Resident News Network

Sr Pirates Cutting Anchors For 2021-2022 Football Season

Sports

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3:42 pm

Sr Pirates Cutting Anchors For 2021-2022 Football Season

Coaches Max Washausen and Matt Chandler with a few Sr High players during summer practice

The Cedarville Sr High Pirates held 2020 captive in the hull of their edge-of-the-seat football season. The Pirate faithful watched Cedarville end their season with a 4-3 in conference record and a 7-4 overall record along with a State Playoff appearance. Two of those three conference losses were by merely two points each to perineal powerhouses Charleston and Greenland. Those losses were heartbreakers but falling by a combined four points away from home to top tier teams showed Pirates fans that Cedarville is beginning to catch the high tide of the football seas.

Going into the 2021-2022 football season, Cedarville aims to solidify themselves as a year in year out team to be taken seriously. They’re in luck then because there’s no program in the 3A-1 looking past the Pirates on the schedule. Opponent coaches know that they have to pre-plan for All-Conference and All-State running back Darryl Kattich who ran rampant over defenses in every game. But what’s worse for those coaches is that Cedarville is returning 11 players from the 2020-2021 season along with a whole slew of talented players to boot. Cedarville’s Head Coach, Max Washausen, loves the fact that his talented offense is already giving fits to other coaches as well.

“With Cody Dickens, Darryl Kattich, Hayden Partain, Bruce Turney, Hayden Morton, and Colton Arnold, I believe we have one of the best backfields in 3A.” A backfield is great, but Cedarville has the intangibles most other teams don’t have to go along with their star-studded offensive backfield. Leadership and experience. “We have a great group of seniors who lead by example. That along with a great mess of juniors and sophomores means we have something special. I really enjoy coaching this team. I think we all have a mindset that we are going to prove all the doubters wrong and Cedarville football is going to do something really special this season.“

But offense is only one part of the game. The Pirates will also be returning with their cutthroat defense that has the capability to shut down offensive drives. That defense last season didn’t allow long drives and ate up the turnover category. Cedarville’s defense held opponents to a mere 10 points in their non-conference games and stood strong against conference foes throughout the season also. Although they’ll have to shut down the big play ability better this season with their defensive line, that’s something Coach Washausen believes is within their grasp.

“One of my goals this year as head coach is to have a dominant offensive/defensive line. We can do it. We are undersized and we will have a line by committee but we have a lot of heart. That desire to succeed and heart to play in our players is a foundation that we can build upon.” Leading the way for the line by committee will be the double bacon cheeseburger buffet lineup of linemen Tyree Mongold, Nathanial Smith, Luke Mallow, and Jace Baker. Other teams may have bigger linemen on their roster, but these boys are H-U-N-G-R-Y!

But wait, there’s more. There are Pirates onboard Cedarvilles ship that Coach Washausen has expressed can be game-changers this season. Lane Hightower, Levi Hightower, Bradlee Blankenship, Colton Arnold, Braxton Bentley, and Darien Skinner have each caused Coach Washausen to raise his eye patch up for a second look. They will be counted on heavily with the schedule ahead of Cedarville in 2021. Although it is a repeat of 2020 with the only change being the home and away columns swapped, it is still no smooth sailing lineup. One key positive of that schedule though is that the Pirates will have an opportunity to avenge their two-point losses to Charleston and Greenland as they welcome both teams to Pirates Cove this season.

“Overall, last year was another year of improvement with our 7-4 record. We have improved our record for four consecutive seasons. A two-point loss to Charleston and a two-point loss to Greenland kept us from our first outright Conference Championship in school history. That was last year though. We have our eye on that Conference Championship this year” concluded Coach Washausen.

A Little Levity: Some Thoughts on Humor, Joke-Telling, and Laughter

Networks

Tammy Teague

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12:10 pm

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Contributed article by Vestal Hutchens

There are many ways to evaluate a person. One of the most accurate is to watch and listen to them laugh. A person who laughs well is probably a good person.

I’ve always enjoyed hearing, re-telling, and laughing at a good (clean) joke. In doing so, I’ve learned two things:

Number one: If you can learn to laugh at yourself, you can go through life with a smile on your face. I set myself up once for a call from “Belinda’s Massage Parlor.”

“Vestal, I just called to thank you for coming by Saturday night, and let you know that I found your socks.” The people and co-workers who pulled that on me really got a laugh out of it, but I laughed almost as hard as they did, and I told them it was so funny that if I had thought of it, I would have done it myself.

Number two: If you dish it out, you have to be willing to take it. I was telling “Okie” jokes once to a guy from Oklahoma, and he asked me if I knew what a pretty woman was called in Arkansas. I said no, and he answered, “a tourist.” (Sorry ladies, I know it’s not true, but it is funny.)

I’ve always tried to give “equal billing”. For example, version one: God was talking to Adam – “I know it’s lonely here with just the animals for company, but I will make you a helper, a woman. You will love it, Adam. She will be beautiful, practically worship the ground you walk on, do all kinds of things for you and with you.” Adam replied: “I know one thing God, there ain’t no free lunch, so what will this cost me?” God replied: “Well Adam, an arm and a leg.” Adam said: “God, what would I get for a rib?”

Example two: God was talking to Eve, “I know it’s lonely here Eve, but I have plans to make a man for you. He will be the most handsome man on earth, will love you, provide for you and protect you. However, there is one drawback.” Eve said, “O God, what’s that?” God said, “you will have to let him think I made him first.”

One final thought: Having a sense of humor is a good thing, all the way around. Not having a sense of humor is just plain sad.

Timepiece: Very Much Alive

Networks

Tammy Teague

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11:24 am

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Magazine Mountain has more than its share of stories to be told. One of the most unusual involved an airplane crash that occurred right after WWII.

With the mountain rising abruptly 2,500 feet above the surrounding countryside, Magazine has had its fair share of airplane accidents. Flying by altimeter, pilots feel safe at flying 2,000 feet above sea level only to discover, often fatally, that the mountain has an elevation topping 2,800 feet.

On the night of November 17, 1947, a B-25 flying out of Camp Barksdale, Louisiana departed on a relatively short trip to Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Herbert Lindroth, an air force mechanic, was given leave to travel along in order to visit his parents who lived in a Chicago suburb.

November of that year was unusually cold and it was sleeting and foggy as the crew reached Arkansas. Residents in Havana reported that the plane was seen circling and apparently lost at about 6 p.m. Shortly afterward, Mr. Lee Apple, who lived on Magazine, heard a crash and saw flames in the distance. He and a passing motorist rushed to the scene as quickly as possible, a difficult task since the terrain was very rugged and steep. They were soon joined by several farmers and businessmen from Havana. It was a scene of nearly total destruction with parts of the large plane scattered and burning across a wide area. Sheriff Earl Ladd and the State Police arrived shortly thereafter, and a search for the bodies began. It was noted that the crash occurred only a few hundred yards from the site of a fatal crash that occurred two years previously.

The plane struck the mountain with such force that it had sheared off a huge oak tree and had uprooted two others. Parts of the plane, clothing, and bodies were scattered over an area more than one hundred yards in length. Two bodies were quickly discovered, burned beyond recognition. Three others were discovered soon afterward, the watches on their arms frozen in time at 7:15, the presumed time of the crash. It was assumed the sixth body must have been thrown a great distance away and the men gave up the search for it until morning.

Newspapers across the nation reported the information and sent photographers to the site. The bodies were left in place on the mountain until Air Force personnel arrived the next day and the search for the sixth man continued without success.

Forced to work late on Friday at his job as an aircraft mechanic, Herbert Lindroth arrived at Barksdale just in time to see the plane on the runway. Realizing that the military craft was not going to wait on him, he left to enjoy his weekend in Shreveport. When he returned to barracks on Sunday, he scared the daylights out of his friends who thought he was an apparition. His squadron officer quickly figured out the details and got the search in Arkansas called off. The names of those killed were: Capt. William F. Wilson, 29, Strong City, Kansas; Capt. Albert C. Frese Jr., 27, Brunswick, Georgia; Lt. Robert O. Pabst, 24, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 2nd Lt. Ed D. Ward, 27, Chicago, Illinois; Pf. James H. Miershma, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Pfc. William E. Wesley, Muskegon, Michigan.

The sixth man, Mr. Herbert Lindroth is still very much alive and today (2015) lives in Bland, Missouri where he loves to repeat the story of his demise complete with the newspaper clippings of his own obituary from November 1947.

Coach Jarrod Remer Leaves Cedarville To Start New Journey As Pointer

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:02 am

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Coach Jarrod Remer Leaves Cedarville To Start New Journey As Pointer

Pictured: Chloe Morrow, Coach Jarrod Remer, and Katie Oden

After 10 years at Cedarville assistant coaching football and head coaching girls track, Coach Jarrod Remer will be going from Pirate to Pointer as he leaves Cedarville and heads to Van Buren. Although Coach Remer is excited to take on his new Van Buren coaching roles in football and girls track, the many relationships he has made in the Cedarville community are what have made this decision a difficult one. “I want to start off by saying that I have LOVED my time at Cedarville, especially getting to coach these amazing young ladies. It has been fun watching several of them develop their skills from 7th-12th grade. And a special thank you to the administration at Cedarville for always supporting me as a teacher and a coach.”

Responding to the news of their coaches departure was Lady Pirates, Chloe Morrow who stated, “Thank you for always caring for us so much and putting so much time and effort into us! You were a great coach to have!” and Katie McBroom who said, “I’m so thankful I had you as my track coach all my years through jr high and sr high! You helped me accomplish so much, and I couldn’t have done any of it without you!”

Coach Remer concluded, “We have made many memories over the years, from track meets where it’s spitting snow to this past season where we medaled in every event we entered at the State track meet. And there are countless others too numerous to list. To my Athletes: Have the confidence in yourselves that I always have in you. Don’t be afraid to try new things. We learn more from our failures than our successes. I love you all and will miss you very much!”

Cedarville football coaches, Matt Chandler, Max Washausen, and Remer

Invasive Cogongrass Confirmed in Arkansas

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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10:08 am

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Invasive Cogongrass Confirmed in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is notifying the public that a new invasive grass species, Cogongrass, has been confirmed in Arkansas for the first time.

For several years botanists and land managers have been on the lookout for Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in southern Arkansas. This aggressive species, native to Southeast Asia, has spread rapidly across the Deep South over the past few decades. Cogongrass is considered one of the worst invasive species in the world, causing both economic and ecological damages that impact forestry, agriculture, rangeland, and natural ecosystems.

Charles Bryson, retired U.S. Department of Agriculture botanist, detected a patch of Cogongrass in Helena-West Helena alongside Highway 49. The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s (Department) Plant Industries Division and Forestry Division, and the Arkansas Department of Transportation were informed of the finding and met onsite on June 16 to spray the invasive plant population with herbicide. Botanists with the Arkansas Department of Transportation conducted surveys along Highway 49 and other roads in the area and detected no additional Cogongrass populations. The agencies are planning to conduct annual surveys along this and other routes coming into southeastern Arkansas from Mississippi. They will also monitor the site and conduct additional herbicide applications as needed over the next few years.

Cogongrass has bright green leaves with serrated margins and a distinctive white vein that is slightly off-center from the middle of the leaf. It has no true, above-ground stem and the leaves emerge directly from stout, creeping rhizomes (underground stems). Cogongrass spreads rapidly from these rhizomes to form distinctive and very dense circular patches which expand in size every year and can displace all other species on the ground. It is also one of the few warm season grasses that bloom immediately after coming out of winter dormancy. A fact sheet with more information and photos is available here.

Any sightings of Cogongrass in Arkansas should be reported to Paul Shell, the Department’s Plant Inspection and Quarantine Program Manager, at paul.shell@agriculture.arkansas.gov or 501-225-1598.

Fire Ant Quarantine Expanded to Sebastian County

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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10:01 am

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On June 17, the Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine was expanded in Arkansas by adding Logan, Prairie, Sebastian, and White Counties. The addition of these counties was based on surveys conducted over several years by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Populations of fire ants were found throughout these counties. The quarantine is in place to prevent the movement of invasive fire ants into areas that do not yet have them. Items regulated by the quarantine include nursery stock with soil or potting media, grass sod, hay, straw, soil, and used dirt moving equipment.

Businesses in quarantined counties may still be able to move these regulated items into non-quarantined areas if they have set up a compliance agreement with USDA and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. These agreements outline the steps that must be taken in order to move these items while not moving fire ants. Those who hold a compliance agreement are issued a stamp that shows receivers, as well as regulatory officials, that the commodity has been treated or handled in a manner that prevents fire ants from being moved into a non-quarantined area. For information on fire ants and compliance agreements, contact Paul Shell at 501-225-1598 or paul.shell@agriculture.arkansas.gov.

Starr Announces Candidacy for Sheriff

Tammy Teague

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9:54 am

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Tim Starr has announced his candidacy for Scott County Sheriff in 2022. Starr, who is running as an Independent, stated that he will serve all citizens of the county.

Starr’s family has strong ties to Scott County. His father, Bill Starr, was the owner of Starr Hardware on Main Street and was very active in promoting Waldron and Scott County as a great place to live, make a living and raise a family. His mother, Judy Star, is the daughter of Thurman and Roxie Atchley of Keener. Starr’s sister, Rachel Langley, is a lifelong resident of Scott County.

Scott County is one of the largest counties in the state. Larger in land surface area, with a scattered population. “It deserves and needs the presence of a strong, effective police force,” stated Starr.

He added that he believes the sheriff can assist in providing the climate for attracting jobs and growth through the effective management of the facilities of the county.

“The Scott County Sheriff’s office must provide for the safety and security of the citizens if we are to assist the county in becoming what we all hope it to be,” said Starr.

Starr is a graduate of Waldron High School, the Basic Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy, and has attended dozens of workshops for Law Enforcement Officials. He has served as Police Chief at Mountainburg, Central City, and Hackett.

He is currently employed by the Yell County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Bill Gilkey, a twenty-three tenure as Sheriff.

“I am a believer in training for law enforcement officials,” Starr stated. “I am a certified law enforcement instructor and an instructor for the use of the taser.”

Adding, “serving as Police Chief has given me the invaluable experience in working with budgets, supervising deputies and employees. This has prepared me to run for office. I understand budget constraints and working to develop maximum visibility of the law enforcement personnel. I know the value of cooperating with other enforcement officials. I believe Scott County deserves the best law enforcement and I want the citizens to know I will be available, visible, and with my best ability, work to provide a great place for people to live in Scott County.”

Mansfield Athletes Gearing Up For XC Pre-Season Runs

Sports

Resident News Network

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8:56 am

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Mansfield Athletes Gearing Up For XC Pre-Season Runs

Pictured: Mansfield will rely on a senior-laden team as it looks to continue the success of last season’s 2020 state runner-up team

Piggybacking on the most successful cross country season in Mansfield history, members of the school’s long-distance team are gearing up for another year.

Beginning on Monday, July 12, members of the Mansfield junior and senior high teams will gather for team training sessions at the Mansfield City Lake. The experienced Tiger runners as well as any newcomers are set to start the group running sessions at 7 PM.

“We are excited to capitalize on the momentum produced by last year’s state runner-up trophy,” said Mansfield Coach John Mackey. “The high school girls basically return all the top scorers off that state runner-up team. It will be a senior-heavy team with loads of experience. Both junior high teams have their top runners back as well, and both are coming off district championships.”

The team’s typical summer schedule will be to gather at the large pavilion at the City Lake for team runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until August 5. There will be three special trips planned as well.

The group will warm up together before beginning individually prescribed running routines according to fitness level.

The Mansfield junior girls look to their freshmen to lead in the upcoming cross country season

“There will be several seniors that are used to high mileage and intensity,” noted the long-time Mansfield coach. “There will be seventh-grade beginners and mid-level runners as well. We cater to all individual needs and start players at a rate that matches their abilities. What’s cool about cross country running is that everyone encourages each other no matter the level.”

Mansfield senior Darby Jones was one of those beginner runners just a few seasons ago. According to the coach, she could barely run a half-mile without stopping when she first started. Now Jones is a two-time All-Star and one of the runner’s Mansfield will be counting on to make a big impact on the season.

“Darby has become a real success story,” bragged Mackey. “She has transformed into a legitimate contender at the district and now state level. She’s addicted to running and puts in the work it takes to be good. Just this last weekend she finished fourth in her age group (15-19) at the Greenwood Freedom Festival 5K.”

Jones finished the recent road race at 22:22. It was according to ar.milesplit.com her fastest 5K time since setting a personal record of 23:57 last October.

Jones wasn’t the only Mansfield cross country runner using the Greenwood race as part of their pre-season training. Eighth-grader Josiah Fildes off the junior boys’ team also competed.

Darby Jones of Mansfield competes at the Greenwood Freedom Festival 5K. The Lady Tiger senior is one of several Mansfield distance runners gearing up for the upcoming cross country season

It was Fildes’ first time running the longer distance in competition. Last year’s top Mansfield junior boy typically runs the shorter 2-mile events.

At Greenwood, Fildes posted a time of 24:25.5 for fifth place in his age group (10 – 14).

The returning seniors for Mansfield are Jones, McKenzie Griffin, Katlynn Moore, Faith Rainwater, and Hope Rainwater. John Branche is the lone senior of the men’s team.

Griffin and Faith Rainwater have both been MHS cross country players of the year in past seasons. Rainwater is a two-time All-State selection and two-time River Valley Best of Preps award winner.

Alyssa James and Jadelynn Wood return as members of the junior class for the senior high Lady Tigers. Wood is a former Farm Bureau All-Star and finished in the top 12 at last year’s state meet with a 23:53.71 clocking.

Laney Wood and Trinity Triska were the top runners off of the Mansfield junior girls team. The two incoming freshmen have twice received All-District and All-Region honors in past seasons. They are supported by returning freshmen Addison Bowman, Aidan Fildes, Summer Frazier, Rileigh Parker, and Azlynn Stover.

The top returning junior boys for MMS are Joseph Carter, Josiah Fildes, Jonah Martin, and Rylan Nichols. The four eighth-graders combined to win last season’s district cross country title and won track’s district 4x800m relay title.

The MMS junior boys have four All-District eighth-graders returning for another championship opportunity in cross country

Early sign-ups show Mansfield should expect several new faces on the long-distance teams. According to the coach, several athletes, especially in the lower grades have shown interest in joining.

“We encourage any eligible Mansfield player to give cross country a try,” announced Mackey. “If they are brand new, they can bring their sports physical to the first practice and we can get them a practice schedule and workout routine.”

Mansfield cross country athletes have been following individual workout plans since the end of school. Those plans will transition into team-oriented sessions as soon as the Arkansas Activities Association dead period ends on July 10.

Hartford Mayor Declares July 3 as Newt Hodge Day

Tammy Teague

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8:17 pm

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Hartford Mayor Declares July 3 as Newt Hodge Day

Well over 3,000 rodeo fans filled the stands on opening night, Friday, July 2, during the 1st annual 4th of July Newt Hodge Rodeo. The emotionally charged event brought spectators in from multiple states.

(photos courtesy of Jennifer Broomfield and Cheyenne Pottridge)

On Saturday, July 3 at noon, the rodeo spilled over onto Main Street in Hartford with a parade downtown. Police, fire, horses, cattle trucks, rat rods, classic cars, and tractors put on quite the show. The main event, however, was the honor given to the family of Newt Hodge, a young cowboy memorialized forever in the hearts and lives of all those who knew him.

Hartford Mayor Richard Hartsfield presented young Newt’s parents, Joe and Brandie Hodge with a proclamation, declaring July 3 as Newt Hodge Day in the City of Hartford.

Whereas: May it be known that July 3rd, 2021 and every July 3rd thereafter that in the City of Hartford, County of Sebastian, State of Arkansas that this day will be known as Newt Hodge day.
Whereas: May it be known that July 3rd, 2021 and every July 3rd thereafter in the City of Hartford, County of Sebastian, State of Arkansas that this day will be as special as this young cowboy.
Whereas and therefore: May it be known that God needed a pickup man. Ride high young cowboy. You will be forever missed in the City of Hartford, Arkansas.
Whereas: May it be known that this proclamation is set forth and approved by Mayor Richard Hartsfield.
This proclamation is presented to Brandie and Joe Hodge.
Mayor Richard Hartsfield

Pictured from left: Hartford Mayor Richard Hartsfield, Joe and Brandie Hodge

The rodeo competition and events by DD Rodeo continued on through Saturday night. “There are not enough words for us to thank you all,” shared Brandie Hodge. “Many many people have shed blood, sweat, tears, prayers, and laughter at Newt’s arena to make this past weekend happen. He would have loved every minute of it. I know he has a huge smile on his face knowing July 3rd is Newt Hodge day declared by the City of Hartford!”

How Western Wear Has Gone Mainstream

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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12:11 pm

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In the last few years, western attire has become all the rage as it slides into mainstream fashion trends. Some have begun pairing their best cowboy boots with dresses, while others love sporting a good flannel. Western fashion is stylish, indeed—but what led to this evolution? Discover how western wear has gone mainstream and started influencing fashionistas of all ages!

It’s Practical

The practicality and comfort of western attire have popularized it amongst all age groups. Running around in it is easy, since people originally wore the clothing to get chores done around the farm or house. It doesn’t constrict you like other clothing might. Western attire is popular because you can get the day’s tasks done with convenience, and look great while doing so!

Its practicality also comes into play as you plan your outfits—you can get a few wears out of a pair of jeans before throwing them in the wash. So, if you have a busy lifestyle, western outfits make planning easier.

It’s Fashionable

It isn’t just practical; western wear is stylish and appealing to many people because of its versatility. You can pair your best cowboy boots with a sundress, or sport some denim and flannel! Your options are open and allow for some creativity.

As you look into how wester wear has gone mainstream, you’ll find one reason ties back to minimalism. Unlike many fashion trends, western attire doesn’t require over-accessorizing—it’s usually simple. But its simplicity is what makes it perfect.

How To Wear Western Attire

Country singers and pop culture trends have added to the popularity of this fashion style. They’ve also given us various ideas on how to dress country. If you’re looking to follow this mainstream fashion trend, then start buying the right clothing! Some key pieces you’ll need include:

A suede jacket
A denim or flannel shirt
Cowboy boots
A tooled leather belt

Remember to use contrast to your advantage when you pick out accessories. For instance, a turquoise neckerchief pairs perfectly with white denim. Whether you’re wearing your best bell-bottoms or cowboy hat, you can do so knowing western wear is now considered mainstream fashion!

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It’s Practical

It’s Fashionable

How To Wear Western Attire

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK