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Financial Focus: How Should You Pay for Short-Term Financial Goals?

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9:52 pm

Financial Focus: How Should You Pay for Short-Term Financial Goals?

By Jeffery O’Neal, Financial Advisor

As you go through life, you will likely have long- and short-term financial goals. But how will your strategies for meeting your long-term goals differ from those needed for your short-term ones?

If you’re like most people, your biggest long-term goal is achieving a comfortable retirement. And for this goal, a common strategy is putting away money in tax-advantaged retirement vehicles, such as your 401(k) and IRA.

So, how should you go about preparing for shorter-term goals, such as a family vacation, home renovation, wedding or major purchase?

For starters, determine what your goal is, how much you can spend on it and when you’ll need the money. Even if you can’t pinpoint a precise amount, you can develop a good estimate. Of course, the sooner you start this process, the better off you’ll be, because you’ll have more time to save.

Your next decision involves the manner in which you save for your short-term goal. Specifically, what savings or investment vehicles should you use? The answer will be different for everyone, but you need to make sure that your investments align with your risk tolerance and time horizon. And you’ll want to ensure, as much as possible, that a certain amount of money is available for you at the specific time you’ll need it.

If you aren’t able to save enough to reach a short-term goal, you have other options — you can borrow what you need, or you can potentially sell investments to cover the cost. How can you decide which choice is best?

To help make up your mind, you’ll first want to consider some of the most common borrowing options: credit cards, home equity loans, personal loans and margin loans. (A margin loan lets you borrow against the value of investments you already own). How might each of these loans fit into your overall financial strategy? Will the repayment schedule work with your cash flow and budget?

You’ll then want to compare the costs and benefits of borrowing, in whatever form, against selling investments. For example, if you can borrow at a lower interest rate compared to the return you think you can get from your investments, borrowing might be a reasonable choice. You’ll also need to consider other factors, such as your credit score, taxes, fees associated with selling investments and time needed to repay debts. If, for instance, selling investments will trigger a large amount of taxes, borrowing might be preferable. You’ll also want

to consider whether there’s a penalty or high costs associated with selling investments. In addition, if you have a long time horizon for a loan, you may want to sell investments to avoid paying interest for a longer period of time, and thus driving up the overall cost of borrowing. Finally, keep in mind that you may have built an investment mix designed to align with your goals and risk tolerance. If you were to sell any of these investments to meet short-term needs, you would want to consider the need to rebalance your portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation.

As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to paying for short-term goals. But by carefully evaluating your options, you can make the choices that are right for your needs.

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

Eagles Hit the Road Again to South Arkansas on Friday to Play at Centerpoint

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9:47 pm

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Eagles Hit the Road Again to South Arkansas on Friday to Play at Centerpoint

It has been a tough grind this year for the Paris Eagles. One of those years where frustrations run high, but the character of the Eagles pushes them to continue to play hard on every down.

In the newly-formatted 3A-4 conference, Paris was placed in a conference that required long trips to play games at such places as Bismarck and now Centerpoint. All the same, the travel can seem to make the season even more difficult to bear.

As a writer who has followed this team closely, I will tell you that having very little success on the field is a very hard thing to take. Place ourselves in the shoes of teenagers who are on the field each week and coming home battered and bruised every Friday night, and you just have to admire the dedication and the desire to play that each player demonstrates each week. But with all of that said, the object of the game is to win. And that is what the Paris Eagles focus on each week.

At deadline time for this story, Paris was getting ready to take the field at Eagles Stadium for their annual homecoming football game. The opponent was the Two Rivers Gators, and it was a game that Paris needed badly to win. A homecoming victory would provide some relief to the players and coaches who have been through so much adversity this year. A loss would be another story.

But looking ahead to this week’s game at Centerpoint, the Eagles will travel just short of two-and-a half hours to the South Arkansas town of Amity that is located just south of Glenwood. Amity, for landmark reference, is located approximately 46 minutes southwest of Lake Hamilton. Eagles fans who will make the trip on Friday may find the fastest way to the game being a drive through Booneville, Danville, and onward south through Story on state highway 314. But don’t listen to me; by all means, consult your phone’s GPS!

Centerpoint is a program that many had thought might be down a little from a year ago. After a big year in 2021, the Knights graduated a talented class of athletes and were picked by Hooten’s Arkansas Football publication to finish fifth in the conference. The Knights were 9-4 a year ago and finished fourth in the 3A-5 conference. Centerpoint went on to the state playoffs in 2021 and defeated Osceola in the first round by a score of 29-14. Centerpoint went to Charleston in the second round of the 2021 state playoffs and defeated a very good Tigers team at home by the score of 28-23. The Knight’s season came to an end in the state quarterfinals in 2021 with a 35-7 loss at Harding Academy who was the eventual 3A state champion last year.

So, the Centerpoint program is a high-quality program that knows how to win and has had success both in conference play and in the state playoffs. They are coached by Cary Rogers and work out of the gun on offense. Defensively, the Knights run the “30” defense.

From last year’s state quarterfinal team, Centerpoint has three returning starters on offense and four on defense. On offense, they are led by senior Jace Clark at quarterback who is 5’11, 180 lbs, and has a 40 yard dash time of 4.8 seconds. Defensively, the Knights are led by senior Brayden Longshore at defensive tackle. According to Hooten’s, the Knights have good depth on their roster, perhaps and indication of the success and interest in the program, but have had to rebuild from losing 15 legitimate starters from a year ago.

As of October 13, the Knights have won games against Hackett, Mena, Bigelow, Magnet Cove and Two Rivers. They also have a forfeit win from Danville who previously canceled the remainder of their season. At deadline time, the Knights were traveling to Jessieville to play the Lions. To wrap-up the regular season, Centerpoint will host Paris on Friday night, and will then play at Glen Rose on October 28 and will host Bismarck on November 4. The Knights’ playoff seeding will ultimately be determined with their final two big games at the end of the season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Amity, and RNN Sports will be there to capture the images and provide a post-game recap of the game on Saturday morning. Photos from the game will also be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports next week.

RNN wishes the Eagles and their fans safe travel to and back from the game on Friday. Thank you for reading RNN Sports, and we thank you for your subscriptions and your loyalty! It is our pleasure and privilege to bring you local news and sports to the great communities of Western Arkansas!

Class 3A State Tournament Begins Next Week in Searcy at Harding Academy

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9:18 pm

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Class 3A State Tournament Begins Next Week in Searcy at Harding Academy

At deadline time for this story, the 3A West regular season had just concluded and conference teams were preparing for this week’s district tournament that is being held at Charleston High School. The Hackett Lady Hornets, undefeated conference champions and the top seed in the district tournament, received a bye to the semi-finals of the tournament. The Paris Lady Eagles, runner-ups in the regular season and the tournament’s number two seed, also received a bye to the semifinals.

The top four seeds from this week’s conference tournament will advance to next week’s state tournament that will begin in Searcy at Harding Academy. The first three rounds of the state tournament will be held in Searcy with the state final being held in Hot Springs on Saturday at Bank OZK Arena.

Conference tournament seeding this week is extremely important to the top four teams who will advance to the state tournament. A team who wins the conference tournament will advance to the state and play a number four seeded team in the first round. A number two seed will play a number three seed in the first round. So, theoretically, the higher seeded teams have an easier path, at least in the first round of the state tournament. That is not always the case, such as in 2019 when the number four seed Waldron Lady Bulldogs upset a number one seed Perryville Lady Mustangs team in the first round of the state tournament held that year in Paris.

RNN Sports will bring you all of the updates from this week’s district tournament, as well as in next week’s state tournament. So, stay with RNN Sports, and thank you for subscribing to Logan County’s weekly newspaper bringing you LOCAL news and sports!

LIFE SAVING REMINDER: U DRIVE, YOU TEXT, YOU PAY

Tammy Teague

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8:44 pm

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LIFE SAVING REMINDER: U DRIVE, YOU TEXT, YOU PAY

Typing or reading cellular telephone messages while driving is risky business. Anyone doing it could be stopped by police and issued a violator citation. Worse, someone could die in a vehicle crash because a driver was distracted and thought a text message was more important than a life.

Beginning next week (October 17 – 23), Arkansas law enforcement agencies will intensify their patrols aimed at drivers violating the Arkansas texting while driving law. “U Drive, U Text, You Pay” is a coordinated campaign designed to stop distracted driving. Law enforcement agencies across the state have pledged their support toward enforcing the law and educating violators.

Consistently since 2007, drivers among the millennial age group, have become the worst texting while driving offenders, using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers 16 to 24 years old have also been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving with greater frequency than older drivers. During calendar year 2020, 6 percent of people killed in teen (15 – 19) driving crashes died while operating their vehicle and being distracted.

During the upcoming enforcement operation parents are encouraged to discuss with their teenage children the subject of developing safe driving habits, including the practice of never sending or reading text messages while driving. National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 16 – 22 and parents should take the opportunity during the week to set a good example for their teenage children who are beginning to drive. It’s a parent’s responsibility to help their children make smart choices and drive safely.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among U.S. teens (15 – 18 year old). Two years ago, 153,566 people (7% of all roadway injuries during 2020) were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving teenage drivers. More than 2,000 people died in the crashes and 748 of the deaths were teenage drivers.

“It’s incomprehensible why anyone would read or send a text message while driving,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “People, young and old alike know it’s dangerous and deadly, but they selfishly put others at risk.”

Texting while driving is against the law in 47 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NHTSA officials will be reminding teenagers of the danger in using their phones while driving. Using a phone to text, talk or participate in social media while driving is unacceptable, even while stopped in traffic.

“Beginning October 17th state troopers and law enforcement officers across Arkansas will increase their emphasis toward identifying drivers who text while driving and issuing citations for the violation,” Colonel Bryant stated.

Arkansas law enforcement officers and the Arkansas Highway Safety Office urge drivers to put down their phones when behind the wheel. If you need to read or send a text message, pull over and stop at a safe location. Drivers should consider these reminders:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.

• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.

• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.

• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Tooke takes Tech’s Got Talent title for 2022

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Tammy Teague

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8:37 pm

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Tooke takes Tech’s Got Talent title for 2022

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (October 13, 2022)–It’s great to win Tech’s Got Talent. The $600 first-place prize is nice.

But when you look down from the stage a few minutes after the competition is over and your grandfather is proudly showing an old childhood photo of you singing with him…that’s priceless.

That is what Arkansas Tech University student Faith Tooke experienced on Thursday night at Witherspoon Auditorium.

“He (Doug Scallion) has sang all over Arkansas and other states,” said Tooke when asked about that photo. “I’ve grown up singing with him in countless places. I grew up singing in church. I see myself singing in church for the rest of my life and giving all the glory to the one who gave me this wonderful gift.”

Tooke is a 19-year old sophomore from Warren. She is majoring in digital marketing.

She won the annual talent competition for ATU students sponsored by ATU Student Activities Board by singing “Something in the Water” by Carrie Underwood.

“It’s a song I’ve sang for a few years now in church and out of church,” said Tooke. “It’s never failed me. I love it, and that’s why I chose to sing it. I’m so thankful for the opportunity and all the support I had from friends, family and my sorority. They were great. Everyone here has been amazing…all the people working it and all the contestants. We definitely bonded over this. They are all so talented. I’m so grateful to have experienced this with them.”

Cole Huddleston of Waldron won $300 as the Tech’s Got Talent 2022 runner-up, while Kayleb Starnes of Vandervoort earned the third-place prize of $100.

Lamardre Brazell of Pine Bluff, Janniebeth Melendez of Fayetteville and Matthew Melton of Lavaca also advanced to the Tech’s Got Talent 2022 finals. They were joined in the preliminary round by Seamus Brown of Gravette, Juan Olivarez of Fort Smith, Grace Rhodes of Pine Bluff and Jamie Walsh of Hot Springs.

*The Tech’s Got Talent 2022 finalists (from left-to-right) are: Lamardre Brazell, Kayleb Starnes, Janniebeth Melendez, Cole Huddleston, Matthew Melton and Faith Tooke.*

Free CWD testing available for Arkansas deer hunters

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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8:31 pm

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Free CWD testing available for Arkansas deer hunters

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is offering a variety of options to have harvested deer tested for chronic wasting disease for free throughout the 2022-23 deer hunting season.

This year, the AGFC will continue its extensive system of drop-off containers throughout the state, as well as its work with taxidermists and regional offices to pull samples for hunters and have them tested. More than 100 locations around Arkansas are available to get your deer tested for CWD free of charge. A few veterinarians also will provide sampling services for a fee, but hunters should call ahead to ensure availability.

“Last year we took in 8,343 samples from hunter-harvested white-tailed deer,” AJ Riggs, AGFC wildlife health biologist, said. “That’s a new record for sample collection, so we’re really happy with all the hunters who have stepped up to help us monitor CWD in Arkansas by having their deer tested.”

As of the beginning of the 2022-23 hunting season (which began with a few urban bowhunts Sept. 1), the AGFC had collected 42,186 samples for testing since CWD was detected in 2016.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly encourages everyone to have deer from a known CWD-positive area tested before consuming the meat. Testing also assists the AGFC with ongoing disease surveillance in the State’s deer herd. Testing locations are available throughout the state and all hunters are encouraged to make use of the free opportunity.

Thanks to a donation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, every Arkansas resident who has their harvested deer tested for CWD this year will be entered to win one of two gift certificates for a free Resident Sportsman’s Lifetime Combination License and Permit. Hunters who submit multiple deer for testing will have increased chances of being selected.

It is easy to get a deer tested through a drop-off location. Simply bring the deer’s head with 4 to 6 inches of the neck attached and any antlers removed to the location and place it in one of the provided plastic bags with your name and contact information on the card provided. The AGFC will collect these, pull the samples and have them analyzed by the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Testing results should be available within two to three weeks.

Test results will be posted through a secure system at www.agfc.com/cwd.

“We also will call the hunter personally for any test that comes back with CWD being detected,” Riggs said. “We can make arrangements to dispose of the meat properly for them.”

Riggs says staff also will notify hunters via phone if their sample is not usable for some reason, so it is important to give complete information with their deer’s head.

Testing locations will remain open until Feb. 28, the last day of the archery deer season.

A list of official testing locations is available at www.agfc.com/cwd as well as the latest regulations and news about the disease in Arkansas.

County Line Elementary School Holds Math and Literacy Night

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8:24 pm

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County Line Elementary School Holds Math and Literacy Night

Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly from Ms. Celia Looney, Yearbook Adviser, County Line High School. Ms. Looney is a RNN contributor and we thank her for bringing this story to our readers!

County Line Elementary held their Math and Literacy Night on October 7. This was the first Math and Literacy Night since 2019 due to COVID restrictions.

This year’s theme was “A Great Adventure” and each grade level teacher provided learning activities based on that theme. More than 250 students and parents enjoyed the games and a hot dog meal. During the evening there was a drawing for prizes including a new Chromebook, and each child went home with a grade appropriate book.

Magazine Plans Fun-Filled Weekend

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Tammy Teague

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8:23 pm

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By Brandy Young

The City of Magazine is gearing up for an action-filled weekend with family-friendly events that you won’t want to miss.

The weekend kicks off at the Magazine High School Cafeteria at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 28 with the “Student Chef Showdown” sponsored by K-12 Culinary Connection and Magazine Schools.

Students in grades 9-12 have signed up to participate in this exciting challenge where they will have 1 hour to prepare their dish using pre-selected ingredients. Judges will score each dish on Taste, Creativity, and Presentation, and winners will move on to compete against other school districts in the state. This is sure to be an exciting competition!

Following the Student Chef Showdown bring your appetites to the Magazine Elementary Cafeteria where First Western Bank will be serving up the annual Homecoming Dinner starting at 5 p.m. This year’s dinner menu will be spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, drink, and dessert. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Dine-in or take-out will be available. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Magazine Tire and Auto or at First Western Bank.

As the sun sets on Friday evening, bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the Hank Store City Park for an outdoor showing of Disney’s “Hocus Pocus,” presented by the South Logan County Boys and Girls Club. Hot Cocoa, popcorn, and candy will be available for a donation to the club.

Make sure to get a good night’s rest because the Magazine Homecoming Parade will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 29th. The parade will begin at Diamondback Arena and end at the fire station. Immediately following the parade, dozens of food, craft, and farm goods vendors will be set-up at the Hank Stone City Park until 2 p.m. There will be live music, games and activities for the kids, a Cornhole Tournament, and more!

This will be a fun-filled weekend everyone can enjoy. Don’t miss it!
Friday, October 28th
3:30 pm – Student Chef Showdown @ Magazine High School Cafeteria
5:00 pm – Spaghetti Dinner @ Magazine Elementary Cafeteria
7:00 pm – Movie in the Park @ Hank Stone City Park
Saturday, October 29th
9:00 am – Magazine Homecoming Parade
9:30 am to 2:00 pm – Magazine Homecoming Festival @ Hank Stone City Park

Sheriff Shores Announces Bid for Re-Election

Tammy Teague

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8:15 pm

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Sheriff Shores Announces Bid for Re-Election

I, Randy Shores, would like to announce that I am running for re-election for Scott County Sheriff.

I was born and raised here, and I have lived in Scott County all my life. I married my wife Dianne 44 years ago. We have one daughter, Katrina, and two grandchildren, Shelby and Ryan.

I have been your Sheriff for the past 6 years. In my time as Sheriff we have upgraded to all 4-wheel drive patrol vehicles to better serve our rural communities, especially in bad weather. I’ve also equipped our deputies with new body armor, modernized equipment, body cameras, and new duty weapons (which were purchased with money we seized from drug dealers, and didn’t cost the tax payers one penny). We currently also have grant proposals pending for the purchase of new Tasers and other less-lethal equipment.

It has been a goal of mine to give our deputies the tools they need to do their job well, and I plan to keep working on that. Those tools don’t just apply to equipment. In addition to the 13 weeks a deputy spends to become certified we are also averaging around 40 hours a year per deputy in other additional training. Since I have become Sheriff we now have 5 deputies and 2 jailers who are certified by the state as instructors, which we did not have here before.

All of that work is paying off. In the past 18 months, we have intercepted over 12 pounds of methamphetamine that was meant to be sold in our communities. We have recovered dozens of firearms and returned those that were stolen to their owners. Just recently, we secured a 30-year prison sentence for, what I believe, was the biggest meth dealer in this county. I am proud of the work we have done, and I look forward to doing more of it.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you for your vote and support. If you have any questions or concerns call or come by the office anytime. Your vote will be greatly appreciated.

-Scott County Sheriff Incumbent Randy Shores

Logan County Hunters Education Program

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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7:21 pm

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It was a record turnout for the annual Hunters Education program held October 1.

This was a 10-hour class with 42 participants and three members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Each participant graduated and received their completion certificate.

Thank you to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System, Walmart, and Community National Bank of Booneville.

The bank donated orange hunter hats for the participants.

R

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