Perhaps Paris softball coach Donald Hart said it best when he described the unusually scheduled Senior Night ceremony that was not held on the field during a pregame ceremony but on a rainy night in Paris Gymnasium after the conclusion of the Lady Eagles’ season. Coach Hart referred to the ceremony being indicative of the obstacles that this senior class has had to overcome, such as scheduling challenges that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. But nevertheless, five Paris seniors who had a very successful run in the program were honored in front of parents and fans Monday at Paris Gymnasium.
Seniors Ryleigh Oates, Karsyn Tencleve, Celsi Haller, Kasse Appleton, and Kaidence Powers were honored for their contributions to the Paris softball program. In a very touching ceremony, the players were escorted by their families through a “bat salute” that was formed from the rest of the team, and were given gifts and momentos of their time in the program. Coach Donald Hart said a few words about the seniors and how much they meant to him and the program.
After the event, I asked Coach Hart for his comments regarding this class that was very successful on and off the field, including a run last year to the state semi-finals. Coach responded by saying, “I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to be a small part of this great group of seniors. They’ve had a tremendously positive impact on our program over the past four years (five for the three that were managers as eighth graders.) I look forward to seeing them do great things as they head out into the real world, and I hope we will always hold a special place in their hearts. I know they will in mine. It’s been a great ride and they will be truly missed. Once and Eagle…always an Eagle!”
Yes, Coach, they will be sorely missed by everyone, and they will be highly successful in anything they attempt in life. Good luck to this year’s senior class of Paris softball players, and we look forward to following your future successes in life!
With three children it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the cost of birthday parties. Especially with my children who love a good Birthday theme! But there is always cutbacks, and money to be saved with any party. I have some great money saving tips to share to get you ready for you next birthday party, or a party of any kind!
Choose a color theme, not a character. Both my boys will likely have a Spiderman/superhero birthday. When you think about it I can cover Spiderman and Iron Man with red, black, and yellow. Add some blue and I’ve covered Captain America, and with some green and purple I have Hulk. Even though I will likely just do Iron Man & Spiderman for them, you get the idea. A pinata or cake is enough to drive home the theme and then the plates and table cloth can be generic to cut costs. Same idea for holidays, you can get by with 4th of July theme and plain plates.
Have a party somewhere free; think your own house, or a park! Bonus on a park, there is often free entertainment for little (and big) kids.
Virtual invitations over paper- Facebook makes events pretty easy, and there are apps that allow you to text personalized invites!
Only serve cake! Pick a time that this is appropriate, such as 10:30 or 2:00. It is expected for their to be cake at a birthday party, and it is perfectly fine to ONLY have cake (or your dessert of choice). For a summer party maybe you only have watermelon or sno cones. As long as that’s appropriately shared so people aren’t starving and angry at you, I think a sno cone party would be a blast!
Serve bulk drinks- lemonade, sweet tea, water from a pitcher. Individual drinks are far more expensive than a pitcher of it made at home!
Summer is a great time for entertaining, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune! Pick a budget, and stick to it- and enjoy the fun of your invitees!
Who the heck was Guy Fenter? I hear it often when I tell people where I work. It’s really easy to explain why the educational cooperative is named for him; he was the cofounder of the educational cooperatives in Arkansas but, as an educator, an administrator, and especially as a friend, he was so very much more.
Guy was born near Billstown, Arkansas in 1933. A product of the depression and abject poverty, he once told me the only people poorer than his family were the Campbell family who lived down the dirt road from them. Years later, while at a Glen Campbell concert, I saw Mr. Fenter talking on stage with the famous country music star. They were reliving old days of growing up together and Glen was checking on Mr. Fenter’s sister, a lady for whom he held a life-time crush.
Mr. Fenter was able to get together enough money to attend what is now UCA for a semester. He said he quickly decided attending college was a lot easier than working in the hot cotton fields. Finishing his degree, he taught and coached first at Paris. He was an assistant there during Paris undefeated 1956 season and had some outstanding basketball teams but he always told me his biggest accomplishment was marrying one of his former students, the beautiful Shelby Gray. In 1960, he was hired as principal at Charleston High school and later moved up to the superintendent position. Today, Charleston attributes much of its educational reputation to reforms implemented by Mr. Fenter.
Guy Fenter
One of his school board members was Mr. Dale Bumpers. They became close friends, so much so that Mr. Fenter served as one of the campaign for Mr. Bumpers who was first governor, later Senator, and a prime candidate for President. After Mr. Bumpers first election, someone from the state department called Mr. Fenter questioning him about the position he wanted in the new administration. With characteristic modesty, Mr. Fenter replied, “I am just an old school teacher and the only job I need is right here in Charleston.’
Mr. Fenter continued in the education field, and was instrumental is setting up the unique system of educational cooperatives in the state. He became the first director of the coop, later named for him, and set up office in the inconspicuous old superintendent house vacated on the County Line School campus. That institution has now grown to include some 50 employees who assist 22 school districts and dozens of schools in the River Valley. In 1998, he helped start the Western Arkansas Technical center at U/AFS. Coming from his background, he realized that all kids are not college bound but all kids need skills and training to help them through life. He retired in 2015 and passed away soon afterward but he left a legacy for educators to follow.
He was a leader, a man that shot from the hip and stood up for things he thought right. With all his success and achievements, he was accessible, likeable, and modest. After visiting in Charleston, I remarked to him he was a famous enough to have a street named for him. He smiled and replied, “Curtis, on one end of that street is the dog pound, on the other end is the sewer plant!
The coop’s mascot is the starfish and it came from Mr. Fenter’s favorite story about a young man walking down the beach throwing grounded starfish back into the ocean. A cynical older man remarked to the boy, “Son, you’re wasting your time, you can’t save all those starfish.” The young man replied as he threw another starfish back into the sea, “I may not save them all, but I can surely make a difference in this one life.”
When you pass by the cooperative and see the name Guy Fenter, know that he didn’t save them all but he sure made a difference in many lives he touched during a career that extended nearly sixty years.
Each spring, young male black bears emerge from their dens and strike out to find new territories. While sightings of these misguided youths certainly grab the attention of people living in neighborhoods bordering bear country, they often move on as long as people don’t give them a reason to stay.
Bears are part of Arkansas and have been since before the state was settled. In fact, Arkansas once was so rich with black bears that its official nickname was “The Bear State.” Unrestricted hunting for their fur and fat led to the bear’s rapid decline by the early 1900s. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists and biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas again has bears throughout much of the state in the areas they once roamed. But living with bears requires a brief mention about bear biology.
Female bears will spend two winters with their cubs: the first when they are newborns, and the second as adolescents. In their second year, female cubs will be allowed to stay in a portion of their mother’s territory, but male bears are forced away to find a new home on their own.
“It’s nature’s way of ensuring genetic diversity,” said Myron Means, bear program coordinator for the AGFC. “The young males will wander for a while until they find a new home with good food resources.”
Unfortunately, that search may land young bears in some sticky situations. Open trash cans, bowls filled with pet food and areas where people have dumped cooking grease or table scraps often attract these wayward bears. Wildlife feeders also act as magnets to these young bruins, who will take advantage of the free meal.
“The first thing we tell anyone to do when they have a nuisance bear in the area is to put away any possible foods, including deer feeders, bird feeders and dog food, and to keep trash cans locked or put away where they are inaccessible for a couple of days,” Means says. “That’s usually all it takes for the bear to move on.”
Just like grandpa told you about snakes and other scary critters, bears are much more scared of people than we are of them. But if a bear is allowed to stick around, it can begin to associate people with a free meal, and that’s when trouble starts. Means suggests people who see bears where they don’t want them, make it clear they need to move on.
“Making noise, yelling and throwing a rock or two at the bear will give it the message that it’s not welcome,” Means said. “Bears aren’t aggressive animals and they don’t have a desire for revenge or anything. They just realize the area isn’t comfortable to stay in and will go away.”
More information about bear awareness and bear safety can be found on the cooperative website www.Bearwise.org. This site was developed by bear biologists throughout the Southeast and includes information specific to Arkansas.
Although you might know me from my involvement with the baseball team and Greenwood athletics, do you really know who I am and what I stand for? This involvement over the past several years has inspired me to want to do more—beyond athletics—to include what’s best for all Greenwood students, staff, teachers, administrators, and even the parents… all of these people make up who we are in Greenwood.
Throughout my life, I have had a deep conviction to serve and be a part of impacting the next generation. I want to serve on the Greenwood School Board to help be a catalyst in the vision, growth, and development of the Greenwood School District. My children are all elementary-aged and I feel it is time for me to be able to step in and serve my family and our community in this capacity. I will stand on the shoulders of those who have served before me that have created an outstanding foundation to build upon.
Regarding the attributes that I can contribute to the community of Greenwood and the School Board that represents it are: proven leadership, loyalty to the community, service, un-matched work ethic, and a voice for teachers, staff and families. Throughout my 21-years of military experience as both an officer and enlisted Airman, I have had the privilege of serving alongside hundreds of the Nation’s best Service men and women. Many of those individuals reside in the Greenwood School District, and through that I have managed millions of dollars in assets and fiscal budgets. That experience enables me to understand how to lead in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment which mirrors the realm of education in terms of personnel, pace, and change. I am a self-starter who is able to cast vision and manage the details. I am blessed to have young children who are currently coming up through Greenwood School District, so I am vested in the future and will be around to see projects through to completion. By being a young parent who is heavily involved in the community, I have a unique perspective on the interests of the next generation of students, parents, and leaders within the Greenwood community and I look forward to demonstrating that for years to come.
If elected, I will truly be humbled and honored. Accountability, transparency, honesty, and continuous process improvement will be the keys to success as a board member. First, I will listen to the needs of those who elected me to this position by developing a clear line of communication so that they know and understand that I truly am available to them so that when needs arise, I will be there to answer. Secondly, I will focus on what’s best for all students as a whole in the district, not just those in a select group. It is crucial that the school district remains balanced in its focus on the future in academics, athletics, and the arts. It is widely known that Greenwood is an athletic town and our student-athletes are challenged on the playing field day in and day out, and we are extremely proud of that. However, we have to continue to build upon that excellence in the classroom and in the arts as well. We want to ensure that we develop well-rounded students who are having rich and engaging experiences across multiple educational disciplines. This type of preparation will ensure they have diverse experiences they need to have the foundation required to launch into the world our students currently face.
The path to success for our children is a “full-spectrum” approach. Parents, Teachers, Coaches, Administrators, and School Board members must be on the same page, which includes the students to ensure we are providing elements necessary for their success in the classroom, on the field or wherever life leads them. To ensure we provide a world-class education for our students and parents, I will ask the hard questions when needed, make sure that we are fiscally responsible in how our community’s money is dispersed, drive our school toward reaching key milestones in the realization of our District Strategic Plan, ensure that our teachers, staff, and administrators are supported and appropriately funded, and help be an asset to the future growth of our community. One of the most important aspects of hiring high-quality and new talent to local businesses is the quality of the school system in the community, and I will ensure that it is the best and a place to be proud of. We are all a part of what makes Greenwood such an incredible place to live. Let me be the spark and the voice that creates new change and growth within our schools.
Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H: Ty Daniel Allen of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 29 at 10:51 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 30 at 1:28 a.m. Allen was charged with driving while intoxicated 1st offense.
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office: Lauren Carrol Nicole Briley of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 29 at 8:02 a.m. and released on May 2 at 9:03 a.m. Briley was charged with contempt-failure to comply w/ court a misd.
Phillip James Orick of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 26 at 11:52 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 26 at 6:35 p.m. Orick was charged with theft of property <$1k.
Ron Allen Peerson of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 29 at 4:24 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Peerson was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia – felony.
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department: Billy Joe Duncan of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 28 and remains at the SCADC without bond. Duncan was charged with fugitive from justice out of state, and obstructing governmental operations – ID.
John Michael Mashburn of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 25 at 2:54 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Mashburn was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, and failure to appear – class C felony.
Brian James Mathisen of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 29 at 8:14 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Mathisen was charged with failure to appear – class A misdemeanor.
Bobby Lee Rhyne of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 25 at 1:42 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond April 26 at 11:01 p.m. Rhyne was charged with delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine >10g.
Calvin K Ward of Hot Springs was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 30 at 2:06 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Ward was charged with possession of controlled substance – schedule IV / V misdemeanor <28grams.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department: Gary Edward Knotts of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on April 30 and remains at the SCADC without bond. Knotts was charged with parole violation, possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II felony <2g, and contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine).
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
The Sebastian County National Day of Prayer Task Force will be hosting an event on the lawn of the Sebestian County Courthouse on May 5th, 2022, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at 35 South 6th Street.
This event will be a time for all of our citizens to come together and pray for our community, including our government, churches, families, military, first-responders, businesses, and media.
The event will be presided over by Sebastian County Court Judge, David Hudson. Many local pastors and elected officials are scheduled to pray publicly, including Mayor George McGill.
Providing music will be members of the Northside High School choir. Also singing will be the children’s choir at Union Christian Academy. Our city’s fire department color guard will post the colors. Plus, their bagpipe corps will close out the ceremony.
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The 2022 National Day of Prayer theme prays: “Exalt the Lord who has established us!” We are praying and praising God in our theme verse, Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Sebastian County National Day of Prayer Task Force: Judge David Hudson Scott Ward Johnny Clayton George O’Neel SEBASTIAN COUNTY NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
The Mansfield Alumni Association came together for their annual meeting on Saturday, April 30. This year’s sponsor, the graduating class of 1972.
The alumni scholarship was presented to two graduating seniors, John Branche and Aaron Brewer.
John Branche is the son of John and Jackquiya Branche. He attended Mansfield from Kindergarten through 12th grade. John plans to attend the University of Arkansas of Fort Smith and major in biology. He is active in Beta Club, Student Council, FFA, FCLA and is student council president. He is also a member of the Mansfield High School Track Team.
Scholarship recipients John Branche and Aaron Brewer are pictured with MHS Alumna Linda Udouj.
The scholarship recipients are pictured with representatives of the class of 1972, and Steve Hattabaugh.
MHS alumnus, Steve Hattabaugh
The high school cafeteria was abuzz with laughter and talk. Fellow Tigers for life, enjoying the company and reminiscence of days gone by.
Aaron Brewer is the son of Tommy Brewer and Raven Jackson. He attended Mansfield from 1st through 12th grade. Aaron plans to attend the University of Arkansas of Fort Smith and major in Business and Automotive Computer Science. He is active in Beta Club and is a member of the High School Baseball Team.
After a move to Hackett High School due to wet fields for the semifinals on Thursday, the 3A-4 district baseball tournament returned to its host site at Cedarville High School on Friday for the championship games in both baseball and softball. And on a night where the rain began right on cue and just as the trophy presentation had concluded, the Paris Eagles defeated the Danville Little Johns 9-5 for the 3A-4 district tournament championship. The Little Johns were the regular season conference champions, and Paris finished as runner-ups, but it was the Eagles taking the district tournament championship on Friday night.
The Eagles will now move on to next week’s regional tournament on Thursday where they will be a number one seed and will play the Greenland Pirates, a four seed, at 10 a.m. The Eagles need to defeat Greenland to advance to the following week’s state tournament. The Danville Little Johns will enter the regional tournament as a number two seed and will play the Lincoln Wolves, a three seed, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Hackett, the number four seed from the 3A-4, will play the number one seed from the 3A-1, the Elkins Elks, at 3 p.m. And the Booneville Bearcats, the number three seed from 3A-4, will play the number two seed from the 3A-1, Bergman, at 12:30 p.m.
Congratulations to all four seeds from the 3A-4 conference and best of luck to all schools in their quest to secure a state playoff spot. It is a great time of the year as high school athletics wrap-up the 2021-22 school year, and RNN will bring you all of the action!
Mansfield High School found just the right blend of experienced seniors, aggressive juniors, spirited sophomores, and maturing freshmen. That lethal combination of Tiger track talent proved way too much for an overmatched 2A-4 conference.
On April 26 at their home venue, Mansfield’s senior girls track team powered past 300 points on their way to a second consecutive conference championship. The Mansfield men, at the same district finals, put up a great fight but eventually fell short of the defending state champions Acorn.
Faith Rainwater, Jadelynn Wood, Laney Wood, and Trinity Triska enjoy the winning time (4:41.21) in the women’s 4x400m relay.
The MHS Lady Tigers posted 29 points within the first 20 minutes of the meet on their way to a 307 point total for the night. In comparison, the league’s remaining five teams only accumulated 326 points when added together.
Acorn (118), Mountainburg (90), and Magazine (69), district women’s teams who are ranked inside the state’s top 15, finished the conference race in second through fourth places respectively. Lavaca (40) and Westside (5) rounded out the league’s final team standings.
Mansfield’s Faith Rainwater, Sadie Roberts, Trinity Triska, and Laney Wood landed the early haymaker with a sweep of the opening pole vault event. The four All-District performers joined 11 more All-District Lady Tigers along with other teammates to put forth the pounding.
Senior Tyler Escalante works the sprint relays for Mansfield.
Brooklyn Adams, Addie Bowman, Shelby Cole, McKenzie Griffin, Raine Hecox, Darby Jones, Hope Rainwater, Seven Sanderson, Azlynn Stover, Carter Whiley, and Jadelynn Wood all finished top two in an individual event or relay to earn 2A-4 All-District honors.
For the Tiger men, 10 players made the All-District roster by virtue of their high placement in the conference finals. Those included John Branche, Boston Elmore, Tyler Escalante, Ryan Hayslip, Peyton Martin, Trey Powell, Axel Ravnsborg, Austin Ruiz, Sammy Sellers, and Tyler Turnipseed.
Acorn won the men’s title with 201 points behind the strength of its number one ranked distance runners. Mansfield punched hard in the early going with valuable field events points and early sprint races. The MHS Tigers couldn’t match Acorn’s late surge through the 800m and 3200m runs and ultimately dropped the lead.
Trey Powell wins the men’s 300m hurdles at the senior high district track meet.
Mansfield’s men finished second in the conference standings with 169 points. A tightly grouped trio finished in the next three spots. Magazine (95), Lavaca (91), and Mountainburg (90) closed in those third through fifth place positions. Westside (18) finished last.
Jadelynn Wood was Mansfield’s top female and high point candidate with 41 total points. The junior athlete won the triple jump and 300m hurdles for 20 of her individual points. She served on the winning 4x100m and 4x400m relays for 5 split points. She acquired 16 additional tallies off a pair of individual second place finishes in the high jump and 100m hurdles.
Darby Jones leads a group of Mansfield distance runners including Laney Wood, McKenzie Griffin, and Ashley Martin in the women’s 1600m start at the district finals.
“Jadelynn has been working for this moment all season long,” said Mansfield’s John Mackey, the 2A-4 Conference Women’s Coach of the Year. “She made state last year in a couple of relays. She was determined this year to qualify to state in some individual events. She exceeded expectations and qualified in all six of her regular events.”
Fourteen Lady Tigers scored double digit points. Roberts had the next highest point total for Mansfield with 30.5. The senior won the high jump and was a member of the winning 4x100m relay. She also scored in the 100m dash, 200m dash, pole vault, and long jump. Roberts qualified to state in the high jump and 4x100m relay.
Faith Rainwater made the state roster as the district pole vault champion. She also earned a state ticket as a member of three relays (4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m).
Cole (100m hurdles), Sanderson (shot put), and Triska (400m dash) all won individual events to send them to state. Jones punched her tickets in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m races while Adams made her first trip to state with a second place discus throw.
Hope Rainwater, Hecox, Stover, and Bowman won the 4x200m relay. That was the first of three relay victories for the Lady Tigers.
Freshmen Austin Ruiz and Boston Elmore wait their turn at the pole vault. The Mansfield pair qualified to state for the high school team in that event.
Faith Rainwater, Jadelynn Wood, Roberts, and Whiley won the 4x100m relay. Faith Rainwater, Laney Wood, Triska, and Jadelynn Wood won the 4x400m co-op.
Griffin, Triska, Laney Wood, and Faith Rainwater took second in the 4x800m relay.
The Mansfield men had a great meet through their sprint relays. Ravnsborg, Branche, Escalante, and Martin got things started with a gold medal run in the 4x200m relay. The group of four bettered their 2A-4 league record by running the 2 lap co-op in 1:39.54.
Ravnsborg and Martin doubled back on the short relays, joining Turnipseed and Powell in the 4x100m relay. That speed team won going away in a time of 48.72 seconds.
Finally, Ravnsborg, Branche, Escalante welcomed Ruiz to the 4x400m relay team to close the night with another victory. That high caliber finish brought the baton home in 3:56.53.
Hayslip closed the deal in the men’s pole vault. The 2A state indoor champion jumped a modest 8” 6’ to win the event and conserve energy for other events. Martin, Ruiz, and Elmore did the same tying for second place at 8’ 0” and qualifying to state.
Powell won the 300m hurdles (45.27) in only his second try over the intermediate barriers. He was a silver medalist in the 100m dash to qualify to state in both individual events.
Escalante won the 200m dash (24.25) while teammate Sammy Sellers was second in the men’s discus throw (98’ 5”). Both advance to the state round.
