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Bring Out The Brooms Jr Tigers Sweep District

Sports

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7:50 pm

Bring Out The Brooms Jr Tigers Sweep District

Mansfield’s junior girls three-peat as the 2A-4 conference track champions.

Los Angeles Laker coaching icon Pat Riley first coined the phrase “three-peat” back in the late 1980’s. The trademark phrase was in anticipation of the team’s bid for a third consecutive NBA Championship.

That Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led team fell short of Pat’s prediction. They didn’t have Mansfield’s Daisy Nelson and Joey Williams on the roster.

Daisy Nelson takes home the high point plaque at the 2A-4 district finals.

Different sport but the goal was just as important to the teenage Tigers that represented Mansfield at the 2A-4 Junior District Track and Field Championships in Mansfield on April 18. Their respective three-peat bids were completed for both the girls and boys dressed in Tiger red. Mansfield brought out the brooms and swept the junior high conference titles for the third consecutive season.

“Winning three district titles in a row is a special accomplishment for that group of freshmen,” expressed Mansfield men’s track coach Ethan Bowman. “To win a title you have to get contributions from everyone and that is exactly what happened. It was a total team effort and I am very proud of these teams.”

Dominic Shores passes the baton to Dawson Robinson in the men’s 4x200m relay.

Magazine girls were a distant second with 118 points. Mountainburg (102.5), Johnson County Westside (64), Western Yell County (46), and Lavaca (5) completed the small district track meet.

Lavaca took the runner-up trophy in the boys division with 117 points. Mountainburg chased a trophy with 100 points. Magazine (90), JC Westside (79), and WYC (9) rounded out the men’s team scores.

Shining star Daisy Nelson led the Lady Tigers. Her team amassed an overwhelming 271.5 points on their way to victory.

Volunteers at the Mansfield hosted junior high track champinships witness the Tigers dominate the standings.

Nelson brought the broom with 50.5 points. That individual point total gave her a fourth high point plaque for the 2023 track season. It was not without a fight as Westside freshman Olivia Pelfrey gave it a go with six individual scoring events. The Rebel runner comprised 49 of her team’s 64 points.

Nelson took four individual wins, one relay victory, and a second place pole vault score to the bank. Her near perfect score followed a perfect 52.5 point total she amassed at the last regular season meet the week before in Mena.

“Daisy had a special night,” said longtime Mansfield coach John Mackey. “So exciting that this moment took place in front of the home crowd in front of family and friends. She and her teammates brought their best tonight. Winning never gets old.”

All-State cross country runner Joey Williams was equally impressive. He led the Tiger men’s team to a runaway win. As a group, the Mansfield boys combined for 221 points.

The Mansfield press box is full of activity with the running of the district track finals.

Williams left little dirt on the ground as he too brushed the district dust into a neat pile. The ninth grade distance runner’s workload was way different compared to his sprinting counterpart from the MHS women’s team.

Williams relished in the longer races as Nelson picked apart the competition through the hurdles and short sprints.

“Joey is so motivated,” said Mackey who also serves as Williams’ cross country coach and assistant boy’s track coach. “He already has colleges looking over his resume after an impressive All-State performance at the 2022 cross country finals. Track season is yet another opportunity for him to showcase his developing talent.”

Williams was impressive winning two individual distance races. Only little brother Gunner was anywhere near as the two front ran the 1600m and 800m races to finish one-two in both.

The older of the two brothers also anchored the winning 4x800m relay and what initially looked liked the winning 4x400m relay. A mistake by a teammate in the later co-op canceled those winning points. The team was disqualified for moving out of their lane too early.

Minus the hiccup, Williams brought 28.50 points to the table. That was third in the overall individual standings on the men’s side. Again, it was Johnson County Westside sticking out a thorn. Westside’s Zane Smith took the top individual prize with 54 points.

The Tiger men had five players reach the top ten in individual scoring. Dominic Shores (28), Braxton Bartlett (25), Gunner Williams (18.5), and Dawson Robinson (18) all reached the plateau just below their leading scorer.

The Mansfield junior boys finish the regualr season and district finals as track champions.

The Lady Tiger roster was even more formidable as they had eight players reach the top ten in individual scoring.

Nelson was top shelf. She won the long jump (15-3), 100m hurdles (17.43), 100m dash (13.38), and 200m dash (27.78). She anchored the winning 4x100m relay (56.80) and was second in pole vault (7-0) to lead the Tiger pride.

The other top ten Lady Tigers combined for an additional 160 points for the home team.

Rylan Jones (36.5), Abby Smith (30.5), and Madison Hearron (19) all offered high end production. The next four Mansfield players all tied in the individual pecking order with 18.50 points apiece. Adeline Bray, Kayla Bieker, Miley Clopton, and Payton Meyers populated that list.

“You know the winning tradition runs deep when the kids of kids you’ve coached in the past are still winning conference championships,” Mansfield’s elder mentor reflected.

“I brought out an autographed baton from a state record relay team the other day,” continued the coach. “ Danielle Clem’s (Godwin) name was prominently displayed. That’s Adeline Bray’s state championship mom. The apple doesn’t fall far. I’m honored to be a link between generations of winners. I’m so proud of these junior high players for reaching their goal.”

Mansfield had a long list of All-District performances. In order to be considered All-District in junior high track, an individual or relay team must finish in the top two places in their event.

For the Mansfield boys, the 2A-4 All-District junior high team included the following Tigers. Cooper Edwards (1st – triple jump), Ethan Martin (2nd – shot put), Cadien Ore (2nd – discus), Dominic Shores (2nd – 110m hurdles, 300m – hurdles), Joey Williams (1st, – 1600m, 1st – 800m), Gunner Williams (2nd – 1600m, 2nd – 800m), and Braxton Bartlett (1st – 100m, 1st – 200m) made it through individual events.

The All-District relay rosters for the Tiger men included: 1st place 4x800m relay – Hunter Whittaker, Gunner Williams, Joseph Carter, and Joey Williams. 1st place 4x100m relay and 1st place 4x200m relay – Zander Walters, Dominic Shores, Dawson Robinson, and Braxton Bartlett.

For the Mansfield girls, the 2A-4 All-District junior high team included the following individuals. Daisy Nelson (1st – 100m hurdles, 1st – 100m dash, 1st – 200m dash, 1st – long jump, 2nd – pole vault), Abby Smith (2nd – long jump), Madison Hearron (1st – triple jump), Rylan Jones (2nd – shot put, 2nd – discus, 2nd – 800m), and Adeline Bray (2nd – 400m).

The All-District relay rosters for the Lady Tigers included: 2nd place 4x800m relay – Lilly Young, Harley Kunkel, Ashlynn Whittaker, and Adeline Bray. 1st place 4x200m relay – Payton Meyers, Madison Hearron, Summer Lyon, and Molly Beck. 1st place 4x100m relay – Kayla Bieker, Miley Clopton, Madison Hearron, and Daisy Nelson. 1st place 4x400m relay – Adeline Bray, Miley Clopton, Abby Smith, and Rylan Jones.

Collectively, Mansfield saturated the scores with point getters all across the board.

Meyers, Smith and Clopton all placed in the women’s high jump as Meyers set her new personal record with a 4’ 5” leap for third place. Meyers and Smith also placed in the pole vault.

Jones, Hearron, Beck, and Bray all cashed in at the horizontal jumps. Jones, Bailey Quick, Aubree Helms, and Addison Robles placed second through fifth in the discus. Jones, Bieker, and Quick did nearly the same thing in the shot put.

Smith, Annabelle Martin, and Hearron gave Mansfield a leg up in the hurdles with positions five through seven. Smith and Martin doubled down in the 300m hurdles for 11 more collective points.

Kerrington Quick, Emilee Parsons, Addison Howard and Chloe Beran completed the Lady Tiger championship team.

Carter, Shores, and Alex Hecox all made gains in the men’s high jump. Walters and Whittaker each scored through the horizontal hops. Bryson Elmore, Logan Ore and Clayton Garrison all placed in the throws.

Joey Williams, Robinson, Carter, and Shores registered a block of pole vault points. Shores and Hecox added 28 points through the hurdles. Robinson, Bartlett, and Dalton Knowles were consistent scorers in the sprints.

Seventh graders Treven Hattabaugh and Drake Brunson were on the active Mansfield men’s roster.

Arkansas Sweeps Kentucky in Doubleheader Win at Lexington

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4:55 pm

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Arkansas Sweeps Kentucky in Doubleheader Win at Lexington

LEXINGTON, KY – No. 12 Arkansas (34-12) tamed the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (26-15-1) with a doubleheader sweep to capture its 11th consecutive SEC road series win Saturday at John Cropp Stadium.

Arkansas defeated Kentucky, 8-1, in the series opener before slamming by Kentucky, 14-6 (5 inn.), in game two for the series win. The Razorbacks combined for 22 runs on 28 hits Saturday.

Game 1

Arkansas set the tone in Saturday’s series opener, which was rescheduled from Friday night due to inclement weather.

Redshirt senior RHP Chenise Delce (17-5) earned her 10th ranked win of the season after silencing a hot Kentucky offense. Spinning her 14th complete game, Delce surrendered just one run on six hits and struck out six batters. The Oklahoma City product gave up one extra-base hit – a solo home run in the third. Delce kept Kentucky scoreless across the last four frames. Delce has thrown a complete game in her last eight starts.

The Razorbacks outhit Kentucky at a 14-6 clip. Arkansas scored at least one run in each of the last four frames.

Freshman Reagan Johnson shined offensively for the Hogs. Johnson tied her career high in hits after finishing 4-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. Hannah Gammill, Lauren Camenzind and Kacie Hoffmann joined Johnson with multi-hit performances. Gammill went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Camenzind finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hoffmann went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Game 2

Redshirt junior designated player Rylin Hedgecock exploded against the Wildcats, mashing a career high three home runs and matching her career high in RBI with seven. Hedgecock reached base in all four plate appearances after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth.

Freshman LHP Robyn Herron (8-4) picked up the nightcap victory after spinning 3.2 innings, surrendering zero runs on one hit and working around a walk. The Tampa native struck out four in 51 total pitches.

Every Razorback starter compiled at least one base hit.

Reagan Johnson registered back-to-back three-plus hit games after finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Raigan Kramer wrapped up a 2-for-4 outing two runs scored. Atalyia Rijo catapulted her third home run of the season – a three-run shot.

Up Next

Arkansas looks for a top-20 series sweep in Sunday’s series finale at 12 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –

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

Coach’s Courage Leads the Eagles

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11:06 pm

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Every sports season, there are stories to be told. Some are stories of great feats on the playing field or court. Some are controversial on a variety of issues or events. And now days, it seems that some are becoming more political than ever before.

But one thing that has not changed are the sports themselves and the true values that they bring to the men and women who play them. Coaches often find themselves in the positions of being more than coaches; some are mentors, and some, are even surrogate parents.

This year’s edition of the Paris Eagles baseball program has been one of youth and talent. After graduating several key players from a year ago, the Eagles have several young players that have received substantial playing time and may have the best years of their playing careers ahead of them.

The young Eagles currently sit in third place in their conference and look like they could be destined for a possible return to the regional tournament, or, maybe even to the state tournament. But it has not been easy for the young diamond Eagles.

On March 28, Eagles pitcher and infielder, Konnor Edwards, was taken off the field in an ambulance in a game versus Charleston. Edwards, playing second base at the time, was moving in to field a ground ball when he collided with a Charleston base runner. A clean play by both players, but Edwards had to be taken from the field in a very scary moment for all who witnessed the play.

Then, during the Eagles’ very next game at Hackett on March 31, senior pitcher Mason Bradley seemed to have the game in control and perhaps cruising to the win in the mid innings against the Hornets. And then, in the fifth inning, just as the previous week with Edwards’s injury, Bradley pulled up from the follow through of a pitch, holding his pitching arm. He had extreme pain and had to leave the game. For the Eagles, suddenly they had found themselves in the moment of looking to content for one of the top two spots in conference to losing two of their best pitchers, infielders, and hitters.

Eagles coach Josh Hart hits fly balls to the Paris outfield prior to a game at Clarksville (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)

But while photographing the Hackett game, it hit me. The team was facing adversity, but not to the level of their own coach. Coach Josh Hart, head coach for the Eagles, had been quietly battling his own adversity during the season, and with courage and class. Coach Hart kept his battle to himself, not allowing it to be a distraction to the team.

So, backing up in our story, Eagles head baseball coach Josh Hart was diagnosed with stage four cancer just after the start of the current school year. He had made it public knowledge, but it was not something that he or anyone else had talked about much. Josh serves also as an assistant coach for the Lady Eagles volleyball program, and during volleyball season and into the winter, he continued to receive cancer treatments.

He quietly took the treatments, came to work every day, and continued to coach his players. His work ethic, stamina, and passion for coaching never waivered. And as a reporter who has covered his teams this year, I can attest that his interest and passion for coaching his players has never suffered due to the distraction or the physical discomfort or loss of stamina from his illnes or treatments.

I had the opportunity to visit with Coach Hart yesterday before the Eagles took the field in Clarksville. He shared with me that he is doing well and has a very good prognosis. He is taking immunotherapy and is seeing great results. He also shared that he will have to take the therapy for the rest of his life. His biggest complaint? The port that has been implanted in his chest for therapy treatments. Josh is an avid hunter, and the placement of the port interferes with his hunting! He is a remarkable man.

Coach Josh Hart (L) and senior Mason Bradley (4). RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best

So when the Eagles were faced with injuries that appeared to be serious or threaten the future playing careers of the players involved, coach Josh Hart could talk to his team and share his own battles with each of his players. He could honestly look at each of them and tell them that life is going to throw challenges and adversity at you, and it is up to each one of us to face those challenges head on. It is going to happen…it is just a matter of what it will be and when it will happen.

So, his players listen to him. When he tells them that whatever they face during the season… look at me…. compared to what I have faced, this is nothing…we can get through this.

Josh Hart has played and has always loved baseball. A year ago, he guided his team to within one game of playing in the Class 3A state championship game. And this year, he will again be playing in the postseason and will be building the foundation of what could be a very good team next year. Josh is a winner, not only on the field, but in life.

Coach Josh Hart confers with assistant coach Joe Devine (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)

And his story of courage may be the most valuable aspect of his life and his coaching that he is now passing on to his players. His story is one of faith and courage.

RNN Sports thanks Coach Hart for giving us permission to share his story. It is one of inspiration, and we thought it might inspire anyone who reads it. So, to Coach Hart, we thank you, and we wish you continued success with your treatments.

And we will be there in the postseason to cover your Eagles in the district and regional tournaments!

Arkansas Pitching Nightmare Weekend Ends with Georgia Grand Slam and Walk Off Homer in Game Three

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10:46 pm

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Arkansas Pitching Nightmare Weekend Ends with Georgia Grand Slam and Walk Off Homer in Game Three

ATHENS, GA – Georgia (23-17, 7-11 SEC) scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to overcome a four-run deficit and walk off No. 5 Arkansas (30-10, 11-7 SEC), 9-8, to complete the series sweep on Saturday afternoon at Foley Field.

It marks the first time that the Hogs have been swept in an SEC series since 2018 at Mississippi State.

Caleb Cali hit two homers and drove in a team-leading five runs in Saturday’s ballgame. The Razorback third baseman finished 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored to raise his season slash line to .304/.404/.576.

Arkansas catcher Hudson Polk also homered, swatting a solo blast for his second long ball of the season. The Hogs collected seven hits, including three home runs, on Saturday afternoon, led by Cali’s team-high three base knocks.

On the mound, Hagen Smith started and spun five innings of two-run ball. The left-hander matched his season high with eight strikeouts while allowing three hits and issuing three walks.

Smith departed the game in line for the win, but the Razorback bullpen could not slow the Bulldog offense. Georgia scored seven runs against Arkansas relievers, including the game-tying grand slam and walk-off solo homer in the ninth.

The Razorbacks are back in action on Tuesday, April 25, traveling up to Springfield, Mo., for a midweek matchup against Missouri State. First pitch from Hammons Field is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –

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

Hogs’ Pitching Struggles Continue in 7-3 Loss to Georgia

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3:37 pm

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Hogs’ Pitching Struggles Continue in 7-3 Loss to Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia (22-17, 6-11 SEC) belted four home runs, including three in the second inning, and pushed its way past No. 5 Arkansas (30-9, 11-6 SEC), 7-3, to clinch the series win on Friday night at Foley Field.

The Razorbacks, who have not won a regular-season weekend series in Athens since 2015, have now lost the opening two games of an SEC series for the first time since 2019 at Vanderbilt. Arkansas will look to avoid its first sweep at the hands of an SEC opponent since 2018 at Mississippi State in tomorrow’s series finale against Georgia.

Arkansas starter Will McEntire matched his season high with six strikeouts, but the veteran right-hander was tagged for six runs on six hits, including all four home runs, and three walks in Friday night’s loss. Georgia hammered three homers in the second inning, swatting back-to-back solo jacks before adding a two-run home run to open an early 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to five in the third inning with a two-out RBI single and carried their offensive onslaught into the fourth by hitting their fourth and final home run of the ballgame. Georgia plated another two-out run in the bottom half of the sixth against the Arkansas bullpen to give themselves a 7-0 advantage.

Offensively, the Razorbacks could not muster much against Bulldog starter Charlie Goldstein. The left-hander twirled six shutout innings against the Hogs, allowing just three hits while striking out six.

Arkansas had better success against Georgia’s bullpen. The Hogs scored three runs in the eighth inning to cut their deficit to four thanks to Brady Slavens’ two-run homer and Jace Bohrofen’s RBI sacrifice fly.

The Razorbacks, however, would not get any closer than that. The Bulldogs worked a 1-2-3 top half of the ninth to preserve their 7-3 win and clinch the series victory in Athens.

Caleb Cali (2-for-3) and Harold Coll (2-for-4) each recorded multiple hits in Friday night’s setback to lead the Razorback offense. In relief of McEntire, right-hander Cody Adcock tossed three innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts.

First pitch in the series finale between Arkansas and Georgia is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT Saturday, April 22, on SEC Network+ with Matt Stewart (play-by-play) and Jason Jacobs (analyst) on the call from Foley Field.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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2:49 am

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins,
Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! I hope nobody got hail damage. I was coming home from Branson and when I got off on the Van Buren, Ft. Smith exit, I got hammered by hail. It was crazy. It was hitting my car so hard I just knew it was going to break my windshield.

Jacob, Loren, Ethan, Evan, Ella and I went to Branson over the weekend. Loren booked us a nice condo and we went to see Esther at the Sight and Sound Theater. Let me tell ya, I thought Esther was so good. I have never seen anything there that I don’t like, they are just awesome.

By the way, note to self, don’t take trips with your son who is a grouch and says to me and Loren as we are waiting to see Esther play, “I feel like I am taking care of five kids and myself.” Hold on a minute buster, you don’t take of me. He didn’t have to babysit us, I had my own car. He is rotten to the core and I reckon it’s my fault. The next time I go to Branson, I’m not going with Groucho.

Ok, just so ya know I’m going to be 60 in July. The big 6-0 is staring me in the face. I’ve been asked if I’m 70. Well, this weekend topped it off, we were all at the Branson Landing shopping around and the kids had went one way and Jacob and Loren another way and I was alone. So, I’m going to all the places I like and this man at this booth starts talking to me and he wants me to sit in this chair, and like a dummy I sit down and yes, I did stumble a bit when I went to sit down. He asks, “do you use a walker or a cane?” Just a FYI he lost his sale on me because that done it. I politely said, “noooo!” Ok, so I’m sitting in the chair, and he has my shoes off and is messing with the bottom of my foot before I could shake a stick. If you know me, you know I can’t stand my feet touched or my hair. I am the most tender headed person around. I inherited that from my Aunt Lou. So, he’s rubbing the bottom of my sweaty food asking me if I had pain here and there. Then, he tries to sell me these inserts for my shoes that were miracle workers for any pain you have. Feet, hips, knees, just about anywhere you had pain, these inserts were the miracle you needed. I told ya’ll he lost his sale at the walker and cane. So, about that time another “old” person stops and he starts in on him. Let me tell ya, I had those shoes on and was gone faster than they could change a tire at Daytona 500. That all being said, I reckon I’m looking a lot older than my mind thinks I am.

This week’s recipe is for a banana split dump cake. Ya’ll know I love a dump cake of any kind. They are easy and fast for a quick dessert anytime.

BANANA SPLIT DUMP CAKE
1 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple
1 21 oz. can of strawberry pie filling (You can use cherry if you prefer. You can also use two cans if you have it, it just makes it better!)
1 package of vanilla cake mix
1 1/2 sticks of butter or margarine sliced up
1 cup of shredded coconut
1 cup of chopped nuts
2-3 medium bananas
Handful of chocolate chips (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Use a 9×13 pan. I always spray with Pam. Spread the pineapple evenly in the bottom of the pan. Then, spread the strawberry pie filling, then slice the bananas over the top of the pie filling. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of that. Pour the dry vanilla cake mix on top and sprinkle the nuts and coconut on top. Place the sliced butter on top of the dry cake. Bake for 40 minutes and let cool before eating. It’s good with whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy and have a wonderful week!

Timepiece: Tornado

Featured

Tammy Teague

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12:46 am

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Huge oaks, three feet or more in diameter, shattered like so many straws, laying in piles resembling the old pick up sticks game. Crushed cars, collapsed buildings, sheet metal, clothes, and the turf from the high school football field strewn in ditches, tops of trees, and piles of rubbish. Your heart breaks as you see a small child’s tricycle and then a baby bed standing in the middle of the desolation. People walked in the midst of the wreckage, a resigned look on their faces as they searched for remains of their lives that existed prior to the tornado. Wynne resembled a war zone, the result of the tornado that roared through the city on March 31, 23 killing four people and injuring dozens. Hours earlier, tornadoes spawned from the same cell had hit western Little Rock. One of the worst tornadoes to hit an Arkansas urban area, unfortunately it was not the first nor will it be the last.

Tornadoes are the most frequent and most destructive natural hazard faced by Arkansans. Earthquakes, such as the New Madrid earthquake, occur only in intervals of two-hundred or more years but tornadoes are a regular occurrence. They appear to strike almost at random and seemingly can hit virtually any area in the state. While Arkansas in not normally considered a part of the tornado alley just to the west of our state, we have suffered from way too many violent and destructive episodes. Some of the most recent data indicate that, although rural and with a small population, we rank only behind Mississippi in number of fatalities per 100,000 populations.

During the spring months, especially April, warm air rises from the Gulf and clashes overhead with the cold air from the poles. Rising winds create vortices of air that began to move across the landscape at speeds that can exceed 300 mph. Any place in the path of winds at that speed are going to suffer destruction. The largest outbreak ever to hit the state was in Jan. of 1999 and those 56 tornadoes resulted in untold destruction and in multiple deaths across the state.

One of the worst tornadoes in my lifetime occurred in Greenwood in 1968. Lasting only 4 minutes, the F4 tornado tore through the middle of town and left 14 dead and 270 injured. Most of Greenwood was reduced to kindling and rubble. Four-hundred homes and over sixty business were destroyed and it took the city years to recover.

In growing up, an elderly gentleman described the tornado that struck his home in Logan County. The home he lived in was completely destroyed, his parents and every sibling were killed, and he was found barely alive in a tree yards from his former home. Taken to Paris for medical assistance, there wasn’t room enough for all the injured in the hospital so he spent days with others in the courthouse which provided temporary shelter.

My eldest son, Jamie, was caught in Fort Smith during the 1996 tornado that destroyed a portion of historic downtown. Traveling in the downtown area as it hit, the wind whipped the vehicle they were in sideways as roofing, sheet metal, and debris rained onto the car. Walls of building built of brick and concrete tumbled into the street and electric wires dangled, shooting sparks into the air as all lights went out. In minutes, it was over but the city would never be the same.

Arkansas people are resilient and work together to overcome such disasters. Relief groups from the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Shepherds, and even groups from as far away as Oregon were in Wynne to assist. As our group gathered outside the hotel at Forrest City to travel to Marvell to assist the schools there, we joined hands for prayer with relief groups from all over the country that were going the few miles north to Wynne. Schools, businesses, and homes can be rebuilt, the memories and fears of the people involved take much longer to erase.

Small Business Owners Invest in More

Business

Tammy Teague

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12:37 am

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By definition, business owners put a lot of their financial resources into their enterprises. But as an owner, you may need to invest in more than inventories and payroll to help achieve the future you’ve envisioned.

Here are a few investments you may want to consider:

• Retirement account – Depending on the nature of your business and how many employees you have, you can choose from a variety of tax-advantaged retirement plans, such as an owner-only 401(k), an SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. By contributing regularly to one of these accounts, you can avoid being entirely dependent on the sale of your business to pay for your retirement years.

To fund your 401(k) or other retirement plan, you’ll have many investment options — stocks, bonds, mutual funds and so on. And if you “max out” on your retirement plan, you may even be able to build a separate investment portfolio. In any case, keep in mind that you’re already putting a lot of money into your business, so, to achieve a level of diversification, you may want to concentrate your investment choices in areas outside your industry. However, while diversification can help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio, it can’t guarantee profits or protect against losses in a declining market.

• Property – Your physical space is a key part of your business’ success. So, you may want to invest some time in comparing the pros and cons of renting versus owning. Of course, owning your building may require a big financial commitment, and it may not be feasible, but it could free you from worrying about untimely rent increases.

• Disaster protection – If a fire or a weather-related disaster should strike your business, would you be prepared? It’s important for you to create a disaster recovery plan, which can include business interruption insurance to pay for your operating costs if you’re forced to shut down for a while.

• Emergency savings – While a disaster protection plan with appropriate insurance can help keep your business afloat, it’s unlikely to cover other types of emergency needs, such as a major medical bill or an expensive repair to your home. For these unexpected costs, you may want to build an emergency fund covering at least a few months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account. Without such an emergency fund, you may be forced to dip into your 401(k), IRA or other long-term investment vehicle.

You’ll also want to invest the time and energy into creating a business succession plan. Will you keep the business in your family? Sell it to outsiders or a key employee? If you do sell, will you do it all at once or over time? Clearly, the answers to these types of questions will make a big difference in your ultimate financial security.

Finally, invest in help – Enlist the services of a financial advisor and business-planning professional, so you’ll be able to make the decisions that work best for your business and you.

Your business may well be a lifelong endeavor — so make sure you’re investing whatever it takes to earn a lifetime of benefits.

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

April Brings Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention and the Work of CASA

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Resident News Network

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6:27 pm

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April Brings Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention and the Work of CASA

Child abuse is something none of us want to talk about. The thought of a child being abused is abhorrent to all of us. And just as horrifying as child abuse can be, on the opposite side of this terrible issue are the many good things that people and organizations do every day to both prevent and deal with the aftermath of the effects of abuse on children.

One such organization is CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, who is led by their director, Annette Summers. The mission of their organization, according to Summers, is to “train volunteers, citizens, to advocate for the best interests of foster children, so, abused and neglected children in Logan, Scott, and Yell counties. There is also another CASA office that covers Franklin county. We recruit and train these volunteers to serve as advocates / mentors for the children in our area.”

And the need for this type of assistance has perhaps never been greater than it is today. According to Summers, “There is (a great need). Right now, we do not have enough volunteers to cover every child that needs CASA support in our area. Unfortunately, we just don’t have enough. Our goal is to have 100% of our foster children in this area appointed to a CASA volunteer. That is our ultimate goal.”

Perhaps someone who reads this story will be inspired to inquire into the process of becoming a CASA volunteer and coming to the aid of the foster children in our area. I asked Annette what someone would have to do to become a volunteer, and she responded by saying, “The first thing a volunteer would have to commit to doing is going through an initial training with CASA that is a self-paced program. We provide the materials and the volunteers go through a list of online modules that takes an average of 30 hours to complete and also includes court observation. Volunteers also must submit to a background check and interview. We do a short introduction with the volunteers where we talk about the program and give them the opportunity to ask questions. After the training, and after they have completed court observation, they are sworn in as a CASA advocate by the judge. From there, they are assigned a case where they may be assigned just one child, or in some cases, a sibling group. They start out by just trying to get to know everyone in that child’s life. They visit the child once a month, and then they talk to the child’s teacher(s), foster parents, extended family, case workers, and the parents, as well.”

It takes a very special person or persons to take on such a responsibility. Many are intimidated or overwhelmed by the possibility. Summers explains, “They’re (prospective volunteers) are scared to think about court. But if an advocate is concerned about taking a particular case, the court works with them and CASA supports the advocates all the way. Once a volunteer commits to an completes the training process, our retention rate is very high. We have some volunteers that have been with us for over seven or eight years.”

It is a big commitment to become a CASA volunteer advocate. But it can be extremely rewarding. Summers says the volunteers see a need for advocacy. “They see a need for it. Some of our foster children that we work with have had well over ten placements in their lifetimes. They “travel through” foster care, and our advocates are usually the only consistent person the children have through all of these multiple placements.

The ages of the foster children range from babies to teenagers and even some that have aged out of foster care and still need advocacy. We match volunteers with their preferences and how comfortable they are with the ages of children.”

CASA volunteers are not responsible for any legal issues that a foster child may encounter, but they, according to Summers, “usually know about their problems and they become involved in trying to determine what the child needs to succeed in school, to do better in school, etc. Unfortunately, DHS (Department of Human Services) works very hard, but they have huge caseloads and are understaffed. Their caseloads may be 30 children per staff member, where CASA volunteers may have as little as one per volunteer. So, together, we all work as a team to figure out solutions.”

According to Summers, most of their current volunteers have been with CASA for over five years. The agency has 22 current volunteers covering Logan, Scott, and Yell counties. The number of volunteers covering the three counties is spread very thin in relationship to the number of children in those counties needing services. Summers continued by saying, “We basically have about 20% of the need covered in those counties. So, we definitely are short of our goal of serving 100% of the need.”

The average profile of the CASA volunteer varies. “They (volunteers) just have to have a love for children. That’s the main common denominator across all of our volunteers. Otherwise, we have business owners, working individuals, retired persons, couples, retired teachers, retired military, etc.; it really varies.”

It truly is a big commitment to become a volunteer. But it is one that is needed for the future of our communities. Financially, CASA provides mileage reimbursement for volunteers traveling to visit their court appointed child cases. CASA encourages the volunteers to visit their children, and they do not want fuel costs to stand in the way of their visitations. “We don’t want distance for financial reasons for a volunteer to be why they can’t visit their children.”

RNN would like to thank Annette Summers for taking time for this interview and her contributions to a story that needed to be told. We thank her and the CASA volunteers who work behind the scenes to serve children in need in Logan, Franklin, and Yell counties. For more information on CASA and to inquire about becoming a CASA special advocate, their office is located at 366 N. Broadway Avenue in Booneville. Their phone number is 479-675-2641.

Inclement Weather Forces Schedule Change for Weekend Series at Kentucky

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Resident News Network

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5:54 pm

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Inclement Weather Forces Schedule Change for Weekend Series at Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY – Due to inclement weather, Friday’s series opener between No. 12 Arkansas and No. 20 Kentucky has been postponed.

The Razorbacks and Wildcats will play a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. Game two remains set for 5 p.m. on ESPN2. Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for noon on SEC Network+.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks –

Note to Our Readers: The previous update was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Grace Tafolla.

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