| LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Education congratulates the 14 educators named 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists. These educators will be recognized July 27 at an event at the Governor’s Mansion. “Congratulations to these teachers for achieving this honor,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “We are proud to recognize excellence in teaching and honor those selected for this recognition.” The regional finalists listed below will each receive a certificate and a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation. Jacquelyn Briggs Pre-Kindergarten Walker Pre-K Magnolia School District South Central Service Cooperative Jazmin Carranza Algebra I, Grades 8-9 Southwest Junior High School Springdale School District Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Nicole Franklin English Language Arts and Social Studies, Grades 4-5 Orr Elementary School Fort Smith School District Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative Candice Groves French I-IV and Journalism, Grades 9-12 Blytheville High School Blytheville School District Crowley’s Ridge Educational Service Cooperative Elizabeth Hill Biology and AP Biology, Grades 10-12 DeWitt High School DeWitt School District Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Kyler Hybeck English, Grade 10 Academies of West Memphis West Memphis School District Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative Jeremy Kennedy AP English Language and Composition, Grade 11 Greenbrier High School Greenbrier School District Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative Julie Landrum Math and Science, Grades 9-12 Stuttgart High School Stuttgart School District Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative Ben Light Music, Grades 6-12 Joe T. Robinson High School Pulaski County Special School District Pulaski County Beau McCastlain Career and Technical Education – Television Production, Grades 10-12 De Queen High School De Queen School District De Queen-Mena Education Service Cooperative Kashandra Murphy Literacy, Grade 5 Harmony Leadership Academy Texarkana Arkansas School District Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative Kassadi Seidenschnur Library Media, Grades K-5 Hurricane Creek Elementary School Bryant School District Dawson Education Service Cooperative David Ward Alternative Education, Grades 2-5 Cedar Ridge Elementary School Cedar Ridge School District Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Mandy Wolff Family and Consumer Sciences, Grades 10-12 Beebe High School Beebe School District Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative The Arkansas Teacher of the Year program participates in the National Teacher of the Year program and recognizes teachers for their outstanding teaching and leadership skills. During the recognition event later this month, the department will announce the four state semi-finalists, and one will be named the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year this fall. Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the Arkansas Department of Education, Kimberly Mundell. |
Fort Smith’s Nicole Franklin Among Those Named as Regional Finalists for Arkansas Teacher of the Year
Mansfield School Board Meets in Special Session; Gipson Announces Resignation
RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS
A special meeting of the Board of Education of Mansfield School District No. 76
At the special meeting of the Board of Education of the School District aforesaid, at the Administration Building, on June 27, 2023, 7:00pm., there being present Rick Nicodemus, Lesli Baggett, Michael Gipson, Steve Hattabaugh; Absent: Owen Edwards
All members of the board, the following business were transacted to wit:
(Minutes were recorded by Joe Staton)
STAFF PRESENT: Joe Staton
The meeting was called to order by Rick Nicodemus, School Board President, at 7:00 p.m.
IN THE MATTER OF: Consent Agenda Items
A motion was made by Nicodemus, seconded by Baggett, to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Gipson, Baggett, Hattabaugh
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 7:02 pm.
IN THE MATTER OF: Personnel
Executive session was requested at 7:03 p.m. for personnel matters.
The meeting was called back to order at 9:17 p.m.
Mr. Staton notified the board that Amber Williams declined her contract offer.
A motion was made by Nicodemus, seconded by Hattabaugh , to approve Mr. Staton’s recommendation to accept Madeline Rose’s resignation effective June 30, 2023.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Gipson, Baggett, Hattabaugh,
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 9:18 pm.
A motion was made by Hattabaugh, seconded by Gipson, to approve Mr. Staton’s recommendation to hire Tara King for High School Teacher pending certification.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Gipson, Baggett, Hattabaugh,
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 9:18 pm.
A motion was made by Baggett, seconded by Gipson, to approve Mr. Staton’s recommendation to give a one time non-recurring recruitment and retention bonus to all regular employees based on their FTE on August 1st, 2023 in the amount of $1,500.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Gipson, Baggett, Hattabaugh,
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 9:18 pm.
A motion was made by Nicodemus, seconded by Hattabaugh, to amend Mr. Staton’s contract as Superintendent to give a 4% increase and a $750 per month vehicle allowance effective July 1, 2022.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Gipson, Baggett, Hattabaugh,
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 9:19 pm.
Superintendent’s Report:
Student and coach participation in the High School All-Star games .
Other Board Communication:
Mr. Hattabaugh thanked the district for having a representative of the school attend Dr. Austin’s funeral. Mr. Hattabaugh also expressed he had been in communication for Legislators to push for Arkansas’ participation in enticing National Student organizations to bring their National Conventions to our state. Beta was noted specifically.
Mike Gipson announced his resignation from the board effective immediately.
IN THE MATTER OF: Adjournment
A motion was made by Nicodemus, seconded by Hattabaugh, to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m.
Voting for the motion: Nicodemus, Baggett, Gipson, Hattabaugh
Voting against the motion:
Motion passed 4-0 at 9:28 pm.
Arrest Reports 6/25
Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Mickey Donald Brasher of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 28 at 4:51 p.m. and released on June 30 at 11:47 a.m. Brasher was charged with Drug Court Sanctions.
Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Roy Lee Burton of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 26 at 10:02 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 27 at 12:17 a.m. Burton was charged with Assault in the 3rd Degree, and Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Wesley Don Cumbie of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 27 at 8:10 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 27 at 10 p.m. Cumbie was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.
Landen Joe Hickman of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 28 at 8:31 a.m. and released on cash bond June 28 at 12:34 p.m. Hickman was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Logan Renee Nelms of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 28 at 9:39 a.m. and released on bond June 30 at 5:24 p.m. Nelms was charged with Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Daniel L Pearson of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 29 at 8:39 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Pearson was charged with Violation Of A Protection Order Misdemeanor.
Savannah Jane Summers of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 30 at 8 a.m. and released on signature bond June 30 at 9:35 a.m. Summers was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
Judith Lee Dooley of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 26 at 10:15 p.m. and released on signature bond July 3 at 9:35 p.m. Dooley was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.
Jason Ray Layne of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 26 at 10:19 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Layne was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.
Arresting agency – Mansfield Police Department:
Patricia Leanne Kyle of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 26 at 7:49 p.m. and released on signature bond June 29 at 3:28 p.m. Kyle was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Jong Yang of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 30 at 3:52 p.m. and released on signature bond July 3 at 9:45 p.m. Yang was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Terrell Marquise Lawson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 29 at 9:10 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 29 at 10:31 p.m. Lawson was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Eric David Little of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 28 at 7:33 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Little was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Aiden J Sherriff of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on June 26 at 4:48 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 27 at 9:18 p.m. Sherriff was charged with two counts of Battery in the Second Degree – Health Professional.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Adam Hall, 46 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 26 at 8:59 a.m. Hall was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a counterfeit substance.
Tamara Richmond, 56 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 26 at 1:21 p.m. Richmond was charged with possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with the purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and controlled substances – offenses related to records, maintaining premises, etc.
Denny Goines, 57, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 27 at 4:58 p.m. Goines was charged with hold for U.S. Marshals.
Steven Mason Daniel, 22 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on June 30 at 4 p.m. Daniel was charged with failure to appear, and hot check violation.
Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
Heather Ponder, 36, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 26 at 3:22 p.m. Ponder was charged with ACT 309 Inmate.
Ashley Spaulding, 30, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 26 at 3:33 p.m. Spaulding was charged with ACT 309 Inmate.
Nathaniel Kelly, 40 of Paris, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 26 at 4:21 p.m. Kelly was charged with failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).
Phillip Wayne Woodson, 58 of Judsonia, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on June 27 at 6:08 p.m. Woodson was charged with hold for other agencies.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
Birmingham Defeats Pittsburgh in Second USFL Championship Game of the Modern Era
CANTON, OH– The Birmingham Stallions took home their second consecutive USFL title on Saturday night.
Birmingham took down the Pittsburgh Maulers, 28-12, in Canton, Ohio.
The Stallions defense held the Maulers to just three field goals while they scored two touchdowns themselves, taking a 14-9 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions looks to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
With the lead, Birmingham got the ball first to begin the second half, and Alex McGough picked up right where he left off from the first 30 minutes. After Ricky Person gained 41 yards on four carries, McGough found Deon Cain in the end zone, who tip-toed his way to a score, and the ensuing PAT gave the Stallions a 21-9 lead.
Chris Blewitt knocked down his fourth field goal to bring Pittsburgh back to within nine, but the Stallions continued to go right down the field. However, on 3rd and goal trying to evade pressure, McGough fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by Pittsburgh’s Olive Sagapolu. Knowing he probably was too slow to make it to the end zone, he gave the ball to Kyahva Tezino who found the end zone. However, the referees ruled it an illegal handoff, so Pittsburgh got the ball at the Birmingham 33 instead of scoring a touchdown.
That penalty proved costly, though, as on that drive, the Maulers settled for a fifth field goal, but Blewitt went wide left, as the Stallions held on to their nine-point lead early in the fourth.
Deon Cain #85 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after scoring a 20 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the third quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
The Maulers forced a punt but were unable to convert on 4th and 8 from their own 40, giving Birmingham the ball back with 7:29 to go, and they took advantage. On 2nd and 10, McGough launched a deep pass to Cain, who caught it in the end zone for the touchdown, and the Stallions were up 28-12.
After leading USFL with 20 passing touchdowns during the season, the league’s MVP threw for four in this one. He completed 18 of his 25 passes for 243 yards and ran for another 64. Person and C.J. Marable combined to rush for another 86 yards on their 14 carries. Cain caught three of McGough’s four scores, totaling four catches for 70 yards. Former NFL tight end Jace Sternberger caught three passes for 65 yards, while Davion Davis caught the other touchdown.
Alex McGough #2 of the Birmingham Stallions celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Maulers during the second quarter in the 2023 USFL Championship Game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on July 01, 2023 in Canton, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)
Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the USFL Newsroom.
Obituary – Tabitha Dorrell (1982-2023)
Tabitha Dorrell, of Mansfield AR, treasured wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt passed away on June 29, 2023, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on January 1, 1982, to her parents, Doyle Price and Denetta Smallwood.
She spent many of the best years of her life married to Cliff Dorrell. Together, they created a beautiful family, filled with lots of chaos, noise and love. Tabitha is survived by her husband Cliff and their nine children: MiraBella Dorrell, Cari Oliver (Aaron), Cassidy Cain, Elizabeth Stricken (Derek), Jason McAlister (Talia), Payton McAlister (Shelby), Hunter Dorrell (Kira), Josh Dorrell (Elizabeth), and Joseph Dorrell (Keia). She loved her kids more than life itself. Tabitha leaves behind eight grandchildren, who were the source of endless joy and pride. Their names are Tenley Grace, Keyton, Brady Parker, Dawson, Rayleigh, Izabella, Baylee, Noah, and Lucas. She was also survived by her mother Denetta Smallwood (Randy), sisters Sunny Bray (Mike) and Bobbie Simmons (Eddie) and a whole host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents.
Tabitha lived her life to the fullest. She was always on the sideline of a ball field or gymnasium cheering on one of her favorite people. It was as a Mom and Mimi that Tabitha truly thrived. Her children and grandchildren were her every reason. Tabitha was fiercely loyal, honest to a fault and God help you if you were in the wrong because you were going to hear it. However, she was also the first one to let you know how proud she was of you for a job well done. She will be missed more than words can say.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday July 3, 2023 at Huntington First Baptist Church in Huntington, AR. A cremation will be under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield, AR.
Birmingham Aims to Defend 2022 USFL Title Against Pittsburgh
STAMFORD, CT- The defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions take on the Pittsburgh Maulers in the 2023 USFL Championship Game this Saturday in primetime at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Birmingham aims for its second consecutive title while Pittsburgh has a chance to complete a worst-to-first turnaround after finishing in last place in 2022.
The teams played once this season, with the Stallions winning 24-20 in Week 4 in a back-and-forth affair that saw three lead changes in the fourth quarter. The Stallions enter Saturday’s championship matchup with the league’s top offense while Pittsburgh boasts the league’s top defense.
The Stallions finished with the league’s top regular season record at 8-2 and handily beat the New Orleans Breakers, 47-22, last week to advance to their second consecutive USFL Championship Game. Head coach Skip Holtz, who also serves as the team’s general manager, was named the 2023 USFL Coach of the Year in his second season in the professional ranks after coaching for more than three decades at the collegiate level.
Birmingham had four All-USFL Team selections, including quarterback Alex McGough, who led the league with 20 passing touchdowns and threw for 310 yards and four scores in last week’s USFL South Division Championship, and tight end Jace Sternberger, a 2019 NFL third-round pick out of Texas A&M who spent two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Sternberger led the USFL with seven receiving touchdowns. The Stallions offense led the league in yards per game (332.6).
The Maulers beat the Michigan Panthers, 31-27, in an overtime thriller last week to advance to the USFL Championship Game. Pittsburgh, along with the New Jersey Generals, topped the league with five All-USFL Team selections, highlighted by cornerback Mark Gilbert, who led the USFL in interceptions (four), and kick returner Josh Simmons, who had over 100 more kick return yards than any other player (862).
Head coach Ray Horton, who won Super Bowl XXVII as a player with the Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowls XL and XLIII as a secondary coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, aims to add a USFL Championship to his resume.
NBC Sports’ Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) will call the Stallions-Maulers championship matchup on NBC and Peacock.
NBC Sports and FOX Sports, the USFL’s official media partners, will combine to present all 43 games live during the 2023 season. 2023 features 29 games on the NBC and FOX broadcast networks, which is a six-game increase from the league’s inaugural season. NBC Sports will present 18 games across NBC and Peacock (11) and USA Network and Peacock (7). FOX Sports will carry 25 games split between FOX (18) and FS1 (7). Click here for a comprehensive season schedule.
Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from NBC Sports.
Razorbacks Athletics Ranks in Top 15 Nationally for Third Straight Year
FAYETTEVILLE – For the third-consecutive year, Arkansas secured a top-15 national finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings. Arkansas finished No. 13 with 1,031.5 points and ranked first among programs with 19 sports or fewer.
The final standings were released on Wednesday by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA). Arkansas was one of eight Southeastern Conference programs in the top 25 of the final standings.
The Razorbacks tallied two NCAA championships, recorded 11 top-10 national finishes and won five Southeastern Conference championships in the 2022-23 athletics season. In addition, Arkansas won a bowl game for the second-straight season, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament for the third-consecutive year and won its first NCAA Volleyball Tournament match in 18 years.
“Once again, Razorback student-athletes delivered one of the most successful years in our program’s history,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek. “For the third-consecutive year and only the fourth time since the Directors’ Cup was initiated, Arkansas finished among the top 15 in the nation. That is truly remarkable and even more amazing when you consider we are competing against some programs with more than 30 sports. Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the Razorback Nation who cheers us on every step of the way!”
The Razorbacks finished eighth in 2020-21 and seventh in 2021-22. Prior to the current streak, Arkansas’ previous best Directors’ Cup finish was 14th in 1997-98. The Directors’ Cup program has been tracking the success of the nation’s top intercollegiate athletics programs since 1993-94.
The final standings include points awarded in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s beach volleyball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, fencing, football, women’s field hockey, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, rifle, women’s rowing, skiing, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s water polo and men’s wrestling.
Following an SEC regular season championship, Arkansas earned the No. 3 national seed in the 2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Razorbacks hosted an NCAA Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium and advanced to the regional final before seeing their season come to an end. The Hogs finished with a 43-18 record and earned 50 Directors’ Cup points.
Arkansas bolstered its Directors’ Cup total with a pair of podium finishes at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. After both the men’s and women’s teams earned SEC Outdoor Championships, each also finished in the top three at the national meet.
The Razorback men’s team earned a national runner-up team finish, scoring 53 points in the meet for Coach Chris Bucknam. Carey McLeod (long jump), Jaydon Hibbert (triple jump) and Phillip Lemonious (100m hurdles) all earned NCAA individual titles. The second-place national finish earned Arkansas 90 points in the Directors’ Cup.
In Coach Lance Harter’s final meet as the Razorbacks’ head coach, the women’s team tallied a third-place finish at the NCAA meet. Coach Harter retired following the 2022-23 season. His squad made it a memorable finale as Ackera Nugent (100m) and the Hogs’ 4x400m relay team captured NCAA individual crowns. Arkansas earned 46 points in the meet and added 85 points to its Directors’ Cup tally with the team finish.
Arkansas also earned Directors’ Cup points on the links with both the men’s and women’s golf teams competing in NCAA Championship play. The men’s golf team blazed through the regionals, setting multiple school records, on its way to qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third-consecutive year. Coach Brad McMakin’s squad finished 18th at the national meet, earning 56 Directors’ Cup points.
The Arkansas women’s golf team also earned a berth to NCAA postseason play. Coach Shauna Taylor’s team narrowly missed advancing from the NCAA Regional to the NCAA Championships. The Razorbacks earned 40.5 Directors’ Cup points for the NCAA Regional showing.
On the softball field, Arkansas earned 50 points for advancing to the final in the NCAA Regional round of the tournament. The Razorbacks earned a national seed and hosted a regional at Bogle Park for the third-straight season. It was the fourth time overall Arkansas has hosted postseason play on its home field.
The Arkansas women’s tennis team made its 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, including its first under head coach Tucker Clary in the 2023 season. The Razorbacks earned a berth in the NCAA Regional in Norman, Oklahoma where they faced No. 21 Washington in the first round of the tournament. Arkansas came up short in its bid for a first-round upset but netted 25 points for its NCAA Tournament appearance.
Razorback Gymnastics earned a berth to the NCAA Regional in Norman, Oklahoma. Arkansas posted a program-best NCAA regional score of 197.275 but did not advance. The Razorbacks earned 53.5 points for their NCAA Regional appearance.
For the first time in its storied history, Arkansas swept both the men’s and women’s national championships at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. It’s the first sweep of men’s and women’s NCAA titles by any school since 2016 and gave Arkansas a combined 49 NCAA championships in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. Each team title earned 100 points in the Directors’ Cup standings for Arkansas.
An impressive weekend of performances by the men’s team resulted in 63 team points and a national team title. The title marked the 21st NCAA Indoor championship and 42nd overall for the Arkansas men’s program. Jaydon Hibbert set a collegiate record on his first and only attempt to win an individual national title in the triple jump, also claiming multiple records, including the Jamaican record, World U20 record and Arkansas school record. Arkansas closed out the meet with a victory in the 4 x 400 relay with a time of 3:02.09.
The Arkansas women, leading by two points over Texas, delivered a world all-time best 4 x 400 relay to secure the fourth NCAA Indoor team title and seventh overall for the program. Britton Wilson claimed the 400m title in an American and collegiate record of 49.48, which ranks second on the all-time world list.
For the third-consecutive season, the Razorback men’s basketball team advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Arkansas, a No. 8 seed, opened the Big Dance with a 73-63 win over Illinois in the first round of the tournament. The Hogs then shocked the bracket by pulling off a dramatic 72-71 upset of No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round. The Hogs advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third year in a row, before falling to No. 4 seed and eventual national champion UCONN in a Sweet 16 matchup in Las Vegas. Arkansas earned 64 points in the Directors’ Cup Standings for its March run.
Arkansas swimming and diving earned 45.5 points with a 28th-place national team finish. The Hogs scored 18 points to clinch the program’s fifth-consecutive top-30 finish at the NCAA Championships.
A return trip to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight highlighted another outstanding season by Razorback Soccer. Coach Colby Hale’s squad earned a No. 3 seed and won three NCAA Tournament matches (Missouri State, Ohio State and Memphis) at Razorback Field before falling 1-0 at No. 1 seed Florida State, one step shy of the College Cup. Arkansas finished the season 13-4-5 and earned 73 Directors’ Cup points.
For the first time since 2005, Arkansas won a match in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Coach Jason Watson led the Razorbacks to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2013 and defeated Utah State 3-0 in the first round of the draw. It was Arkansas’ first NCAA Tournament win since defeating St. Mary’s (California) in 2005. In the Round of 32, the Hogs secured the first set against No. 3 seed Oregon before dropping the match three sets to one. Arkansas’ return to the tournament netted 50 points in the Directors’ Cup standings.
Coach Sam Pittman and the Razorback football team earned a bowl invitation for the third-straight season. Following a 6-6 regular season, Arkansas defeated Kansas 55-53 in 3 OT in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The Hogs also qualified for a bowl game in Coach Pittman’s first two seasons at the helm including the Texas Bowl in 2020 and the Outback Bowl in 2021. Arkansas tallied 45 Directors’ Cup points in football.
Arkansas earned a pair of top-25 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Coach Lance Harter’s Razorback women’s squad finished tied for 21st, led by senior Isabel Van Camp who finished 48th individually. Arkansas’ men’s team earned a 23rd place finish for Coach Chris Bucknam. Patrick Kiprop earned All-America honors finishing 24th overall. Arkansas earned 53 and 51 Directors’ Cup points, respectively, for the women’s and men’s team finishes.
Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kevin Trainor.
Talk Finances With Your Grown Children
When you’re retired, you’ll likely have some financial concerns — just like all retirees. However, if you’ve invested regularly and followed a long-term financial strategy, you should be able to address most issues that come your way. But there’s one important action that’s sometimes overlooked by retirees: sharing their financial situation with their grown children. And this knowledge can benefit everyone in your family.
You might be surprised by the concern your children have for your financial well-being. Consider these findings from a 2023 study by Age Wave and Edward Jones:
• 66% of millennials (generally defined as ranging from 27 to 42) worry that their parents or in-laws may not have enough money to live comfortably in retirement.
• 83% of millennials would rather know their parents are financially secure in their retirement, even if it means their parents pass on less money to them.
If you have children in this age range or older, or who soon will be, how can you address their concerns and potentially improve your financial outlook? Communication is the key. By openly communicating with your family about your financial status, you can reduce anxieties and misperceptions. If you’re in good financial shape, your adult children may be reassured that you won’t be needing their assistance. And if you are feeling some financial pressures, you can inform your children of the steps you are taking to improve your situation.
One such step may be to reduce your cost of living — the less you spend day to day, the better your ability to preserve your investment and retirement accounts. You may be able to reduce costs in many small ways, such as ending streaming services you no longer use, but you could make an even bigger impact by downsizing your living arrangements. In fact, 72% of today’s retirees have downsized or are willing to downsize to reduce their housing costs, according to the Age Wave/Edward Jones survey. Downsizing isn’t for everyone, but if it’s a possibility for you, it may be worth considering because the savings could be significant.
You may also be able to reduce or consolidate your debts. Start by understanding how much and what kinds of debt you have. Then, consider ways to lower your payments, such as refinancing. For example, if you’re carrying a balance on multiple credit cards, you might be able to transfer the amounts you owe onto a single card with a more favorable interest rate.
Here’s another move to consider: Adjust your investment mix to possibly provide you with more income in retirement. During your working years, you may have invested primarily for growth — after all, you could be retired for two or more decades, so you’ll need to draw on as many financial assets as possible. But once you’re retired, your investment focus may need to shift somewhat toward income-producing opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll still need some growth potential to help keep ahead of inflation.
One final suggestion: Let your children know if you already have a strategy in place to meet the potentially high costs of long-term care, such as a nursing home stay. This burden is certainly something you won’t want your children to take on.
By informing your children about your financial picture, and how you’re trying to improve it, you can ease everyone’s minds — so keep the lines of communication open.
This article is provided by
Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Paris’ Leadership Logan County Program Makes Donation to Paris Senior Activity Center
PARIS- Paris Area Chamber of Commerce continues to be active in the Logan County area, supporting businesses and non-profit organizations as part of their mission. Last week, it was the Chamber’s “Leadership Logan County Class #3” that culminated its year with the end of a service project they performed in Paris.
Each year, according to the Chamber’s executive director, Tonya Fletcher, the Leadership Logan County classes vote on proposed service projects that they would like to perform to help during the year. In 2022-23, Class #3 voted to help the Paris Senior Activity Center. The Center is a place for retired persons to come and socialize, receive meals, and to engage in activities to enhance their quality of life. Funding for the program is always a challenge, and the Leadership Class’s decision to help raise funds for the Center was very much welcomed.
In addition to raising money for the Center, members of the Class donated their time and effort, along with resources from around the community they were able to access as a result of networking with others to perform much needed improvements. Improvements to the Center included work performed on both the interior and exterior aspects of the Senior Center building. New paint, ceiling fans, landscaping, etc., are among the several improvements donated to the Center by the Class. In addition to these improvements, the Class donated the remainder of the funds raised in the form of a check given to the Center for a little more than $2300.
Members of Class #3 and the Chamber’s executive director were on hand last week to present the check to the Senior Center. After the ceremony, Tonya Fletcher and others remained to call the weekly BINGO game at the Center. A wonderful gesture of support and involvement by the Chamber in the Senior Center as well as in all aspects of the Paris and surrounding areas.
Anyone interested in making donations to the Paris Senior Activity Center can do so by contacting the Center directly. The phone number is 479-963-3475, or you can email them at parisseniorcenter@centurytel.net The Center is on a tight budget and performs a much-needed service for the local community.
Congratulations on a successful project performed by the Leadership Logan County Class, and thanks to the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce and the Paris Senior Activity Center for their work in our community.
River Valley Graduating Seniors Participate in All-Star Weekend in Conway
CONWAY- In a summer celebration of high school sports, the Arkansas Activities Association’s All-Star weekend was held June 23-24 in Conway at the University of Central Arkansas. High School All-Stars in football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and soccer, participated in games that divided players from the East and the West in Arkansas.
The River Valley was well-represented in all of the games. Highlighting the weekend was the play of Charleston quarterback Brandon Scott who led the West to a victory over the East with a second half touchdown pass.
The West volleyball squad defeated the East in five consecutive sets. The 5-0 win for the West was the first victory over the East in nine years.
The state champion Booneville Lady Bearcats led the West to a victory over the East in the All-Star softball game.
River Valley athletes who represented the West in the All-Star games this year included:
BASEBALL
Brooks Herrera, Booneville
Drew Vega, Dardanelle
BOYS BASKETBALL
Braden Tanner, Dardanelle
Aundrae Milum, County Line
Trent Johnston, County Line
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Karley Williams, Lamar
Karys Washington, Northside
FOOTBALL
Malachi Henry, Van Buren
Ben Haulmark, Russellville
Brandon Scott, Charleston
Hunter Houston, Greenwood
Maddox Noel, Lavaca
Damien Hendrix, Lamar
Javian Velazquez, Russellville
Alex Moats, Pottsville
Hayden Webb, Greenwood
Dale Smith, Charleston
BOYS SOCCER
Nestor Crisostmo, Russellville
Andy Moreno, Northside
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridget Dennis, Dardanelle
SOFTBALL
Ireland Cooper, Greenwood
Leigh Swint, Booneville
Brooklyn Adams, Mansfield
Kyndall Haney, Charleston
Emberlin Calwell, Van Buren
Lexxi Gooden, Atkins
VOLLEYBALL
Natalie Allison, Mansfield
Brailey Forst, Paris
Landis Luke, Greenwood
Brianna Ball, Van Buren
