The City of Hartford held a special runoff election on Tuesday, December 1, between candidates Richard Hartsfield and Allen Tabor. Voting began at 7:30 a.m. at the Hartford Fire Station.
After the polls closed at 7:30 p.m., members of the Sebastian County Election Commission tallied the votes.
Hartsfield was declared the winner with 84 votes, or 66.67% of the total ballots cast. Tabor received 33.33% of the ballots cast with 42 votes.
Hartsfield has held the position of interim mayor since former Mayor Larry Hall resigned.
It’s been a whirlwind of a basketball season for the Cedarville Jr High Pirates and Lady Pirates so far to say the least. Between canceled games and the uncertainty of their season as a whole, Cedarville has hung in there and fought til the end of each match they have encountered. Last night, the Jr Pirates and Lady Pirates hosted Lincoln to a double-trouble serving of dishin’ and swishin’.
#11 Serenity Johnson
The Jr Lady Pirates secured their third win of the season as they hit the net for a 49-24 win against the Lady Wolves. They now sit with a 3-1 record. “The girls are off to a very good start,” stated head coach, Andrew Tencleve. “They play incredibly hard and are competing hard. In order for us to take that next step, we have to do a better job of finishing around the rim and taking better care of the basketball.”
#15 Makalie Carter
The Jr Lady Pirates will hit the court again on Thursday, December 3 when they host Shiloh Christian. “Shiloh will be a good test for us. They like to play fast and if we are going to have success against them, we will have to do a good job handling pressure and finish plays.”
Jr Lady Pirates
After their 18-15 jam session victory, the Jr Pirates sit with a record of 1-2-1. Freshman, Colton Arnold led his team in scoring with 9 points followed by Paden Knight with 6. “Our guys played great defense holding Lincoln to only 5 second-half points,” explained head coach Frank Cluck. “Our defensive intensity and effort needs to continue for us to be successful in moving forward. I would like to see us improve in making contested shots around the basket.” The Jr Pirates will next take on the Dragons at Mountainburg on Wednesday, December 2.
#23 Colton Arnold
#22 Josh Hosier
Jr High Cheerleaders
The Jr High Pirates will face the Dragons at Mountainburg on Wednesday, December 2
The Jr Lady Pirates will host Shiloh Christian on Thursday, December 3
Jesse Anthony Rendon of Waldron, Arkansas (formerly of San Pedro, California) passed from this life, Saturday, November 28, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Jesse was born March 29, 1960, in Torrance, California. He was 60 years old.
As a young man, Jesse spent 4 years proudly serving in the United States Navy. He was a California native but had lived in Arkansas for many years. He worked at Tyson Foods in Waldron and had made a lot of friends while there. When he wasn’t working Jesse enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography and watching USC Trojan football and LA Dodger baseball.
Jesse leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of seven years, Joan Rendon of the home, one son, Johnny Rendon of Mena, Arkansas, one daughter, Desiree Brown of Little Rock, Arkansas and one step daughter, Danielle Arnett and husband Daniel of Mena, Arkansas. Jesse is also survived by his grandchildren: Dylan Boles, Carlee Arnett and Lawsyn Arnett, as well as his siblings: Yolanda Aguero and husband Tony, Rosie Ybarra and husband Louie, Maria Montelongo and husband Eddie, and Alfred Romero. Jesse will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and one great great niece.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio Rendon and Alfred and Irene Romero.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jesse Anthony Rendon, please visit our floral store.
This week’s feature is the Greenwood location of Stu’s Clean Cookin’. The Greenwood location opened this year with franchise owners Keith Dake and Caleb Bauer. They offer “Real Food. Real Fast.” The owners state, “Simply put, we serve delicious frozen meals to go! You can choose from all 16 of our options, which have a wide variety of healthy and flavorful ingredients. From smoked chicken, pork, and brisket, to rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and carrots, we cover all the bases.”
Stu’s Clean Cookin’ offers quick and easy in-store and online ordering through www.cleancookin.com, as well as curbside pick-up for all orders. There are other locations in Arkansas as well.
A bulk order discount is provided for six different meal plans, fitting any diet or preference. These meal plans include: Keto/Low Carb, Stu’s Weight Loss, Fun Stuff, Brisket Lover’s, Chicken Lover’s, and also a Mix and Match Meal Plan. All are $10 off of 12 meals.
Stu’s Clean Cookin’ is located at 1435 West Center Street in Greenwood, and is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can also reach them by phone at (479) 597-3242 or on their Facebook page.
On Monday night, the Danville Little Johns and Lady Little Johns invaded the Hackett Jr High Hornets and Lady Hornets with the hopes of makin’ it rain. But Hackett always comes prepared and after their teams were done flooding Danville’s dreams, it was the Little Johns and Lady Little Johns who were left wishing they had brought their waders.
#11 Aaliyah Escoffier
The Lady Jr High Hornets have struggled to come out on top in their last few games so to say that last night’s victory was big is an understatement. Hackett was able to keep the lead by always staying a few plays ahead which allowed them to walk away with a 28-21 win over the Lady Little Johns. Aaliyah Escoffier led the team with 11 points trailed by Alex Bunch with 7 including a 3 point, Alona Rothwell and Jessie Mendenhall with 4 each and Makenzie Freeman with 2.
#20 Alona Rothwell
“It was a great night to be a Lady Hornet,” exclaimed head coach, Broc Adams. “The first game out of the break is always tough but we battled through it and the girls made adjustments that ultimately lead us to a win! I am very proud of them. Now to get ready for another big set of games tonight against Mountainburg!”
#23 Makenzie Freeman
For the Hornets, they saw not one but two victories from their sweep over Danville last night with not only the Jr High team taking a 41-36 win but the 7th Grade Hornets earning a 24-10 triumph as well. “We played a great game against a good physical Danville team,” explained head coach, Kent Elmore. “We are slowly getting bodies back from being quarantined and it’s helping our depth a lot. Cole Ketchum and Eli Slavens continue to score the ball really well for us. Wyatt Hester and Dawsyn Clay are absolute workhorses for us and give us energy all throughout the game.”
The Hornets taking control of the ball
“Hayden Foster and Datyn Clay are really playing into their role and becoming better basketball players daily. The growth from day one has been exceptional!” Eli Slavens ended the match with 12 points including 1 3-pointer followed by Cole Ketchum with 10 with 6 of those points coming from 2 three-pointers, Hayden Foster with 8, Dawsyn Clay with 6, Wyatt Hester with 3, and Brycen Hamilton 2.
#1 Brycen Hamilton
#4 Wyatt Hester
The Jr High Hornets
On Tuesday, December 1, Hackett will host the Mountainburg Dragons
On Thursday, December 3, the Jr High squads will travel to Dover to take on the Pirates
Photos courtesy of Amanda Hester and Bridget Freeman
Hoyt Goodner, 86, of Waldron, passed from this life on Monday, November 30, 2020 in a Waldron nursing home. The son of Orval K. Goodner and Effie Taylor Goodner, he was born June 24, 1934 in Boles, Arkansas.
Graduating from Waldron High School in 1951, Hoyt attended Arkansas Polytechnic College (Arkansas Tech) and Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas). After serving in the U.S. Army and National Guard, his career path was varied…he was a Sales Representative for Southwestern Bell in Stillwater, OK, Administrator at Scott County Hospital/Pinewood Nursing Home in Waldron, and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Havana where he was a rural mail carrier. Hoyt was a member of Havana United Methodist Church.
Hoyt enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and golfing. Working crossword puzzles was another passion of Hoyt’s until his vision declined. But above all else, Hoyt loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Preceding Hoyt in death were his parents, Orval and Effie Goodner, and brother, Harland Goodner.
He is survived by daughter, Karan Rogers (Joe Don) of Waldron, son, Greg Goodner (Carolyn) of Greenwood, granddaughters, Kayleigh Hill (Michael) of Arlington, TX, Darby Knox (Taylor) of North Little Rock, Madison Goodner of Greenwood, and great-granddaughter, Kameryn Hill of Arlington, TX. Hoyt is also survived by his sister, Oleta Lewis (Harrell) of Cabot, sister-in-law, Marlene Goodner of Benton, and the mother of his children, Linda Goodner of Waldron, as well as, several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, December 4, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron. A private family committal service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Havana United Methodist Church in care of Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 786, Waldron, AR 72958
Pictured: Mansfield Cross Country Coach John Mackey and Tiger Volleyball Coach Kaylie Pyles are the 2A Conference Coaches of the Year for their respective sports
Despite their respective seasons being in the rearview mirror for nearly a month, accolades honoring the accomplishments of Mansfield fall sport athletes and coaches continue to stack up. The latest postseason honors were announced over Thanksgiving weekend. On consecutive mornings, lists of Arkansas River Valley High School Sports All-Area Volleyball and Cross Country Teams were released. Prominent in the recent publications were Mansfield senior Brooke Wright and junior Faith Rainwater.
Wright, the 2020 Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament MVP, appeared on the All-Area volleyball roster issued on Thanksgiving morning. The Lady Tiger middle blocker helped lead her team to an undefeated season and the 2020 State Championship. Already this past season Wright earned All-District, All-Conference, and All-State recognition. Furthermore, she was selected as an All-Star nominee out of the 2A West volleyball conference. If selected, she could potentially play in this summer’s AHSCA All-Star Game.
Mansfield’s Brooke Wright shines as the class 2A state MVP and a member of the Arkansas River Valley High School Sports All-Area Team
Out of Mansfield’s 21 victories against 0 defeats this past season, Wright was named the MaxPreps Player of the Match seven times. That number includes the Most Valuable Player award she received in the 2A state finals as the Lady Tigers defeated Lavaca in a 3-0 sweep for the state championship trophy. As a three-year starter, Wright played in 243 sets for Mansfield. For her high school career, she had 793 kills, 119 solo blocks, 141 aces, and a .342 hitting percentage.
Rainwater, Mansfield’s 2-time All-State long-distance racer, landed on the All-Area cross country register. That exclusive catalog with only six listed members was released on Black Friday. Rainwater was the Tiger’s top finisher at the Arkansas Activities Association 2020 State Cross Country State Championships. The diminutive racer posted an eighth-place 5K time of 22:55.30 to help lead her team to the Class 2A State Runner-up Trophy.
Mansfield’s Faith Rainwater picks up the state runner-up trophy with an All-State performance in cross country
This was the second time the eleventh grade runner had made the River Valley All-Area team. Two seasons ago as a freshman, Rainwater made the team known then as the Best of River Valley Prep All-Stars, after a spectacular performance at the 2018 state finals. Last year as a sophomore, Rainwater was slowed by a mid-season foot injury that kept her from her typical high standards. Although it still was an award-winning season, statistically it fell below the Best of Preps criteria.
In 2020, Rainwater rebounded well earning All-District, Southwest All-Region, and Farm Bureau River Valley All-Star status. She was also the Lady Tiger’s top scorer in eight of eleven meets. Although individually gifted, the two Mansfield athletes furthered their skill development under the guidance of two award-winning coaches.
Post-season honors continue for Mansfield. Pictured are Lady Tiger volleyball player Brooke Wright and Coach Kaylie Pyles two of four recently honored Mansfield products
Tiger head coach Kaylie Pyles was hired as Wright’s volleyball mentor soon after Pyles’ own stellar high school playing career for Mansfield and later as a standout for Henderson State University. Being named Mansfield’s head coach in 2018 meant Pyles would be Wright’s head coach for the senior’s entire high school career. As the two paralleled in time, Mansfield quickly re-established its presence as a marque volleyball program. The meteoric ascent gave reason for volleyball coaches across the western district to take notice of Pyles’ efforts. As a result, Pyles was unanimously selected the 2A West Conference Coach of the Year as the driving force behind this season’s conference and state championships.
As an extra topping, let it be known Mansfield’s head coach not only orchestrated an undefeated high school season, she also oversaw an unblemished junior high record as well. Mansfield’s junior Tigers never lost a set this past season. They finished as the undisputed and rarely challenged conference champions. Rainwater has only known one cross country coach since she started the sport in junior high. Long-time mentor John Mackey who will be completing his 36th year of coaching at the end of the school year, added the MHS cross country program to his list of coaching duties when his latest protegee was in the sixth grade.
Mansfield’s Coach John Mackey and River Valley High School Sports All-Area team member Faith Rainwater show the school’s newest state trophy
The veteran coach who has won multiple state and conference championships in track and field had never secured a cross country trophy from the state finals until this year. Backed behind Rainwater’s recent reign along with her talented core of teammates, Mackey was tabbed this year’s 2A-4 Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year. Mackey’s distance teams this past season won the junior boys, junior girls, and senior girls district cross country championships. His senior girls placed second at the Arkansas State Cross Country Championships to bring home the Class 2A state runner-up trophy. Finally, the coach served on the Farm Bureau River Valley All-Star Cross Country selection committee and participated as its host and meet director.
Brooke Wright
The Arkansas River Valley High School Sports Award was formerly known as the Best of River Valley Preps All-Stars. The sports recognition program merged with other nationally recognized awards programs across 27 states. On the cusp of last spring’s Covid-19 shutdown, the Prep All-Stars awards show transitioned from a local in-person formal banquet to a nationally televised online production.
Faith Rainwater
This year’s awards presentation will again be an online affair scheduled for an early June broadcast. If it follows last year’s script, award winners will be listed by sport with nationally renowned sports figures such as Patrick Mahomes and Bill Belichick announcing players of the year for each state. Only All-Area tennis, volleyball, and cross country teams have been announced so far for this 2020-2021 school year.
Typically known as the kickstarter to Christmas shopping , Black Friday has another meaning (and location) for local anglers.
Lake Tenkiller hosts the yearly bass tournament sponsored by Hawghunters Bass Circuit which is a favorite tournament that ensures year long bragging rights.
67 teams took off from Chicken Creek ramp on Friday morning hoping for five winning fish.
As usual, weather plays a big part in strategy and results. It’s those who can adapt with the changes that rise to the top.
Hawghunters Bass Circuit spokesperson, Joe Moon stated, “the annual event was another success with lots of nice bass weighed in.”
1st place: TJ Martin and Nick Kincaid weighed a five bass limit at 19.14 pounds. (pictured above)
2nd place: Evan Dodd and Bennett Pierce weighed a five bass limit at 17.73 pounds.
Evan Dodd added, “we caught our fish today chasing wind blown banks, throwing a variety of baits. Wind was the key to our bites.”
3rd place: Joe Moon and Matt Psencik weighed a five bass limit at 15.59 pounds.
4th place: Miguel Guillen and Dean Pappas weighed a five bass limit at 15.53 pounds.
5th place: Jeremy Johnson and Shane Cashman weighed a five bass limit at 15.15 pounds.
Big Bass: Jeremy Johnson and a Shane Cashman – 5.11 pounds
Hawg Hunters Bass Circuit will have another Open Team Tournament Saturday, December 19th on Tenkiller Lake launching from Chicken Creek South Ramp.
Takeoff is safe light to 3:00 PM.
Entry fee is $100.00 per boat payable at Make A Wake Bait and Tackle. (Boat numbers will be assigned as you pay your entry fee.)
Contact Joe Moon at 479-651-0410 for more information.
The Magazine Sr High Rattlers have hit the endgame of their 2020 football season. On November 20, after prosperously making it to the second round of the 2A State Tournament, the Rattlers were defeated 34-15 by the Foreman Gators. The previous week, Magazine overpowered Hazen 44-22 in a first-round of State epic comeback victory. Although the Magazine Rattlers are saying “Arrivederci!” to their season, they finished with a 7-3 overall record and 5-1 in conference play.
#70 Cole Gilbert
“We had a great season this year,” exclaimed head coach, Ryan Chambers. “We endured a really tough four-game stretch to begin conference play and to come out 3-1 in those four games was big for us. We played a big back and forth game with Hector which really got the momentum going for the rest of the season. We did have some lows as well. We had some injuries to begin the year going into our first game of the season which resulted in a loss that I felt we should have been more competitive in. That was a big wake up call for some of the seniors on the team and they turned around and came through in a big way. The season very easily could have taken a turn for the worse and just snowballed but they came back the next week, got it back on track, and didn’t slow down. The only hiccup was a loss against a good Bigelow team.”
#20 Kobe Faughn
For the Rattler’s final shootout of the football season against Foreman, QB, Tatum Scott, ended the match with 4/9 passes for 91-yards and 2 TDs. Kobe Faughn made 15 rushes for 56-yards including 1 PAT while Scott grabbed 9 rushes for 54-yards. Ashton Droemer bagged 3 receptions for 79-yards, 1 TD, and 2 punts for 64-yards and Austin “KABOOM” Krigbaum gained a 12-yard reception for a touchdown. Trace Nicolas kicked for an extra point. And for the kick return department, Droemer brought in 2 for 97-yards, James Haugh reaped 1 for 9-yards, and William King secured one for 4-yards.
#52 William King
Defensively in the tackling territory, Faughn led with 13 followed by Nicolas with 8, Cameron Mattson with 7, King and Haugh with 6 each, Cole Gilbert with 5, Terrence Thurman with 4, Dakota Pack, Droemer, and “KABOOM” Krigbaum with 2 apiece, and at one each was Scott, Cameron Raggio, Landon Cox, Connor Ryan, and A.J. Malouf. The Rattlers will be seeing six seniors moving on to greener pastures. Brad Price (who had to sit out during the last game against Foreman due to an injury sustained in the Hazen battle), Cameron Raggio, Kobe Faughn, William King, Cole Gilbert, and Tatum Scott.
#87 Cameron Raggio
Senior Quarterback, Tatum Scott, will miss many things from his high school football career but one thing aside from having the satisfaction of playing with my teammates will be the noise of the crowd. “Nothing is better than the feeling of walking out on the field to cheering fans on a cold Friday night,” explained Scott. Although Tatum played football in kindergarten, he really didn’t get his career going until the third grade. His love for the game was kicked off by his dad, Rattler legend, Joshua Scott. “In the beginning, my dad was the one who gave me the passion for football. He had me in the yard at age 3 throwing bombs and having me run and catch! As the years went by, I watched former Arkansas Razorback, Darren McFadden, and that is also one of the main reasons I am number 5 today! He was one of the most explosive players Arkansas has ever had, and he motivated me to play!”
#5 Tatum Scott
“There were many different amazing football moments in my life, but the best ones were from playing Hackett my 10th and 11th-grade year. In my 10th grade year, we were losing by 12 in the 4th quarter. As the crowd began to give up, Caleb Hyatt, who graduated last year, ran an 80-yard touchdown out of nowhere and put us at 6-12. We then stopped them and I ran a 12-yard TD to tie it up! The game went into overtime and we stopped them on 4th and inches. We were on our last play and scored beating them 18-12. And my 11th-grade year was just an awesome game. I had 4 TDs for 156-yards and 2 interceptions which resulted in a final winning score of 44-12!” After high school graduation, Tatum plans on either attending college or joining the Navy to be a Corpsman. “Hopefully soon I will figure out my future plans! In 10 years, I see myself either in the military working to support my family and this country, or somewhere in my hometown, supporting my Rattlers, and maybe even coaching them!”
#22 Brad Price
In conclusion, Coach Chambers added, “In preparation for next year, we need to have a big offseason in the weight room with some of these returners. We are bringing back 3 of 5 offensive linemen along with a 1000-yard rusher. There are some kids in school that didn’t play this past season that we are hoping will show up and help us out. Our goal is to try and improve our numbers on the senior high team. Plus we have a quality junior high group coming through that can be very good in a few years who we will really be trying to develop into great players!”
There are a few things about becoming a mom there is no way to anticipate the difficulty of. Even if people warn you, until you go through it there’s just no comparison. The sudden change in hormones that goes on for weeks, the amount of love you instantly feel, and how easy it is to lose yourself as a mother.
When my first was five weeks I went back to work. Everyday I got a “break” from being mom and went to work. As much as I longed to be a stay at home mom, I really wasn’t mentally prepared for it. It wasn’t my normal. Now of course I couldn’t imagine leaving these two and returning to a regular job.
The biggest shock was me having to realize sometimes I want away from my kids. Honestly, sometimes my three year old wants away from me, too. Growing up did you ever spend a couple nights with your best friend and by the end of the experience you were just done with each other? Our kids probably feel that way about us.
It’s not everyday, it’s not every week; but every once in a while, I’m ready for someone else to have my kids for a couple hours. And I’ve found that’s normal among most parents.
It’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to find a hobby that your kids can’t participate in, and it’s okay to find a hobby and force your kids to participate because it brings you joy. The most important thing for our children is that they have parents who love them first and foremost, but also parents who are happy.
For me I enjoy walking, photography, and deer hunting. My kids participate in all three of these hobbies of mine. They go for walks with me, are the subjects in my photos, and the oldest enjoys tagging along on hunts.
If you are simply unable to leave your kiddos consider how you can take time for yourself while they nap or after they go to bed at night. There has to be something you would enjoy doing- take a bubble bath or use a bath bomb, shop or peruse stores online, bake, heck take up smoking cigars if that’s your thing! Find something you are doing for yourself. If possible hire a sitter and go somewhere by yourself, have a date night with your spouse, find some way to get out of the house and do something for yourself. A friend shared she goes to Sonic and leaves the kid with her husband to get a milkshake-great idea!
Happy parents raise happy kids, make sure you are a happy parent. Asking for time away from your children does not mean you are a bad parent, it means you are a normal human. No matter how much you love someone, sometimes you just want to spend a few minutes doing something without them. It is healthy to have your own time- find the opportunities and make time for you. Your kids will be better for it.
