Resident News Network

Local Youth Among Perfect Shooters

Outdoors

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12:33 pm

Corning, a perennial contender for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Youth Shooting Sports state championship, led 63 other senior squads in qualifying for the state tourney, set for Saturday, June 1, at the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex here.

But it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Corning’s Squad 1 was tied for East Region honors on a soggy Saturday in early May when the shooting ended with Cabot’s Red team and Jonesboro Trap Team’s Uncoachables 2.0 matching Corning’s 238 clay targets out of 250 total. But in a “card off” of best individual shooters among the five-team members of each tied squad, Corning won out as the region champion.

Cabot and Jonesboro, though, will have a great chance to take the overall prize June 1 with the 64 qualifying senior shooting teams meeting in head-to-head bracket play. The draw of higher seeds vs. lower seeds will pit two teams, with each shooting 25 shots and the winner moving on to the next round, like the NCAA basketball tournament, though teams will shoot at different stands and compare scores. The state champion will have to win six matches.

Joining Corning as region winners were Bald Knob Red in the North, taking its region by 5 clays over Searcy Shooting Sports, 234-229; Greenwood Bulldogs Locked & Loaded, 4 points ahead of Berryville Road Kill Grillers, 233-229; and Smackover Shooting Sports’ Bucks Black, which like Corning needed a three-way “card off” to win the South Region over Nashville Scrappers Orange and Ashdown Shooting Sports 1 after the trio all recorded 230 targets. Two clays separated seven teams at the top of the South Region.

Corning’s Junior No. 1 squad also won its regional, hitting 114 out of 125 targets, but it was Bald Knob Bulldogs Trap Red in the North that had the top score among the 64 qualifying junior teams. Bald Knob Red, paced by two shooters who hit all 25 shots, coasted over Salem No. 1, 120-113, though Salem had three shooters have perfect shooting days.

Ozark Youth Shooting Team 1 took the West Region on May 17, the final weekend of regional action, while Magnolia Panther Trap Team Red claimed the South when the YSS regionals began April 26 here.

The Junior State Championship will be contested with the same format as the seniors but a day earlier, on May 31. Action on both days begins at 9 a.m. Admission is free, and food vendors will be available on-site. Participants and visitors can participate in fishing and archery during the day with stations set up on the east end of the complex.

The top 16 teams in each region advance to the state tournaments. Results of each region can be found here.

Four weeks of regional competition attracted 473 teams in the Senior Division and 414 for the juniors. About 5,400 shooters signed up for YSS this year, according to Jimmy Self, the AGFC’s coordinator of the program, part of the agency’s new Recreation Shooting Division.

Shooters who hit all of their targets during the qualifying rounds advance to the Tournament of Champions in both junior and senior divisions. A shoot-off among the qualifiers will be held after their respective state tournaments to determine a Champion of Champions. Junior Tournament of Champion qualifiers, who hit all 25 shots, are Stanley Andreski, Berryville Shooting Sports Toad Ala Mode; Asher Hale and Jameson Glaze, Bald Knob Red; Conley Tyler, Hoyt Smith and Levi Foster of Salem 1; Christopher Scrogin, Corning 1; and Reece Cash, Hazen Shooters A.

Eight perfect shooters in the Senior Division, hitting 50 out of 50 targets, came from the same region, the East. Advancing to the Senior Tournament of Champions are Caleb Richardson, Booneville Bearcats Gold; Donald W. Stephens, Greenwood Bulldogs Trap Locked & Loaded; Cole Cureton and Jackson Parks, Jonesboro Westside Red; Ellisa Vaughn, Greene County Tech Pigeon Pounders; Gage Stamper, Cabot Red; Hayden Whitlock, Brookland Bearcats Black; Jordan Miller, Harrisburg Hornets 2; Levi Adams, Corning Senior 1; and Gunner Bour, Indians Shooting Club 1.

College scholarship money totaling about $17,000 will be divvied up among the top three finishing senior teams, including $2,500 to the Champion of Champions Senior Division winner. The Doyne and Nancy Williams Endowment funds the Champion of Champions scholarship. The Williamses, 2014 inductees into the Arkansas Outdoors Hall of Fame, have been longtime supporters of recreational shooting sports, traveling the country to compete in events.

Visit www.agfc.com/yss for more information on the AGFC’s Recreational Shooting Division and Youth Shooting Sports Program.

Arkansas turkey harvest continues slow climb

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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12:26 pm

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Arkansas turkey harvest continues slow climb

By Randy Zellers

According to the latest harvest statistics compiled through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission licensing system, Arkansas hunters harvested 9,335 turkeys during the 2024 annual turkey season, a few hundred birds more than last year. This is the third year in a row of an upward harvest trend.

David Moscicki is the AGFC’s turkey program coordinator who is taking the reins after Jeremy Wood, who did an excellent job of emphasizing habitat and observational research before pursuing additional opportunities in conservation. Moscicki says the stable harvest results are encouraging, but expected. According to brood survey data from two years ago, weather and habitat conditions combined to give Arkansas turkeys a good hatch.

“Those are the birds we’re hunting now,” Moscicki said. “Everybody’s looking for those 10,000 and 12,000 annual harvest numbers, but that doesn’t come overnight. I think we’re in good shape.”

Moscicki says he’s heard many reports to give him some hope for next year as well.

“We’re still cleaning up some of the data from last year’s brood surveys, but we received a lot of reports of Jakes (immature gobblers) and Jennies (immature hens) on the ground this year, so that’s promising for next season.”

Moscicki says youth hunters did harvest a few more juvenile birds this year than last, with 470 Jakes harvested throughout the season, compared to 250 last year.

“That is a significant increase percentage-wise, but the total number of Jakes harvested is still very low compared to the overall harvest, so that’s a bright spot,” Moscicki said.

The AGFC, partners like the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, and private landowners have put a lot of great habitat on the ground during the last decade through the use of prescribed fire, but Moscicki says expectations for increased populations should be tempered with a touch of caution.

“Turkey populations are extremely dependent on weather and other factors outside of land manager’s control,” Moscicki said. “Hatches can fluctuate from year to year, and we still have a lot of work to do in managing habitat and increasing the right mix of habitat types on the landscape. So far the weather seems to be pretty good throughout the state for some good hatch conditions, but we really won’t know until we’ve compiled the data from our annual brood survey, and that’s really where the public can do the most good to help us.”

As turkey hens emerge from their nests with this year’s poults in tow, hunters, wildlife watchers and anyone who enjoys time outdoors can help the AGFC by participating in the Annual Wild Turkey and Quail Population Survey. Participants record sightings of hens with and without poults and how many poults they observe. In addition to helping biologists gauge the hatch, participating in the survey can guide future habitat work on public and private land.

Moscicki says any hunters who still need to turn in their data from the AGFC’s Annual Spring Gobbler Hunting Survey also are encouraged to get that information to him as soon as possible.

“Both of these surveys give us key information that will guide our efforts to continue providing the habitat necessary to support Arkansas’s turkey population,” Moscicki said.

Turkey and quail sightings can both be entered into the AGFC’s Annual Wild Turkey and Quail Population Survey, which is available via website at www.agfc.com/turkeysurveys.

Spoiler alert: Extension offers tips for food safety this summer

Food

Tammy Teague

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12:23 pm

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Spoiler alert: Extension offers tips for food safety this summer

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of summer and the season of barbecues, camp-outs and family gatherings. And it’s all fun — until the potato salad goes bad. Whatever is on your family’s summer agenda, don’t let food be the spoiler.

“The big issues in the summer are your usual suspects — mayonnaise and egg-based items, not cooking to the right internal temperatures, not washing hands, and leaving things sitting out too long,” said Nina Roofe, head of family and consumer sciences for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from a foodborne illness each year. With proper food handling, your family doesn’t have to be among those statistics. The key is to avoid cross-contamination and to cook and store food at proper temperatures.

Roofe offers these tips for food safety:

Avoid cross-contamination by using different cooking utensils and cutting boards for handling raw and cooked meats.
Wash your hands often.
Clean the grill before using to avoid contamination from the previous user.
Cook food thoroughly to a safe internal temperature. Don’t rely on color; check it with a food thermometer. Beef steaks, pork steaks and fish should be cooked to at least 145 degrees; sausage and other grounds meats to 160; and chicken to 165 degrees.
When storing foods, keep cold foods below 40 degrees.
Keep hot foods above 140 degrees.

“The danger zone of 40-140 degrees is where bacteria like to grow, so the less time food is kept in that temperature zone, the better,” Roofe said.

If you plan to camp, you can reduce the risk of food spoiling by prepare recipes in advance.

“Chop vegetables, measure ingredients and portion meats ahead of time,” Roofe said. “And don’t forget to pack a meat thermometer.”

Find more information on food safety, 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 to all eligible persons 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.

2024 Mansfield Middle School Spring Principal’s List & Honor Roll

Featured

Tammy Teague

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12:21 pm

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2024 Mansfield Middle School Spring Principal’s List & Honor Roll

5th Grade Honor Roll (A’s & B’s)
Keelyn Berger, Kensley Berger, Lydia Buchanan, Kenton Castro, Stella Cochran, Kannon Copeland, Robyn Davis, Averi Davis, Liam Dorr, Riley Fry, Cailynn Garrison, Salem Gillilan, Cheston Hancox, Lily Johnson, August Martin, Austin McGruder, Brantley Oldham, Bawichin Par, Aiden Skelton, Emmy Smith

5th Grade Principal’s List (All A’s)
Ava Davis, Angel Duong, Avery Edwards, Ava Elmore, Landon Gann, Aaryn Gass, Braylen Heck, Lucas Hensley, Aiden Hutchens, Paislee Jackson, Jaxson Lang, Maeva Mason, Ryleigh McEntire, Keaton Morgan, Gracelynn Norton, Crystal Rassasombath, Parker Sanders, Cung Sang, Journey Silva, Katlin Strozier, Kinlee Winters, Jade Xiong

6th Grade Honor Roll (A’s & B’s)
Joshua Bascue, Cung Bawi, Lukas Bean, Bella Childs, Samuel Cooper, JJ Davidson, Daniel Elmore, Paityn Eubanks, Kasen Eyerman, Alexis Gavelis, Ryan Hancox, Jaiden Islam, Peyton James, Catrina Litchford, Landin Lyon, Ean Mabry, Ashlynn Moore, Gabe Pantoja, Mason Parsons, Ryder Pennington, Nevaeh Peterson, Evan Pettus, Mykenzi Pollard, Zeke Porter, Daymian Powell, Aria Schefe, Peyton Smith, Jonny Souder, Maddox Sterling, Caden Swafford, Ezra Sylva, Keaton Welch, David West, Leo Xiong, Asher Young

6th Grade Principal’s List (All A’s)
Ashtyn Adams, Colt Allbritton, Easton Altman, Braxton Boggs, Kamryn Bolin, Annabelle Buchanan, Hope Fury, Kyson Gregory, Tucker Hattabaugh, Gabe Haysmer, Allie McLaughlin, Abbi Neal, Anna Neal, Parker Russell, Enya Trinh

7th Grade Honor Roll (A’s & B’s)
Samuel Bates, Thomas Boyd, Eva Buchanan, Trenton Clay, Andy Dickson, Jalee Edwards, Hannah Elmore, Natalie Fields, Ellah Heydenreich, Natalee Moore, Colton Moore, Bethany Mounts, Brennen Neel, Mayce Phillips, Elexis Powell, Christian Risner, Makenzie Robinson, Everleigh Smith, Lily Souder, Autumn Staton, Paris Stovall, Vivi Sylva, Londynn Turnipseed

7th Grade Principal’s List (All A’s)
Abbigail Adams, Kinsey Boatright, Tucker Brown, Ben Chitalad, Abby Downs, Caiden Elmore, Kyle Frasher, Michael Gilmer, Bentley Hoover, Landon Townsend

8th Grade Honor Roll (A’s & B’s)
Gabe Baker, Phineas Brown, Kasen Clay, Miley Clopton, Clayton Garrison, Quinn Gass, Kingston Hawkins, Aubree Helms, Onda Hiatt, Addison Howard, Rylan Jones, Matthew Knight, Maddison Lowe, Zippy McMichael, Itzel Pantoja, Jagger Pollard, Colton Pruitt, Owen Russell, Alivia Wilson

8th Grade Principal’s List (All A’s)
Lincoln Allison, Mary Burton, Michael Carter, Travis Gilmer, Adeline Godwin, Alisa Lasavath, Racheal Leland, Joseylynn Neal, Bailey Quick, Kerrington Quick, Eric Rassasombath, Kamryn Rempfer, Abby Smith, Cosmo Whiley, Hunter Whittaker, Lilly Young

Waldron Officials Attend 2024 Rural Development Conference

News

Tammy Teague

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6:20 pm

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Waldron Officials Attend 2024 Rural Development Conference

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Rural Services Division hosted its annual Rural Development Conference on May 21-23 in Hot Springs.

The conference offers participants the opportunity to learn about programs and services that assist local communities with development, planning, and revitalization efforts. The target audience for the conference includes state legislators, mayors, county judges, rural firefighters, local community leaders, and community development professionals.

Representatives from the City of Waldron, Scott County and the Waldron Area Chamber of Commerce attended this year’s conference.

“AEDC’s Division of Rural Services is proud to host this annual conference for our rural communities,” said Becca Caldwell, director of Rural Services. “We strive to provide engaging and diverse sessions aimed at tackling the issues rural Arkansas faces while also providing time for our community leaders, economic developers and elected officials to network with their counterparts.”

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered the opening welcome for the conference on May 21. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin served as the guest speaker during the Rural Development Commission Luncheon on May 22.

Attendees participated in multiple sessions and roundtables throughout the conference. Topics included affordable housing, outdoor economy, rural real estate, regionalism, rural workforce strategies, and grant training.

Smith to Retire Following 37 Years in Education

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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5:57 pm

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Smith to Retire Following 37 Years in Education

The close of the 2023-2024 school year will mark the end of a 37-year career for Mansfield educator, Tina Smith.

Smith obtained a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech in 1987, and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1992. Her teaching career spans from a first-year high school math teacher at Dardanelle followed by nine years with the Waldron School District. Smith would go on to serve as assistant high school principal in Waldron for five more years, then as high school principal at Mansfield High School for an additional 11 years. Smith is concluding her career at Mansfield having served 11 years as federal programs/district test coordinator at Mansfield.

Tina Smith was joined by her family at a gathering in her honor on Monday evening, May 20. Back row, from left: Laura Smith, Mike Smith, Jared Smith, Alex Abernathy, and Chris Abernathy. Front row, from left: Everleigh Smith, Leighton Smith, Tina Smith, Taylor Abernathy, and Betsy Abernathy.

One of the highlights of her career, the initial opportunity to serve in administration at Waldron. Additionally, “signing the high school diploma of both of my children (2005 and 2010), moving with a crew of amazing teachers to the new Mansfield High School building in 2004, and being in the same district when my grandchildren started school at Mansfield.”

Smith’s former colleagues, family and friends hosted a celebration for her on Monday evening, May 20. The Mansfield School District also honored Smith with a retirement reception on Thursday, May 23.

The Mansfield School District hosted a retirement party for Tina Smith on Thursday, May 23. Pictured from left: Food Service Supervisor Sonia Norris, Assistant Federal Programs Coordinator Kim Arnold, Tina Smith, Cindy Fry, Carol Reano, and Superintendent Joe Staton.

Smith stated she looks forward to being able to participate in more church activities, including mission trips. “I will be a chauffeur for our grandchildren…and make lists of things for Michael Smith to do.”

Congratulations to Tina Smith on reaching this career milestone. No one is more deserving of time to enjoy all the blessings in life than she does!

Hartford Masonic Lodge Hosts Inaugural Eric “BigN” Lanman Memorial Poker Chip Run

Networks

Tammy Teague

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1:42 pm

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Hartford Masonic Lodge Hosts Inaugural Eric “BigN” Lanman Memorial Poker Chip Run

On April 20th, 2024, the Hartford Masonic Lodge #609 hosted the inaugural Eric “BigN” Lanman Memorial Poker Chip Run for side by sides and other off-road vehicles.

The event took place at Poteau Mountain on the Belle Star Loop and was coordinated out of Yellow Dog Outfitters Lodge. There were 30 side by sides and one motorcycle at the event, which raised $4006.00!

“BigN” was a huge supporter of child and youth programs, so the Lodge voted to donate all of the money to programs of that nature.

Pictured from left: Eddie Ray-Superintendent Hackett Schools, Michael Freeman-Principal Hackett High School, Lonnie Hester-Assistant Principal Hackett High School, Dee Dee Griffey-Hackett High School Counselor Rachel Walker and Emily Bumpus.

On May 21,2024, Mrs. Emily Bumpus, and Mrs. Rachel Walker, (BigN’s daughters) presented a check to Mansfield Schools for $1,503.00 to be used toward unpaid student lunch debt. Then, they travelled to Hackett Schools and presented a check for $1,503.00 to go towards the meal and snack take home program.

The remaining $1,000.00 was given to a Brother Mason whose wife suffered a stroke recently while seven months pregnant and has been in the hospital since. The baby was taken 2 months early, but both are doing well.

This will become an annual event for Hartford Masonic Lodge #609 to carry on the legacy of Eric “BigN” Lanman’s support of the youth in our area.

Family Fighting for Adopted Son

Madison VanRavensway

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12:35 pm

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Haiti has been experiencing a drastic increase in gang violence. From January to March there were 2,500 people killed, including 82 children. During that same period, at least 438 people were kidnapped for ransom. The United Nations reported 362,000 people have had to flee from their homes and children are at too great a risk to attend school.

Most orphans who have been adopted have already left Haiti, however there are approximately 70 who are stuck in the pathway of the civil unrest. Matt and Cara Smithson, pastor and wife at Mansfield First Baptist Church, have a son they have been approved to adopt from Haiti who has not been permitted to leave. Matt and Cara worked as missionaries in Haiti.

Kelly Dempsey and Nicole Skellenger attorneys for Fox Rothschild are representing 25 families who have adoptions approved by Haitian and US governments, but have been unable to get their children home to them. The problem is they are unable to obtain the passports and travel papers needed to get them out of Haiti and into the US.

The attorneys are working alongside the adoptive families and their respective Congressional representatives to obtain emergency humanitarian parole status from the US Department of State for these orphans.

The Smithsons are the only family in Arkansas who are affected. They are joined by many others across the country waiting, praying and working to have their children come home. The adoption of their son was official on July 10, 2023. Since then, they have been waiting anxiously to welcome their son home to the United States.

Cara Smithson has been using their social media page to share updates and how others can help. They are also sharing their journey on their family blog. She urged supporters, family, and friends to contact representatives to help draw attention the dire situation her son is facing in Haiti.

On May 15, she shared that the state department was beginning to take notice of all the calls they had received on behalf of the family. Their son hasn’t received the parole status they hope for, but the family has faith it will come.

Timepiece: a Memorial Day Story

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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12:31 pm

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Thumbing through the thick sheaf of papers in my hand, I felt as if I was touching history. Old enrollment papers, pay sheets, newspaper clippings, commendations, and medical reports lay scattered across my desk, a testament to one man’s patriotism and loyalty to his country. I knew the man only as my banker; a distinguished, bespectacled older man sitting behind the counter checking accounts and making decisions on loans.

Joseph (Joe) Fritchie was born into the small community of Shoal Creek in 1924. When World War 11 broke, the young 19-year old Joe felt compelled to do his part. First trained as an airplane mechanic and then later as a turret gunner, he was eventually assigned to the 449th bomber group that were assigned to the European Theater. The 449th was consisted of large aircraft that could each carry 67.6 tons of 500 pound bombs and were commonly known as the flying fortress. An identifying feature is the large clear bubble located near the front and above the cockpit area and contains a turret gunner operating a machine gun. Joseph was assigned this position and it was his duty to assist in protecting the large mammoth from attack by the smaller German attack planes.

On Feb. 22, 1944, his craft, nicknamed the Sleepy Time Gal, was one of 31 B-24’s assigned the task of destroying a munitions plant located in Steyr, Austria. Narrative report 30 that I hold in my hand describes the horror of that date. “Apparently the attack group was attacked by 30 to 40 German Aircraft. The twin aircraft attacked from the rear, out of our range, with rockets at 1,500 yards. They then closed with machine guns at 400 yards.” Craft #31 was seen to wing over, the plane fell out of formation and control. Ten crew members were aboard.”

Bullets punched through the bubble over Joseph. Realizing the engine was on fire, he tried to push the bubble shield up to escape only to discover it was jammed and his legs were not functioning properly. Only then did he realize that he had been shot through both legs. Dropping into the main part of the ship, he rolled himself out the door and opened his parachute. As he floated downward, the German aircraft flew toward him. Fearful that the pilot would shoot him, Fritchie pretended dead and the craft passed him by. When he reached the ground below, he was quickly captured by German troops and he and others were thrown into a covered truck, one he later discovered to be a truck carrying the dead. Seven of his crew members were killed in the attack; he found later five of them were buried in a common grave in Austria.

Taken to a hospital, he was treated for extensive damage and always felt it was a miracle that he survived without the aid of penicillin and other drugs. On the home front, the family was notified that he was missing and it was months before a letter finally reached them telling them he was a POW. The letters, some in German, are in the file.

Food was scarce in the POW camps and the men survived with the aid of care packages arriving from home. As the allies advanced, the prisoners were moved from one camp to another. On one occasion, the buildings he was in was strafed by allied fire. One of his captors, Gerhard Neitz bundled himself in a blanket doused in water and carried Joe and his comrades that couldn’t walk to safety. The file contains a letter from Neitz’s brother seeking help after the war was over. On another occasion, Joe and his friend Doug Hall of Mansfield were being transported from camp to camp on a train when allied planes bombed the train. The German guards fled but Joe and his friend stayed in the car, eating the sausage and bread deserted by their captors. Joe remained a captive for eleven months before being released. He then spent two years in a Shreveport Hospital being rehabilitated.

The files are extensive, the story only half-told but enough for me to understand why the men of that era are called the greatest generation. Many when asked if they would do it again said, as did Joe Fritchie, “I would do it again if my country needed me.” Joe proved it. In my hands is his document releasing him from military service on July 17, 1946 and another file showing his reentry into the USAF reserves on July 18, 1946. He served until July of 1949. On Memorial Day, let us not forget the price paid for our freedom or the men and women that made it happen.

City of Mansfield Receives Favorable Water Audit

News

Tammy Teague

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9:16 am

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City of Mansfield Receives Favorable Water Audit

The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, May 16 at 6 p.m. Members of the council present included Julie Thomas, Glen Hurt, Beverly Lyons, James Steele, and Sheri Hopkins. Boyd Farmer was absent with cause. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.

After calling the meeting to order and approving the minutes and financial statements from the April meeting, the council heard the city services reports.

Fire Chief Michael Smith reported 39 calls, four fire calls, and 35 EMS. He also reported that six of the members had participated in eight hours of training with more classes planned for the future. Additionally, that the sirens were now remote operational with solar powered panels. Lastly, that a new skid unit would be arriving within the next two weeks.

Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb reported a total of 39 calls, 11 agency assists: one in Scott County and 10 in Sebastian County, six school calls, and 13 medical calls. There was a total of four incident/arrest reports, and two accidents. Robb reported that his department had a total of 564 training hours.

The public works department had a total of 96 service orders completed, 34 One Call requests completed, repaired and reinstalled the bench for the sidewalk, and cleaned debris from the parks following storm winds. Public Works Director Derek Pollard and Cody Hensley had passed their plumbing inspector class and are now state certified. Additionally, Ryan Huschka and Pollard had attained their wastewater II licensure.

In matters of new business, Mayor Black stated that the water audit was good, and that there were no findings.

Next, the consideration of an ordinance regarding what livestock would be allowed within the city limits. No action was taken, and the discussion was tabled until next month.

In other matters of new business, the consideration of the librarian’s salary. The council voted that the librarian would only be paid when working. Also, the council approved certificate salary increases for Pollard, Huschka and Hensley in the amount of $1,000 per year.

Lastly, the consideration of a new police officer, Sheldon Robinson. The council voted to approve the hiring of Robinson, and he will begin May 24.

Before adjourning the announcement was made that this year’s fireworks show would be held at the high school on Thursday, July 4.

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK