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County Line Faculty & Staff Attend Professional Development Meetings to Prepare for New School Year

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County Line Faculty & Staff Attend Professional Development Meetings to Prepare for New School Year

Note to Our Readers: The following story was contributed in its entirety by Ms Celia Looney, Yearbook Adviser, County Line High School. Ms. Looney is a RNN contributor, and we thank her for helping bring our readers the latest stories from the County Line School District!

County Line school district teachers and staff returned to work the week of August 5. The staff was kept busy with professional development meetings and training from Heidy LaFleur, meetings with co-workers and administrators, and updates to photos and identification badges.

Employees were also treated to lunch each day from various financial institutions that included Simmons Bank, First National Bank of Paris, and First Western Bank.

Students returned to school in the district on Monday, August 15 for the start of the 2022-23 school year. All of us at RNN wish the County Line students and employees much success for the new school year!

Image Credit: Celia Looney, County Line Schools

Financial Focus: When Can You Choose Retirement?

Tammy Teague
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Financial Focus: When Can You Choose Retirement?

By Jeffery O’Neal, Financial Advisor

If you’re like most people, your work has been a central part of your life. So, wouldn’t it be nice to have the flexibility to decide when you no longer want to work?

Many people of retirement age have achieved this type of control. In fact, two-thirds of workers ages 65 and older say they work primarily because they want to, not because they have to, according to a 2021 study by Edward Jones and Age Wave. But that means that one-third of workers in this age group feel financially compelled to work. This doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike the work they do — but it’s probably fair to say they would have liked the option of not working. How can you give yourself this choice?

You can start by asking yourself these questions:
• When do I want to retire? You’ll want to identify the age at which you wish to retire. You may change your mind later and move this date up or back, but it’s a good idea to have a target in mind.
• What sort of retirement lifestyle do I want? When you retire, do you anticipate staying close to home and pursuing your hobbies, or do you hope to travel the world? Would you like to spend your time volunteering? Open your own business or do some consulting? Clearly, some of these choices will require more resources than others, so you’ll want to follow a financial strategy that aligns with the retirement lifestyle you intend to pursue.
• Am I saving and investing enough? As you chart your course toward your retirement journey, you’ll want to assess the sources of income you’ll have available. If you think you may be falling short of achieving your retirement goals, you may need to consider saving more.
• When should I start taking Social Security? You can begin collecting Social Security benefits as early as 62, but your monthly payments will be much bigger if you wait until your “full” retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. Your decision about when to take Social Security will depend on several factors, including your other sources of income and your family history of longevity. Of course, as you’re probably aware, the Social Security system is facing significant financial stress, so it’s possible that we may see changes to Social Security, based on actions Congress could take. In any case, you might want to be fairly conservative in estimating how much Social Security can contribute to your retirement income.

By addressing the above questions, you can get a clearer sense of when you might reach the point at which work is optional. But you’ll also need to consider other factors, too, such as how much you enjoy working or when your spouse or partner is planning to retire. In any case, the sooner you start planning for this next phase of your life, the better position you’ll be in when it’s time to make the transition.

This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC

5 Signs the Housing Market Is in a Downturn

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5 Signs the Housing Market Is in a Downturn

When the housing market is at a high, like we’ve seen in the past two years, there will come a time when it takes a downturn because of supply and demand. If you’re a current homeowner, market crashes still affect you by increasing mortgage rates and making it extremely difficult to sell a home, which usually means a loss in money. Be familiar with the signs of the market coming down so you know when to buy or sell a home.

Spike in Interest Rates

To keep inflation to a minimum within the economy, the Federal Reserve will increase borrowing rates between banks, forcing them to include higher interest rates on your mortgage. If you’re a current homeowner and do not have a fixed mortgage, this could be harmful to you because it could move your monthly payments to an unsustainable number you cannot afford. When no one is applying for mortgages anymore, you can assume the market is going through a downturn.

Slower Sales/More Inventory

When sales of homes start to slow down, inventory increases. Demand for home buyers will decrease the sales, effectively dropping the price of the houses. This is a good sign for the housing market because, in a downturn, new buyers have more opportunities to find the right home. If you flip houses during this time, it could be an excellent investment because there is more of a variety of houses to pick from at better prices.

Laying Off Real Estate Agents

You would assume that when inventory is high for homes on the market, you would need more real estate agents—however, when no one is buying houses, there is no need for multiple agents. In order for real estate companies to save money in a downturn, they must do what is necessary and lay off agents.

Little to No Competition

If the price of the home has yet to drop and mortgage rates are still astronomical, then fewer families and individuals will be looking to purchase a house. Once the market officially hits the downturn, sellers will most likely lower the asking price the longer the home is on the market because not enough bids are coming through. The seller has control and power over the price, so they could keep it higher, but they generally won’t if they aren’t seeing anyone have an interest in their home.

Increase in Foreclosures

Previously, we mentioned the increase in mortgage rates, which will also increase the number of foreclosures. This is because when the rate skyrockets, homeowners are most likely paying monthly rates more than what the house is worth, making this unsustainable. If you see a lot of homes on the market that are foreclosed, you can assume there is a downturn happening in the market.

Be aware of a housing market downturn so you can better prepare if you are a current homeowner or plan on buying one soon. Be careful purchasing a home during this time because while prices might be lower, there are still high mortgage rates. With a lack of competition, you have time to decide; ensure you contemplate every variable before making the purchase.

State Capitol Week in Review from Senator Terry Rice

Tammy Teague
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State Capitol Week in Review from Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature concluded a quick, three-day special session after approving income tax cuts that will save 1.6 million Arkansas taxpayers about $500 million.

The tax savings will come mainly from moving up the effective date of previously adopted tax reductions. Last December the legislature lowered the top income tax rate over four years, so that it would be 4.9 percent in 2025.

Thanks to legislation enacted during the special session, that reduction becomes effective this year.

In similar fashion, the legislature moved up the effective date of previously approved tax reductions that lowered the top rate for corporations over three years, to 5.3 percent in 2025. The top rate will take effect in 2023. For tax year 2022 the top rate will remain at 5.9 percent.
Moving up the effective date will save businesses in Arkansas about $18.6 million this fiscal year. The savings increase the following year to $27.8 million.

Another provision enacted during the special session will save Arkansas businesses $29.4 million this year. The legislature approved a change in how they can claim deductions for depreciation and expensing of property, making the Arkansas tax code similar to depreciation schedules in section 179 of federal tax codes.

This will allow Arkansas businesses to claim deductions for the purchase of new or used equipment, up to about $1 million, in a single year. Previously, state tax law limited the amount that could be deducted and required deductions to be spread out over the life of the equipment.
Individuals with incomes up to $87,000 will get a $150 nonrefundable tax credit. Married taxpayers who file separately may each claim a $150 credit. Married taxpayers filing jointly with net income up to $174,000 will receive a $300 nonrefundable income tax credit.

Those income tax credits will save Arkansas families more than $156 million in Fiscal Year 2023.
Even after passage of the tax cuts, state government is on course to have a budget surplus of about $400 million at the end of the fiscal year, according to the bill’s sponsors.

Also during the special session, the legislature authorized the state Education Department to use $50 million from reserve funds for grants to school districts that need school safety upgrades. If necessary, the legislature will consider additional funding of school safety measures during the 2023 regular session, which begins in January.

The Arkansas School Safety Commission is finalizing a list of recommendations to protect students and staff in the event of a school shooter.

The commission recommends that an armed school resources officer be present in all buildings at all times when there are students.

Another recommendation is that all school doors be locked, with electronic controls. Teachers should be able to lock classroom doors from the inside, the commission recommended. Security cameras, accessible to school staff and law enforcement, as well as two-way radios to connect school personnel with local police officers, are recommended.

Some lawmakers wanted to consider pay raises for teachers. However, the governor did not put that issue on the call for the special session so salary increases for teachers will be an issue during the 2023 regular session.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Tammy Teague
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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins, Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! We had some rain and now I can walk across my yard without feeling like I am walking on potato chips. School starts Monday, and I’m not ready. I know everyone is always ready for their kids to go back to school, but mornings are crazy at Hops House on school mornings. Back to the grind! I have a second-year college student, a junior, and an eighth grader. Guess which one is the most excited? Yes, Ella Kayt. She loves school. Hope everyone has a great start to the school year.

You know I always end up telling stories on myself. Jacob always says I can’t keep a secret. After I would get home from Christmas shipping I would always go back to his room and I would ask him if he wanted to know what I bought him. He would say “no, but you’re going to tell me.” I cannot keep from telling it. Our Granny Morgan always told us our gifts and Larry Wagoner always told his kids. Oh, and Michael Wagoner tells his kids, also. It’s just the way we are. Some of you know these stories, but I don’t think they have been in the paper.

I was at work last week, and Gina says “do you have your shirt on the wrong side out?” Well, I looked down and yes, I do! Name tag on, waiting on customers! I had also been to Harps and talked to the Little Debbie man. This happens to me often.

Not long after Chuck passed away, I was at Greenwood Walmart doing some shopping. I noticed this man kept staring at me. I’m thinking well, he is checking out this hot widow woman…if you take a picture it will last longer…ha, ha! So, I’m all over the store and finally realize my shirt is on inside out. That’s what the man was staring at. I had the 2XL tag hanging out for all the store to see.

Just this week, a customer came in and said hold on a minute. She pulls a 2XL sticker off my sleeve. Just so ya know, I’m proud of that size, I must be, I keep showing it off to the world.

What about the time I was at the doctor’s office and I was walking across the waiting room and a dryer sheet fell out of my skirt onto the floor? Curtis Feimster got a big laugh out of that, he even sent me an envelope in the mail with a dryer sheet in it. He’s as crazy as me.

Out of all my stunts, they are not as bad as what happened to one of my sister’s good friends when they were teenagers. We were at church and she went to the bathroom and when she came out, her skirt was stuck up into her pantyhose as she pranced up to practically the front row to sit down. For you young folks that don’t know what pantyhose are, you can google it and see for yourself. Be glad they ran their course.

I know when it’s a good 100 degrees outside, you don’t want to cook. I have a wonderful chicken salad recipe that hits the spot when it’s hot out.

CHICKEN SALAD
1 large can of chicken breast (crumble this up real good)
2 stalks of celery chopped fine
1/2 onion chopped fine
3 tablespoons dill relish
3/4 to 1 cup of mayonnaise (use your best judgement)
1/4 cup of bottled Ranch Dressing (sometimes I add more, use your best judgement)
6-8 boiled eggs (chopped fine)
Mix all together and add more mayo or Ranch if you prefer and chill. This tastes better after it sits in the refrigerator a while. This is delicious on croissants, enjoy. Just use your best judgment, and add or take away to your own taste.

Greenwood Teen Exemplifies Hardwork, Determination, and Dedication

Tammy Teague
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Greenwood Teen Exemplifies Hardwork, Determination, and Dedication

In a day and age where jobs outnumber people, it’s truly invaluable to find hard-working individuals with morals and values. Even more amazing, to find it in the younger generation. However, just such a rare gem can be found right here in our hometown.

Greenwood’s Trevor Tucker, 14, credits his family and their business for his opportunities to learn the value of hard work.

Trevor-Tucker-Greenwood-Express-Lube-Faith-Work-Passion

Tucker, who will turn 15 in September, is a 10th-grade student at Greenwood High School. He is the son of Heath and Dewayne Tucker, owners of Greenwood Express Lube. Tucker’s parents have maintained a family-operated business for the past five years.

From the beginning, Tucker shared, “it was just the will of God. He gave us the opportunity and we took it. It started out slow but we eventually picked up the pace and became more and more well-known.” Tucker went on to add that his family enjoys serving the town they love.

Tucker has worked in the family business for two years. He credits his ingrained values to his father. “My strong work ethic comes from my dad, Dewayne. I watched him get up at the crack of dawn, or any time his phone went off, to lay hundreds of yards of water line. He would go out and make someone else’s company thousands of dollars just to provide for our young family. We never would have thought we’d be where we are today. That’s why I will never miss a day of school or band practice, whether I am unwell or just not in it that day.”

Trevor-Tucker-Greenwood-Express-Lube-Faith-Work-Passion

That attitude has taught Tucker an invaluable lesson. “If you put in the work and the hours, you will get rewarded.” That, in turn, has yielded one of Tucker’s favorite parts of the job, “getting to spend time with the people around me, being a working member of society and giving good service to all of our customers.”

This extraordinary young plan has great plans for the future, which include culinary school, and owning a restaurant. Tucker added that he has not ruled out becoming a sports writer and or analyst.

Those essential building blocks for success: hard work, dedication, and determination comprise this young man, who is destined for greatness!

Trevor-Tucker-Greenwood-Express-Lube-Faith-Work-Passion
Trevor Tucker

Boots and Badges Blood Drive

Tammy Teague
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Boots and Badges Blood Drive

Waldron first responders are looking for citizens to support their efforts through blood donation with Arkansas Blood Institute.

Those who give at the Waldron Boots & Badges blood drive on Thursday, August 18, 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will provide blood needed to save local lives, such as those that firefighters and law enforcement officers rescue.  The blood drive will be located at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. 

Anyone who is at least 16 years old* are encouraged to donate. All successful donors will receive a special edition “Protect And Give” Boots & Badges t-shirt*.

By giving blood at this drive, donors will show their support for the firefighters and law enforcement officers who save lives in their community.

“Waldron’s first responders see the daily need for blood first-hand when the people they rescue require life-saving treatment,” said Dr. John Armitage, President & CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “We can’t say enough about the service our police officers and firefighters provide, and we owe it to them to do our part in making sure blood is available in emergency situations.”

Arkansas Blood Institute is the local, non-profit blood supplier, supporting the inventory for patients in more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.

Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 877-340-8777 or visiting arkbi.org.

*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required.

Attorney General Alert: Consumers and Business Owners Beware, Don’t Fall Prey to Utility Scams

Tammy Teague
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Attorney General Alert: Consumers and Business Owners Beware, Don’t Fall Prey to Utility Scams

Increasing temperatures lead to increasing utility bills for Arkansas business owners, something scam artists are using to their advantage when targeting individuals and local businesses. While utility companies accept multiple payment methods for the convenience of businesses and consumers, gift cards and crypto-currency, like Bitcoin, are not on the list. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning Arkansans that scammers are finding ways to prey on Arkansans and directly impacting their budget and hard-earned money.

“Arkansans are suffering from a struggling economy, high prices and even higher temperatures, they do not need the worry about additional costs that come from these scams,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “I urge Arkansans to be vigilant against potential scams so they don’t lose their cool or their money.” 

How to spot a utility payment scam:

  1. The scammer will call and tell you that you have an unpaid balance even if you are current on all utility payments.
  2. The scammer will pressure you to pay through a gift card, bitcoin, prepaid debit card, or wire transfer and not through the official methods offered by the utility.

How to ensure your payment gets to the utility company safely and securely:

  1. Track your utility payment due date on a calendar when you receive the bill.
  2. Drop off the payment at the utility office or an authorized payment location.
  3. Pay online on the utility company’s website with a credit card or call the company directly.
  4. Consider participating in an automated draft system if it is offered.
  5. Mail the payment to the company directly.

If you fall victim to one of these phone calls, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General’s office also makes presentations on scams to organizations and groups. To call and schedule a scam prevention presentation, call 501-682-2007 or email speaker@arkansasag.gov.

Timepiece: A Cut Above the Rest

Tammy Teague
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Timepiece: A Cut Above the Rest

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

As a child, I watched him struggle pushing his sales cart up and down the streets of my home town.  Suffering from multiple scleroses or similar malady, his legs and back were twisted and turned and walking had to be a painful and difficult task.  That never kept him from working.  He would push his cart to the Logan County courthouse during the day, selling soda and concessions to patrons entering the court.  Finishing those tasks, he would walk up and down the streets of Paris, “Ballgames, Morgan Field at 7 O’clock; Boys Club games on the little league fields,’ he would proclaim at every intersection.  Every evening he would push that heavy cart across town and set up to sell concessions. Always a smile on his face and a positive attitude, just talking with him made you feel better.  Gerald Baskins and his work attitude was an inspiration to several generations of children. Gerald was never provided a level ballfield in life but always strived to work and make his world a better place to live.

Looking through old photos as well as listening to people I shared coffee shop talk with, I realized every community has these exceptional individuals that stood out for the contributions they made to their communities.  Bentley Allen of Paris was a life-long teacher in several county schools.  Having no sons of his own, nevertheless he saw the needs for young boys and men to have male role models and to be able to participate in character building sports.  As a result, he organized the local Boys Club.  At its inception, Paris was the smallest town in the nation to have its own club and it was only through his hard work and ability to get people to volunteer free labor that it was able to function.  

In talking with a colleague, I discovered Chester Gray of Booneville was a similar individual.  Mr. Gray taught math but he also taught life.  One of my favorite stories involved a student that was a constant problem in class.  Rather than yelling or screaming or resorting to the paddle, Mr. Gray served the young man up a good measure of attention.  “Johnnie (hypothetical name), you need to turn around.   You know I love you but pay attention.  Johnnie, you know I always love you but you need to stop pestering your neighbor.”  Always prefacing his instructions with my buddy or I love you, he guided his students to do better.  He later served in several positions including counselor and then, upon retirement, serves as a volunteer for all kinds of school and church. 

Recently, in visiting the museum at Ozark, I meet Henry Cagle.  Retired, he spends hours working and preserving the history of Ozark. An exceptional man, he really promotes the city of Ozark.

I love Magazine Mountain and three local men worked countless hours for us to have the new lodge and state park.  After the lodge burned, the mountain-top was returning to ruin when Lloyd George of Danville, Frank Willems of Subiaco, and editor Garvin Green of Magazine stepped in and tirelessly worked to get the new lodge built.  It took years for that dream to be fulfilled but without their foresight and work, we could not enjoy our beautiful state park. 

The list goes on and on and we are blessed by these individuals.  Some are living, some passed on but they were and are pillars of the community.  As my dad would say, “those people are just a cut above the rest.”

Lady Tigers Ready To Fight For Red And White

Adam Hecox
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Lady Tigers Ready To Fight For Red And White

If you’ll open your Bible to Proverbs 27:17 you see the verse “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.  While volleyball isn’t exactly a biblical sport by definition, the verse can be tied into the game as a team making each individual player better by giving their best in practices, camps, and scrimmages. That has been the focus of the Lady Tigers during the summer as they strived to make their team great as a whole. The ladies in Mansfield’s volleyball program are friends, family, and teammates on each and every day that can be found on the calendar. Each day except for days that involve a Red/White game such as the upcoming one on Friday, August 12th.

It’s no secret that the Mansfield volleyball program is going to be a hot commodity going into the 2022 season. The Lady Tigers clawed their way to the top last season and closed out with an Arkansas State Championship. While the achievement of being crowned the best in the state is quite a feat to obtain, it is nearly impossible for a team in any sport to pull off dominating opponents in multiple seasons. Mansfield has something many other teams don’t have though. While many teams were loaded with heavy senior talent last year, the Lady Tigers won their 2021 State Championship with only a couple of seniors on the team and only lost two starters from last season. That means the sophomores and juniors that contributed to the 2021 success will all be returning this season with a lot more experience under their belts than what other programs will have.

“We have eight seniors on our roster this year,” said head coach Kaylie Pyles. “We have a lot of experience on our varsity roster, along with a great group of seniors who show a lot of leadership for the team. The team has participated in a lot of team camps this summer with high levels of competition, which in return has prepared us for the upcoming season. The entire team has come to summer workouts and practices with a focus and determination to keep the legacy of Mansfield volleyball State Championships going while going in search of a threepeat also.”

Even though the Lady Tigers are already favored in many upcoming matches, they have been making their rounds with practices and camps all summer to get everyone on the team added experience to the roster as a whole. Mansfield is loaded with so much talent and experience on this years team that the term “iron sharpens iron” seems very fitting for the Lady Tigers. You could build two separate teams with the Lady Tigers roster and each would eventually wind up facing each other in the State Volleyball Playoffs. “Our biggest threat this season will be our non-conference schedule,” said Pyles. “We will face teams like Van Buren, Farmington, and tournaments in Alma and Paris. As for conference play, we’re geared up and ready to take on the alwyas tough programs of Lavaca, Life Way Christian, and Thaden. There is so much talent across the entire program that everyone will have the opportunity to step into key roles if they’re needed to. This team is something special and we expect big things this season”.

But wait, there’s MORE to this team than just volleyball greatness? Why yes, yes there is. The Lady Tigers are seeking more than gold this year though, they’re also eyeing the gold of the future. With volleyball on everyone’s minds, some might miss the fact that these players are more than athletes. The girls in the program have been hard at work away from the court too. Even though they have worked hard all summer to prepare for the challenges they’ll face this year, Mansfield has also found time to give back to the community by hosting Tiger Tot volleyball camps and volunteering to help with the United Way Fill the Bus program over the offseason. Giving back to the community and working with the next generation of Lady Tigers gives Mansfield more shine than any gold could give. They’ll be making their overall depth on the team equally impressive for the real games to come as well as depth of a solid footing for the future of the program.

That means the upcoming Red/White game has the makings of an evenly matched Wonder Woman vs She-Hulk volleyball throwdown. Although the scrimmage is bound to be a good one, the squads will be unknowingly doing something more important than playing for the W. They’ll be playing the best of their team to be ready for the best other teams have to give. “The girls are very excited about the Red/White game,” said Pyles. “We will have a younger age scrimmage starting at 5:00pm. The JR High scrimmage will start at 5:20pm and then we’ll kick off the SR High game around 6:00pm. The teams will play best of three out of five sets for the SR High game.” Simply stated, the 2022 Mansfield Lady Tigers are already slated to be one of the best on and off court programs in Mansfield volleyball history. But can they live up to the 2022 hype? Everyone will have the opportunity to see for themselves and make their own prediction on Friday, August 12th at the Red/White game.

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