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Arkansas to Officially Announce John Calipari as Head Basketball Coach Today at 1 p.m.

Sports

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9:20 am

FAYETTEVILLE- It’s official. Former Kentucky head basketball coach, John Calipari, has signed with Arkansas and will be introduced today at 1 p.m.

Naismith Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, who has led six teams to the Final Four, was named the 14th Razorback head men’s basketball coach, University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek announced Wednesday.

Calipari has signed a five-year contract to lead the Razorbacks with a salary beginning at $7 million per season. The contract runs through April 30, 2029 with a maximum of two automatic rollover years for NCAA Tournament appearances that would extend the contract to 2031. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus and features retention bonuses of $500,000 each year of the contract along with one-time bonuses for making the NCAA Tournament, reaching the second round, Sweet 16, Final Four and winning a national championship.

Calipari will be formally introduced on Wednesday (April 10) at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena. The event will be open to the public. Fans should enter the south entrance of Bud Walton Arena. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Public parking is available in Lots 46, 56, 56B and 60, with the exception of resident reserved parking spaces.

“By all accounts, John Calipari is one of the premier coaches in college basketball,” Yurachek said. “A national championship coach, a four-time national coach of the year and one of the nation’s top recruiters, Coach Cal has consistently demonstrated his ability to attract outstanding talent and build championship teams within the Southeastern Conference and position his programs among the best in the nation.

“As I visited with Coach Calipari during this process, he acknowledged the tremendous opportunity we have at the University of Arkansas to attract and retain top players and compete for championships. He understands the deep passion of the Razorback Nation and has experienced the tremendous home court advantage of Bud Walton Arena. I have no doubt that under Coach Calipari’s leadership and with the collective support of all those who love the Hogs, Razorback Basketball will continue to maintain its national prominence within college basketball.”

Calipari is one of the most successful and decorated coaches in college basketball history having been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. However, he takes the greatest pride in the success his players experience in college, in professional basketball and life after their playing days are over.

Calipari has coached 58 players to be selected in the NBA Draft – 41 first-round picks including 27 among the top 15 and four as the overall first pick – during his 32-year coaching career and had 28 players on NBA rosters this past season. His players have earned:

• 4 National Players of the Year (3 UK, 1 UMass)

• 2 National Freshmen of the Year (1 UK, 1 MEM)

• 15 Conference Players of the Year (9 UK, 3 MEM, 3 UMass)

• 20 Conference Freshman/Newcomers of the Year (12 UK, 6 MEM, 2 UMass)

• 24 All-American Honors (14 UK, 7 MEM, 3 UMass)

• 81 All-Conference Selections (36 UK, 22 MEM, 23 UMass)

He is the winningest active coach in men’s college basketball with a record of 855-263 (.765), including a 410-122 mark in 15 seasons at Kentucky (2009-24), 214-68 in nine seasons at Memphis (2000-09) and 189-70 in eight seasons at UMass (1988-96). In fact, Calipari became the fourth-fastest coach to 800 on-court wins ever at 1,037 games. Only Adolph Rupp (972 games), Roy Williams (1,012 games) and Dean Smith (1,029 games) did it faster.

Calipari also coached in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets for three seasons (1996-99) and internationally for the Dominican Republic national team (2011 and ’12) and the United States U-19 basketball team (2017).

Calipari has been named both the Naismith (1996, 2008, 2015) and NABC (1996, 2009, 2015) National Coach of the Year three times – once at each collegiate stop – and AP College Coach of the Year (2015). He has added SEC Coach of the Year honors four times (2010, 2012, 2015, 2020), C-USA Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2008, 2009) and Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year three times (1993, 1994, 1996).

Of the 31 NCAA Tournaments held during his collegiate coaching career, he has led 23 teams to the NCAA Tournament, including 15 trips to the Sweet 16, 12 appearances to the Elite 8, six Final Four births, three national title games and a national championship. (Note, in 2019-20, Kentucky was 25-6 and won the SEC with a 15-3 record but the NCAA cancelled the tournament due to COVID-19.)

Calipari is one of two coaches in NCAA history to take three different programs to the Final Four and one of just three coaches all-time to make four Final Fours in a five-year span. His teams have won an NCAA record 38 games three times – twice at UK (2012 and 2015) and once at Memphis (2008).

At Kentucky

Calipari made an immediate impact at Kentucky with his first three Wildcats teams dominating college basketball. His inaugural team (2009-10) posted a 35-3 record and reached the NCAA Elite 8. Later that spring, he saw five of his players selected in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft, the first time a school had ever produced five first-round picks in a single draft. Among those picks was the first Wildcat ever taken as the No. 1 overall selection, John Wall.

The next season, Calipari took the program to the next level, reaching the Final Four before falling to eventual national champion UConn. Despite losing three players from the 2011 runner-up team, the progression reached the pinnacle of college basketball in year three. Led by the #1 recruiting class in the nation – featuring National Player of the Year Anthony Davis and All-American Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Kentucky won the 2012 national championship, going 38-2 overall and 16-1 in the SEC. The 38 wins tied the NCAA record for most victories in a season (matching his own mark set at Memphis in 2007-08). The 2011-12 team was later tabbed the team of the decade by the AP.

Kentucky’s 21-win season in Calipari’s fourth season was not enough to receive an NCAA bid. However, the following year, the 2013-14 Wildcats were NCAA runners-up, beating three teams in the NCAA Tournament that were in the Final Four the previous year. Kentucky rode that momentum the following year. With the core of the 2014 team returning and adding one of the top recruiting classes, the Cats used a two-platoon system to win its first 38 games of 2014-15, marking the third time Calipari matched his own NCAA record for wins in a season, before losing in the Final Four. For that historic 2014-15 season, he earned National Coach of the Year from the AP, Naismith and NABC.

Over the next four seasons, Kentucky played in four NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Sweet 16 three times including two Elite 8s. In 2019-20, the Wildcats were on their way to another NCAA Tournament, posting a 25-6 record and winning the SEC regular-season crown, before the SEC and NCAA Tournaments were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The remnants of COVID carried over to 2020-21 and Kentucky did not reach the postseason. However, in each of his last three years with the Wildcats, Kentucky went 71-30 (.703), finishing among the SEC’s top three teams each year and earning NCAA Tournament berths each year.

At Memphis

After his NBA tenure, Calipari returned to the college game in 2000 at Memphis, where he led the Tigers to the 2008 NCAA title game. Memphis’ 38 wins in 2007-08 set the NCAA record for most wins in a single season (a number he tied twice at UK). As a result, Calipari was named the Naismith National Coach of the Year for a second time in his career.

Calipari, the 2009 Sports Illustrated National Coach of the Year, led the Tigers to nine straight 20-win campaigns and nine consecutive postseason appearances, the only Memphis coach to do that. He posted 252 wins — 28.0 wins per season — as the Tigers’ head coach, making him the winningest coach in school history.

He was named C-USA Coach of the Year three times and his 2006 and 2008 Tigers were #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Over his last five seasons at Memphis, the Tigers won 30 games each year and posted a 61-1 C-USA record.

NBA Experience

From 1996–99, Calipari served as the head coach and executive VP of basketball operations for the New Jersey Nets. The 1997-98 Nets reached the NBA playoffs before losing to the eventual NBA champion Chicago Bulls in the first round. He additionally served as an assistant coach under Larry Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 1999-2000 season. That squad reached the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

At UMass

Calipari started his head-coaching career at UMass in 1988-89, guiding a struggling program to the top of college basketball, capped off by a Final Four appearance in 1996.

At 29, when he was named head coach, Calipari’s first two Minutemen teams went 27-32. In year three (1992), UMass won its first Atlantic 10 championship with a 30-5 overall record, including a 13-3 mark in league play. The ’92 campaign was highlighted with a 77-71 overtime win over Syracuse in an East Regional second-round game to lead UMass to its first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

Including that 1992 season, UMass won five-straight A10 titles while compiling a 66-12 league record over the span and made five straight NCAA Tournaments including three Sweet 16s.

Calipari’s 1995-96 team posted a 35-2 record and reached the Final Four. He was named the 1996 Naismith National Coach of the Year and The Sporting News National Coach of the Year. He was also named the A10 Coach of the Year for the third time in four years.

In addition to his Naismith National Coach of the Year honors in 1996, Calipari was a Naismith Coach of the Year finalist in 1994 and 1995. He was the USBWA District I Coach of the Year in 1993.

JOHN CALIPARI FAST FACTS

Born: February 10, 1959

Hometown: Moon Township, Pa. (Moon Area HS, 1978)

Collegiate Career: UNC Wilmington (1978-80); Clarion (1980-82)

Alma Mater: Clarion, 1982 (Marketing)

Family: Wife: Ellen; Children: Erin, Megan, Brad

COACHING CAREER

1982–85 Kansas (Associate Assistant Coach)

1985–88 Pittsburgh (Assistant Coach)

1988-96 UMass (Head Coach)

1986–99 New Jersey Nets (Head Coach and Executive VP of Basketball Operations)

1999–00 Philadelphia 76ers (Assistant Coach)

2000–09 Memphis (Head Coach)

2000–24 Kentucky (Head Coach)

2024–pres. Arkansas (Head Coach)

Men’s Basketball season ticket renewals will be available for current season ticket holders beginning in June. For non-ticket holders who are interested in learning more about tickets for the 2024-25 season and beyond, click here to complete a form to receive more information about the Razorback Foundation priority points system and seat prioritization process. Current season ticket holders do not need to take any action at this time.

Arkansas Edge is the official collective of the University of Arkansas. Fans can support all Razorback athletic programs and our student-athletes by joining Arkansas Edge’s Fan Membership Club through the Drive For Five campaign by clicking here or by making a one-time or monthly recurring contribution through Arkansas Edge’s 501(c)3 partner the BPS Foundation by clicking here.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.

Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Mike Cawood.

Arrest Reports 4/1

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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8:43 pm

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Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
Victor M Alvarado Lopez of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 2 at 8:24 p.m. and released on signature bond April 3 at 12 a.m. Lopez was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor.

Antony Rivera of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 2 at 8:22 p.m. and released on April 2 at 11:23 p.m. Rivera was charged with Possession of [Schedule VI Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >14g, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Nikita Latrell Evans of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 3 at 9:24 p.m. and released on cash bond April 4 at 10:22 a.m. Evans was charged with petition to revoke – misdemeanor.

Treyy Calvin Evans of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 3 at 10:45 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 4 at 9:05 a.m. Evans was charged with three counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Store or Conceal – Other.

Craig McBride Hull of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 5 at 12:45 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 6 at 3:03 p.m. Hull was charged with Sexual Assault in the Second Degree – Guardian.

Garlin Wayne Miller of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 4 at 12:31 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Miller was charged with ADC commitment hold.

Pedro Romero of Midland was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 5 at 11:54 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Romero was charged with Furnishing a Prohibited Article-Correctional Facility, Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, and Possession of Cocaine with the Purpose of Deliver <2g.

Michael Gene Weaver of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 2 at 8:22 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 2 at 9:23 p.m. Weaver was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (2-10g).

Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
William Douglas Morgan of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 3 at 10:47 p.m. and released on signature bond April 4 at 8:05 a.m. Morgan was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Arresting agency – Mansfield Police Department:
Paithan Williams of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 2 at 8:26 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 3 at 12:21 a.m. Williams was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree, and Domestic Battering in the Second Degree.

Arresting agency – Huntington Police Department:
Johnny Lee Witt of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 1 at 4:18 p.m. and released on signature bond April 1 at 6:53 p.m. Witt was charged with Drinking In Public – Public Place, and criminal trespass.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Virgina Robinson, 56 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on April 4 at 11:59 a.m. Robinson was charged with warrant served.

Alpha Smith, 48 of Alma, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on April 5 at 10:52 a.m. Smith was charged with failure to appear.

Jill Goodman, 31 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on April 5 at 1:44 p.m. Goodman was charged with hold for drug court.

Autumn Gipson, 39 of Dardanelle, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on April 6 at 7:53 p.m. Gipson was charged with failure to appear.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Detention Center:
Trenton Taylor, 19 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 6 at 8:26 p.m. Taylor was charged with DUI – under age, DUI law / general description.

Jacob Rahn, 21 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 6 at 7:26 p.m. Rahn was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose causing injury, causes serious injury.

Eric Shawn White, 39 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 6 at 6:07 p.m. White was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury/ causes serious injury.

Matthew Ryan Conner, 35 of Fort Smith, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 6 at 2:19 a.m. Conner was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Rita Airon Young, 37 of Enola, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 5 at 10:05 p.m. Young was charged with possession of controlled substance schedule 2 – hydrocodone.

Chey Wynn, 27 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 5 at 4:58 p.m. Wynn was sentenced to days.

Beth Anette Volbrecht, 64 of Jonesboro, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 4:39 p.m. Volbrecht was sentenced to days.

Danielle Elise Ingram, 47 of Alix, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 3:13 p.m. Ingram was sentenced to days.

Bradley Scott Willbanks, 42 of Booneville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 11:56 a.m. Willbanks was sentenced to days.

James Edward Timmerman, 61 of Altus, as booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 11:52 a.m. Timmerman was sentenced to ADC.

Ricky Dee Cagle, 58 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 11:46 a.m. Cagle was sentenced to CCC.

Vincente Loyd Lopez, 32 of Ceres, CA, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 4 at 12:26 a.m. Lopez was charged with terroristic threatening 1st degree.

Cassie Chancellor, 35 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 3 at 10:53 p.m. Chancellor was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, burglary, residential theft of property / from building.

Timothy Hammond, 34 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 3 at 3:12 p.m. Hammond was charged with theft of property / all other.

Christopher Allen West, 52 of North Little Rock, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 3 at 10:24 a.m. West was sentenced to days.

Amanda Lynn Clark, 34 of Fayetteville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 3 at 7:55 a.m. Clark was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Michael Rex Atteberry, 53 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 2 at 5:21 p.m. Atteberry was charged with delivery of meth or cocaine GT 10GM but LT 200GM, delivery of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10GM, possession of meth or cocaine purpose to deliver GT 2GM but LT 10GM, possession of SCH VI LT 4 oz., possession of drug paraphernalia meth/cocaine.

James Mcguire, 63 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 1 at 5:41 p.m. Mcguire was charged with possession of SCH I or II LT 2GM, and possession of drug paraphernalia meth/cocaine.

Davie Lee Cowen, 41 of Hartman, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on April 1 at 5:16 p.m. Cowen was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

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

Obituary: Allyson Dye (2005 – 2024)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:08 pm

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Allyson Shalynn Dye, 19, of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Allyson was born March 27, 2005 to Allen Dye in Chico, California. Her dad was her everything. Allyson was a 2023 Waldron High School graduate and was apart of the Lady Bulldog basketball team. Her greatest strengths were her charismatic personality, her captivating future big dreams, and unwavering will to live life to the fullest. Allyson had a heart that is rare, and she loved big. She was funny, tenderhearted, loyal, and above all else: tough as nails. Allyson could fix everything that she broke, including her dads truck.

Allyson quickly left a mark on family, friends, and all those that met her. Her passion for life, humor and kind heart always brought joy to those around her. She also had a deep love for spending time with those close to her, creating cherished memories and experiences. Allyson’s close bond with those she loved, was an unmistakable source of happiness and support throughout her life. Their adventures and experiences together brought immense joy to Allyson. Allyson enjoyed playing pranks on her family and friends. Her zest for life and love for others was undeniable. Allyson could often be found hanging out with her fiancé, Fabi, their love was unmeasurable. Allyson’s love, warmth, and memories will be forever cherished by all that knew her. Though her time on this Earth was far too short, her impact will be felt and remembered for years to come.

Allyson leaves behind to cherish her memory, her parents Allen and Alissa Dye of Waldron, Arkansas and bonus mom Leighann Reynold of Waldron, Arkansas. Her siblings: Marcus Dye, Nicholas Dye, Conner Dye, Draven Robbins, Aiden BA and Rhyett Helton, Bayleigh Reynolds and Sonny Reynolds all of Waldron, Arkansas. Paternal Grandparents, Mark and Cheryl Dye of Waldron, Arkansas. Maternal Grandparents, Bryan and Jeanann Stamps of Cove, Arkansas. Allyson is also survived by many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews and her mother-in-law Misty Guerrero.

Allyson was preceded in death by her fiancé Fabi Guerrero, her brother Hayden Harrison and her Grandpa Glen Boyles.

Allyson’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Dillon Ward officiating. Interment will follow in the Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Allyson’s pallbearers will be Marcus Dye, Nicholas Dye, Brad Whitus, Joseph Holt, Dustin Reynolds and Steven Culpvolkmar.

Obituary: Gene Hill (1946 – 2024)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:05 pm

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Daris “Gene” Hill, of Forrester, Oklahoma was born at home in Blackfork, Arkansas on May 14, 1946 to Herman and Julia Hill. He finished his race on Thursday, April 4, 2024. He was 77 years old.

He married the love of his life Linda (Pottridge) Hill in 1965. Gene served in the U.S. Army overseas and returned to a career as a telephone technician for the Heavener area for over 40 years. After retirement he continued running their cattle operation. Gene and Linda served the Lord in music ministry for 30 years in a southern gospel group called The Master’s Family. He was a long time member of the Bates First Assembly of God church and served as a Trustee for many years.

Gene is survived by his daughter LeAnn (Hill) Atchley and husband Paul of Waldron, Arkansas and his son Doug Hill and wife Lori of Heavener, Oklahoma. Five grandsons: Garrett (Janie) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Chasten (Kelsey) Hill of Cameron, Oklahoma, Josh (Kristen) Atchley of Waldron, Arkansas; Jarrod Hill of Heavener, Oklahoma and Tanner Hill of Poteau, Oklahoma. Two granddaughters: Cyndi (Eric) Leatherwood of Howe, Oklahoma and Heather Rasberry of Spiro, Oklahoma. PaPa Gene left behind 15 great grandchildren: Judd, Jace, Dathan, Saylor, Berklee, Sawyer, Drake, Knox, Kyah, Logan, Wade, Lukas, Reya, Rhett, and Joshlyn.

Gene is also survived by three sisters: Stella Benjamin and Sue Carter of Mena, Arkansas and Brenda (Danny) Reel of Bates, Arkansas; two brothers Daryl (Tina) Hill of Heavener, Oklahoma and Jeff Hill of Clarksville, Arkansas. Brothers-in-laws: Don Powell of Mena, Arkansas and Gary (Ann) Pottridge of Bates, Arkansas. He is also survived by his very special blessing Erma Dean Weaver of Howe, Oklahoma.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents, Herman and Julia Hill, and five siblings: Wanda Callahan, Billy Hill, Patsy Powell, Larry Hill, and Kay Harvey.

Gene’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the Bates First Assembly of God Church in Bates, Arkansas with Bro. Mark Ward officiating. Interment will follow in the Gipson Cemetery in Bates, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Gene’s pallbearers will be Garrett Atchley, Chasten Hill, Josh Atchley, Jarrod Hill, Tanner Hill, and Jerod Nix.

Gene’s visitation will be on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.

City of Greenwood to Hold Special Meeting to Declare Vacancy

Tammy Teague

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1:58 pm

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City of Greenwood to Hold Special Meeting to Declare Vacancy

The City of Greenwood will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday evening, April 8 at city hall. The single item on the agenda, the declaration of vacancy for Ward 1 Position 1.

Former Alderman Daniel McDaniel resigned the seat on Thursday, March 28. When the council met on Monday, April 1, they voted unanimously to reject McDaniel’s resignation.

Following that meeting McDaniel issued the following statement to members of the council and Mayor Doug Kinslow urging them to move forward with declaring the vacancy:

Mayor and Council,
A week ago today I submitted my resignation from the City Council, and I was surprised by the unusual vote of the council at Monday’s meeting to not accept that resignation.
It was mentioned that I have a lot going on and that I needed time to sort things out and perhaps reconsider, while it’s true that I have a lot of obligations and things on my mind, those are not the reason for my resignation, and I don’t need additional time to consider my decision.
Over this past week I have received, and very much appreciated, several calls and messages from citizens who wished me well, thanked me for my service and some even complimented me for the way in which I conducted business on behalf of the city.
When I heard of the council’s action, at first I felt it was a nice gesture and appreciated the support, however since I haven’t received any calls from any of the sitting councilmen or staff over the past week, with the exception of Finance Director Tom Marsh and Police Chief Brad Hobbs, it is apparent to me that the actions were simply a delay tactic and political theater rather than a desire to have me remain, which reinforces to me that I made the correct decision.
To be clear, I do not need any additional time to reconsider my resignation. I urge the council to take the necessary action to declare a vacancy and act responsibly to fill the seat with someone who will serve in the best interest of Greenwood.
Again, I wish you all well.
Daniel McDaniel

Fatal Crash Leaves One Dead, Four Injured

Tammy Teague

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9:33 am

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Fatal Crash Leaves One Dead, Four Injured

A fatal accident on Thursday night, April 5, claimed the life of a Waldron teen and injured four others, including two minors. The accident occurred at 7:59 p.m.on Highway 71, south of Dizzy Dean Road in Logan County.

Allyson Dye, 19, of Waldron was traveling southbound on a Harley Davidson motorcycle and failed to negotiate the curve in the road, crossed the centerline and struck the front end of a 2006 Ford, which was traveling northbound. Dye was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to the Arkansas State Police the next of kin had been notified.

Lady Bulldogs Move To 14-2 With Wins Over Harrison

Ross Fujibayashi

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9:36 pm

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Lady Bulldogs Move To 14-2 With Wins Over Harrison

On a cold Tuesday night, the Lady Bulldogs swept the Harrison Lady Goblins 15-0 and 15-1 in a doubleheader in Greenwood. Photos by Peggy Barger

Coming into the Tuesday night conference match-up the Lady Bulldogs were riding a 12-2 record that included wins over Van Buren, Vilonia, Pea Ridge, and Mena in the past week. While Harrison would be the first to light up the scoreboard with a run on the top of the first inning, Greenwood used an eight run first inning to push ahead and of the Lady Goblins. From there it was all Greenwood. Daisy Parker would be the first to cross the home plate, followed by Haley McAdams on a Brilea Rofkahr double to the left field. Bri Taylor would be the third run for the Lady Bulldogs in the first inning. Piper Pitts, less than a month after helping the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-Peat in Basketball, gets a single to bring in Taelyn Martin and Saylor Hart to make the score 5-1.

The Lady Bulldogs were not done in the first inning as they made their way through the batting order, Rylee Floyd is the next Lady Bulldog to cross home plate. Daisy Parker and Piper Pitts scored again to make it 8-1. Harrison would look to the bullpen to find relief and change pitchers to end the first inning. Greenwood would add two more runs in the second inning from Emily Creason and Rylee Floyd, making the score 10-1. It would hold there until the bottom of the fourth when Floyd gets her third run of the night. Piper Pitts got another run to make the score 12-1. On the next play Daisy Parker scored on Brilea Rofkahr bunt. The next play would see Haley McAdams and Rofkahr finish the scoring for Greenwood. Pitcher Tori Howard takes the win in game one, 15-1.

While the first game had a big first inning, coincidentally the second game had big second inning. The Lady Bulldogs would hold Harrison scoreless in route to 15-0 win. Greenwood struck first by holding Harrison to no runs in the first inning. A Tori Howard run from a Brilea Taylor single to right field, lit up the run column on the scoreboard for Greenwood. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Lady Bulldogs scored a staggering eleven runs. Rylee Floyd started the scoring run, with Emmy Burton getting a run on a passed ball and Daisy Parker scoring as well, benefiting from a Tori Howard double. Score sitting at 4-0. Brilea Rofkahr singles a line drive to the left field bringing in Tori Howard. Rofkahr scores on a passed ball making the score 6-0.

Bri Taylor became the sixth run for Greenwood. A pitching change for Harrison did not stop the Lady Bulldogs as Telyn Martin and Saylor Hart would score on the same play. Rylee Floyd scored for a second time from a Daisy Parker single. Tori Howard batted in Daisy Parker and Emmy Burton pushing the score to 12-0 and the final score of the quarter. Bottom of the third, Brilea Rofkhar scores and Taelyn Martin scores on wild pitch. The final score came from a Ryleigh Decker fly ball that turned into an error from the Lady Goblin Centerfielder. Emily Daggett would take advantage of the opportunity and make it across home plate. Haley McAdams was the winning pitcher for game two.

The Lady Bulldogs play again on Tuesday April 9th against Siloam Springs. The game will be in Greenwood with the first pitch at 4:30.

Build a home that’s ‘for the birds’

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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4:48 pm

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By Randy Zellers

Commercially prepared birdhouses shaped like cabins and decorated like a Hilton may be nice yard ornaments, but many go unnoticed by the songbirds people are trying to attract. The best bluebird houses often are crafted by hand, and rarely take more than a single 6-foot board, a handful of nails and some quality time with family members.

The AGFC has an easy nest box plan available at www.agfc.com/brochures ideal for an afternoon or weekend project. It takes minimal skills with a saw and hammer, and will be a fun addition to your yard for many years to come. A few cuts, some nails and one drilled entrance hole is all it takes to put together this basic home that will invite songbirds to stay a while and raise a family.

Many people want to extend the project by painting their birdhouse, but there’s no need to do so. White paint may make it slightly cooler in the summer, but can actually be a hindrance to birds using it. Some paints can be toxic to adult and juvenile birds. Lingering paint fumes also may keep the birds away until the birdhouse has been out for months, leading to some frustration from eager viewers. Keeping it basic is best, and cavity nesters like bluebirds will appreciate the natural touch.

Another bluebird house blunder is adding a perch near the opening. You might think you’re helping the bluebirds that will take up residence, but they don’t need the perch. Predatory birds who will destroy the bluebird’s nest, like house sparrows, will use the perch. The extra ledge also makes it easier for other nest predators to climb up and into the bluebird’s cozy home.

Be sure to include a couple of small holes in the bottom of the box to let water drain and a hole or two in the side near the top of the box to let air vent during summer.

Many songbirds like to nest where forests meet fields. This “edge” offers fast access to food as well as shelter. Bluebirds, in particular, nest in objects 4 to 6 feet off the ground close to the open side of the “edge,” such as fencerows. They even use the fence as a hunting perch to look for grasshoppers, katydids and other insects. Some gardeners like to put bluebird boxes near their gardens. The birds won’t touch your vegetables, and they eat hornworms, katydids and grasshoppers that can ravage your tomato crop.

Be careful to keep your bluebird house away from possible harm from predators. Raccoons, snakes and squirrels will destroy bluebird nests and eat the eggs. The largest threat to both mother bluebird and her chicks is the common housecat. Try to mount the box far enough from branches and fences so that a nest predator can’t jump on the box or stick a paw through the entrance, and keep the cat indoors. The best practice is to keep at least a foot of cleared area in all directions from the birdhouse. You can place it on a post or mount it to a piece of 1-inch diameter conduit pipe to make sure you have enough clearance from predators. The pipe may not look as appealing as mounting on a tree, but it helps prevent climbing species from getting to the nest inside.

The hard part comes after you’ve hung the birdhouse in a promising location — you have to wait. Sometimes birds may move in within days, but some birdhouses may sit vacant for a few months before birds find your offering. Resist the urge to open the box every day to see if there’s a bird inside. If they haven’t laid eggs and committed to the nest, you’ll likely scare them away. If you must take a quick peek, wait until the birds have finished laying their eggs.

It may seem like torture waiting for the birds to arrive, but once they do, the whole process is pretty fast. A pair of bluebirds can build their nest in a couple of days. The female will lay one egg per day until she has 4 to 6 eggs in the nest. Once the last egg is laid, the female and male will take turns incubating the eggs for 12-15 days before they hatch. The fully fledged chicks will emerge from the box 15-18 days later, but they often stay near the birdhouse with their parents until they are ready to venture out on their own.

There’s really no need to dump the old nest once the chicks have left the home. Adult bluebirds will clean it out and reuse the box up to four times in one year. Eastern bluebirds have been seen using nest boxes as late as August in Arkansas, so the best practice is to keep your distance and admire them from a safe distance.

Even though it’s called a bluebird box, there’s no telling what songbird may come calling. Carolina chickadees, Carolina wrens, tufted titmice and even an occasional tree swallow may take up residence. You may even open the box one morning to find a flying squirrel tucked away inside.

Visit www.agfc.com/education/free-publications for more publications from the AGFC, including a guide to more backyard birds. Or start your journey into birding with the AGFC’s Wings Over Arkansas Program and eBird and wildlife-viewing web portal.

29th Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Set for May 31

Sports

Tammy Teague

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3:44 pm

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29th Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Set for May 31

The Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame will induct its 29^th class during a 6:30 p.m. banquet May 31 in the Silver City Ballroom of the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock.

All of the eight inductees are connected to Arkansas as track and field athletes or coaches.

“This year’s class features two highly successful active collegiate coaches and two retired high school coaches with a combined total of more than 100 years of coaching tenure in Arkansas schools,” said Ernest Miller, president of the ATFHF. “In their careers they produced, and are still producing, championships and guiding athletes to successful careers. This class is also strong on sprints/jumps with inductees having strong collegiate careers.”

The active collegiate coaches include Lonnie Greene who spent 16 seasons as a sprint, hurdles and jumps coach for the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks. During his tenure in Fayetteville his athletes set over 25 school records while helping the team to several SEC Championships. Since leaving Arkansas he has served as Head Track Coach at Purdue University and is currently the Head Track Coach at the University of Kentucky. Jim Patchell is a Heber Springs native and graduate of Arkansas State University. While at A-State he was a sprinter and hurdler and upon graduation began his career as a grad assistant working with sprints and hurdles. Before returning to his alma mater in 2011, he had coaching stops at Tulane University and Campbell University in North Carolina. Since arriving at A-State is teams have won several Sun Belt Conference Championships.

Retired high school coaches include Greenwood native John Mackey who had a coaching stop at Corning before moving to Mansfield for the remainder of his coaching career. In 2010, his program won the Lowell Manning Award for outstanding girl’s track program in the State of Arkansas, and twice Mackey was named the AAA Girl’s Track Coach of the Year; Diane Treadway was recruited in 1981 to run both cross country and track at Arkansas College, now known as Lyon College. While representing AC, she earned NAIA All-American honors in both cross country and outdoor track. In a long coaching career at Batesville High School, she had a run of seven consecutive State Championships in girls’ cross country.

The class also includes Nate Krig, a three-year letterman at the University of Central Arkansas and an Honorable Mention All-American in 1969. While at UCA he set personal school and AIC Records in the 100, and 220- yard dashes. He was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame in 2013; Andrew Irwin, Mount Ida H.S and University of Arkansas pole vaulter. At Mt. Ida he was two time Meet of Champions winner and set the National High School Indoor record of 17’09.25”. At the UA he was three- time SEC Indoor Champion and two- time SEC Outdoor Champion setting the school record of 18’09.25”; Whitney Jones, Searcy HS and University of Arkansas was an outstanding sprinter/jumper at the HS and Collegiate level. AT Searcy she was three-time State Champion in the 100m, 200m, Long Jump, and Triple Jump, and at UA she was a fifteen-time All-American and four-time SEC Champion.

Also to be honored is Rod Newton, Crossett HS, Wallace State College, and Mississippi State University. At Crossett HS he was two-time High Jump State Champion and State Meet High Jump record holder at 7’ ½”. While attending Wallace State he was a two-time JC All-American in the in High Jump and at MSU he set the school record in the high jump at 7’4 ½” while earning All-SEC Honors. He participated in the 2000 US Olympic Team Trials.

Tickets for the banquet are $50 per person ($52 if purchased by credit card) or $400 for a table of 8. Orders for tickets should be mailed or emailed to Leon White, 34 Margeaux Drive, Little Rock, AR 72223, [email protected] and must be received by May 26 to be guaranteed. Tickets may be picked up at the ATFHF registration desk after 5 p.m. May 31.

For more information, contact Miller at (501) 472-7599.

Timepiece: The Wonder Horse

Featured

Tammy Teague

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3:10 pm

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

My children loved the toy and would ride it for hours, bouncing up and down and traveling to whatever worlds and places were in their young minds. I could identify with them, having traveled the same road and places some twenty years before. The Wonder Horse was one of a kind toy, an animal shaped figure that rocked back and forth and up and down. My kids would ride it until exhausted and, at times, were known to fall asleep in the saddle. A favorite toy for over fifty years, the Wonder Horse was created and patented right here in Arkansas.

William “Bill” Baltz was an engineer and surveyor for Randolph County, Arkansas. His young 3-year old son Billy was turning three in December of 1939. At fifty-one years of age, Mr. Baltz realized he was getting to old to bounce the young boy on his knee, imitating the trot of a horse. An inventor and tinkerer, he decided to devise a toy that could do the work for him. Working at home with old cypress floor joists and packing crates, he devised a horse shaped toy suspended on four post by thick, heavy springs. Handles connected to the side of the horse’s head allowed a young rider to bounce, rocking back and forth and up and down. Because Arkansas was then known as the “Wonder State,” Baltz named the horse the Wonder Horse.

The toy was an immediate hit with his kids. They would sit the horse out in their yard in downtown Pocahontas and take turns bouncing back and forth for hours. Passerby noticed the toy and began to stop by and get Bill to make one for their family. By 1950, he was making 50 horses a day in this basement shop but could not keep up with demand. Baltz applied for and received a patent in 1945 and A.G. Manning, owner of Associated Woodworks of Memphis, bought the patent and began making various models of the Wonder Horse. Some of the models of the horse began to utilize hard plastic in place of wood and deluxe models sold for as much as $29.95. Advertisements described the horse as a toy with many speeds and gaits and promised that children using it would develop rhythm and muscle coordination. One advertisement promised that the battery-free horse would run for hours on the energy supplied by a few chocolate chip cookies.

The Wonder Horse harkens back to a simpler time and age. Reminded on line or in a conversation about the horse, people will begin to tale favorite tales of growing up and of the Wonder Horse they bounced on as a kid. Thousands were made, and many were passed on to children and grandchildren on as family heirlooms. Many attics still contain the old models and are prized by antique collectors. The price for the newer models starts at around $350 and the price increases quickly by age.

Baltz, a man of humble German-migrant origin who couldn’t speak English until he was nine years old, did pretty well for himself. Successful as a surveyor and store owner even before his invention, he made enough money to raise a large family and to purchase a 1,500-acre farm in Randolph County. He died in 1979 at the age of 90 and credited his long and healthy life to the fact that he “never smoked and never drank whiskey.” A large display in the Randolph County Museum is dedicated to his invention but don’t expect to see the Baltz original. Like the add said, the Wonder Horse will outlast your family car. The original is still in the Baltz family, but several early models can be seen at the museum.

Of enterprising and industrious stock, the large Baltz family spread across the state. Dennis Baltz, a nephew, became co-owner and operator of the large C. V’s IGA grocery stores. Others are farmers and businessmen but all have the creative knack. Talking to the wife of my friend Bill Baltz, a nephew of the original William, she explained, “The Baltz just have the knack, they can take anything and make something that works out of it.” The Wonder Horse stands as testament to that, an outstanding example of Arkansas enterprise and ingenuity.

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