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Hospice and Palliative Care Day Proclaimed in Waldron

On Thursday morning, November 12, Waldon Mayor David Millard issued a proclamation declaring Hospice and Palliative Care Day in the city.

Area Agency representatives Andrea Dickens, Kristy Black, Darla Dozier, and Nina Canada were present to witness the signing.

The declaration proclaimed “…Hospice and Palliative Care offer the highest quality in service and support to patients and family caregivers facing serious and life-limiting illnesses; and…Skilled and compassionate hospice and palliative care professionals…provide comprehensive care focused on the wishes of each individual patient and…Pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance and emotional and spiritual support allow patients to live fully until their final moments surrounded and sustained by loved ones, friends and committed caregivers and…Every year, more than 13,000 Arkansas with life-limiting illness, along with their families and loved ones, receive care from the state’s Hospice and Palliative Care programs in communities throughout Arkansas…Hospice and palliative care supports the right of every individual, regardless of age, health, social status, or stage of life, to be treated with the utmost respect and care…Hospice and palliative care providers encourage all people to learn more about the options of care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their healthcare professionals; NOW, THEREFORE, I, DAVID MILLARD, Mayor of the City of Waldron, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the state of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim November 12, 2020 as HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY IN WALDRON ARKANSAS.”

The community is grateful to the Area Agency for the services they provide our citizens in time of need. We honor you all on this Hospice and Palliative Care Day!

Sr Tigers Battle Until The Bitter End

Pictured are the senior captains for the seasons final game. Not pictured is Randy Claude.

The Sr High Mansfield Tigers started out the season on a high note by shutting out the Magazine Rattlers 41-0 in the first game of the season. Unfortunately, the Tigers had a downhill roll from there. Facing heavy hitters and adversity week after week, they had dropped every other game leading up to their Sebastian County showdown with the Hackett Hornets for the final game of the season. But this is a rivalry and we all know records mean nothing when it comes to rivalry games. Especially this one.

The Tigers chose to receive the opening kickoff and Austin Carlton made sure he started the Tigers off right with a big-time return. Mansfield’s offense started off slow and turned the ball over on downs. Hackett quickly capitalized on the Tiger’s slow start and sent a rocket pass downfield to put the first points of the night on the scoreboard. Mansfield stiffened up on the two-point conversion to leave the damage at 6-0 Hackett with 9:11 left in the 1st quarter.

Claude taking the handoff from Dugan along with #4 Codi Chick also in on the play

Manfield answered the challenge with a couple of runs by Codi Chick and Randy Claude to draw in the Hornets defense tight in run coverage. Just as planned, Zayne Dugan pulled a play-action pass to none other than Chick for a Tiger touchdown. With a good two-point conversion, the Tigers took an 8-6 lead. The Hornets would answer back with another touchdown, but again Mansfield held off their two-point try ending the 1st quarter with the Hornets leading with a score of 12-8. The Tigers found themselves in a rut as Hackett would score two more times in the second quarter as the Tigers walked into halftime down 26-8. 

What could the Tigers do in the locker room at halftime that could change the way this game was going? Who could step up? Could they overcome such a deficit? Well when Hackett came out in the 3rd quarter scoring right out of the gate to extend the lead to 34-8, everyone figured they had those questions answered as “nothing”. But if you’re a football fan, you’d know that there’s a very specific term in college football that goes “Not So Fast”!  Not so fast because “fast” walked onto the field and it was named Tommy Phang. Phang took the Hornets kickoff and kicked on the afterburners as he screamed downfield for a kick return touchdown. Mansfield was kept from getting the two-point conversion but they closed the gap to 34-14.

Jared Schmid attempting a deflection

The big Tiger touchdown stirred up the Hornet’s nest though as Hackett would come right back again and score. Down 42-16, Mansfield turned on the CC to follow for a touchdown. Not closed captioning. Claude and Chick. A big pass to Chick followed by another to Claude and for a change of pace, a pass to Chick for a Tiger TD cutting the score to 42-22. You know where this is going, but here it is anyhow. Hackett scored again closing out the 3rd quarter with a 48-22 lead.

Playing four quarters means playing a full 60 minutes. Mansfield wasn’t going down without a fight as Shawn Brown took the rock in his hands and pounded his way for a Mansfield touchdown. Adding the extra points to the TD, the Tigers again made the game a game. It was now time for ol reliable to strut his stuff as Claude clobbered the Hornets defense to score putting the Tigers at a two-score game of 48-36. The Hornets would put on the same tune again though bumping ahead with another touchdown giving them a 54-38 lead. Like a bouncing ball, Mansfield would again answer the call when Dugan found a wide-open Fisher Willsey to pass to and Willsey took it all…..the…..way for a Tiger touchdown. Claude added another two-point conversion setting the score at a one-possession game of 54-46. That was as close as it would get for the Tigers though as Hackett would score again giving the Hornets the 60-46 final score and the rivalry win.

#27 Cody Fudge for the takedown

To end the 2020 Mansfield football season, the Tigers will be saying goodbye to 9 seniors. Codi Chick, Cody Fudge, Lorenzo Alarid, Bri Sanderson, Renden Emery, Victor Steffen, Jared Schmid, Randy Claude, and manager Jackie Scott. Claude, whose goal is to play college ball and one day become a game warden, had this to say about his final football season as a Tiger. “High school football has taught me more than just football. It’s taught me how to be a leader and how to work with others. I got the chance to be coached by some of the most inspirational coaches and they truly made me who I am. My favorite memories and the ones I’m gonna miss the most is the brotherhood that forms throughout football. High school football is something that’s gonna have its own place in my heart and I will never take for granted.” Randy ends the season with 95 carries for 405 yards and 2 TDs, 23 receptions for 125 yards and 3 TDs, 108 tackles, and 15 kickoffs for 572 yards.

Chick finished with 20 passing yards, 27 carries for 115 yards and 1 TD, 50 receptions for 598 yards and 4 TDs, 7 tackles, 4 punts for 93 yards, and 4 kickoff returns for 52 yards. Fudge earned 9 receiving yards and 23 tackles. Schmid made 34 tackles. Steffen and Emery ended with 5 tackles each. Sanderson finished with 38 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. And Alarid netted 7 tackles and 1 deflected pass.

Alarid (left) and Sanderson (right) going in for the tackle

Ways To Make Your Home More Low-Maintenance

If you feel like you’re spending all your free time doing chores, you’re not wrong: the average full-time working woman spends more than 21 hours a week keeping up the house, while men get away with an average of 15 hours of housework a week. Considering so many local jobs are on farms and ranches—not exactly nine-to-five operations—that leaves even less time to get things done. Everyone would benefit from these strategic ways to make your home more low-maintenance.

For Cleaning

Your kitchen needs cleaning every day, but some surfaces are easier to clean than others. For example, it’s easier to clean fingerprints off cabinets if they have flat doors without details and grooves to collect dust. Medium-tone wood stains show less dirt than dark or white finishes, so deep-cleaning the kitchen can wait a little longer. It might also be time to take a break from your vacuum by trading in older carpet for low-maintenance alternatives such as laminate or luxury vinyl. New flooring can update your home with the look of hardwood or stone, but you’ll never need to refinish or reseal it. A strategic Swiffer to the corners is all that’s required most days.

For Exteriors

If you’re tired of repainting the house, vinyl siding can give your home more curb appeal, and it’s a low-cost investment, considering the payoff. It never needs painting, and you won’t need to worry about rot or insects damaging the walls. It’s easy to install yourself if you want to save more, and it should last 35 years.

If you want to eliminate ladders from your life, think about a gutter cover system, which can save you from having to scoop out wet leaves every time the seasons change.

For the Garden

Just because you’ve always gardened something doesn’t mean you have time for it now. Reassess the time and costs versus the benefits of your gardening, and look for ways to shake up your plantings. You can talk to your local nursery about vegetables that don’t require as much attention or water. You can cut down on weeding by planting ground cover or by letting your grass clippings lie where they land. They can nourish the soil and discourage weeds. You might even turn out to be a tree person—Red Haven peach trees are suited for Arkansas conditions, and they add color to your yard, not to mention shade. There are all kinds of ways to make your home lower-maintenance, but some rewards are more delicious than others.

Greenwood School District Honors Veterans

Annually the Greenwood School District hosts a Veteran’s Day program honoring our greatest heroes. This year’s program looked much different, however, due to COVID-19.

At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, area veterans gathered at the fairgrounds for a parade line up. Their children and grandchildren were dismissed from classes to accompany their loved ones in that parade.

The parade proceeded down Joplin Street via police escort. Veterans received their Challenge Coin from school representatives in front of the PAC before completing the route around the town square and back to the fairgrounds.

The community gathered along the route, waving their flags and displaying their handwritten sentiments of appreciation.

Although the program wasn’t the traditional celebration, it was evident on the smiles of those being honored, as well as their loved ones, that this was a success.

Five Lady Bulldogs Sign Letters of Intent

A talented group of Greenwood High School lady athletes signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the next level today at H.B. Stewart arena on #NationalSigningDay.


Kinley Fisher

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Kinley Fisher, Mercer University (Basketball)

Senior point guard Kinley Fisher will continue her basketball career under Coach Susie Gardner at Mercer University next year. In her junior season, Fisher averaged 18.3 points per game along with 5 assists. The talented guard finished the season shooting 41% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. Fisher helped carry the Bulldogs to the State Championship game where they were crowned co-champions for the 2020 season.


Shea Goodwin

shea-goodwin-UA Monticello-Basketball
Shea Goodwin, UA Monticello (Basketball)

Senior point guard Shea Goodwin has signed her letter of intent to play basketball for Coach Markell Cox at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Goodwin’s recruiting profile shows her averaging 8.2 points and 4.4 assists per game. Goodwin’s field goal percentage is 43% while her free throw percentage is an impressive 86%.

Fisher and Goodwin are part of a class that has amassed a 67-24 record in three seasons with the Greenwood Bulldogs.


Ally Sockey

ally-sockey-university of arkansas-razorbacks-softball
Ally Sockey, University of Arkansas (Softball)

Senior Ally Sockey has signed her letter of intent to play softball at the University of Arkansas. During her Freshman and Sophomore seasons, Sockey held a .507 batting average with 76 hits and 55 R.B.I.’s over 56 games. The two-time all state selection is ranked 27th by Extra Inning Softball. Arkansas coach Courtney Diefel released a statement regarding Sockey through the University of Arkansas social media account saying “Ally is one of the top athletes in the state of Arkansas. She is a smooth and skilled defender that has the ability to make highlight reel plays. Ally’s athleticism will provide spark to our program. We love that we get to keep her home in Arkansas”


Chelsi Possage

chelsi possage-university of arkansas-razorbacks-softball
Chelsi Possage, University of Arkansas (Softball)

Senior infielder Chelsi Possage has also signed with the University of Arkansas softball team. Possage joined Greenwood last year after spending the majority of her high school career at Muldrow, OK. Last season was unable to be played due to Covid-19. As a member of the Tulsa Elite travel team Possage tallied 33 runs, 23 RBI’s and stole 22 bases. The right hander held a .405 batting average with the Elite. Arkansas coach Courtney Diefel released a statement on the Razorbacks social media account saying this about Possage; “Chelsi is one of the most gritty and competitive athletes that I have seen. She is quick and incredibly versatile. Chelsi is just flat tough and has the skill to see time at multiple positions. She has an immense pride in the Razorbacks, and we are thrilled that she gets to live out her dream at Arkansas.”


Hannah Watkins

Senior middle blocker for the Greenwood Volleyball team Hannah Watkins has signed a letter of intent to continue her career with the University of Central Arkansas. The 6’6″ senior is measured at having a 10’3″ approach jump, 9’9″in block jump and a 8’4″ standing reach. Watkins shared a personal statement on Next College Student Athlete, stating she is excited to commit to Central Arkansas where her brother and father both attended.

AGFC Employee Resigns Over Role in Social Media Post

By Keith Stephens Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK – An Arkansas Game and Fish Commission employee has resigned while the agency was investigating the employee’s role in posting inappropriate comments on a personal social media site.

AGFC Director Pat Fitts said the comments do not reflect the AGFC’s values and are counter to our efforts for inclusivity and diversity. “We take this issue seriously and have been investigating it vigorously since Monday,” Fitts said.

After discovering that the employee’s personal social media page had displayed offensive photos and comments, the AGFC immediately placed the employee on administrative leave and began an internal investigation Nov. 9. The employee subsequently resigned from the AGFC while the investigation was underway.

The Commission is committed to conserving the state’s fish and wildlife for the benefit of everyone and condemns any form of harassment or disparagement based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age or disability.

Obituary- Joe Fred (Sonny) Fry (1939 – 2020)

Joe Fred (Sonny) Fry, 80, of Mansfield, Arkansas departed this life on November 10, 2020 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born December 20, 1939 in Elm Park, Arkansas, to Elsie Mae and Fred Joseph Fry.

He retired from the Arkansas Forestry Commission on June 30, 1997. He worked there for 33 years. He loved fishing, cooking for his family, and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid Razorback fan and loved working in his yard. He loved the Lord, Jesus and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Witcherville, AR.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ruth Fry, infant daughter Vickie Ruth Fry, parents; Fred Joseph and Elsie Mae Fry, and sister; Shirley Temple Lang. He is survived by his daughter Becky Walker and her husband Robert, and two sons; Bradley Joe and Danny Chris Fry, all of Mansfield. Sonny is also survived by one sister Fanny Mae Lambert of Mount Ida, Arkansas, grandchildren; Kyle Walker and wife Adrienne of Fayetteville, Mallory Walker Bordelon and husband Scottie of Springdale, Danielle Fry Overton and husband Whit of Greenwood, James Fry and wife Emily of Y City, Matthew Fry and wife Erica of Hartford, Lance Fry of Hackett, Ashley Fry of Harrisville, Rhode Island, five great grandchildren; AnnaGrace Overton, Riley, Aaron, Landen, and Hayden Fry and a host of other family and friends.

Pallbearers are Kyle Walker, James Fry, Whit Overton, Scottie Bordelon, Bo Lang, Cody Lang, Russell Huskey and Gary Lawerence. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Walker, Duane Foote, Bruce Hainley, Mike Lewis, Jackson Smith, Dewayne Feimster, Richard Henson, David Yandell, Gene Kindle, and Junior Slate.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The family will visit with friends from 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Baptist Church gymnasium. 111 College Rd Huntington, AR. Masks required. Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13 at Freedom Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Fellowship Baptist Church (111 College Rd Huntington, AR 72940) in memory of J.F. Fry.

Online condolences may be sent at http://www.martinfuneralhomes.com

Obituary- Robert (Bob) Glyenn Hodson (1959 – 2020)

Robert (Bob) Glyenn Hodson of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life Monday, November 9, 2020, at home. He was born In Berkley, California on July 21, 1959, to Robert Verl Hodson and Naomi Ann (Muncy) Hodson. Bob was 61 years old.

Bob grew up in Portland, Oregon where he attended David Douglas High School. He played catcher in little league baseball and senior league baseball. He was proud of all the home runs he hit, especially when his grandmother came to visit. When he was able to show off his hitting skills. Later on Bob got interested in motorcycles when he began doing fancy paint jobs for various people, a friend of his in Waldron, Judge Donald Goodner and he even did one for Robbie Kneival the son of famous Evel Kneival. He loved to hunt with his best friend Anthony (Tony) Widmer.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carla Van Dyken Hodson, his mother, Naomi Ann Evatt, and his daughers: Angela, Candice and Trina, step-daughters, Ashley and Shannon. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Nathan, Michael, Nicole, Keegan, Lily, Josilian, Maggie, Abigail, Aiden, Conner, Colin, Chloe, Nicholas, Caleb, Teresa and Kiera.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Verl Hodson and one daughter, Charlotte.

A private family graveside service with be held at a later date with Rev. Konnor McKay officiating. Interment will follow in the Birdsview Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Women’s Leadership Group Makes Donation Providing 10,000 Meals for Community

On Tuesday, November 10, the Arkansas Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership group in cooperation with the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation and Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, made a $1,000 donation to the River Valley Regional Food Bank. The generous donation will provide 10,000 meals for the community!

Representing the women’s leadership group, Scott County’s Regina Oliver, and the Young Farmers and Ranchers, Nikki Lenderman.

RVRFB’s Director Tracy Engel was grateful and extended a “big thank you” to Oliver and Lenderman for their support.

Regina Oliver (left) and Nikki Lenderman

Mansfield Jr BB Takes Double Wins Vs Monroe

Pictured is Dakota Langford

On Monday, November 9, the Mansfield Jr High Tigers and Lady Tigers hosted the Monroe Eagles in their 2020 basketball season opener. The Lady Tigers hit the court first and by halftime, they were up 28-4. Mansfield closed out the match with a final score of 44-13 placing them 1-0 on the season. Kaylee Ward was the Lady Tiger of the night earning her first of what is sure to be many double-doubles with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Alyson Edwards followed with 11 points while Harlie Fuller and Kynslee Ward made 9 and 8 respectively.

Kaylee Ward

The Tigers concluded the evening by netting a 51-11 win also placing them with a 1-0 record to start their season. Tyler Turnipseed sealed 15 points from the game followed by Peyton Martin with 12, Aaron Person off the bench with 7, Dakota Langford with 6, Austin Ruiz and James Jenkins with 4 each, Brandon Segura with 2, and Zach Hayslip with 1. “Travis Tobey did a great job running the offense, while Zach Hayslip was aggressive on the defensive end with several rebounds. Peyton Martin was strong on defense as well. And Tyler Turnipseed and Dakota Langford were both great on the offensive boards. I’m pleased with our bench support,” stated Coach Keith Stovall. The Mansfield 7th-Grade and Jr High teams will play at Hackett on Thursday, November 12 starting at 5.

Zach Hayslip

Ambria Whittaker