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Paris Walmart Store Celebrates Renovation with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On a bright and sunny, late summer morning last Friday, the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries celebrated the newly-renovated Walmart store in Paris with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students from Paris Elementary School participated in the ceremony, leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to start the festivities.

Paris Elementary School students lead the Pledge of Allegiance (RNN Photo / Jim Best)

Renovations in the store include new floor finishing, renovated rest rooms, and more isle space for shoppers. Various vendors provided free snacks for visitors, and the PES students took full advantage of the free snacks!

Walmart store and corporate management representatives presented ceremonial checks to various charities in the Paris area. Walmart has historically provided thousands of dollars in charitable contributions to give back to the communities in which they operate their stores.

As the ceremony was taking place, the resurfacing of Highway 22 through downtown Paris was also taking place. It was a busy week in Paris with many signs of progress evident throughout the city. The Paris Chamber of Commerce was also busy with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Farmers Bank & Trust on Thursday, and at the Paris Walmart store on Friday.

Congratulations to Walmart on their newly-renovated store, and thanks again to the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce for its civic leadership!

RNN Photo / Jim Best

Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Farmers Bank

The Paris Area Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Farmers Bank & Trust to Paris on Thursday in a special ribbon cutting ceremony held at the bank. Chamber executive director, Mrs. Tonya Fletcher, and other dignitaries welcomed the bank that has been in business since 1906.

Farmers Bank is based in Magnolia, Arkansas and is located throughout Southern Arkansas and in the Dallas/ Ft Worth area. The new Paris branch represents the northern-most point in its corporate footprint.

Paris is fortunate to have several excellent banking options in the city and surrounding communities. The sign of a new bank in Paris is a positive indicator of the financial health of the region.

RNN welcomes Farmers Bank & Trust to Paris and Logan County!

County Line Elementary School Celebrates First “Rise & Shine” of the New School Year

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

County Line Elementary School presented the first “Rise and Shine” of the new school year. Elementary students and staff met recently for their first “Rise and Shine” assembly. Students who earned feathers for good behavior were recognized, and a new video on bus safety and behavior was viewed. Several members of the faculty performed a rap.

The next assembly will be on September 16, and the programming will be provided by the sixth grade.

Lady Eagles Week Six Volleyball Schedule

The regular season continues for the Paris Lady Eagles volleyball team. At deadline time for this story, Paris had just completed a successful road trip to West Fork and were about to take on the Lady Hornets in Hackett for the first of two big showdowns between the top two teams in the 3A West.

Looking ahead to Week Six of the regular season for Paris, the Lady Eagles will play the following matches:

September 17 at the Mena Jr. Invitational (junior high), TBA

September 20 at Elkins, 4 p.m.

September 22 at Green Forest, 4 p.m.

Depending upon the September 8 outcome of the Paris at Hackett match, Paris and / or Hackett will enter week six as either the leader or the second place team going into the second half of the conference season. A lot of volleyball is left to play with return, round-robin conference games being played until the senior district tournament begins on October 18.

Stay with RNN Sports for the latest in Paris Lady Eagles volleyball coverage!

Charleston Hosts 4A Nashville in Friday’s Non-Conference Tilt at Alumni Field

Note to Our Readers: The accompanying images in this story were taken by Mrs. Ronni Tate Young. Mrs. Young is a RNN Sports photojournalist contributor, and we thank her for bringing these great pictures to our readers!

At deadline time for this story, the Charleston Tigers, fresh off of their big win at Elkins, were preparing to take the field against the Ozark Hillbillies. Ozark had lost big at Booneville the week before, and the “Battle of Franklin County” was an important game for both schools. Watch for an update on this game in the online edition of RNN Sports.

Looking ahead to Week Three of the Tigers’ season, head football coach Ricky May and the Tigers are preparing to host the Nashville Scrappers from Class 4A. The Charleston match-up with Nashville is unique due to the ripple effect of Hot Springs Fountain Lake electing to play eight-man football. A schedule gap was created from the Cobras’ move to eight-man football, and both Charleston and Nashville were looking for a Week Three game. Thus, this Friday night’s game at Alumni Field, and RNN Sports will be in Charleston to bring you exclusive, special coverage of this great match-up!

Image special to RNN Sports / Ronni Tate Young

Nashville plays in the 4A-7 conference with member schools Arkadelphia, Malvern, Mena, and Waldron. It is a six-team conference that resulted from the drop out of Fountain Lake. It is a very tough conference that may be short on the number of member schools, but each team is very strong. Five of the six schools will make the playoffs from their conference.

The Scrappers return seven starters on offense and five on defense from a year ago. Nashville finished the 2021 season with a record of 4-6 and finished sixth in their conference. They are coached by Mike Volarvich, running the spread offense and multiple defensive sets.

Nashville opened the 2022 season with a Week Zero loss to Magnolia by the score of 35-27, and a Week One victory over Hope, 74-42. At deadline time for this story, the Scrappers were preparing to host DeQueen on September 9.

When I asked Charleston coach Ricky May to comment on Nashville, he replied, “They are very explosive and really potent on offense. They scored 74 points last week (vs. Hope). Their defense can really run to the ball and their special teams are dangerous!” Nashville has a tradition of talented athletes and great team speed, and this year’s edition of Scrappers football is no different.

Kickoff time in Charleston is scheduled for 7 p.m. RNN Sports will have two photographers on the field to bring you all of the action from this non-conference thriller! We will see you at the game, and we look forward to bringing you all of the action!

Timepiece: Small Town Morning

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Early morning and the sun was just peeking through clouds in the east. A beautiful morning, like so many other Arkansas days. Patterson’s 22 café was abuzz, voices raised in a crescendo of sound from each of the packed tables arrayed on the hard tile floor of the café. Smokey tendrils drifted upward from scattered ashtrays, joining with the delicious odors of frying bacon, fresh biscuits, and scrambled eggs.

Solving the world’s problems was the business of the day and various of the gentlemen waxed eloquent on topics arranging from Nixon’s impeachment to why our team lost Friday’s football game. A daily occurrence, it was morning coffee and gossip time in my hometown and in many others scattered across the South.

Not only did the men like sharing the latest of news, they enjoyed the practice of picking at each other and playing pranks on their best friends. The more extravagant the prank, the more enjoyment for the crew and the more fun in the sharing of the exploit in the coming days, months, and years. “Yonder comes Woodrow,” one of the men blurted with a gleam in his eye. I knew something was up. Woodrow was one of the regulars. A large, stout truck-driver and a known prankster, he stopped by most mornings to begin his day. Woodrow stomped in, cigar dangling from the corner of his mouth, and seated himself at one of the tables. Taking off his cowboy hat, he threw it upside down on the floor beside his chair and began holding court.

One of his friends, seated directly behind him and feasting on pancakes, used the remainder of his syrup bottle to quietly fill Woodrow’s hat. A half-hour or so later, Woodrow was in a hurry to get to work. Still talking, he grabbed his hat and smashed it onto his head. Immediately, a brown torrent of Karo syrup cascaded over his head and washed over his shoulders. Some of the gooey liquid found its way down the length of the cigar and dripped from the stale ashes onto the floor. Speechless and furious, Woodrow exited the café to the howls of the crowd within.

Just one of many pranks originating in the café, one had to be careful of your actions because paybacks were heck. One morning the crew placed a broken class decal over the windshield of a friends’ vehicle. Looking exactly like a shattered glass, the pranksters even placed some broken glass and a rock on the dash. When the customer exited the café and glimpsed his vehicle, he was thoroughly convinced someone had thrown a rock through his windshield. Without a thorough examination, he ran back into the café and reported it to the local police. While he made the call, his prankster friend removed the rock and decal. The local police, in on the prank, arrived in minutes with lights flashing. The gentleman was certainly amazed and embarrassed to discover that his window was undamaged and none of his friends would collaborate his story about the damage he had seen previously.

So many stories, so little space in which to tell them!!! The group once sat up a Grit newspaper stand for Bentley Allen to subsidize his low teaching salary and to provide enough money for him to pay for his breakfast. The group arranged for a local deputy known for sleeping on the job to have his car, with him in it, rolled out into the middle of highway 22 while he was on night duty. He awoke the next morning with cars circling on either end of his vehicle, parked on the center-line of highway 22.

An early morning visit to the Dinner Bucket, Mel’s Highway 10, Old South in Russellville, the Charbroiler in Waldron, or Workman’s in Ozark and you can still see the continuation of this tradition. A part of Southern life, men still meet to enjoy coffee and conversation. As a friendly reminder, watch your back-side if you’re a frequent visitor!!

Bulldogs To Open Conference Slate

Greenwood will take on the Bombers from Mountain Home this Friday

Senior Storm Scherry Photo by Ross Fujibayashi

In what has been a whirlwind week for the Varsity Bulldogs, the ‘Dogs have turned their attention to their first conference opponent Mountain Home. Unless you have not had access to the internet since Friday night around 10:30 P.M. Greenwood pulled off a very improbable victory over Fort Smith Northside. Down 18 points with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter every aspect of the team stood tall and made it happen until no time was left on the clock. It was then Freshman QB Kane Archer found Sophomore Grant Karnes on the 5 yard line. Karnes would make the catch then dive into the end zone setting off a frenzy of students storming the field.

Freshman Kane Archer Photo by Ross Fujibayashi

The fun did not stop there as the story was picked up nationally by MaxPreps, Scorebook Live and other outlets. While an obvious team effort, several media outlets have recognized Archer and Karnes for their play. 5News and 103.7 The Buzz (Little Rock) selected Grant Karnes as the player of the week. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette named Archer Player of the Week. High accolades for the talented underclassmen.

Sophomore Grant Karnes Photo by Ross Fujibayashi

The Bulldogs are riding a 1-1 record as they face off with an 0-2 Mountain Home. The Bombers losses are to Harrison (Wk 1 20-7) and Nettleton (Wk 0 49-39). This will be the 5th meeting of Mountain Home and Greenwood in the past three seasons, each time Greenwood being able to add a mark in the win column.

In the last game for Mountain Home against Harrison, until their final drive, the Bombers had gotten 98 yards of offense on 4 first downs. Greenwood against Northside racked up 596 yards of Offense with 511 of those yards coming through the air to 7 different receivers. The Bomber secondary will definitely have its hands full.

Defensively the Bulldogs have faced two talented QB’s the last two weeks and big offensive lines. In the 4th quarter against Northside the defense stood stall on crucial 3rd down forcing the Grizzlies to punt setting up one of the last two Touchdowns.

Sophomore Isaiah Arrington Photo by Ross Fujibayashi

Kickoff this Friday is at 7pm at Smith-Robinson Stadium. Live Stream provided by the team of Greenwooddogpound.com and Greenwood Sports Center on Youtube.

South Carolina Gamecocks Come to DWR Razorbacks Stadium on Saturday to Open SEC Play

The Arkansas Razorbacks, fresh off of their 31-24 victory over last year’s college football playoffs semifinalist, Cincinnati, will now open SEC conference play in just the second week of the regular season. The Hogs will welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to Razorbacks Stadium for an 11 a.m. kickoff. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.

Here are some game notes as provided by the University of Arkansas:

South Carolina Gamecocks
(1-0, 0-0 SEC)
at
19/23 Arkansas Razorbacks
(1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 u Noon ET (11 am CT)

Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)

The South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0, 0-0 SEC) travel to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the No. 19/23 Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Sept. 10, in the 2022 SEC opener for both squads. Game time from Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000) is set for 11 am CT (noon ET).

This week’s game is being televised nationally on ESPN. Bob Wischusen will handle the play-by-play
with Dan Orlovsky providing the color commentary. Kris Budden will work the sidelines for the network.

ESPN Radio also has a national broadcast with Mike Couzens on the call with Max Starks as the analyst and Mike Peasley on the sidelines.

Both teams come into the contest off season-opening victories. The Gamecocks used two touch-
down returns of blocked punts in the second half to pull away from a feisty Georgia State squad, 35-14, while the Razorbacks took a 14-0 lead into intermission and held on for a 31-24 victory over Cincinnati.


South Carolina and Arkansas joined the SEC together in 1992 and were assigned as “permanent” cross division rivals. That held as the teams played every year until Texas A&M and Missouri joined the conference in 2013. The Aggies became the Gamecocks “permanent” cross-division rival at that time, while the Tigers and Razorbacks were paired up in a similar fashion. After facing each other on the gridiron for 22-consecutive seasons between 1992-2013, South Carolina and Arkansas have only met once since that time (2017).

For the second-straight week, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer will be facing a former colleague. Coach Beamer and Sam Pittman were on the Georgia staffs together under head coach Kirby Smart for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The 2016 squad went 8-5 and defeated TCU in the Liberty Bowl. The 2017 Bulldogs defeated Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, then lost to Alabama in the CFP Championship game by a 26-23 score to finish 13-2. Last week, Coach Beamer faced Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott. Both were on the 2010 South Carolina staff under head coach Steve Spurrier. Kirby Smart, Sam Pittman and Shane Beamer

A capacity crowd is expected this week and fans should arrive well in advance for the game. If you have not already read RNN Sports’ story on the “Razorbacks Fans Experience” it may be helpful to you to read the story for helpful hints if you plan to attend the game.

Watch for a recap of this game next week on RNN Sports, and….GO HOGS!

Note to Our Readers: This story was sourced from the University of Arkansas, Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson, Associate Athletic Director / Communications.

Charleston Gets Big Road Win at Elkins in Week 1, Defeating the Elks 42-22

The Charleston Tigers made the long trip to Elkins last Friday to open the high school football season. Charleston did not play in Week Zero, so last Friday’s game against a tough 4A-1 opponent on the road was set to be a big test for the Tigers. And when it was all over, Charleston came away with a big 42-22 victory over the Elks.

On the night, Tigers senior quarterback Brandon Scott was 10 of 15 passing on the night for 176 yards and one touchdown. The two-time All-State quarterback added another 156 yards of offense rushing on 16 attempts, and added two touchdowns. Reese Merechka had two receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown. The dual-threat Merechka added 17 rushing yards on 9 carries and scored one rushing touchdown. Brevyn Ketter also had a big night, racking up 64 receiving yards on two big receptions, including one touchdown reception. Ketter also scored a rushing touchdown and had a total of 28 yards running the football. Ketter’s brother, Bryton, had a “scoop and score” to add to the Tigers’ scoring on the night.

Defensively for Charleston, Brycen Kindrix led the Tigers with seven tackles, and Sebastian Ganoa had one interception in the game.

After the game, a proud Charleston coach, Ricky May, posted, “The kids played their tails off! Played with passion and with purpose!”

With the win, Charleston goes to 1-0 on the season and will host Ozark on Friday night at Alumni Field. Ozark lost last week at Booneville by the score of 35-7. It will be the renewal of the “Battle of Franklin County” in a rivalry series that is always a great football game. Kickoff in Charleston is set for 7 p.m. on Friday.

The Tigers vs. Ozark game preview can be found in the RNN Logan County weekly newspaper this week! And watch for the Nashville game preview in next week’s newspaper! If you have not already subscribed, you can go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the subscription link.

So, Tigers fans, enjoy the game this week!

Arrest Reports 8/28

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Cody Len Cole of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 12:38 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Cole was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree – conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia – felony, possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II felony <2g, parole violation, absconding, and contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine).

Caylee Garner of Subiaco was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 3 at 9:28 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond September 3 at 3:02 p.m. Garner was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Nicholas William Vasios of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 3 at 12:50 p.m. and released to an outside agency September 4 at 8:37 a.m. Vasios was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony, and Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.

Jong Yang of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 1 at 1:25 a.m. and released on signature bond September 1 at 4:47 a.m. Yang was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Mansfield Police Department:
Robert John Ellinger of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 11 p.m. and released to an outside agency on August 29 at 1:09 a.m. Ellinger was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony.

Dearl Edward Suttles of Havana was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 2:01 a.m. and released on August 29 at 8:27 p.m. Suttles was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Dillon Joe Yandell of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 1 at 9:38 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond September 2 at 1:23 p.m. Yandell was charged with Violation Of A Protection Order Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Travis Wayne Freeman of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 7 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond September 1 at 2:32 p.m. Freeman was charged with two counts of released from ADC has previous charges they have not bonded on.

Brenda K McAllister of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 2 at 8:05 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. McAllister was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 2nd offense.

Michael Anthony Patton of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 3:45 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Patton was charged with Driving on Suspended or Revoked DL – DWI.

Michaela Mary Phillips of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 6:47 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Phillips was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.

Jerry Lee Whillhite of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 2 at 11:15 a.m. and released on September 4 at 7:53 a.m. Whillhite was charged with Drug Court Sanctions.

Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Chelsey Brooke Kuykendall of Central City was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 12:09 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 31 at 9:06 a.m. Kuykendall was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Dennis Ray McCombs of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 31 at 10:46 a.m. and released on signature bond September 6 at 10:15 a.m. McCombs was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, and contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine).

Jerri Danielle Morse of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 2 at 10:59 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Morse was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd., Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor.

Jeremy Keith Powell of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 4:42 p.m. and released September 1 at 8:07 p.m. Powell was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Angelina Slavens of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 10:53 p.m. and released on signature bond August 31 at 2:27 a.m. Slavens was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.

Anthony Reubeun Vigil of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center August 31 at 11:53 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Vigil was charged with assist outside agency – felony, theft of leased, rented, or entrusted personal property <$1k – purposely, and failure to appear – class C felony.

Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Andrew Lee McKinney of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center August 28 at 6:01 p.m. McKinney was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
Cory Shane Palmer of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 30 at 11:59 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Palmer was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.

Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Ashley Nicole Rine of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 28 at 3:23 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Rine was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine), failure to appear – class A misdemeanor, possession of drug paraphernalia C felony, and furnishing a prohibited article – correctional facility.

Arresting agency – Arkansas Parole:
Dustin Wayne Tankersley of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on September 3 at 4:45 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Tankersley was charged with parole violation, absconding, and failure to appear – class A misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Jason Geels, 41 of Scranton, SC, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 28 at 3:32 p.m. Geels was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tara Hale, 40 of Dardanelle, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 29 at 9:40 a.m. Hale was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, posession of methamphetamine or cocaine with the purpose to deliver.

Robert K Evans, 45 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 29 at 9:28 p.m. Evans was charged with three counts of breaking or entering, and three counts of theft of property.

Elizabeth Lewis, 61 of Van Buren, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 11:20 a.m. Lewis was charged with hold for U.S. Marshal.

Susan McGahey, 41, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 12:10 p.m. McGahey was charged with hold for U.S. Marshal.

Ashton Sloan, 24 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 12:49 p.m. Sloan was charged with contempt of court.

Jill Goodman, 29 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 2:18 p.m. Goodman was charged with hold for drug court.

Tina Guerrero, 27 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 2:55 p.m. Guerrero was charged with hold for U.S. Marshal.

Kristie Hudson, 31 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 3:36 p.m. Hudson was charged with hold for U.S. Marshal.

Teresa Bennett, 42 of Ozark, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 5:03 p.m. Bennett was charged with failure to appear, and parole hold.

Benjamin Deer, 31 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 2 at 5:11 p.m. Deer was charged with residential burglary, and parole hold.

Jeremiah Dupree, 39 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 3 at 12:59 a.m. Dupree was charged with body attachment, and non-support.

Jonathan Byrd, 51 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 3 at 9:15 a.m. Byrd was charged with body attachment.

Kenneth Pack, 48 of Stilwell, OK, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 3 at 3:53 p.m. Pack was charged with contempt of court.

Tabetha Koch, 37 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 3 at 8:14 p.m. Koch was charged with fail to pay.

Donnie Pruitt, 60 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on September 3 at 8:42 p.m. Pruitt was charged with two counts of posession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance.

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**