Resident News Network

Number of State Playoffs Non-qualifying Opt-in Teams Has Decreased to Six Teams

Sports

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1:21 pm

Yesterday the Resident Press reported that a memo from the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) reported that seven non-qualifying teams had elected to participate in the play-in round that has been granted due to the COVID virus. Teams that did not qualify may elect to participate in a playoff game due to mitigation efforts to make access to the playoffs fair for every team that was affected by the cancellation of games due to COVID reasons.

As of the publication date of this story, the AAA has issued another memo today that indicated that the number of opt-in teams so far is six. It appears that one of the seven teams from yesterday may have had second thoughts about participating after the AAA released the possible opponents and travel considerations that may affect the opt-in teams.

Among those considerations are the possibility of traveling a long distance to play a number one seed from another conference. Depending on the records of the total number of teams that will opt-in (will not be known until Saturday) the opt-in teams with the worst records would be traveling to play a one seed from the 3A-2 and the 3A-5 conferences. The teams in the 3A-2 include Harding Academy, Newport, Melbourne, Riverview, Salem, and Mountain View. In the 3A-5, those teams include: Prescott, Glen Rose, Jessieville, Centerpoint, Fouke, Genoa Central, Bismarck, and Horatio. According to Max Preps, the leader in the 3A-2 is Harding Academy, and from the 3A-5 is Glen Rose (tied in loss column with Prescott). Prescott and Glen Rose play tonight, so the winner of that game will play a opt-in team with the worst record.

So, if an opt-in team has a bad record, it could find itself traveling over three hours to play a top seeded team that has a very good chance of playing deep into the state playoffs. It is an interesting decision to make for the opt-in teams; it is a decision that not only affects their football programs, but delays football players who also play basketball at least one more week before they can join the basketball team to begin season practices.

Resident Press will continue to keep you updated on this as more information is available. And stay with Resident Press for a recap on Saturday of tonight’s Paris Eagles regular season finale at Danville.

Tale of Two Bear

Networks

Tammy Teague

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9:06 am

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Arkansas attracted a diverse and unique group of early pioneers. A perfect example is Friedrich Morsbach, an early settler of Magazine Mountain.

Born in Prussia, Morsbach immigrated to Wisconsin to escape the endless European wars only to be drafted by the Union during the Civil War. At 5 foot 2 inches tall, he might not have appeared a ferocious opponent but he fought and survived battles throughout Mississippi and Louisiana.

As a reward for his service, he was given 160 acres of government land, eventually on the Northeast side of Magazine Mountain. He and his family built a home, an orchard, a vineyard, and eked a living from the land, often subsisting on the abundant wild game found on the mountain top.

One of the best locations to locate wild game is in the narrow defile known as Bear Gap. One of the most rugged regions of the mountain, the gully is covered with low grasses and undergrowth and dotted with many small openings and caves. While hunting there, Friedrich encountered large Black bear. Throwing his rifle to his shoulder, Friedrich fired what he thought was a killing shot, only to see the animal escape and climb into an opening beneath a mossy-rock overhang. Friedrich was sure that he had delivered a killing shot, just not sure enough to venture into the darkness of the cave without help.

Calling his son Albert, a vigorous conversation occurred between the two. Old Man Morsbach was sure the bear was in the cave, dead, and needed pulled out. Albert seemed just a determined that, if his dad wanted the bear, he should go in after it himself. Eventually, it was decided that Friedrich would drop into the darkness, place a rope around the bear’s leg, and the two of them would remove the bear. Descending nearly straight downward, the hole eventually opens into a cave some four foot in height. Groping in the darkness, Morsbach gabbed the hairy bear leg and looped his rope around it only to hear a sharp grunt from the animal. All five foot two of the old soldier went into crawdad mode, heading out of the cave as fast as possible with the bear snorting and biting at his legs.

Exiting the cave with the bear in hot pursuit, Friedrich headed down the gulley and began a rapid transit up the base of a tree. After a few minutes of snorting, the bear lost interest and returned to the cave, dragging the rope behind. The two quickly devised a new plan; pull the bear out of the cave with the rope and Albert would dispatch it from above. Once accomplished, the two could not find a previous bullet hole in the bear. Friedrich was positive he had shot the bear so, once again he descended into the cave; this time with a lantern. Sure enough, the first bear was inside and just to the right and stone-cold dead.

The Old Prussian was embarrassed to think himself so foolish as to tie a rope to a live bear. In informed his son in broken English, Son ve vill not tell ze story to anyone, anyone!! Understand! Typical son, the promise lasted until Albert next visited Millard, the nearest town.

Greenwood Business of the Week: Simply Blessed

Business

Resident News Network

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8:07 am

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Greenwood Business of the Week: Simply Blessed

By Luke Gieschen

Simply Blessed is a new store, which opened November 3rd. It offers a variety of items including small furniture, snap jewelry, collectibles, and small selections of kids clothes. They also carry Amish popcorn kernels and sweet chaos popped corn, cookbooks, and kitchen items. Owner Anna Gabbard has been a vendor for five years and turned 63 in October. She decided it was time to have her own store.

Simply Blessed is located at 610 W. Center St., Greenwood behind the Greenwood Dance Studio. Store hours are 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday – Friday.

Welcome to Greenwood!

Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Funeral

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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4:51 pm

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Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Funeral

Being proactive while managing grief from the loss of a loved one is not easy, but when it comes to funeral planning, it is a necessity. There are many logistics that need to be aligned prior to the funeral taking place, which typically happens within the first week after the person’s passing. Amidst the hurried organizing, it is important to remember these biggest mistakes to avoid when planning a funeral to enrich the honoring service.

Letting Funeral Timing Rush Your Choices

The amount of coordinating that must be done in preparation for a funeral is entirely strenuous when the time frame to do so is considered. Many of the choices made within the first week of losing a loved one are inevitable in the funeral-planning process.

Fretting over lack of time to consider your options can lead you to make the easiest, but perhaps not the ideal, choice when selecting things like the funeral home, burial procedure, and memorial products for the service. It is important to delegate funeral-related decisions to other friends and family members when possible, so choices are not heaved unto one single person.

Make sure to give yourself grace when planning a funeral. Give yourself an appropriate amount of extra time for planning if necessary. Whatever you do, don’t let the stressors of setting up a funeral push you toward making choices you’ll regret come day of service.

Not Exploring Funeral Provider Options

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when planning a funeral is to settle for the nearest or most familiar funeral home. Unless the deceased has predetermined where the service will be held, you must contemplate your options.

Choosing the right funeral home is a crucial aspect of organizing a funeral. Compromising funeral service provider quality for convenience is a mistake that can be easily avoided by slowing down and being mindful.

When looking to choose a funeral service provider, consider the following:

If they have the essential amenities for you and your funeral guests
If they offer the goods or services that you desire for the funeral
If their pricing falls within your budget
Does it cover your religious or cultural needs?

Overlooking Funeral Guests

While trying to adhere to what you believe your loved one would have appreciated for their funeral, it is common to overlook the importance of the funeral guests. Family and friends of the deceased travel from all over to say their goodbyes and grieve communally over the loss. Having memorial products and photo displays of the loved one allows guests to cherish the memories had with that person. Taking the time to make the best logistical choices for the funeral can make a world of difference to those coming to pay their respect.

If you are planning a funeral in the midst of bereavement, focus on taking time for yourself and the benefit of the funeral service. Though you can’t always prevent acquiring stress while putting on a funeral, there are measures that you can avoid to generate an ideal service that properly honors your loved one.

AAA: Class 3A Football Playoffs to be Delayed One Week, Play-in Games to be Played November 13

Sports

Resident News Network

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2:45 pm

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AAA: Class 3A Football Playoffs to be Delayed One Week, Play-in Games to be Played November 13

Class 3A football teams that have or will qualify for the state playoffs by this Friday may have to wait a week before their first round playoff games, depending on their final seeding in their conferences. As of today, according to a memo from the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) obtained by Resident Press, the “3A playoffs will be delayed a week.”

The full text of the memo that pertains to Class 3A is as follows:

“As of right now, 7 teams that did not qualify will be placed on the bracket or in a play-in game. The two opt-in teams with the worst records will be placed on the bracket vs 1-seeds from 3A-2 and 3A-5. The next five opt-in teams will be paired by random draw with five of the five seeds. The five seeds to be pulled off the bracket will be selected by random draw. Attempts will be made to avoid conference rematches. Opt-in teams will be the visiting team and travel distance could be significant or minimal due to the random draw.”

Superintendents still have until Saturday morning to declare their schools’ intent to opt-in or out of the playoffs. But apparently the AAA’s memo indicates that there are enough schools that have committed to play so far that has caused the higher seeded teams in 3A to have to wait a week to play their first playoff games.

And in a seemingly appropriate development in the year 2020 of high school football, the play-in games will take place on Friday the 13th. How appropriate.

Resident Press will have more on this development this weekend after the final brackets are published.

Obituary- Mary Sue Harrison (1951 – 2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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1:47 pm

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Obituary- Mary Sue Harrison (1951 – 2020)

Mary Sue (Frazier) Harrison of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Monday, November 2, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas. Mary Sue was born October 1, 1951, in Waldron, Arkansas to Allen Dee Frazier and Melba Louise (Stewart) Frazier. She was 69 years old. Mary Sue was a member of Haw Creek Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas. Mary Sue was a faithful and devoted Christian woman. She was strong in her beliefs and lived it daily.

Mary Sue was a sweet person with a warm and kind soul. If she knew you, she loved you. Everyone was always welcomed with a “Honey how are you”, a big bright smile and a hug. Mary Sue worked many years helping to run a small business and later she went to work for the Waldron Elementary School as a paraprofessional and then transitioned to secretary. Mary Sue loved her job but it was more than that for her. It was her way of enjoying all the children, teachers, and administration and getting to be a positive influence in their lives. Mary Sue was always a busy woman working and raising her family. She cherished every moment she had and every memory made.

Mary Sue leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Nicole Harrison and husband Ray of Waldron, Arkansas, Jalon Falconer of Lacross, Wisconsin, Allen Falconer and Kayla of Magazine, Arkansas and Logan Falconer and Emily of Greenwood, Arkansas. Memaw will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Ethan Falconer, Evan Falconer and Dannie as well as her great grandchildren, Ryder, Rylen and Emma. Mary Sue is also survived by her sisters, Jo Ann Jericho of Ohio and Sherry Goodner and husband Donald of Waldron, Arkansas. Mary Sue will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including an extended family of nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in Christ, co-workers and friends who were family in her heart. She loved them all dearly.

Mary Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Melba Frazier, her husband, Larry Don Harrison, second husband Gerald Sparks and two brothers, Paul Frazier and Johnny Frizell.

Mary Sue’s life celebration will be 3:00 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. John Elmore officiating. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Honorary pallbearers will be her sons, grandsons, nephews and great nephews.

Mary Sue’s visitation will be Friday, November 6, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

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.

Hackett Looking To Settle The Score In Rivalry Showdown

Sports

Megan Hecox

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9:27 am

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Hackett Looking To Settle The Score In Rivalry Showdown

Last Friday, the Hackett Sr High Hornets had a tough conference go-round with the Greenland Pirates. The first half of the game started off well enough with the match going into halftime with a score of 13-6 Greenland. But then the waters turned rough for the Hornets and the Pirates dominated the board ending the night with a final score of 41-14. “We struggled coming out of the second half. They changed up how they were running the ball in the second half and we had no answer,” said head coach, Michael Meador.

In their match against Greenland, QB, Ethan “Superman” Slavens completed 15/22 passes, 174 yards, 2 TDs, and 4 INT. Weston Winters had 9 carries for 44 yards. Fischer Shipman made 9 catches for 73 yards and 1 TD. Kamron Elkins got 1 reception for 45 yards and 1 TD. Peyton Hester earned 14 solo tackles, 6 assists, and 1 sack. Kamron Elkins got 12 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 1 FF. Weston Winters scored 9 solo tackles and 5 assists. And Nate Gordon snagged 7 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, and 2 fumble recoveries.

This Friday though is when the real fun begins. Spanning back decades, this game was one that households would mark on their calendars as the one to watch. Nobody knew that in 2009, they would have to wait just short of a decade before they would get to watch this Sebastian County showdown again. Then in 2018, it happened. The Hackett Hornets and the Mansfield Tigers lit the fire that brought this old rivalry back to life. The 2018/2019 season saw what was in my opinion the game of the year that ended in a final score of 28-26 Mansfield. Then for the 2019/2020 season, the Tigers again took the win, this time with a score of 40-8.

Now for Round 3 of the Hornets and the Tigers, there’s one slight difference. Instead of being non-conference rivals with Hackett in 2A and Mansfield in 3A, they are both battling it out in 3A football. This time around though, the Hornets are coming back to settle the score. With 174 points on the season, Hackett sits 1-4 in conference play and 3-4 overall. The Tigers are having a slightly harder time this season, bringing in 122 points and holding an 0-6 conference record. “This game will be a fun one. We struggled last year against Mansfield and hope to change that this time around. We have to continue to get better as a team and our offense needs to start clicking.” Mansfield will host Hackett on Friday, November, 6th for the last scheduled game of the season.

Get a Free Sausage Biscuit With Your Hunting License

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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8:41 pm

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Get a Free Sausage Biscuit With Your Hunting License

LITTLE ROCK — Hunters headed to deer camp to get things ready for opening weekend of modern gun deer season may want to make a quick pit stop to fuel up at their local Hardee’s restaurant. Every Hardee’s restaurant in Arkansas will give a free sausage biscuit to anyone who shows their valid hunting license to the cashier from 5-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.

“It’s a significant way of recognizing hunters’ contributions to Arkansas conservation,” said Trey Reid, assistant chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “Having a business show its appreciation for hunters and wildlife conservation in this way points to the importance of hunting to both Arkansas’s outdoor culture and our economy. This is the third year we’ve worked with Hardee’s to promote this special day for hunters, and hopefully it will become a tradition as strong as hunting season itself.”

All 53 Hardee’s locations in Arkansas are participating in the one-day giveaway. Hunters may show their license just like they would to a wildlife officer in the field to claim their free food. Printed paper copies, a screenshot of the image on your phone or a Commission-issued reloadable license card may all be used. Visitwww.agfc.com and click the green button labeled “Buy Licenses | Check Game” to purchase your license online today.

Get a Free Sausage Biscuit With Your Hunting License

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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8:37 pm

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LITTLE ROCK — Hunters headed to deer camp to get things ready for opening weekend of modern gun deer season may want to make a quick pit stop to fuel up at their local Hardee’s restaurant. Every Hardee’s restaurant in Arkansas will give a free sausage biscuit to anyone who shows their valid hunting license to the cashier from 5-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.

“It’s a significant way of recognizing hunters’ contributions to Arkansas conservation,” said Trey Reid, assistant chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “Having a business show its appreciation for hunters and wildlife conservation in this way points to the importance of hunting to both Arkansas’s outdoor culture and our economy. This is the third year we’ve worked with Hardee’s to promote this special day for hunters, and hopefully it will become a tradition as strong as hunting season itself.”

All 53 Hardee’s locations in Arkansas are participating in the one-day giveaway. Hunters may show their license just like they would to a wildlife officer in the field to claim their free food. Printed paper copies, a screenshot of the image on your phone or a Commission-issued reloadable license card may all be used. Visitwww.agfc.com and click the green button labeled “Buy Licenses | Check Game” to purchase your license online today.

Jr Hornets Show-Off In Sebastian County Showdown

Sports

Megan Hecox

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4:31 pm

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Jr Hornets Show-Off In Sebastian County Showdown

Pictured is #21 Danny Robinson

On Tuesday night, the Hackett Jr High Hornets hosted rivals the Mansfield Tigers for their final football game of the season. Immediately after the sound of the opening whistle, the Hornets made it very clear to the Tigers that this was their field and that they were going to fight ’til the end to keep it. Hackett started the game on defense and play after play after play, Milus Houts, Cole Ketchum, Alex Woody, and Gavin Metcalf were relentless about shutting down the Tigers offense. After Danny Robinson finished things off with a QB sack, Mansfield had a turnover on downs.

With the Hornets defense setting the tone of the game, the offense came in to reiterate the message. At 2:55 in the first quarter, Hackett QB, Cole Ketchum shot a pass to Eli Slavens for a 70-yard TD run. Ketchum turned around and earned the 2-point conversion and it was the Hornets on the board first 8-0. The Hornets then played opossum for a second allowing Manfield to get a play in before coming back with a vengeance. Dawson Clay and Logan McCarthy asked Mansfield’s QB paper or plastic before delivering the second QB sack of the night. As the Tigers attempted to collect their bearings, Ketchum came in with the lightning, tipping a pass right into the hands of a waiting Slavens who then finished with the thunder for an interception. With 9 seconds left in the first quarter, Robinson came in with the second Hornet TD coupled with a Ketchum to Slavens PAT and the score sat at 16-0 Hackett.

As the Tigers offense was back in possession of the ball, Charlie McNeill, who had been administering pressure to Mansfield’s QB all night, finally hit paydirt giving the Hornets their third sack of the match. And only three plays later, Slavens came in like a wrecking ball for his second interception in the game. With the clock reading 5:50 in the second quarter, Ketchum shot into the endzone for a TD and along with the PAT from Robinson, Hackett remained firmly planted on top 24-0. Another failed Tiger attempt at offense and the Hornets doled out one more TD from a Ketchum to Clay pass sending the game into halftime with a 30-0 score.

Hackett continued the second half of the game the same way they played in the first by proceeding to lay down the law to the Tigers. Wyatt Hester found his way into the endzone and after another Robinson PAT, the Hornets upgraded the score to a dominating 38-0. It was the fourth QB sack handed over by Hayden Foster that really sent Mansfield over the edge. The Tigers regrouped and repositioned to finish the game with two huge back-to-back TD’s. But it wasn’t enough to overthrow the Hornets who ended the game and their season victoriously 38-12.

The Hackett Jr High Hornets closed shop on their 2020 football season with a 5-2 total play record. “I thought our guys got better over the course of the year. We aimed to finish first but we came up a little short this year. Our guys worked hard and learned how to compete better this year. We look forward to the off-season to get stronger and faster to be more physical next season,” head coach, Jordan Shelby, concluded.

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Letting Funeral Timing Rush Your Choices

Not Exploring Funeral Provider Options

Overlooking Funeral Guests

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK