92.4 F
Fort Smith
Saturday, July 4, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 432

Obituary – Sally June (Goddard) Szabo (1954-2022)

Tammy Teague
-
0
Obituary – Sally June (Goddard) Szabo (1954-2022)

Sally June (Goddard) Szabo of Omaha, Arkansas (formerly of Waldron, Arkansas) passed from this life, Monday, March 28, 2022 in Branson, Missouri. Sally was born June 8, 1954 in Mena, Arkansas to James Robert Goddard and Rwilta (Johnson) Goddard. She was 67 years old.

Sally was married to the love of her life, Clinton Szabo. Together they made their life in Omaha, Arkansas. Sally loved reading, cooking, gardening, home crafting, home remodeling and doing stained glass. 

Sally leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband Clinton Szabo of the home and two sisters: Robbie Wright of Waldron, Arkansas and Doris Houston of Greenwood, Arkansas. Sally will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends she loved dearly.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rwilta Goddard, one sister, Joann Johnson and one brother Jack Goddard.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date.  Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

AG Acts as Dangerous Apps Impact Locally

Tammy Teague
-
0
AG Acts as Dangerous Apps Impact Locally

Last week, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and a coalition of 44 attorneys general urged TikTok and Snapchat to give parents the ability to monitor their children’s social media usage and protect their children from online threats through parental control apps. These apps would empower parents to ensure that social media platforms are a safe space for their children.

The dangers of online apps are ever-present right here at home. Just recently, Hackett Police Chief Sean White confirmed that he was aware of a case of cyberbullying in the school. That case involves a student who is receiving disturbing texts through an app called “TextNow”. The app uses a wifi connection and assigns the phone its own unique number. That, according to White, is what makes cases such as the one occurring in Hackett so frustrating.

Parents should be aware that there are reports of predators using the app to target victims, and if your child is using the app, they could be in danger. “Cyberbullying is a class B misdemeanor,” stated White. “It is something we take very seriously.” White added that the law states:

5-71-217
1) “Communication” means the electronic communication of information of a person’s choosing between or among points specified by the person without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received; and
(2) “Electronic means” means any textual, visual, written, or oral communication of any kind made through the use of a computer online service, Internet service, telephone, or any other means of electronic communication, including without limitation to a local bulletin board service, an Internet chat room, electronic mail, a social networking site, or an online messaging service.
(b) A person commits the offense of cyberbullying if:
(1) He or she transmits, sends, or posts a communication by electronic means with the purpose to frighten, coerce, intimidate, threaten, abuse, harass, or alarm another person; and
(2) The transmission was in furtherance of severe, repeated, or hostile behavior toward the other person.
(c) The offense of cyberbullying may be prosecuted in the county where the defendant was located when he or she transmitted, sent, or posted a communication by electronic means, in the county where the communication by electronic means was received by the person, or in the county where the person targeted by the electronic communications resides.

“Parents must be able to control who their children talk to and especially what they see,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “As the mother of a young daughter, I make sure that I am aware of the dangers on the internet, and I realize the importance for parents to have the ability to protect their children from those who want to do them harm online.”  

Research increasingly demonstrates the negative impact that social media can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and teenagers.  These effects range from decreased self-esteem and greater body-image dissatisfaction to increased exposure to cyberbullying and sexual predation.  One app reported that in 2021 it had analyzed more than 3.4 billion messages and found:

  • 43.09% of tweens and 74.61% of teens were involved in a self-harm/suicidal situation,
  • 68.97% of tweens and 90.73% of teens encountered nudity or content of a sexual nature,
  • 75.35% of tweens and 93.31% of teens engaged in conversations surrounding drugs/alcohol,
  • 80.82% of tweens and 94.50% of teens expressed or experienced violent subject matter/thoughts, and
  • 72.09% of tweens and 85.00% of teens experienced bullying as a bully, victim, or witness. 

White concluded that in a situation such as the one ongoing in Hackett, the best solution is for the parent to get a new phone number assigned for their child, and ensure that it is only given out to trusted individuals.


Mommergency Car Kit

Madison VanRavensway
-
0
Mommergency Car Kit

Moms we are supposed to be prepared for anything and everything. A well packed diaper bag is essential, but sometimes it’s hard to fit everything in a diaper bag or not worth making your diaper bag weigh 500 lbs. To combat this I made my own kit I deemed my “mommergency kit”.

I recently swapped vehicles with my husband, and now I drive a truck. I carried a lot of nonsense in my SUV, but I much prefer my truck and don’t plan to go back until it’s absolutely necessary for my kids. Since I have less room I needed to make my kit compact and hold only the essentials but enough to help when we inevitably have a day we forget the diaper bag. 

What’s in my kit-

Water bottles

Baby bottle

Extra sleeper

Diapers

Hand held breast pump

Gas drops

Baby blanket 

Non perishable snacks

Wipes

Chapstick

Deodorant

Pony tail

Pen

BC Powder

As I was looking around at what other people include in there kits I found a couple great ideas that I haven’t added. One suggested a size 5 or 6 diaper for those times you are caught in traffic and a kiddo hollers they need to potty. A size 6 diaper is large enough it will collect and can be rolled up and pitched like any other diaper. Bizarre, but having 3 kids and only 1 being potty trained and walking well I definitely filed this top away and added to my shopping list to pick up one of the Huggies 3 packs of diapers. The four year old always needs to go at the least opportune times. 

I also will grab gallon ziplock bags and poke the boys extra outfits, especially during the summer they manage to get wet so often and need a change. Additionally I will purchase a small first aid kit.

With other without our diaper bag we should be prepared for most of the crazy that can get thrown our way when out with children! 

Attachment.png

Paris’s Edwards Pitches a Gem as Diamond Eagles Defeat Hackett to Take Lead in 3A-4 North Division Race

Resident News Network
-
0
Paris’s Edwards Pitches a Gem as Diamond Eagles Defeat Hackett to Take Lead in 3A-4 North Division Race

After the heavy rains on Wednesday that caused some flooding in Logan County, the sun was out on Friday, and it was a beautiful day for high school baseball in Paris. And for the Paris Eagles, the day ended on an even higher note, as the Eagles defeated Hackett in conference play, 9-2. The conference and divisional win against the Hornets propelled Paris into first place in the 3A-4 North Division. The win on Friday was the second conference victory on the week for Paris, having defeated Charleston on Tuesday.

Eagles sophomore pitcher Konnor Edwards started the game for Paris and dominated the Hornets hitters throughout the game. Edwards was lifted in the fifth inning due to pitch count and was relieved by junior pitcher Mason Bradley. The two pitchers combined for just two runs, and Edwards received the win. Paris is deep in pitching, and that will be a big factor as teams move into post season play at the end of the regular season.

The Eagles’ home stand will continue next week on Tuesday, April 5 when they host the Cedarville Pirates in conference play. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. Paris will hope to continue the offensive barrages of last week, as well as the continuance of dominating pitching. Paris could be positioned to win the North Division and set themselves up for a possible bye to the semifinals of the district tournament. A lot can happen between now and then, but the talented and experienced Eagles are poised to make a deep run into this year’s state tournament.

Stay with Resident News Network Sports as we cover the Eagles and their quest to win a conference baseball title!

Sebastian Countywide Spring Cleanup Campaign

Tammy Teague
-
0
Sebastian Countywide Spring Cleanup Campaign

Spring is in the air and that means it’s time for our Spring Cleanup Campaign. Residents of Sebastian County are encouraged to use the Cleanup Site dumpsters, to pick up litter, tackle illegal dumps and do whatever else it takes to put a shine on Sebastian County, according to County Judge David Hudson. This countywide cleanup campaign is in coordination with the Great American Cleanup.

Proof of Sebastian County residency is required by Arkansas Driver’s License for disposal of trash at the cleanup site.

The County Campaign will take place on Saturdays starting April 9th and go through May 7th, 2022.

“By working together to clean up our properties we all can make a difference and make our community more beautiful, safer and a healthier place to live, work and play,” says Judge Hudson.

As in past cleanup campaigns, dumpsters will be placed in several locations throughout the County for County residents to have a convenient place to bring collected trash for safe and legal disposal.

Spring County Cleanup Sites

  • Saturday, April 9 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Midland – County Park / Bob Boyer Park Hwy. 45
  • Saturday, April 16 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Milltown/Washburn Fire Station
  • Saturday, April 23 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Jenny Lind – White Bluff Fire Station
  • Saturday, April 30 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Greenwood – Road Yard
  • Saturday, May 7 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Lavaca Rural – Rodeo Arena Parking Lot – Rodeo Arena Road

Dumpsters will be placed by 7 a.m. on Saturday and are available until 2 p.m. on the same day. Dumpsters will be picked up by 2 p.m. in order to be hauled to the landfill and dumped by closing time (3:30 p.m.)

Any resident of Sebastian County who does not have a cleanup site in their city, as well as residence in the unincorporated areas, may utilize ANY of the County Cleanup sites.

*E-Waste Trailers

There will be an E-Waste trailer at each of the County sites to accept Computers, TVs, or Electronics. These items are not acceptable in the “Dumpsters.”

**Tire Disposal Policy

Tires “will NOT be accepted” as part of this cleanup campaign.

County residents may dispose of up to four passenger tires, without rims, at no charge by taking the tires to Westark Tire (479-888-4520) at 601 Oak Grove Road in Van Buren, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions, you may contact John Spence at (479)652-3705.

Cleanup Dumpsters will be managed by County Employees at all times to assure that only acceptable wastes are disposed of. The following items are NOT accepted in the “Dumpsters” due to Lanfill regulations:

*TV’s Computers – Electronic Equipment (place in E-Waste trailers located at each County site)
**Tires

  • Yard waste, grass, leaves and brush
  • Used oil
  • batteries
  • Hazardous or toxic wastes
  • Cleaning chemicals
  • Herbicides or pesticides
  • Paints or liquids of any kind
  • Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Freon contained appliances (appliances using Freon MUST have the compressor removed before it can be accepted)

Burn Barrels for Trash are Illegal

Barrels used to burn trash are illegal in the State of Arkansas and “will NOT be accepted” as part of the cleanup campaign

White Goods

White goods (appliances, refrigerators, etc.) may be placed in a designated area with the County Road Department disposing of these items on the day of the cleanup date in your area. Refrigerators, Freezers, Air Conditioners, MUST HAVE COMPRESSORS REMOVED.

Ross Leads Charleston Past Paris, 9-5, in 3A-4 Conference Softball

Resident News Network
-
0
Ross Leads Charleston Past Paris, 9-5, in 3A-4 Conference Softball

Charleston senior Rylee Ross started for the Lady Tigers in a big conference game on Tuesday and went the distance in a gutty performance for a big conference win at Paris. Ross, having suffered a torn ACL ligament during basketball season, and wearing a knee brace throughout the game, went the distance for the win. Ross gave up a big home run blast to Paris’s Jayden Wells, but was otherwise able to keep the Paris hitters at bay for the remainder of the game.

Paris senior pitcher Karsyn Tencleve went the distance in the circle for the Lady Eagles in the loss. Tencleve again did not have the benefit of run support and solid defense in the loss. The Paris defense suffered from numerous infield errors around the entire infield.

The loss for Paris was significant in their drive to position themselves in the top half of the conference standings before next month’s conference tournament. This, coupled with a schedule that will take them to Hackett today to play the Hornets, puts the Lady Eagles in a position of playing a critical game that feels like a “must win” game for Paris. To defeat the Hornets who will be tough at their home field, the Lady Eagles will have to play much-improved defense and score runs against good Hackett pitching to support Tencleve in the circle. After Tuesday’s performance, I expect Paris to come out with an inspired effort today at Hackett.

Resident News Network Sports will be in Paris today to cover the baseball game between Paris and Hackett. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Paris.

Stay with Resident News Network for all of the river valley high school baseball and softball action!

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

Tammy Teague
-
0
State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – The recidivism rate for Arkansas prison inmates is 46.1 percent, a rate which the head of state prisons called unacceptable.

Prison officials appeared before a joint meeting of legislators to discuss estimates of growth in the state’s inmate population. They also discussed reentry programs to better prepare inmates for productive careers after they are released from prison.

The legislature passed an appropriation during the recent fiscal session for a 498-bed expansion of the North Central Unit in Calico Rock. Some legislators, county sheriffs and law enforcement officers argue that Arkansas needs more maximum security beds.

The number of inmates behind bars is a little more than 15,000, but they represent only a fraction of the total number of people under the jurisdiction of the state Correction Division.

Another 1,371 inmates are in housed in residential centers run by the Division of Community Corrections. They house inmates referred from drug courts, and are licensed to provide alcohol and drug abuse treatment.

The centers also offer education and job training, as well as therapies to help inmates transition to the outside world, such as parenting classes and courses on how to improve relationships.

State inmates also are housed in county jails, because of a lack of space in state prison units. When offenders are convicted, they normally would be transferred to a state unit. However, due to the lack of space there is a permanent backlog of inmates in local jails.

The backlog of state inmates in county jails was a factor in the legislature’s decision to pass an appropriation for an expansion at the Calico Rock unit.

At the end of March, more than 1,500 inmates were being held in county jails. Sheriffs have appeared before legislative hearings to voice concerns about the increasing number of violent and dangerous offenders in their jails.

The director of state prisons told lawmakers that about 55 percent of new inmates are legally classified as violent offenders. Sentences are determined using a grid that compares the seriousness of criminal offenses, on a scale of one through ten. The director said 55 percent of new offenders are in the eight, nine and ten categories.

Also, about 67,000 inmates are on probation or parole, under supervision by officers. About 24,000 of those are on parole and the others are on probation.

Recidivism rates measure the percentage of inmates who return to prison within three years of being released. The director of Arkansas prisons was hesitant to compare the rate in Arkansas with other states because Arkansas uses different standards and definitions, therefore any comparisons would be “apples to watermelons,” he said.

The Board of Correction recently invoked the Emergency Powers Act to grant parole to almost 400 inmates. The decision does not create new eligibility criteria for their release, but it moves up the time period in which they become eligible for early release.

The governor has proclaimed the week of April 26 through April 30 as Reentry Awareness Week, to help focus public attention on ways to better prepare inmates for life outside prison after they are released.

Hartford and Hackett Police Departments Make Back-to-Back Drug Arrests

Tammy Teague
-
0
Hartford and Hackett Police Departments Make Back-to-Back Drug Arrests

Hartford Police Chief Joey Bolin responded to a suspicious persons call that resulted in a drug arrest on Wednesday, March 23. Later, Hackett Police Chief Sean White would make two related arrests.

Chief Bolin stated that he responded to Hugs and Biscuits in Hartford following a suspicious persons report. On scene, he identified three females, Kathy Estelle Kline and Brittney Nicole Friend, both of LeCompte, Louisiana, and Christy Ann Kenyon of Camdenton, Missouri.

Bolin performed a consented search of the vehicle, a gray Ford pickup. That search yielded methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Bolin stated Kline was taken into custody, transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center and charged with possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II 2-28g felony.

Later, Chief White would also receive a suspicious persons report at the Hugs and Biscuits in Hackett. Upon arrival, he discovered two females searching the gray Ford pickup. After speaking with the women, identified as Friend and Kenyon, White would also perform a consented search which would yield two 200g containers of Kratom, an illegal plant-based drug in Arkansas. Although legal in neighboring Oklahoma, in Arkansas, Kratum is considered a schedule 1 drug, alongside meth and cocaine.

Friend and Kenyon would be taken into custody, and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center. Friend was charged with possession of controlled substance – schedule I/II 28-200g felony, and trafficking (schedule I/II controlled substance). Kenyon was charged with possession of schedule I/II controlled substance with the purpose to deliver >2g, and trafficking (schedule I/II controlled substance).

Two of the females remain in custody at the Sebastian County Detention Center. Kline was released on a legally sufficient bond of $1,500 on Wednesday, March 30. Friend is being held without bond, and Kenyon is being held on a $27,500 legally sufficient bond.

(photo courtesy of Hartford Police Chief Joey Bolin)
(photo courtesy of Hartford Police Chief Joey Bolin)

Keep it Rolling at the Boat Ramp

Tammy Teague
-
0
Keep it Rolling at the Boat Ramp

Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — Daylight saving time has kicked into gear, and more people are getting out to the lake to enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Added traffic can mean longer wait times at boat ramps to get your day started and wrap things up at the end of your trip. Here are a few tips to help everyone out and keep the line running smoothly at your favorite fishing and boating destination.

Work while you wait

Don’t wait until you’ve backed down the ramp to transfer your gear from the tow vehicle to the boat or unstrap the boat from the trailer. Pull to the side and get your gear ready there. If you’re waiting for the ramp, go ahead and make good use of that time to prepare ahead.

Save the chatter

Don’t make others wait while you’re having a discussion with your fishing buddy on where to go, unless you want those behind you offering some colorful suggestions.

Don’t forget the plug

Always make sure the boat’s drain plug is where it’s supposed to be, when launching the boat and after you’re done for the day. Leaving the plug out can put the boat under the surface fairly quickly, and many boats only have access to the plug location from outside the vessel, so getting that plug in place after launching can be a wet mess.

Removing the plug at the ramp at the end of your day can help prevent another kind of wet mess. Giant salvinia, zebra mussel larvae and many other aquatic nuisance species can be spread in the water that can be held in the bilge area and livewells. To protect Arkansas waters, the AGFC enacted a regulation in 2021 requiring all boaters to remove all drain plugs, including those in livewells, before leaving the boat ramp at the conclusion of their outing. Check out www.agfc.com/invasivespecies for more information on how to prevent the spread of these nuisance species.

Practice when it’s slow

Don’t wait until a weekend during peak boating season to practice backing the trailer and launching your boat. Go to a boat ramp that doesn’t see much traffic one afternoon and take your time while few people are around. Not only will you get better at backing the vehicle, you’ll be able to develop a routine that will give you confidence that you haven’t left something behind.

Take it easy

When people are waiting, it can be easy to panic and go too fast backing the boat. Remember the adage, “Slow is smooth; smooth is fast.” Take your time and make small adjustments. If you begin to get off track, take a moment and give it another shot. Backing a trailer isn’t easy when you first start out. And if you’re one of the people waiting in line that sees a person struggling, be patient and let them figure it out without honking or hurrying them up. That can cause an even bigger mess if they panic and get sideways on the ramp.

Life jackets at the ready

Make sure you have enough life jackets for the people on your boat before you get to the ramp. State law requires all boats under 16 feet long to have one U.S. Coast Guard Approved wearable personal floatation device on board for every passenger. Boats 16 feet and longer also require an additional throwable PFD. Children under 13 must be wearing their life jacket at all times while aboard a boat, unless they are within the enclosed area of a houseboat, cruiser or party barge and the boat is not under way. Go ahead and put on the life jacket before hopping into the boat at the ramp as well and lead by example.

Don’t get too deep

One of the most common mistakes new boaters make when loading the boat at the end of the day is to put the trailer too far into the water. You want the bottom of the boat to contact the trailer when it reaches the halfway point. It can then slide up the bunks straight. If the trailer is too deep, the bunks won’t guide the boat and it will slide from one side to the other when you try to pull the trailer from the water. Once you find the sweet spot, make a note of where the water level touches the wheels or another part of the trailer so you can get it right every time.

Park in the right place

If you’re hauling a trailer, park in the long spaces designated for your rig. If you’re using a kayak, canoe or meeting someone with the boat and are driving a car or truck that doesn’t have a trailer behind it, try to find a parking space that isn’t reserved for trailering vehicles.

Don’t let your boat be a drag

Unhook the boat from the winch after the vessel is in the water, not before. Also make sure to hook the winch up before leaving the water at the end of the day. It’s rare, but boats can slide off the trailer bunks if they’re not secured on a steep ramp. Secure the trailer tie-down straps and transfer gear back to the tow vehicle in the parking lot, not on the ramp.

The tips above are just a few things anglers and boaters can learn through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Boating Education Program. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat or sailboat, must have successfully completed an approved boating education course and carry proof while operating a motorboat or sailboat on Arkansas waters. To operate a motorboat powered by an engine of 10 horsepower or more, a person must be 12 or older, or be under the direct supervision of a person at least 18. To operate a personal watercraft, a person must be 16 or older, or be 12-15 years old and under the direct supervision of someone at least 18. People younger than 12 may only operate a personal watercraft while under the direct supervision of someone at least 21.

Visit www.agfc.com/boatered for more information about Boater Education in Arkansas and how to take a class near you to be certified.

Mansfield High School 3rd Week Honor Roll

Tammy Teague
-
0
Mansfield High School 3rd Week Honor Roll

3rd 9 week Honor Roll
All A’s
9th

Trinity Triska, Carissa Vaughan, Carter Whiley   

10th

Dakota Langford, Nuria Montero, Kadynce Robinson, Trey Vaughan

11th      

Serenity Brunson, Cassidy Carlton, Thilde Fink, Morgan Jacobson-Seelinger       

12th

Malachi Fuller, Amanda Lasavath, Ethan Pettus, Kiara Thomas                    

A’s/B’s
9th

Winston Allison, Alyssa Black, Addison Bowman, Boston Elmore, Meghan Emery, Summer Frazier, Kaylie Lowery, Sayde McDowell, T’Nyah Meadors, Ryleigh Mitchell, Hallie Oliver, Cameron Pettus, Austin Ruiz, Elizabeth Welch                

10th

Alyson Edwards, Harlie Fuller, Zachary Hayslip, Raine Hecox, Kadence Mathisen, Cole Smith, Travis Tobey      

11th

Brooklyn Adams, Natalie Allison, Greyson Baggett, Guilherme Bueno, Braxton Byers, Caleb Collier, Reegan Emery, Skylynn Harris, Madelen Jones, Trenton Leroy, Travis Martin, Madison McKusker, Magean Newman, Clinton Stovall, Alayna Turner, Jadelynn Wood

12th

BreeAnna Benavides, Aaron Brewer, Nathan Brewer, Alyssa Frasher, McKenzie Griffin, Ryan Hayslip, Haylee Helms, Katlynn Moore, Matthew Nolan, Daylee Smedley, Micah Smith, Caden Wagner 

1...431432433...1,056Page 432 of 1,056

© Resident News Network | 2015 - 2026 | All Rights Reserved | Baggett Enterprises LLC | Isaiah 43:18-19