the modern pasteurization process, and this allowed for longer and safer storage of milk products. In 1932, one of my favorites, Ray Yarnell, started the production of ice cream at their factory in Searcy.

Arkansas, especially the northwest corner of the state with it rolling hills and ample water, was an ideal location for dairy farming and a thriving industry developed. Aided by the U/A cooperative extension service, farms increased production through the use of mechanical milkers, using the larger Holstein cow, and better feeding practices. By the 1960’s, large cooled semi-trucks were making daily visits to area dairy farms, picking up thousands of gallons of milk, and delivering the milk to urban factories to be processed. At that time, dozens of farms dotted the countryside from the Arkansas River valley north to the Missouri border. The George Huber farm near Subiaco was recognized as one of the top five herds in the U.S. and dairy farming was a major part of the regional economy.

Just as quickly, the milk industry faded. By the mid-1980’s, federal deregulation of milk prices and competition from huge “milk” factories, contributed to such a decline in profit that farmers began to shift to other products or just simply selling out and moving into cities. In 1989, there were 852 producers in the state, by 2009 there was only 140, and today even less. Coleman Milk sold to Highland and eventually to Prairie Farms. Yarnell’s ice cream closed their plant in 2011.

Virtually all the milk products used in Arkansas today come from out of state. The dairy products you use are produced at “milk” farms with an average size of 337 cattle per herd. In 2017, 189 of those farms had more than 5,000 cattle. The average dairy herd in New Mexico has over 2,500 animals on one farm!! Those cattle are not the small gentle Jersey but a hybrid Holstein that can produce 13,000 pounds of milk per year. Peak production has moved to large farms where cattle are housed, not on the rolling green hills of Arkansas, but, more often in small feed lots in California, Texas, and New Mexico.

I miss those early morning visits with my grandparents, listening to the two Jersey cows bellowing in reply to grandma’s insistent calling. Sitting on her stool, she would quickly strip the cow of its milk, leaving one teat for the calf she released as she finished milking. Afterward, she would strain the milk and cool it for our use.

Reverting to the old days, some area farmers are now producing and selling raw milk. My sister recently purchased some near Dardanelle and there seems to be a developing market for the “natural” Arkansas produced product. The taste? If you tasted those cardboard, perfect-shaped tomatoes and then compared it to those heritage tomatoes produced in the Arkansas sunshine, you know there is no comparison. The same can be said for the “natural” milk but after years of pasteurized, homogenized, etc. milk, one would have to say that real milk is an acquired taste.

Obituary: J.B. Smith (1958-2024)

Tammy Teague
-
0
Obituary: J.B. Smith (1958-2024)

Jerry Bradford Smith, better known as J.B. or Jerry Bob 65 of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with the Lord and Savior, Friday, August 9th, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma surrounded by his loving family. Jerry was born December 30th, 1958 in Corcoran, California to Floyd and Wilma Smith. 

Jerry was a simple man who lived a simple life. He enjoyed hanging out with friends and family who all loved him dearly. He was a good, kind man who would give the shirt off his back to help others. His favorite hobbies included anything outdoors, but fishing topped it all. He was known to be on his way to an occasion, but first stopping off at his favorite pond. He always had a fishing pole within reach. If he wasn’t fishing he was watching the fishing channel. He also loved a good western. The last few months of Jerry’s life was spent with his daughter at bedside. He also spent a great deal of time with his grandkids. Those days consisted of milkshakes, snacks, Yahtzee and a lot of laughter.He cherished those days and soaked up every minute. 

Jerry leaves behind two children, Heath Smith (wife Ashley Smith) and grandkids of Huntington, Arkansas and daughter Sarah Smith (partner Katelyn Hall) and grandkids Ashton and Kynleigh Smith of Moore, Oklahoma. Sister Diane Vaughn (husband Tony Vaughn) of Waldron, Arkansas and brother Brent Smith of Waldron, Arkansas. Jerry also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, cousins, and loved ones. 

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Wilma Smith, and sister Rema Smith. As much as we will miss having him here on earth, he was welcomed into heaven by those he loved dearly. 

Jerry’s celebration of life will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, August 24th at Waldron Pentecostal Church of God with Trav May officiating.

Greenwood Council Adopts Ordinance to Waive Permit Fees, Effect Delayed

Tammy Teague
-
0
Greenwood Council Adopts Ordinance to Waive Permit Fees, Effect Delayed

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Doug Kinslow at 5:30 p.m.; roll was called by City Clerk/Treasurer Sharla Derry and members present were as follows: AC Brown, Ralph Meeker, and Roger Rainwater; a quorum was declared with the addition of the Mayor; Council members Tim Terry, Rod Powell, and Steve Tedford were absent, and City Attorney Travis Plummer was present.
Business Items:

  1. Mayor – Ordinance Repealing Replacing Ordinance #12-11 Authorizing Mayor to Waive Permit Fees –
    Emergency Passage – Mayor Kinslow stated that severe weather had recently caused damage throughout town, especially in regard to privacy fences and that he felt it was best to waive fees if possible to help people with their repairs, and understands that he cannot do that as council has set those by ordinance. He added that Ms. Derry had assisted by drafting an ordinance for consideration on this and said that building inspector Hunter Mikles had posted on social media after the storm a reminder that permits are required for certain fence repairs and said that it had stirred up emotions, and he said he wanted to do the best he can to help people with their repairs because it is very expensive.
    Councilmember Brown asked for clarification that this is not altering the fence ordinance, but rather the ordinance regarding waiving of fees and requested the reason that this could not be done with Ordinance 12-11, to which the Mayor responded that Ordinance 12-11 pertained to County projects, and Ms. Derry added that it also only covers demolition fees for natural disasters. There was discussion about other details of the updated proposed ordinance, with Ms. Derry pointing out the sections regarding waiving of fees for County, State, and Federal projects that benefit the town economically. After discussion, motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Meeker to put this ordinance on first reading by title only; motion passed unanimously, and the title was read by the City Clerk. Motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Meeker to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance; motion passed unanimously. Motion was made by Councilmember Meeker,
    seconded by Councilmember Rainwater to adopt the ordinance; motion passed unanimously. It was made known by the City Attorney that the Mayor cannot vote to enact an emergency clause therefore that could not be done at this time and confirmed that it could be presented again at the next regular meeting for emergency clause enactment; Ms. Derry stated that she would place this on the September council agenda.
  2. Adjournment:
    Planning & Building – Ordinance Rezoning from R-1 to R-2 a Parcel Located at 206 Gum Street –
    Emergency Passage – Planning Director Sonny Bell explained that this fell through the cracks and was supposed to go on last council meeting and that the Board of Adjustment has approved this; he explained the details regarding this parcel and answered any questions and said that it has been posted, published and adjustments made from public input;
    motion was made by Councilmember Meeker, seconded by Councilmember Rainwater to put this on first reading by title only; motion passed unanimously, and the title was read by the City Clerk. Motion was made by Councilmember Meeker, seconded by Councilmember Rainwater to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance; motion passed unanimously. Motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Meeker to adopt the ordinance; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Derry stated that she would place this on the September council agenda
    for consideration of the emergency clause.
    Motion was made by Councilmember Rainwater, seconded by Councilmember Brown to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m.

Teaching Children Money Management

Tammy Teague
-
0
Teaching Children Money Management

by Lori Winesburg

It’s back to school time, which means parents are busy helping their children get back into learning mode. It’s also a great time to add a new lesson in their curriculum – one that will last a lifetime. Money management.

It’s best to begin teaching these lessons when children are young. Because they learn mostly by observing, take them shopping and help them compare prices of products. Ask, “Which one costs less and saves us money?” Parents might also consider giving youngsters a transparent piggy bank for capturing loose change so they can watch their savings grow.

When children are older, a weekly allowance can teach them how to be good stewards of their money, along with these principles:

● Identify “wants” vs. “needs.” When you spend freely, you’re not managing your money.

● Save, then spend. This helps avoid short- or long-term debt.

● Value working for money. When you earn your money, you think more carefully about spending.

● Comparison shop. Research saves money.

Like adults, children need to diversify. Divide money into three financial categories – saving, spending and giving. Income can be divided between saving and spending as parents see fit, and contributions can be made to the “giving” jar. A good rule of thumb for giving is 10 percent, which provides a great way for parents to start the conversation about giving to others. This practice mirrors life as an adult and is a good habit to form early.

It won’t take long for the power of the purse to teach children to save before they spend. With age comes the ability to determine whether saving for the “next big thing” is worth skipping day-to-day purchases that bring short-term satisfaction.

Parents may consider giving their child compound interest by matching a small percentage of their child’s total savings each month to demonstrate how money saved can grow.

College students

When the apron strings are cut, and the purse strings tighten on the first day of college, teenagers get a crash course in budgeting. If they haven’t learned by now, these young adults will see how quickly the little things, like that fancy morning coffee on the way to class, add up. “Free” and “cheap” are words to live by in college.

A great lesson for all college students is to look for money-saving and money-making options – everywhere. Online coupons, generic brand items, student discounts and generally living with less should be the norm until graduation.

Opportunities to sell no-longer-needed items such as old textbooks or clothes, and to work a part-time job can help build a few extra dollars. Babysitting, dog sitting or lawn work are other revenue options. Choosing the cheaper route by eating in, streaming movies at home or finding free entertainment also helps the budget.

Students who work should set up their direct deposits so that savings can be set aside first. Paying for items in cash also helps avoid creating debt and is a constant reminder of how quickly money disappears.

The biggest pitfall for college students is relying on credit cards. This is a mistake that can hurt them for years to come. Unless it’s possible to pay off the monthly balance in full, credit cards are not a good solution during college. They often result in high, unmanageable debt, paving the way for bad credit.

Spending mistakes are inevitable, but they can be good lessons. A commitment to save first, save early, save consistently and to track spending are among the best practices for developing financial acumen for consumers of any age.

Lori Winesburg is a Sales Manager for Arvest Bank. She can be contacted at 479-573-1779.

Arrest Reports 8/11

Tammy Teague
-
0
Arrest Reports 8/11

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Christopher Ozzy Bailey of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 8:52 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Bailey was charged with Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member – Choke.

Brandon Dwight Eversole of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 3:12 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Eversole was charged with Parole Violation, Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, Petition to Revoke – Felony, Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member – Choke, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree > $1,000 but < $5,000, Domestic Battering in the First Degree – Physical Injury – 2 priors in 10 years, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, and Habitual Offender.

Kenneth Dewayne Fletcher of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 11:21 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 13 at 12:29 p.m. Fletcher was charged with Battery in the Third Degree – Purpose.

Lisa Marie Harris of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 11 at 9:38 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Harris was charged with Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree -Conduct.

Wendell Scott Hiatt of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 12:22 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Hiatt was charged with Contempt-Failure to Comply w/ Court A Misd.

Brian Scott Hicks of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 12 at 8:32 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with cash bond. Hicks was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.

Jesse David Hoffman of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 11 at 9:34 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Hoffman was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree -Conduct, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Steven Andrew Hunt of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 12:14 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Hunt was charged with ADC Commitment Hold.

Stephen Gregory Kohler of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 9:15 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 17 at 11:31 a.m. Kohler was charged with Loitering – Sexual Solicitation.

Rodney Charles McKee of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 8:06 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. McKee was charged with No liability Insurance, and Failure to Register Vehicle.

Jerome Andrew Schluterman of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 9:48 a.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Schluterman was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Keri Lyn Blevins of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 8:30 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 16 at 11:07 p.m. Blevins was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Brian Joseph Davis of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 11 at 4:45 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Davis was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony, Absconding, Parole Violation, ADC Commitment Hold.

Lydia Marie Delgado of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 12:32 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Delgado was charged with Parole Violation, Absconding, and ADC Commitment Hold.

Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Maliki Ezekial Jackson of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 11 at 6:12 p.m. and released on cash bond August 12 at 9:29 p.m. Jackson was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Jasmine Marie Smith-Lewelling of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 9:39 p.m. and released on cash bond August 15 at 10:59 p.m. Smith-Lewelling was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Arresting agency Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Joshua Hudson, 43 of Fort Smith, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 13 at 4:04 p.m. Hudson was charged with residential burglary and criminal trespass.

Paige Barr, 25 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 16 at 7:04 a.m. Barr was charged with failure to appear.

Shawn Buckner, 40 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 16 at 10:43 a.m. Buckner was charged with disorderly conduct, terroristic threatening in the first degree, public intoxication – drinking in public, refusal to submit to arrest, indecent exposure, and failure to appear.

Brandon Mitchell Foster, 30, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 17 at 8:11 a.m. Foster was sentenced to days in jail.

Alexander Mason, 25 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 17 at 11:21 p.m. Mason was charged with four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possessing an instrument of crime.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
James Center, 55 of Winslow, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 16 at 10:20 p.m. Center was charged with driving while intoxicated – DWI 1st Drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance SCHED VI <4 oz., and improper lane change.

Chelsey Lois Durning, 26 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 16 at 9:17 p.m. Durning was charged with contempt – failure to comply and sentenced to days.

Jessie Brison, 44 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 15 at 11:29 p.m. Brison was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and possession of SCH I or II not meth or cocaine.

Marvin Wayne Bowman, 54 of Iberia, MO, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 15 at 10:11 a.m. Bowman was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and absconding / white warrant.

Amy Louella Harviston, 38 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 13 at 9:47 a.m. Harviston was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Christopher Shipman, 38 of Malvern, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 11 at 6:36 p.m. Shipman was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

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


Mansfield Police Department Adopts “Prohibiting Excessive Force” Policy

Tammy Teague
-
0
Mansfield Police Department Adopts “Prohibiting Excessive Force” Policy

The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, August 15 at 6 p.m. All members of the council were present including James Steele, Sheri Hopkins, Beverly Lyons, Boyd Farmer, Julie Thomas, and Glen Hurt. Also present, City Attorney Travis Plummer, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.

After the approval of the July meeting minutes and financial reports, the council heard the city services reports.

Fire Chief Michael Smith stated there were a total of 46 calls, five fire and 41 EMS. Smith noted that the new tanker is near completion and that the department had been donated a 425-gallon skid unit with a diesel engine from the forestry service. Smith sought permission from the mayor and council to start looking for a newer 1-ton truck to replace the older model.

Police Chief Wayne Robb reported a total of 21 calls for his department with 13 agency assists, eight medical, 11 incident/arrest reports, three drug arrests, four adult arrests, and three animal calls. In Scott County, the department issued nine citations, nine violations, and three felony warrants. In Sebastian County, the department issued four citations, and four violations.

Public Works Director Derek Pollard reported a total of 154 service order completed, 22 One Call requests, continued work on the sewer project on Bowman Ave., continued tree trimming away from roadways, located and repaired two water leaks, repaired a blow off at Northwest Scott Rural Volunteer Fire Department, and continued work with the R&R gas line project. Pollard also noted that he and Ryan had obtained a backflow testers certificate in July from ARWA.

In matters of unfinished business, the council approved the revision to page 21 of the personnel policy manual from “actual receipts” to “itemized receipts” due to a recommendation by the state auditor.

In matters of new business, the council recognized Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker on her Master Clerk certification. The council also voted to give Walker a $1,000 annual pay raise.

Next, the council approved and adopted resolution 2024-6, “prohibiting excessive force” policy in the police department manual. Additionally, the council adopted two additional resolutions:
2024-5: application of grant
2024-7: citizen participation plan

In the last matter of new business, the consideration of installing asphalt to the front parking lot of city hall. The council voted unanimously to proceed with the placement of asphalt with Silco in the amount of $26,680.00

Before adjourning, the announcement was made that the next council meeting will be held on September 12. Also, a reminder about the gospel concert at 6 p.m. on September 28 at the Dixie Theater.

Sebastian Countywide Fall Cleanup Campaign

Tammy Teague
-
0
Sebastian Countywide Fall Cleanup Campaign

Fall is in the air and that means it’s time for our Fall Cleanup Campaign. Residents of Sebastian County are encouraged to use the Cleanup Site dumpsters, to pick up litter, tackle illegal dumps and do whatever else it takes to put a shine on Sebastian County. This countywide cleanup campaign is in coordination with the Great American Cleanup. Proof of Sebastian County residency is required by Arkansas Driver’s License for disposal of trash at the cleanup site.

The County Campaign will take place on Saturdays starting September 14th and go through October 12, 2024. “By working together to clean up our properties we all can make a difference and make our community more beautiful, safer and a healthier place to live, work and play,” says Judge Steve Hotz. As in past cleanup campaigns, dumpsters will be placed in several locations throughout the County for County residents to have a convenient place to bring collected trash for safe and legal disposal.

Fall County Cleanup Sites

  • Saturday, September 14, 7 A.M. – 2 P.M. – Midland – County Park / Bob Boyer Park Hwy 45
  • Saturday, September 21 7 A.M. – 2 P.M. – Greenwood – Road Yard
  • Saturday, September 28 7 A.M. – 2 P.M. – White Bluff Fire Station at 2731 Gate Nine Road
  • Saturday, October 5 7 A.M. – 2 P.M. – Milltown/Washburn Fire Station
  • Saturday, October 12 7 A.M. – 2 P.M. – Lavaca Rural – Rodeo Arena Parking Lot – Rodeo Arena Road

Dumpsters will be placed by 7:00 A.M. on Saturday and are available until 2:00 p.m. on the same day. Dumpsters will be picked up by 2:00 P.M. in order to be hauled to the Landfill and dumped by closing time. (3:30 P.M.) Any resident of Sebastian County who does not have a cleanup site in their city, as well as residence in the unincorporated areas, may utilize ANY of the County Cleanup sites. All Household trash must be in bags before bringing to the site to dispose of.

*E-Waste Trailers There will be an E-Waste trailer at each of the County sites to accept Computers and Electronics. These items are not acceptable in the “Dumpsters.” **Tire Disposal Policy Tires “will NOT be accepted” as a part of this cleanup campaign. county residents may dispose of up to four passenger tires, without rims, at no charge during the cleanup campaign in April, by taking the tires to the disposal site located at 601 Oak Grove Road in Van Buren, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No tires accepted on Saturdays. If you have questions, you may contact John Spence at (479) 652-3705. Cleanup Dumpsters will be managed by County Employees at all times to assure that only acceptable wastes are disposed of. The following items are NOT acceptable in the “Dumpsters” due to Landfill regulations: *Computers & Electronic Equipment (place in E-Waste trailers located at each County site) **Tires • Yard waste, grass, leaves and brush, used oil, batteries, hazardous or toxic wastes • Cleaning chemicals • Herbicides or pesticides paints or liquids of any kind fluorescent bulbs • Freon containing appliances (appliances using Freon MUST have the compressor removed before it can be accepted) • burn barrels for trash are illegal barrels used to burn trash are illegal in the State of Arkansas and “will NOT be accepted” as part of this cleanup campaign • White Goods (appliances, refrigerators, etc.) may be placed in a designated area with the County Road Department disposing of these items on the day of the cleanup date in your area. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, MUST HAVE COMPRESSORS REMOVED. This cleanup is for residents only and NOT for commercial disposal. Proof of Sebastian County residency by (driver’s license) will be required prior to disposal.

City Cleanup Schedule:
September 19-21: City of Greenwood
September 21: City of Mansfield
October 2-5: City of Lavaca (10 a.m. -6 p.m. each day at 904 N. Davis, Lavaca)
October 25-26: City of Barling


Obituary: Syble Taff (1932 – 2024)

Tammy Teague
-
0
Obituary: Syble Taff (1932 – 2024)


Syble Wanda Lee Taff, age 91, of Waldron, Arkansas passed away on August 15, 2024 with family at her side. Syble was born September 17, 1932 in Boles, Arkansas to Oscar and Irma Holleman. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas.

Syble is survived by her husband Calvin Taff, sister Deanna Jeffrey, one daughter Donna Laird, 5 grandchildren: Blake Marsh of Wynne, Arkansas, Andrea Davis-Krissman of Clarksville, Arkansas, Amy Sullivan of Northwest Arkansas, Phillip Marsh of Springdale, Arkansas and Adam Laird of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, a host of great grandchildren and other extended family. Syble will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Syble was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, her former husband Earoll Cabe, daugter Debbie and 2 great grandchildren. 

Syble’s celebration of life service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 19, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Ken Overturf officiating. Interment will follow in the Sehorn Cemetery.

Syble’s visitation will be Monday, August 19, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.at the First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Syble’s pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons.

1...152153154...1,043Page 153 of 1,043

© Resident News Network | 2015 - 2026 | All Rights Reserved | Baggett Enterprises LLC | Isaiah 43:18-19