U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Richard McKinney in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans.
Richard McKinney spent much of his Air Force career in a division of the service he says is not usually popular – the Office of Special Investigations (OSI).
He grew up in a military household, following his dad’s Air Force career all over the world, and enlisted himself after graduating from Greenwood High School. McKinney attributed his father’s time on active duty to his decision to enlist. “I just kind of grew up and always knew that I liked that military life, I liked that structure. And growing up on the military bases it was just a very natural environment for me.”
McKinney joined the Air Force in 1973. He trained as an electrician and eventually moved into management with the civil engineering division, but re-enlisted and eventually found his calling when an OSI officer said they were looking for new agents.
He successfully navigated OSI’s rigorous selection process and throughout his career was involved with investigations that ranged from narcotics and fraud to counterintelligence. He also served in Operation Desert Shield and was assigned to help keep secret U.S. military programs secure.
“A commander would come up and say, “Okay. I’ve got this program. I’m not going to tell you what it is. I want you to send a team in this building – it’s where we work – and I want you to tell me if you can find any leaks about information about what we do, what we’re working on, where we’re going. Things like that,” McKinney shared. “We would do whatever we needed to do, just like an adversary would do. Then we would come back after those operations and write up a classified report and then we would go back to the organization.” “We always came in with a non-adversarial approach. We didn’t want to put anyone in jail. It was really a tool to help them plug the holes. Keeps those programs safe, secure.”
After more than 20 years McKinney retired from military service and began devoting time to the needs of veterans in his community. He served as a VFW Post Commander in Greenwood for many years and worked to enhance the organization’s public service work.
“We are recognized nationally at our post there for being a community service post, which we are extremely proud of,” McKinney said. “We are an outreach, we want to do things in the community. You need something done you come to the VFW, we will try to figure out how to get it done.”
McKinney also advocates for hiring veterans. “The veterans are such a huge asset. I tell people in private business: if you get somebody that’s done a hitch in the service, you’ve got a guy who knows how to show up on time. You’ve got a guy who knows how to dedicate himself to a project,” he said.
He has focused on getting a younger generation of men and women who served in uniform involved in local veteran organizations to help increase their influence on policies impacting them and their fellow veterans.
“Richard McKinney honorably served our nation in uniform and was dedicated to maintaining security for U.S. military programs. His time in our Armed Forces, devotion to our national security and concern for his fellow veterans all demonstrate his character and patriotism. I am grateful to collect and preserve his memories of service,” Boozman said.
Boozman will submit McKinney’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.
By Rebekah Hall U of A System Division of Agriculture
As families resume their busy back to school schedules, it’s important to take time to exercise. Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week, group-based exercise program from the Cooperative Extension Service, is designed to help Arkansans get moving and collaborate with peers.
GET MOVING, ARKANSAS — To help Arkansans get active, the Cooperative Extension Service’s Walk Across Arkansas program asks participants to log their number of minutes spent being physically active each day. The free program is offered each spring and fall, and past participants list numerous benefits, including better sleep, lower stress levels and strengthened relationships with teammates. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)
The free program is offered each spring and fall by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Participants record the total number of minutes spent being physically active each day — and any moderate to vigorous physical activity that boosts the heart rate counts — not just walking.
Teams can consist of one person to as many as 30 people. Participants can register and log exercise minutes at walk.uada.edu/walk/. Registration for the fall 2023 session opens Aug. 28, and the competition starts Sept. 11 and ends on Nov. 5.
Heather Wingo, extension health program associate for the Division of Agriculture, said the Walk Across Arkansas program is a great resource for Arkansans looking to improve their health.
“Walk Across Arkansas provides an endless list of benefits, such as improving physical activity goals, encouraging teamwork, improved strength and stamina, and lower stress levels,” Wingo said. “And it’s completely free, making it very accessible for all participants.”
Positive results
During the spring 2023 Walk Across Arkansas session, 409 participants on 82 teams from 43 counties logged 1,036,886 minutes. Wingo said many participants reported they had more energy, slept better, controlled stress, strengthened relationships, lost weight or inches, and improved their blood panels and blood pressure.
“Participants can start slow and gradually build up their exercise time over the course of eight weeks as they get stronger,” Wingo said. “If you need a little motivation to get going, having friends with similar goals can help you stay on track.”
Anyone can participate in Walk Across Arkansas. Division of Agriculture employees must use a personal email address, not their work email address, to register. Visit walk.uada.edu/walk/ to learn more and register or contact your local county extension agent.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H: Sherry Lea Adams of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 8:03 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 19 at 3:51 p.m. Adams was charged with Driving on Suspended or Revoked DL – DWI, and Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree – False ID.
Arresting agency – Huntington Police Department: Caren Joyce Burgess of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 2:24 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on August 21 at 4:45 p.m. Burgess was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State.
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department: Kaleb Avery-Don Carter of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 2:22 a.m. and released on signature bond August 16 at 10:07 a.m. Carter was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Christopher Eugene Kampmann of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 1:14 a.m. and released on signature bond August 13 at 2:47 a.m. Kampmann was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Misdemeanor.
Gerard Anthony Ledoux of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 3:25 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 19 at 3:41 p.m. Ledoux was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree.
Arresting agency – Barling Police Department: Ricky Martin Chaffin of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 14 at 10:04 a.m. and released on signature bond August 15 at 10:07 a.m. Chaffin was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office: Natalie Dawn Christensen of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 7:14 p.m. and released on bond August 17 at 2:28 p.m. Christensen was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations-Impair, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
James Glenn of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 5:23 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 13 at 12:08 p.m. Glenn was charged with Careless Driving – Inattentive Operation, and Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Billy Joe Head of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 3:42 p.m. and remains as an Arkansas Department of Corrections hold.
Morgan Gene Jones of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 14 at 11:19 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Jones was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.
Haley Dee Miesner of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 12:33 a.m. and released to an outside agency on August 16 at 7:55 p.m. Miesner was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd.
Tanner Houston J Oakes of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 9:08 p.m. and released on signature bond August 13 at 10:53 p.m. Oakes was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Robert Ray Rocha of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 13 at 4:06 p.m. and released on August 14 at 5:06 p.m. Rocha was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.
Courtnee Elizabeth Saenz of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 12:40 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 21 at 4:05 p.m. Saenz was charged with Domestic Battering in the Second Degree – Victim <12 years old or >60 years old.
David Nathanael Sage of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 9:31 a.m. and released on August 21 at 8:33 a.m. Sage was charged with Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked.
Darren Wayne Schaeffer of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 5:43 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Schaeffer was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd., Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.
Rhiannon Michelle Souder of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 9:01 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 16 at 2:46 p.m. Souder was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree -Conduct, and Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Tara Kay Walker of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 11:30 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Walker was charged with ADC commitment hold.
Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department: Terrell Marquis Lawson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 7:13 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Lawson was charged with Aggravated Assault, Refusal To Submit To Arrest Misdemeanor, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Heather Lynette Rogers of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 7:20 p.m. and released on cash bond August 16 at 12:02 a.m. Rogers was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Cody Stafford of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 15 at 9:27 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 17 at 4:09 p.m. Stafford was charged with Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole: Brandan Charles Loudermilk of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 12:27 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond Loudermilk was charged with absconding, parole violation, and ADC commitment hold.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police: Jacob Levi Rush of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 12:45 a.m. and released on signature bond August 18 at 6:30 a.m. Rush was charged with Public Intoxication – Annoyance.
Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office: David Heath Haney, 52 of Charleston, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 19 at 11:43 a.m. Haney was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.
Michael Gonzales, 27 of Altus, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 18 at 8:47 p.m. Gonzales was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).
Adam Capo, 37 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 18 at 3:34 p.m. Capo was charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct.
Katlyn Martin, 32 of Alma, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 17 at 5:09 p.m.
Megan Elizabeth Gunn, 35 of Elkins, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 17 at 12:40 p.m. Gunn was charged with two counts of failure to appear, and failure to comply with conditions of pre-trail release.
Jeremy Lee Boswell, 46 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 16 at 1:37 p.m. Boswell was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA), and parole violation.
Adam Lewis Swims, 33 of Lavaca, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on August 16 at 1:01 p.m. Swims was charged with public intoxication, drinking in public, disorderly conduct, battery 2nd degree/purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office: John Combs, 38 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 14 at 2:54 p.m. Combs was charged with failure to appear.
Zachary Mason, 26 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 18 at 10:35 a.m. Mason was charged with failure to appear, and two counts of violation of probation/suspended imposition of sentence.
Jason Bowden, 49 of Subiaco, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 19 at 10:06 p.m. Bowden was charged with failure to pay.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, August 17. All members of the council were present including Sheri Hopkins, Glen Hurt, Beverly Lyons, Julie Thomas, James Steele, and Boyd Farmer. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.
After approving the July meeting minutes and financials, the council heard the city services reports.
Mansfield Fire Chief Michael Smith was not present at the meeting, and Mayor Black read his report noting there were eight fire and 39 EMS calls. The report reflected that the new tornado sirens had been ordered. Smith included in his report that the E-One was still in Texas being repaired, and that the new tank on the tanker truck was also undergoing repairs. Smith attended the IAFC Fire-Rescue Conference in Kansas City, MO on August 16-18.
Next, Police Chief Wayne Robb gave his department report which noted (Scott County) four citations and 12 violations; (Sebastian County) five citations and nine violations. Robb also noted 39 department calls, 19 agency assists (five in Scott County and 16 in Sebastian County); 12 medical calls; two total incident/arrest reports; three accident reports; 64 traffic stops; 44 warnings issued; one DWI arrest; one adult arrest; and one animal call. Chief Robb also stated his department has had a total of five total training hours.
Public Works Director Derek Pollard presented his report to the council noting they had completed 118 service orders, 21 one call requests, storm damage cleanup, and a water leak repair. Pollard also noted that they are continuing a chlorine residual testing schedule to keep the disinfection levels monitored and that a water flushing plan is still in effect.
In matters of unfinished business, the council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2023-2, a water rate increase ordinance. Black stated the new rate will go into effect on October 1. In sum, the estimated rate increase will be anywhere from $8-$10 per bill. “If someone’s water bill was $60, it will go up to about $70,” shared Black. “The rate increase is not as severe as I first thought it would be.”
In matters of new business, the motion was made to enter into executive session. The purpose of executive session was to discuss a personnel matter.
The next item on the agenda, considering pay increases for Cody Hensley and Mark Walls. Both have exceeded the 90-day probationary period. The council voted to approve those raises.
In the last item of unfinished business, the consideration of two rural, non-voting members of water advisory committee. This is a newly formed advisory committee comprised of members of the council and two rural, non-voting members. The two non-resident customers from the area are to be outside the municipal boundaries and in an unincorporated area. Black asked the council members to submit recommended names for members to serve on the committee.
Before adjourning the meeting it was announced that the fishing derby would be held on September 9 at the Mansfield City Lake, and that the Citywide cleanup would be held on September 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Works Department.
With no other items of business, the meeting of the Mansfield City Council was adjourned.
Hello everyone! Hope the first week of school went well for all the teachers and kiddos.
I will never forget Jacob’s first day of kindergarten. I was a stay-at-home mom, and I was so, so, sad. I really missed my little guy. Here comes Chuck home from work, he had to go to Ft. Smith and get a part, and he says, “come and go with me, I know you are having a hard time.” So, away we went, and it sure did help. Sometimes it’s hard on moms to let go of our babies. That same baby is 30 years old today, but he is still my baby. He has done a lot of things in those 30 years that make me shake my head. He goes through phases and this particular time it was a cooking phase. He calls me and says, “mom how much oil do I put in the skillet?” He was grilling chicken I think, and I said, “about two tablespoons.” He responds with “whatever that is.” So, I had to tell him about teaspoons and tablespoons. The next time he is cooking, he is cooking at a friend’s house and calls me and says, “mom I am making baked potatoes and I have them wrapped in foil, now how long to I microwave them for?” I reply, “noooo, you cannot microwave foil!” Landsake, I can’t believe he hasn’t blown up the town of Mansfield or my house. What in the world.
Can I add, he’s smart. He’s been married a few years now and he is a good cook. He even made Loren a cake from scratch one time. You could not have found a place to lay down a toothpick on the counter, and there was cream cheese everywhere, but he did it.
When they got married, I asked Loren if she knew how to cook. Her reply was, “yes, Dino nuggets and French fries.” When she left to go home, I told Jacob, boy you are going to starve to death. Guess what? She is an awesome cook. And she can make just about anything and it’s delicious.
He is on another phase now. He borrows Ella’s keyboard and takes it home to learn how to play the keyboard. Well, he brings it back a couple weeks later, no the phase is not over, it had some dead keys, so he just bought him a new one. Loren says he’s been playing songs and asking her to identify them. I’m telling y’all he has done these phases for years. He will learn to play a song on that keyboard, and it will be in the next yard sale.
Remember what I told y’all about him and Buff Jimmy when they watched the Rocky movies. They would come through the house and head to the garage to work out and I always knew they had been watching Rocky. I was so worried when they watched Ant Man that they would act like ants. That’s my boy and I am so proud of him, and his daddy would be also.
This week’s recipe is peach angel food cake. If you want a quick and easy dessert for company coming, this is the one for you.
PEACH ANGEL FOOD CAKE All you need is a 15 oz. can of diced peaches in heavy syrup, or you can cut up the ones in a regular can of peaches. 1 angel food cake mix Lightly grease or spray with cooking spray a 9×13 pan and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, add the full can of diced peaches and use a potato masher to get the peaches to a smaller size. Carefully pour in the angel food dry cake mix and mix with a wooden spoon till fluffy. Pour the batter evenly into the pan and bake for 32-34 minutes. The top of the cake will slightly crack and be al light golden brown. Allow to cool and eat with vanilla ice cream or cool whip. Have a blessed week and spread a little sunshine.
PARIS- It was a warm August week last week at the North Logan County Fairgrounds in Paris, but the heat didn’t keep fair goers away and from having a good time. Attendance was good throughout the week, and on Friday, the fair began to come to an end with the Cattle Show that was held that evening.
Schools from all over county, including Paris, Booneville, and Magazine FFAs participated in the various animal shows the week of the fair. A big crowd attended the cattle show that produced great competition in all categories.
North Logan County Cattle Show (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)
The midway attractions have packed up and are now in Booneville for the South Logan County Fair that is being held this week. The fair season is a busy time of year for high school agriculture programs. Students and their faculty sponsors will be traveling to several fairs throughout the region and will culminate with shows at the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock in the fall.
PARIS- After all of the winter off-season, spring football, summer workouts, and now, preseason practices in sweltering August heat, Arkansas high school football teams are set to kickoff the 2023 season on Friday, August 25.
Not all teams will open on “zero week” of the Arkansas Activities Association, but among River Valley schools who will play on August 25, Waldron will travel to Paris to take on the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Eagles Stadium.
Waldron scored a decisive victory in the first of the two-game series last year in Waldron, winning by the score of 48-7. Several offensive turnovers by Paris in the second quarter of last year’s game spelled defeat for Paris in the season opener a year ago. The Eagles will be looking to correct those errors and get their new season off to a good start against a Waldron team that is guaranteed to play a competitive game every year. For both schools, the August 25 opener is extremely important to their success this year. Both schools play in tough conferences, and opportunities to win in the non-conference portions of their schedules are critical.
Waldron will enter the 2023 season with a new head coach: Cain White, formerly of Manila in Northeast Arkansas. White guided the Lions to a playoff win in 2021 and has set the goal of returning the Bulldogs to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 when they were in the 3A classification.
Offensively, Waldron will run the flex bone offense and will attempt to control the game and the game clock. A Waldron basketball point guard, Keegan Lynch, is expected to start at quarterback, and the Bulldogs will attempt to get the ball in space to their track athlete who possess 4.6 speed, Kason Davis. Davis is not the only basketball and / or track athlete that is expected to be a threat in the Bulldogs offense. Levi Brown, 4.5 speed, will be a threat to defensive secondaries from the receiver position.
Defensively, the Bulldogs will be relying on young talent from their junior high team a year ago. Logan Young, who will play fullback on offense in the Waldron flex bone, will also be a force on defense where he is expected to be a possible college prospect as a middle linebacker.
Waldron plays in the tough 4A-7 conference that includes Malvern (2022 4A state champions), Arkadelphia, Nashville, and Mena. Although there are only six teams in the conference and five will make the playoffs, the question becomes which team will Waldron defeat this year to qualify for the playoffs? A home game with Mena on October 13 could be the Bulldogs’ best opportunity to win in the conference and go to the playoffs as a five seed.
The Paris Eagles were 1-8 a year ago with their lone win at home against Two Rivers. The Eagles had one game forfeited on their schedule when the Danville Little Johns cancelled the remainder of their season. It was quite a drop for Paris who had won 21 games the previous two seasons, including a state quarterfinal appearance in 2020. But heavy graduation of both talent and numbers forced Paris into a rebuilding season in 2022 that will continue going into the 2023 season.
Paris dropped their season opener at Waldron by the score of 48-7 a year ago. Multiple offensive turnovers in the second quarter turned a small Paris lead into a route that ended up with the Eagles being down 35-7 going into halftime. But perhaps more significantly, the game seemed to set the tone for the rest of the season for Paris. This year, the return home game with the Bulldogs at Eagles Stadium is crucial for Paris to reverse the snowball effect from last year and create early season momentum that will need to carry forward into a tough non-conference match at Mansfield the next week, and the eventual start of conference play at Glen Rose on September 22.
Paris will add youth to critical areas of its defense this season to bolster areas such as the defensive line that were problematic for the Eagles last season. Sophomore Whitman Patton is an example of new size to the defensive line that could be an area of much-needed improvement this season. On offense, the Eagles have good “skill position” players, although they are fairly young and inexperienced. But some of the Eagles’ young skill players received playing time last year. Players such a Mason Ulrich (junior) are expected to be big factors this season.
The big key to victory for both teams will be to avoid turnovers that could allow the game to get out of hand. For Paris, the Eagles will have to avoid giving the Bulldogs and their offense short fields in which to score. As everyone knows, it is hard for all teams, no matter how good they are, to overcome multiple turnovers that give the opposition a short field to score. So, both teams must play clean games, free of turnovers to win. Paris will have the opportunity to perhaps score quickly and to put the Bulldogs’ offense in the position of having to come from behind with a ball control offense. But to do so, Paris must avoid turnovers and convert third downs into first downs to keep drives alive. Waldron will want to wear down the Eagles’ defense with their running game that can also break an explosive run with their running game and wide receivers. The team that can stay on the field offensively will have the best chance to win.
As the high school season moves along, watch for RNN Sports’ coverage every week on its website, social media, and in our print publications. Each week, we will preview the upcoming game in the RNN Logan / Franklin County Edition newspaper. Watch for our post-game coverage online every Sunday at residentnewsnetwork.com and on social media. On Friday nights you can catch all of the scores from around the region on our “Team Press Pass” page on Facebook!
Good luck to all of the River Valley schools, and all of us at RNN Sports look forward to seeing you at the stadium every Friday night!
PARIS- Last week, RNN Sports highlighted Brandon Fisher, public address announcer for the Charleston Tigers. As part of our series, this week, we visited with Paris press box announcer Keith Bullock. Keith is another legend in our area that serves his community and school district with passion and love for both.
Keith started his service as press box announcer in the 2020 football season. Keith, speaking of how he started, “I think they (the district) had a couple of people filling in (before he began) for a while. I think, Richard Zimmer (who is the district’s head of maintenance) did it for a long time; he took over for Winford.” (Winford McClure who famously served as the voice of the Eagles up until just before he passed away in 2012). Mr. McClure had been the beloved voice of the Eagles for many years. Before his tenure in the press box, Mr. McClure had been the radio announcer for Paris Eagles football. “Radio was big back then in the 90s, and he (McClure) did all of that in the 90s and then I think he moved into the press box as stadium announcer.”
So, for those who followed Mr. McClure in the press box, it has been a daunting task to follow a legend at the microphone. When Keith Bullock stepped up to take the challenge in 2020, it was out of love for Eagles football and the Paris community. As I interviewed him, it was very evident that he has a deep respect and admiration for Winford McClure, and his service as the Eagles Stadium public address announcer is something he takes very seriously. When I asked Keith about the pressure he feels following in a legend’s footsteps, he responded by saying, “Oh yeah. He is probably the one that put a face on that position (stadium announcer). You know, I don’t remember having gone through school (at Paris High School) and having graduated in ’95 any talk of him, but I know he added zeal, atmosphere, and love for the kids. He coached a lot of the kids and had an influence in their lives. It is definitely big shoes to fill. I try to not necessarily copy him, but I try to bring that same type of excitement and passion for being an Eagle. He was a graduate of Paris High School and so am I… we both played ball there, and we both worked with kids and have a love for the students, so, he definitely set the bar.”
Service as the stadium announcer for high school football is something that I have discovered to be a service of love for the school, community, and the kids on the field. And Keith Bullock is no different. When I asked him about this, he simply said, “Right. I look forward to it every night.”
In Bullock’s first year as the Eagles’ PA announcer, he called the epic “Fog Bowl” battle with Booneville at Eagles Stadium in 2020 (RNN Sports File Photo / Jim Best)
In his short tenure of three, going into his fourth season, Keith says the 2020 season, one that saw the Eagles advance to the state semifinals, was perhaps his favorite memory to date as the press box announcer in Paris. Keith said, “You know, we had those two big runs where we went to the state quarterfinals (in 2020 and to the second round in 2021) with the Chase Watts, Duke Walker, Ely Fore, and that group. So, it’s hard to put it on one big play or moment (his favorite memory). Those two years set the bar for the program. You know, we had a coaching change, but we didn’t miss a beat (current head coach Jeff Weaver took over the program in the 2021 season). You know, Nate Henderson and that bunch came through in 2021. I remember, although I was an offensive guy (running back for Paris as a player) I remember one big play; I can remember Nate making the tackle. Him and big Jimmy Dikeman up front; had a lot of fun calling those guys’ games. I can’t remember a standalone play that jumps out at me.”
In the press box, Keith says that several times before Trey Prieur, the district’s assistant athletic director, acquired the new sound system at the stadium, there were moments when the excitement and the volume of Keith’s voice would blow out the stadium sound system. “There were times that I would get so excited, whether it was Duke (Walker) running for a touchdown, or Ely Fore, or Chase throwing a touchdown, I would get so loud that it would blow a fuse on the system and then there would be no sound…but I’m still calling the plays. And there is nothing going out that anyone can hear until everything calms down. Then I realize that I can’t hear anything so we would have to reset the system. Trey would tell me that it is OK, we are going to get a new sound system, and we did. But it is always a joy up there; with the Trusty’s (Ron Trusty has been a long-time member of the press box crew). We definitely have to make sure that my hand is not on the microphone button at times, especially during a heated rivalry. Some plays may not be going your way, or bad calls, or whatever it may be. I have to tone it down up there. I have to remind myself that I am supposed to be calling it from both sides of the ball…maybe just a little bit more for the Eagles. In fact, I do remember two years ago, it was the first playoff game at home, and the AAA refs on the field for the playoff game could hear my calls from the press box. They did have a meeting with me about not doing a “play by play” from the press box, just call the game. Which, I try to be about a second behind where I am not actually calling the play as it happens, but just to give the fans my feel for the play.”
Keith is correct. Technically, the stadium press box announcer is supposed to be neutral in their presentation of the game. But in this writer’s observation, as a person who has made many stops at stadiums across the state, high school press box announcers in every community slant the presentation of the game in their home teams’ favors, if not cheerleading from the press box. It can even go as far as being demeaning to the visiting team and fans. And in my opinion, that is when it has gone too far. But it is difficult to hide enthusiasm from the press box, and from the community’s standpoint, it is expected. Keith finished by saying, “My goal is to try to make it more of a “college” feel in the presentation of the game. Music in between the breaks, and this year, I would like to coordinate the music with the cheer team, just like at college games. Also, encouraging the crowd to get loud at crucial times…such as on third downs. I want to make it more family friendly and not just your typical kind of just call the ballgame.”
Football is more than a game to the Eagles’ Keith Bullock (RNN Sports File Photo / Jim Best)
Keith selects his own music for game nights. In doing so, he and so many stadium announcers across the state spend a lot of time selecting music, organizing the order of play, categorizing the music for certain game situations, organizing announcements, putting the timeline of announcements together as they are to be read during the game, and many other tasks that go unnoticed by fans during the course of the game. And all of this is done with pride and enthusiasm for no other reason than to do it for the love of school and community. It can be easy for a fan to criticize the PA announcer, but if you stop and think, that person is getting nothing out of the job other than the personal satisfaction of serving the kids, the program, and the community. From my standpoint, I think we owe Keith and others like him across the state a big thanks for what they do for the schools across Arkansas.
If you have ever attended a game at Eagles Stadium, especially as a fan from a visiting school, one of the first things that you cannot help but to notice are the fireworks that go off after every Paris touchdown, or when the Eagles take the field. Keith elaborated on this by saying, “Used to be, the National Guard unit would bring their cannon down and fire it at times during the games. That stopped when the Guard unit transitioned and they took their cannon, so now, fireworks are set off. That’s always fun; it’s not too obnoxious for the visiting fans, but it lets them know that they are here (at Eagles Stadium).”
But football is more than a game to Keith Bullock. Keith is deeply involved in the lives of many kids throughout Paris and the surrounding communities. He and his wife Krystal are intricately involved in the spiritual life and development of so many throughout the community. “I got saved back in September of 2000, and three years later, I was in the Army Reserves, and we ended up going to Iraq. After I got back, I knew I wanted to work with kids. So, when I got back, I spent three or four years working, and going to church. So, probably fourteen years ago, my wife and I went to Greenwood as youth pastors and that’s where we felt the call to work with students. The Tyler Wilsons and that teams’ football Chaplin, along with Coach Jones at Greenwood, and it just kind of took off from there. We deeply wanted to do this back in our hometown because we both graduated from Paris. So, when we got the opportunity to come back, the door opened up for other stuff. We have been part of the mentor program at school, and we hope to get that program back. Anytime God opens the door for me to work with the next generation, I walk through it. So, when they asked me about doing the stadium announcing, it was just a no-brainer for me.”
Eagles Stadium Public Address Announcer Keith Bullock (Image Special to RNN Sports / Keith Bullock)
Going back to Keith’s service in Iraq, I asked him if anything happened there that influenced him to be the person he is today. Keith replied, “Probably what influenced me the most was that I don’t remember anyone there that wasn’t grateful that we were there. There was a father there that begged us to take his children back to the United States with us when we left. Of course, we couldn’t. That had a big impact on me. When you live somewhere and you are born into freedom, and you are born into the rights that have been given to us, the Constitutional rights that we have, you don’t realize what you have until you go somewhere where people don’t have it. That made such a huge impact on me. I can get up today and if I want to go to Alaska, I can do it. I wake up every day and can do what I want to do. Over there, they were under so much pressure that everything was literally dictated for them coming and going. So, that made a huge impact on me. One thing I want to instill in this generation is that someone paid a big price for our freedom. The cost of the freedom in the country that you live in, and the price for the spiritual freedom that we have…someone paid for it. We are just one generation away from losing it. We are always just one generation away. They (younger generation) do not understand the price that was paid. Whether it is football games, volleyball games, etc., having the opportunity to go to school, whatever, someone paid the price so we can do these things. I took 27 students to Belize and that was an eye opener for them. They saw those kids and how they live, and they saw how good they have it in the states.”
The same may be true for members of the Paris community. As community members, we may take people like Keith for granted. We believe they will always be there, and we temporarily lose our sense of appreciation for Keith and the many others like him throughout our community that give of themselves to make a positive difference in our hometowns. Like he said, you don’t realize how much you appreciate things until you don’t have them.
Keith Bullock, on behalf of everyone at RNN Sports, we thank you and the many others like you in the communities throughout the River Valley who give their time and talents to their local school districts and hometowns. Thank you for your service, not only in the protection of our freedoms in this great country, but to your local service to the children of Paris and the surrounding areas.
We look forward to hearing you present the Eagles’ game this Friday as the new season kicks off in Paris!
PARIS- In one of the final practices before the start of this week’s high school volleyball season, the Paris Lady Eagles played an intrasquad game in front of a large crowd at Paris Gymnasium last Thursday night. The Lady Eagles played both junior high and high school Blue / White matches followed by another exhibition match between Paris alumni volleyball players and the current Lady Eagles team.
Both the junior and senior high teams were impressive in their intrasquad games. The games were the first time the 2023 edition of the Paris program was on display in front of the home crowd. Paris head coach Josh Hart had the teams evenly divided and the competition was fierce for both matches.
Following the Paris home exhibition matches, the Lady Eagles traveled to Searcy last Saturday to play two-set exhibition matches against other Class 3A schools that played in the 2022 state tournament. The “Preview Party” as it is dubbed by the Arkansas Activities Association, was the final tune-up before this week’s regular season opener at Russellville.
RNN Sports will bring you the latest updates each week on Paris volleyball this season. Watch for our photos on social media, as well as our schedules of the next week’s games every week in the Logan / Franklin County Edition newspaper.
Good luck to Paris and other River Valley schools this season, and RNN Sports will see you at a gymnasium near you!
PARIS- After another summer evening that produced rain and thunderstorms the night before, school opened on Monday, August 14 for students in the Paris school district. The Paris district opened on a “staggered” basis with some grades reporting to school on Monday and the remainder on Tuesday.
School administrators, faculty, and staff were up early and in place when students arrived. School staff greeted their news students with enthusiasm to start the new year.
Students will have their first long weekend of the year when the Paris Schools are closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Additionally, schools in the district will dismiss early on Wednesday, September 13 for teacher professional development meetings.
On behalf of everyone at RNN, we wish the students, faculty, and staff a great 2023-24 school year all throughout the River Valley! We will be there all year to bring you the latest information and updates of interest to our readers.
And if you have not yet subscribed to Logan and Franklin Counties’ only weekly newspaper focused exclusively on LOCAL news and sports, now is a great to do so before the school year is in full swing! Just go to residentnewsnetwork.com/subscribe to get your weekly edition today!
