Resident News Network

Councilman, Librarian Honored for Years of Service

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12:10 pm

Councilman, Librarian Honored for Years of Service

The Mansfield City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, December 17. Council members present were: Rick McDaniel, Sheri Hopkins, Beverly Lyons, Julie Thomas, and Dave Johnson. Jan Carlton was absent. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.

After approving the minutes and financials of the October and November meetings, the council heard the city services reports.

Public Works Director, Joe Manes, was not present. Mayor Black read the following report: performed 121 work orders, made a sewer line repair at 105 North Main, cleared a bad sewer plug at North Hills Apartments, changed the #2 SBR pump at the sewer plant, repaired the hydraulic line on the trash truck, and repaired dumpsters. The council reviewed a proposal by Manes to purchase a mini lift 4-wheel drive truck. The council voted to approve the purchase of the 2006 Suzuki, contingent of a warranty, for $11,200.

Fire Chief Michael Smith presented his departmental report, noting there were a total of 39 calls, five fire and 34 EMS. He stated that things had picked up, and that they ended the year with a total of 50 fire calls and 221 medical calls. Smith informed the council that both pumper trucks had air leaks, and needed repair. Also that the rescue unit is having a fuel rail issue. Lastly, that the roof over the bay area is still leaking on the north wall. In total, Smith has worked a total of 198 hours for the month.

Police Chief Wayne Robb presented his departmental report, stating they issued 26 citations in Scott County and 20 in Sebastian. Also one misdemeanor warrant issued in Scott County, and four misdemeanor warrants in Sebastian County. There were 48 total calls, with 16 agency assists, 10 in Scott and 18 in Sebastian. There were three school calls, 13 incident/arrest reports, three accident reports, 131 traffic stops, 90 total warnings, one DWI arrest, three drug arrests, and 28 animal calls. In total the department had 540 hours of training.

City Attorney Matt Ketcham was present and spoke about his proposed contract with the city. Ketcham stated that he had never had a contract since his start with the city in 1997. He agreed to write up a letter of understanding to be revisited every year.

In matters of unfinished business, the council voted to approve the 2021 budget. Additionally, to approve the salary increases as proposed, and to hire a part time assistant water clerk.

In the last item of unfinished business, the council discussed the annual retired elected officials pension increase. The city attorney presented the council with various ordinance options. Those included setting the increase anywhere from zero to three percent, correlating the pension increase with social security increases, or his recommendation of correlating the raises with the CPI, or consumer price index. Former Mayor Glen Hurt was also present and addressed the council. After a lengthy and contentious exchange, Lyons proposed to enact Ordinance 2020-6, tying the pension rate increases to the CPI, up to three percent annually. McDaniel seconded the motion. Voting for: Hopkins, McDaniel, Lyons, and Thomas. Voting against: Johnson.

In May of this year, the council voted 5-1 to nix the increases. –See related story

In matters of new business, Mayor Black presented Councilman Dave Johnson and Librarian Anna Carter with a certificate of appreciation from the city. Johnson has served on the city council since February 2003. Carter has served at the Mansfield Public Library since June of 1994.

Next, the motion was made to pass Resolution 2020-6, authorizing the city to purchase a police vehicle. That motion carried unanimously.

The council voted to table the next item on the agenda, the revision of a policy put in place in September of 2006. According to those meeting minutes “there would be allowances made for the elderly and/or handicap” when the council voted to implement rural water users reading their own meters.

Before adjourning, Mayor Black thanked all who participated in the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the Parade of Christmas.

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black presented Librarian Anna Carter with a certificate of appreciation from the city.

Retiring Mansfield Librarian Anna Carter with staff members of the Scott-Sebastian Library.

Obituary – Needa Faye (House) Mays (1933 – 2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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11:01 pm

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Obituary – Needa Faye (House) Mays (1933 – 2020)

Needa Faye Mays of Boles, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Needa was born July 10, 1933 in Mt Ida, Arkansas to Claud & Beulah House. Needa was 87 years old.

Needa married her sweetheart, Bob Mays, on January 21, 1949 in Mt Ida, AR. Bob & Needa were together for about a year prior to getting married. Growing up in a small community like Chant Lane, of course there wasn’t an over abundance of recreation. Bob & Needa spent a lot of their time together going to Boles to watch the movies played at the small theater there. After getting married, they lived at Mill Creek and Bob worked in the woods with Needa’s father, Claud House (Grandad). Bob & Needa had two sons, Bobby Ray & Ronnie Douglas. In the early 50s Bob & Needa moved to Littlefield, TX where they lived for about 8-9 years. Bob worked in the cotton gin, worked as a mechanic and later joined the police force. Needa worked as a waitress and a grocery clerk. Around 1952-1953, while Needa was working as a waitress, Waylon Jennings, (who was from Littlefield), came into the restaurant to buy something to drink. When it came time to pay, he did not have enough money (this was before he became a famous country singer). Needa let him borrow the money and he assured her he would pay her back one day. Wasn’t too long after that, he returned and paid her back.

In 1958 Bob & Needa had a daughter, Sharon Faye, who went on to be with the Lord. In the early 1960s they moved to Portales, New Mexico where Bob worked as a mechanic for the Highway Department. In 1965 they adopted a daughter, Dyiana Lynn. They moved back to Arkansas in 1969. In the 1970s Bob, Needa & Dyiana spent a lot of their time traveling & evangelizing. They also pastored a church in Crumptown during this time. Needa spent several years doing what she loved to do… waitressing. If you ever stopped in at Fred’s Truck Stop or The Midway Restaurant, you more than likely saw Needa’s smiling face. Around 1996 Bob & Needa moved to Bronte, TX where they lived for a few years before moving back to Arkansas. Needa spent the last few years of her life at Dalton’s Assisted Living Center and then the Waldron Nursing Center. Needa loved her children, her grandchildren, and all those around her. To know Needa, was to love her.

Needa leaves behind to cherish her memory: one daughter, Dyiana Kane & Husband Matt of Waldron; one son Ronnie Mays & wife Phyllis of Waldron; one brother, Troy House & wife Gayle of Boles, and two sisters, Mae Woodard & husband Herman of Boles, and Helen Townsend of Belton, TX.

Grandma will forever remain in the hearts of her 8 grandchildren: Andrea Taylor, Crystal Mays, Douglas Mays, Thomas Mays, Phylisa Millard, Sarah Catlett, Kerstein Kladis, and Hunter Kane; as well as 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Needa will be missed by all that knew her and the many lives she impacted; including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones dear to her heart.

Needa is preceded in death by her parents, Claud & Beulah House, her husband Bob Douglas Mays, one son Bobby Ray Mays, one infant daughter Sharon Faye Mays, one grandson Little BD Mays, one sister Melba Dean Royall, and one brother Johnny William (Jay) House.

Needa’s life celebration will be Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Chant Cemetery in Y-City, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Needa’s pallbearers will be Hunter Kane, Douglas Mays, Larry Boren, Gary Lynn House, Randall Woodard, and Tyler Mays. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Royall, Larry Townsend, Thomas Mays, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Needa’s visitation will be Friday, December 18th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heriatge Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

Obituary – Evilee E. (Hudson) Plummer (1922 – 2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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10:55 pm

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Obituary – Evilee E. (Hudson) Plummer (1922 – 2020)

Evilee Plummer of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 15, 2020, after a brief illness. She was born March 27, 1922 in Olio, Arkansas to thomas Jefferson Hudson and Ada Lou (Wilson) Hudson. she was a 1939 Graduate of Waldron High School. A faithful servant of her Lord, she was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Waldron and she sincerely enjoyed being a member of the Golden rule Sunday School Calss. She was a cosmetologist by training and a former dry goods merchant but what she loved most, second only to being a devoted and caring mother and Nanny, was her passion for flowers. She retired from the Gift Box in Waldron at the age of 93. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Plummer, one son, Ronnie Plummer, her parents, Tommy and Ada Hudson, and two brothers, Grady Hudson and Odell Hudson.

She is survived by two sons, Gary Plummer (Jeanine) and Terry Plummer (Jackie), one daughter Elodee Cash (J.C.) and one daughter in law, Sherry Pluymmer, seven grandchildren: Tracie Mathis (Darriell), Jon Plummer, Andrea Wolf, Travis Plummer (Shannon), Trey Plummer (Evanie), Cole Cash (Genesa), Kristen Owens (Shane), ten great grandchildren, Cayla Plummer, Seth Plummer, Lauren Mathis, Lillie Mathis, Josiah Plummer, Evilee Plummer, Edie Plummer, Trace Plummer, Sayler Plummer, and Cash Owens, along with numerous nephew, nieces and a host of friends.

Pallbearers will be Travis Plummer, Trey Plummer, Cole Cash, J.C. Cash, Darriell Mathis and Seth Plummer.

Evilee’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2020, at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Trey Plummer officiating. Interment will follow in the Center Point Cemetery in Hon Arkansas.

Evilee’s visitation will be Saturday, December 19, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 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 are welcome to attend the service but everyone must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart. For those who want to attend the service but wish to remain in your vehicles, the funeral service will be live streamed on our website.

Wilkinson Honored for Over Three Decades of Service to the City of Greenwood Fire Department

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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5:11 pm

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Wilkinson Honored for Over Three Decades of Service to the City of Greenwood Fire Department

Captain Stanhope Wilkinson has been a mainstay of the City of Greenwood Fire Department for over three decades. On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Wilkinson attended his final meeting.

“People ask me ‘how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out?’ Courage is the answer,” shared Wilkinson’s brother, Ed.

His career accomplishments include being named 2016 Firefighter of the Year.

The City of Greenwood is grateful to Captain Wilkinson for his selfless service to the community!

Sr Tigers Bring Rockets Back Down To Earth

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:13 pm

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Sr Tigers Bring Rockets Back Down To Earth

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.

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.

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.

Community Rallies Behind Heroes at WNC

News

Tammy Teague

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10:26 am

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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!

5 Ways To Improve Tractor Performance

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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11:56 pm

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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.

Obituary – Dorothy Jean (Rogers) Ridenhour (1932 – 2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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6:40 pm

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Obituary – Dorothy Jean (Rogers) Ridenhour (1932 – 2020)

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.

Paris Boys & Girls Take Two Important Road Conference Victories at Hackett

Sports

Resident News Network

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3:18 pm

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Paris Boys & Girls Take Two Important Road Conference Victories at Hackett

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

Obituary – Doris Anne (Morris) Evans (1933 – 2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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1:16 pm

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Obituary – Doris Anne (Morris) Evans (1933 – 2020)

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.

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Get New Tires

Don’t Skip Preventative Maintenance

Limit Idle Time

Gear Up and Throttle Down

Use High-Quality Fluids

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK