Resident News Network

Obituary – Ronnie Rhyne (1958 -2024)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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12:23 pm

Ronnie Eugene Rhyne of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday February 24, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Ronnie was born February 3, 1958 in Modesto, California to Danny and Linda (Ballard) Rhyne. He was 66 years old.

Ronnie attended Waldron High School and later Tulsa Welding School. He was a talented welder, certified in all fields. He traveled across the United States and internationally for work. He especially enjoyed his time in the Aleutian Islands repairing and working on the fishing boats. Ronnie retired from Arkansas Fabricators Specialist in Van Buren, Arkansas. Ronnie enjoyed a good time, fishing, swimming, motorcycles, his Momma’s cooking, gardening, shooting pool, trading cars and time with family.

Ronnie leaves behind his wife, Marilyn (Ritter) Rhyne of the home; daughters: Riana Rhyne of Barling, Arkansas; Chancey Yandell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Jodi Perry of Poteau, Oklahoma. Poppa Ron will remain in the hearts of his grandsons: Benjamine Yandell, Parker Chrisman, Bryson Jones and Jake Perry. Ronnie is also survived by his parents, Danny and Linda Rhyne of Greenridge, Arkansas; one sister, Dana Chrisman of Waldron, Arkansas; one brother, Stephen Rhyne; nephews Matt and Jace Chrisman, Bradly Rhyne, Eric, Derek and Dillon Yandell.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his sister Debbie Yandell; paternal grandparents, Ed and Chloe Rhyne; maternal grandparents, Tommy and Grace Ballard and Sam and Lucy Riggs; uncle James Rhyne and aunt Paulette “Polly” (Rhyne) Goble.

Ronnie’s life celebration will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Butch Morgan officiating. Interment will follow at the Birdsview Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being intrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Ronnie’s Pallbearers will be Alan Ritter, Bryan Thompson, Jace Chrisman, Derek Yandell, Steve Rhyne and Eric Yandell. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Men of Arkansas Fabricators.

Ronnie’s visitation will be prior to his life celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 20254 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Timepiece: Subiaco Abbey and Monastery

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9:48 pm

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

The morning sun was burning through the mist as I traveled east on highway 22. My guest, a fellow teacher from Idaho, was amazed as the saw the medieval towers and spires poking through the clouds. “A castle in Arkansas,” he asked in amazement? Growing up in the area, it was just part of the landscape, something I passed without notice daily. Indeed, beautiful and inspiring, Subiaco academy and monastery stands as a testament to the faith and hard work of the German population living in the area.

Railroads acquired huge tracts of land as compensation for laying track across America. Much of the land was unpopulated and virtually worthless tracts that lacked development. Recognizing the industrious nature of the German Catholic population, the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad Company decided to entice immigration by establishing a church and monastery to build near their line. A masterful plan, not only would they sale land to the immigrants but would establish a community which would require the transportation of goods and people to the outside world for perpetuity.

Working with the Benedictine order of St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana, the railroad convinced the order to send a delegation to build in the area. In 1877, Father Isidor Hobi was sent to explore the area and he sent back glowing reports about the region. His superior, Father Wolfgang Schlumpf was not quite as impressed with the wild, tangled forest offered them by the railroad when he arrived, nevertheless, construction began and church services were provided for the 30 or so families living in the area.

The monks and settlers cut native stone and timber to construct the first building on site. By 1891, Pope Leo XIII was able to raise the status of the Priory to the rank of abbey. A new monastery was built in 1901 after the first monastery was destroyed by fire. That monastery, even though it also suffered a devastating fire in 1927, still stands in the present location atop a small hill overlooking Subiaco and the surrounding valley.

The industrious monks soon added other building and facilities around the central church. Housing some fifty monks, the monastery now raises cattle, operates a sawmill, keeps a vineyard and brew house, and make and sale their own Monk sauce. Brethren assist and minister to the area churches and many assist in teaching at Subiaco Academy, an all-boys school for high school students located adjacent to the church.

My friend, a devout Catholic, wanted to visit. Setting up a tour was an easy matter and one obviously enjoyed by our guide as much as by my friend. I was somewhat abashed because I had only visited once before, a wedding of a friend. St. Benedicts church, the face of the abbey, is a beautiful cut sandstone building with the soaring towers that my friend first noticed. Inside are soaring ceilings, a bubbling baptistery, and huge pipe organs illuminated by beams of light entering through the stained glass windows. It was also the site of a visit by former President Clinton during the wedding of a friend as well as by other notables from around the country. The museum was of special interest. It contained not only material related to the church, but items shared by the early settlers of the area. The courtyard, a beautiful garden lawn bursting with flowers, is well worth the visit.

Coury house, located on the premises, offers private retreats and meeting places for groups and organizations. If you’re lucky, you might visit on a day the abbey and school are hosting a jazz night, a play, or a performance by the Subiaco Academy band. The surrounding communities contain many old barns and homes of German construction. Just up the road is the Cowie winery with its huge collection of church bells from around the world. The abbey, located about six miles east of Paris, it’s a great place to visit and learn about the influence of German culture on the history of our state.

ASP Seized More Then 3,400 Pounds of Illegal Contraband and Weapons in Recent Traffic Stops

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Tammy Teague

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9:25 pm

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ASP Seized More Then 3,400 Pounds of Illegal Contraband and Weapons in Recent Traffic Stops

Six recent traffic stops by Arkansas State Police (ASP) resulted in the seizure of 824 pounds of illegal marijuana, 2,638 pounds of illegal marijuana products, and multiple weapons. All six seizures took place on Interstate 40, with three occurring on a single day. And five of six seizures occurred in Crawford County.

ASP TRAFFIC STOP FINDS CAR HAULER TRANSPORTING MORE THAN JUST CARS

On February 14, around 2 p.m., ASP pulled over a tractor-trailer carrying three vehicles at the 1-mile marker Eastbound on Interstate 40 in Crawford County.

During a search of the trailer, Troopers found 18 bags of contraband marijuana, weighing a total of 412 pounds, concealed in trucks being hauled.

Two minor children were also in the tractor-trailer.

More than 400 pounds of illegal marijuana found in vehicles being hauled on I-40

ASP transported the driver, Jezreel Otey, 29, of Little Rock, and passengers Robert Sanders, 33, and Ciara Hewlett, 27, both of North Little Rock, to the Crawford County Jail, where they were charged with Possession of a Scheduled VI Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. Hewlett also had an outstanding Felony Warrant out of Little Rock.

ASP seized all three vehicles along with the tractor-trailer.

The children were released into the custody of the Department of Human Services.

MORE THAN 200 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA AND LOADED HANDGUN DISCOVERED BY ASP DURING TRAFFIC STOP

At approximately 12:10 p.m. on February 20, 2024, a black GMC pickup truck was pulled over by the ASP on Interstate 40 Eastbound at the 8-mile marker for a traffic violation. The driver told the Trooper he was traveling from Oregon to Florida.

More than 200 pounds of illegal marijuana and loaded gun found on Oregon traveler.

Troopers searched the truck and found nine duffle bags containing 211 pounds of illegal marijuana in 190 vacuum-sealed bags. Troopers also discovered a loaded 357 Magnum revolver in a fanny pack on the passenger side of the vehicle, along with $3,978.

ASP transported the driver, Thomas Elliott, 51, of Deerfield Beach, FL, to the Crawford County Jail. Elliott is facing multiple charges, including Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and a Firearm.

ASP FINDS ILLEGAL MARIJUANA AND HANDGUN DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN CRAWFORD COUNTY

On February 20, 2024, ASP stopped a white Chevrolet Suburban traveling Eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 5-mile marker in Crawford County.

Upon searching the SUV, Troopers discovered three large boxes containing 50 pounds of illegal marijuana in the rear cargo area. Additionally, a 9mm Glock handgun was found in the center console.

ASP transported the driver, Wynton Foy, 33, of Snellville, GA, and the passenger, De’Ja Johnson, 28, of Atlanta, GA, to the Crawford County Detention Center, where they were charged with Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance, Possession of Felony Drug Paraphernalia, and Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and a Firearm.

ASP SEIZED MORE THAN A TON OF THC VAPES AND 21 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA

On February 22, 2024, at approximately 10:30 a.m., at the 2-mile marker Eastbound on Interstate 40, ASP pulled over a white Silverado pickup truck towing an enclosed trailer due to a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the trailer and found 2,628 pounds of illegal marijuana vapes and 21 pounds of contraband marijuana.

Troopers arrested Janet Arreola, 29, and Jose Escobedo, 35, both of Cumming, Georgia, and transported them to the Crawford County Detention Center. Both were charged with Trafficking Controlled Substances and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

Troopers seized 2,628 pounds of illegal marijuana vapes during traffic stop.

ASP FINDS MORE THAN 100 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN LONOKE COUNTY

On February 20, 2024, ASP stopped a black 2023 Chevrolet Equinox near the 173-mile marker on Interstate 40 Eastbound in Lonoke County for a traffic violation.

Upon searching the vehicle, the Trooper discovered a shrink-wrapped package containing 119 bundles of illegal marijuana weighing a total of 126 pounds.

Troopers transported driver Zang Xiong, 34, of Holmen, Wisconsin, to the Lonoke County Detention Center, where he was charged with Felony Possession of a Scheduled VI Controlled Substance with the Purpose to Deliver. Xiong told the police he was traveling to Mississippi from Oklahoma.

FOURTEEN POUNDS OF ILLEGAL CONTRABAND DISCOVERED DURING TRAFFIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 40

On February 22, 2024, at approximately 4:04 p.m., ASP stopped a gold Chevrolet Malibu near the 2-mile marker Eastbound on Interstate 40 in Crawford County.

Troopers searched the trunk of the vehicle and located approximately four pounds of illegal marijuana and 10 pounds of illegal marijuana products. Troopers seized the contraband and arrested the driver, Chip Ervin, 45, of Mississippi.

Troopers transported Ervin to the Crawford County Jail, where he was charged with multiple charges, including Possession with Intent and Deliver Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Paris Lady Eagles’ Postseason Run & Season Comes to an End in Regional Tournament

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Resident News Network

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8:12 pm

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Paris Lady Eagles’ Postseason Run & Season Comes to an End in Regional Tournament

BOONEVILLE– Cinderella’s magical run came to an end last week in the first round of the 3A Region 1 basketball tournament. After winning a district tournament championship, the Lady Eagles dropped their first-round regional game to Elkins.

The Paris appearance in this year’s regional was the second consecutive trip for the program in the last two seasons. Paris, who won a number one seed going into the regional, lost to the number four seed Lady Elks in the first round. The loss follows a 2023 first round regional loss as a number two seed to then number three seed Flippin.

Paris’s appearance in the regional was a tribute to a team that struggled to a 6-7 conference record in the regular season, although those losses were all by seven or fewer points. Paris played several games in approximately eight days to get to the regionals. The Lady Eagles’ appearance was the result of a team that refused to give up throughout the season.

Individual postseason honors should be announced soon, and Eagles fans are hoping to see Annabelle Perry named as All-State for her outstanding play throughout the 2023-24 season.

The loss to Elkins was also the final game for Paris senior Makalie Carter. Carter, known for her all-out effort on the court, played her last game the same way she did the past two years since her transfer from Cedarville. Carter played with great intensity and hustled on every play.

RNN Sports would like to congratulate Paris on their second consecutive regional tournament appearance, and we wish the team the best of success next season.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Featured

Tammy Teague

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7:41 pm

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! I took last week off and one of my sweet readers called and told me they missed me. I thought that was very nice of her. There is someone in the world that likes to listen to me. I accused Chuck Hopkins of not listening to a word I said, and he replied, “there is no way I could ever take in every word that comes out of your mouth.”

I was talking to Curtis Feimster this week and I told him he could talk the paint off a barn door. He said that sounded like something his momma would say. It’s the truth for sure.

I had President’s Day off and took my Aunt Pat to Walmart and pushed her all over Walmart in a wheelchair and let her shop till we dropped. We went and ate Mexican food and met up with my brother, some cousins and another aunt. We had the best time. When we were leaving Walmart, I got my aunt in the car and pushed the wheelchair back inside the Walmart. I came out and about ripped the handle off a car that wasn’t mine. In my defense it was the same color, and I just couldn’t figure out why the door wouldn’t open. The whole time my aunt is sitting in the car behind me. Finally, I looked around and saw her behind me in the car.

That’s not the first time that has happened and probably won’t be the last. I did have my shirt on right and not inside out. I’ve done that so much that everyone in the tri-state area knows I wear a big old 2 xl shirt. When everyone was wearing masks during our Covid era, I would see people that I thought I knew and would even call them by name, and it wouldn’t be who I thought it was. I done that to a guy at CV’s and I hollered, “hey Scott!” He looks at me and starts shaking his head. I guess I scared him to death. I wasn’t gonna hug him or anything, but he sure acted like I was. It was funny. Wonder how many people I spoke to that wasn’t who I thought they were? Some people just nod and go on.

This week’s recipe is apple enchiladas. You can’t go wrong with apple and cinnamon.

APPLE CINNAMON ENCHILADAS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 21 oz. can of apple pie filling
6 8″ tortillas
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
Spoon the filling down the center of the tortillas and sprinkle with cinnamon. I would use a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Roll up and place them seam side down in a lightly greased baking dish. Bring the butter and both sugars and water to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for three minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over the enchiladas. Let stand for 30 minutes and then bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes. A little vanilla ice cream would be awesome on top. Yum, yum. Enjoy and have a wonderful week and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Oh Spring

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Tammy Teague

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3:06 pm

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This morning I picked my first bouquet of daffodil blooms. Though not especially noteworthy, it is unusual because the timing is early — way early. In the Ozarks, old-timers sometimes called daffodils “Easter lilies,” but it has been a long time since they bloomed that late in the spring. But blooming closer to Valentine’s Day than Easter is a sure sign that things are changing.

That bloom time has sped up should not be too surprising because 2023 was the hottest year on record and predictions are that the coming year will be more of the same. A graph showing average sea surface temperature throughout the year over the past 40 years looks like strands of spaghetti stretched across the page, but the line for 2023 stood apart and well above the earlier tangle of lines. The 2023 line was about one degree Fahrenheit above the 40-year average. Air temperature averages mirrored the ocean temperature record.

This is an El Nino year, so unusual weather conditions are to be expected. Officially called El Nino–Southern Oscillation, this well-known weather event has been known officially since the late 19^thcentury but only studied intensely since the 1960s. The Southern Oscillation is part of a cyclical weather pattern that repeats itself every two to seven years, with five years being the average. El Nino and La Nina are the names given to describe the warm and cold surface sea temperatures while the Southern Oscillation is the name used to describe the effect oceanic temperatures have on air temperature and worldwide weather patterns.

The neutral phase of the Southern Oscillation represents average conditions prevailing between the Indian Ocean (western Pacific between Australia and Indonesia) and the eastern Pacific (equatorial South America, centered more or less off of Peru). In the neutral state, the temperature differential between sea surface temperature in the western Pacific is about 15 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the water off of Peru. In this neutral state, rainfall patterns are predictable and timely.

The El Nino phase occurs when warmer than normal surface water forms off the coast of South America and trails westward along the equator. Normally these conditions last 9 to 12 months, but can go on for two years. The lack of a strong sea temperature differential between the western and eastern Pacific slows (and sometimes reverses) the trade winds that normally blow from east to west along the equator resulting in droughts in southern Asia, parts of Africa and India. Heavy flooding often occurs in equatorial South America during El Nino years. El Nino years generally result in more precipitation across most of North America, including the southeast, and sometimes more severe springtime storms. In California more rainfall in the south is common during the winter, but the relationship is not always clear-cut.

La Nina is a reversal of conditions when the difference in surface water temperatures decreases, resulting in colder than average temperatures off of South America and somewhat warmer conditions in the Indian Ocean. Usually, this means drier than normal conditions across most of the country with the upper Midwest experiencing more winter snow but hotter, drier summers. The spring storm season is usually pushed further north in La Nina years.

How climate change and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation cycle interact is still up for debate. Most expect that the generally warmer climatic conditions will make the strength of the El Nino events stronger – at least in the near future – until ocean temperatures warm everywhere and reduce the temperature differential. Early indications are that the frequency of El Nino events and their relative strength has increased in the past 20 years, but not enough data points are available to answer that question definitively.

Sitting here a month before the first day of spring, I know it is too early for it to be so warm. I also know that winter has not yet made its last stand. Hopefully, that stand will occur in the next few weeks, not delay until April, when a hard freeze does so much more damage.

First National Bank at Paris Re-branded to Union Bank

Networks

Tammy Teague

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2:58 pm

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First National Bank at Paris Re-branded to Union Bank

Union Bankshares, Inc. announced in September 2023 its plan to unify the organization under a common name and bank charter. That unification was completed on Saturday, February 17. The organization now exists under one bank charter, Union Bank.
The two had been sister banks under the same ownership and management since 2005. Union Bank CEO and Paris resident Jarrod Yarnell explained that it was not a decision taken lightly but one that would ultimately be the most advantageous for our customers.
The bank closed on Friday February 16 as First National Bank at Paris and re-opened Tuesday, February 20 as Union Bank. The unification affected branches in Paris, Caulksville, Waldron, Booneville, Clarksville, and Ozark. Customers will now also gain three additional locations in West Central Arkansas to include Mena, Hatfield and Wickes.
Yarnell added, “This unification will allow us to fully leverage our combined strengths, as we continually invest in our customers and communities.” Steven Sosebee will serve as the River Valley market president. He added, “Our allegiance to our communities is stronger than ever.”
Yarnell explained that interruptions to banking service were minimal. “A testament to the loyalty of our customers, they have worked with us and through a few bugs. Now, we are proud to say that business is back to usual,” he added proudly.
Union Bank is an independent community bank, established in 1934, in Mena, Ark.

Obituary – Reno Crump (1944 – 2024)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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12:53 pm

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Reno Crump of Diamond City, Arkansas formerly of Waldron, Arkansas) was welcomed to his Heavenly home February 21, 2024 in Yellville, Arkansas. Reno was born July 16, 1944 in Waldron, Arkansas to Charlie Crump and Evelyn (Slater) Crump. He was 79 years old. Reno was of the Pentecostal faith. He was a man of God and loved the Lord.

Reno grew up in Waldron where he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Lewis. Together they lived, loved and had a life time of precious memories for 61 years. Reno retired from Baldor after many years of dedicated service. He enjoyed camping, fishing and woodworking. Because of Reno’s contagious laugh, people loved to tell stories to get him tickled just to hear him. Reno loved his family and worked hard to provide for them and be a leading example for his children and grandchildren.

Reno leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife Shirley Crump of Diamond City, Arkansas, his children: Sheila Hill of Morrillton, Arkansas, NaTisha Egger (Shaun), Michael Todd Crump (Margaret), and Joey Crump (Julia) all of Diamond City, Arkansas. Reno is also survived by one brother, Larry Crump (Mattie). Papa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Reno will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends and neighbors he loved dearly.

Reno was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Evelyn, and three sons, Reno Dewayne, Christopher and Steven and one brother Leo Crump.

Reno’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Rickey Hunt officiating. Interment will follow in the Lamb Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Reno’s visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saurday, February 24, 2024 at the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God in Waldron, Arkansas

Mansfield City Council Meets in Regular Session

News

Tammy Teague

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7:14 pm

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Mansfield City Council Meets in Regular Session

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

After calling the meeting to order, the council voted to unanimously approve the minutes and financials of the January meeting.

The council then heard the city services reports.

Chief Michael Smith submitted his report which stated there were a total of 20 calls, three fire and 17 EMS. Smith noted that they were still waiting on the FCC to grant a new frequency (for the new tornado sirens.) Safety Com installed the system on February 20, and the new sirens will be able to be sounded off manually until the new frequency is assigned. Smith also stated in his report that the new tanker had a new tank and dump chute installed, and that he was awaiting new fittings to finish. On February 5, Chief Smith purchased a 2012 Chevrolet 3/4-ton pickup for $6,900. He plans to make a brush truck out of it since the department already has a tank, pump/reel hose. Finally, Smith noted that no city money was spent to purchase the truck, rather, it was paid for with Sebastian County Funds. According to Smith, all trucks were up and running, and that he had worked over 200 hours for the month.

Police Chief Wayne Robb then presented his departmental report, noting January 2024 totals: four citations, four violations, and one misdemeanor warrant in Scott County; three citations and six violations, two felony and one misdemeanor warrants in Sebastian County. For the month there were a total of 35 calls, 12 agency assists, eight in Scott County and four in Sebastian County. Additionally, five medical calls, five incident/arrest reports, three accident reports, two adult arrests, and seven animal calls. Chief Robb stated that they had 16.5 hours of training for the month.

With no further discussion from the remaining department’s report submissions, the council moved on to items of unfinished business, which included the approval of employee position changes within the public works department. Those changes were presented and approved unanimously.

In items of new business, a motion was made to convene into executive session to discuss a personnel issue. After reconvening, there was no action taken by the council.

Next, the consideration of raising the Volunteer Fire Department’s annual pay from $5 to $10 (meetings) and $10 to $15 (incidents). After some discussion, the council approved the following change in VFD pay: per meeting – $15 for members, $20 for officers; per incident – $20 for members, $25 for officers. It was stipulated members/officers must attend at least one event or greater to be eligible for end of year pay.

Next, the council discussed Ordinance 2024-1, the closure of Cole Street East of Bowman. In a unanimous vote, the council approved and passed the ordinance.

In other matters of new business, the discussion of a proposed RV Park. The council took no action on the matter but did decide to have a study session in the future to discuss the proposal.

Mayor Black informed the council about Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality issues at the water treatment plant. And, lastly, the consideration of promoting Officer Joey Bolin to Corporal. Bolin’s start date was October 31, 2023. The council would vote down the motion to promote Bolin, but noted they would revisit the promotion next month.

With no other items of business on the agenda, the meeting of the Mansfield City Council was adjourned.

Paris Softball Hopes to Take Next Step in Program Rebuild This Season

Resident News Network

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2:15 pm

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Paris Softball Hopes to Take Next Step in Program Rebuild This Season

PARIS- Last season was tough for a Paris softball program that had grown accustomed to playing deep into the postseason state playoffs. The 2023 record is what it is, and everyone connected to the program will tell you it was a tough go all season for the Lady Eagles. The program graduated its highly decorated, All-State pitcher, Jayden Hart, in 2022, and several other seniors who had backed-up Hart on defense were also gone from the program. So, when first year Lady Eagles head softball coach, Jonathan Vire took over the program in 2023, the cabinet was bare with the exception of two seniors in particular, Jayden Wells, and Rachel O’Neal, who played their final seasons of eligibility along with a very young and inexperienced roster. In short, it was just a tough year for the program in 2023.

Turn the page forward, and in 2024, the Lady Eagles will return several young players who gained a lot of experience last season. That experience, along with a transfer pitcher who could provide more experience and depth in the circle for Paris, could combine to propel the Lady Eagles up the standings of the 3A West making them more competitive this season.

The 3A West conference is home to last year’s 3A state champions, the Booneville Lady Bearcats, who feature All-State senior pitcher Lexi Franklin. Joining Franklin and the Bearcats will be the Hackett Lady Hornets, and their All-State pitcher, Makenzie Freeman. The Lady Hornets could be poised this season to make a run at a possible state championship. So, for the rest of the 3A West conference, it could boil down to a race for the third and fourth seeds at the end of the regular season.

A few weeks ago, RNN Sports had the opportunity to visit with the Lady Eagles’ coach, Jonathan Vire. Coach Vire is also the head girls basketball coach at Paris, so we appreciate him taking the time to visit with us on the phone in the middle of basketball season as we looked forward to the start of high school softball. Paris will open their 2024 campaign on March 4 at Dover.

We started our conversation by looking at an overview of last season. Like I mentioned in the opening of this story, Coach Vire inherited a very young and inexperienced team for the most part. When I asked him about last season, the coach began by saying, “We definitely had to play some girls at different spots; they got thrown into the fire. I think that most of them are all back and some may play at different spots than they did a year ago. We graduated Jayden (Wells) and Rachel (O’Neal) who played a lot. But everyone else will be coming back. We have to fill those two spots (vacated by Jayden Wells and Rachel O’Neal) for sure.”

As earlier mentioned, the Lady Eagles have a player who has transferred to the program who they have high hopes that she will be able to contribute this season. That player is Abby Nacol, and Coach Vire hopes she can add depth to the available pitching this season for Paris. Coach explained, “She transferred to Paris from Nebraska. She has been enrolled at Paris since the start of this school year. She should help contribute in the circle. Abby is a sophomore. She has played a lot of travel ball and has a lot of experience. She will help in the circle and her bat is not bad at all. Her other positions I think are first base and maybe the outfield. We’ll put her (on defense) wherever we can put her when she is not pitching. She is definitely going to help us out.”

The 2023 Paris schedule was adjusted to begin a week later than originally planned. That was due to the team not having a pitcher ready to begin the season. I asked Coach if last year’s experience and the addition of Nacol has better positioned the team to start the season this year. Coach replied by saying, “We will definitely be ready this season. You know, last year, Kirsten (Schneider) got sick. She had to do it (pitch for the Lady Eagles) so we had to push our schedule back. She didn’t have time to get her arm ready after she return from the illness, and I didn’t want to put her our there and jeopardize her when she wasn’t ready. But with having Abby this year we will be ready to go.”

A year ago, Paris had current University of Arkansas freshman softball player Jayden Wells, and Coach Vire tried to use her in several positions to give the young Lady Eagles as much help as possible. I asked Coach who he thought would take Jayden’s place this season as that utility player that could move around the infield to provide a defensive advantage in different situations, they may face this season. Coach said, “Really, it is going to have to be Kaydence (Freeman) and she will be the veteran in the infield. This season will be her third season as a starter. I think Preslee (Bowman) will play at first base, and those two will have to be the leaders. Second base is going to probably be someone that hasn’t played there. Third base is either going to be a freshman or someone who has not played there. So, we are going to be young at those two spots. At short and first, we have some experience. Behind the plate, it will be Emily Patterson.” Patterson has played some behind the plate, so she will bring some experience to the position.

In the Lady Eagles’ outfield, Coach Vire said that Annabelle Perry will play center. The talented junior has great athleticism and can cover the gaps with her great speed and also has a strong arm on throws to the infield or to the plate. Coach continued, “Right field could be a Layla Patterson; she played there some last season. She may have to end up playing second base. Left field could be Kirsten Schneider, but she also could end up playing second base. So, it is still kind of a puzzle, but we have some pieces that we feel comfortable with. It is just a matter of making sure that we can get everything as close to ready to go as we can.”

Paris fans may get to see the team play several players in different positions in the non-conference portion of their schedule early as the coaching staff tries to determine the best players and combinations to play going into conference play. Coach also said that “We could also go into JV (junior varsity) games with about 13 or 14 players, and we could play everyone again (in the JV game) and move them around to get a better idea. We can see where they will fit in best.”

On offense, Coach Vire says he has some players that can hit with power, but we kind of want to play a little more “small ball” (bunting, moving players into scoring position) and try to manufacture as many runs as we can. We have some power hitters, but we also have a bunch of speed. So, it will be a little bit of a mixture on offense, but we do want to do a little bit more “small ball.”

When I asked Coach Vire about his conference schedule this year, he began by talking about having the defending state champions in an otherwise tough 3A West conference. Coach said, “Booneville graduated a few, but they are the state champs. So, until someone can knock them off, I think the conference race will be them and Hackett. Booneville did graduate some key pieces, but they still have Lexi Franklin, and when you have a pitcher like that in the circle, you are tough to beat. And then Hackett…I don’t think Hackett graduated a lot last year, and they have Freeman in the circle, so, both of those teams should compete for the conference championship again. We have two of the toughest teams in the state in our conference. And when you go to the regionals, the conference seeds will have to likely face Lincoln. So, we have three of the top teams in 3A in our conference and region.”

It will be very possible again in 2024 that the 3A state softball champion will call the 3A West their conference home. “I think it will be Booneville and Hackett competing for the state title.”

Realistically, Paris and the remaining teams in the conference will be playing to be a three seed at the end of the season and the postseason district tournament. “You play everybody in the conference once, and you may upset one of them on a bad night. Who knows what can happen, but, realistically, everyone else will be playing for third place.”

The common denominator for the top two teams in the conference is great pitching. So for the Lady Eagles, more depth and experience in the circle may help the team be more competitive for what fans hope to be a three seed and a solid regional seeding. After the 2023 season, that would be a huge step forward in the rebuilding status for the program. Coach shared, “I think the pitching this season could give us an improved chance.”

Kirsten Schneider did a great job competing last season under very tough circumstances. She gave courageous efforts every week when the team had no other options to offer any relief to the young Lady Eagles pitcher.

Looking at the Paris softball schedule for this spring, Coach Vire shared some highlights of the Lady Eagles’ opponents. “We are going to go to the Russellville tournament this year. We are going back to the Greenwood tournament as well. Other than that, there is not much different on this year’s schedule. Most of our games will begin at 4:30 p.m.”

Eagles fans can go to Scorebook Live on the internet to see the 2024 Paris softball schedule. Readers who are viewing the electronic version of this story can click on this link to be redirected to the schedule: Paris Eagles Softball Schedule – Paris, AR – scorebooklive.com

RNN Sports would like to thank coach Jonathan Vire for giving us his time to contribute to this story. It will not be long until Eagles fans make the trip to Dover to see the Lady Eagles open the 2024 softball season.

We wish Paris and all of the River Valley teams the best of success this season!

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK