Resident News Network

Lady Eagles Win Important Conference Divisional Game Over Charleston, 8-0

Sports

-

9:21 am

Lady Eagles Win Important Conference Divisional Game Over Charleston, 8-0

On a cool and rainy spring day in Paris, the Lady Eagles hosted the Charleston Lady Tigers in an important conference divisional game. It would be the first divisional game for both schools and would signal the start of the drive to make the post-season playoffs. Light rain fell for much of the game, but the entire game was completed and the infield remained playable without any stoppage in play to cover the field.

Charleston appeared to take an early first inning lead on what seemed to be an RBI hit by Rylee Ross. But in the first of many controversial plays and calls by the umpire crew, the runner was called out, and Paris escaped the first inning without giving up a run.

Charleston coach Ryan Myers commented on the play, “Rylee Ross had a good hit in the first, and if we catch a couple breaks here and there, it could have made a difference in the ball game.” In fact, the call in the first inning that nullified the Charleston run was the first of many such controversial calls in the game.

Paris senior Jadyn Hart was again dominant in the circle, going the distance for the shut-out win. Hart also had a late game home run that cleared the left field fence with plenty of distance.

The Lady Eagles’ offense was a combination of “small ball”, bunting base runners into scoring position, and timely big hits by the two Jadyns, Jadyn Hart and Jadyn Wells.

Paris coach Donald Hart said after the game, “I am proud of how we came out of spring break week ready to play. I thought we had a well-rounded ball game, both defensively and offensively. The offense did a good job of putting the ball into play and allowing us to utilize our speed on the base path. We got to start conference divisional play today, and we have to keep grinding to get better.”

Charleston pitcher Caddence Wibbing pitched well for the Lady Tigers, but fell victim in part to defensive miscues that allowed big innings for Paris. Coach Myers said, “Cadence Wibbing pitched a good game; the defense just let her down a couple of times.”

Overall, Coach Myers was pleased with the Lady Tigers’ effort, but noted that they have some things to clean up moving forward in the divisional schedule. “I thought we played hard, but you can’t make mistakes like we did against good teams like Paris. I told our girls that we have to get better fundamentally in the field to not make those mistakes…if we do that, we will win. It’s still early and we have a lot of season left.”

And Coach Myers is right, there is a lot of season left for all schools in the conference. As March ends, teams now enter the meat of their schedules in April, and all teams will be looking to string wins together and march toward the post-season tournaments. So many factors can influence a softball season for any team, including weather, injuries, and momentum. Hopefully, as the state’s COVID infection rate numbers continue to decline, perhaps the teams will not have to deal with postponements or cancellations due to the pandemic.

The Lady Eagles will take the field at home again on Thursday when they host the Hackett Lady Hornets in another important divisional game. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. The baseball Eagles will also host the Hornets in Paris on Thursday. As of publication time, the Eagles are set to throw out the first pitch at 4:30 p.m.

Charleston will travel to Cedarville on Thursday to play the Lady Pirates. Game time is 4:30 p.m. The Lady Tigers will be looking to right the ship after a disappointing loss on Tuesday. Charleston has posted wins against Lavaca, Danville, and Waldron, and have now suffered losses to Cossatot River, Dover, Booneville, and Paris. The only loss that is a factor for the Lady Tigers is the loss to Paris. The Paris game was the first divisional game for Charleston and is the only loss that plays a factor in the Lady Tigers post-season hopes. Thursday’s game is huge for Charleston and their divisional standing. It should be a good one in Cedarville on Thursday.

Resident Press will again be in Paris on Thursday to cover the baseball Eagles and their game with Hackett. Watch for the story on this game in Friday afternoon’s online edition of Resident Press.

Additional photos of the Lady Eagles game with Charleston are now available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. Fans from both schools are welcomed to visit the page and copy any of the photos at no charge.

The conference season is young, and Resident Press wishes both Paris and Charleston the best of luck as they play the remainder of their conference schedules. Come out to the ballparks in either Paris or Cedarville on Thursday to catch these teams in action. But make sure you bring a coat; the later innings could be very cool on Thursday afternoon!

See you at the ballpark on Thursday!

Facing Change with Optimism

Headlines

Jason Baggett

-

8:26 am

0

2020 taught us many things. The most important lesson was the faith, love and devotion our readership illustrated in our coverage, content, and individual personality which sets us far beyond those who call us competitors.

It was never about the “numbers.” It’s about community, and heart.

Being the ONLY locally owned and locally focused news source in the Arkansas River Valley, we went to great lengths in 2020 to continue our tradition of not following the same media trends as others have. We do things differently, with great pride. (Example: No national headlines, no sensationalism, nothing that doesn’t directly affect our personal lives in the areas we call home, etc.)

There’s no doubt that we could have easily called it quits, and politely said, “Thank you, we tried.” We didn’t. We’re still standing. But, going into this new year, we have to make changes.

Within the next couple of weeks, our established network of websites under the Resident News Network brand will undergo a small facelift to be accessed only by subscription.

This is a measure we must boldly take to continue our efforts in providing timely news + sports coverage and a decision that has not come easily.

It will come with some adversity, and opinion, but we believe that you, our readership will continue to support our decisions and our business.

In our research, news sources are rapidly fading into a memory due to the financial struggles we all face. The mindset has to be changed on how news is obtained through online sources, print, mobile apps, etc. Like utilities, to be informed comes with a cost for those who want authentic coverage. Not regurgitated, or stolen content.

Thank you for supporting what we do.

Thank you for believing in our brand.

Thank you for trusting us as your source for local news.

THANK YOU for supporting our need to make these changes.

FACT: When payroll protection programs came out to help keep businesses moving forward financially, multiple corporately owned news sources were given assistance, where private, locally owned news sources were not.

FACT: News sources will be forced to change how they use social media in 2021 based on scrutiny for authenticity, and through individual platform algorithms. Print will see a strong resurgence as mobile apps, and websites will be highly utilized to funnel coverage to readership in remote areas.

FACT: When you utilize your local news source for exposure, advertising, notices, classifieds, etc., that money stays local. In turn, it supports local businesses, families, schools, and utilized for the greater good of community. Advertising on social media supports lifestyles well outside where you call home, and rarely reaches those paying customers who are also your neighbors.

Sincerely,

Obituary – Jeannie Lyles (1934 – 2021)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

-

6:03 pm

0

Jeannie Lyles of Greenwood, Arkansas (formerly of Waldron, Arkansas) went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Jeannie was born October 21, 1934 in Cameron, Oklahoma to Floyd and Dile (Archey) Pickering. Jeannie was a longtime member of Mt. Moriah Church in Haletown, Arkansas.

Jeannie grew up in Cameron Oklahoma and loved to reminise about playing basketball there. She enjoyed thrift store shopping and eating out. She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed caring for her family. She was a loving woman with a sweet spirit.

Jeannie leaves behind to cherish her memory, two sons; Randy Rowton of Greenwood, Arkansas, and Billy Rowton and wife Judy of Nevada, and one sister, Betty Lou Garvin and her husband Bill of Nevada, as well as one grandson, John Rowton.Jeannie will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of wonderful friends she loved dearly.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Dile (Archey) Pickering, two brothers; Pat Pickering and Lonnie Pickering, as well as two husbands; Billy Ray Rowton and Gerald Lyles.

Jeannie’s graveside life celebration will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 1, 2021 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Tips for Beginning a Successful Indoor Garden

Resident News Network

-

12:26 pm

0

Tips for Beginning a Successful Indoor Garden

Indoor gardens are a flexible option for people with green thumbs but who can’t start an outdoor garden. Even if you have available space and the opportunity to start an outdoor garden, an indoor container or hydroponic garden may work better for your schedule and energy levels. Start your indoor garden off right by following these tips for beginning a successful indoor garden and giving your plants all the care they need to survive.

Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment Before You Begin

You must gather all the essential supplies before you start sprouting seeds. Container gardens are easier to begin, but require regular transfers as the plants grow and branch out their roots. Hydroponic gardens may require extra effort to start up, but once your plants are thriving, the routine becomes easier.

The equipment you need for either gardening method differs. Research the best gardening tools and equipment for your level of experience before growing your plants.

Know How Much Light Your Plants Need

Some plants love extra sunlight, while others prefer more hours of shade or indirect lighting. When growing in containers, know when to pull plants away from the windows.

Your hydroponic garden, however, shouldn’t stay in direct sunlight—the sun may evaporate your nutrient solution or heat the garden to conditions that foster mold and mildew. Artificial lights are the best solution for hydroponic gardens. With adequate lighting, you’ll prevent nutrient evaporation and algae growth in your system.

Don’t Expose Healthy Plants To Diseased Plants

Just like how sick humans need to quarantine themselves to keep others safe, you should quarantine any diseased plants—which are different from malnourished plants—to protect your healthy crops.

As soon as you notice mold, mildew, pests, or signs of disease, move the plant to a separate area to administer treatment. Try to identify the source of the disease to prevent it from affecting your other plants. For example, if you have high humidity in your garden, you may be promoting mildew growth. If you’re overwatering, your plant’s roots may rot.

If you notice issues as a beginner gardener, reach out to gardening communities. You never know when someone has the tips for beginning a successful indoor garden.

Eagles Make Short Work of Mulberry; Host Charleston Today in Conference Play

Sports

Resident News Network

-

11:30 am

0

Eagles Make Short Work of Mulberry; Host Charleston Today in Conference Play

It was a sunny first day back at school after the spring break, and the Paris baseball Eagles played a non-conference game at home versus Mulberry. The Eagles, winners of their last game before the break against conference foe Cossatot River, were looking to gain some momentum against Mulberry before two important conference games with Charleston and Hackett that are scheduled this week.

The Eagles’ game with Mulberry was an early season Senior Night for the team to insure that the seniors would be recognized in case of any downturn in the COVID epidemic and possible cancellation of games. Last year, the 2020 baseball seniors were denied their moment of recognition due to the season being cancelled very early in the season. This year, Eagles coach Josh Hart wanted to make sure the same thing did not happen to this year’s seniors.

So, on Senior Night, it was only fitting that senior Cagen Knoles got the start on the mound versus Mulberry. The left hander, undoubtedly nervous from his spot start opportunity on Senior Night, worked his way into a bases loaded jam in the top of the first inning. But the senior quickly settled down and was able to work himself out of the inning without giving up a run. Then, the Eagles came to the plate in the bottom of the first.

The Eagles came to bat in the bottom of the first, and one hour and two minutes later, after sending 18 hitters to the plate, the Eagles finally ended the first inning. Paris scored 14 runs in the first, and the route was on.

But unfortunately for Mulberry, it did not end there. In the a short top of the second inning, Paris returned to bat in the bottom of the second and sent ten batters to the plate. Mulberry pitching struggled all afternoon, and the Eagles capitalized on virtually every opportunity from wild pitches, hit batters, passed balls, and infield errors.

With the Eagles leading 18-0 and coming to bat in the bottom of the third inning, the teams and the umpire crew agreed to end the game. The 4:30 p.m. game ended at approximately 6:15 p.m., having played just 2.5 innings.

It was the right decision to make to end the game after less than three innings. The game was out of reach, and neither team needed to risk injury or to use additional pitching in the game. Paris will play an important game today versus conference rival Charleston and will again host another big conference game on Thursday when the Hackett Hornets come to Paris. So, it is a big week for Paris, and all of their resources and availability will be needed in both conference games against tough opponents.

Game time for today’s Paris baseball game with Charleston has been moved to 5 p.m. Across campus, the Lady Eagles will also be hosting the Charleston Lady Tigers in conference softball play, and that game will also start at 5 p.m. Both games can be heard on the internet livestream, thesportsbrew.net. Broadcasts for both games will begin today at 4:30 p.m.

Additional photos from the Eagles game with Mulberry are available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. All photos are free for viewing and copying.

Resident Press will be in Paris today to cover the Lady Eagles softball game with Charleston. Catch the coverage of this game in tomorrow afternoon’s online edition of Resident Press. RP will cover the baseball Eagles again on Thursday when they host Hackett.

The weather is perfect for baseball and softball, and both teams are exciting to watch! So bring your lawn chairs, your headphones, and attend one game and listen to the other on the sports brew!

See you at the ballpark!

Mansfield Tigers Hold Acorn Captive

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

9:22 am

0

Pictured is #40 Nate Brewer

With a final winning score of 8-2 over the Acorn Tigers, the Mansfield Tigers played one of their best games of the season. The Tigers are flyin’ high and feelin’ good as they earned their third straight victory placing them with a 5-4 record. Mansfield took it slow and went easy on Acorn in the first two innings but by inning three, it was lights out as the Tigers picked up speed leaving Acorn in their dust.

“Last night was overall our best game yet,” expressed Coach Layton Robinson. “We not only played good defense but we had four guys come and attack the strike zone, put multiple hard-hit balls in play, and got eight stolen bags as well. We are a pretty balanced team throughout and everyone has something that they can do to help put us in the best position to win.”

Mansfield was first on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Nate Brewer scored his first run of the night from a Fisher Willsey pop fly that reached an error by an Acorn shortstop. Acorn acquired their only two scores at the top of the second and third innings allowing the Tigers to be unleashed in the bottom of the third where Mansfield pulled in four runs.

Nate Brewer landed his second run in the match when Fisher Willsey delivered a fly ball that sent Aaron Brewer advancing to third. From there Aaron and Fisher scored on back-to-back passed balls while Braxton Byers doubled on a fly ball letting Cody Fudge upgrade the score to 5-2 Mansfield. As the game reached the bottom of the fourth, Randy Claude scored on a Peyton Martin fly ball to right field. Martin went on to score on the next play and although two more innings would be played, Aaron Brewer ended scoring for the Tigers with one final run from third.

“Overall, we are a really young team with not a lot of high school knowledge. To improve, we just need to play games and get some experience. We’ve done well cutting down on striking out but that is something that we can always work to be better at.” Next up for the Tigers are the Dover Pirates on March 31. “There is really nothing different that we need to do in our game tomorrow. It’s a great opportunity to play against a quality team and gain experience. If we go in and play well in all four aspects of the game, then we will have a chance to come out of there with a win!”

Photos courtesy of Raven Jackson

Band During a Pandemic, How Students Overcame Complicating Mandates to be Successful

Networks

Resident News Network

-

7:45 am

0

Band During a Pandemic, How Students Overcame Complicating Mandates to be Successful

At the start of the pandemic, everything was shut down and students were forced to learn from home. Sporting Events, Concerts, Proms, and Graduations were all canceled or postponed. This crushed many students who were unable to finish out their Senior year, sports season, or indoor marching season. The pandemic also led to WGI canceling the rest of their season, followed by DCI and BOA to cancel their 2020 season. This led Band Staff and students to wonder, What would their Fall Marching Season look like? Will there be school come August? Would we be able to march a competitive show this Fall? What about marching contests and assessments?

On May 21st, 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson released the state’s directive for community and school sponsored sports teams. In this directive, he addressed when school sports teams could return to practice and how those practices should look. This directive also included the practice guidelines for Marching Band. Regarding Marching Bands, the directive stated, “This directive allows bands to practice marching and the use of non-wind instruments. However, due to the potential for increased production of respiratory droplets in wind instruments, they should not be used at this time.” The guidelines went into effect on June 1st, 2020.

Mountainburg Color Guard carry a member during their 2020 Marching Show

It was not until August 14th, 2020 that band programs were given the go ahead to start practicing with wind instruments. Students were required to maintain 6ft of distance between each other, cover the bell or other parts of their instrument, and wear a face covering with a cut in it to play. Bands and other groups were not allowed to travel to away games and perform. These mandates were encouraging for the sport but would lead to a different school year and band experience.

Throughout the school year, students and staff face many challenges. In light of the pandemic, students were allowed to choose to go to school or learn virtually from home. But those students who chose to be virtual were not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities per the AAA. This led to small band numbers in every band program, which affected the smaller band programs dramatically. On top of smaller band size, when students were quarantined for 14 days, directors and students had to work and rework the show to catch those students up.

Ozark High School Seniors hold up Big Wheels as they pose for a picture during Senior Night 2020

Many normal school activities were cancelled or altered due to the pandemic. Inside and outside pep rallies were cancelled to prevent any unnecessary close contact for students. Band trips to games and end of the year trips were cancelled, which students lose quality time and memory making moments with their friends. Students were also worried about their friends getting quarantined or sick throughout the school year. Marching contests were not held with the unknown of whether programs would be able to attend on the day of the contest or because of concerns from school administrations. Region Marching Assessment was held at each school’s campus instead of at a single location. All Region and All-State Tryouts were held virtually and there were no clinics held for students to attend.

As for concert band, students still have to be spread out inside, have their instruments covered, and be masked. This provided a much harder challenge for the larger bands to perform and hold practices. This year, concert assessments will be held virtually instead of in a school’s Performing Arts Center. Students and staff have struggled with students being quarantined and not being able to practice at school.

Northside Drum Major takes a quick selfie with her friends and Band Director, Gabby Chandler.

With everything that has happened to these students this past school year, band has been their rock through it all. It gives students a distraction to take you mind off things. Band has provided these students an escape and safe area from the stress of the pandemic. It has shown students that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that they are not alone. Band is an outlet for students to get away from their individual struggles. Students’ relationships within their band families have strengthened during the pandemic.

Ways To Prepare Your Roof and Gutters for Spring

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

-

6:36 am

0

Ways To Prepare Your Roof and Gutters for Spring

The snow is melting. For what seems like the first time in forever, you can finally see your roof—along with all the damage it sustained over the long, hard winter. The snow and freezing temperatures of winter can take a toll on even the sturdiest roof, which makes inspecting and repairing it crucial. You may want to put this task off until later, but dealing with roof maintenance now can save you a lot of future trouble and worry. Let’s go over some ways to prepare your roof and gutters for spring so you’re ready for the spring showers on the way.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

People don’t often perform regular maintenance on their roof and gutters in winter, and for good reason. It’s dangerous to brave the cold and the slippery, icy ladders just to realize that your roof is covered in snow and you can’t see a thing. Come springtime, your gutters are clogged with debris from both fall and winter. As soon as the weather is warm, grab a ladder and start inspecting your roof for debris and damage. This includes leaves, pine needles, water clogs, cracks, holes, and other visible signs of wear and tear. Make sure to clear out any debris and seal any damage. Taking care of gutter damage will reduce the likelihood of cracks appearing in the foundation, which can lead to water leaking into your home.

Check for Roof Fatigue

Once your gutters are in good condition, turn your attention to the roof. Deal with any signs of surface decay or damage immediately. Some common signs of damage include cracks, holes, dents, and missing or loose shingles. Make sure you don’t overlook algae. Algae can weaken the shingles and make them less effective at reflecting heat. You can try and clean algae off the roof yourself by washing it, but if the buildup is extensive, consider having a professional roofing team handle the problem instead. The same goes for any roof damage. While it might be tempting to repair it yourself, a professional roof repair company can perform the inspection and repair work faster and safer.

Inspect Your Ceilings

Another way to prepare your roof and gutters for spring is to check for signs of interior damage. Check your ceilings, along with any walls located on the upper story or in your attic. Keep an eye out for any traces of mold, stains, or water marks, which may indicate that there’s a leak in your roof. If it’s leaking, have it inspected and repaired by a professional roofing company as soon as possible. Otherwise, the water infiltrating your home can cause major structural damage and encourage further mold growth.

Expansion Underway for Veterans Memorial Square and Patriot Walk

Tammy Teague

-

7:56 pm

0

Expansion Underway for Veterans Memorial Square and Patriot Walk

Take a walk through the Greenwood City Square. Take your time, and reverently observe the names displayed on the granite stepping stones. Each has a story, and although we do not know them all, we certainly do owe them all.

The original design was approved in 2007. A design/construction committee was formed and Chaired by Richard McKinney and Honorary Chair, the late Fred Kinslow. The committee included members of the Harris-Hannah VFW Post 6527, the South Sebastian County Historical Society, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood City department heads, and concerned citizens that stayed involved throughout the entire construction process.

Initial funding for the project was provided through a grant and over $100,000 in donations from local citizens. Each stone is donated by family members or organizations wishing to honor the military service of friends and family.

McKinney reported on Monday, March 15 that the expansion of the veterans memorial was underway. “This latest addition of curbing will complete the original design that was approved in 2007,” shared McKinney. “This new curbing will allow the parks department to place all the veteran stones that have been cut over the past few months.“

These veteran stones are sold for $150.00, are uniform in size (12”x12”), and are randomly placed in the square along all of the sidewalks.

If you are interested in donating a stone for a veteran, please click on the following link to print a subscription form. Once completed, drop it off at City Hall or mail it with a check to City of Greenwood, P.O. Box 1450, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936.

Greenwood Veterans Memorial > Home

Mansfield Police Department Makes Felony Drug Arrest

Tammy Teague

-

5:09 pm

0

Mansfield Police Department Makes Felony Drug Arrest

The Mansfield Police Department made a felony drug arrest on an out-of-state fugitive on Thursday, March 25.

Officer Chelcie Fletcher initiated a traffic stop on a maroon-colored pickup truck for a defective taillight at the entrance of River Valley Feed and Metal on Highway 71 in Mansfield. After making contact with the driver, identified as Billy Allen of St. Francisville, LA., Officer Fletcher noticed the smell of marijuana from inside the vehicle. Upon running Allen’s information through dispatch, it was discovered that he had three active warrants out of Sebastian County, one active warrant out of Leflore County, OK, and an active warrant with the board of parole. Dispatch also advised that Allen was a parolee on active supervision with a search waiver on file.

Officer Fletcher advised the driver that she could smell the odor of marijuana and asked if there was anything inside the vehicle. Allen stated that he “had smoked a joint and threw it out the window prior to the traffic stop.”

Officer Fletcher informed Allen that she would be searching the vehicle given the search waiver on file, and asked both occupants to exit the vehicle. Officer Fletcher noticed that the bottom of the front dashboard was missing from the vehicle, and observed what appeared to be the corner of a black cloth bag hanging down. The officer removed the glove compartment to retrieve the bag which allegedly contained a clear plastic baggie of a green leafy substance, a scale, a black Ziplock bag containing two joints with a green leafy substance, rolling papers, and a small black velvet drawstring bag containing a plastic bag with a white crystal-like substance.

According to the police report, Allen informed Officer Fletcher that the bag belonged to him. He was then placed under arrest and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center.

Allen was charged as a fugitive from justice from out of state, failure to appear – class B misdemeanor, two counts of theft of property <$1k, possession of schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver >4oz., and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a class Y felony.

R

Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment Before You Begin

Know How Much Light Your Plants Need

Don’t Expose Healthy Plants To Diseased Plants

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Check for Roof Fatigue

Inspect Your Ceilings

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK