Resident News Network

Toy Toss to return November 21

Lifestyle

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12:02 am

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is reviving a fan-favorite tradition with the return of the original Toy Toss. Set to take place at the Stubblefield Center on Tuesday, Nov.21, the nearly 15-year-old activity returns thanks to head men’s basketball coach Zane Gibson and Student Activities and Civic Engagement coordinator Dyllan Newell.

“When I got to UAFS as an undergraduate in 2018, I was so excited to participate in the toy toss I remembered going to as a kid,” Newell said. Unfortunately, the event was on a hiatus, but Newell pushed to bring the event back. “After graduation, I landed a job as the coordinator of Student Activities and Civic Engagement. Around the same time, coach Gibson had taken over the men’s basketball team. He shared the same passion for bringing back the Toy Toss.”

At 4:30 p.m., Newell and the Numa Nation registered student organization will host a Toy Toss Tail Gate with food, games, and a lively toy toss contest to crown the fan with the most impressive throw. All are welcome to attend the tailgate before the women’s game.

Action on the court will begin with the women’s basketball team facing off against local rivals Arkansas Tech at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s basketball team taking on Ecclesia College at 7:30 p.m. Fans will receive free admission to both games with their new or gently used plush toy.

Gibson said he was “fired up” that the Toy Toss is returning.

“When I arrived in 2016 as an assistant coach, this was a staple of the program,” Gibson said. “The Toy Toss game was a fan favorite, a campus favorite, and a team favorite. We would fill the Stubblefield Center with a ton of people and lots of toys. If you only attended one game all year, you didn’t miss the Toy Toss game because the event is more than just a game. To collect toys and give back to the River Valley for kids who don’t have a Christmas is bigger than the final score of the game that night.”

Women’s basketball coach Ryan McAdams also is delighted to participate in the evening.

“We couldn’t be more excited to tip off against an in-state rival for the first time in program history to get the night started!” he said. “The Toy Toss will have a tremendous impact on the Fort Smith community by providing toys to children in need during the holiday season, and we look forward to this great tradition coming back stronger than ever.”

Immediately after the Lions score their first point against Ecclesia, attendees are encouraged to throw their soft plush toys onto the court. Once the court is covered in plush toys, members of the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs, the UAFS Cheer team, and the UAFS Women’s basketball team will swiftly clear the court, ensuring minimal disruption to the game.

The spectacle is an incredible moment of joy and chaos that has delighted generations of Lions fans since its inception in 2010. It has been featured across the state and landed UAFS on ESPN.

All toys collected from the event will be donated to the Fort Smith Salvation Army, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, and Ronald McDonald House Charities Fort Smith. Local schools also are invited to join in the charitable spirit, with a traveling trophy going to the school that amasses the most toys ahead of the game.

The United Way of Fort Smith Area will also be partnering with the university to collect toys from local businesses for the event. “This event gifts a little Christmas cheer to the families in need within our community,” said Reagan Newell, UWFSA community impact coordinator. “The university is a wonderful partner the United Way of Fort Smith Area and its partner agencies with staff, faculty, and students who have a passion for giving back. Together we can truly make a positive impact in our community.”

Those unable to attend the game may leave toys at the following locations:

Carnall Elementary School
Harvest Time Academy
Bonneville Elementary School
Southside High School Spanish Honors Society
UAFS Office of Campus & Community Engagement
Arvest Tower
ArcBest

Arrest Reports 11/1

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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11:53 pm

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Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Trevor Jim Alcantar of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 1 at 1:15 a.m. and transferred to an outside agency on November 1 at 4:08 p.m. Alcantar was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony.

Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
Kendall Eric Basinger of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 10:11 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond November 5 at 9:35 a.m. Basinger was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Taylor Ervin Gaines of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 2 at 11:27 a.m. and released on November 6 at 4:22 p.m. Gaines was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Ann Groff of Arvada, CO was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 3 at 9:53 p.m. and released on signature bond November 4 at 3:06 a.m. Groff was charged with Criminal Trespass – Premises.

Ronnie Daniel Kennedy of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 1 at 10:15 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on November 2 at 11:24 p.m. Kennedy was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Selena Roseanna Holmes of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 3 at 2:06 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond November 3 at 3:20 p.m. Holmes was charged with Robbery Felony.

Mary Kretchmer of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 7:53 p.m. and released on signature bond November 4 at 11:04 p.m. Kretchmer was charged with Criminal Trespass premises C – misdemeanor, and Theft of Property <$1k.

Kyle Douglas Petty of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 3:13 a.m. and released on signature bond November 4 at 11:56 a.m. Petty was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Dustin Wayne Tankersley of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 4:14 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Tankersley was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd., and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Jason Patrick Horvath of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 3 at 10:20 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Horvath was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Michel Mario Montoya of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 3:56 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Montoya was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, Possession of [Schedule III Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >28g, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms-Firearm, and Possession of Methamphetamine <2g.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Andrew David Hunnicutt of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 1 at 3:22 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on November 2 at 11:22 a.m. Hunnicutt was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony.

Abeiagail Paige Lutz of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 2 at 10:46 p.m. and released on signature bond November 3 at 12:01 a.m. Lutz was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Matt Martin Mahan of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 3 at 11:56 a.m. and released on signature bond November 3 at 4:13 p.m. Mahan was charged with Breaking or Entering – Catchall, two counts of Theft of Property <$1k, and Breaking or Entering- – Building, Structure or Vehicle.

Jerry McClain of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 2 at 8:48 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond November 3 at 7:59 p.m. McClain was charged with DWI I – Drugs Misdemeanor.

Jeremy A Neal of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 4 at 10:44 a.m. and released on signature bond November 4 at 12:53 p.m. Neal was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Salvador E Rios of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 1 at 3:20 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond November 1 at 8:35 p.m. Rios was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Amber Corley, 40 of Paris was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 2 at 8:22 a.m. Corley was charged with three counts of failure to appear, and parole hold.

Rodger Qualls, 46 of Lamar, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 2 at 3:51 p.m. Qualls was charged with failure to appear.

Shonell Cox, 19 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 3 at 12:49 p.m. Cox was charged with domestic battering in the third degree.

Jared Dyer, 33 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 3 at 3:57 p.m. Dyer was charged with probation violation.

Kenny Lynch, 46 of Waldron, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 3 at 4:25 p.m. Lynch was sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
Brandon Woolsey, 22 of Fort Smith, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on November 2 at 4:42 p.m. Woolsey was charged with criminal contempt of court.

Jason Albert Palczynski, 40 of Delaware, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on November 1 at 12:51 p.m. Palczynski was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

Ronnie Lynn Vanover, 48 of Springdale, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on November 4 at 8:18 p.m. Vanover was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).

James Richard McEntyre, 39 of Mulberry, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on November 4 at 12:43 p.m. McEntyre was charged with two counts of failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and two counts of possession of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10 GM.

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

Department of Emergency Management Preparedness – Solar Eclipse

Tammy Teague

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11:10 pm

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Department of Emergency Management Preparedness – Solar Eclipse

By now you have likely heard about the 2024 Great Solar Eclipse that will traverse across much of Arkansas, including Scott, Sebastian, Franklin and Logan County, on Monday April 8, 2024.

Arkansas Parks & Tourism along with many local chambers of commerce have invested considerable funds for promotion of this event as it could potentially bring in 1.5 million visitors to our state, along with millions of dollars in tax revenue. If that many people were to visit, it would double our population. It has been confirmed that foreign tourists from a far away as Australia and parts of Western Europe will be here for the event.

In the path of totality, locations will see almost two minutes of darkness shortly after 1 p.m. There are some festival type events planned in our immediate area in connection with the eclipse. However, with this event taking place on a Monday, there may potentially be a gradual influx of visitors coming into the region as soon as Thursday, April 4, for the purpose of enjoying outdoor recreation activities in the Ozark National Forest and other popular camping and recreation venues.

One thing that all citizens of the county should expect is the potential influx visitors leading up to the event, and a lot of people all trying to leave at the same time as it concludes. This will have an impact on the ability of emergency responders to provide service to citizens and visitors alike. There will be an increased potential for roadways to become congested (especially on smaller highways) as many will opt to view the eclipse from choice spots along the roads. This can lead to congestion with traffic backed up for miles.

We can also expect higher demands on infrastructure in addition to roadways, including water and sanitation services. For those that are already planning to host visitors by renting out camping spaces on private property, you may need to make sure you have adequate means of handling sanitation issues.

With an influx of visitors will come an increased demand for cellular phone service. Some wireless providers have tentative plans to erect portable towers to help handle the call and data volume. But, expect delays and lag times during the hours leading up to, during, and post event.

As emergency managers meet, they are cautioning full-time residents to plan and prepare now for the 2024 Great Solar Eclipse. Treat this as you would upon receiving forecast information for a winter storm. How so? Typically, when receiving information indicating that we could have accumulating snow and/or ice, we lay in extra supplies such a food and bottled water. For an event such as the eclipse where roadways may become heavily congested, we could potentially be faced with being on our own for an extended period until visitor have cleared out of the area. For this event, make sure you have items on hand such as extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Additionally have prescription medications filled, a stocked supply of over-the-counter medications and first aid kid. Don’t forget about your pet’s needs!

Finally, protect your eyes! If you plan to view the eclipse, be sure to have proper eyewear. A pair of welding goggles or mask will be insufficient. Eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should meet the following criteria:
• Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard.
• Have manufactures name and address printed somewhere on the product.
• Not be used if they are older than three years or have scratched or wrinkled lenses.
• Ordinary sunglasses – even the very dark ones – should NOT be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses.

This is going to be a historic event, in fact, in the remainder of this decade no fewer than six solar eclipses will be viewable from the U.S. and Canada. But do keep in mind that if it is not cloudy or rainy, there will potentially be a lot of extra folks in the area in the days leading up to it, and the day of. Many will be leaving as daylight begins to reappear to either follow the event, or to return home. This may be the most likely time for congested roads. Plan ahead to have what you need!

Game Notes: Auburn

Jim Best

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6:41 pm

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FAYTETTEVILLE- After a big road win at Florida last weekend, the Arkansas Razorbacks return home to host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium.

The Hogs must defeat Auburn to remain in contention for bowl eligibility. A win on Saturday would improve Arkansas’s record to four wins with games remaining with FIU and Missouri at home.

Here are some game notes to preview Saturday’s game with Auburn as released by the University of Arkansas:

AUBURN TIGERS (5-4, 2-4 SEC)
AP/Coaches: NR/NR
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (Southern Miss, ‘92)
Career Record: 80-52 (13th season)
Record at Auburn: 5-4 (1st season)

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (3-6, 1-5 SEC)
AP/Coaches: NR/NR
Head Coach: Sam Pittman (Pittsburg State, ‘86)
Career Record: 22-23 (4th season)
Record at Arkansas: Same

After snapping a six-game losing streak by earning their first-ever win against Florida in Gainesville, the Hogs make their return to the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds
Razorback Stadium for a three-game homestand to close out the 2023 regular season. Kickoff between Arkansas and Auburn is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, on SEC Network.
This weekend’s meeting (Nov. 11) between the Razorbacks and Tigers is the latest that the two programs have squared off since 1984, when Arkansas and Auburn clashed for the
first time in history in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27.
QB KJ Jefferson has completed 163-of-250 passes (65.2%) for 1,802 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 292 yards and two touchdowns through nine games this season. The three-time Razorback captain turned in a three-touchdown performance in the Hogs’ win at Florida (Nov. 4), throwing for a pair of touchdowns and adding a score on the ground. Jefferson, who ranks first on Arkansas’ career touchdown responsibility list with 85 (64 passing touchdowns, 21 rushing touchdowns), is just one passing touchdown away from the outright school record.
RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders looked like his old self in the win at Florida (Nov. 4), rushing for a season-high 103 yards on 18 carries (5.7 ypc) to become Arkansas’ first 100-yard rusher of the 2023 campaign. Sanders, who has missed five of the Razorbacks’ nine games due to injury,
has totaled 194 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go along with nine receptions for 72 yards this season.
WR Andrew Armstrong has solidified himself as QB KJ Jefferson’s go-to receiver this season, leading the Hogs with 46 receptions for 623 yards and four touchdowns through nine games. The Texas A&M-Commerce transfer, who is in his first year at Arkansas, has at least three catches in all nine of the Razorbacks’ games this season and has recorded at least one catch in 25 consecutive games dating back to his 2021 campaign at TAMUC.
LB Jaheim Thomas is the SEC’s fourth-leading tackler this season, racking up 79 total stops with 6.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. The transfer from Cincinnati has recorded a team-leading five double-digit tackle games this year and has six double-digit tackle games for his career.
Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson.

Obituary – Jim Hanna (1936 – 2023)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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4:45 pm

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Jimmie Alvin “Jim” Hanna, 87, of Waldron, passed away quietly at home on Sunday, November 5, 2023 with his loved ones by his side. Jim was born on September 13, 1936, in Honey Grove, TX. He was the fifth of eight children born to Joe Olvin and Lillie Mae Martin Hanna.

Jim graduated in 1956 from Childress High School in Craighead Co., Arkansas. It was there in northeast Arkansas that he met Lillian Fortson, the woman who would become his wife on September 7, 1957, and together with whom he would make a life for the next 66 years, which would include three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim worked hard to provide his family with a good life, and was a wonderful example of a supportive, faithful, Godly and loving husband, father and grandfather. After moving his family to Scott County, Jim made his living as a carpenter and master cabinet maker. Later, with Lillian by his side, they built up their Parks farm by adding broiler houses and a successful feeder calf operation. Jim served on the Parks Fire Department and in different roles as a member of Parks Baptist Church and later at Temple Baptist Church in Waldron where he again set an example for his children and family as a faithful servant of God. He loved to fish, to watch sports, to build wooden items in his shop, to laugh and tell stories, and to spend time with his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lillian; a son, James Hanna and wife Ginger; a daughter, Elainea Allen and husband Joe; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Hanna; six grandchildren: Jimmy Hanna, Charlie Allen, Jenny Ravey, Hannah McCullah, Montana Jennings, and Michael Hanna; a step-grandson Indy Luther; and twelve great-grandchildren: Braden, Caden, Kennedy and Kadie Hanna; Briar Allen; Jacob and Rylee Ravey; Allen McCullah; Legend and Ellis Turpin and Onalee Jennings; and step-great-grandson, Gabriel Luther; sisters Joyce Byford and Peggy Collins; brothers Butch Hanna and Jerry Hanna; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Welcoming Jim in Glory are his parents, Joe and Lillie Hanna; a son, Kenneth Hanna; a grandson Christopher Hanna; a half-brother John Hanna; a half-sister, Zana Hanna; a brother, Joe Hanna, Jr.; and two sisters, Betty Byford and Billie Cox.

Jim’s graveside service will be Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, AR, with Bro. Jack Smith and Rev. George Barham officiating. Visitation for friends and loved ones will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. before the service at Heritage Funeral Home in Waldron.

The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to Jim’s doctors, nurses and aides who have taken loving care of him over the last year. To everyone at Gentiva Hospice, Pinnacle In-Home Care group, Amenda, Diane, Vicki, Brooke, and everyone who helped in any way, we thank you so much.

Obituary – Doris Houston (1946 – 2023)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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4:40 pm

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Doris Jean (Goddard) Houston, 76, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed from this life on Friday, November 3, 2023. Doris was born December 17, 1946 to James Robert and Rwilta (Johnson) Goddard in Forester, Arkansas. She lived a large portion of her life in Waldron, Arkansas; where she met and married the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Howard Houston.

Doris was married to Jimmy for 58 marvelous years before he went on to Heaven in 2019 to wait for her. Together they raised four amazing children; Danny, Angie, Jarrod and Michael. She loved to work in her yard, be outdoors and also had a hand for sewing. Most of all Doris’ family was her everything. She always had a wonderful time watching her kids and grandchildren at their special holiday gatherings. Doris loved her family and spending time with them. The memories made with her loved ones will forever be treasured.

Doris leaves behind to cherish her memory her four children: Danny Houston and wife Pam of Waldron, Arkansas; Angie Graves and husband Steve of Mena, Arkansas; Jarrod Houston and wife Jacy of Clarksville, Arkansas; and Michael Houston of Waldron, Arkansas. Granny will forever be missed by her twelve grandchildren: Erin Sconyers, Carley Sikes, Jake Houston, Alyssa Williamson, Kerrigan Kent, Bryce Yandell, Jayla Yandell, Leslyn Graves, Ben Graves, Ross Graves, Ashtyn Houston, Brayden Houston and 13 great-grandchildren. Doris is also survived by one sister, Robbie Wright of Waldron Arkansas, numerous nieces and nephews, and her best friends of 60 years, Johnny and Linda Barnett.

Doris was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Jimmy Houston; her parents, James and Rwilta Goddard; her brother Jackie Goddard; and two sisters: Joann Johnson and Sally Szabo.

Doris’ life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. Doris’ family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the memorial service. Cremation arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

You may leave words of remembrance for Doris’ family by visiting www.heritagememorialfh.com

ATU ROTC Student Earns Johnston Leadership Award

Featured

Tammy Teague

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4:31 pm

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ATU ROTC Student Earns Johnston Leadership Award

When you’re named after a military base, there’s a pretty good chance you will grow up with an admiration for those who serve the United States of America in the armed services.

Such is the case for Arkansas Tech University U.S. Army ROTC student Leighton Johnson of Hartford, who was named the 2023 recipient of the Major General Gary W. Johnston Leadership Award at ATU on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“Both my parents (Michelle and Forest Johnson) were in the military,” said Johnson. “They met in the military. Having that as a child growing up…living with people who put a certain weight and respect on things…it gets passed on. For me, it was pretty simple. I couldn’t imagine not serving.”

The award is named in memory of ATU alumnus Gary Johnston, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in business from ATU in 1987. He completed the U.S. Army ROTC program at ATU and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army.

During an active military career that spanned more than 34 years, Johnston served in command and staff positions from platoon to U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Defense major command levels. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

In 2015, Johnston became the seventh graduate of the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program to attain the rank of General officer in the U.S. Army. He was promoted Major General two years later.

He culminated his career as the commander, Intelligence and Security Command, a global organization of 17,500 personnel across more than 40 countries.

Johnston retired from active duty in September 2021 and passed away in January 2022. He was part of the inaugural class of the ATU U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Honor in 2017 and he received the highest honor his alma mater bestows when he was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 2019.

Johnson received the award from Johnston’s widow, Brigadier General Amy Johnston, during a ceremony in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center Rotunda.

“I’m still trying to grasp it,” said Johnson. “It’s not every day you get to speak to a one-star general such as his wife, Amy Johnston, and a person of her caliber. It’s very rare that your name is on the same page as a four-star general such as Gary Johnston and someone with so much history. From all the stories I have heard he was an amazing man.”

Following his May 2024 graduation from ATU with a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management, Johnson plans on becoming an infantry officer with the Arkansas National Guard. He wishes to pursue a civilian career with the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“It builds the camaraderie you need to start off with,” said Johnson when asked about the benefits of the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program. “It gives you those people skills. Also, the discipline of everything. We wake up early, do PT (physical training), go to class and get everything done. All around, I can’t say enough good things about the program. I’m not going to name any other schools, but we’ve gone against other schools, and we always out-perform.”

Learn more about the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program at www.atu.edu/rotc.

Paris Wraps up the 2023 Football Season with 43-14 Win Over Danville

Sports

Jim Best

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12:22 am

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Paris Wraps up the 2023 Football Season with 43-14 Win Over Danville

PARIS- After two-heartbreaking losses to Centerpoint and Magnet Cove in weeks eight and nine, the Paris Eagles ended the season with their fourth win of the year on Friday night. Paris defeated Danville 43-14 and did not give up a point until the fourth quarter when freshman Eagles were inserted into the game.

Eagles fans were treated to a great night of high school football in fall temperatures and with a glimpse into the future for Paris football. The Eagles will return almost their entire roster in 2024 and will add a very talented freshman class that showed moments of their future potential when given the opportunity to play late in the game.

Paris finishes 2023 with two non-conference wins over Waldron and West Fork, and two conference wins over Two Rivers and Danville. The Eagles lost narrowly to Magnet Cove and Centerpoint and had legitimate opportunities to win four or five conference games. Although the Eagles missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the program is on an upward trend and will be predicted by most to return to the playoffs in 2024.

Photos from tonight’s game will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports on Tuesday night (November 7). RNN Sports will have an end of the year feature story on the Eagles’ 2023 season in two weeks.

Congratulations to the Paris Eagles on a good year. Eagles seniors Maddox Watts, Braizen Jones, and Connor Yarnell can be very proud of their leadership and being a big factor in not only the past success of Paris football, but also helping the program return to future success.

RNN Sports will be in Charleston next week to bring you coverage of the Charleston Tigers and their first-round game in the state playoffs. Watch our website at residentnewsnetwork.com for updates and additional coverage on the Class 3A state playoffs.

Arkansas Defeats Florida for First Time in Gainesville

Sports

Jim Best

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12:21 am

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Arkansas Defeats Florida for First Time in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, FL- Regardless of the Hogs’ record, there seemed to be a lot on the line today in Gainesville for the Arkansas football program. And after two relatively quiet weeks for the fans where the team was off on a bye week and preparations were taking place in closed practices, Arkansas faced the Florida Gators today at “The Swamp” where the Razorbacks program had never won before.

And of course, the back story to today’s game was the debut of interim offensive coordinator, Kenny Guiton. Hogs fans were anxious to see what the “new offense” under Guiton would look like, and if the new adjustments in coaching personnel and schemes would payoff on the road at Florida.

The rest is history. Arkansas got off to a very fast start in the game and continued to play hard and fight a determined Gators team. And at the end of the day, Arkansas would board its flight back to Fayetteville, bringing home a big SEC road win.

The win improves Arkansas’s record to 3-6 overall, and 1-5 in the conference. The Hogs return home next weekend where they will host the Auburn Tigers in the first of three straight home games remaining on the Razorbacks’ schedule. To accumulate six wins to be bowl eligible, Arkansas must defeat Auburn, Florida International, and Missouri.

Here are some post-game notes on the Florida game as provided by the University of Arkansas:

The victory marks Arkansas’ first win in Gainesville.

QB KJ Jefferson’s 64 career passing touchdowns match QB Brandon Allen (64) for the most by a Razorback quarterback. Jefferson completed 20-of-31 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Jefferson added 17 carries for 92 yards and a score on the ground.

QB KJ Jefferson has now thrown and rushed for a touchdown in a game 12 times in his career.

RB AJ Green hauled in his second career receiving touchdown in the first quarter.

Eric Gregory registered his first sack of the season in the Hogs’ win. Gregory amassed two tackles with a sack for a loss of four yards.

WR Andrew Armstrong compiled his first 100-yard receiving game as a Razorback. It is his seventh career 100-yard receiving game (six 100-yard receiving games at Texas A&M-Commerce). Armstrong finished with three receptions for 103 yards (34.3 ypc) against the Gators.

DB Jaylon Braxton’s fumble return touchdown was the Razorbacks’ nation-leading fourth defensive touchdown of the season. Braxton totaled four tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble that was returned for 33 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

DB Dwight McGlothern is the first Razorback defender with 3+ pass breakups in a game since DB Kam Curl did so at South Carolina in 2017. McGlothern finished with five solo tackles, including one tackle for a loss of two yards, along with three PBUs.

With his 37-yard field goal in the second quarter, K Cam Little improved to 12-for-13 (92.3%) on field goals from 30-39 yards in his career.

With his 41-yard made field goal in the third quarter and 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, K Cam Little improved to 11-for-15 on field goals from 40-49 yards in his career.

Little’s four made field goals give him 49 for his career, moving past K Todd Latourette (47) for fifth-most made field goals in school history.

The Razorbacks filed a season high 481 yards of total offense.

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

Paris Girls Basketball Season Preview

Jim Best

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12:20 am

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PARIS- The 2022-23 season was another season of change for the Paris girls basketball program. Former Eagles assistant Jonathan Vire was promoted to the position of head coach, and a veteran Lady Eagles team quickly made the adjustments to their new coach. After two previous seasons of struggling in conference play, the Lady Eagles made the Region 1 tournament in February of 2023. Paris lost a close first round game in the regionals to Flippin, but the program was back on track in a positive direction.

Coach Vire has invested in the structural components of the program to build pride and ownership with the players. A newly revamped locker room, practice gear, etc., have been well-received by the players, and from casual outside observance, fans can’t but help to notice the pride in the program continuing to grow.

RNN Sports had the opportunity to visit with Coach Vire to discuss the upcoming season and to share his thoughts with our readers. The Lady Eagles open their season next Friday in West Fork when they play in the Duel at the Dome Invitational.

We started our conversation by me asking Coach to give our readers a quick rundown of this year’s team. Coach Vire began by saying, “We have three starters back and all three are juniors, Annabelle (Perry), Kaydence (Freeman), and Preslee (Bowman). Then we are going to have Makalie (Carter) as a senior, Abby Yarnell as a sophomore who stepped up big time for us last year. Then we are going to have Lauren Reames, Claire Zeiler and we are looking at getting them ready to play after volleyball season. They are athletic and can help us out. Sandy Privett, Piper Baumgartner, Kendri Martines…so, we are going to have a little bit of depth, guard-wise. That is who we have coming back, and I am looking forward to playing. In my first year here, we had six on the roster.”

Since this interview, Lauren Reames has incurred an injury at the end of volleyball season and may not be available for the first few weeks of the season.

But this year’s Lady Eagles will have more depth than they have had in recent seasons, and there will be a lot of athletes on the roster. It will take some transition time for those players coming over from the volleyball team, but Coach Vire will have more options from the bench as well as more participants in practice to prepare for games throughout the season. On the day of the interview, Coach Vire indicated that there will be 11 players on the varsity roster.

And the future is very bright for the program. This year’s varsity roster is still young and will have several players returning next year, and the junior high program is loaded in both numbers and talent. The junior high will contribute heavily to the program starting in 2024-25.

Volleyball season is now over, and Coach Vire has his full complement of players available, minus the injured Lauren Reames. Unofficially, we hope that Lauren is available by the end of November.

The program is coming off of a good year where the program returned to the regionals in post season play. I asked Coach about what he thought this year’s team could achieve, and Coach very quickly answered, “I think we can make it back to the regionals again. We are shooting to make the state tournament, but I think we definitely have a shot at going to the regionals. Our conference is going to be Cossatot River, it is theirs to lose. They did not lose any players off of last year’s team with the exception of the McClain girl. But they have everyone else back. I think it is them and then Charleston, and us…all of us kind of in a 1-2-3 mix. Booneville could be up there, Hackett could be right there, but I think we are up there and in position to make another run for the regionals.”

Coach Vire continues to make investments into the game to promote ownership of the players for their program. “One thing we did this summer was we got some pictures of the girls playing put up in the locker room. I asked Jayden (Wells) to come in and sign hers, Brailey (Forst) came in and signed hers. I am going to start a senior “Wall of Fame” to just make the locker room a little more “homey” where they see themselves, making it more like an “us” kind of thing, rather than it just being a locker room when we walk in. Then, with the practice gear, we did that last year (upgraded the team’s practice gear with players input) to make us look good, feel good, and play good. This year, we are getting shooting shirts so that the entire team has shooting shirts for the season (worn during pregame). Our new team moto that we are running with this season and until I ever leave the program is “Don’t Quit”. We are having “Don’t Quit” put on them (the shooting shirts). So, every time we are on the floor, that has been our moto. In the weight room, we say, “Don’t Quit.” It is all about getting that mental mind set.”

Team culture is everything with teams in today’s sports world, and under Coach Vire’s leadership, the Lady Eagles are investing heavily in team core values and gaining a competitive mental advantage over their opponents.

As we continued our conversation, I asked Coach if he was going to change his approach or philosophy with the team’s play this season based upon this year’s talent and roster. Coach explained, “Offensively, it’s going to kind of be the same, we’re going to do that dribble-drive with Annabelle to try to get her to the rim. Kaydence can get to the rim, Abby can get to the rim, so, we’ll stick with the dribble-drive. Defensively, we’ll probably stick with a lot of zone. Especially if we can get like Claire and Lauren out there. We can be really long (arm span) out there, so we’ll probably stick with zone. We will probably try to stretch the floor as much as we can with the offense. I’m looking at maybe pressing on defense a little more because we’re going to have a little more depth this year. We pressed some last year, especially with our 1-3-1 defense. We may stick with that, or we may look at some different zone press defenses. But it’s going to kind of be the same set up.

On the coaching front for the Lady Eagles, perhaps the biggest news for the 2023-24 season will be the addition of former Lamar basketball great Lakyn Sanders to the Paris bench as a volunteer coach. According to Coach, “We got Lakyn Sanders to come in and volunteer right now, this semester. Just senior high right now; and then we hope to get her internship (in college) moved to here by mid-January. She graduates from the University of the Ozarks in May. So, if we can get her internship moved here in January, she’ll be with us full time as a student assistant coach for the season. So, that is who we have helping this season. Coach Tencleve (Andrew Tencleve, boys head coach) will be sitting on the bench with us during games. It’s still kind of a process to get it all worked out. But Lakyn has been coming to practices for the past three weeks. That is a huge, huge asset getting her and having her being able to help.”

To wrap up our conversation, I asked Coach Vire if he had anything else he would like to share with our readers and the Paris fans. Coach concluded by saying, “We lost a lot from last year’s team with Jayden and Brailey. Replacing then early is going to be a test. So, early on, we may look like we are struggling as we try to figure some things out. But just stick with us and we’ll get it rolling. I think we will be fun to watch this year just like we were a season ago. So, if we look bad early, don’t give up on us!”

Coach’s last statement was said with some humor. But Paris fans can compare this year’s team with the volleyball team that just finished in the top eight in the state. That team entered the season seeking to find the right combination of players and its rhythm, but, we knew they would continue to improve, and they surely did. From my perspective, I expect the same dynamic from this year’s Lady Eagles basketball team. In fact, I expect this team to be very dangerous as the season moves toward the post-season.

I would like to thank both Jonathan Vire and Andrew Tencleve for giving of their valuable time this close to the season to share their remarks in their interviews with RNN Sports. They are two coaches who are passionate about basketball and highly devoted to their players. We wish both the very best of success for the upcoming season!

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK