Resident News Network

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

News

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12:55 pm

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – The state has begun a new campaign to make people aware of the variety of Medicaid services for which they may be eligible, especially if someone in their family has a disability.

The intent is to help people with disabilities live more independently by getting services in their own home or in their local community, rather than in an institutional setting such as a long-term care facility or a hospital.

Medicaid is a public health insurance program administered by the state Department of Human Services. It’s funded by the state and federal governments. On any given day, almost a third of the people in Arkansas qualify for some type of services.

Medicaid covers payments for half of the births in Arkansas and 75 percent of nursing home services. It pays for 80 percent of behavioral health services provided in Arkansas and for 83 percent of services for people with development and intellectual disabilities.

A central feature of the promotional campaign is a new website at this Internet address: ar.gov/HCBS.

The site has information about specific programs and about who is eligible for them. It has instructions on how to fill out applications.

The legislature increased funding to shorten the waiting list for Medicaid waivers that allow recipients to get home and community-based services rather than institutional care. In the past three years the waiting list for waivers has decreased from 3,204 to 1,613 people.

One waiver benefits children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, providing them services such as one-on-one intervention treatment.

Parents and guardians learn how to participate and help develop their child’s skills and improve their communication, socialization and appropriate behavior.

Other waivers help people who depend on ventilators, people who need intravenous medication and people who need help being fed. It’s the Private Duty Nursing option for people with developmental disabilities. A registered nurse visits their home to provide ventilator care, oxygen support, intravenous drugs, feeding tube care and tracheostomy care.

People with a physical disability and people 65 and older may be eligible for ARChoices, for help with bathing, dressing, shopping, laundry and meal planning. They have one meal a day delivered to their home. A respite care option sends a worker to provide temporary care to people who cannot care for themselves. That gives some rest to their primary caregivers.

People enrolled in Medicaid may qualify for visits from home health aides who help with bathing, dressing and food preparation. Also, Medicaid beneficiaries may qualify for visits from nurses and therapists.

Assisted living waivers allow beneficiaries to live independently in apartment-style units while receiving help with everyday tasks and personal hygiene. They get help managing their prescription drugs.

Counseling is available for people with mental illness, people who abuse drugs and people with behavioral issues caused by a lack of coping skills. To qualify, beneficiaries must have a mental health diagnosis, a psychiatric assessment or a substance abuse assessment.

The TEFRA program helps people pay for medical services if they have children with substantial disabilities. TEFRA stands for the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The amount of financial help is determined by the family’s income.

RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 0

Ross Fujibayashi

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1:14 am

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RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 0

270 days ago, we wrote the final Stone Cold Lock of the Week for the 2023 season. Greenwood went on to win their 11th State Championship. Mansfield put in a valiant effort to make a deep run into the playoffs. Booneville would also capture a State Championship. Since then, as the RNN Sports Team debuted the “Dudes Of The Year” Team recognizing the student-athletes that accomplished a lot on Friday Nights. We said goodbye to our sports editor Jim Best as he embarked on a new journey in Central Arkansas. Recently, we created visual at a glance edits previewing Mansfield and Greenwood. Definitely wanted to do more of those for all the schools in our coverage area.

Going into this season, Adam Hecox and I kicked ideas back and forth. He had this great suggestion to have a guest pick the games. Funny enough, we thought the same person right off the bat. Captain Greenwood himself, Mayor Doug Kinslow. For those in the surrounding areas, Mayor Kinslow would put on this Captain America costume for the Greenwood Freedom Fest and go to local schools. Which, I thought was pretty neat. Outside the political arena, Mayor Kinslow loves Greenwood Athletics. Naturally, he was at the top of our mental list. Next week we will have another guest.

So, Week 0. Really, it’s just Week 1 with how many games are being played. To borrow a joke from an early 2000’s comedian about being on the 14th floor in a 13-story building. These Football schedules have a Week 0 so they can end on Week 10, but c’mon man…. Schools playing Week 0, you know what week this really is.

RNN Stone Cold Lock Of The Week

Poteau, OK @ Booneville

Going over the local schedule this was a lot tougher to choose the Lock of the Week. On one hand Danville at Hackett seems intriguing, as does Mansfield at Bismarck. When I look at Poteau, Ok playing Booneville, two tradition rich programs that just play gritty football. I like this match-up a lot. Two returning QBs Jace Washburn for Booneville and Sam Tecla for Poteau will lead their teams into battle. An interesting storyline going into this game is that Greg Werner, Poteau’s Head Coach and Athletic Director, resigned on Monday. Defensive Coordinator Mike Odom has stepped into lead the Pirates.

The Rest

Mansfield @ Bismarck

An interesting tidbit is that both teams had their seasons end at the hands of Prescott in the Playoffs. Mansfield returns All-State RB Daniel Burton and QB Jeremy Strozier and a slew of other players that will make a bunch of headlines throughout the season. According to Hooten’s the Tigers are predicted to finish third in Conference behind Charleston and Booneville. But I got a feeling this team will perform better than expectations and make a deep run into the Playoffs. Bismarck returns an All-State QB themselves in Ben Keithley. While it may seem like this game could be close, I expect with the offensive weapons Mansfield possesses the Tigers will pull away from the Lions in this one.

Greenwood @ Bentonville West

If you hadn’t read about the Archer brothers yet in the Pre-Season, you have been away from the internet for a few months. This Greenwood team, from all observations, will have high powered offense with depth at receiver and an experienced offensive line that includes Cody Taylor and Seniors Christian Fleming and Ashton Stein. Defensively the Bulldogs have several new faces, but they have Varsity experience to lean on. Bentonville West has not had a losing season since 2017 and is prepared to make another run to the Class 7A Playoffs. Early predictions have Greenwood by thirty in this one. Should be a good opening test for both teams.

Cedarville @ Magazine

Both teams are predicted to finish eighth in their conference, but they may surprise some teams. Magazine brings a stable of Running Backs into the 2024 season. I feel that is enough to push them past Cedarville.

Lavaca @ Dover

This matchup is interesting. On one hand Dover is predicted to finish eighth, looking at their conference it is easy to see why with Ozark, Dardanelle, Pottsville, Lamar, and Clinton. Lavaca is predicted to finish behind, Booneville, Charleston, and Mansfield. A new head coach leads the Golden Arrows, Nick Stovall. Coach Stovall was the Offensive Coordinator at Lavaca for three seasons. Lavaca finished 6-5 last season losing in the Playoffs to Glen Rose.

Paris @ Waldron

Waldron is on their fourth Coach in six seasons. Paris looks to put this one away after beating Charleston in the AAA Benefit Game.

FS Southside @ FS Northside

The Battle of Rogers Avenue. Southside drops to the 6A West due to Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy moving into the 7A. Also affected by the ripple effect of the Competition Equality Factor was Fort Smith Northside. With the 7A needing two spots in the Central conference it dropped Jonesboro to 6A as well, while moving Northside to the West to take Southside’s spot. Southside lost several key players from last year’s squad, while Northside has several offensive players to lean on. Northside’s talent will prove to be too much for the Mavericks.

UA-Pine Bluff @ Arkansas (War Memorial)

I am all for Arkansas playing in-state schools, and I know there are a lot of fans ready to see what Bobby Petrino will do with Taylen Green. Will the Offensive Line be improved? How does this year’s defense look? So many questions will be answered Tonight at War Memorial. Arkansas wins big in this one.

	Ross Fujibayashi	Adam Hecox	Doug Kinslow
Poteau, OK vs Booneville	Poteau	Poteau	Booneville
Mansfield vs Bismarck	Mansfield	Mansfield	Mansfield
Greenwood vs Bentonville West	Greenwood	Greenwood	Greenwood
Cedarville vs Magazine	Magazine	Magazine	Cedarville
Danville vs Hackett	Hackett	Danville	Hackett
Lavaca vs Dover	Lavaca	Dover	Dover
Paris vs Waldron	Paris	Paris	Paris
FS Southside vs FS Northside	Northside	Northside	Southside
UA-Pine Bluff vs Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas	Arkansas

Christian School Option in Y-City

Madison VanRavensway

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9:57 am

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Solid Foundations Christian Academy just began their second school year; the Christian school is based in Y-City, perfectly between Mena and Waldron, providing 3 year old through 8th grade students with an alternative to public school and homeschool.

The school goes on a four day a week system, and follows Acorn’s schedule for holidays and days off. Mrs. Janet Shaddon shared they are doing the same learning in a smaller environment and with more biblical influence. Each subject has Bible verses or references woven into the learning.

Students are split up by ages with 3-4 year olds in a room, K-2nd grade together, and 4-8 together upstairs above the gym at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church. Currently the school is comprised of 19 students. The curriculum is Abeka for the younger, and ACE School of Tomorrow for the older students. Students work at their own pace, with their subjects and goals for the day outlined before them in their own “office” workstations, each room has two teachers who are available to help and guide the children.

The school is overseen by a school board, like a traditional school, and will provide a diploma just like any other school. As the current students age there are plans to increase the ages they are able to teach. The school plans to add 9th grade next year, and continue adding another grade level each year until they are able to serve their students from preschool right on through graduation.

Mrs. Shaddon shared the plan with the gym was always to have a Christian school, but they felt during 2023 “it was time”.

For families who wonder if the Solid Foundations Christian Academy could be right for their learners contact Mike Shaddon (479-207-0616) or Janet Shaddon (479-207-2813).

Arrest Reports 8/18

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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6:12 pm

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Arresting agency – Fort Chaffee Police Department:
Brian Bell of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 11:46 p.m. and released on bond August 21 at 10:04 a.m. Bell was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI-inmate <4oz.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Brayden William Berg of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 12:04 a.m. and released on signature bond August 20 at 3:11 a.m. Berg was charged with Disorderly Conduct – Obscene Language or Gesture.

Sidney Allen Craig of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 6:59 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Craig was charged with return to testify, and ADC commitment hold.

John London Higman of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 4:12 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 21 at 9:08 a.m. Higman was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony, and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Kihyri Domino Riggs of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 11:31 a.m. and released on August 22 at 2:40 p.m. Riggs was charged with two counts of Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Stacy Speigel of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 1:56 a.m. and released on signature bond August 18 at 1:18 p.m. Speigel was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense, and Refusal To Submit To a Chemical Test-adult.

Payton Lee Tollison of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 3:02 p.m. and released on cash bond August 19 at 9:06 p.m. Tollison was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Bur, Terrence Anthony of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 6:04 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 18 at 10:30 a.m. Bur was charged with Refusal To Submit To a Chemical Test-adult, and Driving While Intoxicated 2nd offense.

Kaedyn Brier Flurry of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 3:52 a.m. and released on bond August 23 at 12:34 p.m. Flurry was charged with Possession of a Defaced Firearm, and Theft by Receiving – Firearm (<2500).

Kaitlin Nicole Sandifer of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 23 at 3:49 a.m. and released on signature bond August 23 at 6:07 a.m. Sandifer was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Shellie Lafawn Straham of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 7:39 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Straham was charged with absconding, parole violation, and and ADC commitment hold.

Arresting agency- Barling Police Department:
Kayla E Cole of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 24 at 11:23 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 25 at 1:56 a.m. Cole was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II 2-28g Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Store or Conceal – Meth/Cocaine, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II (10 -200).

Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Anthony Floyd Elkins of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 2:09 a.m. and released on signature bond August 20 at 3:55 a.m. Elkins was charged with Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Jody William Knight of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 9:47 a.m. and remains at the SCADC on jail time. Knight was charged with Drug Court Sanctions.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Anthony Terrell Maloy of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 7:52 a.m. and released on signature bond August 18 at 4:01 p.m. Maloy was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest, Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID, and Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.

Lauren Brooke Posey of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 24 at 12:12 p.m. and released on bond August 24 at 1:17 p.m. Posey was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class C Misdemeanor.

William Douglas Taylor of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 4:27 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 23 at 8:32 p.m. Taylor was charged with Breaking or Entering- – Building, Structure or Vehicle, and Assist Outside Agency-Felony.

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Stafford, Cody Jackson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 1:11 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 20 at 8:27 p.m. Stafford was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine <2g, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, Maintaining a Premises for Drug Activity-within 1000 feet of drug free zone, Obstructing Governmental Operations-Impair, Resisting Arrest Misdemeanor, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule IV/V 28-200g, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI Misdemeanor <4oz.

Stafford, Cody Jackson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 1:11 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 20 at 8:27 p.m. Stafford was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine <2g, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, Maintaining a Premises for Drug Activity-within 1000 feet of drug free zone.

Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
Corey Justin Turner of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 23 at 8:08 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 23 at 9:29 p.m. Turner was charged with Possession of Firearms By Certain Persons – Non Violent.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Tina Granke, 38 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 19 at 12:07 a.m. Granke was charged with three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance.

Marissa Organ, 32 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 19 at 4:27 p.m. Organ was charged with driving while driver’s license cancelled, suspended or revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, and furnishing, possessing or using prohibited articles -delivering a prohibited article.

Talyn Thomas, 18 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 20 at 11:21 a.m. Thomas was charged with breaking or entering, and theft of property.

Sonya Core, 35 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 23 at 5:39 a.m. Core was charged with warrant served.

Antonio Bea, 31 of Little Rock, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 23 at 1:42 p.m. Bea was charged with failure to appear.

William Taylor, 49 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 23 at 7:26 p.m. Taylor was charged with battery in the second degree.

Tina Ramer, 40 of Little Rock, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 23 at 11:28 p.m. Ramer was charged with hold for other agency.

Troy Blake, 26 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 24 at 4:59 a.m. Blake was charged with domestic battering in the third degree.

Brandon Mitchell Foster, 30, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 24 at 8:09 a.m. Michell was sentenced to days in jail.

Arresting agency Franklin County Detention Center:
Alexander David Starr, 50 of Van Buren, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 24 at 10:06 p.m. Starr was charged with driving while license suspended, speeding, possession of controlled substance SCHED VI <4 oz.

Terriesa Lea Schibbelhut of Alma was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 24 at 2:46 p.m. Schibbelhut was charged with loitering.

Victorio Hernandez Flores, 28 of Tahlequah, OK, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 23 at 8 p.m. Flores was charged with driving while intoxicated – DWI 1st, no driver’s license, and speeding.

Austin Jones, 26 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 23 at 4:42 p.m. Jones was sentenced to days.

Jennifer Diane Bowles, 43 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 23 at 2 p.m. Bowles was charged with failure to comply with conditions of suspended sentence or probation.

Waymen E. Bright, 63 of Fort Smith, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 23 at 2:20 a.m. Waymen was charged with failure to register – failure to comply with reporting requirements.

Carmen Ashley Sims, 38 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 21 at 9:12 p.m. Sims was charged with obstructing governmental operations, absconding / white warrant.

Darrin Dale Boyles, 47, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 20 at 1:21 p.m. Boyles was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Arek Hanuska, 18 of Hartman, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 20 at 9:43 a.m. Hanuska was charged with hold for another agencies and sentenced to days.

Donny Deer, 27 of Charleston, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 20 at 9:16 a.m. Deer was charged with failure to comply with conditions of pre-trial release.

Alston Lee Taylor, 29 of Charleston, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 19 at 5:06 p.m. Taylor was charged with failure to appear, and failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and absconding / white warrant.

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

Mansfield Miscues Prove Costly In Mena Scrimmage

Adam Hecox

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7:23 pm

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Mansfield Miscues Prove Costly In Mena Scrimmage

Scrimmages are a great indicator of a high school team’s strengths and weaknesses before they enter non-conference play each season. These games give fans a first glance at their program in live action while giving coaches a laundry list of things to polish up. The Mansfield Tigers traveled to Mena on Thursday, August 22nd for what has become a pretty decent game over the past few years. While both teams weren’t going full tilt against each other, the result ended up being a lengthy to-do list for Mansfield as the Tigers fell 7-6 in the last half of the scrimmage.

The scrimmage was played out with the usual rules of each team getting twelve plays on offense and twelve plays on defense to allow subs to gain on-field experience followed by a game like two quarters of football with the starters. In the first series of twelve, Mansfield’s offensive backups started things off with a high pitch that was fumbled and recovered by Mena. Although the Tigers could keep the ball due to the scrimmage layout, it wasn’t how they wanted to start things off. Two plays later though, Samuel Burton took a handoff from quarterback, Cooper Edwards, and darted downfield for a 69-yard touchdown. The Tigers did not tack on the two-point conversion, leaving the score with a 6-0 Mansfield lead. Still with a handful of offensive plays left, the Tigers went right back to work with Andrew Burton who broke five tackles and continued driving the ball for a 30-yard gain until six Bearcats finally brought him down. Andrew Burton got the next handoff and again bulldozed through the Mena defense, this time for a 15-yard gain. With all defensive eyes on the Tigers’ running backs, quarterback Cooper Edwards faked a handoff and pulled a “Cooper Keeper” to stroll into the end zone for a Tiger touchdown. Samuel Burton slipped into the endzone to add on a Mansfield two-point conversion giving the Tigers a 14-0 lead to close out the Tigers twelve-play offensive series.

The second-string Tigers then showed Mansfield’s depth of defense as they beard down on the Bearcats offense for twelve plays. James Bausley kicked things off by stripping and recovering the ball from Mena on the first snap of the series. Mena busted into the open field for a score on the next play, but a penalty brought the Bearcats back which negated the points. The Bearcats continued to try to push the ball to the perimeters of the field, but the Tiger’s defensive line stretched them out to allow linebackers Dalton Knowles, Alex Hecox, and Pacen Strozier to clean up with tackles. Mansfield forced Mena into passing situations which allowed defensive lineman, Matthew Burton, to feast on a couple of quarterback sacks. While no score was kept on the scoreboard for the series of twelves, the score on paper put the Tigers with a 14-0 win in the scrimmage of backups. Overall, the Tigers’ so-called subs held their own against a larger Mena squad showing that even with just a 21-man roster, the Tigers are deep with talent.

For the second section of the scrimmage, both teams played a game-like half of football with the clock running and all game-day rules in effect. Mena’s offense took the field first allowing the Tigers to show that their defense from the 2023 season wasn’t a fluke. The Tigers only allowed Mena to gain 21 yards on their first series before forcing the Bearcats to punt. It didn’t take long for Mansfield’s offense to strike as Daniel Burton took a handoff on the third play of the series for a 58-yard touchdown. But hold everything, there was a flag on the play which took the Tigers points off the scoreboard. A few solid runs by Andrew Burton, Trey Powell, and Daniel Burton put the Tigers back in scoring range at the four-yard line, but a fumble shut the drive down giving Mena the ball. The Bearcats wasted little time capitalizing on Mansfield’s fumble as Mena stormed downfield for a 96-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. The Bearcats tacked on the extra point kick to set the score up with a 7-0 Mena lead. Mansfield jumped right back into the mix once they got the ball back though as Daniel Burton again made his way to the endzone, this time with a 62-yard run for a touchdown and no yellow laundry on the field. The Tigers went for a two-point conversion to take the lead but didn’t cross the line leaving Mena with a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter of play.

For the final quarter of the scrimmage, both Mena and Mansfield played like a pair of rams battling for the top spot on the mountain. Scoreboards and records may have meant nothing in this scrimmage, but each team still gave it their all. Unfortunately for Mansfield’s offense, there were multiple fumbles, miscues, and penalties mixed into their final quarter which prevented them from putting together a successful drive. The Tigers defense held their own and kept Mena from going into the endzone again, but the Tigers couldn’t stop the clock with enough time to get their offense a shot at a decent drive. The scrimmage overall was a good one for both teams involved as both Mansfield and Mena put on quite the show. True, mistakes were made on Mansfield’s side and the Tigers ended up falling to Mena with a 7-6 final score, but it was a solid scrimmage for the players to get the bugs out of their system before regular season play begins.

The Tigers weren’t alone in their scrimmage loss as Booneville, Charleston, Hackett, and Lavaca also all dropped their scrimmages this week leaving each program in the southern 3A-1 with a foul taste heading into the non-conference schedule. Even though no coach plays their entire starting squad for a full scrimmage and the final scores won’t land on a program’s record, a loss of any kind lands hard on a team’s pride. Pride or not though, the season will still move forward as Week0 begins next week for the Tigers making every game count in the record book from then on. Mansfield will have to put their scrimmage against Mena behind them and fix their mistakes as they travel to Bismarck next week to take on a senior-heavy Bismarck Lions team. Bismarck had the same kind of shocking success last season as the Tigers and was in attendance at the Mena scrimmage to scout their upcoming opponent. Both teams have been pegged to be 3A hurricanes in 2024 preseason talk so with all of the big games next week, you won’t want to miss this particular Week0 game on Friday, August 30th. Kickoff will be at 7:00 pm in Bismarck.

Commission offers $682,000 to Arkansas schools for conservation education

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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6:06 pm

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Commission offers $682,000 to Arkansas schools for conservation education

By Randy Zellers

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously voted to transfer $682,487 to the Arkansas Department of Economic Development’s Rural Services Division to fund grants available to schools throughout the state.

The money for this transfer was derived from all fines for boating and wildlife violations collected in Fiscal Year 2024. The ADEC accepts applications for grants in each Arkansas county from mid-August through mid-October each year and distributes this fine money according to the fines received in each county. Expenses for AGFC programs such as the Youth Shooting Sports and Archery in the Schools are allowed for grant requests, as are supplies for schoolyard habitat projects and conservation education programs.

“This is a great opportunity for schools, especially those in rural areas that have limited funds, to offer conservation programming to their students,” Mary Beth Hatch, chief of the AGFC’s Education Division, said.

Applications for these fine money grants will be available at the Rural Services Division’s website within the next few weeks.

In his monthly report to the Commission AGFC Director Austin Booth recognized members of the public who took time out of their schedules to speak about recent regulations changes and considerations to be incorporated into the next regulations cycle. He also took a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the last fiscal year, which will be available for viewing in the agency’s annual report later this month.

“Thomas Paine said, ‘The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph … I love the man who can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow,’” Booth stated. “It was hard for me not to think about this quote as I reviewed this agency’s FY 24 Annual Report.”

The report highlights some of the accomplishments the agency has had during the last fiscal year but, more importantly, measures the outcomes of the goals the agency set for itself in its 5-year strategic plan “The Natural State Tomorrow.”

“Make no mistake, these annual reports are not brag sheets,” Booth said. “It is solely a motivation by this agency to show transparency and accountability to the public, not only for what we do, but to ensure that we’re progressing toward our long-term goals for conservation both on the natural resource side and on the people side.”

Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program coordinator for the AGFC, presented an update on non-native, invasive species in Arkansas and the threats they pose to aquatic habitat, recreation and commercial activities. The agency’s invasive carp removal program was a high point of his presentation, having netted and removed 343,000 pounds of invasive carp since its introduction.

According to Horton, the AGFC received federal grants to help in the effort, and is exploring a way to incentivize harvest by commercial anglers by paying an additional 18 cents per pound above market value to commercial anglers for their carp catch.

“Our goal is to develop a commercial harvest-based control program to increase our effort to remove a large amount of biomass of these fish from our river systems,” Horton said. “Since February, commercial fishermen have removed 265,299 pounds of invasive carp. We have enough money to provide incentives for 1.9 million pounds.”

Horton’s presentation also covered many of the latest introductions of invasive species, including mystery snails, giant apple snails and giant salvinia.

In other business, the Commission:

Approved a budget carry-forward of $1.1 million in funds from Fiscal Year 2024.
Awarded retiring wildlife officer Capt. Stephanie Weatherington her service sidearm for 29 years of service to the AGFC.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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5:59 pm

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! Such a beautiful three days we have had here in the River Valley. The mornings are just like fall. I can’t wait for fall. I love that time of year and the ones that know me, know that I love Halloween. I give out full size candy at my house and I have had to have someone direct traffic in front of my house because of all the cars. It was a regular traffic jam.

This week I am going to talk about my nephew, Michael, Judge Wagoner. We always have a good laugh when he’s around. I will start off by saying he is married to Tonya Wagoner. She is beautiful inside and out. I have to say this, she is older than him. I am not saying you can tell by looking at her, because you can’t. They decided to go to Cheddars and take their youngest daughter, Raylee, to eat for her birthday. Tonya drops Michael off at the door and he goes in and gets them on the waiting list. He gets in and tells them how many and they told him they could seat him immediately. He calls Tonya and tells her. They seat him and here comes Tonya, Raylee and Granny B. They told the hostess that he had been seated and she says, “you mean the elderly gentleman?” He’s fifty, so I can see where they would think he was elderly. They get seated and after they have the laughs over him being elderly, an actual elderly couple come by their table and the lady says to Tonya, “you are so beautiful, you just lit up the room when you came in.” How do you think that set with her elderly husband? We have laughed and laughed about him being elderly. I’m elderly, there is nothing wrong with it. Don’t knock it, you will get there eventually.

Michael text me one evening and asked if I wanted to go with them to Panama, OK to watch our niece, Leah, play softball. Of course, if there is a wheel turning, I’m on it. I would love to go. We get there and we are dragging our lawn chairs, and it was hot. Michael has the lawn chair that rocks and I said, “you are going to fall backwards in that chair.” We get all lined up along the fence and we are sitting by his sister, Kelly, who works at the school, his niece Kendall and her friend Kendra. His wife Tonya is there, and we are all laughing and having a good time and all of a sudden Michael yells, “I’m going down!” Yes, he fell backwards in that dumb chair and his sister Kelly yells “get up, I work here!” I just turned and looked at him and Tonya, his wife, never even flinched. My niece Kendall says, “Sheri, you called it!” We can’t take him anywhere! But we laughed and laughed at him on the ground. Glad he wasn’t hurt. We had a good time, and he was just a little sore the next day. Always an adventure with the Wags are together. We usually make a scene when we go somewhere. It wouldn’t be fun if we didn’t.

Y’all have a wonderful week and be kind and always smile. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE
8 oz. of cream cheese softened
1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
8 oz. of Cool Whip
19″ chocolate ready-made pie crust
1 cup mini peanut butter cups (chopped)
In a bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 cup of peanut butter and the powdered sugar. Beat with a mixer until smooth, fold in the Cool Whip. Pour this mixture into the chocolate crust and chill until firm. Decorate the top with chopped peanut butter cups. Use the peanut butter that’s left and melt it (I like to put a little powdered sugar and milk in it). Mix it good and drizzle over the pie. Keep in the refrigerator.

Waldron City Council Approves Resolution to Explore Funding Options for Recreational Improvements

Tammy Teague

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2:05 pm

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Waldron City Council Approves Resolution to Explore Funding Options for Recreational Improvements

Earlier this month, the Waldron City Council unanimously agreed to explore the grant funding opportunities for further recreational improvements. Among those, a splash pad.

Resolution 2024-04 authorizes Mayor David Millard “to seek the grant funding necessary to improve the recreation facilities in the City of Waldron…in order to obtain the funds necessary to develop and improve the site for such a recreation area, it is necessary to obtain an Outdoor Recreation Matching Grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.”

The council discussed options for a splashpad, which would include a bucket dump, hydrosphere, spraystacker, floraswirl, and geomister. The total estimated construction cost is $157,000. The city would be responsible for 1/2 of that cost. “We will be able to do some of the work ourselves,” stated Public Works Director Brandon Nelson.

The council’s vote will allow the mayor to move forward with the grant application to fund the splashpad.

Arkansas black bear populations are on the rise … slowly

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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11:37 am

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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

News

Tammy Teague

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11:32 am

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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.

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK