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Memorial Service to be held for Prominent Logan County Educator

Tammy Teague
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Memorial Service to be held for Prominent Logan County Educator

Dr. Glenda Ezell, a well-known college educator and public school teacher passed from this life on Dec. 11. 2023.  Dr. Ezell began her career teaching elementary school at Paris.  Later, she served as both Alternative Education and Special Education teacher for the district.  While teaching, she received first a Master’s in Special Education and later, a Masters in Early Childhood Education.  Glenda than taught in the education department and later, after receiving her doctorate in education at the University of Arkansas, served as Dean of Education at the University of the Ozarks.  She finished her career as Dean of Education at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Glenda was very active in community affairs and served on many boards and as a member of many organizations. She was an advisor and frequent contributor to the State Board of Higher Education, the president of the Logan County Retired teacher’s organization, served on the Logan County Library board, and the Smith Memorial group.  Her doctoral research was in the alternative licensure teacher program, a program which is instrumental in getting more teachers into the classroom, and she is viewed as a pioneer and expert in the success of the program. 

Glenda was an accomplished singer and, over the years, sang at many community and regional events.  A writer and a poet, she co-authored Songs of the Mountain, a collection of poems of the Ouachita Mountain region.  Her poems reflect her love of God, family, and her students.

A great loss education and to the region, her life achievements were celebrated with a memorial service at rural Mt. Salem School after her graveside service on Friday, December 15.  Logan County Library at Paris and several other business were closed to honor her lifetime achievements and work.

Lawsuit Filed Over Sexual Abuse Claims; Defendant Volunteered at Local Preschool

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Lawsuit Filed Over Sexual Abuse Claims; Defendant Volunteered at Local Preschool

Miss Tina’s Preschool in Greenwood has had a lawsuit filed against them alleging that they knowingly allowed a known child predator to volunteer at the preschool. Jamie Speaks is the husband of Wanda Speaks, an employee of Miss Tina’s preschool.

In a civil suit filed December 12th, 2023 it is alleged that Jamie Leon Speaks, who had been previously prosecuted and found guilty of multiple child sexual abuse cases and other charges such as false imprisonment and aggravated assault, was allowed to volunteer at the preschool.

Speaks’ volunteering included helping small children use the bathroom unattended by other adults, which had previously resulted in the repeated molestation of at least one child, possibly others.

While the abuse incidents outlined in the suit happened years ago at a preschool run by the defendant’s wife Wanda, the known sex offender was able to continue to be present at Miss Tina’s preschool functions as recently as this year.

The lawsuit indicates that in 2012, Speaks was convicted of child molestation, was required to register as a sex offender, yet regardless of this status was allowed to remain present at Miss Tina’s preschool, located at 508 S. Coker st.

Greenwood Police Department Chief Brad Hobbs states that they have submitted a report to local prosecutor’s office and have been asked to perform follow up interviews with more possible victims. This case is still open and ongoing.

We will be continuing to follow this case and bring you more information as it becomes available.

State v. Jamie Speaks: Docket Report Results – Not an Official Document (arcourts.gov)

State v. Jamie Speaks: Docket Report Results – Not an Official Document (arcourts.gov)

State v. Jamie Speaks: Docket Report Results – Not an Official Document (arcourts.gov)

Doe v. Miss Tina’s Preschool, Inc. Et Al: Docket Report Results – Not an Official Document (arcourts.gov)

AGFC wildlife veterinarian, National Deer Association offer five reasons to test your deer for CWD

Tammy Teague
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AGFC wildlife veterinarian, National Deer Association offer five reasons to test your deer for CWD

By Randy Zellers

Arkansas deer hunters submitted a record 8,759 samples from their harvested deer during the 2022-23 Arkansas deer hunting season to be checked for chronic wasting disease, but according to Dr. Jennifer Ballard, wildlife veterinarian for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, there’s still a lot of work to be done in monitoring and slowing the spread of CWD on the landscape. 

Ballard recently partnered with the National Deer Association to increase awareness of chronic wasting disease and the importance of having your harvested deer tested. The article “Five Reasons to get Your Deer Tested for CWD” gave a concise message to a national audience to help increase awareness about having your deer tested, even if you don’t live in an area where CWD has been confirmed.

“If there are resources available to get your deer tested, results from areas where the disease has not been found are just as valuable as those where a few detections have occurred,” Ballard said. “They may even be more valuable because they give us greater confidence in knowing where the disease does and does not occur.” 

CWD management is constantly evolving, but one constant in nearly all wildlife diseases is that management strategies are most effective when they are implemented early. That means remaining vigilant.

“When something like CWD is first found in an area, hunter participation in testing their harvest and reporting sick deer is high, but wildlife management is a long-term prospect,” Ballard said. “One pattern we see is that hunters become complacent about having their deer tested once CWD has been in the area for a while, but surveillance is really critical to informing deer management in the presence of this disease.

“When CWD was first detected in Arkansas, Cory Gray, who’s now the chief of the AGFC’s Research Division, explained it best: ‘Fighting CWD is a marathon, not a sprint.’ We’re still way too early in the race to rest.”

Visit deerassociation.com to learn more about the National Deer Association and its mission to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. 

Visit www.agfc.com/cwd for more information on CWD in Arkansas, how to get your deer tested, and how testing your deer might earn you a $1,000 Arkansas Lifetime Sportsman Hunting and Fishing Permit. 

Volleyball has three named to CSC Academic All-District teams

Tammy Teague
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Volleyball has three named to CSC Academic All-District teams

FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball placed three on the College Sports Communicator’s Academic All-District volleyball teams, it was announced Tuesday.

Earning the honor for the Lions are libero Paola Fragalle, middle blocker Angelina Hardison and defensive specialist Lauren Weber.

The 2023 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

To be eligible for selection under the new criteria for 2023-24, student-athletes must have a 3.50 or higher GPA and have either played in 90 percent of the team’s sets or start at-least two thirds of the team’s matches.

Fragalle anchored one of the top defenses in the LSC, averaging a team-high 5.06 digs per set, which ranked 30th nationally and fourth in the LSC. UAFS ranked fifth in the nation and led the LSC with 18.92 digs per set this season. Additionally, UAFS was fourth in the league in opponent hitting percentage at .161. Fragalle set a career-high with 29 digs at UT Tyler and had 14 matches with 20 or more digs. She had double-digit digs in all but two matches.

Fragalle was also named Second Team All-LSC and to the LSC All-Academic Team as she sports a 4.0 GPA while majoring in Business Administration. She becomes just the second Lion to be named to the LSC All-Academic Team.

Hardison was second on the Lions with a .306 attack percentage this season while totaling 188 kills. She tallied a career-high 16 kills on a .517 attack percentage in a win over Newberry. For the season, she had five matches with 10 or more kills. Defensively, Hardison averaged 0.64 blocks per set for a total of 69 blocks. She had a season-high eight blocks against Texas A&M International.

Weber appeared in 102 sets, collecting 126 digs and was third on the team with 24 aces. She had six matches with double-digit digs, including a season-high 17 win a win at UT Permian Basin. She recorded four aces in a win over Midwestern State.

For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

Waldron School Board Meeting Minutes

Tammy Teague
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Waldron School Board Meeting Minutes

The regular monthly meeting of the Waldron School Board was held in the Central Office Building Monday, December 11, 2023; at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were Clay Woodall, Mac Davis, Stan Cottrell and Konnor McKay.  Board member Angela Hunsucker was not present for the meeting. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding, Chris LiphamMisty Owens, Kim Solomon, Kristi Sigman, Darla Jeffery, Zack Taylor, Josh Atchley and Toni Dozier.

President Clay Woodall called the meeting to order at 6:32p.m. 

Konnor McKay began the meeting with a word of prayer.

​Mac Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.

​ A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the Consent Agenda items: A) Approval of the November 13th Minutes; B) Approve Financial Reports and Expenditures; C) Approve Quotes from Johnson Controls; D) Approve Invoices to Midwest Bus Sales.  Motion carried 4-0.

​A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Stan Cottrell to approve the Waldron High School Merit Pay, to be paid on December 15, 2023.  Motion carried 4-0.

​Each of the principals reported on what is happening at their school.  Mrs. Dozier reported on the Ryan Walker Family Night that was December 7th.  She also informed the board that ABC students will be going to see The Grinch on Friday, December 15th.  Mrs. Jeffery announced the 4th Grade musical will be Thursday, December 14th at the High School.  She also reported that there were over 25 families in attendance at the parent night last month.  Elementary will also be having attendance incentive days on December 21st and 22nd.  Mr. Taylor reported that this year’s Paint Party had the largest turnout so far!  He also informed the board that Ajay Cherry placed 2nd place in the Jr. High Chess tournament.  The Christmas concert was on December 11th, with the band and choir both performing.  Both Middle and High Schools are gearing up for semester tests next week. Mrs. Solomon reported to the board members the students that received qualifications at Regional Band Competition; Emily Stockton, 2nd Band, 3rdChair; Darian Hunt and Randa Rhoades, All Regional Jazz; Blake Bingham and Darian Hunt, All Regional Orchestra.  All FCCLA students that competed at Regionals qualified for State.  Agri students, William Atchley and Bradley Sliger placed 1st in Category 3, Class 3 Champion Outdoor Recreation and Convenience at the Farm Bureau Convention.

​Athletic Director, Chris Lipham, reported that the Jr. High Boys Basketball team won the Arvest Invitational, with the Jr. High Girls coming in as runner-up.  The State Cheer competition is this Saturday, December 16th.  The Waldron High School Choir is traveling to Little Rock Wednesday, December 13th, to sing at the State Capitol.  The upcoming football conference alignment is being discussed and should know the results when we get back from break.  

​Superintendent Fielding took his time to congratulate AAA New Comer Athletic Director of the Year, Chris Lipham.  The board members and Mr. Fielding alike expressed the exceptional job Chris is doing in this new position.

​ Adjourned to Executive Session:  7:00

​Returned from Executive Session: 8:42

​A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to hire Bethelene Davenport as ABC/First Step Paraprofessional as of December 18, 2023. Motion carried 4-0.

​Mr. Fielding made an announcement that Mrs. Kim Solomon will be taking over the Adventure Online Academy/First Step/ABC Principal position as of July 1, 2024.  Mr. Josh Atchley will then transition to High School Principal.

​A motion was made by Stan Cottrell and seconded by Konnor McKay to adjourn.  Motion carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

‘Tis the Season to Drive Sober

Tammy Teague
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‘Tis the Season to Drive Sober

December 12, 2023 – It’s hard to have a happy holiday when you’re arrested for drunk driving. Keep the season merry and bright by following the law and refusing to drink and drive. During this busy winter holiday season, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to urge drivers to think twice before drinking and driving. The Arkansas Highway Safety Office wants all drivers to remember this lifesaving message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. From December 13, 2023, through January 1, 2024, drivers will see officers working on a special high-visibility enforcement campaign to get impaired drivers off the road and spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving.

Tragically, December can be a dangerous time for people on the road. During the 2017-2021 December months, there were more than 4,500 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. Additionally, male drivers are far more likely to be impacted by drunk driving: In December 2021, male drivers who were alcohol impaired were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (721) compared to female drivers (208). Overall, young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (27%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes in December 2021. The increased parties and festivities celebrating the season tend to bring out more drunk drivers. Arkansas law enforcement officers want to remind drivers to always make a plan before heading out to a celebration. 

Designated drivers are a valuable tool for reducing impaired driving, and can even be the difference between life and death.  If you are a designated driver, be sure to stay hydrated with water and other non-alcoholic beverages and actively support other designated drivers.  Being a designated driver can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that many people are counting on you to stay sober behind the wheel, particularly other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the roadways.

“Drunk driving isn’t just dangerous, it’s illegal,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “The holidays are a special time of year and it’s our job in state and local law enforcement to keep the highways and local streets safe for everyone. Drivers have a choice to make: Follow the law and respect your fellow drivers by refraining from drunk driving. Or, make the choice to drive drunk, put others at risk, and risk your own mortality and wellbeing. We need a commitment from every driver to keep the roads free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe holiday.”

Remember: A few dollars spent on a sober ride is a lot cheaper than a DWI, which can cost up to $10,000. Something else to consider: Don’t ever be too proud or embarrassed to ask for a ride. Allowing a sober driver to help you get home safely keeps you and others safe. What’s more embarrassing than drunkenly asking for a sober ride home? Spending the night in jail. Having your car impounded. Losing your job. Take your pick or choose to drive sober.

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:

It’s never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get to your destination safely. Plan a safe way home before you leave.

If you’ve been drinking, call a taxi, ride-share service or a designated driver to drive you home. 

If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1.

If you know someone who is about to drive or operate a motorcycle or any other vehicle while impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

Always buckle up. Your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver. 

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. Also learn more about Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDArkansas.org  or follow TZD Arkansas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X).

Corporals Lance and Porter Receive County Law Enforcement Officers of the Year

Tammy Teague
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Corporals Lance and Porter Receive County Law Enforcement Officers of the Year

TWO ASP TROOPERS HONORED AS 2023 OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

 ______________________________________________

December 12, 2023

Two Arkansas State Troopers will share the 2023 State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, which is given annually to recognize police officers who go above and beyond the call of duty. This award and other statewide awards were presented by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin during ceremonies today at the Benton Events Center.  

This year, Senior Corporal David Smothers and Special Agent Matt Foster were selected.

In July of 2023, Smothers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-40. While talking to the occupants of the vehicle, a man and woman, Smothers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. After searching the vehicle, Smothers found a fully automatic pistol, more than 42 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine, and a fully automatic firearm. Additional items located during the search led Smothers to suspect the female was possibly being trafficked. Smothers contacted Special Agent Matt Foster who has extensive training in recognizing and identifying victims of human trafficking.

Foster conducted a lengthy interview with the woman, where she admitted to being trafficked across multiple states since February of 2023. Foster was able to get her admitted into a facility that specialized in recovery from human trafficking and drug use. When she was interviewed by Foster, she said that what she wanted most was to have a normal life, where she could do simple things like watch television with her child. 

Smothers recognized the signs that she was being trafficked and took the care that was necessary for a positive outcome. In August, a federal agency notified ASP that the weapon Smothers seized was linked to two unsolved murders in Louisiana. 

Smothers and Foster put the victim first in this investigation, which saved her life.

During the ceremony, both Smothers and Foster were also awarded Northwest Regional Officer of the Year, and Senior Special Agent Aundrae Mack was named Southeast Regional winner.

In all, Troopers from 31 of Arkansas’ 75 counties were recognized and awarded county-level Law Enforcement Officer of Year. These Troopers, along with officers from local and other state agencies, were recognized for dedication to their communities where they are assigned to serve. 

Troopers who received County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:

Benton County
Trooper Zenda Staab

Calhoun County
Trooper First Class Justin Starnes

Chicot County
Trooper Christian Morphis

Clay County
Trooper Richard Drum

Cleveland County
Trooper First Class TreVaughn Moore

Columbia County
Corporal Adam Pinner

Craighead County
Trooper First Class Tanner Middlecoff

Crawford County
Corporal Chris Short

Crittenden County
Trooper Garrett Byrd

Dallas County
Trooper First Class Jimmy Plyler Jr.

Drew County
Trooper Tyler Grant

Faulkner County
Trooper Tyler Langley

Franklin County
Trooper First Class Mason Redding

Fulton County
Sergeant Justin Nowlin

Greene County
Special Agent Anthony Hill

Independence County
Special Agent Sean Riegle

Johnson County
Senior Corporal David Smothers (Northwest Regional Winner)

Lawrence County
Trooper Isaac Lawson

Lee County
Senior Special Agent Aundrae Mack (Southeast Regional Winner)

Lonoke County
Trooper Cody Martin

Miller County
Trooper Solomon Phifer

Monroe County
Special Agent Rodney Davenport

Phillips County
Special Agent Scott Troy

Poinsett County
Trooper First Class Tommy Fitzgerald

Pope County
Special Agent Matt Foster (Northwest Regional Winner)

Randolph County
Corporal Nicholas Poulsen

Scott County
Corporal Mike Lance

Sebastian County
Corporal Josh Porter

Sharp County
Corporal Moye E. Hawkins

Union County
Trooper Justin Harper

Woodruff County
Corporal Kurt Ziegenhorn

When It’s Time to Say Good-bye to the Family Pet…

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When It’s Time to Say Good-bye to the Family Pet…

PARIS- To some, it is no big deal. To others, it is intense grief.

Family pets provide years of love and enjoyment for everyone who crosses paths with them throughout their short life spans. Whether you are a dog lover, cat lover, or a lover of any other pet, you know that with the love and enjoyment of sharing your life with them comes the very painful time when you have to say good-bye.

For my wife and I, that time has come. Our beloved labrador, Sophie, passed away this week. Elaine brought her home as a puppy when she was eight weeks old, and I first met Sophie when she was about two years old. So, both of us feel like she has been part of our lives for her entire life, and it has been very hard for us to say good-bye to who we have always felt was the greatest dog a family could have. And anyone who knows Elaine and I knows that Sophie was dearly loved.

But in our grief, my intent for this story is to help others who may be facing this eventuality with a loved family pet.

Some people just don’t get it, and some are very empathetic. But whichever side you fall on, it is important to note that the grief you may feel is both very real and unexpectedly intense. And for me, the decision to end a dog’s life has been especially painful and emotional. Some who have experienced the pain of letting a beloved pet go refuse to have another pet and potentially go through this intense grief again. It is very painful and hard to cope with.

I found it to be a terrible dilemma of “am I doing the right thing, or am I rushing something that doesn’t need to be rushed?” But in Sophie’s case, I eventually realized that my desire to extend her life was a selfish act on my part. In her final days, Sophie was not experiencing any degree of a good quality of life. She was merely existing from day to day. She was experiencing severe immobility, loss of appetite, and her tail, that wagged all of the time, just didn’t wag anymore. She was refusing to eat, and acted as if she were in pain every day and had lost a significant amount of weight in a very short time. So, our desire to extend her life was purely selfish, and as hard as it was to let her go, we knew, it was the only fair thing for her. And it may be hard for others to understand, but we felt honored to be there to help her pass peacefully as was deserved by her for being such a loving and cherished member of our family.

So, in offering our story to our readers, we are not psychologists, veterinarians, or any other professional that is qualified to give advice. But as dog owners who loved our pet very much, we do think we are qualified to speak as owners who want to help others cope with what we have found to be one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to make.

If you are a pet owner and you feel that this day is approaching for you and your pet, please know that your feelings are real and that they will be more intense than you fear. But the decision to let them go, along with the consultation of your veterinarian, is a final act of love for your pet. One in a series of loving acts you have extended to them for their entire lives. And it is the only fair thing to do in exchange for all of the love they have given us. As painful as that is, we have found that to be the only thought that consoles the two of us.

One final thought. It is so important to acknowledge the grief and the steps of coping with the emotional loss of a pet that provided so much love in your life. As a final tribute to your pet, and to help you move forward in life, help someone in your life. It may be their own struggle with the loss of a family member, or some other loss, but helping others is a positive way to help you move forward from your loss.

Elaine and I are certainly not at that point at this early stage, but we know that we will eventually move on and celebrate all the great things that made us love Sophie so much. In offering this story, we hope it helps anyone out there who is coping with a similar loss.

Grieving the loss of a beloved family pet is OK; it just means you love them and will miss them.

Timepiece: Hunting Season

Tammy Teague
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Timepiece: Hunting Season

Finding an empty table was going to be a chore.  The Dinner Bucket café was filled with noise and big burly guys wearing bright orange.  The pick-ups outside contained enough weapons to start a small war.  Getting breakfast in a small, rural town on the first day of deer season is not an easy task. Conversation ebbed and flowed as men gulped down pancakes, eggs, and bowls of biscuits and gravy.  Many stories were exchanged back and forth, some probably true.  Many of the men had success that morning; an astounding number reported that they had harvested two or more deer this season.  This was not always the case.

When pioneer’s arrived in Arkansas wild game abounded.  There was plenty turkey, duck, elk, and even some buffalo.  An unknown number of panther, cougar, and wolves roamed the forest accompanied by an estimated 50,000 black bear.  Bear were so plentiful that Arkansas was known as the bear state during the period of early statehood.  

Frederick Gerstaecher, an early explorer and author, described Arkansas as a hunter’s paradise. He describes hunting deer in Pulaski county and being able to kill three or four a night using torchlight.  Another explorer, George Featherstonhaugh, an 1834 visitor to the state, describes the wasteful slaughter of deer with people killing the deer, cutting of the haunches, and leaving the rest for the buzzards.  As the state grew, more and more deer were killed.  Professional hunters killed deer by the hundreds and sold the meat through local markets.  The deer population plummeted.  In 1916, realizing that deer were about to become extinct, the state created the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFS).  At that time, it is estimated that there was perhaps as few as 2,000 deer in the entire state.  A hunting season was established and a bucks-only law went into effect. Franklin County, a prime hunting area today, could not locate one deer in the county in 1926. Extensive flooding in 1927 resulted in deer being pushed into small areas of high ground where they were easily hunted, especially by professional using hounds.  By 1930, less than 500 deer could be found in the state.  Talking to people who survived the depression, they stated there were no large animals to hunt for food.  Instead, they subsisted on squirrel, possum, and raccoon.  

The federal government began to establish large refuges on public lands- areas where no deer could be hunted. The AGFC started a deer restocking program and the numbers began to increase.  By 1946, there were 32,000 deer in the state.  Established seasons and limited harvest continued to increase those numbers.  Even in the 1970’s, deer harvest was scant and my dad was extremely pleased when he killed a small four-point.  

In 1939, only 540 deer were harvested, in 1945 there was some 3,000 killed.  It is estimated that the deer population in Arkansas today exceeds one-million animals.  In recent years, over 200,000 deer a year are legally killed in Arkansas.  Recently, I spotted 28 feeding in one large pasture, grazing like a herd of cattle. 

AGFS has shown similar success with the black bear population.  After reintroduction in the state, numbers have rebounded to a point we have annual limited hunts.  Real enjoyment is to travel to Boxley valley and observe the huge elk as the travel along the Buffalo River uplands. It was reported that the last known buffalo in the state was killed in Saline County right after the Civil War and I am still waiting to see some of those majestic animals roaming the forests and highlands of the state. Their peaks surrounded by high cliffs and limited access to the top, Rich and Magazine mountain would serve as an ideal location for a small herd. 

Breakfast and the company is enjoyable.  I find the tall tales about hunting prowess and the ability to kill two deer in a season hilarious.  Heck, my friend’s wife kills more that with her car each year. 

Can you make charitable giving less ‘taxing’?

Tammy Teague
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Can you make charitable giving less ‘taxing’?

Once again, it’s the season of generosity. In addition to considering gifts for your loved ones, you might want to think about charitable gifts as well. But what should you know before making gifts to charities? And what impact might these gifts have on your financial and tax situation? 

​First, you may want to create a gift budget by deciding just how much you will give to charitable organizations over the rest of the year. 

​Next, look closely at the groups to whom you wish to contribute. You can find many reputable charities, but some others may be less worthy of your support. One of the red flagsof a questionable organization is the amount of money it spendson administrative costs versus the amount that goes to itsstated purpose. You can check on the spending patterns ofcharitable groups, and find other valuable information about them, on the well-regarded Charity Navigator website(charitynavigator.org).

​Once you’ve established a gift budget and are comfortable with the groups you choose to support, you might turn your thoughts to another key issue connected with charitable giving: tax benefits. A few years ago, changes in the tax laws resultedin a large increase in the standard deduction, which meant thatmany taxpayers found it more favorable not to itemize — and lost the ability to take charitable deductions. But if you still do itemize, your charitable gifts or contributions to tax-exempt groups — those that qualify as 501(c)(3) organizations — can generally be deducted, up to 60% of your adjusted gross income, although lower limits may apply, depending on the nature of your gift and the organization to which you’re contributing. 

​Other, more long-term avenues also exist that combine charitable giving with potential tax benefits. One such possibility is a donor-advised fund, which allows you to make an irrevocable charitable contribution and receive an immediate tax deduction. You can give cash, but if you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, your tax deduction would be the fair market value of the assets, up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. Plus, you would not incur the capital gains tax that would otherwise be due upon the sale of these assets. Onceyou establish a donor-advised fund, you have the flexibility to make charitable gifts over time, and you can contribute to the fund as often as you like.

​Another possible tax benefit from making charitable contributions could arrive when you start taking required minimum distributions, or RMDs, from some of your retirement accounts, such as your traditional IRA and 401(k). These RMDs could be sizable — and distributions are counted as taxableincome. But by taking what’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can move money from a traditional or Roth IRA to a qualified charitable organization, possibly satisfying your RMD, which then may be excluded from your taxable income. You must start taking RMDs at 73 but you canbegin making QCDs of up to $100,000 per year as early as age 70½. (This amount will be indexed for inflation after 2023.)

​Establishing a donor-advised fund and making qualified charitable distributions are significant moves, so you’ll need to consult with your tax advisor first. But if they’re appropriate for your situation, they may help you expand your ability to support the charitable groups whose work you admire.

This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor 

Edward Jones

20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855

479-963-1321

jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com

edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

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