The Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council Community Food Pantry’s USDA Commodities Distribution Program will be rescheduled due to the expected frigid temperatures and inclement weather.
The C-SCDC Community Food Pantry — a member agency of the River Valley Regional Food Bank — announces it will move the distribution, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, to Tuesday, Feb. 23. The distribution on Feb. 23 will begin at 7:30 a.m. at 1617 South Zero Street in Fort Smith. The pantry will serve until 10:30 a.m., or while supplies last. The pantry also encourages clients to please not line up in the parking lot before 7 a.m. on distribution days.
The C-SCDC distributes commodities through the USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which works to improve the health of low-income pregnant women, new mothers, families, infants, children, and the elderly by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
For up-to-date information about the commodities program, please be sure to follow the C-SCDC and the River Valley Regional Food Bank on Facebook. For more information, please call (479) 785-0582.
The Class 3A-4 district basketball tournament will begin on Saturday at host schools who finished in the bottom half of the conference standings. Home sites were determined by the higher order of finish between the paired opponents. Winners of Saturday’s games will advance to play quarterfinal teams who have byes on Saturday.
Girls quarterfinals games will be played on Monday, and boys quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday. Of course, all of this is dependent on the weather forecast that at this point is pretty bleak for most of next week. The added variable to this year’s tournament is the additional precaution that is being taken to mitigate the risk of COVID spread by playing the games at each schools’ campuses of the higher seeded team in the pairings. So, simply said, that increases the travel requirements for teams when at the same time there is a forecast of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures that could make travel hazardous. For example, teams traveling to and from Cossatot River and to all points in the conference face tough road conditions on state highways. So, the status of the tournament will be a day-to-day proposition as coaches and administrators deal with all of these factors while trying to keep the tournament on schedule for next week’s regional tournament in Bergman.
For Paris, the Lady Eagles will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday versus Waldron. The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the quarterfinals to play at either Cedarville or Cossatot River. It will not be known until Friday night if Saturday’s winner will play the Lady Pirates or the Cossatot Lady Eagles.
The Paris Eagles senior boys team will play Danville on Saturday at 4 p.m. The winner of this game will advance to the quarterfinal to play at Booneville on Tuesday. The Bearcats are quarterfinalists and have a bye on Saturday and will be awaiting the outcome of Saturday’s game in Paris.
Beyond this information, details are very sketchy. Weather conditions and COVID mitigation have made this year’s district tournament a huge challenge for all of the 3A-4 conference schools. As information becomes available, Resident Press will bring it to you. Stay with Resident Press for the latest on the district tournament, and good luck to all of the teams as they compete for regional seeds to compete for the chance to go to this year’s state tournament!
In this day and age, it’s a rare sight to see a young person care so much for their family, peers, and community. So let me introduced you to one! KateLynn Oden is a senior at Cedarville High School and come May 2, she will be a 13-year graduate. Recently the school district decided it would be best to put off homecoming until things could be done more safely next year. As news of their decision started swirling around the school, hearts were breaking right along with it. When Katey (who was one of the girls chosen to be in homecoming) heard the news, she jumped into action.
KateLynn Oden
She wrote a letter to the superintendent explaining how other schools were safely doing a virtual homecoming and after taking her letter to the school board, the ruling was overturned and homecoming was back on! “Having a homecoming is important to me because of the girls that are seniors that haven’t been a maid,” explained Oden. “I didn’t want anyone to miss a chance to be able to experience being a homecoming maid. It is a tremendous honor to be picked, and some girls really look forward to that every year, including me!”
Katey hoopin’ it up in basketball
Also in the running for Queen were seniors, Makayla Pearcy, Audrey Gathright, and Autumn Murray. Included in the rest of the homecoming court, were 7th-Graders Olivia McGill and Kayla Shepard, 8th-Graders Paige Cluck and Lillian Ming, freshmen Kasydi Johnson, Sierra Clayborn, Emily Mizell, and Katelyn Moore-Guerra, sophomores Reese Giberson and Kylie Murray, and juniors Taylor Henson and Kirsten Garner. Mizell earned the title of Jr High Princess while Autumn Murray was crowned Queen. Along with being in the running for homecoming queen, Katey is also running a program called “A Chance to Dance”. “Chance to Dance is a program that provides free formal attire to any student in the Cedarville School District that might need it. We provide the shoes, jewelry, and the dress. We also just extended to male attire as well with tux’s, dress shirts, and shoes. We receive the attire as donations, occasionally though I will find a really good deal and purchase items for it.”
Katey with her family in a previous homecoming
Oden was recruited by Cedarville Alumni, Kennedy Vinson, who initially started the program through EAST. “She asked me if I wanted to take over after she graduated because she couldn’t think of anyone who would do a better job.” If someone were asked to describe the type of person that Katey is in one word, it would be impossible to do. With a personality bigger than New York City, Katey lights up every room she walks into. She has a heart of gold, unselfishly puts every else’s needs above her own, and goes above and beyond to ensure that those around her are happy.
For her birthday this year, Katey asked to help feed the homeless at Hope campus.
And if she wasn’t busy enough, Katey also runs track, plays softball and basketball, does pageants, and cheers. Cheer Coach, Treva Rice, had this to say about what it is like to have Katey as a student-athlete. “If I could describe KateLynn with one-word, cheerleader would come to mind. Katey is a constant encourager. She is not afraid of hard work. She juggles cheer with other sports, college, and AP classes. Katey does all of this and gives 100% every time. If I have a place in a routine that needs someone to be showy, that is where I put Katey. If I need someone to keep a stunt up that is falling, that’s where I put Katey. If someone is down and needs encouragement, that’s where I put Katey!”
Katey with cheer coach, Treva Rice
When asked why she thought it was so important to have a homecoming this year, Coach Rice explained, “Everyone knows this year has been hard on everyone, but I feel it has been especially difficult and at times heartbreaking for high school students. We wanted to try and have a basketball homecoming of some sort so that the students would know that we are doing our best to make life long memories for them. The “A Chance to Dance” program has become a vital part of our school. I have witnessed numerous girls find their dream dress through “A Chance to Dance”.”
Katey and Tayler preparing for homecoming
“Numerous girls who would not otherwise have been able to afford a formal dress for prom or homecoming have had their dreams come true through this program. Katey is the perfect person to lead “A Chance to Dance” because she has the biggest heart for helping others. This week when a girl found a dress that she wouldn’t otherwise be able to get, I watched as happy tears streamed down her face. It is the same with cheer. KateLynn’s life brings joy and encouragement to so many!”
Katey’s homecoming gift to Tayler
So what is the driving force behind why Katey does what she does? “My passion is ultimately driven by the want to help others. I enjoy helping others and making them feel amazing on the day of their special occasion,” Oden expressed. One life that Katey has made an impact on is with fellow classmate and long time friend, Tayler Henson who is also on the homecoming court with Oden. “I’ve known Tayler almost my entire life. Her little brother used to play baseball with my little brother but as we got older we started to drift our own ways. Eventually, we became close again.”
Tayler and Katey at Homecoming 2020-2021
The “A Chance to Dance” program was one way that the two found each other in one another’s lives again. “Tayler used the “Chance to Dance” program this year. We provided her shoes, a dress, jewelry, as well as doing her makeup while Karessa with Sophie’s Family Hair in Figure Five, donated her hair skills. I don’t think we could have found a better dress for her though. It was absolutely perfect!” On February 12, during Cedarville’s virtual basketball homecoming, Katey’s never-ending compassion for others continued. Although she did not receive Queen, Katey did something that brought everyone to tears.
Katey gifting Tayler her own homecoming crown
Since this would be Oden’s last year in high school, Katey gifted Tayler with a crown of her own. “I had a lot of fun doing it and I was scared but still had lots of fun,” expressed Tayler. “I feel so pretty! I never want to get out of this dress! Thank you Katey for helping me and for making this so much fun!” Coach Rice concluded, “I expected nothing less from KateLynn. She goes above and beyond to help anyone, anywhere, at any time. Her focus is on making this a great experience for others.” This might be the end of Katey’s high school career but it’s definitely not the end of the incredible things Oden has left to do. Katey plans on attending John Brown University where she wants to major in Psychology and graduate with a Bachelors degree and later a Ph.D. in Psychology. After college graduation, Katey, who was born to be a humanitarian, is off to continue changing the world while making a difference one life at a time!
Join us on February 15th at noon on our Facebook event page for our 6th annual Rising in the River Valley! Due to Covid-19 this event will be virtual. Our speakers will be, Dr. Terisa Riley, Chancellor, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Penni Burns, CEO, Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Center, Pastor Paul Davis, St James Missionary Baptist Church and Eddie Lee Herndon, President and CEO, United Way of Fort Smith Area. United Way of Fort Smith Area collaborates with the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the Crisis Intervention Center on this event.
Rising in the River Valley is a rally to bring awareness and education on the issues of sexual assault and domestic abuse. “Each year around Valentine’s Day people around the world rise up to bring awareness to tragedy of sexual assault and domestic violence. Here in the River Valley at least 20% of our women will be victims of assault in their lifetimes. Rising in the River Valley is such an important initiative to highlight prevention and to let survivors know that our community is here to help”, said Eddie Lee Herndon, President and CEO, United Way of Fort Smith Area.
To end domestic violence and sexual assault, we all need to be part of the solution. Educating yourself and others, helping a friend who is being abused, speaking up, and being an engaged bystander are all examples of things you can do to help.
Talking about these issues openly will help end the shame and stigma that domestic violence and sexual assault survivors are burdened with. The next time you’re in a room with 6 people, think about this:
1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.
1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year.
1 in 5 women are survivors of rape.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual violence in their lives.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18.
The public is invited to attend virtually, and help “rise up” to prevent abuse. The Crisis Intervention Center 24/7 Crisis Hotline number is 1-800-359-0056.
Four miles north of Belleville, Arkansas lies one of the best-kept secrets of Arkansas. The 82-acre lake was created in 1937. It has camping sites, picnic areas, and a fantastic swimming and boating area. On the south end of the lake is a beautiful dam created from native rock containing overflow outlets that allow torrents of water to cascade downward fifty feet or more before continuing down the nearby creek.
As a child, our church would hold picnics there each year. We would walk across the dam, enjoy the hiking, and play in the water that fell from the dam. Little did I realize that the deep waters of the lake held an even greater secret; it was the final resting and burial place for the small town of Stafford, Arkansas.
Located just North of Chickalah mountain, the area has a rich history. Frontier roads crisscrossed the area and served as paths for both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil war. Later, those same pathways were used by Belle Star and others as they visited relatives and friends in Yell County. Small farms dotted the area and inhabitants eked out a living growing crops, harvesting the hardwood forest, and hunting.
The Spring Lake crew
Stafford, one of several small community towns, developed to provide goods and services to these farm families. The Arkansas Gazette of 1898 states that the town had a population of 26 with H.R. McKinney as postmaster. It also contained a general store, a grist mill, and a church.
Local maps of the time period show a small dot and the name Stafford, located right in the middle of what is now Spring lake. The town has disappeared beneath the waters, a product of the economic woes of the depression. The 1930s were difficult times and jobs and money were hard to come by. Many of the people in Arkansas were dirt poor but land rich. In some cases, the federal government bought cheap land from destitute farmers in order to create the national forest or parkland. The CCC and WPA programs that began as part of the Roosevelt recovery plan offered jobs building roads, constructing parks, and building lakes. Like today, those jobs were tied to income and property ownership. Your ability to be offered a job was tied to the amount of property you owned and, if you wanted to work, good ole Uncle Sam was willing to buy your excess property at a very reasonable rate. There was a vast expansion of Arkansas property ownership by the national government. Traveling highway 10 from Belleville across country roads to highway 22 near New Blaine, there are no communities, no farms, and no longer a Stafford, Arkansas. Part of that purchased land became a national forest, scattered here and there by the developments on Magazine, Petit Jean, and Nebo Mountains.
In 1937, land was cleared, a large dam was constructed, and water began to cover the homes and businesses that once existed. Ed Grey, a local resident, remembers his dad taking him to the lake and pointing out foundations where the town once stood.
Today, I look down from the dam and my imagination takes me back to the time of my great grand-parents. I can see the large Stafford house, watch the children playing in the streets, and hear the church bell calling the community to worship in the town beneath the waves.
It’s been five long games since the Sr Tigers were victorious. Losses to Magazine, Lavaca, Mountainburg, County Line, and Acorn, have taken their toll on the Tigers as of late. Looking to regain their hardwood heroics, Mansfield traveled to JC Westside on Tuesday, February 9 to take on the Rebels who, coincidentally, were the last opponents that the Tigers beat before their string of misfortune. Mansfield’s Sr High isn’t a bunch of gamblers, but they definitely have the Rebels number as they let out a victory roar with a 58-45 win.
JoJo Bailey
The Tigers matched the weather outside at the beginning of the game as cold feet and slick backboards were their foes in the first quarter. Mansfield found themselves in a familiar spot as the first quarter ended with JC Westside leading 16-13. The Rebels crowd was enthusiastic which fed their players energy while unknowingly feeding the Tigers also. The Tigers decided that they had been poked for the last time and that’s when they dug their claws into the court and fought back. JC Westside’s defense was still stout and held their own against the Tigers, but Mansfield’s defense stepped up too, holding the Rebels to only 4 points in the second quarter. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the score was a 22-20 slim lead in the Tiger’s favor.
Tyler Escalante
Programs are judged by how well they are able to play and finish a full four quarters. The Tigers have been in a lot of close games that fell short this season. But in this particular game, Mansfield played not with frustration or half-butting. No, they played as if they were proud to wear that red and white jersey and would do anything to defend those colors. The Tigers stretched out their lead in the third quarter with pure determination to a 33-24 score. That 9 point lead would dwindle a little then pick back up in the fourth as both teams swapped leading on the scoreboard in the fourth. JC Westside became the frustrated team this time as they began to foul the cool as a cucumber Tigers to stop the clock. Smart tactic…..if you don’t have shooters. Arby’s may have the meats, but Mansfield has the shooters. The Tigers single shot their way to a 58-45 victory from the free-throw line to end their losing streak with style.
#23 Zayne Dugan
Tyler Escalante led the Tigers with 20 points followed by Codi Chick with 18, Ethan Pettus with 11, JoJo Bailey with 5, and Zayne Dugan with 4. There’s no doubt that it’s been a rough season for the Mansfield Sr Tigers. The Tigers barely played any games with a full roster this year. The injury bug nipped at their heels while COVID protocols took some jabs on the team too. Their season isn’t over yet though. They plan to still wreak havoc in their upcoming District Tournament and do everything in the power to earn a Regional Tournament bid. But the Tigers will go into the District Tournament with just a seeding. They have a legacy already set in stone for future generations to follow. It won’t be how they fair in Districts or Regionals. It won’t be their record nor their star-studded team. No, it will be the legacy proving to all that “Mansfield Tigers Never Give Up”.
The Mansfield Sr Lady Tigers wrapped up regular season play on Tuesday, February 9 with a victory over the Lady Rebels of JC Westside. The Lady Tigers were guaranteed a high seed in their District Tournament and an appearance in the Regional Tournament win or lose against JC Westside. The Lady Rebels on the other hand were aiming for a major upset on their senior night. It was the Lady Rebels who were left though upset as Mansfield finished up their conference slate with a 47-37 win over JC Westside.
Chloe Creekmore
The Lady Tigers hit the court in a typical high-speed super aggressive manner which jumped them to an early 15-5 lead over the Lady Rebels. Normally, Mansfield would pull away and cash in on steals, fast breaks, and smooth shooting at that point in the game but that was not the case this time. JC Westside was on par and kept the Lady Tigers on their heels and even outscored Mansfield in the second quarter as they hung up 14 points to the Lady Tigers 13 points. Going into the half, the Tigers still held the 28-19 lead, but JC Westside held the momentum.
Danielle Lillie
Mansfield’s woes continued after the half as JC Westside jumped all over the Lady Tigers who seemed extremely out of touch on the court. Mental mistakes and frustration began to take a toll on the Lady Tigers which lead to fouls and missed opportunities to score. Even so, they weren’t about to lose their final regular season game. If JC Westside wanted a battle, they’d for sure get one as the Lady Tigers scrapped their way to a 35-28 third quarter lead. Back and forth the game went with neither team taking a shot without giving back a shot of their own. In the end, though, the Lady Tigers were just too much for JC Westside to handle and the dream of Lady Tigers basketball being a premiere program finally started to feel real as Mansfield won with a 47-37 victory.
Brooke Wright
Although playing a tough game and running into some foul trouble, the Lady Tigers were still able to put up the points. Senior, Chloe Creekmore, kept her shoes on fire by leading the team again in scoring, this time with 14 points against the Lady Rebels. Senior, Makayla Strutton, and sophomore, Natalie Allison, paired up for 8 hard-fought points apiece. Senior, Danielle Lillie, sank 6 points while sophomore, Skylynn Harris, got back in her scoring groove and knocked down 5 points in the game. Fellow senior, Brook Wright, was able to get 4 points against JC Westside. And closing out the points but opening up her overall game was junior, Kiara Thomas, who rounded up 2 points.
Kiara Thomas
The win was a monumental achievement for the Lady Tigers giving them an amazing 11-1 conference record and an 18-4 overall record so far in the season. It also sets the Sr Lady Tigers up for good positioning in their upcoming District Tournament and Regional Tournament. These Lady Tigers are on track to beat the best team in decades at Mansfield and have already broken multiple school records this season. With all of these achievements that Mansfield has completed this season, it’s safe to say that Mansfield Lady Tiger Basketball is back and better than ever. The Lady Tigers will have a first-round bye to gain some much needed weeks rest before they start their District Tournament next week.
For the third consecutive year, the Waldron Sr Bulldogs have reached a 20 win season. After last night’s 53-38 victory over the Booneville Bearcats, the Bulldogs sit 20-5 in total season play and 12-1 in conference. “Our Bulldogs come away with a home win Tuesday night against a scrappy Booneville team,” stated Coach Josh Brown. “I’m proud of our guys for what they have accomplished this season but we can’t be satisfied! We have a lot of goals still to accomplish!”
Another exciting accomplishment that was achieved during Tuesday’s battle was Bulldog, Gada Wagner, netting his 750th career point. “This was entirely made possible by my team trusting me with the ball. There is no better feeling than knowing that I have teammates who back me 100 percent. The main goal now is to go out there and win every game we play,” expressed Wagner.
Wagner led the Bulldogs with 20 points against the Bearcats followed by Isaac “The Real” Villarreal with 10 points by playing with natural ease on the court. Securing 8 and 7 points were Braden Williams and Jaden Hutchens who are always quick to assists their teammates while also defending the hardwood. And tied with 4 points each was Bryson Bailey and Caden Fuller who struck the court like lighting and never looked back.
The Waldron Bulldogs will host the Hackett Hornets on Thursday, February 11 for Senior Night will activities starting at 5:30. For their last go-round with the Hornets, the Bulldogs strutted away with a 55-28 win.
River Valley basketball fans were treated to a great night of high school basketball as Paris hosted Cedarville on Tuesday night. Cedarville, ranked 8th in Class 3A girls basketball and leading the 3A-4 conference, entered the game against Paris having soundly defeating the Lady Eagles in Cedarville earlier in the season.
Paris, having shown significant improvement over the past three weeks dating back to home wins against Hackett and Charleston, and followed by a last-minute loss on the road at Cossatot River, was a different team than the team that played the Lady Pirates in January. And on this night, senior Jadyn Hart was playing her final regular season home game.
Resident Press Photo
At times it seemed that Hart was determined to put the Lady Eagles on her back and carry them to victory. On offense and defense, Hart was tenacious and took the game to Cedarville. As the game went along, several players stepped up and hit big shots, created turnovers on defense, rebounded well, and made good passes to open players for shots in the low post.
Resident Press Photo
With approximately three seconds to go in the game, Brailey Forst was fouled on a defensive rebound. The foul sent Forst to the free throw line for a one-and-one opportunity with the score tied. Forst hit the first shot and missed the second. Cedarville rebounded the missed shot and launched a desperation last second shot that fell short, and the Lady Eagles had hung on for the upset win over Cedarville.
Paris will travel to Booneville on Thursday for their final regular season game. In a time of the year when anything can happen, the Lady Bearcats will go into Thursday’s game fresh off of their upset of the then conference leading Danville Lady Little Johns. Paris has now beaten Charleston and Cedarville, as well as having taken Cossatot River to the wire. Thursday’s game in Booneville should be a good one!
Resident Press Photo
In the second game of the session, the Paris senior boys took the court following the exciting win by the Lady Eagles. Paris, having been soundly defeated in Cedarville, was anxious to show the Pirates that they too are a different team than the one that the Pirates played in January.
The Eagles’ Caleb Cunningham was also playing his last regular season home game as a senior, and Caleb played his heart out all night. The Eagles’ pressure defense and inside game that has taken off in weeks with the emergence of Mequeil Ellingberg in the low post and the slashing drives to the basket by sophomore Sam Muldrow, played the Pirates tough and by the end of the first half, the Eagles who had been blown out in Cedarville, had built a five point lead.
Resident Press Photo
The second half was a continuation of the furiously-paced first half. With just over five minutes to play in the game, Cedarville had overcame the Paris lead and had a two-point lead. Then the turnover bug that was present in Cedarville made its late appearance in Paris, and the Eagles fell behind by as many as ten points. Cedarville ran the four corners offense and stalled for the remainder of the game, running the clock out on the way to a 50-42 conference victory. It was a frustrating loss for Paris, but it was also another indication of how much the team has improved since January.
Resident Press Photo
After the game, Paris coach Blain Brewington said of his team’s performance, “I thought our kids played hard. We guarded well for most of the game. Thought we lost our composure in the fourth quarter. We didn’t run our offense and quit being patient and got sped up (caught up in the Cedarville transition game) and that was the difference in the game.”
Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles’ future has been on display the past three weeks with signs of improved play and becoming competitive in a very tough conference. Cedarville has excellent basketball teams and both the Pirates and Lady Pirates will advance through the district tournament and on to regional and perhaps state tournament play. They are well-coached and have good, experienced talent on both teams. I look for them to compete in both sides of the tournament for the championships and number one seeds going to regionals.
Resident Press Photos
And for Paris, one game at a time is more than a cliche, it is reality for the Eagles and Lady Eagles. And that one game is now at Booneville against very good senior boys and girls teams on their floor. A win at Booneville would be huge, but it will not be easy. I look for both games to be barn burners Thursday night. Senior girls and boys games will be played. The girls game will start at 6 p.m. with the boys game to immediately follow.
It is a very special time of the year when teams look to finish the season and re-focus on the “second season” of tournament play. Will Cinderella make an appearance in this year’s post-season? Every year, there is one team that nobody expects to make a run through the post season…could it be Paris?
But first things first. Resident Press will see you tomorrow night in Booneville for the exciting conclusion to the 3A-4 regular season!
