Note to Our Readers: The following story and images were sourced in their entirety from Mr. Glenn Parrish, Director of Communications, Booneville School District. Mr. Parrish is a RNN Sports contributor and we thank him for this story.
There was a new voice coming over the public address system at Bearcat Stadium Friday night. Kyle Elmore was behind the mic and said a lot of names that might not have been expected.
Of course one name Ozark didn’t want to hear, they would hear, a lot. Dax Goff ran 10 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, made nine total tackles, and returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown.
Dealing with a rash of injuries, the Bearcats (2-0) took a next man up approach. More often than not the next man delivered and the Bearcats beat Ozark 35-7, completing a three year sweep for the senior class.
Ozark’s first three plays netted four yards with Goff recording the first on his nine tackles in the series.
Goff was just getting started.
Goff and Trace Hall were the options to punt towards. The Hillbillies (1-1) chose Goff. He returned the kick 58 yards for a touchdown.
Marcos Mullor added his first of five straight extra points for a 7-0 lead.
Ozark’s next three plays saw tackles made by Demari Poole with Goff, Dakota Mattson, and David Hicks, two of which were for a loss.
After a punt Goff nor Hall could get to the Bearcats took over at their 40-yard line.
Two plays later they were at the Ozark 40. Both plays were passes by quarterback Peyton Tatum. Both went to Hall.
The next two plays were carries by Cody Elliott and covered 24 yards. Elliott completed the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 5:32 left in the first quarter.
Handling the fullback role, Elliott ran 10 times for 65 yards and would score a second touchdown before the opening quarter ended.
Clayton Loftin made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff pinning Ozark at their 12.
Even with an offsides penalty, the Hillbillies could not move the chains and punted again. Hall broke up a pass, and Poole had a sack and another tackle in the series.
A 66-yard drive that took eight plays made it 21-0. Elliott got the touchdown on a run of 22 yards.
The Hillbillies returned the kickoff to the Bearcat 11– Mattson saved a touchdown — but were turned away when Hall broke up a fourth down pass.
The entire second quarter was played in Bearcat territory but the defense repeatedly made stops with Dunn Daniel making consecutive stops and Hall breaking up another pass on one Hillbilly possession.
Chase Plymale made his presence known on two stops on one possession prolonged by a 15-yard penalty, which ended with Cameron Osborne tracking down both Hillbilly quarterbacks who saw action.
Image Credit: Mr. Glenn Parrish, Boneville School District
Out of halftime the Bearcats had a false start penalty to move the ball back to their 24. Goff went 76 yards on the next play and it was 28-0.
After Hicks, Mathew Crosby and others stuffed a fourth-and-1 run to force a turnover on downs, Goff went 49 yards for a touchdown but it came back due to a holding flag.
Ozark’s next possession saw a 23-yard gain — more yardage than was gained the entire first half — but Hall broke up another pass and the Hillbillies again turned the ball over on downs.
Ozark was 1-of-10 on third down and 0-of-4 on fourth.
The Bearcats made it 35-0 with a 72-yard drive that used the final five minutes of the third quarter and had the Bearcats at the Hillbilly 1 when the quarter ended.
Image Credit: Mr. Glenn Parrish, Booneville School District
After an injury delay, Goff scored on the first play of the final quarter.
Ozark was forced to punt on its next possession but got to keep the ball through a roughing call — the Bearcats drew 75 yards in penalties.
It wouldn’t matter because Dylan Todd broke up a pass and tipped it until he turned it into an interception.
Four downs later the Bearcats had quarterback Jace Washburn take a knee on fourth down, giving Ozark the ball and a little more that two minutes.
With 75 yards of total offense to that point, the Hillbillies doubled their production in two plays, a 16-yard pass and a 59-yard run, to make it 35-7.
The Bearcats are open this Friday and will next play on September 16 when Harding Academy comes to Bearcat Stadium.
Although the Mansfield Tigers players, coaches, and loyal fans knew something special was in the works in Mansfield’s football program, no one else thought twice about Mansfield having any success. After two seasons with just three wins, Mansfield was picked to be the bottom of the barrel by nearly everyone coming into the 2022 season. Those predictions by many sources were justified too since the Tigers hadn’t proven otherwise…..until now that is. After a scrimmage win over Mena and convincing victories against Magazine and Paris though, Mansfield is starting to turn some heads as they head into their bye week.
Daniel Burton (#4) rolls past the Rattlers for a big gain. Photo courtesy of Megan Hecox
Last season, the Tigers averaged 16 points per game scoring only 150 points in nine games. So far this year though, Mansfield’s balanced offense has rolled up 72 points against their first two opponents. The key part of that sentence is not the combined score of the two games, but the balance it took to achieve that scoring. Mansfield’s offensive coordinators, Coach Layton Robinson and Daniel Martin, have kept their opponents’ defenses heads spinning with an almost perfectly balanced play calling set up. The Tigers combined for 315 yards passing and 391 yards rushing against Paris and Magazine. So Mansfield must get all of those yards from one or two really good players, right? Wrong! The passing yards were spread out to receivers Peyton Martin, Tyler Turnipseed, Clint Stovall, Daniel Burton, Treyshon Powell, and Fisher Willsey. The six receivers racked up their 315 yards in just 18 total catches. Of course, someone has to be on par with zipping those passes to the talented Mansfield receiving corps and that someone has been Tigers quarterback, Cole Kindle. Kindle has hit an amazing 19 completions out of 24 passes and three touchdowns. That puts Kindle completing 79.1% of each throw that leaves his hand. Judging from those numbers, you’d think Mansfield must be one of those finesse spread offenses. Think again.
Quarterback, Cole Kindle (#3), releases a smooth pass against Paris. Photo courtesy of Jim Best
Mansfield’s backfield is a force to be reckoned with. The Tigers running backs are a perfect storm of speed, moves, power, and grittiness. Seniors Tyler Woolbright and Fisher Willsey lead the Tigers rushing attack as the duo have combined for 249 yards on 37 carries. Although the two seniors may lead the way, the players who rotate in are not to be taken lightly. The stable of running backs rotating in over the past two games has consisted of Clint Stovall, Andrew Burton, Samuel Burton, and Jeremy Strozier who have all combined for their own 112 yards. Mansfield will even throw quarterback Cole Kindle into the rushing mix now and then as Kindle has tacked on 6 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Mansfield’s coaches have put the football in the hands of thirteen different players in just two games. With an assortment of different players getting the ball via rush or pass, the Tigers have produced an almost perfect offensive balance.
Running Back Tyler Woolbright (#22) takes a handoff behind blockers Clint Stovall (#1) and John Broadaway (#61) against Magazine. Photo courtesy of Megan Hecox
Then there are the Tigers titans of the trenches. Linemen Coach, Keith Stovall, has watched many of these young men start in senior high games from as young as sophomores. Now the Tigers have multiple two and three year starters with plenty of experience under their belt. Offensive linemen Braxton Byers, Reegan Emery, Kindel Noblitt, Turner Wright, John Broadaway, and Austin Quinalty now form one of the most experienced lines the Tigers have seen in years. Although they are not 6’7 – 300 pound behemoths, they are rough and tumble fighters who aren’t scared of man nor beast. The offensive stat books being so well balanced has a lot to do with those warriors up front. Mansfield can also give their offensive line something else that they haven’t been able to do in quite some time. Rest. The Tigers have the talent and numbers to keep many of their linemen from playing on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for four quarters this season. The experience and rest rotations of linemen have proved to be highly effective in their first two games.
Defensive end, Trey Vaughan (#24), rips past a Magazine block in pursuit of a tackle for loss. Photo courtesy of Megan Hecox
Offense is pretty and all, but it’s the mean-n-ugly defense that puts confidence in the Tigers tank. It’s not an easy task to keep any opponent off of the scoreboard. Head Coach, Tim Cothran, is the defensive mastermind of the program and has the Tigers pouncing on anyone not wearing Red and White. Mansfield has proved that they can do a pretty good job of crushing their opponents as the Tigers have only allowed a total of 6 points in two games. The capability of such a feat comes from a talented and deep roster. In total, 23 different Tigers have been credited with a takedown so far. Solo tackles, assisted tackles, and team tackles, Mansfield has wreaked havoc on their opponents. Twelve tackles have sent Mansfield opponents for negative yards while the Tigers have also tacked on 3 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception. In all, the Tigers have held both of their opponents to merely 246 yards and a single score combined.
Samuel Burton (#23) and Kindel Noblitt (#78) surround a Paris runner. Photo courtesy of Jim Best
Simply put, the Tigers are 2-0 and they are 2-0 because of……the whole team. There is no one or two individuals that are the reason for this early success. Every individual on the Mansfield roster has contributed to the Tigers success so far. “It would be hard to isolate key players right now because everything we’re doing is at maximum team effort” said Head Coach Tim Cothran. “That’s what we’re always striving for. Everybody is clicking well, everybody is sacrificing, and everybody is putting the team first. I’m really proud of the whole group. We feel good about being 2-0, but we also want to work on correcting mistakes and continue to fine-tune what we have while expanding the playbook. We want to start building momentum each week as we go deeper into the season”.
Coach Cothran and Coach Martin working with the Tigers defense during a time out. Photo courtesy of Jim Best
Although everyone knows that stats alone don’t win championships and Mansfield has only played two games so far, there is something building in the program and community that has recently been missing. Optimism and excitement. Mansfield is sporting new helmet decals and new white facemasks while the boosters, school, and community is selling game day ribbons, painting store windows, and flooding social media platforms with “Tiger Talk”. True, Magazine and Paris are not the Boonevilles, Charlestons, Cedarvilles, etc. that the Tigers will face in the 3A-1 but 2-0 is still 2-0 to Mansfield. The Tigers will take their Week 3 bye week to rest and regroup before squaring off against their Scott County rivals, the Waldron Bulldogs. Waldron won the last meeting between the Scott County foes and with last season’s game being canceled, both programs are eager to tear up the field once again. Mansfield will welcome Waldron to The Jungle on Friday, September 16th with a kickoff time of 7:00pm.
I am getting a little old for this; that was my thought as I stepped from the ledge and plummeted more than 40 foot into the creek below. The trees on the opposite bank flew by as I descended and then plunged into the icy cold spring water of the half-bushel swimming hole on Shoal Creek. My toes pushed off from the rocky bottom and I rose to the surface, gasping for air and struggling to pull my bathing suit from around my neck.
Kids growing up in a city will never know the pure joy of swimming in the cold mountain streams found in mountains of Arkansas. Growing up, there were few public swimming pools but people in every community knew of locations where the water was crystal clear, pure, cold, and deep enough to swim and dive. Waldron had the Caddo River, Booneville had Jack Creek and Franklin County had the Mulberry River sites. Further east was Long Pool, Piney Bay, and the Illinois Bayou.
Several streams tumble off Magazine mountain and many form deep holes of water suitable for swimming. Near the town of Blue Mountain, enterprising individuals once constructed small dams, backing up enough water in a small stream to create two swimming holes. Tourists and locals would truck up the steep mountainside to enjoy the pools, the music, and the dance floors. I suspect during the depression era, other things than swimming also attracted them enough to brave the incline.
A small gully cuts under the highway near the Magazine visitor center and slashes to the north down the side of the mountain. As it descends, the gully collects more and more water and cuts even deeper into the mountainside. By the time it reaches Spring Lake road, it has become a roaring creek, wide and deep enough that one has to find the rock outcropping at Millard to cross safely. From there to New Blaine, a series of deep pools invite one to stop, enjoy the beauty, and to test the cool waters. Blue hole, the ford, bluff hole, baptizing hole, the rock, and the Methodist Camp were all outstanding swimming holes but none competed with the Half-bushel. Known as one of the top swimming holes in Arkansas, the half-bushel is formed as shoal creek cuts through Pine ridge. Shear bluffs rise on either side but shoal creek clings to the east bank, cutting its way through the hard sandstone. Resistant stone has deflected the creek into a bow, forming a projection of ledges that jut to the west. The water directly beneath the bluff seasonably varies from ten to more than twelve foot deep. An underground cold water spring feeds water into the basin year-round and the water is always icy -cold.
Locals have used the area for picnics and swimming for generations. The name half-bushel comes from the hole having the dimensions of a half-bushel basket which is located about twenty foot up the bluff. Some people dive and jump off the low ledges, brave ones try the half-bushel, the young and reckless climb to the top and take the plunge. My friend, Rickey Miller would actually get into the pine tree at the top and do a beautiful swan dive, landing right in the deepest and safest portion of the swimming area.
The first time I tried it as a teenager, I managed to get to the top. I discovered quickly that it looked high from the water below; from the top it looked like I was in an airplane. Being young, stupid, and impulsive and with a lot of young girls watching, I was too embarrassed to descend. Closing my eyes and inwardly praying, I forced myself outward and down. Rising to the surface, I screamed, probably not as much is exhilaration as in relief that I was still alive. I have tried in many more times since then, always with a little trepidation and fear, but also with the knowledge that those people in their puny man-made concrete ponds would never experience the pure joy and excitement of my swimming area. At retirement age, I think I have jumped for my last time but I reserve the right to change my mind.
Before we move on to this weekend’s SEC opener for the Hogs with South Carolina, we will put the Cincinnati win in our rear view mirror with these final facts from the game as provided by the University of Arkansas:
Arkansas registered its 27th INT since the start of 2020 (24 games). It ties with Alabama for most in the SEC in that span.
»CB Dwight McGlothern recorded his second career interception in the first quarter, returning it for 51 yards to the CIN29.
»McGlothern’s 51-yard INT return is the longest by a Razorback since Greg Brooks Jr., had a 69-yard return at Miss State on Oct. 3, 2020. It is the 14th 50-plus yard interception return since 1997.
»LB Bumper Pool logged his 18th career game with double-digit tackles.
»S Simeon Blair tallied a career-high seven tackles.
»TE Trey Knox recorded a career high two receiving touchdowns, hauling in passes of five and 32 yards. Knox entered the game with four career touchdown receptions (three as a freshman and one as a junior).
»Saturday’s attendance (74, 751) is the largest season-opening crowd since the 2006 opener against USC (76,564). Additionally, Saturday’s crowd is the seventh-largest in DWWRS history.
»DL Jordan Domineck charted his seventh career forced fumble and first as a Hog in the fourth quarter.
»QB KJ Jefferson tallied his eighth career game with multiple passing touchdowns after finishing with three.
»Arkanas shut out an opponent in the first half for the first time Oct. 23, 2021, against UAPB at War Memorial Stadium.
»Jefferson recorded his third career game with at least one rushing touchdown and at least two passing touch-downs.
»Jefferson charted his sixth career game with three-plus passing touchdowns.
»RB Raheim Sanders eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground for the second time in his career. The last time Sanders had 100 or more on the ground was versus Ole Miss on Oct. 9, 2021.
»Arkansas has scored 30+ points in 10 of QB KJ Jefferson’s 16 career starts to date: 48 at Missouri (2020), 38 vs. Rice (2021), 40 vs. Texas (2021), 45 vs. Georgia Southern (2021), 51 at Ole Miss (2021), 45 vs. UAPB (2021), 31 vs. Mis-sissippi State (2021), 35 at Alabama (2021), 34 vs. Missouri (2021), 31 vs. Cincinnati (2022)
The Razorbacks will be home again this weekend, September 10, when they host South Carolina. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. The game will be televised by ESPN. Watch for a recap of this game in RNN Sports next week on our online platform at residentnewsnetwork.com. Readers may access this story free of charge.
Note to Our Readers: This story was sourced from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Mike Cawood, Associate Director of Communications.
Note to Our Readers: The following story was written following the Arkansas Razorbacks’ opening season victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 3, 2022, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium. RNN Sports would like to thank our newest addition to our sports photojournalism staff, Mr. James Shelly of Lavaca. Mr. Shelly was on the sidelines that day to bring you the game day photos from the field. Finally, RNN Sports would like to acknowledge and thank Amanda Brooks of ESPN Images for her assisting in securing some of the photos for this story.
We hope you enjoy this story that can also give fans some tips on how to make the best of their game day experience at Razorbacks Stadium!
If you have not been to Fayetteville recently for a Razorbacks football game, life has changed a little in the past few years. In fact, in 2019, I had the fortune of being on the sideline to photograph the Razorbacks vs. Western Kentucky that happened to be the last game of the Chad Morris era as the Hogs’ head coach. On that day, it looked like Razorbacks Stadium was preparing for the COVID era that was months away. There were not many fans in the stands that day, and the atmosphere was bleak. But since the arrival of new coach Sam Pittman and the easing of COVID restrictions, DWR Razorbacks Stadium is rocking on game day and could be argued as one of the loudest and most intimidating road atmospheres for visiting teams.
So, when RNN Sports decided to do this story, we wanted to center it on the fans’ perspective; a primer on the pageantry of the experience, as well as, perhaps, some tips on how to maximize your game day experience at the stadium.
RNN Sports did a photographic essay of the Razorbacks’ game with Cincinnati on September 3, 2022. RNN Sports had a photographer on the field and myself in the stadium. Combined, RNN Sports was able to bring our fans the total effect of the stadium atmosphere from the field level to the stadium seats. And on this highly-anticipated opening day of the 2022 season, the Hogs were hosting a team that was a national semi-finalist in the 2021 college football playoffs. The game would be an early measure of how far the Razorbacks football program has come with respect to returning to a nationally-competitive level.
Kickoff time for this game was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. The game was nationally televised on ESPN, and the SEC Network was on campus to present the game as its prime time game of the week. The ESPN SEC Network production crew was on campus on Friday morning to set up for its Friday afternoon television shows. Due to the weather conditions in Fayetteville that threatened rain, the crew errected stage sets both outdoors and indoors to have the ability to react to possible rain during filming of the shows. On Friday morning, the Razorbacks Communication Office forwarded an email from the ESPN production crew stating, “We want to make everyone aware where we’ll be set up for media availability today. There will be an outdoor location and an indoor contingency location in case its pouring. If it is sprinkling, we’ll still do it (record the show) outside.” The outside location of the show was just outside Gearhart Hall near the parking location of the SEC Nation bus, and the indoor backup location was inside Gearhart Hall in room 38. Local media was not allowed at the event, but ESPN had their own photographers present, and they shard their photos with RNN Sports. RNN Sports would like to thank Amanda Brooks of ESPN for sharing the images below.
The set of the ESPN show SEC Nation live from the campus of the University of Arkansas (Image Special to RNN Sports by ESPN Images / Gunnar Rathbun)
RNN Special / ESPN ImagesRNN Special / ESPN ImagesRNN Special / ESPN Images
The rain cleared on Friday night in Fayetteville, and the game day weather for Saturday was more fall-like than late summer that has normally brought high temperatures for the first few games of the year. It was a beautiful day in Fayetteville to kickoff the season against a Top 25 team, and thousands of Razorbacks fans made the annual pilgrimage to Fayetteville to call the hogs!
With the expansion of Razorbacks Stadium to just over 72,000 seats, parking has become a premium for fans. In previous years, it was no problem to arrive two hours or just a little sooner before kickoff. Now, and especially on high-profile games such as last Saturday, fans should consider arriving up to three hours before kickoff to secure a parking place.
Perhaps the best parking deal available to fans is to park in the Baum-Walker (Hogs baseball stadium) parking lot. There is no charge to park there, and the University provides shuttle buses that will take you directly to the stadium and will return you to the parking lot after the game. This is a great service provided by air condition and heated Razorbacks Transit buses. But if you arrive inside of two hours before kickoff, you will likely find yourself scrambling for a parking spot, as my wife and I did on Saturday. And that parking spot may cost you anywhere from $15 – $50, depending on how close to the stadium you park. In fact, last year’s Texas game, the lot at Baum-Walker was full and closed two hours before kickoff.
Image Credit: UARK News
So to get to Fayetteville and to arrive in a timely manner to get a good parking spot, it requires planning. Many fans will try to incorporate a stop to eat a meal on the way to Fayetteville. After all, concessions are a little pricey at Razorbacks Stadium. Bottle water is just shy of $5 each, drinks can run as high as $7, and beer is $8.49 per bottle. And very importantly, fans should remember that cash is not accepted in the stadium concession stands and merchandising stores; it is credit or debit cards only at Razorbacks Stadium. In big news this year, the cola vendor for the stadium has switched from Pepsi to Coca-Cola. All Coca-Cola products are now on sale throughout the stadium.
RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best
Many fans prefer to eat prior to the game where restaurant prices may be less expensive. Timing is everything; expect long lines at restaurants as all fans are doing the same thing. One spot in particular, the Cracker Barrel in Alma, seems to be a popular way point along the way to the game; but fans should allow a good hour to get in and to eat. Fayetteville is approximately one hour from the Cracker Barrel, but traffic off of the interstate and into Baum-Walker can delay you another 30 minutes to even one hour once you exit the highway.
Fans should consider long wait times to be seated at local restaurants before kickoff time (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)
Once at the stadium, the staff is very organized and does a very good job of getting people through security, scanning electronic tickets, and into the stadium. Fans should remember that clear purses are required to enter the stadium, as well. Stadium metal detectors are in use, so it is no longer necessary to empty you pockets, etc., unless you are asked to do so. Once inside, fans can make use of free WiFi that is available throughout the stadium. And the Arkansas Razorbacks app is free to fans on the App Store and can provide stadium directions and other information directly to fans on game day.
RNN / Jim BestRNN / Jim BestRNN / Jim Best
The newly expanded and renovated north end zone portion of the stadium provides club seating as well as shops, the A Club (lettermans’ club) and other amenities for donors and fans. There are elevators to the upper deck as well as stairs for those who are brave to scale the mountain of stairs to the upper deck. If you take the elevator, you need to plan for additional time to wait in line for an elevator.
As mentioned before, beer is on sale, and there are beer concessions in both end zones as well as on both sides of the stadium. Identification is required, and, remember, it is debit or credit card only. It can be expensive if you choose to drink, two beers each for a couple is more than $34.
RNN / Jim BestRNN / Jim BestRNN / Jim Best
The pregame ceremony on the field begins approximately 25 minutes before kickoff. The Marching Razorback Band, cheerleaders, and pom squad are all featured during the ceremony. And the U of A Alma Mater, “Mother of Mothers”, is a must see experience. Known for being one of the most beautiful school alma maters ever written, the accompanying video along with lyrics from the song on both end zone video boards is truly inspiring and is emotional to me every time I experience it.
RNN / Jim BestRNN / Jim Best
All together, the pageantry of college football at the University of Arkansas is second to none. Our game day sideline photographer, James Shelly, captured some of those images Saturday during the Cincinnati game.
RNN Sports Photo / James Shelly
RNN / James ShellyRNN / James Shelly
And, of course, there is the game itself. The Cincinnati game lived up to its hype and was hotly contested for the entire game with the Razorbacks winning their home opener by the score of 31-24. The Hogs will play this Saturday again in Fayetteville when they host the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first SEC conference game of the 2022 season for both schools. In the photos below, our photographer, James Shelly, captured these great images of Razorbacks seniors K. J. Jefferson (1) and Bumper Pool (10) during the game.
RNN / James ShellyRNN / James Shelly
And based upon the crowd last week and the Hogs’ victory over a very good football team, I expect the stadium to be at or near capacity again this weekend. Perhaps the best unsolicited advice I can offer to our readers who plan to go to the game is to…ARRIVE EARLY…VERY EARLY. This weekend’s game with South Carolina will likely be a near sellout, and, another victory on Saturday sets up the return visit of former Hogs head football coach Bobby Petrino when he brings in Missouri State to DWR Razorbacks Stadium to play an emotional non-conference game with the Razorbacks.
So…Hogs fans…arrive early, and enjoy what looks like a great season ahead of Razorbacks football! And in doing so, enjoy one of the best game day experiences in college football!
RNN Sports Photo / James Shelly
RNN Sports thanks the following people and organizations that made this story possible:
Mr. James Shelly, RNN Sports sideline photographer
By John Lovett U of A System Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Muscadine Grape Workshop and Field Day will be on Sept. 19 at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville.
The program will include updates on muscadine breeding research, grape tasting and a session about establishing a muscadine vineyard. The event will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Fruit Research Station, 1749 State Highway 818, in Clarksville.
“We look forward to hosting our grape industry at this event so they can interact and network while learning more about our muscadine fruit breeding and the status of the U.S. muscadine industry,” Renee Threlfall, research scientist of enology and viticulture for the Division of Agriculture, said.
Attendees will hear from a variety of experts about grape production, establishing a vineyard and vineyard, pest and disease management, and get a firsthand look at the Division of Agriculture’s muscadine grape breeding program with a field tour.
Registration is $20 a person and includes dinner. The deadline to register is Sept. 12. Participants can register using the online registration form.
Speakers and topics include:
Margaret Worthington, associate professor of horticulture, will give an update on the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Muscadine Breeding Program
Mark Wessel, director of horticulture research for Gardens Alive! will give an update on seedless muscadine cultivars
Amanda McWhirt, fruit and vegetable research specialist for the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, will give a presentation on considerations in establishing a muscadine vineyard
Renee Threlfall, research scientist of enology and viticulture, will give a research update on Arkansas fresh-market and processing muscadines
Joseph Post, vice president of sales for Post Winery, will give a presentation on the past, present and future of the Arkansas muscadine industry
Greg Ison, co-owner of Ison’s Nursery and Vineyard in Brooks, Georgia, will give a presentation on commercial opportunities for muscadine production
The Division of Agriculture’s muscadine breeding program was established in 2006 by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station with a focus on improved consumer quality, disease resistance, and extending the marketing season. The program also seeks to broaden where the grapes are grown and marketed. The Experiment Station is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.
For more information about the workshop, please contact Renee Threlfall by phone at (479) 575-4677 or email at rthrelf@uark.edu.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at @ArkAgResearch.
To learn about Extension Programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit https://uaex.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Huntington Mayoral candidate Brenton Townsend released the following statement regarding his candidacy:
To the citizens of the City of Huntington: To those who do not know me, my name is Brenton Townsend. My wife Patience and I have been married since January 2015, and have lived here in Huntington since 2017. I am a native to this area, growing up in the Lucas community, attending Lucas Presbyterian Church with my Grandma Nell Hattabaugh, as well as attending Mansfield Schools.
I have always wanted to help others. In the early 2000’s I joined a volunteer fire department, Northwest Scott County. In the spring of 2008, I attended the Arkansas Fire Academy in Camden AR.
Last year, my wife and I started a free outdoor movie night at the building that we own in town. Earlier this year we established and began hosting a free vendor flea market. We have several locals who are volunteering their time.
My father-in-law is a small-town mayor. I think seeing things he’s changed made me start thinking of the things I could do for our small town. I’ve always loved this town and I’ve seen stores come and go over the past 20 years. I just want to better my town like I’ve tried to do as a citizen. I can do that and more as your mayor.
I think the streets and ditches need attention in our town. This needs to start with the west side of Highway 71, along with Broadway Street. I also think we need to make things better for our residents. We need someone to answer calls after hours for leaks.
For example, we had a busted pipe when we woke up early one cold winter day with no one to turn our water off. I want to make sure you always have a number to call, and if you have to, you can call my cell phone and I’ll go turn your water off.
I want to update our citizens online and not by mail. We need an online option for paying our water bill.
I love this area, and I want to fight to bring this small community together. Vote me, Brenton Townsend for Mayor 2023, and let us fight for you!
-Brenton Townsend, candidate for Mayor of the City of Huntington
On Friday, September 30, an appointed special prosecutor filed charges in Scott County against former Waldron Police Officer Omar Gonzalez and Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores.
Charges stem from an investigation into an incident involving the Waldron Police Department and a vehicle pursuit, which started in Huntington and ended in Scott County on February 16, 2022.
Gonzalez has been charged with three counts of third-degree battery, class A misdemeanors, and Shores with two counts of accomplice to battery in the third degree.
Emily White was appointed as a special prosecutor for the 15th Judicial District, which includes Scott County on Wednesday, June 29.
In Re Special Investigation Scott County Use of Force Incident 2/16/2022: Today, the State of Arkansas initiated criminal charges against former Waldron Police Officer, Omar Gonzalez and Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores, resulting from an incident in Scott County on February 16, 2022. Multiple local law enforcement agencies were involved in the incident, which lead to the ultimate detainment and arrest of Mr. Robert Deer. Mr. Deer sustained physical injury as a result of his interaction with law enforcement on this date. The probable cause affidavits and charging documents are filed of record with the Scott County Circuit Court. In addition to the filed documents, I am releasing body cam footage from Huntington Police Department and Mansfield Police Department. Both Gonzalez and Shores remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Beyond the parameters of this statement, the charging documents, and the videos, I will refrain from further comment as this case progresses through the court system. Continued appreciation to the Arkansas State Police for their diligent support during the remainder of this open criminal investigation. -Emily White, Special Prosecutor
Gonzalez turned himself in on Friday, and per Arkansas law, the Coroner, Dana Anderson, placed Shores under arrest. Both were released of their own recognizance after being booked.
Arkansas classifies third-degree battery as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The law treats the charge of an accomplice equally so that the accomplice can be prosecuted in the same manner as the actual perpetrator.
Waldron Police Chief Jeremy Hunt issued the following press release: On February 17th I was contacted by Wayne Robb of the Mansfield Police Department concerning body cam footage from an arrest the prior night. Robb advised that I would want to review the footage as he felt there were some concerns regarding use of force. The following morning I retrieved the video and reviewed it back at my office. After watching the video, I contacted Mark Johnson, who serves as both our City Attorney and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. I advised Mark of what I had seen on the video and concerns that I had, arrangements were then made to get him a copy of the video that day. The video was also given to Tom Tatum, who is the PA for the 15th Judicial District, who requested Agents with the Arkansas State Police do the investigation. That same day Sgt. Omar Gonzalez was placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as per Waldron Police Department Policy. On April 26th, I was notified by SA John Rhone that the case had been turned over to the Prosecutor’s Office, who then requested a Special Prosecutor be appointed. On May 2, 2022, Sgt. Omar Gonzalez resigned his position with the Waldron Police Department, that same day paperwork was sent to the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to decertify Sgt. Gonzalez. On September 28th, I was notified of the outcome of the investigation and that charges were to be filed against Gonzalez. Since February, the Waldron Police Department has procured body cameras and tasers. We have instituted a mandatory camera policy and will also be retraining each officer in Response to Resistance Techniques, along with requiring refresher training each year on Use of Force. -Jeremy Hunt, Chief of Police Waldron Police Department
Robert Deer (photo courtesy of the office of the special prosecutor)
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement: On February 16th 2022 Deputies of our agency assisted with a pursuit that originated in Sebastian County. Sheriff Randy Shores also responded and assisted with that pursuit. In the days following the pursuit it was brought to our attention that inappropriate conduct may have taken place during the arrest of the suspect in that pursuit. We subsequently conducted an internal review of the actions taken by our personnel who participated in the response to that pursuit. We also cooperated fully with the independent investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police. Our review determined that our Deputies conducted themselves within our policy and within Arkansas state law. We will not be making any statements regarding the actions of personnel of other agencies. Our Deputies behaved appropriately and within the scope of their duties. They were not yet present on scene when much of the incident took place and our review concluded that, partially due to that lack of context and partially due to the short time period during which the incident took place, they did not have a realistic opportunity to intervene. The prosecutor assigned to this incident has decided to charge Sheriff Shores with a misdemeanor as an accomplice to a 3rd Degree Battery charge that she has filed against a former Waldron Police Department Officer. It is our understanding that this charge has been filed simply because Sheriff Shores, as the head Law Enforcement Officer in the county, was present on scene at the end of the incident. He is not alleged to have taken any action that violated the law. Sheriff Shores has stated (and stated to the ASP CID Agents who investigated this incident) that he did not witness the actions that are the basis for the 3rd Degree Battery charge, and therefore was never in a position to intervene. On September 30th 2022 Sheriff Shores was presented with the appropriate documents regarding that misdemeanor and complied with all procedures required by law. For the brief time required to process those documents and procedures the Scott County Coroner, Dana Anderson, took responsibility for the operation of the Scott County Detention Center, as is required by Arkansas State law. We at the Scott County Sheriff’s Department are committed to conducting ourselves within the law, and within the Constitutions of the State of Arkansas and the United States of America. We believe in transparency, accountability, and duty. While we are disappointed in the decision made by this prosecuting attorney regarding Sheriff Shores, we remain dedicated to our system of justice, and trust in our court system as this issue is addressed. We will continue to work closely with the Arkansas State Police and the Waldron Police Department, and we will continue to serve the People of Scott County to the best of our abilities.
(Left) Omar Gonzalez (Right) Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores (photos courtesy of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office)
We will continue to follow this story and bring you more facts about this case as they are made known.
Saprina A. Yandell, 62 of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, September 2, 2022 in Waldron with her family by her side. Saprina was born November 12, 1959 in Waldron, Arkansas to David Richard Edwards and Louanna (Millard) Smith.
She was a member of the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed crafting, working with flowers in her garden, consignment shopping and loved her dog Harley. Her grandbabies were her absolute joy and loved spoiling them as well as her nieces.
Saprina leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter Kayla Cottrell and husband Stanley of Waldron. two twin grandchildren who called her Nanny, Hayes Valton and Maeleigh Ann Cottrell; one brother Rick Edwards and wife Michelle of Chester, two nieces who called her Meme: Alishia Deramas and husband Waylon of Waldron and Abby Morgan and husband Cameron of Van Buren; two great nieces: Mckena Deramus and Bristol Morgan and a great nephew Garron Deramus. She loved her girls; Bethany Hughes, April Nelson and Mandy Brooks, her special cousin who she called her sister, Theresa Balcom of Russellville and her close friend Sheila Webster.
Saprina was preceded in death by her parents, Louanna (Millard) and Max Smith and father David Richard Edwards, two sisters, Sheila Riddle and Sarie Edwards and one nephew Payton Lee.
Saprina’s life celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 5, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Wally Beckman officiating. Interment will follow at Birdsview Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Saprina’s pallbearers will be Waylon Deramus, Garron Deramus, Cameron Morgan, Sean Allen, Ethan Yandell and Omar Gonzalez. Honorary pallbearers: Hayes Valton Cottrell, Ryan Roper, Jake Waddle, Wes Nelson, Jeff Brooks, Danny Harrison, Robert Sanders and Duane Blackmon.
Saprina’s visitation will be on Sunday, September 4, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
