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Arkansas Animal At Large Reporting Form Now Available  

Tammy Teague
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Arkansas Animal At Large Reporting Form Now Available  

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the launch of the Arkansas Animal at Large online reporting form. This new reporting form was developed to implement Act 594 which was enacted during the 2023 Regular Session of the Arkansas General Assembly and will provide a state-wide method of notification of lost livestock.

Both those who have found livestock and those who have lost livestock may post notifications with photographs and descriptions of the animals, the dates they were lost or found, and the county in which they were lost or found. The posted information will serve as the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s publicly accessible record of all livestock currently in the custody of impounders within the state.

“The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to offer this new resource to our state’s citizens,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “The Animal at Large reporting process gives agricultural producers a new tool to find lost livestock and ensure safe return.”

Act 594 was sponsored by Senator Ben Gilmore and Representative Howard Beaty and had broad support from the Arkansas agriculture industry. In addition to providing better avenues for enforcement and resolution of disputes, Act 594 updated, modified, and clarified 27 statutes and repealed 59 antiquated laws regarding livestock running at large. Prior to Act 594, many of the statutes regarding fencing and livestock running at large dated back to the 1800s, with some statutes not being substantially altered since the 1940s.

Access the Animal at Large reporting form here. Act 594 can be found here.

First Two-Point Conversion in NFL History Took Place on Labor Day Weekend

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First Two-Point Conversion in NFL History Took Place on Labor Day Weekend

CLEVELAND- Labor Day has its own meaning to all of us. For most of our working society, the day means a long weekend off from work and the chance to rest and spend time with family. And often times, spending time at home also means spending time in front of the television, watch our favorite sporting events.

A little more than 30 years ago, the NFL approved the addition of the two-point conversion in all league games. The rule afforded teams the chance to go for two points after a touchdown instead of kicking for a single extra point.

Add this fact to the philosophy of the NFL selecting Labor Day as its official starting point for each season. Just as the Labor Day weekend symbolically represents the end of the summer, the NFL has used the Labor Day date on the calendar as its symbolic end to the summer and the start of football season.

And with the stage set, the story of Labor Day weekend in 1994 and a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, a game that normally would have had very little significance, became a benchmark in NFL history. In that game, former Ohio State quarterback and Cleveland Browns punter, Tom Tupa, scored the first two-point conversion in NFL history. Tupa, who held for extra points as the backup quarterback for the Browns, lined up as the holder on a traditional extra point kick attempt and took the ball after the snap and ran to his left end behind offensive tackle Orlando Brown, broke a tackle, and scored the first two-point conversion in pro football history. The play came in the first quarter and gave the Browns an 11-0 lead over the Bengals. The Browns were coached at the time by Bill Belichick who would later go on to win multiple Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

So, Labor Day can have special meaning for all of us. For the fans in Cincinnati on that day in 1994, they can always say that they witnessed football history. For most of us, it will probably be a day off from work.

Labor Day was first celebrated in 1887 in the state of Oregon who was the first state to officially recognize the day as a holiday. It later became a federal holiday in 1894, interestingly enough, 100 years before Tom Tupa’s famous run for the NFL’s first two-point conversion!

I wonder if Tom Tupa knew he was making Labor Day history in the NFL exactly 100 years after it became a holiday? Hmmm…I am sure he was thinking that when those 300-pound NFL linemen were chasing him!

Keep it between the buoys 

Tammy Teague
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Keep it between the buoys 

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK – The heat of summer often leads anglers to large rivers where current breaks can position bass and other sport fish for fishing that lasts longer than the first hour after sunrise. But traveling on a river like the Arkansas and navigating some of Arkansas’s shallower, more cover-filled reservoirs can be a daunting task for people who don’t know what all those buoys and channel markers mean. How do you know which side of the buoys to stay on when traveling up or down a river?

Whether you are paddling a canoe, chugging along in a jon boat or cruising on pad in a bass boat to your next prospective fishing spot, this simple rule will keep you in the right place – in the channel where it’s safe.

Remember the 3 R’s of boating: “Red right returning.” It applies in Arkansas and all over the nation.

Returning means going upstream. Keep the red buoys on your right as you travel upstream. That means the green buoys will be on your left.

If you are going downstream, just reverse this. The red buoys will be on your left, green buoys on your right.

Buoys are found in many sizes and shapes. Just the red and green ones mark channels. Others are white and are for information. These may be directions to a facility, for controlled areas like no-wake zones, and to identify underwater dangers like rocks or dams. A buoy with black and white vertical stripes marks an obstruction; don’t travel between it and the shore or bank. And if you’re looking for a fishing hot spot on an AGFC-managed lake, keep an eye out for a yellow buoy with a fish symbol or a blue reflective sign on the bank with three white fish icons on it. That’s where fisheries biologists have planted complex fish attractors like brush piles and porcupine cubes to give you a better shot at connecting with a bite. 

For more details on boating navigation rules in Arkansas and boater education courses offered by the AGFC, visit www.agfc.com/en/education/first-steps-outdoors/boatered.

AGFC launches new online hunting license system, smartphone app

Tammy Teague
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AGFC launches new online hunting license system, smartphone app

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — Renewing your hunting and fishing licenses this year will be easier than ever before, thanks to an upgraded online licensing portal launching this week. Smartphone users also will find a new AGFC mobile app to download and keep handy this hunting season.  

The main license purchasing web page will be similar to previous online license systems, but will offer more user-friendly customizations, including license listings based upon the user’s residency, age and current license purchases.

“You’ll get the same feel as many online stores where you will create and log into a personalized account and only the selections that you are eligible for will be visible,” Spencer Griffith, AGFC Deputy Director, said. “You will need to log in using your choice of contact information you’ve submitted in the past, and the system will connect you with your account. Once you’re set up, the system should be much faster to use, so you can get out hunting and fishing instead of fiddling with a website or your phone.”  

The new system also will be more inclusive to all hunters and anglers in Arkansas. By the end of the year, the interface will be available in both English and Spanish. 

In addition to the new license system, the AGFC’s smartphone application will see a relaunch later this week to make it more compatible with today’s smartphones and make checking deer and turkeys possible without the need for cell phone service. To take advantage of these features, users will need to delete the old app from their phones and find the new application listed under “AGFC” in Apple’s app store and the Google Play store. Once the new app is downloaded, users will need to log in to their same account as the website to ensure all their license purchases are correct. 

When hunting seasons begin, the number of tags each license allows will be activated. The hunter can log back into the app before the hunt to verify their tags. After that, they may use those tag locations in the app to check their deer, bear or turkey, even without a cell signal. Once the phone is back in range of data signals, the information will be sent to the information, but the proof of the filled electronic tag on the hunter’s phone will serve as proof that the hunter has electronically tagged their deer. 

“People can still tag their deer with a paper tag they make themselves until they reach cell phone service and call it in, but the app adds a level of convenience for our hunters to get their deer checked and get it home to enjoy as quickly as possible,” Griffith said.

River Valley Regional Food Bank Joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month Campaign, Highlighting What’s Possible in a World Without Food Insecurity

Tammy Teague
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River Valley Regional Food Bank Joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month Campaign, Highlighting What’s Possible in a World Without Food Insecurity

For Hunger Action Month this September, the River Valley Regional Food Bank will join Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire conversation and drive passion for the issue of hunger. The month-long campaign will highlight the impact of food on people’s lives, and show how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies. When people are fed, futures are nourished, and individuals go from just living to truly thriving.
September marks the 16th year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including the River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith, and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call to action. By joining the movement, the River Valley Regional Food Bank believes our collective voices, actions and commitment will help ensure every community has the food it needs to flourish.
“Food has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. We have all experienced firsthand how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Access to nutritious food is essential for each of us to reach our full potential and reminds us that we can all help to create positive change in our communities to ensure that no one goes hungry in America. Now is the time for us to come together to elevate the voices of people who experience food insecurity and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.”
During the month of September, people across the Arkansas River Valley can get involved by listening, acting and inviting others to speak up about ways to end hunger.
• Make a monetary contribution, where $1 = 10 meals to a family in need
• Volunteer for a shift at the food bank
• Host a food drive
“We have all experienced being hungry, but a lot of our neighbors are experiencing hunger. The difference in the two is hunger can impact our physical and mental well- being,” said River Valley Regional Food Bank Director Tracy Engel. “One in four children in the River Valley are impacted by hunger; and while the statistics are staggering, they are also eye opening and a call to action. September is just that a call — where Feeding America food banks such as the River Valley Regional Food Bank and the other 199 across the nation ask for their communities to help them in their collective mission to fight hunger.”
Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the country to collectively act against hunger. You can choose to donate or advocate. You can choose to volunteer or raise awareness. You can choose to help end hunger. Learn how you can take action by visiting www.rvrfoodbank.org.

Got Guts? Donate Blood!

Tammy Teague
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Got Guts? Donate Blood!

GREENWOOD — Spooky season is coming! Don’t be a scaredy cat. Save a life this fall by giving blood with Our Blood Institute.

Join Walmart Greenwood for a blood drive with Our Blood Institute from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday, September 1, on the bloodmobile. .  

Starting September 1st, eligible blood donors will receive a limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark “Got Guts?” T-shirtand one free entry to the Little Rock Zoo.

“Vein Drain is all about having fun with all things Halloween, but the reality is, every two seconds someone needs blood to see tomorrow,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Our Blood Institute. “By giving just an hour of your time, you can save the lives of up to three patients in immediate need or going through treatment at our local hospitals.”

Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Blood can be donated every 56 days and platelets can be given as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.

*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required.

Lone Star Conference Releases Cross Country Preseason Polls; Four Named Runners to Watch

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Lone Star Conference Releases Cross Country Preseason Polls; Four Named Runners to Watch

RICHARDSON, Texas – The Lone Star Conference announced its 2023 Cross Country Preseason polls this week, as voted on by the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.

Dallas Baptist was picked to defend its women’s title, while West Texas A&M was chosen to repeat on the men’s side. 47 athletes were named as Runners to Watch.

UAFS was tabbed 10th in the women’s poll with 196 points and ninth in the men’s poll with 134 points. Runners to watch include Joyce Ferguson, Jennifer Martinez, Corey Maxwell and Isaac Teague.

The top five of the women’s poll included DBU (460 points), West Texas A&M (450), Oklahoma Christian (375), St. Edward’s (367) and Midwestern State (366). DBU received 21 first-place votes while WT had nine and Oklahoma Christian one.

In the men’s poll, the top five consisted of West Texas A&M (363), DBU (343), Western New Mexico (309), St. Edward’s (301) and Oklahoma Christian (252). WT totaled 27 first-place votes while DBU had two.

Ferguson placed 95th in the LSC Championships and 153rd in the South Central Regional a year ago and has a best 5k time of 19:50.8.

Martinez, one of three seniors of the roster, ran career bests in both the 5k and 6k last season. She placed 85th in the LSC Championships with a 6k time of 26:07.3 and posted a 5k time of 20:15.2 at the UAH DII Festival Showcase.

Maxwell returns for a fifth season to compete for the Lions, coming off a career-best year in 2022. He ran his best 8k with a time of 27:20.2 at the UAFS DII Festival Showcase and finished 93rd and 156th, respectively, at the LSC Championships and South Central Regional.

Teague ran an 8k best of 28:54.3 last year at UAH and placed 85th at the LSC Championships and 158th at the South Central Regional.

UAFS is once again set to start off the season with the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic September 2.

 

 2023 LSC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

RankTeam (1st pl. votes)Points
1Dallas Baptist (21)460
2West Texas A&M (9)450
3Oklahoma Christian (1)375
4St. Edward’s367
5Midwestern State366
6Cameron269
7Texas A&M International263
8Lubbock Christian243
9Western New Mexico204
10UAFS196
11Angelo State151
12UT Tyler146
13Eastern New Mexico97
14Texas A&M-Kingsville81
15UT Permian Basin43

2023 LSC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

RankTeam (1st pl. votes)Points
1West Texas A&M (27)363
2Dallas Baptist (2)343
3Western New Mexico309
4St. Edward’s301
5Oklahoma Christian252
6UT Tyler245
7Texas A&M International193
8Cameron155
9UAFS134
10Lubbock Christian130
11Angelo State91
12Eastern New Mexico60
13Texas A&M-Kingsville57

Jeep Wrangler DIY Projects: Customizing Your Ride

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Jeep Wrangler DIY Projects: Customizing Your Ride

The Jeep Wrangler is arguably the best car for DIY projects and modifications. And by customizing your ride specifically for tailgating, you can create a space that’s convenient while also reflecting your style. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just enjoy the social aspect of tailgating, these DIY projects will take your experience to the next level.

Built-In or Mounted Cooler

Tailgating involves enjoying good food and drinks while cheering on your favorite team. Thankfully, the current generation of Wranglers all feature a drainable compartment in the trunk that’s suitable for temporary cooling at the tailgate. But a mountable cooler system is worth considering if you want something less temporary and a little cleaner, especially if you plan on cooking meats. For this DIY project, you can create a mount that attaches to your Jeep’s rear bumper or roll cage, providing easy access to refreshments without interrupting the party. This custom mount can fit the cooler of your choice, providing greater flexibility and freedom when modifying your trusty SUV.

Food Prep Table Attachment

Having a food prep table attachment for your Jeep Wrangler can make a world of difference during your tailgate party. This attachment provides extra table space for chopping, slicing, and assembling your favorite tailgate dishes. There are various options available, depending on your preferences and needs. Some food prep table attachments are designed to slide out on rollers from the back seat floor or the trunk, allowing you to access the table whenever needed. Others can be mounted on the exterior of your Jeep, ensuring that you have ample space for preparing food without sacrificing interior room. With a food prep table attachment, you can create a designated area for prepping meals, making tailgating even more enjoyable and efficient.

Tent Extension or Awning

A tent extension or awning is a fantastic DIY project that provides an outdoor shelter right beside your Jeep Wrangler. This gives you and your fellow tailgaters a protected area away from the sun, rain, or wind. There are various options for adding a tent extension or awning to your Jeep Wrangler. You can choose a rooftop tent that mounts directly on top of your vehicle, giving you a cozy sleeping space and an elevated viewing platform during tailgating events.

Alternatively, you can opt for an awning that attaches to the side of your Jeep, providing shade and protection for your tailgate setup. The cost of a tent extension or awning can range from $200 to $1000, depending on the brand, size, and features. Additionally, you’ll need basic DIY skills, such as drilling, bolting, and possibly electrical work if your awning has built-in lighting or power outlets.

There are many automotive modifications best left to the pros; for instance, you should never DIY a Jeep hardtop paint job or perform a significant suspension adjustment. However, these Jeep Wrangler DIY projects are entirely affordable and possible. Consider these projects when customizing your ride and optimize your tailgating experience.

Waldron City Council Meets in Special Session; Discusses Call for Special Election

Tammy Teague
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Waldron City Council Meets in Special Session; Discusses Call for Special Election

The Waldron City Council met in special session on Tuesday night, August 22, at 6 p.m., Waldron City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss an ordinance providing for the levy of 0.25% sales and use tax for maintenance and operation and to call for special election for a 0.50% sales and use tax for park and recreation improvements.

Members of the council present were Dawna Young, Josh Lovett, Jeff Gilbert, Chad Owens, Mark Ashford and Doyle Dickens. Also present, Mayor David Millard, and Clerk/Treasurer Brad Dick.

Ryan Bowman with Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP in Little Rock addressed the council. Bowman is an attorney with a firm specializing in bond counsel.

Bowman presented the council with three proposed ordinances. In ordinance one, the 0.25% sales and use tax would be a permanent tax to be used to pay principal and interest on any bonds approved by the voters with the excess that is not needed to pay on the debt service on the bonds to come back to the city to be used for parks and recreational purposes.

The second proposed ordinance called for an election on November 14, on that levy of 0.25% sales and use tax.

The third ordinance called an election on the issuance of bonds in a maximum amount of $4.7 million dollars for the park projects it also levies a 0.5% sales and use tax that can only be used to pay debt service on a bond issue. When the bonds are paid in full, that half cent sales tax goes away.

“Both questions must be passed for you to accomplish what you want as a council,” stressed Bowman. “This would be an issue to call for a special election, and the city would be responsible for that election.”

Several members of the community were present and expressed their views on the proposed ordinances.

“We want to bathrooms in our existing park,” shared Mayor David Millard. We are also looking at a splash pad and improvement on things like walking trails…The actual goal is to improve our town and to get things that other towns are getting to attract people.”

After an exchange of views and information from the audience, Clerk/Treasurer Brad Dick emphasized that this meeting was only to see if the council wished to move these questions forward to the voters.

In the end, the motion to move forward with the proposed ordinances failed. Bowman expressed that time was of the essence if the council decided to place a proposal on the November ballot, and that anything later would have to be put off until the March primary.

With no further action and no other items of business, the motion was made to adjourn the special meeting.

In a statement, Mayor David Millard emphasized the importance of parks and recreation, noting they strengthen local economies and create job opportunities, increase community engagement and reduce crime, provide for a place for children and families to connect with nature, increase tourism and generate sales activity, enhance property values, increase municipal revenue, bring homebuyers and workers and attract retirees.

“I plan to continue to work towards progress in the city,” concluded Millard.

Waldron School Board Meets in Special Session

Tammy Teague
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Waldron School Board Meets in Special Session

​A special board meeting of the Waldron School Board was held in the Central Office Building, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.  Board members present were Clay Woodall, Mac Davis and Konnor McKay. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding and Misty Owens.

​President Clay Woodall called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.

​A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to approve the Consent Agenda Items; A) Approve Invoices to Aleshire Electric Inc., B) Approve Invoices to Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative.  Motion carried 3-0. 

​A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the signers for signature card for Community National Bank; Daniel Fielding, Misty Owens, and Angela Hunsucker.  Motion carried 3-0. 

​A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to approve the Petition for Transfer of Student.  Motion carried 3-0.

​A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konnor McKay to accept the resignation of Holley Cole as ABC Paraprofessional as of August 31, 2023.  Motion carried 3-0.

​A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to accept the recommendation to hire Vanessa Zimmerman as a Level 4 Bus Driver with 8 years’ experience, effective August 10, 2023.  Motion carried 3-0.

​A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to adjourn.  Motion carried 3-0.

​Meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.

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