The Mansfield Sr Lady Tigers seem to be getting better with every passing game. This was proven yet again on Tuesday, February 2 when they hosted the Magazine Lady Rattlers. Both teams had a lot of post regular-season goals on the line coming into the game, but it was the Lady Tigers who were victorious with a 55-29 final score.
#10 Kiara Vasquez
The last time these two clashed, the Lady Rattlers held off Mansfield all the way into the 4th quarter before Mansfield pulled away with a 60-40 win at the Rattlers Den. With this game being played in The Jungle, the Lady Tigers had to get off to a better start in front of their home crowd. They did just that with a 17-10 lead in the first quarter and stretched it out to 30-12 by halftime. Senior Danielle Lillie was extremely selfless in the first half as she sacrificed possible points for herself by shifting the ball out to her teammates thus giving them the automatic scores. “D-Assist Queen” led the team with 6 of the Lady Tigers’ 13 assists in the game.
Lady Rattler #30 Raymie Davis
Mansfield didn’t hang up on any halftime blues and came out again on fire against the Lady Rattlers. With heavy defensive pressure, the Lady Tigers began portraying their best Jessie James moves by stealing the ball every chance they could and taking it back to light up the scoreboard. Try as they may, the Lady Rattlers just couldn’t keep up the pace as Mansfield ended the 3rd quarter with a commanding 50-20 lead. With the bench slowly filling in for the Lady Tigers starters, everyone could tell that the lead opera singer was tuning up her voice for the grand finale. Once the buzzer sounded, the Mansfield Sr Lady Tigers stole the show with a 55-29 victory. The Lady Tigers win currently leaves them sitting in second place in the conference and has Magazine at fourth in conference play.
Lady Tiger Natalie Allison and Lady Rattler Elizabeth Greek
Mansfield’s Makayla Strutton came in big with 22 points followed by Chloe Creekmore with 10, Brooke Wright with 9, Danielle Lillie with 8, and Seven Sanderson, Skylynn Harris, and Kiara Thomas with 2 each. Magazine’s Kylie Robinson led with 12 points, Kiara Vasquez netted 8, Carly Parrish scored 3, Elizabeth Greek picked-up 2, and Jordyn Krigbaum made 1.
Lady Tiger Makayla Strutton
With their Regional Tournament appearance inevitable now, the Lady Tigers will focus their attention on their game against the ever formidable opponent, the Mountainburg Lady Dragons. Mountainburg holds the third-place position in the conference and still has the Lady Tigers and number one Acorn left to play. With a win over the Lady Dragons, Mansfield will be guaranteed second place in conference. Then the waiting game will commence as the Lady Tigers hold their hopes for a Mountainburg victory at Acorn which would put Mansfield as the conference champions. The Magazine Lady Rattlers will go into tonight’s battle against JC Westside with a 9-8 total play record and are looking to score a Round 2 win against the Lady Rebels.
The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Belle Haven Photography on Thursday, February 4.
Owner Lori Ransom was joined by members of her family and members of the chamber of commerce. President Bob Purvis expressed his gratitude for small businesses like Belle Haven Photography.
Ransom named the business in memory of her mother, Belle. “The name means beautiful girl,” said Ransom. Haven means safe place.”
Ransom creates maternity, newborn, children, and family portraits. “I love the babies,” she added. “Cake smash sessions are also a favorite!”
The 1,000 sq. ft. studio is fully equipped with studio and natural lighting. “I have a maternity closet available for my clients to use. All newborn sessions are designed specifically for each client. I have many unique props and handmade items for use in newborn and other sessions.” Ransom, who has been in the photography business for nine years, also does head shots, personal branding and on location small business sessions.
For more information on Belle Haven Photography, visit their website at www.bellehavenphotography.com. Studio/office hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. You can also contact Lori Ransom at lori@bellehavenphotography.com or call 479-650-6524.
Chamber of Commerce members joined Belle Haven Photography owner Lori Ransom and her family for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
National Signing Day in any collegiate sport is a very special day for high school athletes who have worked hard to realize their dreams of playing on the collegiate level. It is a special day for the athletes, their coaches, schools, communities, and families. One of the greatest thrills for me is to see high school athletes have the opportunity to play collegiate sports and to earn a college degree. One very special Charleston Tiger has made his decision to remain a Tiger and to play football at Ouachita Baptist University. Dalton Curtis, a very talented athlete who has always played any position his coaches needed him to play for the good of the entire team, has seen his unselfishness and strong work ethic payoff with a scholarship to play college football.
Charleston’s Dalton Curtis Signs NLI with Ouachita Baptist University to Play College Football. Photo Credit: Twitter / Dalton Curtis
In an official press release from Ouachita Baptist, the University announced the signing of Curtis in the announcement below, as well as in a video on Twitter. To view a highlight reel on Dalton at Charleston High School, click on the “Highlight Reel” link in the press release below.
Curtis was named All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State as a senior at Charleston High School. He caught 26 passes for 420 yards and scored eight total touchdowns while also making 30 tackles. Curtis helped Charleston extend Arkansas’ longest-running streak of playoff appearances.
Remarking about this year’s incoming Ouachita football class of signees, head coach Todd Knight expressed his feelings for a class that has a history of overcoming adversity, making this class a group that has great work ethic and is willing to work hard and make OBU a winning football program. On the OBU football website, Coach Knight expressed his feelings for this class as follows:
Image Credit: Ouachita Baptist University Football Website
Dalton played two seasons, his junior and senior years, under head coach Ricky May who came to Charleston in the spring of 2019 and coached his first season later that fall. Dalton said, “It was kind of weird because I had always played under one coach until Coach May arrived. Coach May is a very upbeat guy, very optimistic; so it was just different.”
Dalton competed at the quarterback position in 2019 and 2020. When Coach May asked Dalton to play in other positions, Dalton was unselfish and told the coach that he wanted to play wherever it would benefit the team the most. “I really don’t care where I am on the field as long as I know I can contribute.” So this year, Dalton played wide receiver, defensive back, running back, safety, corner, wherever he was needed. On defense, Dalton had over 30 unassisted tackles in the 2020 season. In fact, Coach May said at one point he needed a punt returner, and Dalton was put in the game as a punt returner. A truly unselfish athlete that is becoming more and more unusual in today’s world of high school and collegiate sports.
Consistency in winning and making the playoffs is part of the Charleston football culture. In fact, Ouachita remarked that Dalton played high school football at a program that leads the state of Arkansas in consecutive years of football playoff appearances. It is just what is expected; both by the community, and within Dalton’s family. Dalton is one of many generations in his family that attended the Charleston school district, and his father was on the football team that began the consecutive streak of football playoff appearances by the Tigers. Dalton is a winner that has grown up and played in a winning culture, and I am sure Ouachita fans are hoping he will bring his winning ways to the Ouachita football program.
Charleston Head Football Coach Ricky May & Dalton Curtis (Resident Press Photo)
Ouachita lists Dalton as a wide receiver on their signing class list. I asked him if that is where Ouachita head coach Todd Knight had indicated their plans for him to play when he arrives in Arkadelphia. Dalton replied, “So far, going in, that is what I am expecting. But who knows? They may decide to move me.”
In the spirit of not disclosing private educational records information, I will not publish Dalton’s grade point average at Charleston. However, I will tell our readers that it is very high. In fact, Dalton plans to earn a degree in perhaps biology and go on to become a radiologist. And if that is what he truly wants to do at Ouachita, I am sure Dalton will become an excellent radiologist. Coach May added that Dalton has already earned numerous college academic hours from having taken concurrent credit classes at Charleston that will transfer to Ouachita.
Dalton chose Ouachita over Lyon College who had recruited him heavily throughout the season. Dalton said, “Lyon wanted me really bad. Before last season, I visited Lyon College, and in the middle of my quarantine, they offered me a scholarship to play. And then, I kind of held out on it and I wanted to wait to get every possible offer that actually wanted me before I made a decision. A few months ago, Ouachita contacted me. And we set up a visit and I went down there. I loved it!”
So just like his Coach, Ricky May who was offered a scholarship to play at Ouachita in 1989, Dalton was offered and will enroll this fall. According to Coach May, Ouachita has told him that the large majority of incoming freshmen football players are red shirted. The Tigers are building a program of four and five year seniors rather than young freshmen on the field. This will be an excellent opportunity for Dalton to develop physically and emotionally to college and collegiate football. Ouachita is known for academic excellence, and a red shirt year will give Dalton the chance to get a good start academically before he is expected to contribute more and more in the football program.
Coach May put together the highlight video that is embedded in the Ouachita tweet that is included in this story above. The Charleston coaches do an excellent job of not only expecting loyalty from their players, but returning that loyalty to their players by working to help them get evaluated and eventually offered opportunities to play college sports. It is part of the reason why Charleston is consistently competitive in high school sports as they have the reputation of helping students take the next steps to their dreams of playing college athletics. Not all schools do this, but in Charleston, it is part of the culture of excellence that they take pride in with all of their students.
On behalf of everyone at Resident Press, we would like to extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Dalton, his family, and to Coach May and the Charleston football program. We wish Dalton the best of success as a Ouachita Tiger!
It was a big night for the Cedarville Sr Pirates Tuesday evening as they sailed away with a 68-38 win over the Hackett Hornets. “After the first, it was a tied game at 18,” stated Hackett Coach Kent Elmore. “We stuck to a game plan for a quarter and was able to get some good looks on the offensive end.” Cedarville’s Austin Cluck and Austin Swaim played one of their best games all season as they combined for a whopping 51 points.
“Austin Cluck was 8 for 10 from the 3 point range in the first half Tuesday night,” explained Cedarville Coach Frank Cluck. “This helped us score 40 points in the first half. In the second half, Hackett really focused their defense on keeping Cluck from shooting and Kattich from scoring inside. So, Austin Swaim was able to get some really good looks!” Darryl “The Kraken” Kattich finished with 10 points for the Pirates coupled with Cody Dickens and Dylan Cluck who all racked up assists feeding their teammates the ball.
Delivering points for Hackett was Cash Oliver with 16, Austin Cowell with 8, Jake Fisher with 5, Ethan “Superman” Slavens with 4, and Fisher Shipman with 2. “Defensively we have to bring more energy,” concluded Coach Elmore. “It takes all 5 guys to have high energy in order to be successful. I felt we lacked energy in the latter half of the game. The effort for the past couple of weeks has been a complete 180. The players are buying in and good things are happening. My guys have not given up and come to work every day to get better.”
Next up, the Cedarville Sr Pirates will attempt to clean the Little Johns at Danville on Friday, February 5 while the Hackett Sr Hornets will host Booneville and try their hand at snagging a Bearcat.
On Monday night, the Cedarville Jr Lady Pirates and the Hackett Jr Lady Hornets hit the court running faster than a water balloon shooting off the end of a water hose. The Jr Lady Pirates have only lost four games this season so Hackett knew they were going to have to bring their A-game. The first quarter had each team’s defense shutting down the other’s offense with the game barely getting off the ground with a score of 4-3 Cedarville going into the second quarter.
And that’s when the Lady Pirates opened the flood gates. They put up 13 more points before going into halftime while completely shutting down Hackett with a score of 17-3. After a halftime pep talk by Coach Broc Adams, the Lady Hornets were re-energized and ready to ball. Both teams kicked things into overdrive and the race was on. By the time the dust had settled, it was the Cedarville Jr Lady Pirates who crossed the finish line first with a final score of 27-19.
Cedarville’s Rylee Partain and Makalie Carter have been running the Jr High ship all season with their hotter than asphalt in the middle of August court play. Monday the girls earned 12 and 9 points respectively. Serenity Johnson jumped into the action with 4 points and Katelynn Moore-Guerra logged 2. Hackett’s Aaliyah Escoffier was the Queen Hornet with 8 points in the match followed by Alex Bunch who was hard to catch with 5, shooting star Alona Rothwell who netted 4, and Brooklyn Decker who lit up the board with 2.
The Lady Hornets are gearing up for their second battle with the Booneville Lady Bearcats tonight at Booneville. This win put Cedarville tied for second in conference play and with a win this Friday night over the Lady Little Johns at Danville, the Jr Lady Pirates will move on to be numero uno.
This Saturday will present another opportunity this season for adults to help mentor young hunters in the fields or the flooded timber areas in pursuit of waterfowl.
The second of two youth and veteran waterfowl hunts will give a few hunters one more shot at Arkansas’s premier game species before the waterfowl season finally wraps for 2020-21. The Special Active Duty Military and Veteran Waterfowl Hunt will again take place alongside Arkansas’s Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Feb. 6 from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset statewide.
The state’s wildlife management areas are open all day (see the Waterfowl Report by clicking the green button below), while hunters will also be enjoying private land hunting. A handful of Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation.
Enhancement fields were obtained for permits as well; all permits were assigned by Jan. 24 for this weekend and must be in hand to use on any of the AGFC’s permitted locations.
Duck and goose hunters 15 and younger may hunt during this special season, which was created nearly 20 years ago by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission after this option was offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was modified last year to allow active-duty military personnel and veterans to hunt as well in a show of gratitude for their service.
Youths and veterans may have additional people with them during their hunt as a mentor or observer. Those people may call, video the hunt, or work a dog to retrieve ducks, but they may not carry a firearm or assist with shooting. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same as regular duck and goose seasons.
Also, shell restrictions on WMAs for the regular 60-day hunting season are lifted during these special hunts.
“This is an excellent opportunity for mentors to instill those unwritten rules of waterfowling to new hunters,” Luke Naylor, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator, said “It’s a great way to show them that waterfowl hunting isn’t about racing in the woods for a YouTube video or seeing who can take a picture of the biggest pile of birds; it’s about sharing the experience.”
While the spirit of the special hunt is to allow for more time between a mentor and youth hunter, youths who have completed a hunter education course may hunt on their own if their parent or legal guardian feels comfortable allowing them to do so. Youths who have not completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a mentor who is 21 years or older.
Over one thousand miles from Paris in the small Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney, the ground hog “Phil” saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. On that same night, two outstanding programs and young teams played lights out at Paris Gymnasium, each hoping to gain momentum and extend their seasons six more weeks into the upcoming post-season tournaments. And of course, anytime Paris and Charleston get together, regardless of sport or records, it is almost guaranteed to be a fun night of good, hard-fought competition. And last night in Paris, the fans of both schools were treated to two games that were played hard by both schools. This time, the Paris Eagles and Lady Eagles won signature games that are by far their biggest wins of the season. The wins could be a turning point for both teams as they finish this year and build toward the future. In fact, both Paris and Charleston are young and have bright futures, but neither school is ready to give up on this season just yet.
Resident Press Photo / Jim Best
In the first game, the Paris Lady Eagles survived an early ten point lead by Charleston to fight their way back to their biggest victory of the season. The Lady Eagles, who have been up and down, experiencing the highs and lows of a young team that is growing and developing, had perhaps their best defensive game of the year. Lady Eagles coach Donald Hart commented after the game, “I thought the team played hard from start to finish. I was very proud of their effort on both sides of the ball.”
Resident Press Photo / Jim Best
The Lady Eagles played tough defense against the Lady Tigers who all but ran them out of Tiger Center in January. The young Paris team has grown and is starting to see improved play from members of its starting rotation, giving help to senior Jadyn Hart with scoring and rebounding.
In the second game, the Paris boys fought hard in a back and forth, highly intense game that saw the Eagles finally break the game open very late with two three-point baskets from the corner by sophomore Jesse Wells.
Resident Press Photo / Ronni Tate Young
After the game, and ecstatic Paris head coach, Blain Brewington said, “We battled all night. We played physical, tough defense and rebounded the ball well for the most part. We hit some big shots in the fourth quarter. I really liked that we didn’t settle for 3’s and were patient offensively and got the ball inside for the easy baskets. We got down seven points in the third quarter and kept battling. We gave ourselves a chance in the fourth; took the lead and held on. So proud of our fight and learning how to play through our mistakes with such a young team.”
For Charleston, the Lady Tigers are one of the top girls programs in Class 3A, and their future is bright. I expect to see Charleston competing in the state tournament next year; perhaps to the point of the state semifinals or even deeper, just as the program did in 2019-20. Coach Jason Rucker has done a great job this year with just seven players dressed for most games, and will be a factor this year in the district and regional tournaments.
Resident Press Photo / Jim Best
After the loss to Paris, Coach Rucker said after the game, “I thought we played well in the first half but just didn’t make enough plays in the second half to win. Really have to give credit to Paris for not quitting and making plays when they had to. Hats off to them.”
And the same tone of sportsmanship was used by Charleston Tigers coach B.J. Ross when he also said, “Our boys played really hard last night but couldn’t get the ball to fall in the hoop. Give credit to Paris and Coach Brewington for playing a good game.”
I don’t know about you, our readers, but it is refreshing to hear classy remarks from coaches of schools in a rivalry setting such as Paris and Charleston. The coaches’ remarks are great examples for our student-athletes and for all who follow high school sports.
Resident Press Photo / Jim Best
The Charleston basketball programs are young and talented, just as the Paris programs. I expect both schools to be serious contenders next year, and once again, treat their fan bases to great competition throughout the season.
If you have followed Paris, you know that the Eagles have had their share of both good and bad times as a young and inexperienced team has had to learn and mature on the fly. But the last two weeks have been good for the Eagles, and a win against a quality opponent is just what they needed to give them confidence that they can compete successfully in the conference tournament and into next year.
And the same can be said for the young Lady Eagles. The team will sorely miss senior guard Jadyn Hart. But the team will have a nucleus of good young players who have now had a season of playing experience under their belts and should have plenty of talent and experience to build upon for next season. The team will have to find a way to replace the point production and the ball handling of Jadyn Hart. If they can do that, they have a great chance to take the next step in being a very competitive team next year.
Resident Press Photo / Ronni Tate Young
Eagles fans need to be aware of schedule changes for the end of the regular season and the district tournament. In an email from the Paris school district this morning, the following schedule changes have been made. First, Friday, February 5, will be senior high boys and girls only at Cossatot River. Tip off time for the first game is 5 p.m.
The junior district tournament that was scheduled to be held at Booneville next week has been cancelled. In fact, some ninth grade players for both schools were dressed and on the bench for last evening’s varsity games.
Secondly, Paris will host Cedarville on Tuesday, February 9 as originally scheduled for senior high games only. Next, the games at Booneville originally scheduled for Friday, February 12 have been moved up to Thursday, February 11.
And finally, the senior high district tournament, originally scheduled for Cedarville, will now be hosted at the home sites of the higher seeded teams in the first round match-up pairs, starting Saturday, February 13. According to the district’s email, “The higher seed will host each individual game. Once the brackets have been set, or we know for sure the seeding for the tournament, we will update.”
Resident Press Photo / Ronni Tate Young
So it appears the senior high district basketball tournament will be held in the same format as the 2020 district volleyball tournament. Unlike the conference volleyball tournament, all conference basketball games will be played before the tournament, so it should be easy to seed each team according to record and order of finish. The higher seeds will host games on their campuses. I recommend that you go to the Paris school district’s website and watch for the “live feed” with the latest information from the district on game dates, times, and venues.
In the topsy turvy world of COVID-19, it appears that the high school basketball season has a chance to be completed. It was about eleven months ago that the state tournament was immediately cancelled after the semi-finals games, and the state finals were never played in Hot Springs. When the Class 3A basketball tournament, hosted by Charleston high school, had finished semi-final play, no one dreamed that the following week’s championship final in Hot Springs would not be played.
Hopefully, the entire tournament will be played to its scheduled completion, and the hard work of the players and all involved will be rewarded with a great state tournament experience ending with the crowning of state champions in each classification.
Fans from both schools can see additional photos of both games on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. In fact, Resident Press had two photographers at the games, including yours truly and Mrs. Ronni Tate Young. I know you will love her photos, and her shots can also be found at Paris Eagles Sports. Thanks to Ronni for the additional coverage and for all that she has done this year capturing the images of Charleston sports!
If last night’s Ground Hog Day game was any indication of what is to come, there is still a lot of basketball yet to be played. Good luck to both Paris and Charleston as they continue to play for the post-season!
Jerry Taft Graves of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday January 28, 2021 in Seminole, Oklahoma. Jerry was born October 7, 1935 in Waldron, Arkansas to Hurman Fay Graves and Nellie Opal (Taft) Graves.
Jerry was a hard working man who loved spending time with his family. He loved working with his cattle. He was a member of the Evening Shade Baptist Church. Jerry retired from the Department of Soil Conversation but he was a self taught welder and did it as a hobby. Because of his talent he was sought after for projects by people all over.
Jerry leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Doris Jean (Barto) Graves, his son Robert Graves and wife Kara of Waldron, Arkansas, his daughter Melissa Graves Shelton of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Papaw will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Robert Tyler Graves, Kalie Graves and wife Kimberlee, Rayan Butterworth, Nicholas Butterworth, Aaron Butterworth.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Hurman Fay Graves and Nellie Opal “Taft” Graves.
Jerry’s life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2021 at Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Bobby Cagle officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Jerry’s visitation will be Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
You may leave words of remembrance for Jerry’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
The Greenwood Bulldogs need no introduction when it comes to tradition, with a growing list of accomplishments each year. That reputation which precedes any formal discussion is as important as the continuous stream of talent their athletic program continues to produce.
Such is the case today, as nine seniors sign their letter of intent to play football at their respective college of choice.
“It was a special day for our staff, and the participating families. I couldn’t be prouder for these athletes who have all worked hard to not only pursue their dreams, but also exhibit leadership on and off the field and into their collegiate sports careers”
– Greenwood Bulldogs Head Football Coach, Chris Young
Beau Asher, Lyon College Parents: Roy and Winnie Asher
Peyton Carter, Pitt State Parents: James Carter and Stacy Carter
Jordan Hanna, University of Arkansas Parents: Aundrea Hanna and Mike Hanna Brothers: Ashton, Morgan, and Gage Sister: Chaise
Jayden Jasna – Arkansas Tech University Parents: Justin and Karina Jasna Sister: Londyn Jasna Brother: Kaylor Jasna
Connor Marvin, Hendrix College Parents: Bill and Cheryl Marvin Brother: Colin Marvin Sister: Arabell Marvin
LD Richmond, Chattanooga Valley Community College Parents: Derek and Melissa Richmond
Braden Stein, Pitt State (LtoR) Debbie, Braden, and James Stein
Jase Strozier, Southern Nazarene University Parents: Scott and Crystal Strozier
Hunter Wilkinson, Arkansas Tech University Parents: Jeff and Tina Wilkinson
On Tuesday, February 2, a grassroots 2A gun organization’s efforts proved successful in challenging the NRA’s sponsored Stand Your Ground bill.
SB 24 passed the Senate in January and moved on to the House Judiciary Committee where it failed overwhelmingly. Senator Trent Garner commented that “the Stand Your Ground Bill was halted by radical extremist liberals who stacked a committee to kill it.”
GO-AR members in attendance at the House Judiciary Committee hearing.
But, in an unusual and unprecedented alignment, a staunch conservative gun group, Gun Owners of Arkansas, crossed party lines in challenging the bill. The group’s President, Gary Epperson, has been quite vocal regarding the organization’s stand, and in fact, he and others have worked diligently with legislators to achieve the necessary language changes to support the bill. “Calling it Stand Your Ground is misleading at best,” stated Epperson. “Before a person has the protections of this law, they must determine if they’re lawfully present. If not, then the individual has a duty to ‘attempt’ to retreat even if the threat is a drawn weapon.”
Michael Kaiser/Criminal Defense Attorney
Michael Kaiser, a criminal defense attorney testified against the bill in committee on Tuesday. “As written, this bill will add far more situations where a citizen will have to retreat rather than less,” stated Kaiser. “This bill will make a lot more innocent people guilty of murder or battery, where they would be not guilty under current law.”
State Representative Marcus Richmond agrees and did not support the bill. “I have been an NRA Lifetime member since 1979 which is longer than some of my colleagues have been alive. So I found myself in unusual territory today concerning a gun rights bill. I could not support SB24, SYG bill. While I support simplification and strengthening our ability and right to self-defense, this bill in my opinion did neither. Inclusion of the terminology ‘lawful presence’ created more possibilities of prosecution instead of improving your self-defense rights.”
Richmond went on to add why the language of the bill is so crucial. “You could find yourself in a location such as a business where you are unaware that the owner does not permit people to carry in his store. Suddenly you find it necessary to use deadly force. You could be prosecuted even though you were unaware of the owner’s policy. You might be within a thousand feet of a school and not know it and find yourself prosecuted. Look at Kyle Rittenhouse in Wisconsin. That kid ran away as hard and fast as he could and finally was forced to use deadly force or he would have been murdered. He is going to jail and part of the prosecutor’s strategy is that Kyle was not lawfully present, he was breaking curfew. The sponsors said such a thing would never happen in Arkansas and I say, “no one has a crystal ball.” Better language would have been, “a right to be present.” Laws change, rights do not.
Richmond added that legislators have spent the last month asking for the change, but the sponsors “responded with vilification, verbal attacks, and political threats.” Richmond refused to back down or be intimidated, however. “I refuse to be intimidated by someone who thinks they can threaten or bully me into submitting. It will never happen. So the bill that I and most of my Republican colleagues wanted to vote for, failed. I cannot tell you why they would not amend the bill except the sponsors said the prosecuting attorneys may not support such a change. Maybe not, but why so important to the prosecutors? Because it makes it easier for a prosecutor to use his 20/20 hindsight and pick apart your reason for not retreating. Such language makes it almost a certainty that they can find something in your defense to prosecute if they are a mind to do so. So in the sponsor’s opinion, their support was critical to him. I can only surmise the reason for wanting not to jeopardize prosecuting attorney support is that one of the sponsors may be considering a run for the Attorney General. Having the prosecuting attorney’s association endorsement would be politically helpful. Once again political ambition may have trumped the people’s considerations. Then again maybe not because I can’t read minds. The last issue I have as to why we should use ‘right to be present’ instead of lawful presence is because our laws are going to change under the Biden administration, and not for the good. Remember laws can change, rights do not. This bill was not about my ego. It is not about my political ambition. I have neither. What it is about is getting it right so a law-abiding citizen knows when he is in his right to defend himself…”
After the bill failed to pass out of the House Judiciary Committee, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Bob Ballinger, called for the bill to be brought out of committee to the House floor for a vote.
