Resident News Network

Young Entrepreneur Finds Local Market

Featured

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6:47 pm

She’s young, but well past her years in business sense. Remington Lee, age 5, is a local artist who has found a market for her masterpieces.

The daughter of Tyler and Brittney, Lee has been influenced by her roots in entrepreneurship. “I sell soap at the Greenwood Farmer’s Market,” her mom shared. “She’s watched me produce it at home, making it, packaging it, shipping it. She comes to markets with me and helps me sell it.”

Lee, a student at Westwood Elementary in Greenwood, calls the Hackett area home. She has always had a passion for art and drawing. “She would come home from preschool with several pieces of artwork every day,” her mother added. “She wants to be a better artist, so we’ve tried to help her follow her interests. We’ve been to the library looking for kid’s drawing books and looked up Youtube tutorials to help her learn more about art. She’s very confident, and while she’s just starting out, she is very proud of her work!”

The two notions were bound to collide, the ability to sell and her passion for art. Lee informed her mother that she wanted to sell her artwork at the market. “We went through several iterations of mediums (different markers, canvases, papers, etc.) to find something she was pleased with. She’s a lefty, so finding a marker and paper combination that didn’t smudge was trial and error. I told her she had to have six pieces to set up a table, and she worked to create pieces with flowers, flags, butterflies, and unicorns. At the market she even drew a few pieces on demand, to replenish her inventory as she sold them.”

Her mother shared her ability to market her masterpieces, noting that “she can be a little forward, approaching people and asking if they want to buy her artwork. But while I think that’s a little too direct, most people want to support a young entrepreneur, so she’s had good luck at the market.”

Lee has big plans for the funds she generates from her art sales. These include a birthday trip to Dallas and a visit to the American Girl Doll store. Additionally, her parents have encouraged her to give some of her money at the church. “She gave this summer at First Baptist Church Greenwood’s Crazy Awesome Fun Camp, which went toward the church’s Acts 1:8 offering,” her mom concluded.

If you are interested in learning more about Lee’s art creations, you can find her at the next Farmer’s Market in Greenwood, on September 3 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Look for the SoapBop Soaps Booth. Lee sells most of her art pieces for $8. She also sells art on canvas.

Arrest Reports 8/14

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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5:14 pm

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Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Deborah Dawn Archer of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 12:44 p.m. and released on August 20 at 12:07 p.m. Archer was charged with Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.

Jeremy Allen Brown of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 7:26 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 19 at 12:10 p.m. Brown was released from ADC – has previous charges they have not bonded on.

Jace Garin Chrisman of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 2:05 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 18 at 4:58 p.m. Chrisman was charged with petition to revoke felony.

Darren Raye Hutchins of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 11:23 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 17 at 1:53 p.m. Hutchins was charged with petition to revoke – felony.

Matthew Edward Murry of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 22 at 10:10 p.m. and released on signature bond August 23 at 11:03 a.m. Murry was charged with Theft by Receiving – Firearm (<2500).

Chelsey Brooke Kuykendall of Central City was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 12:16 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 18 at 8:39 p.m. Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree

Cherady Lane Phillips of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 11:20 a.m. and released on signature bond August 22 at 5:17 p.m. Phillips was charged with petition to revoke – felony, and failure to appear – class B misdemeanor.

Cody Houston Second Sparkman of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 7:51 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 19 at 11:59 a.m. Sparkman was charged with assault in the 2nd degree.

Megan Nichole Sparkman of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 20 at 10:13 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond August 20 at 10:52 a.m. Sparkman was charged with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree – Tamper.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Jimmy Jay Junior Bridges of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 14 at 11:42 a.m. and released on cash bond August 14 at 4:39 p.m. Bridges was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – US Marshall:
Joshua Keith Farnam of Subiaco was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 9:24 a.m. and remains at the SCADC on hold as a US Marshal Detainer. Farnam was charged with theft of property >$1km failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, and petition to revoke -felony.

Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Valerie Raquel Greenbush of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 19 at 7:30 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Greenbush was charged with parole violation and absconding.

Arresting agency – Fort Chaffee Police Department:
Kaen Nicole Jones of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 18 at 3:31 p.m. and released on bond August 18 6:24 p.m. Jones was charged with two counts of contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine).

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Nathan Wayne Mackey of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 16 at 9:48 a.m. and released on bond August 16 at 3:30 p.m. Mackey was charged with two counts of Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).

Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Debbie Antoinette Torres was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on August 17 at 2:16 p.m. and released on August 22 at 2:39 p.m. Torres was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), and Failure to Appear – Class C Misdemeanor.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Heath Bonczyk, 38 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 15 at 3:23 p.m. Bonczyk was charged with breaking or entering, theft of property, and violation of probation/suspended imposition of sentence.

Lonnie Mitts, 62 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 17 at 1:59 p.m. Mitts was charged with possession of firearm by certain persons.

Russell Wysong, 68 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 19 at 7:15 p.m. Wysong was charged with aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility, and fail to pay.

Letisha Bradley, 35 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on August 21 at 7:01 p.m. Bradley was charged with violation of a no contact order, domestic battering in the 3rd degree, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility.

Aaron Klein, 40 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center August 22 at 5:31 a.m. Klein was charged with public intoxication and criminal trespass.

Charles Cundiff, 47 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center August 22 at 5:12 p.m. Cundiff was charged with failure to appear.

Annie Jeffries, 60 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center August 22 at 6:34 p.m. Jeffries was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of domestic battering in the 3rd degree.

Sidney Muse, 33, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center August 22 at 11:52 p.m. Muse was charged with failure to appear.

Tabetha Emberson, 43 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center August 23 at 1:07 a.m. Emberson was charged with disorderly conduct.

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

Obituary – Kason Andrew Jacob Dedmon (2016-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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5:11 pm

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Obituary – Kason Andrew Jacob Dedmon (2016-2022)

Kason Andrew Jacob Dedmon was granted his beautiful angel wings on 08/22/2022. His final days were spent at home surrounded by family and friends that he loved so dearly.

Kason’s life may seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of his life far exceeded the amount of time in which he lived. His radiant smile melted the hearts of those who knew him and even the heart of those who did not. Although he never spoke a word, his voice and thoughts could always be heard. He truly had an immense love for every person he met. The love he had for his parents radiated through his big brown eyes and through his breathtaking smile. He touched everyone who knew him in some way, throughout his short, yet very memorable life.

Although Kason’s illnesses made him appear frail, he possessed a strength unlike any other, perseverance, the ability to overcome incredible odds as well as so many physical challenges. With his courage and bravery, he led us to believe that each day is a blessing. Each and every day is also an opportunity to create priceless memories.

He spent many hours rocking with his dad in the recliner while cuddling his Momma and Daddy who loved him so much. He enjoyed old country music, watching The Greatest Showman, and eating cake although it was typically more icing than cake. He loved the sounds of Sunday morning services & always helped Brother Keith preach. He spent Saturday mornings with Dad watching College Game Day and calling those Hogs. He spent every evening cuddled up in the recliner with either his mom or his dad. Mom and Dad’s arms were one of the few places he could always sleep peacefully through the night. He enjoyed swimming in his pool with his baby brother and taking turns giving Mama and Daddy wet, slobbery kisses.

Kason also enjoyed playing with his best friends Caroline Tyson, Addie & Sutton Deramus, and all of the Raybourn kids. He loved riding the tractor at Boo and Pop’s! Kason enjoyed going to Mammaw & PeePaws house where he would be treated with DumDum suckers & fishing trips. Kason also loved being called “Boomer” and loved listening to the Oklahoma University Fight Song. He loved taking long fat naps with his MeMe and DoDo and riding the four-wheeler with Dan.

With Kason’s passing, we want to remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss him severely every day, especially his precious smile, he will remain forever in our hearts. Through his unintentional teachings about life, we were able to create wonderful memories that will last us a lifetime and it has been an honor to be his parents. We are so blessed to have been the parents of God’s greatest miracle.

Kason leaves behind many wonderful caregivers that provided love and support that enhanced his quality of life. Kason’s love extends to his wonderful nurses Stephanie Tyson and Thina Raybourn. He will be dearly missed by his special caregivers at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, all of his therapists he met along the way, and his all of his friends we have met during Kason’s medical journey. All of these incredibly special people, too numerous to mention, provided Kason with love and dignity in his life and also in his death.

Kason is survived by his loving parents, Keith Allen and Kimberlee Dedmon of Mansfield, Arkansas and one brother Kaine of the home; paternal grandparents, Keith and Tracy Dedmon of West Hartford, Arkansas, paternal grandmother, Betty Jo Phillips of Greenwood, Arkansas, maternal grandparents Tim and Christi Combs of Parks, Arkansas, maternal great grandmother, Wathenia McCauley, maternal great grandparents, Harvey and Pat Combs, paternal great grandparents Eugene and Janice Dedmon and Buck and Mary Byford, aunts Trinity Combs of Waldron, Arkansas, Taely Dedmon of West Hartford, Arkansas, Mindy Combs of Nashville, Tennessee, Madison Allen of Lavaca, Arkansas, and Paige Hamm of Greenwood, Arkansas, uncles Seth Allen of Lavaca, Arkansas, Kyle Combs of Parks, Arkansas, and Duncan McCauley of Conway, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Henry Andrew “Andy” McCauley in which he was named after, great-grandfather Henry McCauley, cousin Kory Jacob Dedmon in which he was also named after and great-grandmother, Bob and Irma Dean (Kirk) Brown, great grandparents Sherill and Berthie Phillips and great great grandmother Betty Jo Frost and Brittnie Harrison.

Kason was loved and will be missed by MANY other cousins, friends, and family members.

Kason’s Celebration of Life service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2022 at Waldron Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Keith Elmore officiating. Interment will follow in the Kirk Cemetery in Cauthron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Seth Allen, Garron Deramus, Kyle Combs, Roy Holtz, Dan Newman, Robbie Tyson, Chris Williams, and Cody Raybourn. Honorary Pallbearers are Kaine Dedmon, Keith Dedmon SR, Keith Dedmon JR, Tim Combs, Junior Newman, Waylon Deramus as well as all of the other friends & family members who loved and cherished Kason dearly.

Kason’s visitation will be Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Kason to:
Cure GRIN Foundation
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
GRIN1 Scholarship fund at Todays Bank in Mansfield, AR.

Paris Defeats Russellville 3-1 in Season Opener for Both Schools

Resident News Network

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5:01 pm

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Paris Defeats Russellville 3-1 in Season Opener for Both Schools

It was a big and raucous crowd last evening at Paris Gymnasium that came out to see the next class of Paris Lady Eagles volleyball. And the young Lady Eagles did not dissapoint; all of the preseason hype about the dramatic development of the team was on full display Tuesday evening. Paris played a spirited and exciting match, defeating the Russellville Lady Cyclones by the set score of 3-1. Paris easily won the first set and then dropped the second as the Paris coaches substituted freely, seemingly experimenting with different rotations and combinations on the floor. Paris came roaring back and decidedly won the next two sets to win the match.

Paris will host the Pulaski Academy Lady Bruins on Thursday at Paris Gymnasium. A junior varsity game will start at 5 p.m., and the varsity game will follow immediately afterwards. Watch for a recap on the Lady Eagles’ first week of the season later this weekend on the RNN online platform. Readers can go to residentnewsnetwork.com this Sunday to access this story at no charge. Logan County subscribers can now read the preview of next week’s Paris volleyball games in this week’s Logan County weekly newspaper. Persons interested in subscribing to the Logan County newspaper can go to the same address to subscribe to this rapidly growing and popular publication!

SR Lady Tigers Downplay LifeWay

Sports

Adam Hecox

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12:23 pm

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The hype is always high after winning a State Championship, but over time that hype begins to fade. People start to question things because pieces of “that” Championship are different or missing. Some players graduate, some players are added, players are shuffled around, etc. For the Mansfield Lady Tigers volleyball team though, those questions no longer need to be applied as Mansfield defeated LifeWay Christian three sets to one on Tuesday, August 23rd in a 2021 State Championship rematch.

After a victory over Ozark last Tuesday, Mansfield was eager to step up to the nets again. The Lady Tigers jumped out of the gate quickly handing LifeWay a swift 25-18 whipping in the first set. But with volleyball, to win one doesn’t mean that you’re done. The Lady Warriors pulled together and battled even harder in the second set but were finally put down with a commanding spike by Mansfield freshman Kaylee Ward for a 25-23 Mansfield victory in the second set. With the ol’ one two punch handed to LifeWay, one would think the Lady Tigers would have LifeWay on the ropes begging for life support. But that was not the case.

The Lady Warriors took Mansfield by surprise in the third set of the night with a back and forth edge of the seat volleyball showcase for the ages. LifeWay had Mansfield down 10-15 early on until Alyson Edwards rolled up three straight points to build up some momentum for the Lady Tigers. Natalie Allison would tie the game at 18-18 as she charged the net aiming to drill the ball through the wooden floor only to possum the Lady Warriors and softly tap the ball into a LifeWay dead zone. The Lady Warriors would retake the lead only to have Kynslee Ward bring Mansfield back to tie again. Alyson Edwards would give the Lady Tigers their first lead in the set at 22-21 but LifeWay wouldn’t lay down. Back and forth the teams went making more ties than a Boyscout troop. From 22-21 to 22-22, 22-23, 23-23, 23-24 (you get the point) until the Lady Warriors ended the set with a 25-23 win over Mansfield.

Although Mansfield still had a two set to one lead on LifeWay, the lost set put the Lady Tigers in a place they hadn’t seen in a while. How would Mansfield handle losing such an exhausting hard-fought set? Simple. Like Champions. The Lady Tigers came out in the fourth set with their tails on fire and racked up eleven points before LifeWay even got on the board. The early charge forced LifeWay to call a timeout with the score set at 16-4 in Mansfield’s favor. If the Lady Warriors were looking to catch their breath, they would have to look harder as Seven Sanderson slammed the volleyball to the floor through double team right after the timeout. Kynslee Ward followed suit by knocking down back-to-back points and the Lady Tigers cruised from there with a 25-9 final score to the set and a three sets to one overall victory.

So is the hype legitimate? With a full season ahead of them, anything could still be in store for the Lady Tigers. That’s why the games are played. But when a defending Champion repeats success over their previous year’s State Finals opponent with authority, the hype can be hard to ignore. All Mansfield can do is take it one game at a time. That next game though will come sooner than later as the Lady Tigers will only get a day’s rest before going back into action as they welcome Founders Academy to the Jungle on Thursday, August 25th.

River Valley Regional Food Bank Joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month Campaign to Ensure Food Isn’t an Impossible Choice

Featured

Tammy Teague

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7:59 pm

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River Valley Regional Food Bank Joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month Campaign to Ensure Food Isn’t an Impossible Choice

For Hunger Action Month® this September, the River Valley Regional Food Bank will join Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire people to join the fight to end hunger and raise awareness of people experiencing food insecurity across the United States. Food banks around the country are working to make a real and lasting impact on hunger in their communities, and they are asking for the public’s support.

September marks the 15th year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief
organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including the River Valley Regional
Food Bank, and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call
to action. This year’s campaign presents the impossible choices that millions of people in America are often forced to make between food and other basic needs.

“Many people may not give a daily meal much thought. For people facing hunger, a daily meal is
not as simple,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Instead, it becomes
a different type of choice – an impossible decision between food or other crucial needs, such as
electricity, childcare, or medicine. Nobody should be forced to make a choice to go hungry. With
the public’s support, we can come together to help increase food access for all people, so they
no longer have to make such tough decisions.”

During the month of September, people across the River Valley can get involved by learning,
committing, and speaking up about ways to ending hunger.
• Make a monetary contribution, where $1 = 10 meals to a family in need
• Volunteer for a shift at the food bank
• Host a food drive

“We have all been HUNGRY at some point, but for many of our neighbors, hunger is an issue
that isn’t easily solved by going to your kitchen pantry and grabbing food,” River Valley Regional
Food Bank Director Tracy Engel said. “It is a daily struggle and worry of where your next meal
will come from and how you will attain it. They wake up hungry and they plan their day on just
how to survive.”

Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the country to collectively act against
hunger. You can choose to donate or advocate. You can choose to volunteer or raise
awareness. You can choose to help end hunger. Learn more about how you can join the fight to
end hunger by visiting https://www.rvrfoodbank.org/hunger-action-month/

Charleston Opens 2022 Season with Hard-Fought Loss to Class 5A Alma

Resident News Network

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6:29 pm

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Charleston Opens 2022 Season with Hard-Fought Loss to Class 5A Alma

Note to Our Readers: RNN Sports introduces our first student intern writer, Ms. Amalyn Aloon of Charleston High School. Amalyn is a senior at Charleston and will be our student reporter following the Lady Tigers volleyball team this fall! We are excited to have Amalyn as part of our staff, and this story is her very first! We are so proud of the great job she did with this story, and we look forward to her reporting this year! Great job Amalyn! We are proud of you!

CHARLESTON (Amalyn Aloon)

The Lady Tigers started their season facing off against the Alma Airedales. Junior Jenna Womack hustled and worked hard for every ball. Womack plays the libero position and is a great team player, encouraging her fellow teammates and showing enthusiasm throughout the entire game. The Tigers unfortunately took their first loss of the season tonight. However, they did not go down without a fight. These girls pushed for every point all the way up to the final score of 26-28 in the third set.

The crowd was getting excited as the two teams fought back and forth for that final score. The lady tigers really showed teamwork tonight. To these girls it’s not just about winning, it’s about the dedication and hard work put into the game. In the words of new Assistant Coach Tanner Gilliaum “The girls worked really hard tonight and they showed up. That’s all that I can ask. It was a really good start to the season. I don’t want to be the best one out there in the beginning and that’s where we are right now, a work in progress and there’s more to come.” We are all extremely proud of the Lady Tigers and can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this season!

The Lady Tigers travel to Pottsville today to take on the Lady Apaches from Class 4A. Good luck to the Lady Tigers!

And if you have not yet subscribed to Logan County’s newest weekly print newspaper that has Charleston sports as part of its coverage area, you can do so by going to residentnewsnetwork.com and clicking on the subscription link.

Thanks to our Charleston fans for reading RNN Sports!

Stinson Appointed to Scott County Quorum Court

Tammy Teague

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8:37 pm

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Stinson Appointed to Scott County Quorum Court

On August 16, 2022, Lance Stinson was appointed by the governor as Scott County Justice of the Peace, District 8.

Stinson accepted the appointment to fill the vacancy left following the passing of quorum court member, Donnie Hill. That appointed term will expire on December 31, 2022.

“First of all, I would like to send my condolences to the Hill family. I am sorry for their loss,” shared Stinson. “Although it was an unfortunate vacancy, I feel honored to receive the governor’s appointment to fill the seat of the District 8 JP position. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community, and to be a part of Scott County’s growth and success.”

On Monday, August 22, Stinson took the oath of office.

Paris American Legion Field of Heroes

Featured

Tammy Teague

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8:23 pm

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American Legion Post 121 of Paris is offering an opportunity to honor our heroes with their annual “Field of Heroes” beginning September 16, 2022 and continuing through Veterans’ Day on November 11, 2022. The flags will be on display next to Express Rx Pharmacy on Walnut in Paris. Orders for the flags will be taken through November 11, 2022.

Flags may be purchased in honor of or in memory of active duty or retired or deceased military from any of the services, as well as law enforcement officers, firemen, wildlife officers, and any other first responder, all of whom are considered under the banner of “HEROES”.

The cost of the flags will be $40.00 each and will include a card with an emblem indicating the service of the hero as well as a ribbon indicating the status of the hero (active duty, retired, deceased, etc.). Information not on the form may be submitted on a separate sheet of paper attached to the order form. This may include any special medals received, wars served in, rank, POW or MIA, or any other information that you want to include about the hero.

You may honor several people on one flag by including $4.00 for each additional name. The flag will be folded and given to the sponsor after Veterans’ Day. You may have the flag sent to you for an additional $8.00.

To purchase a flag, send a check for $40.00 (plus $4.00 for each additional name, ribbon, and certificate) payable to FOH Legion Post 121 to PO Box 244, Paris, AR 72855. Please be sure to include a valid phone number in case we need to contact you.

Profits from the “Field of Heroes” project will assist the support of our local Post and community. You may contact Steve Shepherd at 479-934-4386 or 870-662-0485 or Randall Zimmer at 479-438-0029.

Underclassmen Stepping Up For Paris Volleyball as 2022 Season Starts Tuesday

Resident News Network

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1:03 am

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Underclassmen Stepping Up For Paris Volleyball as 2022 Season Starts Tuesday

To many observers close to the Paris volleyball program, the Lady Eagles entered last winter and the spring with several question marks going into the 2022 season. As a team that faced a heavy number of graduating seniors, virtually every position on the team was “up for grabs” and players had the opportunity to compete in practices and summer camps for open positions. From the coaches’ standpoints, it was a matter of which underclassmen and others who did not receive much or any playing time last year would step up to fill big roles for the Lady Eagles this season.

After following Paris throughout the summer and watching them compete against some of the best programs in the state at all classification levels, it is phenomenal in my opinion how much progress this team has made since June. And the one aspect that fans will notice immediately when the season opens is how cohesive this team is; their happy personalities and positive attitudes, and the number of inexperienced players that have stepped up and are playing good volleyball. It is a joy to watch this Lady Eagles team. They all seem to enjoy and have fun playing the sport, and they are a tight group that works hard and displays great teamwork every time out.

One of the unsung heroes of last year’s state championship team was J.C. Hart. Hart, who played most of her career on the front line, was asked to move to the setter position to fill a crucial need. The team was deep on the front line, and the Lady Eagles could afford to move Hart to the setter position, while still having her to fill in on the front line if needed. Hart’s graduation left the setter position open again this year, and one of the biggest question marks going into this season was who was going to step up and play this important position that has a direct impact on the front line.

Paris junior Abbigail Walker has answered the call for the Lady Eagles. Walker, along with a host of sophomores and juniors playing on the team have filled crucial gaps left open by graduation from a year ago.

And anyone who has watched Paris play over the past few weeks has undoubtedly noticed that Paris is flying to the ball on the return / receive, is serving the ball well, and has played magnificently backing up the front line, as was evidenced in the Little Rock Christian match on Saturday. In short, the Lady Eagles are not letting anything hit the ground, and the combination of Walker and the front line are setting up great kills at the net for Paris.

Paris coach Jordan Devine has done, in my opinion, perhaps her best coaching job so far this season. Any coach who loses as many key players as Devine did from a state title team a year ago, and then, in very short time, brings the program back to the level that it is today, deserves a lot of credit and recognition. In fact the entire Paris coaching staff, who unselfishly stays late after practices, as long as an hour or more, to help players develop skills, is dedicated to winning and putting each player in a position to succeed. That is truly impressive.

So all of the preseason prep is over now, and staring tomorrow, it is the first game week of the new season. Paris will open at home this week when they host Russellville on Tuesday and Pulaski Academy on Thursday. And in the “way too early to count the days to Hackett” countdown, the Lady Eagles will travel to Hackett just after the Labor Day holiday to play the season’s first match-up with the team that many have predicted will win this year’s Class 3A state title. But for now, it is one game at a time for the young Lady Eagles, and the first game up is Tuesday with Russellville.

Paris fans, this will be a fun team to follow this year. Come out Tuesday and fill the gym to get the season off to a soaring start! RNN Sports will be there on Tuesday and throughout the season to bring you Paris Lady Eagles volleyball.

Good luck to Paris and all of the River Valley volleyball teams this season! And if you have not already subscribed, do so today! You will not want to miss a week of coverage. Just go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the subscription link!

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK