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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice; Simplifying Gun Laws

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2:32 pm

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice; Simplifying Gun Laws

Over the course of the upcoming year legislators will study all the various laws in Arkansas governing firearms, with the intent of simplifying them.

The study was prompted by requests from law enforcement and instructors of gun safety. At legislative meetings this summer they have asked for clarification of when and where it is legal to carry firearms.

Legislators themselves have been seeking clarity on the state’s gun laws. Earlier this year lawmakers approved Act 777 to clarify that a concealed carry permit is not required in order to carry a concealed firearm in Arkansas. The purpose of issuing permits to Arkansas residents is to make it simpler for them to comply with gun laws in other states, and to qualify for reciprocal treatment.

The state attorney general already has begun working to clarify the state’s gun laws, along with the Senate co-chairman of the Legislative Council and the Senate co-chairman of the Council’s subcommittee that focuses on the Game and Fish Commission and the State Police.

As an example of how confusing the state’s gun laws can be, the attorney general said that in the past ten years, lawmakers had requested about two dozen official opinions about firearms.

The Game and Fish-State Police subcommittee will submit recommendations by October 1, 2024. The Legislative Council will consider the final report during its meeting in December of 2024, and the entire legislature will vote on the recommendations during the 2025 regular session. It begins in January of 2025.

One point of clarification will be the locations where carrying a concealed firearm is restricted, such as courtrooms, jails and prisons.

There is a distinction between ordinary concealed carry permits and enhanced permits, which allow the permit holder greater access to public areas.

Also to be decided will be the qualifications of firearms instructors, how much continuing education they must complete and the extent that the State Police is authorized to enforce standards for firearms instructors.

Arkansas laws and federal laws are not the same. Legislators will study and recommend which state agency is best qualified to answer questions about discrepancies between state and federal statutes.

The attorney general and legislative leaders emphasized that the purpose of the study will be to strengthen the protections in the Second Amendment, which guarantees the rights of citizens to bear arms.

The Arkansas legislature has never enacted a bill that would restrict the Second Amendment. However, understanding current laws can be complicated because there are so many on the books.

Representatives of law enforcement expressed support of the study, because they have sometimes have to interpret complicated and repetitive language. As the attorney general said, people should be able to make sense of Arkansas gun laws without having to hire a lawyer.

In 2017 the governor sent a letter to the State Police stating that “Act 743 of 2013 clarified that a person may open carry a handgun so long as there is no intent to unlawfully employ the handgun.” Any citation for mere open carry would be inappropriate and inconsistent with Arkansas law, the governor wrote.

Mansfield’s Cole Kindle and the Tigers Promise to be a Big Road Test for the Eagles

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8:02 am

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Mansfield’s Cole Kindle and the Tigers Promise to be a Big Road Test for the Eagles

MANSFIELD- The Paris Eagles will play their first game this season away from the friendly confines of Eagles Stadium when they travel to Mansfield on Friday to play the Tigers. At press time for this story, the results of both teams’ zero-week games were unknown. This week’s game will be the second non-conference game of the season for both teams.

Paris will be greeted by a raucous Mansfield crowd when they take the field to play the Tigers. Mansfield has reputation of playing every opponent tough, and at home, the Red Tigers are especially tough.

Mansfield finished the season 7-3 in the regular season in 2022 and lost in the first round of the state playoffs at Fordyce by the score of 53-22. High expectations of the Tigers fanbase, coupled with a regular season loss that probably shouldn’t have happened versus Greenland followed by a tough loss on the road in the state playoffs may have led to their coaching change this season. The new head football coach for the Tigers is former MHS graduate Whit Overton. Overton was most recently the junior high football coach at Booneville.

Mansfield is expected to be more balanced on offense than they have been the last few years. The Tigers will undoubtedly throw the football with their talented quarterback, Cole Kindle, but expect them to also be much more physical and wanting to establish the running game very much in the style of their coach’s experience at Booneville. The Tigers have plenty of offensive backfield talent to run the football effectively and will be instrumental in setting up the pass. The Tigers’ question mark going into the game will be its young and inexperienced offensive line. The Tigers’ depth is impressive; as of the deadline for this story, as good as Kindle is, he is locked in a tight battle for the starting position at quarterback with junior Jeremy Strozier. As of this date, the starter for the Tigers has not been announced.

On defense, Mansfield will be led by Samuel Burton. Burton had 64 tackles and nine sacks on defense a year ago and will be looking to put pressure on the Eagles’ mobile quarterback, Maddox Watts.

The game will be the first big road test for Paris, and Mansfield will be playing their second consecutive game at home following a August 25 zero-week game they hosted with Magazine. In week two of the season next Friday, September 8, Mansfield will go on the road for the first time for the renewal of the “Highway 71 Rivalry” at Waldron. Paris will return home on that same date to host West Fork in their final non-conference game of the regular season.

Kickoff at Tigers Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Fans from both schools will want to arrive at the stadium early for this game that promises to be a good one.

RNN Sports will be at the game to bring you action photos, as well as our online post-game story on Saturday.

Travel safely and enjoy the game! We will see you there!

Greenwood Transfer Dizzy Dean Leads Elkins into Charleston for Season Opener

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8:01 am

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Greenwood Transfer Dizzy Dean Leads Elkins into Charleston for Season Opener

CHARLESTON- Well, I think I am like everyone else…when I hear the name “Dizzy Dean”, I think of the Major League Baseball Hall of Famer from Logan County.

But the baseball Hall of Famer will not make an appearance on Friday night at Alumni Stadium when the Charleston Tigers host Elkins in the season opener for the Tigers. Instead, it will be Greenwood transfer quarterback Dizzy Dean who will lead a productive Elkins passing attack for the Elks.

Dean threw for 2,842 yards in 2022, just shy of the conference mark set by Drew Moore of Lincoln. Dean threw for 205 completions on 280 attempts and 37 touchdowns. Another Dean, Stone Dean, was his favorite receiver a year ago. Dean had 27 receptions for 328 yards and seven touchdowns for the Elks.

But as good as the Elks’ passing attack is, they can also run the football. Elkins’ leading rusher, Da’ Shawn Chairs, led the conference in rushing with 1,887 yards on the season on 180 carries. Chairs had 31 touchdowns on the season.

Elkins plays in Class 4A in Conference 1 along with Ozark, Gravette, Gentry, Lincoln, Huntsville, Green Forrest, and Berryville. Hooten’s Arkansas Football publication has forecasted the Elks to win the conference, just ahead of conference rival Ozark.

This week’s game will be Ekins’s second game of the season. The Elks opened on August 25 for a zero-week game at home with Pottsville. At press time for this story, that game had not yet been played. By playing on zero-week, the Elks will have an open date on September 15.

Charleston is playing their first game of the season this week, choosing to not take the option of scheduling a game on zero-week. As a result, the Tigers will not have a bye this season and will play ten consecutive regular season games. This has always worked well for the Tigers, giving the coaches a little more preparation time with the team before the start of the season.

The Charleston Tigers began their run to the Class 3A-1 conference championship and an eventual state championship in 2022 with a road, non-conference win at Elkins. The Tigers defeated the Elks by the score of 42-22. No doubt, Elkins will be looking to return the favor this year with their own road win at Charleston against a young Tigers team.

Ekins’s Dizzy Dean is a transfer from the Greenwood football program (Image Credit: QBhitlist.com)

For Charleston, it will be all about putting last year’s state championship in the rear-view mirror and focusing on a new team and a new season. Several talented and experienced players that led the Tigers to the title a year ago have graduated, and taking their places is another class of young and talented Tigers. Offensively, Charleston will be led by senior receiver Reese Merechka who had a great junior season and was an important part of the Charleston championship last season. But several questions remain about who will fill important positions on both sides of the ball leading into Friday’s game with Elkins.

The Tigers traditionally play a very tough non-conference schedule each season to make them beter for conference and post-season play. It is a method that has worked well for Charleston, but the process will have to play out as the young Tigers gain experience and develop throughout the course of the season. Head football coach Ricky May focuses on conference play that will lead to eventual playoff berths and a shot to compete for a state title. The Tigers definitely want to win every time they take the field, but the focus is being healthy and improved as a football team before conference play begins on September 22 when they host the Greenland Pirates.

Next week in week two (September 8) Charleston will travel to Ozark for their annual “Battle of Franklin County” with the Hillbillies. Elkins will return home to host Clarksville.

RNN Sports photographer Ronni Tate Young will be on the turf at Alumni Field to bring you action photos from the game. And watch for our post-game story on this game on Sunday at residentnewsnetwork.com

So, football fans, the long wait is over, and hopefully so is the extreme heat! Enjoy the game, RNN Sports will see you there!

Arkansas Takes Number One Wisconsin to the Wire, Drops Five-Set Thriller at Barnhill Arena, 3-2

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7:33 am

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Arkansas Takes Number One Wisconsin to the Wire, Drops Five-Set Thriller at Barnhill Arena, 3-2

FAYETTEVILLE – No. 21 Arkansas proved that they could compete with the best of the best as the Hogs took the No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers to five sets and came up just short on Wednesday.

Arkansas took the first set 25-21, and Wisconsin answered with a 25-20 victory in the second set. The two teams went toe-to-toe in the third, but the Badgers came away with an extra-point victory of 26-24. The Razorbacks roared back and came away with a 25-22 edge and forced a fifth, which saw nine lead changes. Ultimately Wisconsin battled back for the 15-13 win and match victory.

Graduate hitter Jill Gillen led the team with 22 kills, which places her as No. 3 all-time in career kills in program history. Gillen also had 14 digs on the night for a double-double. Senior hitter Taylor Head was second on the team in kills with 14 and had a team-high 24 digs for third double-double of the season.

Junior and SEC Setter of the Week Hannah Hogue had herself another stellar outing with a career high 57 assists, three blocks and 14 digs for another double-double.

Junior middle blocker Sania Petties played a huge role on both offense and defense and had a career night with a personal best 14 kills and hit .400. She also contributed four blocks, highest on the team.

Those weren’t the only records set in Barnhill on Wednesday as 4,299 fans were in attendance for the match, blowing the previous program high of 3,015 out of the water.

It’s the first time Arkansas has ever gone to five sets with a No. 1, and the two teams will have a rematch on Thursday at 7 p.m. The match will air live on ESPNU.

Set 1

There were five tie scores in the opening set, but Arkansas began to pull away with a three-point run driven by a kill and two aces from Head. The teams never let the other get too hot, but the Hogs also never let the Badgers lead after that. A Wisconsin service error and an ace by Hogue made it 20-17 Razorbacks, and Wisconsin called time. The Badgers came within one, but Arkansas locked in and scored back-to-back for set point. Wisconsin took another timeout, but a kill by Head sealed the first set 25-21 for the Hogs.

Set 2

Arkansas led for most of the set but hit a wall after the 14th point. Wisconsin took advantage of a six-point run and went up 17-14, which sent the Hogs to a timeout. The Hogs tacked on six more points to hit 20 but couldn’t catch the Badgers. They ended up taking the set 25-20 to even the match at 1-1.

Set 3

The third set started tight, but the Hogs added a trio of kills from Cartwright and Petties for an early 7-4 lead. Wisconsin used a timeout to regroup, but couldn’t stop Arkansas’ run, which the Hogs extended to 10-4. The Badgers gave chase and came within two at 14-12, which prompted a Razorback timeout. Wisconsin stayed on Arkansas’ heels, but the Razorbacks used an ace from Maggie Cartwright and went up 21-18. Three straight points brought it to set point, but Wisconsin turned on the jets and made it 24-22. Despite a huddle, the Badgers continued to push and closed out a seven-point run with set point at 26-24.

Set 4

Down but not out, Arkansas used two three-point runs early in the fourth for an 11-7 lead. The Hogs didn’t allow Wisconsin to score more than two points at a time and went up by as many as six. There’s was no catching the home team after that, and the Razorbacks came two away with a kill from Gillen. Wisconsin called time and added one more, but a kill from Wisconsin native Cartwright finished it 25-21 and forced a fifth.

Set 5

The Hogs grabbed the first two points of the deciding set, but the Badgers didn’t back down. The score was tied four times from there, and Wisconsin used a three-point run and went up 8-6. The teams switched sides, and Arkansas began to gain some momentum. Three straight put Arkansas up 10-9, and Wisconsin huddled. The Hogs were up by one three times, and it was 13-12 off a kill from Cartwright, but the Badgers finished it out with three straight for the 15-13 victory and match win.

Arkansas took on the Lady Badgers in another thriller on Thursday. Watch for this story later today on RNN Sports!

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Emily Polglaze.

AGFC, AEDC Offer $713,000 from Poaching Fines to Arkansas Schools

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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3:19 am

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AGFC, AEDC Offer $713,000 from Poaching Fines to Arkansas Schools

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

Nearly three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities.

All wildlife and fishing fine money collected in each Arkansas county last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their school. The money is available through grants administered by AEDC.

Teachers and administrators have until Oct. 25 to apply for a conservation education grant at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant. The amount of money available in each county is based upon the fines collected in that county and any unused funds from previous years. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply for these grants regardless of size or population.

“Last year these grants paid for everything from field trips to nature centers and educator workshops to building butterfly habitats and other outdoor experiences right on school grounds,” AGFC Chief of Education Tabbi Kinion said. “Grants averaged about $3,000, and ranged from $300 to $16,500. The grant amount really boils down to fine money available in each county and number of applicants.”

All fine money collected in each county never really crosses county lines. In some rural school districts, these extra dollars have played pivotal roles in offering conservation education programs that would otherwise have been cut due to lack of funding.

“AGFC programs like Archery in the Schools, Fishing in The Natural State and schoolyard habitat are often funded with these grants, but any needs for conservation education a school has, even class supplies to teach the Outdoor Adventures program, are eligible for grant funding,” Kinion said.

Visit www.agfc.com/conservationgrants for more information on the program, a link to the application site and a county-by-county list of grant money available.

Arrest Reports 8/20

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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12:02 am

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Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Amanda Jean Adams of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 9:30 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Adams was charged with Parole Violation, Refusal To Submit To Arrest Misdemeanor, Fleeing -On Foot-Misd., and Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.

Morgan Barker of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 1:31 p.m. and and remains at the SCADC as a ADC commitment hold.

Kyler Allen Boyd of Boles was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 21 at 7:05 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Boyd was charged with ADC Commitment Hold, Return To Testify, and Failure to Appear – Class C Felony

Morgan Louis McKey of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 24 at 6:23 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 25 at 8:19 p.m. McKey was charged with two counts of Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Recklessly, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Second Degree, and Terroristic Threatening in the Second Degree.

Trinity Adonica McKusker of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 23 at 8:11 p.m. and released on signature bond August 23 at 9:43 p.m. McKusker was charged with Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor.

Alex George Rayner of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 8:45 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Rayner was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II 28-200g Felony, and Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.

Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
James Christopher Bell of Cameron, OK was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 9:33 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 27 at 3:42 a.m. Bell was charged with speeding – more than 15 mph over limit, reckless driving 1st offense, fleeing – vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia – ingest meth/cocaine, and possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II felony <2g.

Michael Glen Cowan of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 11:44 p.m. and released August 27 at 4:34 p.m. Cowan was charged with Petition to Show Cause, and Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.

Angelene Ellen Woodward of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 23 at 2:11 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 23 at 9 p.m. Woodward was charged with Maintaining a Premises for Drug Activity-within 1000 feet of drug free zone. Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, Possession of [Schedule I/II Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >2g.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Cory Justin Bennett of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 4:45 a.m. and released on cash bond August 25 at 10:22 a.m. Bennett was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Charles David Miner of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 12:47 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Miner was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others, Disorderly Conduct – Excessive Noise, and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree > $1,000 but < $5,000.

Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Armando Guzman of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 8:04 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 28 at 4:31 p.m. Guzman was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree, and Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Sierra Ann Johnson of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 21 at 6:57 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 21 at 11:32 p.m. Johnson was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Pack, Repack and others, and Possession of [Schedule VI Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >14g.

Charles Richard King of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 25 at 11:03 p.m. and released on signature bond August 26 at 3:09 a.m. King was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Jason Lee Lovett of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 2:17 a.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 26 at 9:23 a.m. Lovett was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd., and two counts of Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Michelle Dawn Martin of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 21 at 7:04 p.m. and released on August 24 at 3:44 p.m. Martin was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, and Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.

Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
Timmy Don Scrivner, JR of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 26 at 5:02 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Scrivner was charged with parole violation and absconding.

Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
James Edwards Trotter of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 23 at 2:10 p.m. and released on signature bond August 23 at 3:51 p.m. Trotter was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Samuel Swiney, 22 of Bristol, TN, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 21 at 1:09 a.m. Swiney was charged with failure to appear, and warrant served.

Misty Holcomb, 42 of Bristol, TN, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 21 at 2:37 a.m. Holcomb was charged with four counts of failure to appear, one count of failure to pay, and warrant served.

Charlie Robberson, 36 of Stigler, OK, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 26 at 9:18 p.m. Robberson was charged with nonsupport.

Jessica Curtis, 39 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 26 at 3:52 p.m. Curtis was charged with bond surrender, and failure to appear.

Daniel Kemp, 50 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 25 at 6:09 p.m. Kemp was charged with ten counts of pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, and warrant served.

Timothy Black, 64 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 25 at 5:45 p.m. Black was sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Haskal Swanson, 33 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 25 at 3:02 a.m. Swanson was charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication, fleeing, criminal trespass, and resisting arrest.

Leroy Daniels, 78 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 25 at 12:24 a.m. Daniels was charged with two counts of failure to appear.

Bobby Shavers, 44 of Dover, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 24 at 6:12 p.m. Shavers was charged with theft by receiving.

Klarissa Ring, 23 of Fayetteville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 21 at 11:41 p.m. Ring was charged with failure to appear.

Cebran Hamilton, 49 of Subiaco, was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 21 at 10:06 a.m. Hamilton was charged with aggravated assault on a family or household member, terroristic threatening in the first degree, and possession of firearm by certain persons.

Arresting agency: Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
Kirby Bien, 49 of Clarksville, was booked into the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on August 25 at 9:06 a.m. and released on August 28 at 6:25 p.m. Bien was charged with contempt – failure to comply, failure to appear on violation (FTA).

Mylissa Archer, 42 of Alma, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 23 at 4:21 p.m. Archer was charged with burglary, residential theft of property/all other.

Timothy John Pascale, 41 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 24 at 8:13 p.m. Pascale was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.

Everett W Smith, 48 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 24 at 2:13 p.m. Smith was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, resisting arrest, and public intoxication.

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

ASPSF Accepting Applications for Spring 2024 Financial Aid

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Tammy Teague

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8:25 pm

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ASPSF Accepting Applications for Spring 2024 Financial Aid

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is accepting scholarship applications for the Spring 2024 semester through Oct. 15 at aspsf.org/applynow.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund alumna Carrie Terry receives her scholarship from volunteer Dave Stevens. Carrie received a single parent scholarship each semester from 2018-2021 and graduated in 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. (Photo Courtesy ASPSF).

Single parents enrolled at trade schools, community colleges, and universities can receive up to $1,600 next spring to help pay for expenses that get in the way of their education. This can include car repairs, shoes for growing children, internet, or groceries.

“The scholarship helped me purchase a laptop,” ASPSF Alumna Carrie Terry said. “I took that laptop with me to dance competitions, to ball games. I did a lot of homework at intermissions, at halftimes, at practices, and my lunch hours at work so I didn’t have to sacrifice all the hours with my kids.”

Charlotte with Daughter Journey (Photo Courtesy ASPSF)

ASPSF recipients also receive wraparound services from staff and volunteers. The ASPSF team provides mentoring, resources, and encouragement to help single parents stay in school through graduation and find the profitable career of their dreams.

To apply for a Spring 2024 scholarship, single parents must have a GED or high school diploma, a 2.0 GPA in past courses, and a household income typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. A full list of ASPSF’s eligibility guidelines is here: aspsf.org/eligibility.

For more information about the nonprofit — which has awarded more than $50 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at jpara@aspsf.org or 479.318.2885.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund alumna Carrie Terry (right) shared her educational journey on Aug. 12 at an ASPSF fundraiser. Following her mother’s footsteps, Carrie’sdaughter (left) is now enrolled in college. (Photo Courtesy ASPSF)

About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: For more than a30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.

New Diner Opens, Gives Back in Midst of Loss

Tammy Teague

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7:41 pm

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New Diner Opens, Gives Back in Midst of Loss

A new diner in Huntington opened on September 1. Owners, Beverly Stockdale and Richard Deeds have been working overtime to ensure a successful opening.

ADee Diner, located at 112 E. Broadway in Huntington, will serve southern traditional foods, including hamburgers, catfish, homestyle breakfast, and daily specials. Specials will include Monday night wings and football, Taco Tuesday, hamburger specials on Wednesday, spaghetti on Thursday, all you can eat catfish on Friday, steaks on Saturday, and chef’s choice on Sunday.

Stockdale indicated that hamburgers will be fresh, not frozen, and the catfish will be freshly battered. “Richard will be doing the cooking, and he has many years of experience managing restaurants…Prices will be moderate, and the food high quality.”

The diner has a unique name, and a back story that will tug at your heart strings. Stockdale lost her daughter, Lindsay, in June, leaving a young daughter, Addison behind.

“We have poured our energy into this, but we want to do it in honor of Lindsay and leave a legacy for Addy (Addison),” shared Stockdale. “We plan to open our doors on Thanksgiving to those who don’t have a place to go and feed them like Joyce (Joyce’s Diner) used to. In honor of Lindsay, we want to give back.”

Additionally, the diner will feature a unique juke box, and live music on Saturday nights, featuring Adam Short of Jughill Annie.”

Stockdale shared they will be featuring the ample history of Huntington area. “I have taken over tours of the Huntington jail, so we will be offering that as well,” continued Stockdale.

The community responded with a positive, supportive turnout for the diner’s opening. “We want to hear from our patrons, concluded Stockdale.” If there isn’t something that isn’t right, we want to know about it.”

For carryout orders, you can call 479-597-6940. You can also visit their Facebook page for more information about menu items.

Childhood Memories: My First Razorback Football Game at War Memorial Stadium, 1968

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Resident News Network

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10:22 pm

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Childhood Memories: My First Razorback Football Game at War Memorial Stadium, 1968

LITTLE ROCK- This Saturday, the Razorbacks will return to historic War Memorial Stadium to play a non-conference football game with Western Carolina to open the 2023 season.

And I have to be open with our readers…as a person who grew up in North Little Rock as a child and counted the days until the Razorbacks played in Little Rock each year, it hurts me to hear the negative comments about playing at War Memorial Stadium.

War Memorial is certainly no comparison to other stadiums across the country. It is almost 75 years old and lacks the amenities of today’s modern stadiums. It does not have the seating capacity of most stadiums today, seating approximately 54,120. But it is an indelible piece of Razorbacks football history, and not so much unlike the colorful histories of Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, on a state, collegiate football scale, it is an important piece of Arkansas history and should be treated with respect.

Back in the day, Arkansas played 3-4 games a year at War Memorial. Usually, two non-conference games and two conference games were played each year. During the Hogs’ history of playing in the Southwest Conference, some of the most memorable games in Razorbacks history were played at War Memorial. And during this run, those games were not just limited to great conference games, but great non-conference games as well against the likes of Stanford, USC, California, Air Force, Oklahoma State, and others. The NFL and the former AFL have played exhibition, preseason games at the stadium, as well.

For me, my first Razorbacks game I ever attended was with my father on November 16, 1968. I was nine years old, and for me, it was so exciting to get to go to my first Razorbacks game. I had listened to their games on the radio, broadcasted then by the legendary Bud Campbell, and on rare occasion, had watched them on television. So, for me, that day could have been the Super Bowl, and it wouldn’t have been any more exciting to me than going to my very first Arkansas football game. The Razorbacks were BIG back then, and kids waited all year for Razorbacks football season to start. It was a great time to be a kid.

On that bright and sunny fall afternoon, we, along with 53,000 fans saw an exciting and later to be known as a historic game between Number 10 Arkansas and Number 14 SMU. The Hogs featured a sophomore class that would go on to Razorback stardom the next year as juniors when they would become Number 2 in the nation and face Number 1 Texas in 1969 for the national championship. But on this day, it was the vaunted offensive attack of SMU coach Hayden Fry and his quarterback Chuck Hixson. Hixson and the offense featured the legendary running back, Jerry Levias, who became the first African American football player in the Southwest Conference and was also the first African American player who played against the Arkansas football program.

Arkansas jumped out to a commanding 35-0 lead just before the half. But SMU stormed back in the second half, closing the deficit to 35-29. The Arkansas defense held on, and SMU ran out of time, and the Hogs would win, 35-29. I remember my dad and others around me going crazy, scared that Arkansas was going to give up the lead and lose the game.

The Hogs would go on to win ten games that season, including a big 16-2 win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. SMU would win eight games that season, including a big 28-27 win over Oklahoma in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

Arkansas’s football history was in-part built at War Memorial Stadium. Time has passed the great Central Arkansas stadium, but it and its history should be respected. Some of the greatest teams, coaches, and players have played on the War Memorial turf. And just as Alabama used to play a portion of their games, including their annual rivalry game with Auburn at Legion Field in Birmingham back in the day, it may be time also for Arkansas to move past playing at War Memorial.

But in all due respect, referring to it as a dump, or as trash, or bashing it in other ways, well, it just seems to be disrespectful and unnecessary. Perhaps there is a new purpose for the grand old lady of a stadium. But no matter what happens in the future, the colorful and important history of the stadium should never be forgotten, and the stadium should be preserved. It is a landmark in Arkansas history.

And for me, it is the place of one of my fondest childhood memories.

Game Notes: Western Carolina at Arkansas

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8:27 pm

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Game Notes: Western Carolina at Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK- Razorbacks football season is here! The Hogs will host the Western Carolina Catamounts Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Kickoff has been moved up to 12 Noon.

Here are game notes as provided by the University of Arkansas:

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
STATS Perform FCS/FCS Coaches Poll: NR/NR
Head Coach: Kerwin Bell (Florida, ‘98)
Career Record: 103-54 (15th season)
Record at Western Carolina: 10-12 (3rd season)

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (0-0, 0-0 SEC)
AP/Coaches: RV/RV
Head Coach: Sam Pittman (Pittsburg State, ‘86)
Career Record: 19-17 (4th season)
Record at Arkansas: Same

• Arkansas opens the 2023 campaign under fourth-year head coach Sam Pittman against Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 2, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on SEC Network+/ESPN+.

• The Razorbacks are 152-62-4 all-time, including a 1-0 mark in the Pittman era, at War Memorial Stadium, the program’s home venue in Central Arkansas since 1948.

• Entering 2023, Arkansas comes off its second consecutive bowl victory and its second consecutive winning season, a feat not accomplished by the program since 2015-16 when
the Hogs won 15 games with victories in the Texas Bowl and Liberty Bowl. From 2021-22, Arkansas has won 16 games with victories in the Outback Bowl and Liberty Bowl.

• Under Pittman, the Hogs have been invited to a bowl game in three consecutive seasons. Pittman is one of only four Arkansas coaches in program history to begin their tenures with three consecutive bowl berths, joining Lou Holtz (1977-79), Ken Hatfield (1984-86) and Houston Nutt (1998-2000).

• RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is coming off one of the greatest seasons by an Arkansas running back in recent memory after rushing for 10 touchdowns and 1,443 yards –fourth-most in a single season in school history – in 2022. Sanders, the first Arkansas running back to earn preseason
first-team All-SEC recognition since 2012, is just the second Razorback to ever run for 1,400+ yards and return to school the following year, joining the legendary Darren McFadden,
who ran for a then school record 1,647 yards in 2006 before breaking his own record in 2007 with 1,830 yards.

• DB Hudson Clark and LB Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr. are the Hogs’ leading returning tacklers, combining for 129 total stops and 12.0 tackles for loss in 2022. Paul also racked up four sacks, helping the Arkansas defense total 42 sacks on the year and break the program’s single-season sack record.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson.

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