Resident News Network

‘Early Bird’ Blackberry Season

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2:53 pm

By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Jackie Lee, director of the Fruit Research Station, names each blackberry season as if they were hurricanes.

She dubbed the 2024 season “early bird.”

“I have never seen such a synchronous bloom in blackberries, and just so much, and so early,” Lee said to about 90 registered guests at the annual Blackberry Field Day on June 12.

Looking back at the station’s weather data for the year, the average temperature for February was 63 degrees. It was about 10 degrees higher than the previous two years in February, a month that also brought temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below normal in 2021. The higher temperatures this year “got blackberries off to a good start,” Lee said, and a dry April allowed the station to increase its experimental variety crossings.

“Margaret is probably going to have a lot of progenies to look at coming up,” Lee said of Margaret Worthington, director of the Fruit Breeding Program.

In the field, Worthington provided attendees a trellis taste of sun-warmed blackberries, including Caddo, Ponca and the latest variety, Sweet-Ark^® Immaculate™. The thornless, late-season blackberry was released in February.

The field day was co-hosted by the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s research and outreach arms — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Field day-goers also got reports from Aaron Cato, extension IPM specialist, on pesticide experiments to control spotted wing drosophila, and from Hannah Wright-Smith, weed specialist for turfgrass, specialty crops and forestry, on over-the-top herbicide applications in blackberry. Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture, offered research-based recommendations on fertigation for fertility in blackberries.

Renee Threlfall, a research scientist in enology and viticulture for the Division of Agriculture, gave a rundown on the rules and regulations for Act 1040, also known as the Arkansas Food Freedom Act of 2021, with a focus on added-value blackberry products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ciders, juices and vinegars.

Lizzy Herrera, program manager for the Arkansas Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Program, also provided an update on the two-year blackberry promotion grant project in partnership with the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association. The project developed road signs for blackberry growers, as well as educational posters for “u-pick” farms, and social media posts with recipe cards for blackberry lemonade, blackberry cobbler and blackberry popsicles.

One of the highlights of the day, Lee said, was the demonstration by Max Svobodny of Max Drone Service in Fulton County. He programmed a large drone to apply a simulated pesticide application using water. The drone offers more precision than other air-based applicators, Svobodny said, and could stay up for about 10 minutes between battery changes.

Blackberry Month in Arkansas

Also at the field day, Beth Moore of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture presented members of the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association board a proclamation from Gov. Sarah Sanders recognizing June as Blackberry Month in Arkansas.

“Do you know how much of a presence that you blackberry growers have had in the past few years,” Moore asked. “Agriculture in Arkansas is over $20.9 billion a year and over the last three years you have brought in over $10 million of that.”

Blackberries are the leading crop of the Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program, with 43 varieties developed and about $1.48 million in royalties as of 2020.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.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.

Greenwood Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Considered: Include Splash Pad Update

News

Tammy Teague

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2:42 pm

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Greenwood Parks Commission Meeting Minutes Considered: Include Splash Pad Update

MINUTES OF PARKS COMMISSION MEETING
FOR MAY 28, 2024
GREENWOOD CITY HALL

The meeting was called to order by Parks Commission Chair Joel Goldstein at 4:00 p.m., roll
was called and members present were as follows: Cinda Bell, Jennifer Travis, Kay Headley,
Brandon Tate, and Otis Edwards; a quorum was present and City Clerk/Treasurer Sharla Derry
was present.
Approval of Minutes
Motion was made by Mr. Tate, seconded by Ms. Bell to approve the 04-16-24 regular meeting minutes as presented; motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports

Freedom Fest Committee – Mr. Craig stated that advertising is picking up and there are 89 craft
vendors and 29 food vendors for the festival. Mr. Edwards asked about the vendor fee that would be charged to food vendors, and Ms. Derry indicated that charging the fee would be in conflict with City ordinance, but that it was expected that the 1% A&P tax be collected at the event; Mr. Craig stated that he was just trying to make everyone happy and it was determined that the Parks Commission would not address this matter due to it being an A&P tax matter; Mr. Craig said that he could mention this again to the A&P Commission at their next meeting in June.
Trails Committee – Mr. Tate said there was nothing new to report at this time; next meeting in June.
Tree & Plant Board – Ms. Bell said there is nothing to report as their meetings are quarterly; Mayor Kinslow commented that the failing Yoshino Cherry trees around town have been replaced with five new ones, along with a Gingko Biloba tree planted in addition.
Agenda items to be added: Commissioner Cinda Bell asked that an item be added for a facilities and parks discussion; no objections to this addition were noted.
Business Items
Commissioner Cinda Bell – Facilities Discussion – Ms. Bell said that she has noticed a couple
of things that need addressed, as far as maintenance at Bell Park, staining the outside of the pavilion building; hammock park shade; small pavilion staining; water fountain not turned on, and needed removal of old water fountain next to it; she expressed the importance of keeping the Parks up and said she was not sure that funds are currently available for this and there was discussion about room in the budget for these maintenance requests and it was requested that quotes for staining the main and small pavilions be obtained. Ms. Bell also mentioned that she has often been told that the rate for the main pavilion needs to be raised but that would not need to happen until it looks better. There was also the suggestion that weeds have overgrown the approach to the bridge at lake. Mr. Craig acknowledged these needs.

Splash Pad Update by MAHG’s Travis Bartlett: Mr. Bartlett showed pictures and offered explanation on the status of the splash pad project and issues raised when encountering rock. He said in working through these with the engineers, they are brought up to new subgrade elevations and the contractor on the project also has the Westwood road project going and a lot of that project material can come over to the splash pad project for $2 per cubic yard. He said 286 yards of rock were encountered and now they are working through the numbers and are very optimistic at this point; he said that plans are to have this splash pad open by the end of the summer. Mr. Bartlett answered additional commissioner questions and there was discussion also about the splash pad access road and interest rate of the splash pad loan; no action was taken.
Foundation Report
None
Director’s Report

New disc golf course update
Boy Scout switchback trail update/might be finished by other scouts
Liberty Park Bridge update; will be a nice, covered bridge when complete
Bell Park trail paving project update
Michael Turner Scout Project kiosk at the lake to identify East Loop trail
Mountain Bike Trails on pause to see if money is freed up via change order
Trails Academy attendance update; seeing impact of NWA trails on community
Pavilion rental and movie night in park update
Comments:
Ms. Derry mentioned that the resolution adopted earlier in the year has a different interest rate listed as authorized than what has been discussed; Mr. Craig said that he would ask Farmers Bank to check the correct interest rate for the splash pad loan; Ms. Derry asked the Commission if whatever number is presented by Farmers Bank would be OK with the Commission in order to avoid another special meeting about it; there were no objections noted to any interest amount necessary to obtain the loan and Ms. Derry stated that it would be presented to the City Council for adjustment via a resolution.
Mr. Edwards questioned whether or not additional personnel is needed for oversight on the Pavilion, to which Mr. Craig responded favorably but stated that he questioned whether or not the workload would justify that position; discussion continued on booking for the pavilion. Mayor Kinslow offered the services of the current part-time receptionist at City Hall to assist with pavilion booking duties.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Tate, seconded by Mrs. Travis; meeting
adjourned at 5:12 p.m.

Arrest Reports 6/9

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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2:22 pm

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Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Kevin Lee Arredondo of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 11 at 10:30 p.m. and released on signature bond June 12 at 1 a.m. Arrendondo was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
Danielle Alice Birmingham of San Antonio, TX was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 14 at 3:29 a.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Birmingham was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule III Misdemeanor <2grams, Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID, Resisting Arrest Misdemeanor, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony.

Wendell Scott Hiatt of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 13 at 8:36 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with cash bond. Hiatt was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony, and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Julie Ann Clay of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 13 at 2:18 a.m. and released to an outside agency on June 13 at 6:09 a.m. Clay was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department:
Justin Lee Combs of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 11 at 8:22 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 14 at 4:58 p.m. Combs was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver >10g, and Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony.

Joseph Daniel Cowan of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 10 at 4:13 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on June 17 at 9:10 a.m. Cowan was charged with Return to Testify, and ADC commitment hold.

Jacob Gregory of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 9 at 3:40 a.m. and released on signature bond June 9 at 1:38 p.m. Gregory was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Nathaniel Dale Johnson of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 14 at 11:54 a.m. and released on cash bond June 15 at 5:12 p.m. Johnson was charged with Assault on Family or Household Member-3rd Degree.

Jo Beth Kossman of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 13 at 10:04 p.m. and remains at the SCADC on jail time. Kossman was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Jeremy Steven Long of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 10 at 4:12 p.m. and transferred to another agency on June 17 at 9:15 a.m. Long was charged with ADC Commitment Hold and return to testify.

Shannon Marie Malone of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 10 at 5:18 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Malone was charged with return to testify and ADC Commitment Hold.

David William McBride, Jr. of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 12 at 1:06 p.m. and released on signature bond June 12 at 2:37 p.m. McBride was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule IV/V 28-200g, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.

James Edward Trotter of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 13 at 2:48 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on June 13 at 8:24 p.m. Trotter was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony, and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Skyler Paul Eckert of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 10 at 11:45 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 12 at 1:01 p.m. Eckert was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely, Interfering with Emergency Communications – 1st Degree Misdemeanor, and Resisting Arrest Misdemeanor.

Brandon Paul Thornburg of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 9 at 8:01 p.m. and released on bond June 9 at 11:30 p.m. Thornburg was charged with three counts of Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Melissa Sue Galicia of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 13 at 9:22 p.m. and released on bond June 13 at 11:58 p.m. Galicia was charged with Petition to show cause, and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Lauren Renee Gossett of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 9 at 6:39 p.m. and released on bond June 10 at 8:55 p.m. Gossett was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Christopher Darrell Patterson of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 10 at 10:11 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Patterson was charged with Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO, and Burglary – Residential Felony.

Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Jason Patrick Horvath of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 15 at 2:33 p.m. and released on signature bond June 15 at 3:27 p.m. Horvath was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Brock Tyler Thrailkill of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 14 at 8:28 p.m. and released on bond June 15 at 3:58 p.m. Thrailkill was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Steven Andrew Hunt of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 14 at 5:47 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Hunt was charged with Parole Violation, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, and Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Department:
Lisa Bennett, 62 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 10 at 12:35 a.m. Bennett was charged with aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication – drinking in public.

Zechariah Reynolds, 41 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 11 at 11:25 p.m. Reynolds was charged with contempt of court.

Joseph Jeffery, 42 of Spiro, OK, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 14 at 7:52 p.m. Jeffery was charged with bond surrender, and failure to appear.

Jason Pursifull, 41 of New Blaine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 14 at 10:09 p.m. Pursifull was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, criminal trespass, and battery in the third degree.

Chyanne Farris, 30 of Little Rock, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 15 at 2:33 p.m. Farris was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession an instrument of crime, speeding, careless and prohibited driving, and possession of a controlled substance.

Ricky Schmitt, 28 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 16 at 12:43 p.m. Schmitt was charged with two counts of contempt of court.

Louis Greeson, 26 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 16 at 3:31 p.m. Greeson was charged with domestic battering in the second degree.

Ryan Loppe, 41 of Pottsville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 16 at 9:17 p.m. Loppe was charged with failure to appear.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Department:
Bobby Gene Rogers, 29 of Charleston was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 9 at 5:36 p.m. Rogers was charged with nine counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Joshua James Jameson, 35 of Van Buren, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 10 at 4:23 p.m. Jameson was charged with failure to appear.

Shane Hobbs, 37 of Lawton, OK, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 11 at 2:23 p.m. Hobbs was charged with theft by receiving less than $25,000 but greater than $5,000, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing – on foot.

Teddy Wayne Roland, 49 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 12 at 11:23 a.m. Roland was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Roxi Anne Pardue, 33 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 13 at 2:49 a.m. Pardue was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and two counts of contempt – failure to comply.

Daniel Wade Reynolds, 30 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 13 at 4:16 a.m. Reynolds was charged with public intoxication.

Steve Ray Watkins, 40 of Mulberry, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 13 at 7:58 p.m. Watkins was charged with failure to appear.

Dusty Brian Nunley, 20 of Alma, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 14 at 9:30 a.m. Nunley was charged with failure to comply with conditions of suspended sentence or probation.

Dylan Michael Hudnell, 25 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 14 at 3:43 p.m. Hudnell was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and theft of property <$1,000.

Sandra Leann McManis, 57 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 14 at 9:20 p.m. McManis was charged with possession of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10GM.

Jose Luevano, 28 of Springdale, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 15 at 12:30 a.m. Luevano was charged with driving while intoxicated – DWI 1st, driving left of center, careless and prohibited driving, possession of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10GM, possession drug paraphernalia meth/cocaine, and defective equipment.

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

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Featured

Tammy Teague

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8:15 pm

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! Hot day here in the river valley. We knew it was coming, just was hoping not till July.

If my family ever disowns me because I tell stories on them, just know they are true. Craziness runs in our family. If you marry one of us, eventually you will start acting like us, just FYI. You know “my nephew” I talk about is always pulling a stunt. He wears these crazy t-shirts. He has a Garfield one, bird nerd (because he is a bird watcher), Floyd from the Andy Griffith show, and a shirt that is pink and says Pink Floyd. The list is endless. He’s a nerd and he knows it. He is over the Awanas at his church. They were having a party, and it was his job to go get a cake. Keep in mind, his wife is nothing like him. So, he goes to the Walmart bakery and asks them if they can write on a cake. Of course they can, they would be happy to do it. Instead of getting something like “party time” or “have a great summer,” he has the lady to write “good luck Hal on your surgery.” He doesn’t know a Hal and done it as a joke. He takes it to church, and they have the party, and everyone is looking at the cake and wondering who this Hal is that is having surgery. If they were like me, they would want all the details on poor Hal. His poor wife thinks he bought it because it was on sale because someone didn’t pick up this cake for Hal. I have to admit, it was a good one. I wish I would have thought to do something like that. Some of the church ladies were whispering, “who is Hal?” I’m sure there was a Hal somewhere in the world having surgery. He does stuff like this all the time.

My brother, his wife and me are going on vacation next month. We are going to Mt. Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith’s hometown. I am sure I will have a lot of stories when I get back. Have a wonderful week, and remember when you are smiling, the whole world smiles with you!

This week’s recipe is a good dessert to make for the hot weather. It is light and easy, enjoy!

CHERRIES IN THE SNOW POKE CAKE
1 15.5 oz. box of white cake mix (made according to the box instructions)
3.4 oz. box of instant white chocolate pudding
2 cups cold milk
8 oz. tub of Cool Whip
21 oz. can of cherry pie filling
Bake the cake according to the box directions in a 9×13 pan. When the cake is done, while still warm, poke holes in it. I use the end of a wooden spoon or a plastic spoon. In a bowl combine the two cups of milk with the pudding and whisk or mix it good. Pour the pudding into the holes on the warm cake. Spread it around all over the top. Put the cake in the refrigerator for a couple hours till completely cooled. Put the Cool Whip on top and then dollop the cherry pie filling on top of the cake. You can mix it and make it look all swirly if you would like. Eat it while it’s cold and enjoy. Keep it in the fridge. For a twist you can use cheesecake flavored pudding instead of white chocolate.

Mansfield’s O-Line May Be Undersized, But They Won’t Be Underrated In 2024

Adam Hecox

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8:14 pm

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Mansfield’s O-Line May Be Undersized, But They Won’t Be Underrated In 2024

Experience is a vital part of any sport. The longer a player or team has played their part, the more likely they will be better at it. Last season, the Mansfield Tigers boasted one of the state’s youngest, smallest, and least experienced groups of linemen. Mansfield’s 2023 starting offensive line consisted of four sophomores and one senior while only having two backups to rotate in games. That kind of lineup is likely why the line was pegged as the Tiger’s weakest link in the 2023 preseason polls. But don’t expect the same kind of underrated treatment from the preseason polls this season. Nearly every player from the group of linemen that helped lead the Tigers in multiple offensive school records last year will be back again in 2024. Still, this time they’ll have a year’s worth of in-game experience and extra coaching to help them become even better.

The Tigers pushed with an even flow against Prescott in Mansfield’s 2023 State Semifinal game

The Tigers offense pushed their way to having not one, but two 1,000-yard rushers in 2023 behind the pads of then sophomores Logan Ore (5’11 / 235 lbs), Cadien Ore (5’10 / 230 lbs), Ethan Martin (5’8 / 215 lbs), Zander Walters (6’0 / 220 lbs), and senior All-State lineman, Turner Wright. None of Mansfield’s starting linemen were larger than the linemen they faced in their Tigers conference opponents or even in the State Playoffs against Centerpoint, Hoxie, Salem, and Prescott but the Tigers still were able to hold their own in the trenches. After showing their grit against the massive behemoths they lined up against all season, both Ores, Martin, and Walters found their names on the 2023 3A-1 All-Conference list when the season ended. With four of the five linemen only being sophomores, Mansfield will return four All-Conference starters on the offensive line this season which would make just about any coach in the 3A jealous. Tack on the fact that this group will have a full offseason under head coach, Whit Overton, to get bigger, stronger, and more skilled in the Tiger’s flexbone offense and one can only imagine what they’ll be able to bring to the table in 2024.

Zander Walters (#55) gives a Hackett defender the ol’ “heave ho” while Ethan Martin (#78) and Logan Ore (72) earn themselves a pancake block.

Last season, veteran lineman coach Keith Stovall, had to quickly train the youngsters in a matter of just one month to fit Mansfield’s newly installed flexbone offense. Stovall was successful in doing so again proving how important having experience is to a program. Coach Stovall will not have to do it solo this year though as the Tigers added a new face to work with Stovall and the linemen. Overton was able to hire Trevon Moore, one of his former players, to the coaching staff. As a protege of Coach Overton’s time coaching as an assistant in Lavaca, Moore came in last season as a student coach for Mansfield and worked his magic from the press box during games. Coach Moore brings an extra factor of firsthand knowledge of Overton’s offense to the players and is always eager to help each lineman in the details of their job. They say that old age and treachery always beats youth and exuberance. While that may be true, the Tiger’s new duo of lineman coaches work extremely well with each other’s different attributes. Stovall’s treacherous knowledge coupled with Moore’s youthful exuberance creates one heck of a coaching combo for an already dangerous group of players to work under.

Mansfield linemen were nearly flawless goal-line plows in 2023.

While returning four All-Conference linemen is great, replacing an All-State lineman such as Turner Wright is never an easy task. This holds especially true when there’s a minimal number of linemen to choose from. That is the way of the game in high school football for small schools so the Tigers will be working overtime to fill the void left by Wright. Players such as Dakota Deer (6’2 / 210 lbs), James Bausley (6’0 / 285 lbs), Matthew Burton (5’8 / 190 lbs), Alex Hecox (6’2 / 180 lbs), and Nathan Dyer (6’1 / 230) have been pushing their way through the offseason to help Mansfield’s overall line continue to improve. Deer was an unstoppable All-Conference monster on the defensive line in 2023 but will likely be pulling double duty this season working on both sides of the ball as the only senior lineman on the 2024 roster. Upcoming juniors, James Bausley and Matthew Burton will bring size, strength, and some bonus experience to the group as both subbed in multiple times during the Tiger’s regular season games and Mansfield’s State Playoff run last year. Junior, Alex Hecox, has a beanpole build which would not be considered that of a lineman. That being said, Hecox stepped up to the challenge and is catching on relatively quickly with his new position. Sophomore, Nathan Dyer, has the physical attributes to be a difference maker once he gets into the groove of the faster-paced game at the senior high level.

Matthew Burton showed that it’s not the size of the Greyhound in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the Tiger that matters against Salem in 2023.

With the Tigers linemen having a year of experience under their belt, the Mansfield coaching staff has focused heavily on getting them stronger over the offseason. Overton’s weight room regimen has proven to be quite effective with these trench warriors too as Deer, Martin, Burton, Bausley, Walters, and both Ore’s have earned their way into the 1,000-pound club. Many of Mansfield’s linemen even competed well in the State Lifting competition in early May. The added strength has already shown to be very beneficial so far in Mansfield’s summer practices and camps as the Tigers have looked impressive thus far against the likes of Ozark, Pottsville, Mena, etc. Unlike the 2023 season where the Tiger’s offensive line was limited on speed, strength, knowledge, and experience, this season Mansfield has all of those attributes as well as two proven lineman coaches to lead them into their 2024 battles. While none may measure up to the 6’4 and 250-pound dream blueprint that most coaches desire, they will still be a nightmare for their opponents. Simply put, the Tigers linemen will not be their weakest link this year. Not by a long shot.

Top, Left to Right: Ethan Martin, Daniel Burton, Matthew Burton, Andrew Burton, Samuel Burton, Dakota Deer, Zander Walters
Bottom, Left to Right: Cadien Ore, Logan Ore, James Bausley

Arkansas Summer Landscaping Resources

Tammy Teague

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7:45 pm

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Basic Gardening Tips

During the hot summers of Arkansas it is important to monitor watering. Get our gardening tips

Home Garden Fruit Production

All fruit crops need full sun and supplemental watering during dry periods. Fertilization schedules and pest problems vary by crop. Explore our fruit resources for the home garden

Summer Bulb Care

Most people think of spring blooming bulbs like daffodils and tulips, but there are a whole range of summer bulbs to choose from! Choose the right bulbs for your garden

Summer Pest Control

Insects and weeds of all kinds are in abundance this season, so scout your garden often and find them before they take over. Learn how to identify and treat summer pests

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

News

Tammy Teague

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3:40 pm

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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

The deadline to register to vote in the November 5 general election falls on Monday, October 7.

Keep in mind that county clerks may not accept voter registration forms signed digitally, unless they are submitted by certain state agencies.

The state Board of Election Commissioners has approved an emergency rule concerning digital signatures and it has been approved by the Executive Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

Previously, some county clerks were accepting electronic signatures and some clerks were not. The emergency rule is meant to clarify that all 75 county clerks in Arkansas should only accept a “wet signature” on voter registration applications. That means it was signed with an ink pen.

In response to the emergency rule, advocacy groups have sued the Secretary of State and the Board of Election Commissioners in federal court. They contend that the rule amounts to voter suppression, and they argue that people can use electronic signatures to finalize financial statements, loan applications, mortgages, legal papers and various documents required by banks and corporations.

The attorney general issued an opinion in April that said “while an electronic signature or mark is generally valid under Arkansas law, the registration form must be created and distributed by the Secretary of State. A third-party organization cannot create and use a different form of its own to register voters.”

A spokesman for the third-party organization said that her group was using forms created by the Secretary of State, and that volunteers had simply been helping people fill out applications digitally.

Amendment 51 to the state Constitution outlines the rules for registering to vote. It allows a person to register in person at the county clerk’s office.

The amendment also allows people to register to vote at state Revenue Offices, when they renew car tags and drivers’ licenses. Also, they can register at DHS county offices when people apply for food stamps, Medicaid and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and long term care. Amendment 51 specifically authorizes those state agencies to use computers.

The Health Department administers a food program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly called WIC. Offices that administer WIC are also specifically authorized in Amendment 51 to register people to vote, and to use a computer to do so.

Under ordinary circumstances, when a person registers to vote it is permanent. However, if you move you should notify the county clerk, so your registration moves to your new location.

If a county clerk is notified by the post office that you have moved, they may send you a letter to confirm your address. If you don’t respond and don’t vote for two election cycles, your registration may be cancelled. If so, you will have to register again from your new residence.

People who are convicted of a felony will have their registration cancelled and cannot vote. They can regain the right to vote after serving all of their sentence, including probation and parole, and after paying all court costs, fines and restitution.

When it comes to joro spiders, don’t believe everything you hear

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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3:36 pm

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When it comes to joro spiders, don’t believe everything you hear

By Austin Jones

“Giant.” “Venomous.” If those adjectives weren’t enough to pique America’s arachnophobic interests, some are also tagging joro spiders as “flying.”

Sensational headlines are popping up across the country about the latest species introduced to the US, the joro spider Trichonephila clavata.

However, these sensationalized claims, just like the spiders themselves, do not have wings, and as with much of the news today, there is less to worry about than headlines suggest.

What are joro spiders?

Joro spiders are an impressive-looking species of orb-weaving spider with females exhibiting bright yellow markings on their body and legs. Orb-weavers create the iconic angular-yet-circular spider webs that are often depicted in everything from children’s books to low budget horror films.

The spider family Araneidae (A-rain-E-ah-day) contains about 3,500 species of orb-weavers, with more than 150 species being native to the US. The closest native relative of the joro spider is very similar in overall body shape, habits, and size, and is known as the golden orb-weaver — Trichonephila clavipes. Golden orb-weavers have actually been farmed for silk production and females can be separated in appearance from joros by coloration that is less striking and presence of obvious tufts of hair on three of their four pairs of legs.

Other native orb-weavers and friends of the garden, the garden spiders — Argiope aurantia and A. trifasciata — could also be mistakenly identified as joros by the public as they are also large and colorful yellow and white orb-weavers. Garden spider females can actually get larger than joros and can be differentiated by how their web contains a zig-zag pattern reminiscent of a zipper that runs right up the middle of the orb web. This structure is called a stabilimentum.

Asian Joro spiders have been seen in other states, but not in Arkansas. However, it might be easy to mistake them for common garden spiders. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image)

Are they giant and can they fly?

Of course, “giant” is relative, but it would probably only be used to describe the mature females that can reach a body length of about 1.25 inches, not including legs. So, these are not carry-away-your-pets-kind-of-big by any means, but quite a bit larger than jumping spiders or black widows for instance. Females still fall far short of tarantula size and males would not be noticed by most people as they lack the striking coloration of the females and only reach a little over .25 inch in body length.

As for the flying, well technically, no, they cannot fly, and adults will never be airborne unless they have fallen or been picked up by wind, just like any other spider could.

However, baby joro spiders do partake in an activity known as ballooning. This is when the tiny and very lightweight spiderlings push out some web into the breeze and catch it much like a miniature kite. Where ballooning spiders land is generally up to the winds of fate instead of targeted destinations.

It has also been shown that some spiders can not only balloon on wind currents, but also electromagnetic fields. Could a joro spider land in your yard from the sky? Sure, but would an individual be enough for you to notice upon landing? Probably not. Each spring, overwintering egg sacs will spill forth with tiny ballooning daredevils that, if successful, will become mature by fall and will perish in late autumn or winter.

Where are joro spiders found?

Joro spiders are native to Japan and many other parts of Asia and are not known to have been reported in Arkansas at the time of this article. However, a lone report from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was made on the app iNaturalist with the user mentioning that it was likely transported from a recent road trip to Athens, Georgia, (so it probably came through Arkansas!).

Athens is very close to where the joro was first documented in the U.S. in 2014, and a known hotspot of joro activity. This highlights the ability of these spiders to hitchhike in goods and on vehicles to new areas. With much of the Eastern U.S. habitable to this species of spider it is likely a matter of time before they become more widespread via this type of relocation, both as adults or as egg sacs.

Are joro spiders venomous or dangerous?

For starters, of the more than 40,000 known species of spiders, only one single species is known to feed solely on plants, the rest are predators. Of these predators, only one single family is known to not be venomous. Uloborid spiders vomit on their prey instead of injecting venom and consist of more than 300 species globally.

For practical purposes one could say that all spiders are predators and that all spiders are venomous and be right almost all the time. So, yes, they are venomous, but their venom is of no more danger or potency than native spiders which are nearly all of little concern.

In North America the widows — Latrodectus — and recluses — Loxosceles— are the only two spider genera documented to have medically important bites and between them consist of 10 species Two of those species have also been introduced to the U.S. — the brown widow, Latrodectus geometricus, and the Mediterranean recluse, Loxosceles rufescens.

As populations of joro spiders spread they will compete with native species for prey and may displace or outcompete some leading to conservation issues. Should these spiders outcompete native species assemblages and reach large populations due to a lack of natural predators or disease, it could also impact imperiled pollinator insect groups such as butterflies and bees, but these situations have not manifested yet.

Otherwise, having a joro or two in the yard eating other pestiferous species could potentially be seen as a benefit. After all, spiders are our friends when it comes to eating insects, and if joro spiders lived up to the hype of being giant, flying, venomous homewreckers, gun control laws would likely be less hotly debated.

In a nutshell

Are joro spiders giant? They are large for web-building spiders, but not near the size of a tarantula.
Can joro spiders fly? Technically no, but they can balloon. Only juveniles can become airborne and do so by riding the wind with kites made of spider web when they are still quite small.
Are joro spiders venomous? Yes, but nearly every spider is and their venom is not medically important.
Are joro spiders dangerous? No, they are not aggressive and would only bite if provoked. They do pose some threat to natural spider populations and ecosystem integrity.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

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.

Summer Travels Can Land Bears in Hot Water

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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2:34 pm

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Summer Travels Can Land Bears in Hot Water

By Randy Zellers

As if on cue, a bear sighting near Rock Creek Monday morning reminded everyone that Arkansas is home to the most successful reintroductions of a large carnivore in history. The Natural State’s bear population is definitely a source of pride for many wildlife enthusiasts here in Arkansas, but it also means the occasional male bear wanders too close to town when on the search for new territory each May and June. Unfortunately, a young bear has a hard time telling the difference between a blackberry thicket and corn feeder or trash can when it comes to finding calorie-rich treats.

“Most of the calls we get about bears getting too close to towns and cities come during a few months in summer and they’re almost always young males,” Myron Means, large carnivore program coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said. “They’ve overwintered with their mother twice and now it’s time for them to find new homes.”

According to Means, yearling bears have two life paths after they emerge from dens in spring, based on their sex. Female yearlings will be allowed to stay near their mother, setting up territories adjacent to hers. Males, however, are shown the door and are pushed away to find new homes.

“This prevents inbreeding and promotes expansion of the species,” Means said. “For some of these young males, it’s the first time they will encounter people.”

According to the website Bearwise.org, a site maintained and managed by bear biologists and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, these young bears are much like teenagers striking out on their own for the first time. Most quickly discover that human places should be avoided, but if they find out that your trash bins or wildlife feeders are easy pickings for a snack, they’re liable to set up shop and claim your backyard as their own.

“Probably 90 percent of the bear nuisance calls we get can be handled by simply taking away whatever food source the bear has found,” Means said. “That’s going to be the first thing I tell a landowner when they call. Take away that easy food, and the bear almost always moves on quickly.”

Corn feeders and easily tipped trash cans are obvious targets for inquisitive bears, but other food sources, such as birdfeeders and barbecue grills with uncleaned drip pans also attract these trouble bruins. A full checklist is available at Bearwise.org to help landowners in Arkansas’s bear country prepare for the possibilities.

The few female bears that spur nuisance complaints often are searching for food to keep their weight on while tending to their cubs. Early summer foods like leaves and grasses are not as calorie-rich as berries and acorns that are soon to be abundant in most of the state. During this time, a female may also wander in for a free meal if food is left out for the taking.

“Bears are opportunists, but they’re really not aggressive unless you’ve let them stick around and get comfortable,” Means said. “If you did miss something and they begin to hang around. Remove the food and make sure the bear knows they aren’t welcome in your backyard. It usually doesn’t take much to get them to move on if you do it when they first show up. Most of the times we’ve had to trap and remove bears have been the result of people thinking it was neat to have one around and letting them stay long enough to think they belonged there. That always leads to trouble down the road, not only for the landowner who let a bear stay, but for neighbors and other landowners who then have to deal with a bear that’s lost its fear of humans.”

In addition to being a bad idea, intentionally baiting or feeding bears to attract them to an area is illegal. The only exception to this is from 30 days before bear hunting season begins until it ends. Placing certain wildlife feeders on your property also is illegal if you live in an area at risk for Chronic Wasting Disease, a disease found in deer and elk.

More information about bear awareness and bear safety can be found on the cooperative website www.Bearwise.org.

Timepiece: The Cloud Maker

Featured

Tammy Teague

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2:28 pm

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

A towering bank of steam rose from the distant tower, billowing into a cotton-candy cloud formation that can be seen from miles away. When young, my children called it the cloud-maker. The cooling tower at Arkansas Nuclear One is nearly 450 high and is the most notable feature of the electric generation plant owned by the Entergy corporation. Located near Russellville, Arkansas the two-units are the only source of nuclear electricity generation in the state.

During the 1960’s, electric power generation by nuclear plants was deemed both economic and safe and several plants were constructed across the U.S. Russellville was elated to be chosen to become the building site for the Arkansas plant. A multi-year and multi-billion-dollar endeavor, the first reactor went online commercially in December of 1974. It was followed by ANO-2 on March 26,1980.

The two reactors have the capability of producing enough energy to meet 56% of the total energy demand of Entergy Arkansas’s 700,000 customers. The plant was an economic boom for Pope county and Entergy hires a combined total of nearly 1,000 employees at the site.

The use of nuclear power has always engendered concern among people worldwide. The partial meltdown of unit 2 at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania in 1979 created even more fear. That incident resulted in 140,000 people being evacuated and over 2 million people being exposed to minor amounts of radiation. Followed by other incidents at Chernobyl and in Japan, many question the use of nuclear energy. ANO has had a couple of incidents; a crane malfunction in 2013 resulted in one death and the injury of several other workers. In 2015, a reactor vessel head was found be defective and had to be replaced. In no known instance has there been an explosion or nuclear release danger to the public.

As a teacher intern in 1997, I worked the summer as a chemist at ANO. Each employee is required extensive training before ever allowed admittance into the plant. Every part of the reactor is color-coded to allow employees to know radiation and danger areas. Every employee is subjected to a full-body scan before hired and periodically afterward to determine if exposed to radiation (during my time there I absorbed more from the sun than from my work.) Access to the nuclear part of the facility requires a swipe card, a picture ID, a physical check matching your face with your ID, passing through a port similar to that at an airline, and then, to get into any portion of the building itself, you had to key in your personal number to access the door. Every person had to individually key themselves into each facility. Access to the control center- which reminded me of the bridge on Star Trek with its banks of computers and lights- requires even more security.

Every aspect of running the plant is checked constantly in the control room as well as at various stations throughout the plant. Every part has a safeguard. For every computer check, the chemist had to make rounds doing a physical check to verify and cross-check the same information. Environmental scientists make a daily check of trees, plants, fish, and animals in the zone around the facility.

The nuclear plant is not much different than a coal-burning plant except for the use of nuclear power to heat the water. The water heated by radiation is contained and never released to the lake or atmosphere. It simply passes through pipes and heats water in adjacent pipes which then generates power. The cloud making tower- standing inside of it is awesome -but it is nothing more than a huge sauna where the excess steam generated by one of the reactors is returned to the atmosphere.

Living near a nuclear generating plant has now become old hat. Locals are used to seeing the tower and occasionally hearing the sirens for nuclear practice evacuation. Recently, ANO operation license was extended by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission until 2034 for unit one and until 2036 for unit 2. By that time the cloud-maker will have been with us for fifty-years.

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