The Mansfield Sr High Tigers are now 5-6 after a big conference win over the Future School Rockets Tuesday night. The Tigers swung into action fast and furious immediately taking the lead over the Rockets and for four straight quarters they remained relentless earning them a 67-33 victory. Leading the team in double-digit points was Codi Chick with 20 and JoJo Bailey with 14. Chick busted onto the scene like a hammer through a piece of sheetrock as he blasted not one, not two, not three, but FOUR three-pointers in the game leaving the Rockets running for cover any time Chick took a shot.
#00 JoJo Bailey and #33 Bri Sanderson
Bailey also joined Chick in the three-ring circus as he ponied up a trio of three-pointers during the game. Not only was he successful offensively, but defensively Bailey acquired more blocks than the Great Wall of China. Ethan Pettus contributed 9 points to the tally book and looked spry as he glided up and down the court popping off shots wherever and whenever he wanted. Mansfield fans continued salivating as six more Tigers threw in points for the team. Bri Sanderson, Zayne Dugan, Tyler Escalante, Drew Elmore, Jackson Andrews, and Darton Hoopengarner combined for the remaining points.
Tyler Escalante
To finish out this week, the Sr Tigers will jump headfirst into their second conference game of the week as they face the Lavaca Golden Arrows Thursday, December 17 in Lavaca. This will be the first time this season that the Sr Tigers and the Sr Golden Arrows have faced each other but just like any other time these two teams go head-to-head, tonight is sure to be an all-out hoop scoop.
Members of the community and Waldron High School cheerleaders rallied behind our area heroes, the staff at the Waldron Nursing Center. During the shift change on Wednesday evening, December 16, the team showed up with signs and cheering.
“We wanted to recognize and thank the staff members working hard to care for the residents with COVID, working hard to prevent spread to other residents, and working extra so there is adequate coverage for quality patient care to take place,” shared participant Kriste Mack.
Thank you seems inadequate, but the community is most gracious for the efforts of the entire staff at the Waldron Nursing Center!
Tractors are a significant investment that every farmer expects will help them gain optimal efficiency on their farm. If your tractor isn’t working at peak performance, your entire farming operation can slow down, causing you to lose out on optimal efficiency. Use these five ways to improve tractor performance to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment.
Get New Tires
A new set of tires can make a big difference in your tractor’s performance. Replacing old or damaged tires with a new set can result in better traction and can make your tractor more fuel-efficient. However, purchasing the wrong set of tires can hurt your tractor’s performance, so make sure you know how to measure your tires and rims.
Don’t Skip Preventative Maintenance
The key to keeping your tractor at a high performance rating is preventative maintenance. If you don’t follow these preventive measures, you risk ruining your tractor’s efficiency and running into much bigger maintenance problems in the future.
One of the most important preventative maintenance measures is cleaning dust from radiator screens. Dust can reduce the airflow needed to cool the radiator, resulting in excessive heat that can damage the engine and decrease performance.
Limit Idle Time
Try to avoid leaving your tractor idling for excessive periods while working. While some tractors will need to idle to warm-up, idling for too long will hinder your tractor’s fuel efficiency, and you may spend more time fueling up than working.
Gear Up and Throttle Down
Gear up, throttle down, or GUTD, is another common fuel-saving technique. GUTD is most often used when a load requires less than 70 percent of the tractor’s power. Shift into a higher gear and slow the engine speed (RPM) to maintain the desired field speed.
Use High-Quality Fluids
It’s no secret that what you put into your tractor will impact how it works. High-quality fluids contain chemical additive packages that effectively protect gears, clutches, pumps, transmissions, hydraulic systems, and many other moving parts. Budget fluids might sound attractive as a lower investment, but they could cost you more in the long run. Look for these labels on fluid product packaging to identify high-quality fluids:
Multi-purpose, enabling lubrication of a tractor’s transmission, final drives, clutches, wet brakes, and hydraulic systems
Excellent wear-protection fluid that provides anti-wear properties for clutches, gears, and hydraulic pumps
Designed to prevent brake chatter
High-water tolerance product that protects parts from corrosion and erosion when contaminated with water
Suitable for year-round use in extreme hot and cold temperature ranges
Your tractor’s performance plays a significant role in efficiency on your farm. Try these five ways to improve tractor performance to get the most out of your machine.
Dorothy Jean Ridenhour of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Dorothy was born August 4,1932 in Waldron, Arkansas to James and Versie Rogers. Dorothy was 88 years old. She became a member of Winfield Baptist Church in July of 1957 and was a faithful servant of the Lord.
Dorothy was always concerned about others, putting her family’s needs above her own. When her children were young, Dorothy and Rainey’s house was the gathering place for all the kids in the Winfield community.
Dorothy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Elaine Hale and husband Ron, Don Ridenhour and Dan Ridenhour and wife Christal all of Waldron, Arkansas. Ma will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Ashley Ridenhour, Garrett Hale, Madison VanRavensway, Kaleb Ridenhour, Evan Ridenhour, Owen Ridenhour, Brian Jones, Brandon Jones and Amenda Naylor as well as her 14 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Dorothy will be missed by all who knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends and neighbors.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Rainey, one son Justin, one newborn daughter, her parents (James and Versie Rogers), one brother, Jerry Rogers and one nephew, Russell Rogers. Dorothy’s graveside life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Sehorn Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. William Crelia officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Dorothy’s pallbearers will be Bryan Kopf, Brad Evans, David Byford, Joe Hanna, Wes Nelson and Tony Suttles. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Stinson, Stanley Brewer, Bill Bethel, Jerry Hunsucker, Rick Byford, Bobby Byford, Mike Stinson and Lance Stinson.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Jean (Rogers) Ridenhour, please visit our floral store.
The Paris basketball program traveled to Hackett on Tuesday night for important conference match-ups with the Hornets. When the night came to an end, the Eagles and Lady Eagles boarded buses to return home with each having won lopsided victories over the Hackett Hornets and Lady Hornets.
Resident Press Photo
For the Lady Eagles, the win was Paris’s second straight that improved their record to 2-0 in the conference. And for the Eagles, the win was Paris’s first conference win and improved their record to 1-1 in the conference. Most importantly for both, the Paris boys and girls teams were able to go on the road and secure victories at what normally is a very tough environment for visiting teams.
In the girls’ game, the first quarter ended with Paris holding a slim one-point lead. But then, the dam broke and Paris went on a run that proved to be too much for the Lady Hornets. Sophomore Jadyn Wells had one of her best games, both defensively and offensively. Akira Robinson showed good movement under the basket and became an offensive force down low in the manner that many have been waiting to see from the talented junior. All in all, it was a great team victory with many of the Lady Eagles having great performances in the road match-up at Hackett. The Lady Eagles are now 7-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Resident Press Photo
For the game, the Lady Eagles were led in scoring by Jadyn Hart with 20 points, Jadyn Wells with 19 points and 5 steals on defense, Akira Robinson, who was the most active she has been under the basket, 8 points and 11 rebounds. Brailey Forst had 7 rebounds and 9 assists, making good passes to open teammates for shots. Overall, this may have been the most complete team victory the Lady Eagles have had this season. Paris demonstrated that several of its players are threats to score and that is a good thing for the Lady Eagles as they move into the rest of the conference season.
Resident Press Photo
After the game, Lady Eagles coach Donald Hart commented, “Great team effort offensively; we hit the boards which allowed Wells and Hart to get out in transition. I thought we played hard from buzzer to buzzer and never let Hackett back in the game after the first quarter.”
Much like the girls game, the Paris boys dominated Hackett in their game with it never being in doubt for the entire night. Junior Mequiel Elingburg had a monster night under the basket and has been a big addition to the Eagles since having joined a little more than a week ago from the Eagles state quarterfinals football team. He and junior Duke Walker, along with Mason Bradley and Jude Simmons have all been big additions after coming over from the football program. In fact, it has now been approximately nine days since the players joined the team, and it is apparent that they are now making the transition to basketball and should be getting better and better as the season moves along. The holiday break should give the players some additional practice time that they have not had that should also help the team improve as they move into the resumption of the conference season on January 5.
Resident Press Photo
Both teams will play their final conference games before the holidays break on Friday, December 18, when Paris welcomes conference newcomer Danville to Paris Gymnasium. Junior boys, senior girls, and senior boys games will be played starting at 5 p.m. The first games after the break will be on December 28 when Paris hosts Johnson County Westside.
Resident Press Photo
Resident Press will have a recap of Friday’s games with Danville on Monday, December 21. Also, look for full coverage of the Class 3A state football championship game between Harding Academy and McGehee in Sunday afternoon’s online edition of Resident Press.
It is the most wonderful time of the year! Stay safe, enjoy the great basketball action, and have a happy holiday season!
Doris Ann Evans of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Doris was born July 23, 1933, in Waldron, Arkansas to WL and Ruth Morris. She was 87 years old. Doris was a lifetime member of Waldron First Baptist Church. She was a devout Christian and lived by her faith and strong belief.
Doris met the love of her life while in junior high school. After courting they eventually married where they lived in Waldron and raised their family. Doris was in the clerical field until she and John became the owners and operators of Otasco for many many years. She enjoyed reading, crafting and anything John could build she would and could paint. Doris was a wonderful cook and loved to have her family gathered around enjoying a good meal and alot of laughs and making sweet memories.
Doris leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: John Evans of Waldron, Arkansas, Bill Evans of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Ric Evans and wife Kelli of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandma will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: John Evans, Mark Evans, Jason Tidwell, Levi Tidwell, Beau Evans, Brooke Evans, Angela Nemeth, Carla Wells, Jacob Campbell and Tina Evans as well as a host of great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and great great great grandchildren. Doris will be missed by all who knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends and neighbors she loved dearly.
Doris was preceded in by her husband of 64 years, John Evans, her parents, WL and Ruth Morris, one daughter, Suzan Tidwell and one brother John Ed Morris..
Doris’ life celebration will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2020, at the Waldron First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Ken Overturf officiating. Interment will follow in Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Doris’ pallbearers will be Jason Tidwell, Levi Tidwell, Tony Tidwell, Wade Robertson, Colton Paul and Jacob Campbell.
Doris’ visitation will be Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
During these trying and difficult times, we must follow the guidelines we have been given to do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends that do attend the service must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Anne (Morris) Evans, please visit our floral store.
When the Hackett Sr High Lady Hornets started this basketball season, they knew they would be faced with a plethora of uphill battles. But it was also going to take more than that to get the Lady Hornets to about-face and run. Since moving from 2A basketball last year to the 3A this season, the Sr Lady Hornets have taken on some hard-core players such as Danville and most recently Paris. Hackett has also taken on West Fork, Mountainburg, and Dover. Although the girls played hard right up to the final buzzer in every match, they sit 0-5 in total season play.
Tuesday night the Sr Lady Hornets hosted the Lady Eagles of Paris. The first quarter ended with a score of 15-14 Paris after each team spent that time spreading their wings while trying to prove dominance. But things started to fall apart for the Lady Hornets as they went into halftime under 38-18. Unfortunately, Hackett was unable to recover and took a 61-27 fall. Getting down and gritty for the Sr Lady Hornets and leading in scoring was sophomore, Teonna Best, who is an offensive dynamo. Though each game holds different scenarios, one thing that remains the same is that Teonna consistently leaves opponents with the knowledge that they just faced the Best!
#10 Faith Thomas
With 5 points apiece in the match was sophomore, Kyleigh Hill, and junior, Madeline Freeman. Hill is a player who can meticulously run the court with skills better than Tom Crise in a Mission Impossible movie while Freeman leaves people questioning if she has eyes in the back of her head due to her ability to know where every player is every second of every game allowing her to shut down her opponent’s hoop dreams. With 3 points in the match, is senior, Madi Taylor. Taylor is light-footed and speedy and can dance circles around her opponents as if she was a figure skater in another life. Sophomores, Tori Blanton and Olivia Bouse, although talented in many areas, each have one main thing that sets them apart while helping them conquer the hardwood.
Bouse, who netted 2 points, is the smallest Sr Lady Hornet on her team at 5’1 and is able to use that to her advantage by swiftly maneuvering uptown, downtown, and all around the competition to collect blocks and baskets. And on the opposite height spectrum is Blanton who at 5’10 is one of two of the tallest on the team. Also snagging 2 points, Blanton rules the area under the net with a strong arm while delivering swifter sentences than Judge Judy. “Right now we just have to get back to the basics, take care of the ball, and value each possession,” explained coach, Broc Adams.
Lilly Slavens
“We knew it was going to be a tough league, and we have a lot of younger girls getting valuable minutes. It will just take some time to get the kinks worked out. We still have a lot of season left and I’ve told them from Day 1 that I want to be playing our best basketball in February. We are just going to go to work every day and try and get better!”
On Friday, December 18, the Sr Lady Hornets will hit the road to take on conference foes the Cossatot River Lady Eagles. “Cossatot is a very energetic team…we will have to slow the pace down and get them out of rhythm. They are undefeated right now, so it would be a great win not just on the road but to break their streak!”
In June of 2020, the Sebastian County Quorum Court voted to move forward with a proposed solar project with national construction firm McKinstry Essention, LLC. McKinstry will install two projects in Sebastian County, one in the SWEPCO area at Midland Park, and the second in the OG&E area, where land has been obligated pending final evaluations.
The project is being funded by a $600,000 payment from the county’s general capital reserve account, with the remaining $1,995,760 balance financed for 20 years, at 2.79% interest.
Ordinance 2020-8 was enacted by the quorum court on June 16, 2020. It authorizes the “execution and delivery of an installment financing agreement with respect to the acquisition, purchase and financing of certain energy efficient equipment, including, specifically, solar equipment and related equipment and improvements…”
The Midland site has been cleared and the county is currently awaiting soil testing results. The OG&E site is scheduled for soil testing in the next week. According to Sebastian County Judge Hudson, solar modular equipment is scheduled for delivery in December, and that both sites should be completed by April 2021.
The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith hosted a virtual commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 12, to honor graduation candidates of the spring, summer, and fall semesters of 2020 in a safe and socially-distanced manner to minimize the potential threat of COVID-19 for students, faculty, staff and their families.
The online ceremonies featured 469 UAFS graduates who elected to participate and brought the traditional elements of commencement to life on the screen, including speeches of praise and encouragement, the singing of the Alma Mater, and an induction to the UAFS Alumni Association.
Although a virtual ceremony was not how most graduates envisioned this day, many were still thankful for the opportunity to be acknowledged and to celebrate their accomplishments with their families.
“Of course, missing out on an in-person graduation ceremony was upsetting to a lot of seniors, but I know UAFS cares so much about the safety of its students and our families,” said Taely Dedmon of Mansfield, who graduated this fall with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. “My mom and I were doing some shopping, so we parked to tune into the live broadcast at 10. She burst into tears as soon as the music started playing,” Dedmon laughed, “And I think I was just as nervous as I would have been crossing the stage!”
Coby Porter, a fall 2020 Media Communication graduate watched from his apartment in Chicago, having already accepted a job this fall while finishing his degree online. Donning his UAFS Alumni t-shirt for the first time, Porter joined a Zoom call with friends and family in Fort Smith to celebrate the day.
“Graduating from UAFS was a dream come true,” Porter said. “Though I wasn’t able to walk across a stage, it was a blessing to be able to zoom with my family, and listen to our great chancellor and UAFS staff honor and congratulate the graduates.”
The virtual event began with the launch of a video in which UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley welcomed graduates and their supporters to this new kind of celebration and applauded the hard work and dedication of the 2020 graduates.
“Since day one you’ve stayed dedicated to your classwork, you’ve made great new friends, you’ve worked with amazing faculty and caring and dedicated staff members,” Dr. Riley said in her address. “We know that you can achieve any goal you set for yourself, and we look forward to the day when we can gather to provide you with your diplomas in person. Until that time, the very best of luck to you. We know you can do anything you set your mind to.
University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt followed Riley’s speech, commending the graduates on their perseverance during such an uncertain and tumultuous time.
“It is you, our graduates, who have enriched this campus over the past several years with your presence and your dreams, and you now provide inspiration for us all during these challenging times,” Bobbitt said. “You have shown that if one holds fast to one dream in spite of these significant challenges, it can be achieved even if it requires that we travel new unexplored paths.”
Commencement speaker John Jeter, director, and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony, encouraged students to embrace their excellence, stay enthusiastic, and look forward to the future each day.
“Your accomplishments are particularly impressive in light of the very strange year of 2020,” he said. “You have had excellent teachers, demanding instruction, and challenging coursework. Having collaborated with UAFS faculty for over 20 years, I am confident that the quality education you received has made you more skilled at your craft, giving you a much greater understanding of your field of study, as well as making you a more well-rounded individual. There’s no doubt that you have the tools and skills ready to start the next phase of your lives.”
Members of the UAFS Foundation Board and the UAFS Board of Visitors, including Fort Smith mayor George McGill closed the initial video with advice, congratulations, and praise.
UAFS administrators welcomed graduates for a traditional reading of names and degrees conferred during a virtual processional in subsequent videos. Each college presented a unique video tribute with introductions from faculty and deans, including Dr. Ken Warden, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology; Dr. Latisha Settlage, interim dean of the College of Business; Dr. Paul Hankins, dean of the College of Communication, Languages, Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Linus Yu, interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and Dr. Lynn Korvick, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences.
The UAFS alma mater was played under the direction of Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, associate professor of music, and featured soloist Audra Weathers, a UAFS music major. The final element of the virtual commencement ceremony was a tribute from the UAFS Alumni Association, welcoming graduates into the next phase of their life as Lions.
While the virtual ceremony was open to spring and summer graduates who wished to participate, a total of 448 students completed graduation requirements during this year’s fall semester.
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (December 14, 2020)–Arkansas Tech University is planning a pandemic-altered version of its largest annual preview event for high school seniors.
Time Out for Tech 2021 will provide prospective students with an opportunity to learn more about the academic and campus life opportunities available at Arkansas Tech University while adhering to the safety protocols spelled out in the ATU pandemic recovery framework.
“Even though we will be unable to host many of our signature Time Out for Tech events, including our large opening session at Tucker Coliseum, we believe it is important to provide this opportunity for high school seniors to visit Arkansas Tech in person,” said Jessica Brock, ATU director of admissions. “The groups will be smaller and additional safety precautions relative to the COVID-19 pandemic will be in place, but Time Out for Tech will remain a beneficial experience for any high school senior considering Arkansas Tech. We want them to experience ATU for themselves and discover why our university is the right fit for a diverse community of almost 11,000 students.”
In-person groups will be organized based on academic interest. Rather than occurring on one day as is tradition, Time Out for Tech will be spread over three days in order to facilitate social distancing.
High school seniors interested in programs offered through the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of eTech and those who are undecided on their academic interest will visit ATU on Thursday, Feb. 11.
Those interested in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences as well as the College of Natural and Health Sciences will have their Time Out for Tech experience on Friday, Feb. 12, while the College of Education and the College of Business will welcome their prospective students to campus on Saturday, Feb. 13.
The daily in-person Time Out for Tech programs are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:15 p.m. with an optional campus tour to follow.
High school seniors who opt to participate in Time Out for Tech in a virtual environment will log in and learn about ATU on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Regardless of date or delivery method, all Time Out for Tech participants will learn more about scholarships and financial aid. Faculty from each college will visit with Time Out for Tech attendees and provide them with insight on their academic programs. There will also be question and answer sessions with current students and representatives from the ATU Office of Admissions.
Attendance for the in-person Time Out for Tech sessions will be limited. Each high school senior will be permitted to bring one guest. Participants at the in-person sessions will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a complimentary brunch or lunch.
“The Go 2 ATU app will be available to all attendees, in-person and online, with additional exclusive content available to connect students with areas of campus they’re unable to meet with, as well as to encourage peer interaction,” said Brock.
Advance registration for Time Out for Tech 2021 is required.
Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/ATUTOFT2021.
