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Waldron School District to Purchase Supplies from Scott County Hardware

Tammy Teague
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Waldron School District to Purchase Supplies from Scott County Hardware

The Waldron School Board met in special session on Monday, July 19 at 5:15 p.m. ​The meeting was held in the Central Office Building. Board members present were Tammye Sherrill, Clay Woodall, Angela Hunsucker, Konnor McKay and Mac Davis. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding.

​President Tammye Sherrill called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m.

​A motion was made by Hunsucker and seconded by Woodall to approve the purchase order to J & J Flooring.  Motion carried 5-0. 

​A motion was made by Woodall and seconded by Davis to approve the purchase order to Paul Reed for flooring installation.  Motion carried 5-0. 

​A motion was made by Woodall and seconded by Davis to approve the purchase order to Scott County Hardware for school supplies.  Motion carried 5-0. 

​A motion was made by Woodall and seconded by Hunsucker to adjourn.  Motion carried 5-0.

​Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Mansfield Police Department Responds to Bomb Threat

Tammy Teague
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Mansfield Police Department Responds to Bomb Threat

On Thursday evening, July 29, the Mansfield Police Department responded to a residence on Huntington Avenue after a homeowner located what he believed to be a bomb.

The Mansfield Police Department contacted the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Fort Smith Fire Department Bomb Squad unit was dispatched to the scene.

Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb stated that there were two devices, both constructed from PVC pipe. One was filled with black powder. Robb noted that the second device most likely also contained black powder, but it’s contents dissipated upon detonation. According to Chief Robb, both devices were rigged with fuses.

”It was determined by ATF that it was a homemade firework device,” stated Chief Robb. “We have coordinated with the Arkansas State Police to further investigate the evidence…There is no threat to the public’s safety.”

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the call.

AG Alert: Immediately Delete Vulgar Text Messages

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AG Alert: Immediately Delete Vulgar Text Messages

Scammers have resorted to new lows in an age-old scheme to steal consumers’ personal information. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is once again warning Arkansans of phishing schemes where scam artists will send a link through text or email hoping the cell phone users will allow access to information on the phone. The updated scam adds additional shock value because scammers have added vulgar and sexual messages in anticipation that users will click that link. This scam is an attempt to surprise users while gaining access to personal information stored on their device.

“Scam artists are disgusting and have reinvented an old scam in a vulgar way to steal from Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “If you receive a fake text message that you did not sign up for, do not click on anything in the message and delete the message immediately.”

Attorney General Rutledge recommends the following tips if you receive this group text scam:

  • Do NOT answer or engage with the text message. These scams are attempting to get a response from group members to steal personal information off the phone.
  • Block the calling or texting number on your phone and delete the texts.
    • If the calling number is the spoofed contact of someone you know unblock the number after a few hours or days; otherwise, the person with that number will not be able to reach you.
  • Cell phone users may have an option to filter and block messages from their phones directly. Users can filter and block messages on an iPhone and block a phone number on an Android phone.
  • iPhone and Android users also have the ability to report spam and junk messages that are sent to their phones. iPhone users can find additional information here while Android users can find information here.
  • Any cell phone user can also report text messages by copying the message and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) and reporting the message to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more information and tips on how to avoid a scam, call the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

Arkansas Hunting Guidebook Available Online

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Arkansas Hunting Guidebook Available Online

By Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — The printed version of the 2021-22 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook is being produced and should be distributed in August throughout the state, but hunters can get familiar with this year’s season dates and regulations with a digital version, now available at www.agfc.com for download.

One thing most hunters familiar with the guidebook may notice is the notoriously short “New This Year” section that graces Page 4. This section usually has a dozen or so changes hunters should note with references to where they can be found later in the book. Thanks to a new two-year regulations cycle, only one note is mentioned in this section of the book, and it is not a regulation so much as a reference for hunters to know about an ongoing research project in the north portion of the state.

A project tracking mortality rates in white-tailed deer within Arkansas’s chronic wasting disease zone involves tagging and radio-collaring deer and following them throughout their lives to determine the impact the disease is having on the population. The easily visible collars and tags may cause hunters to question if the deer is legal to harvest.

Cory Gray, chief of the AGFC’s Research Division, says collared and tagged deer are legal to take, but asks any hunter who shoots these deer to report the harvest to ensure accurate data collection on this important project.

The only other changes that may impact hunters are simple adjustments of season dates to accommodate the change in calendar days from one year to the next.

Statewide 2021 Deer Season Opening Days:

Archery — Sept. 25
Muzzleloader — Oct. 16
Modern Gun — Nov. 13
Special Youth Modern Gun Hunts — Nov. 6-7 and Jan. 1-2
Private Land Antlerless-only Modern Gun Hunt — Dec. 29-31

Visit www.agfc.com/guidebooks for downloadable versions of all AGFC hunting and fishing regulations guidebooks.

Celebrating Farmers Market Week!

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Celebrating Farmers Market Week!

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

Farmers markets, long thought of as a niche affectation of suburban parking lots or roadside stands, truly came into their own over the past year. As many food retailers struggled to deal with supply chain bottlenecks and indoor capacity restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the typically outdoor farmers markets thrived as sources of fresh and local produce and other products. 

On Thursday morning, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward visited the campus garden at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus to deliver a proclamation from Governor Asa Hutchinson, declaring Aug. 1-7 Arkansas Farmers Market Week. The week coincides with National Farmers Market Week. 

A 2020 survey, conducted by universities across the United States, found that farmers markets enjoyed a 3 percent increase in first-time consumers — equating to about 36 million households. 

Ron Rainey, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said farmers markets will likely represent an increasing share of the sources from which most consumers get their food. 

“As the survey reveals, farmers markets continue to serve a dedicated and growing segment of consumers,” Rainey said. 

Rainey has also been instrumental in promoting Arkansas MarketMaker, a free online marketing portal promoting farmers markets and other food producers with searchable maps of local food providers. To use or join the program, visit https://ar.foodmarketmaker.com/.  

According to the governor’s proclamation, there are more than 112 known farmers markets in Arkansas, with more than 80 percent of the state’s 75 counties featuring at least one farmers market. 

“Access to healthy foods is a priority of the Healthy Active Arkansas Initiative to reduce obesity rates in the State of Arkansas, and through efforts of initiatives like these, the number of Arkansas Farmers Markets has nearly doubled in the last decade,” the proclamation reads in part. 

Jeremy Adams, executive director of the Arkansas Farmers Market Association, accepted the proclamation from Secretary Ward at Thursday morning’s event, and spoke briefly. 

“This has been a challenging season for Arkansas farmers markets, due to cooler and wet weather conditions, but farmers markets are in full swing,” Adams said. “Arkansas farmers markets have seen high traffic counts again this year, post-COVID, and it appears more people than ever are interested in local food.”   

Adams said many markets have seen an increase in the number of vendors selling products and produce under the “Arkansas Grown” and “Arkansas Made” moniker, an Arkansas Department of Agriculture program that promotes locally grown produce and locally made products. 

To learn more about farmers markets in Arkansas, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/economics-marketing/experience-arkansas-agriculture/.  

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. 

About the Division of Agriculture 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.  

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.   

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Timepiece: Blackberry Summer

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Timepiece: Blackberry Summer

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Blackberries are one of the gifts of God.  They grow wild and free in most open pastures in the South and they get ripe just about this time of year.  Even though abundant, they come with some strings attached.  They grow best in June and July, the hottest of hot months in Arkansas, and are attached to some awful thorn-bearing bushes.  To make matters worse, every stinging, biting, and itching insect known to man hang out in the best berry locations. 

My grandmother Nettie loved blackberries and knew the best ways to harvest and the best ways to avoid the attendant problems above.  She also knew the best secret places, those areas where the vines grew thick and were covered with the largest plump berries.  On the days we picked, she would get us up at daybreak while it was a relatively cool 80 degrees or so and head to the pasture.  Our heads were covered by big straw hats and our arms and legs were completely covered by clothing.  Both protected us from the direct rays of the sun and some of the smaller thorns but done little to alleviate the heat of mid-morning July days.   Before the days of DEET, DDT, and Napalm- things that appear to have some chance of killing off the little boogers- my grandmother used home remedies to repel the myriad insects that enjoyed feasting on us.  We spread grease or turpentine around our ankles, around our wrists, and any exposed areas. Kerosene, one of my grandmother’s cure-all remedies, also could be used in place of the above and also prevented any inclination to smoke while harvesting the berries. 

My uncle William was harvesting blackberries on Sand Ridge near Prairie View.  They were more than head high and full of berries that he was picking as fast as his hands could move when he heard a noise on the opposite side of the bushes he was emptying.  Pulling aside the bushes, he came face to face with a black bear that was enjoying the fruit on the backside of the patch.  Both let out a squeal, dropped the berries in hand, and skedaddled in opposite directions. We kept that bear in mind from that point forward but the real danger was Dave Rhineheart’s big bull that shared the pasture where we picked.

Fully armored in our clothing and protected by grandma’s elixirs, we took our gallon armor lard buckets and headed off to work.  If we were lucky and worked all morning, we could pick a gallon bucket by noon.  That bucket of berries would be turned into a dollar cash from one of the local housewives who converted it into a delicious cobbler by evening.  My cousin and I would stop by the local store and get a sixteen-ounce pop cola and a three-dip ice cream for a quarter on the way home. 

Once home, we would heat water over a wood stove, deposit it in a big iron washtub, and then take turns taking a bath.  Lye soap and a little bit of bleach deposited into the tub would hopefully dispose of any of the insects making it past our initial defense.  By the time we were through, the water was deep blue from the residual soap, kerosene, grease, dirt, and sweat.

Blackberry picking taught me many valuable lessons about life.  There is a reward and a sense of pride and accomplishment when you get through doing a job, the harder you work, the more reward you got, and last and most important, chiggers are hard to kill.

Rising Grain Prices Squeeze Catfish Industry

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Rising Grain Prices Squeeze Catfish Industry

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Rising grain prices are draining Arkansas’ catfish industry.

Four states — Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Arkansas — produce 97 percent of catfish sales in the United States. U.S. catfish sales were $371 million during 2020, down 2 percent from $380 million the previous year. 

Last year, U.S. farm-raised catfish production was 324 million pounds from 59,305 acres of water. Arkansas produced 15.7 million of those pounds from 3,900 acres, valued at $16.6 million.

Arkansas is No. 3 behind Mississippi and Alabama in foodsize inventory as of July 1, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  “Foodsize” is defined as fish that are 0.75 to heavier than three pounds. The same report showed Arkansas had 9.5 million stocker fish, up 2 percent from a year ago.

Declining pond acreage

In 2002, Arkansas had 37,500 acres of ponds in catfish production.

“By 2021, the industry is one-tenth that size, at just 3,700 acres,” said Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“One reason for the decline can be attributed to a sharp increase in feed prices that ran from 2007 to 2013,” he said. “From 2007 to 2013 the state’s catfish industry lost 22,200 water acres: a decline of 73 percent.”

Stiles said that catfish feed prices are largely driven by grain prices. What the catfish industry refers to as “32 percent feed” typically contains 30 to 44 percent soybean meal and 15 to 20 percent corn.

“Feed costs represent approximately 50 percent of total operating costs for catfish farmers,” he said.

“The U.S. average price for soybean meal rose 160 percent from $189 per ton in 2006 to a peak of $490 per ton in 2013,” Stiles said. “Over the same period, average corn prices in the U.S. moved to record highs, peaking at $6.89 per bushel in 2012.”

And the grain market news was only getting worse for catfish growers.

“For 2021, average soybean meal prices are projected to be the highest since 2013 at $395 per ton,” he said. “When feed costs are at high levels, growers may switch to a 28 percent feed to reduce costs. However, that option is still expensive as growers report paying $482 per ton in the past week for floating feed.”

If there is a bright spot for producers, it’s fish prices.

“Fortunately, catfish prices are slightly better than last year’s average of $1.06 per pound,” Stiles said. “Current farm-level prices are in the range of $1.25 to $1.30 per pound.”

Continued uncertainty

With August being a key yield-determining month for U.S. soybeans, some continued price volatility can be expected.

“Catfish producers are encouraged to keep an eye on the corn and soybean futures markets,” Stiles said. “With U.S. corn and soybean inventories at multi-year lows, there is potential for significant price volatility for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. Catfish producers might consider booking a portion of their feed needs on pullbacks in grain prices.”

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

\The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The 5 Best Safety Practices for Working on Your Roof

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The 5 Best Safety Practices for Working on Your Roof

Time brings about so many potential issues for your roof. From heavy storms to harsh sunlight, many factors can cause damage, and it’s up to you as a homeowner to perform repairs. However, working on your home’s roof is incredibly dangerous, and you’ll need to play it safe if you insist on doing things yourself. These are the five best safety practices for working on your roof and how they can help you prevent a catastrophic injury.

Plan Out the Project Ahead of Time

First, make sure you plan out what you want to do on your roof before you actually begin. The more you understand what you need to do, the quicker you can complete each task. This way, you’ll spend less time near these danger zones and make more efficient use of your day. By spending less time above the ground, you also reduce your risks of falling off.

Use a Reliable Ladder

When you start climbing up onto your roof, use a ladder you know you can trust. It will be your sole means of getting up and down when you need to, so you don’t want an old, rusted model that’s falling apart. You should also know how to secure your ladder properly and climb safely. Start by engaging all locks, then place the ladder at a quarter-angle from the wall. Once you’re climbing, maintain at least three points of contact at all times.

Know How To Walk On a Roof

You’ll need to know how to walk on your roof as well. Because of how dangerous falls can be, you’ll want to limit your range of movement as much as possible. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to mitigate your risk, such as working at the right time of day and wearing the proper clothing.

Prepare For the Heat

Another of the best safety practices for working on your roof is to bring things along to help protect you from the heat. Roofing materials can get very warm under direct sunlight since they can either absorb or reflect that energy. This extra heat can quickly dehydrate you and even cause a serious sunburn if you aren’t careful. For this reason, bring along a water bottle and apply sunscreen before you start your work.

Hire a Professional

If you simply don’t want to take the risk, though, remember that you can always call a professional roofing contractor to help. These experts have years of experience working on heavily slanted roofs. They even have all the necessary safety equipment to keep themselves secure, so reaching out to one of these qualified businesses is the safest option of all.

Council Approves Purchase of New Pumper Truck in 5-to-1 Vote

Tammy Teague
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Council Approves Purchase of New Pumper Truck in 5-to-1 Vote

The Greenwood City Council met in special session on Tuesday, July 20 at 6 p.m., Greenwood City Hall. The lone item on the agenda, the authorization for the fire department to purchase a fire apparatus.

All members of the council were present including Daniel McDaniel, Lance Terry, AC Brown, Tim Terry, Ralph Meeker, and Rod Powell. Also present, City Clerk/Treasurer Sharla Derry, Mayor Doug Kinslow, and Fire Chief Stewart Bryan. City Attorney Mike Hamby was not present for the meeting.

Chief Bryan addressed the members of the council stating that because of COVID, a significant price increase was imminent and that it had been decided by the Apparatus Committee, which is comprised GFD officers, that a model the same as Engine #3 was needed to replace Engine #1 in the existing fleet.

Chief Bryan explained the various details of the apparatus and gave reasons as to why the request was being made. Those reasons included:

  • August 1st price increase of approximately $25,000
  • Current E1 is out of NFPA certification
  • If purchased now, it will pay off before the 1/4 cent sales tax expires
  • Sales taxes are up and it is a good time to make the purchase
  • Equipment will be purchased after the first of the year in next budget cycle

A comprehensive financial analysis was presented by Finance Director Tom Marsh, via telephone. The cost of the Sutphen Pumper is $566,991.45. This purchase will be the third outstanding loan for the department. The fire station property and previous pumper loan will be paid off in August of 2022 and July 23 respectively. The Sutphen Pumper loan at a monthly payment of $10,125.23 would extend to August 2026.

The clerk asked that two items be added to the resolution authorizing the purchase. One, the phrasing that bid requirements do not apply as the Fire Department is a member of the “BuyBoard” and two, a description of what is being purchased. Derry asked that those two items be added to Section 1.

After discussion, a motion was made by Tim Terry and seconded by Lance Terry to approve the purchase authorization resolution with the modifications discussed. The motion passed with a majority vote, 5-to-1, with McDaniel voting against.

A motion was made by Tim Terry and seconded by AC Brown to approve the budget amendment resolution for the apparatus purchase as presented. Again, the motion passed with a majority vote, 5-to-1, with McDaniel voting against.

Three of the council members who voted for the measure are officers on the fire department: AC Brown, Rod Powell, and Lance Terry.

Resident Press reached out to Councilman McDaniel for comment,  he stated “If we need a piece of equipment and we have the money to buy the piece of equipment, I have no problem with that. My problem and my NO vote was because of the process with which this was handled. We are supposed to be a public entity, discuss things out in the open, and budget big-ticket items, none of that happened.  Instead, a special meeting was called with four and a half hours’ notice and I simply don’t think that looks above board, especially when half of the voting council members are also the officers of the department making the special request.” 

“Buying this truck is exactly why the taxpayers voted for the 1/4 cent sales tax,” stated Mayor Doug Kinslow. “The fire department is doing what it needs to do in order to maintain our ISO rating and it is a good insurance savings for folks. The taxpayers were kind enough to make sure we have the funds to maintain the department.”

Tigriphobia, Cynophobia, and Spheksophibia Descend On Mansfield’s Court

Megan Hecox
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Tigriphobia, Cynophobia, and Spheksophibia Descend On Mansfield’s Court

Summer basketball practice came to an end on July 28 for Mansfield, Hackett, and Waldron as the Jr and Sr Tigers, Jr and Sr Hornets, and Sr Bulldogs hit the court for a three town showdown. All in attendance were treated to a front-row seat of what’s to come in the 2021-2022 basketball season. With two of the three towns having a coaches shake-up as the Tigers gained new head coach, Joshua Brown, and the Bulldogs secured new head coach, Josh Atchley. Hackett is still led by Coach Kent Elmore.

The scrimmage kicked off with the Sr High teams of Mansfield and Hackett. Each match-up held two 15 minute quarters. At the end of the first quarter, the Hornets were up 20-12. Hackett was able to keep that lead and ended the match 44-39. The next round hosted the younger counterparts of the Tigers and Hornets Jr High team. This battle was as close as they come as the score read 13-12 Mansfield at halftime and 21-20 Tigers to close the game. Coach Elmore had this to say about his Hornets showing. “We have to get better at playing harder and not getting outworked. We have some talent, but other teams seem to outwork us, especially on the defensive end. That aspect is nothing but a mindset. It was good to close out the summer with two teams who are well-coached. I felt we were able to get better in some aspects and also find out what we needed to work more on.”

The third head-to-head was Waldron and Hackett Sr High. The Bulldogs skyrocketed on the scoreboard and never looked back ending their game with a score of 26-16. “We always play hard but we got to keep getting tougher,” explained Coach Atchley. “Not have tough moments but tough ballplayers. We have had a good summer of work, transitioning to some new things. When ball season gets here we will have to be ready to go. Lots of freedom during the summer for our guys to play and develop but once season gets here, we have to fine-tune what we as individuals can bring to the team. It was a great camp! I appreciate Coach Elmore and Coach Brown for allowing us to compete one last day.”

The conclusion of the scrimmage saw a precursor to the Battle of Scott County as Mansfield and Waldron shut things out. In true fashion, the Tigers and the Bulldogs kept things tight when halftime showed 13-10 Tigers. As the final seconds of the game set in, although the Bulldogs were able to close the gap to a one-point difference, Mansfield landed on top 28-27. Coach Brown ends by saying “I thought the guys on both Jr. and Sr. High competed hard and that’s the main thing I wanted to see today. We have had 5-6 practices with each group so everything has been on the fly since day one trying to get plays in.”

“In Sr High, they had to adjust in the second game because we haven’t worked much zone offense and I thought they did a great job of learning on the job in-game action. Jr. High has a lot of bodies and so it was great to get to see them play! They work really hard and want to do right. I saw a lot of things we can build on with both groups. We have to do a better job of communicating on the defensive end of the floor and our overall defense has to get better. We didn’t communicate as well as I would have liked with either team but we will get there!”

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