Resident News Network

Obituary: Diann Simpson (1965-2024)

Obituaries

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3:31 pm

Diann Elsie Simpson, 58, of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, February 28, 2024 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Diann was born April 22, 1965 to Loyd Elbert and Betty Jo (Whiteside) Vaseur in Chicago, Illinois. She was of the Baptist Faith.

Diann was married to the love of her life, Darryl Simpson. Together they raised three amazing children. She had a green thumb and loved her plants and enjoyed going fishing. Diann had a wonderful time being with her family. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. The memories made with her loved ones will be treasured by each of them.

Diann leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Darryl Simpson of the home; three children: Tiffany Kerns and husband Scott of Waldron, Arkansas; Holly Simpson of Waldron, Arkansas and Daniel Simpson and wife Kayla of Paris Arkansas. Diann will forever remain in the hearts of her grandbabies: Austin Simpson, Diann Balance, Adriana Balance, Tucker Kerns and Brianna Shores as well as one great grandbaby, Rayln Simpson. Diann is also survived by siblings: Deborah Doles and husband Ray of Nebraska, April Brookies of Arkansas, Bobby Vaseur and Don Vaseur both of Stuttgart, Arkansas. Diann will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted.

Diann was preceded in death by one daughter, Julie Simpson and her parents, Loyd Elbert and Betty Jo Vaseur.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Arrest Reports 2/25

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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3:28 pm

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Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Crystal Bieler of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 25 at 2:42 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond February 25 at 8:49 a.m. Bieler was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Recklessly.

Sidney Allen Craig of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 29 at 9:34 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Craig was charged with Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor, Parole Violation, Assist Outside Agency-Misd., and Pandering or Possessing Visual or Print Medium Depicting Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child-solicit or receive.

Stephanie Ann Elmore of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 5:24 p.m. and released on cash bond March 1 at 8:24 p.m. Elmore was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Jason Hill of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 4:19 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Hill was charged with Criminal Trespass, and Theft of Property <$1k.

Kevin Doyle Horn of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 5:52 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Horn was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, and Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Landon Andrew James Middleton of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 28 at 12:29 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Middleton was charged with ADC commitment hold.

Amber Danielle Price of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 11:19 a.m. and released on March 3 at 10:04 a.m. Price was charged with Drug Court Sanctions.

Cameron Carlos Santana of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 2 at 5:30 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with no bond. Santana was charged with Return To Testify, and ADC Commitment Hold.

Shayna Raelyn Scrivner of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 11:20 a.m. and released on March 1 3 at 10:29 a.m. Scrivner was charged with Drug Court Sanctions.

Woody, Trevor Dylan of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 8:45 p.m. and released legally sufficient bond March 1 at 11:37 p.m. Dylan was charged with Interfering With Emergency Communications – 1st Degree Misdemeanor, Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Jacob Nathaniel Bowman of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 29 at 11:40 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Bowman was charged with ADC Commitment Hold, and parole violation.

Arresting agency – Fort Chaffee Police Department:
Richard Victor Glasener, Fourth of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 29 at 8:01 p.m. and released on cash bond March 1 at 12:03 a.m. Glasener was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
Steven Auther Hanna of Midland was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 28 at 10:12 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Hanna was charged with Theft of Property – >$1k, and Resisting Arrest Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Mark Anthony McGrath of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 2 at 12:16 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond March 2 at 1:33 a.m. McGrath was charged with Theft of Property <$1k.

Jessica Violeta Tolentino of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 26 at 11:07 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond February 27 at 9:27 a.m. Tolentino was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Tasha Jean Munson of Midland was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 1 at 7:54 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Munson was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Skyler Cierra-Ann Throne was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on February 28 at 12:05 a.m. and released on March 2 at 12:05 a.m. Thorne was charged with Theft of Property $500-$2500 Felony.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Cebran Hamilton, 50 of Subiaco, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on February 26 at 10:40 a.m. Hamilton was charged with hold for other agency, terroristic threatening in the first degree, and possession of firearm by certain persons.

Eric King, 30 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on February 27 at 5:10 p.m. King was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault, theft by receiving, fleeing and criminal mischief in the first degree.

Ismael Magana-Nunez, 34 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on February 29 at 5:15 p.m. Nunez was charged with hold for U.S. Marshal.

Karl Bradley, 49, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on February 29 at 7:14 p.m. Bradley was charged with return for court.

Jarrad Davis, 31 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on March 1 at 6:54 p.m. Davis was charged with body attachment.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
John Kevin Rankin, 49 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 2 at 10:25 p.m. Rankin was charged with hold for another agency.

Robert Allen Atterbery, 54 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 2 at 9:14 p.m. Attebery was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Amber Dawn Smith, 38 of Barling, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 2 at 4:13 p.m. Smith was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of SCH VILT 4 oz., and defective equipment.

Baily Nathaniel Atchison, 27 of Paris, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 1 at 8:47 p.m. Atchison was charged with possession of SCH VI with purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Xaden Hurricane Vaughn Hylton, 22 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 1 at 4:40 p.m. Hylton was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Andrew Brant Isaacs, 40 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 29 at 2:27 p.m. Isaacs was charged with burglary, residential terroristic threatening – 2nd degree (a person threatens to cause physical injury or property damage), and two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Dane Alan Todd, 35 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 29 at 9:40 a.m. Todd was charged with two counts of defective equipment, possession of a controlled substance – felony, possession of meth or cocaine purpose to deliver GT 2GM but LT 10 GM, and possession of SCH IV LT 4 oz.

Scott Allen Gibbs, 36 of Hartman, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 29 at 2:41 a.m. Gibbs was charged with possession of SCH 1 or II not meth or cocaine, possession of meth or cocaine purpose to deliver GT 2 GM but LT 10 GM, possession drug paraphernalia meth/cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance SCHED IV, V <26 G.

Joshua Eugene Pyron, 41 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 28 at 5:45 p.m. Pyron was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury, theft of property / all other, and public intoxication.

Billy Akers, 58 of Saint Paul, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 28 at 12:15 p.m. Akers was charged with hold for another agency.

Brandon Lynn Stines, 23 of Huntsville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 28 at 12:01 p.m. Stines was charged with hold for another agency.

Richard Johnson, 54, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 27 at 10:41 p.m. Johnson was charged with fleeing by Vehicle – Extreme Indifference to Human Life, fleeing – on foot, reckless driving, fictitious tags, failure to maintain control, and absconding.

Judy Kay Wilson, 58 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 27 at 2:01 p.m. Wilson was charged with failure to appear, and absconding.

Gregary Scott Lanphear, 33 of Mulberry, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 27 at 1:30 p.m. Lanphear was charged with failure to appear.

Thonda Michele Rosenjack, 57 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 28 at 9:37 a.m. Rosenjack was charged with failure to comply with conditions of suspended sentence or probation and sentenced to days.

Joseph Wayne George, 35 of Coal Hill, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on February 25 at 7:45 p.m. George was charged with failure to pay child support.

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

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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10:15 am

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! We have had beautiful spring weather and now it’s back to winter. That’s what I love about living in Arkansas, the ever-changing weather. I’ve wore short sleeves and sweatshirts all in the same week.

This week, I’m going to talk about husbands. Y’all know I loved my husband Chuck, but he could drive me crazy. He was not alone if you admit it, most men can drive you crazy sometime. He could never do things in moderation. If you asked for something, let’s just say a small step ladder, he would buy a big industrial size or big man size I could not lift, not just a regular one you could just fold up and put behind a door. One time he bought me a cheese grater and it had so many attachments, I couldn’t use the crazy thing. All I needed was a regular old cheese grater, and this would probably grate a block of cheese the size of Texas. It went in the next yard sale. If you ever asked for an extension cord for something here, he would come with a mega cord, great big thick one that would power a carnival ride. If I ever sent him to the store, he would never buy what I asked, it was always three or four and while he was at it, he would bring home every seasoning known to man just because he wanted to try them. I would keep them till they expired and throw them out. Chuck’s motto was go big or go home.

One time someone on Frazier Road cut down a tree and it landed on a power line, and we were without electric. Some rumor got started that we might be out of power for days, so he loads up and heads to Ft. Smith and buys a generator. The electric came on shortly after he got back home. See the pattern here?

One time he decided to build a gate on the fence in the back yard. He bought enough lumber to build a small shed and it was heavy duty let me tell you. There was no swinging that door. It weighed a ton. His motto was two or three is always better than one. He owned two or more of everything.

Enough about these crazy men, we gotta love them. Since the stores are selling strawberries, we are going to do an easy strawberry dessert recipe.

STRAWBERRY PUDDING DESSERT
2 pints of fresh strawberries
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 5.1 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 8 oz. container of Cool Whip
1 12 oz. package of vanilla wafer cookies
Hull strawberries and slice thin. Mix whole milk, condensed milk and pudding mix together, make sure you get the condensed milk mixed well since it is so thick. Fold in the whipped topping. Layer a 9×13 pan with 1/2 of the vanilla wafer cookies, followed by 1/2 of the strawberries. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat with a second layer of wafers, strawberries and pudding. You can top with some sliced strawberries. Keep refrigerated and enjoy. You can also use cheesecake pudding flavor for a little something different. Have a wonderful week and show yourself friendly.

Local Family Memorialized Overseas

Featured

Tammy Teague

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6:31 pm

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The Orr family is a familiar and prominent name throughout our area. However, that name is now being memorialized overseas for their contributions both at home and abroad.

The matriarch of the Orr family, Lorene Orr, endured unthinkable tragedy when she received word, couriered from her own child, by a fellow mine worker that her husband, Marcel Orr, had been killed in a mining accident.

Two weeks after losing her husband, Orr gave birth to their ninth child. She now carried the burden of mother, caregiver, nurturer, and provider. Somehow, she found the strength to fulfil all those roles.

Lorene’s nurturing spirit and great care for her children was well-known throughout south Sebastian County. In fact, according to her granddaughter, Debbie Phillips, any time someone locally had a sick child, Lorene was the go-to for advice.

William Stanley Orr, son of Marcel and Lorene, is pictured here in school-days. (Newspaper clipping provided by Carl Nichols)

Answering the call of caretaker, Lorene Orr would take a job in order to earn enough money to put herself through nursing school. The hardships of a single, working parent were, undoubtedly, tremendous. Orr would continue her career in nursing until she retired as a Licensed Practical Nurse from medical services at Fort Sill Army Base in Lawton, OK.

The Orr children: Lucille, Rose, Janette, Judy, Cheryel, Harold, Richard, Stanley and Jeffery, learned a great deal from their mother. Life lessons that would be passed down from generation to generation. A legacy that would eventually include 17 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

One of those grandchildren, Kenny Orr. Kenny Orr, the son William Stanley. The same strength and fortitude, characteristic of his grandmother, coursed through his veins. The desire to be of service, rooted in his family upbringing, led him to cross paths with Dr. Komi Semenou Folly, a physician in Tulsa, OK. Kenny Orr and Folly would develop a friendship that would eventually give way to Orr’s involvement in the Light in the World Development Foundation.

(L) GENA ORR- Volunteer/Missions Manager
Gena was born and raised in Arkansas. She and Ken Orr have been married since 1989 and they have 2 grown children, a son, Chris Orr, and a daughter, Jamie Orr, who traveled to Togo in 2016 for the first medical mission trip. Gena is an LCSW therapist with Laureate Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, OK. She has volunteered with LWDF since 2015.
(R) KEN ORR – Chairman of the Board
Ken serves on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board. He earned a BSA in Landscape Design and Urban Horticulture from the University of Arkansas and is a branch manager for Siteone Landscape Supply. He has served on staff since 2014, and became a board member in 2018.

The Light in the World Development Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to “eliminate barriers to opportunities by bringing hope through missionary works, providing school supplies for children, creating quality education and healthcare systems, and digging wells for clean water so that those living in underserved areas in Africa and beyond can experience the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.” (About Us – Light in the World Development Foundation (lightintheworlddf.org)

Folly currently serves as the founder and Executive President of LWDF. He has been with LWDF since 2011. Both Kenny and his wife Gena would deploy on medical mission trips in Africa. Today, both Gena and Kenny Orr serve on the Light in the World Development Foundation board.

Dr. Komi was born in Togo, Africa and grew up in a family of 6 brothers and 4 sisters. Poverty, illiteracy and the lack of adequate health care caused the loss of many of his friends and family, including the loss of his own father from a preventable asthma attack. As an 11-year-old boy, he had already witnessed poverty, devastation, and death. Because of this, he dreamed of helping people. He wrote inside the cover of his Bible that he was going to become a doctor. Komi went to school in a small town in Togo from Pre-K to graduation, then went on to graduate from the University of Lomé, Togo in 2002. He later moved to the US where he attended the University of OU – Tulsa, to become a US physician. Now Dr. Folly is a full-time Internist at Saint Francis and works as a hospitalist at Saint John Hospital ICU. Dr. Komi is pictured here with his wife, Joyce.

Knowing the Orr family history, and Kenny Orr’s close-knit relationship to his grandmother, Dr. Komi would arrange for a maternity wing at the local hospital in Africa to be named in honor of Orr’s beloved grandmother, Lorene.

Additionally, a sport’s complex named after Kenny Orr’s dad, William Stanley Orr–the William Orr Sports Complex. Stanley Orr, 77, passed away on March 12, 2023, after a brief illness. “Although dad was never involved with soccer, he was very involved in youth baseball and served as a commissioner for the church league for several years,” Ken Orr stated on his social media page. “We will have an official dedication of the field which has been under construction since early fall…”

The matriarch of the Orr family, Lorene Orr, passed away at the age of 93 in 2008. What a tremendous impact Lorene Orr had on her family, community, and now, world.

El Elyon, is a not-for-profit hospital operated by a local organization called El Elyon in Lome, the capital of Togo, whose mission is to extend the ministry of compassion to all who seek its services. El Elyon is open 24/7 and provides Pediatrics, Surgery, OB-Gyn and Internal Medicine in this 52 bed facility with 18 employees and 20 volunteers that has become an anchor for health care in the region. LWDF’s clinic in Agou and El Elyon are collaborating and the facilities work together to help the community.

More than 100 lbs. of Meth and 21 lbs. of Cocaine Discovered During ASP Traffic Stop

News

Tammy Teague

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5:48 pm

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More than 100 lbs. of Meth and 21 lbs. of Cocaine Discovered During ASP Traffic Stop

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, around 3:30 a.m., an Arkansas State Police (ASP) Trooper pulled over a vehicle near mile-marker 77 on Interstate 40 Eastbound in Pope County.

During a search of the vehicle, the Trooper located approximately 120 pounds of methamphetamine, 21 pounds of cocaine, and multiple marijuana vape pens and products.

ASP transported the driver of the vehicle to the Pope County Detention Center, where he was charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance with the Purpose to Deliver.

Tough Early Non-Conference Schedule Challenges Paris Baseball in First Week

Networks

Resident News Network

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4:26 pm

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Tough Early Non-Conference Schedule Challenges Paris Baseball in First Week

PARIS- No one can say that the Paris baseball program shies away from tough competition.

The Eagles played three non-conference games in the first week of the season against higher classification schools in the River Valley, and two of those were away from home. In the first week, Paris hosted Ozark, and then immediately went on the road to play at Van Buren and Clarksville.

The Eagles had their feathers ruffled in that first week, losing their home and season opener to Ozark by the score of 14-0, and 24 hours later, losing at Van Buren by the score of 11-2. Paris then traveled to Clarksville on Thursday and dropped a 12-5 decision on a cold and rainy day to the Panthers.

Paris dropped their season opener last week to Ozark (RNN Sports File Photo / Jim Best)

Conference play will open on March 11 when Paris hosts the Subiaco Academy Trojans. Subiaco, along with Booneville, Charleston, and Paris should compete for the top seeds at the end of the conference regular season. In addition to these four schools, the Danville Little Johns cannot be counted out, either in the regular season race or in the postseason district tournament.

Paris’s struggles at the plate last season have carried over to this season. Paris has had base runners so far this season but has struggled to get the timely hits with runners aboard to score runs. Last Thursday, the Paris bats showed signs of coming alive in their loss to Clarksville. The Eagles hope that trend will continue to improve as they move forward to opening conference play on March 11.

The Eagles possess good pitching, although it is still very early in the season and coach Josh Hart’s pitching rotation is still getting into mid-season form. The defense will rely on pitching early as concerns in the outfield are addressed.

Watch for each week’s Paris baseball and softball schedules that are listed in the RNN Logan / Franklin County newspaper. Go out and support both teams and enjoy the great spring weather!

Obituary: Shirley Weeks (1950-2024)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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4:24 pm

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Shirley Mae Agar Weeks “Mawmaw” gained her wings after a battle with cancer on February 29, 2024 in Waldron, AR. She was born in Victoria, BC, Canada to Lila Michwich on October 17, 1950. She moved to Louisiana at the age of 16. During her 73 years, she made a home in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado and Arkansas. She made very dear friends in each place she lived. People knew her for her vibrant personality and candid attitude. She was a jack of all trades; she was a mother, nursing student, business owner, semi-truck driver, and DIYer. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her family.

Shirley was preceded in death by her mother, Lila Michwich, her brother, Jerry Michwich, her son T.I. Weeks, and daughter Denise Weeks.

Shirley is survived by two children, her son Michael Weeks and wife Patty of Robeline, LA and her daughter Nona Weeks of Waldron, AR. Grand Kids, Desiree, Danielle, and Devon Wade all of Dallas, TX, Alaina and husband Chris Creighton of Robeline, LA, Cody Weeks, Taylor and husband Eric Warner all of California, Torrie and Delila Weeks both of Waldron, AR. Great grand kids Aubrey Creighton of Robeline, LA, Brantley and Paisley Warner of California. Many special family members in Canada, as well as the father of her children and her dear friend, Elbert C. Weeks Jr (Sonny).

Shirley will be cremated and has chosen to do a celebration of life in lieu of a funeral. It will take place March 16, 2024 from 12 Noon until 4:00 p.m. at 9350 Highway 6 Robeline, LA 71469.

Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Unveils New Citizen Portal for 2024 Great American Eclipse

News

Tammy Teague

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9:48 am

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Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Unveils New Citizen Portal for 2024 Great American Eclipse

On March 1, 2024, the Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) announced the launch of a unique web portal for information about the 2024 Great American Eclipse. The eclipse is set to occur on April 8, 2024, and ADEM’s portal will provide visitors with details on special events planned across the state. With up to 1.5 million people expected to flock to Arkansas to witness the eclipse, many communities are preparing to host visitors and ensure the event is memorable.

“We are excited to share these special event locations with those traveling into Arkansas. We hope these community events allow those traveling to our state to experience all the great things Arkansas offers,” ADEM Director A.J. Gary said.

Out of Arkansas’ 75 counties, 53 will experience a total solar eclipse, stretching over 100 miles across the state from the southwest to the northeast. Some observers will experience more than 4 minutes of darkness during the eclipse. The eclipse portal has listed over 100 activities in the days leading up to and during the April 8 event.

The ADEM GIS and Mapping Hub is a publicly-accessible platform that provides a common operational picture and is mainly used to help those in need locate available shelters, food distribution locations, health and medical facilities, fire and police stations, and safe rooms. This platform is designed to aid people during emergencies.

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

Arkansas state archery championship to draw attention

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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6:57 pm

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Arkansas state archery championship to draw attention

By Randy Zellers

Thousands of students will line up and take their shot at a state championship title this weekend at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Archery in the Schools State Championship, March 1-2, at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena.

Aimee Swaim, the AGFC’s interim Archery in the Schools coordinator, has been working at a fever pitch to make the final preparations for the Friday-Saturday event.

“This is the 16th state championship of Archery in the Schools,” Swaim said. “We’re excited that it’s finally here and we’re ready to crown some champions.”

Roughly 2,000 students are expected to compete in this year’s competition.

The Archery in the Schools program (formerly Arkansas National Archery in the Schools Program) began as a pilot project with 10 schools in 2005. Based on the National Archery in the Schools program, AIS brings competitive archery into elementary, middle and high schools throughout Arkansas, and a state championship event was added in 2009 to complete the year’s activities.

All of the teams participating this weekend qualified by being the top 30 archery teams in one of three age-based divisions during various state qualification shoots.

“There were 24 state qualifiers between October and January, and teams could compete in as many as they wished, with their best score counting toward qualification,” Swaim said. “We have an additional six individuals who will shoot whose team did not qualify. Those were the highest scoring male and female shooters and the highest remaining shooter regardless of sex from the middle school and high school divisions whose team did not qualify for the championship.”

The elementary (fourth and fifth grades) and middle school (sixth through eighth grades) divisions compete on Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the day expected to wrap up at 4 p.m. with trophy presentations. The seniors (ninth through 12th grades) begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and trophies are expected to be presented at about 2 p.m.

Each flight takes about 50 minutes, with competitors shooting 15 arrows from 10 meters and 15 more from 15 meters, plus five warm-up shots from each distance. Archery targets have 10 rings, each designating a score with a bull’s-eye being 10 points. All archers use a Mathews Genesis bow with no sights and aluminum Easton arrows.

“We’ll have 125 shooting lanes going at a time, and we’ll take up the entire arena floor with that, but there’s more to the event than the competition,” Swaim said.

The top three teams in each age group will receive medals and team trophies, and the fourth and fifth-place teams will receive medals. The top individual boy and girl in each age group will receive a Mathews Genesis bow. Individuals, both boys and girls, placing in the top five positions of the senior division also will receive college scholarship money provided by the AGFC, starting with $2,500 for the top boys and girls finishers and incrementally decreasing $500 for each placing.

The AGFC’s Archery in the Schools State Championship tournaments will be held March 1-2 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Archers and other attendees who arrive early or stay late can try their hand at 3D archery targets and a practice lane, visit one of the AGFC’s mobile aquariums or check out some activities at a special education/recruitment, retention and reactivation booth.

“We’ll also have door prizes including some from Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry and some from Walmart Neighborhood Market,” Swaim said. “Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry will be there too, collecting donations from each team during a canned food drive.”

Complete results of the tournament will be posted after all scores have been verified and awards will be announced at the end of each shooting day. Each team placing first, second or third will receive a trophy.

Visit www.agfc.com/ais for a link to state tournament scores and more information on Archery in the Schools.

Elementary Division Qualifiers
Alpena High School, Arkansas Arts Academy, Bergman School, Cave City School District, Charleston Elementary, Collegeville Elementary, Deer/Mt. Judea School District, Eagle Mountain Magnet, Glen Rose Elementary, Greene County Tech Elementary, Hill Farm Elementary, Hurricane Creek Elementary, Jasper School District, Lamar Elementary, Lead Hill School District, Leslie Intermediate School, Magnet Cove Elementary, Maynard High School, Omaha School District, Parkway Elementary, Perryville Elementary, Robert L Davis Elementary, Salem Elementary-Bryant, South Pike County School, Southside Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Valley Springs High School, Valley View Elementary, Waldron Elementary, Washington Middle School

Middle School Division Qualifiers
Alpena High School, Arkansas Arts Academy, Barton Jr. High School, Bergman School, Bethel Middle School, Bryant Middle School, Cabot Junior High North, Cave City School District, Charleston Middle School, Columbia Christian School, Des Arc Elementary, De Queen Cubs, Glen Rose Middle School, Greene County Tech Middle School, Jasper School District, Leah Hill School District, Magnet Cove Middle School, Marshall High School, Omaha School District, Ozark Junior High, Pangburn High School, Perryville Middle School, Pottsville Junior High, South Pike County School, Southside Middle School, Stuttgart Jr. High School, Taylor Middle School, Valley Springs High School, Valley View Jr. High, Washington Middle School

High School Division Qualifiers
Acorn High School, Alpena High School, Arkansas Arts Academy, Bentonville High School, Bergman School, Bryant High School, Cabot High School, Cave City School District, Charleston High School, De Queen High School, Glen Rose High School, Greene County Tech High School, Hillcrest High School, Jasper School District, Lead Hill School District, Lincoln High School, Marshall High School, Omaha School District, Ozark High School, Pangburn High School, Parkview High School, Pottsville High School, South Pike County School, Spa City Archery, Stuttgart High School, Sylvan Hills High School, Taylor High School, Valley Springs High School, Valley View Senior High, Vilonia High

Archers will compete as teams and individuals in three age classes: Elementary (fourth and fifth grades), middle school (sixth through eighth grades) and high school (ninth through 12th grades).

Qualifying Individual Archers
Zachary Allen, Deer/Mt. Judea High School; Jaren Howell, Waldron High School; Carleigh McClung, Brookland High School; Jackson Nix, Homeschoolers On Target (middle school division); Millie Ramden, Star City Middle School, and Jasper Yarbrough, River Roots WILD School (middle school division)

Poachers pay Arkansas schools more than a half-million dollars in 2024

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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6:55 pm

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Poachers pay Arkansas schools more than a half-million dollars in 2024

By Randy Zellers

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services awarded grants worth $537,209 this week to schools throughout the state thanks to wildlife fines collected by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The AGFC does not use any of the money derived from wildlife violation fines in capital expenditures or operating costs. Instead, all fine money is collected and distributed to schools and conservation districts in the form of grants focused specifically on conservation education in Arkansas.

“The best way to prevent future violations is to instill a love of the resource in our future hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts and teach them why it’s so important to follow the regulations,” AGFC Director Austin Booth said. “Every hunter is faced with the decision to follow the rules or cheat the system every time they put on a pair of waders or hunter orange vest. The things they learn today through increased conservation education programs could be the very thing that molds them into the ethical sportsmen and sportswomen our wildlife resources deserve.”

Schools in 67 counties were awarded grants, and 240 awards were made, according to Becca Caldwell, Director of Rural Services for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“Outdoor recreation is a vital part of Arkansas’s quality of life, and it is an important draw for people looking at The Natural State as a place to live, work and raise a family,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We are proud to help support wildlife education and conservation programs in schools across Arkansas, growing our outdoor recreation economy and building stronger communities throughout the state.”

JJ Gladden, AGFC assistant chief of education, said the fine money grant partnership has been a huge success for many schools, particularly those in rural areas with limited budgets.

All schools in the state are eligible to participate in the program, but only money collected in the county where the violation occurred may be used as grant funds for that county.

The funding has helped schools create and maintain archery, fishing, and competitive shooting sports programs. Schools also have used the money to help improve wildlife education by purchasing educational materials, materials for the creation of indoor and outdoor habitats, lab supplies, and field trips to AGFC nature and education centers. Conservation districts have used the funding to help promote wildlife conservation awareness in the communities by hosting environmental education days and fishing derbies for children of all ages.

“Budgets are so tight in some districts, they’re barely able to cover the cost of core classes,” Gladden said. “The fine money grant program enables us to help shoulder some of the load and bring all sorts of great education programs to the kids. Many of these children will be the future of conservation and we can’t let money get in the way of their future.”

For more information, including a complete list of 2024 Game and Fish Wildlife Grant Award recipients and program narratives, visit https://www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division.

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK