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AT&T, River Valley Regional Food Bank Partner to Feed Children, Families in Need

The River Valley Regional Food Bank will start a new program beginning in October designed to combat child food insecurity in the River Valley. The RVRFB is partnering with AT&T and area law enforcement agencies to distribute Patrol Packs — tote bags of easy-to-prepare grocery items — to carry in their patrol units.

These Patrol Packs will be distributed to children in their respective communities upon the individual department’s discretion. Law enforcement agencies in the area will begin picking up the prepared Patrol Packs tomorrow morning (Friday, October 2) at the food bank’s facility, at 1617 South Zero Street in Fort Smith, beginning at 10 a.m.

Each food bag contains shelf-stable items like peanut butter, fruit cups, easy-to-prepare rice and soups, quick meal items like cereal and oatmeal, and easy-to-open canned goods and more. The items were donated by AT&T through its “Believe Arkansas” program to combat hunger. The RVRFB, along with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and the five other Feeding America food banks in the state, are participating in the program.

Tracy Engel, director of the River Valley Regional Food Bank, said the Patrol Packs will be distributed to area law enforcement agencies, whose officers may pass out the food kits to children they believe face food insecurity while on patrol.

“With covid-19, domestic violence has increased, more children are being home-schooled, or are latch-key children, and this gift from AT&T will hopefully alleviate some of the stress on the parents or guardians and help the child concentrate on their schoolwork more effectively,” Engel said.

The Patrol Packs will offer some much-needed assistance to the RVRFB, which is currently experiencing a 50 percent spike in demand since the covid-19 pandemic began. The food bank is on pace to distribute more than 20 million pounds of food to communities it serves. To date, the food bank has distributed more than 15.6 million pounds to the public. That translates to more than 10.4 million meals provided in the River Valley.

The Feeding America network of 200 food banks across the country has distributed more than 5.2 billion meals to residents across the nation. The food bank hopes to continue the Patrol Pack program throughout the remainder of the school year.

GPD Closes Walmart Case

On Thursday, October 1, a Greenwood Police Department investigator released the findings of an incident occurring on Monday, September 28 at the Walmart on Liberty Drive.

After reviewing all the evidence, investigators concluded that no crime took place, noting that at no time did the man reach for the child, or run away.

Increased awareness of child trafficking and abductions is important, and the department takes cases like this very seriously.

The WCFL Week 3 Was A Sight To See

With a 2020 seven-game regular season where every team plays every team, last Saturday closed out what could be called the halfway point of WCFL Football. With four weeks left that will include rivalry week programs, there is still plenty of time for programs to do some jockeying for a coveted playoff seed. After the close of Week3 last week, every program is still in the hunt for one of those six coveted playoff spots.

Mansfield vs Lavaca. Photo by Karen Nichols-Campbell

The Mansfield Tigers loaded up their high octane offense and traveled to Lavaca to try to keep their undefeated record intact. The Tigers pulled off a 32-8 win in their 3rd and 4th grade game and won 24-0 in the 5th and 6th grade game. The scores may seem like these were short games, but according to Mansfield’s WCFL Representative, David Moore, that wasn’t the case. “The scores don’t exactly reflect the games,” Moore said. “Lavaca was a very tough opponent. They were big and fast and our players had to fight hard for every yard and tackle they made.” With the wins over the Golden Arrows, Mansfield improves to 3-0 on the season for both of their teams while Lavaca slips to 1-1 on the 5th and 6th grade side and 0-2 for the 3rd and 4th grade. Lavaca will have a makeup game against Cedarville on Tuesday, October 6th.

Photo by Joanna James. Mansfield vs Lavaca

Speaking of Cedarville, the Pirates welcomed Magazine to the Pirates Sea last Saturday. Cedarville agreed to play an eight-man 3rd and 4th grade contact game with the Rattlers due to Magazine being short on players. The Pirates won the game 36-0 but the win wasn’t the big story. The fact that the Rattlers were able to take snaps, run with the ball, and make tackles in a game was the big story. Magazine could have folded up shop on the season due to low numbers and Cedarville didn’t have to agree to play 8 man. But the programs are all about the players and every kid on both teams put in the work, so win, lose, or draw, this was an overall win. Cedarville then took the field against the Rattlers in the 5th and 6th grade game and dodged the snake bites to the left and right to come out on top 24-0. The victory puts the Pirates at 1-1 on the season and a four-way tie for third currently. That tie will narrow on one side or the other though as the Pirates square off with Lavaca for a makeup game next Tuesday.

Magazine vs Cedarville. Photo by Brian Mott

The West Fork Tigers rolled in Rebel territory Saturday looking to raid JC Westside’s camp of victories. The Rebels on the other hand were prepared for the Tigers as the two programs battled it out to secure a victory each. In the 3rd and 4th grade game, JC Westside was able to shut out the Tigers speedy offense. The Rebels defense grabbed the Tigers by the tail leaving West Fork with a goose egg on the scoreboard. The victory wasn’t a walk in the park by any means though. West Forks defense bowed up on multiple occasions to hold the Rebels at bay and make multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Tigers running back, Kyler Doss, broke some big runs, but West Fork couldn’t punch it in for a score. Unfortunately for West Fork, the Rebels all-star running backs, Blake Cook and Jimmy Johnson, were led by their bulldozer linemen to put up a score each leading JC Westside to a 14-0 victory.

Photo by Tara Jones. JC Westside vs West Fork 3/4 Grade

The Tiger vs Rebels 5th and 6th grade game was not so easy to cut for either team. Like two heavyweight champions going at it in the ring, both teams went toe to toe with each other for what could be the game of the year. It was West Fork who was able to find the weaknesses quicker though as the Tigers walked away with a 22-18 win. Aiden Stanton and Parker Smith were the Tigers offensive workhorses as they grinded against the Rebels stout defense all night. Stanton, Parker, and Robbie Preston were able to get West Fork into the end zone. But it was the defense who kept West Fork in the game. West Fork coach, Rob Preston, said “Our defense stepped up when we needed it the most but credit to the offense for doing their job all night. JC has some very talented and great athletes so the game wasn’t easy by any means. Carson Jones came up with a game-ending interception to end the game for the second week in a row. We’re very proud of this squad and their effort.”

Hackett and Mountainburg were on the card to play Saturday also, but the game was postponed. They will meet up in Mountainburg on the Dragons Lair gridiron for a makeup game on Tuesday, October 6th.

Greenwood Business Woman Seeks City’s Support in Restoring Freedom

Greenwood business owner Angela Neas will be presenting a proposed resolution to the city council on October 5 at 7 p.m. “in support of restoring freedom, choice, opportunity, and governance back to local and state elected officials.”

Neas stated in a social media post: “We are fighting for our children. We are fighting for our elderly. We are fighting for small business. We are fighting for mental health. We are fighting for you.” Naes went on to share that people have a constitutional right not to wear a mask and that the governor’s emergency declaration is unconstitutional.

A resolution by the City of Greenwood, AR in support of restoring freedom, choice, opportunity, and governance back to local and state elected officials.

WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood, AR is a thriving city responsibly enacting ordinances and affirming resolutions for the safety, prosperity, and well being of it’s citizens, visitors and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Greenwood, AR have elected local officials in a mayor and city alderman to lead our city; and

WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood, AR has demonstrated the ability to lead in trying times and in difficult circumstances, by hearing from experts, business leaders, and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood AR has demonstrated its ability to create a civil environment that is attractive, an economic atmosphere that is conductive to success, and a diversity of industry that is growing, providing our citizens a wide range of employment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, our local businesses have demonstrated tremendous courage, perseverance, restraint, and outstanding decision-making capabilities; and

WHEREAS, the citizens and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR have suffered and continue to suffer undue damage and harm resulting from the diminishment of personal responsibility and the freedom to engage in commerce and live, more, and have our being as a result of an exercise of excessive and inconsistent state control and power over local governments, businesses, and schools beyond what is reasonable, right, and true; and

WHEREAS, being in a state of emergency since March 2020, the citizens and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR feel the perpetual extension of a state of emergency by the means of the Emergency Services Act is an overreach of the spirit of the law and a main contributor to the said damage and harm;

THEREFORE; BE IT RESOLVED…THAT THE CITY OF GREENWOOD ARKANSAS supports and strongly encourages an end to the inconsistent, harmful, and damaging directives and policies against the citizens, schools, and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR. We now implore the Governor of the State of Arkansas to restore a representative government of the people by the people, and for the people by ending the practice of perpetually extending the state of emergency without direct legislative involvement and returning governing authority back to local and state elected officials.

James Fork Water System Update

As of Wednesday evening, September 30, James Fork water users remain under a boil order. That order includes the City of Greenwood.

The boil order has been in effect since Friday, September 25. The Arkansas Department of Health notified area water users on Monday, September 28 that James Fork’s water samples were “bacteriological absent and established chlorine residuals were found.”

James Fork submitted a second set of tests on Tuesday, and are awaiting those results.

According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water should be brought to a “rolling boil for one minute”.

James Fork Water System Update

As of Wednesday evening, September 30, James Fork water users remain under a boil order. That order includes the cities of Hartford, Hackett, Mansfield and Greenwood.

The boil order has been in effect since Friday, September 25. The Arkansas Department of Health notified area water users on Monday, September 28 that James Fork’s water samples were “bacteriological absent and established chlorine residuals were found.”

James Fork submitted a second set of tests on Tuesday, and are awaiting those results. Once James Fork receives a confirmation on their results, cities can submit their own samples.

According to Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black, it will be late next week, at the earliest, before the order can be lifted. Samples are not couriered to Little Rock on Thursday or Friday, and they must be taken within two consecutive days.

According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water should be brought to a “rolling boil for one minute”.

Sheriff Responds to Discussion on Regionalized Police Force

The City of Hackett held a study session on Monday, September 21 and discussed the implementation of a regionalized police force which would encompass the Cities of Bonanza, Midland, Hartford and Huntington.

In an email addressed to those mayors, Hackett Police Chief Ricci Pyle stated: “…at the request of Mayor Harper in reference to a study session we attended yesterday (09/21/20) with our city council. I had asked for this study session to discuss the future of law enforcement in our city and how we can improve. During the discussion, regionalizing with local cities was brought to the forefront. By doing this the cities can consolidate their resources in an attempt to create more police officers to protect our residents on a 24/7 basis. As I’m sure you are all well aware, crime has been on the rise in our area for some time now. As our cities grow, so does the criminal element with it. We need to start planning now on how to deter crimes from continuing. I have been conducting research on regionalizing a police force since I started here, which is when I realized this area of the county has been neglected of proper police protection for decades. If this is something any of you would like to discuss further, please let me know…I believe that if we all come together, we can make our cities a safer place for its residents…”

No action was taken by the Hackett City Council on the issue. Mayor Harper stated on social media, “please let me clarify that this session was to explore our options for expanding our department and the possibility of asking other towns to think about it.”

As of Tuesday, September 29, several of the mayors addressed in Pyle’s email had not been notified of the discussion. “I don’t see how this would benefit us, and don’t see us participating,” stated Hartford Mayor Richard Hartsfield. “I spoke with my Chief of Police Mike Barber about this,” shared Bonanza Mayor Elmer Nelson. “We don’t have enough man power. If we start spreading it around, we would have less police protection. I just don’t see how it would benefit us…We have always backed up other departments, including Hackett and as far away as Mansfield, and will continue to do that. However, we also depend on the county.” Huntington Mayor Gary Lawrence concurred stating, “I don’t think it will be feasible for us to pursue that.” At the time of publication, Midland Mayor Michael Sweeten could not be reached for comment.

According to call records with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, the Hackett Police Department has made three arrests so far in 2020, one by Chief Pyle and two by former part time police officer Todd Johnson. The SCSO has handled the remainder of those calls, over 95%.

“If it came in through Hackett City Hall we wouldn’t have it,” shared Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion. “However, 99% of everything comes through our office. We’ve had several cases where citizens have stopped our deputies and asked them where the Hackett Police are. We (the SCSO) value all citizens, and want to provide the best service we can. The citizens of Hackett should expect and demand more…You have a police officer, who is not from Arkansas and doesn’t understand our laws and what the city’s responsibilities are versus the county’s…If he says the citizens have been neglected, then that’s on him. He is not taking care of the city, and that’s his responsibility.”

CityCalls to the SCSO
(for 2020)
Calls Answered by the Police Department
Huntington22387
Hartford13932
Bonanza264124
Hackett2005
*Information provided by the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office

Although there are questions regarding the idea of a regionalized police force, one thing remains certain–the mutual aid among these cities and assistance by the county will continue.

Jr Lady Tigers Gung Ho At 10-n-0

The Mansfield Jr Lady Tigers are made up of a host of girls who can pass, set, spike, and serve to perfection. But it’s not just the physical aspect that wins the games. It’s mental too. With a drive better than the Fast and Furious and determination that can be seen for days, the Jr Lady Tigers find themselves basking in the afterglow of victory as they sit 10-0 on their season. Recently, Mansfield came face-to-face with conference foes, the Lavaca Lady Arrows. Usually touted as THE game to watch, the Jr Lady Tigers didn’t disappoint. After two fast-paced heated sets, Mansfield landed on top with final scores of 25-14 and 25-18.

Logging stats from the match was freshman, Cole Smith, who earned 3 kills, 15 assists, and 1 dig. Cole might come off as quiet off the court. But watch out because when she enters a match, a dominating top-tier athlete is what opponents are faced with. Freshman, Harlie Fuller left the game with 1 ace, 1 kill, and 15 assists. When Harlie hits a game running, it’s her ability to play under pressure that allows her to meticulously deliver every move with pristine detail.

7th-grader and baby of the group, Kaylee Ward, obtained 1 ace, 6 kills, and 2 digs. Kaylee is the younger sister of freshman, Kynslee Ward who snagged 2 aces, 7 kills, and 6 digs. When these two siblings team up, prepare for double trouble. They each bring to the court the perfect blend of sugar and spice and everything nice. Kaylee has a heart of gold and is a huge asset to her team as she is always willing to jump in at any sign of trouble. Wild-child Kynslee is outgoing, adventurous, and full of life. Always having a smile on her face, you will never find another athlete more willing to slam, dive, or plow towards any ball or opponent.

Freshman, Alyson Edwards is the leader of the pack earning 3 aces, 14 kills, and 6 digs. Alyson holds herself to high standards never willing to settle for o.k. She consistently pushes herself to go big or go home on and off the court. Poised with the maturity of an oak, Aly takes great pride in assuring her entire team is on the same page and up to par in any situation. Freshman, Rachel Johnson who obtained 1 ace, 7 kills, and 1 dig, plays with a compassionate and even-tempered mentality. She has excellent quickness and is the motivation that keeps her team rolling.

8th grader, Trinity Triska walked away with 7 digs. Her timidness and tiny build could leave some competitors thinking that she would be a walk-over. But they forget that big things come in small packages. Trinity’s size makes her the perfect lethal weapon of agility and endurance. One word that this all-around athlete doesn’t have in her vocabulary is quit. When the cards aren’t falling into place, Trinity pushes her teammates to keep going until someone calls out Bingo!!

Next up for the Jr Lady Tigers are the Thaden Lady Barnstormers at home on Wednesday, September 30 starting at 4:30 pm.

 

Mansfield Lady “T”-Birds Swing Their Way Through State

Pictured is Skylynn Harris, Alyssa James, and Brooklyn Adams

On Monday, September, 28, the Mansfield Lady Tiger three amigos, Skylynn Harris, Alyssa James, and Brooklyn Adams, hopped on the State golf train and zoomed off to Salem Arkansas. Led by coach, Layton Robinson, the trio competed against many other talented teams at Turkey Mountain Golf Course. By the end of the day, Harris earned her best ever score of 102 which also paved the way for her to make All-State. As a whole, the Lady Tigers wrapped up the State Tournament with a 7th place team finishing.

This is what Skylynn had to say about her State play and what it was that started her passion for the sport. “It feels really great to be an All-State golfer because it’s something that my grandpa and I had enjoyed doing together when I was younger. I love getting to make new friends at every match and also getting to practice with my friends and Coach Robby! Last year, Maggie Strunk got me to play for Mansfield and since I had already played golf in the past, I decided to give it another shot and ended up just sticking with it!”

Alyssa James

Skylynn Harris

The 2020 Mansfield Lady Tigers Golf Team

Waldron Golf Driving On To State Tournament

Three years ago, the Waldron boys’ golf team made school history by going down as the first team to qualify for State. Fast forward to 2020 and the Bulldogs are still making waves as they prepare to make their third consecutive appearance at State. Although I’m not a professional golfer, (I’m just happy making a 214 in mini-golf) I do know that this is a great fete for these Waldron Bulldogs. On September 21, with a team total of 263, the Bulldogs were able to keep a firm grip on their First Place conference title.

On October, 5, after months of hard work, lone senior, Jaden Hutchens and juniors, Drew Owens, Lane Metcalf, and Lane (Tater) Tallmadge, will shoot off to Glenwood Country Club in Amity, Arkansas as only one of eight boys’ teams left in the state to compete in the State Golf Tournament. “I am so proud of these kids,” expressed coach, Josh Atchley. “Hopefully, we will have a good showing at Glenwood in the State Tournament. A huge shout out not only goes to these guys but to their parents and grandparents as well. As most people know, golf is different than other sports because they have to travel out to the course and supply their own equipment and these guys have been incredibly supported. Mrs. Jeanetta Byford, Kenny Johnson, Reggie Owens, and Punky Lee at the country club have always gone above and beyond to support this golf program and these guys. So thankful to coach in a place that supports our athletes! Take State!”

The 2020 Waldron Bulldogs Golf Team

The 2019 Bulldogs Golf Team

The 2018 Bulldogs Golf Team

Photos courtesy of Quienton Tallmadge and Josh Atchley