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WCFL Programs Continue To Shine On The Gridiron

Megan Hecox
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WCFL Programs Continue To Shine On The Gridiron

Header Picture by Brian Mott: Magazine vs Mountainburg

The programs of the West Central Football League were back at it on the gridiron this past Saturday. With teams starting to get back into the groove of things, it showed. Unfortunately, the Magazine 3rd and 4th Grade were unable to get enough players to make a team so they had to bow out of the season. Although they didn’t have the numbers to play regular football, the WCFL is currently working with programs outside the league to set up some seven on seven games for the young Rattlers. With Magazine being out, other programs’ 3rd and 4th Grade teams have the option of finding replacement games for them.

Mountainburg was able to replace Magazine with Northwest Arkansas’s perineal powerhouse, Shiloh Christian for their 3rd and 4th Grade game. RJ Young blistered the Saints defense when he scored the first touchdown on a 60-yard run. Jeremiah Powell tacked on the two-point conversion which would wind up being curtailed at the end of the game. Shiloh Christian jumped right back at the Dragons when they scored twice, but the Saints failed to convert extra points after both touchdowns. With the game set at 12-8 in Shiloh’s favor, it was again RJ Young who punched the ball in from 12 yards out for a touchdown on fourth down to take the lead. The Saints drove into the Red Zone but time expired before they could hit paydirt giving the Dragons an exciting 14-12 win. Brody Guenther had a big day on defense as he brought the Saint’s ball carriers down with over ten tackles in the game.

Photo by Brian Mott: Magazine vs Mountainburg

The Dragons 5th and 6th Grade traveled to the Snake Pit in Magazine for their game where they upset the defending WCFL Champs 32-6. It was the ground and pound power run game of the Dragons that stepped on the Rattlers tails throughout the game. Fisher Bowen crossed the end zone three times in the game while Ethan Manus got as a score of his own. Easton Overby, Sidney Winters, and Dallas Turner gave the Dragons a two-point conversion for each touchdown. Magazine was able to gain some yards throughout the game to put some points on the scoreboard, but the Rattlers defense couldn’t keep up with Mountainburg’s offense. “Mountainburg’s #11 (Bowen) was a beast. He scored early, he scored late, and he scored often. We had no answers for him. He’s a great athlete” said Magazine WCFL Representative Josh Scott.

The Hackett Hornets saw the West Fork Tigers travel south for the first matchup between the two programs in Little League history. The games were well worth the wait though as each program walked away with one win apiece. Hackett’s 3rd and 4th Grade jumped on West Fork early and never let up in route to a 20-0 victory over the Tigers. The Hornets defense was all over West Forks offense as yellow jerseys swarmed any Tiger who dared to carry the ball. Offensively, Hackett was on target all game with Noah Rogers leading the team in touchdowns scoring twice and driving in a two-point conversion to grow on. Landry Foote gave West Fork quite the sting also as he jumped into the mix for a touchdown of his own. With Magazine bowing out of the season last week, defeating the Tigers gave the 3rd and 4th Grade Hornets their first game and win of the season.

Photo by Kelsey Pyles: Mansfield vs Cedarville

West Fork didn’t travel an hour south to walk away empty-handed though. The 5th and 6th Grade Tigers sharpened their claws and slashed through the Hornets’ nest to edge out Hackett to win 18-14. Close games are always the best to watch and this one was no different. With every punch the Tigers threw, the Hornets matched it. With every score Hackett made, West Fork one-upped it. From big plays to runs for three yards and a cloud of dust, both programs proved they were not going to back down to anyone this season. With the game’s final, both the West Fork Tigers and Hackett Hornets will go into their next game as even in their record at 1-1 as they were on the field. “Bryce Barnett #4 had a big night for 5/6 Hornets. He had at least 1 TD and over 75 yards rushing,” stated the Hornets coach.

The Mansfield Tigers hosted the Cedarville Pirates and left the home crowd full of smiles. The Tigers 3rd and 4th Grade has won back to back WCFL Championships and showed why against the Pirates with a 28-8 victory. Speed is the name of the game and Mansfield burnt the planks off of Cedarville’s defense at each turn. Cedarville was able to plow their way for a touchdown in the game, but their sails ran out of wind as Mansfield’s defense sunk almost every Pirates chance at closing the gap on the scoreboard. The Tigers, Colton Nelson, had 150 yards rushing and 3 TDs in the win against Cedarville.

Photo by Becky Goff: Mansfield vs Cedarville

In the same book but a new chapter, the Tigers 5th and 6th Grade dropped the anchor on Cedarville by shutting them out 20-0. With every Pirate possession, the Tigers pounced and bit down hard on the ball carriers. Mansfield’s offense was a balance of speed and power that kept Cedarville in a whirlpool of confusion. This was Cedarville’s first game of the WCFL season after not being able to play Lavaca last week. But the game was just what the Pirates needed to judge what works and what needs working on. Mansfield’s, Gunner Williams, had 175 yards rushing and 3 tackles, touchdowns in this win against Cedarville. #20 Billy Bell for Cedarville earned 12 tackles in the game with Mansfield.

With Lavaca able to play this week, they hit the road to Coal Hill to face off against a JC Westside program that doesn’t know the definition of quit. The Rebels 3rd and 4th Grade proved this as they fell to Mountainburg last week but regrouped to overcome the Golden Arrows shots to win a defensive thriller 8-6. The big hits, chase downs, and battles in the trenches was the decision-maker in the game. The Rebels took better aim than Lavaca on their two-point conversion to even their record at 1-1 on the season. Lavaca responded in the 5th and 6th Grade game though sending the Rebels retreating 38-0.  The Golden Arrows played a near-perfect game on both sides of the ball. Like a blaze of glory, Lavaca’s offense left burn marks on the field with their big plays. If JC Westside stopped the Golden Arrows on a play, the Lavaca players would learn and fix the issue the very next play. Lavaca’s defense stood tall and made an impenetrable wall against the Rebel’s attempts to put points on the scoreboard. Being the 5th and 6th Grade Golden Arrows’ first game of the season, they have already shown that they are aiming for the WCFL Title.

Photo by Brian Mott

How To Create a Home Fire Evacuation Plan

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Everyone feels safest at home, and no one expects anything bad to happen. But this is the real world, and tragedy can strike at any time. Better regulations and home inspections make homes safer and house fires a rare occurrence. House fires will lead to destruction of personal property and many long-term health risks, including death. It never hurts to be prepared, though. Learn how to create a home fire evacuation plan so you can escape to safety.

Plan for Everyone

Consider the needs of everyone in the house, especially those of children and the elderly. Children don’t always wake up in an emergency, no matter how loud the smoke alarm or your voice might be. Designate someone to make sure the kids or grandparents are awake, aware, and accounted for in an emergency.

Know the Exits

Every home has more than one door in and out of it. Everyone that lives in the house should know where the doors are. In the event of a fire, certain doors might be inaccessible and engulfed in flames. Go into every room in the house and identify two ways out of it. For rooms on the second floor, it might be necessary to escape out of the window.

Involve Everyone in the Planning

It’s important to include everyone when creating a home evacuation plan, especially the children. Make it a fun family activity so that everyone knows what to do and has input. The kids know their rooms well and might have insight you don’t regarding it. Draw a map of the house and let the kids draw lines from their room to potential exits. This way, they will be a part of the plan and know it well.

Have a Meet-Up Spot

During a fire, there will be lots of confusion and adrenaline, and people can sometimes get lost. Set two meeting spots outside of the house, a safe distance away. The first can be a neighbor’s house across the street that is familiar. If that is unsafe, then have a backup spot further away. As part of the planning, make sure everyone knows to meet there so a headcount can be done.

Practice Evacuating

Practice makes perfect. Practice the fire evacuation plan at least once a year so everyone knows what to do. Practicing will keep the plan fresh in everyone’s mind and reflect any necessary updates. New additions to the house could make it necessary to tweak the plan or meet-up place.

Mansfield 7th Grade Takes Top Tiger Trophy From West Fork

Megan Hecox
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Mansfield 7th Grade Takes Top Tiger Trophy From West Fork

Pictured is Dawson Robinson

For the first game of the conference season, the Mansfield 7th Grade Tigers hosted the West Fork Tigers in a fierce feline battle that left West Fork walking away with cat scratch fever. With two twenty-minute halves, Mansfield was first to open the game and lay down the “paw”. Zander Walters woke everybody up with his 17-yard carry right out of the gate. Dawson Robinson played the shadow game with Walters delivering his own carry and the W/D 40 duo were at it again. The next two plays was a repeat game of Walters and Robinson taking turns collecting a total of 18-yards for Mansfield.

Mansfield vs West Fork

Setting Mansfield up in perfect paydirt position was Ethan Martin with a 4-yard run down the middle. With the Tigers now sitting on prime real estate, QB, Cooper Edwards, laid claim on the first touchdown of the night with Robinson securing the two-point conversion putting Mansfield up 8-0. As West Fork took control of the ball, the Tigers defense was sure to crush their dreams of success as Dominic Shores, Wyatt Boyd, James Bausley, Cadien Ore, and Alex Hecox locked, blocked, and stopped West Fork from going anywhere, forcing a turnover on downs giving possession of the ball back to Mansfield.

Traevin Copeland

Picking up where they left off was the three offensive amigos, Walters, Robinson, and Edwards. Robinson racked up not one but two torpedo carries totaling 46 yards. But before time ran out in the first half, Walters and Edwards had to make a lasting impression with the West Fork defense as they teamed up to create a beautiful masterpiece. With Father Time creeping up on Mansfield, Edwards delivered a pass, that would make your mama cry, downfield to Walters who took it in for a 46-yard touchdown. With the conversion no good, Mansfield went into halftime up 14-0.

Alex Hecox, Wyatt Boyd, and James Bausley

As the second half came alive, so did every player on the field. Pumped up and ready to seal the deal, Ore and Boyd came together like Lewis and Clark, mapping out and stopping every West Fork offensive play and laying claim to uncharted territory. Unfortunately, the West Fork Tigers managed to slip out of Mansfield’s grip and acquired their only touchdown of the game placing the scoreboard at 14-8 Mansfield. With the Mansfield “O” back in charge, Robinson moved the ball 14-yards downfield allowing Walters to do what he does best. After a 56-yard run that left a bitter taste in West Forks’ mouth, Walters earned his second TD in the match. With a failed Tiger conversion, the score upgraded to 20-8 Mansfield.

Cooper Edwards and Zander Walters

At 6:43 left on the clock, “Bulldozer” Bausley made one final stop to West Forks defense placing pigskin ownership with Mansfield. In a last attempt to showcase the Tigers skills, Shores made a non-stop run for 6-yards and all with 7 West Fork Tigers on his back. The Mansfield 7th Garde Tigers strutted away from the game with a 20-8 victory. They now hold a 1-0 record in conference play. “7th grade played great,” expressed Coach Tim Cothran. “Very proud of the improvement I feel they showed. Hopefully, we can gain momentum and continue to grow with this group.” The Tigers will be preparing to next take on the Pirates at Greenland on Thursday, October, 1.

#23 Dominic Shores

The Best Type of Paint for Furniture

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The Best Type of Paint for Furniture

Looking to spruce up some of your old, dilapidated furniture or wanting to give your DIY project a fun pop of color? When it comes to selecting the best type of paint for your furniture, it’s important to consider which paints work best on what material and the overall effect and appearance you’re aiming to achieve. Different paints have different benefits—which kind is right for you?

Latex

Latex paint is inexpensive and accessible, and it comes in a wide range of colors. You can find a variety of different brands and finishes at your local hardware store. Latex paint is also fast-drying, which makes it suitable for small touchups and projects that you need to finish quickly. It isn’t recommended for projects that will endure heavy use due to its soft and easily worn finish.

Another huge bonus of latex paint is the availability of color. If you can’t find your ideal shade on the shelves, having a paint mixer make it for you is fast and simple. This makes latex paint ideal for smaller—and colorful—DIY projects.

Oil

Oil paint is tough and long-lasting—the perfect choice for furniture that will be used frequently. It’s also the best type of furniture paint for people who want to ensure a smooth painting experience. You can apply oil paint over water-based and oil-based paints, which means you won’t have to fret over your new coat not sticking. Oil paint’s versatility and durability comes with the downsides of an increased cost and dry time, but these are small prices to pay for furniture that’ll last a lifetime.

Acrylic

If you’re looking for paint that’s versatile and easy to use, then you might want to consider acrylic. Acrylic paint, like latex paint, is widely available. Often sold in smaller cans, it’s the ideal paint for quick and simple projects. In addition, the drying time for acrylic is notoriously short.

If you’re worried about spills and stains, have no fear. Acrylic paint is easy to clean. It’s also elastic enough to withstand minimal tear and wear, which means you don’t have to worry about unsightly chipping or scratches.

Specialty Paints

Bored with some of the more common paint options? Luckily for you, there’s a growing variety of specialty paints. Chalk paint, for example, provides a smooth, matte appearance and a thicker texture. If you’re looking to give your furniture a weathered, rustic look, chalk paint is easy to sand and distress. Want to avoid toxic chemicals and fumes? There’s an option for that, too. If you’d prefer a thin, eco-friendly alternative, consider giving milk paint a try.

When it comes to selecting the right paint, you have many options. Be sure to keep in mind what’s best for not only your furniture, but also your own personal preferences and budget.

Reasons To Hire a Professional for Insulation Removal

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Reasons To Hire a Professional for Insulation Removal

As a homeowner, you may have many reasons why you want to attempt certain home improvements on your own and forgo a professional. Perhaps you want to try to save money or simply enjoy the satisfaction and pride that comes with completing your own home improvement project. For simple projects like painting cabinets or installing new faucets, going the DIY route may make sense. However, when it comes to removing your home’s insulation on your own, the cons often outweigh the benefits. Here are some of the reasons to hire a professional for insulation removal rather than attempting it yourself.

DIY Insulation Removal Can Be Dangerous

Two of the main reasons why people choose to remove their insulation are that the insulation either became infested with rodents or experienced a mold outbreak. In the case of a rodent infestation, the insulation may contain feces and other waste that is contaminated with harmful viruses. In the case that there was a mold outbreak, the insulation could contain dangerous spores that could cause illness or allergic reactions.

In either instance, attempting to remove the insulation on your own could expose you to dangerous substances that threaten your health and safety. As such, it is often best to enlist the services of a trained professional who has the experience necessary to remove the insulation safely and prevent further contamination.

Equipment Costs Can Add Up

In order to remove insulation safely and property, the use of specialized equipment is often required. As such, homeowners would typically need to rent or purchase such equipment in order to complete a DIY insulation-removal project.

Because renting or purchasing specialized insulation-removal equipment can quickly rack up a large bill, homeowners may not end up saving very much money by completing the project on their own. As such, it often makes more sense to just pay a professional insulation contractor to properly remove the insulation for you.

Professionals Can Prevent Home Damage and Reduce Messes

Another reason to hire a professional for insulation removal is because doing so can help prevent home damage and cumbersome messes. Without proper experience and knowledge of how to remove insulation, there is a chance that you could end up damaging your home.

In the worst-case scenario, you could harm the structure of your home. In the best-case scenario, you will probably still make a large mess trying to tear away old insulation filled with dust and other particles. To avoid harming your home in an attempt to improve it, it is a good idea to hire a professional insulation contractor who knows how to mitigate messes and remove insulation without damaging your property.

James Fork Water System Under a Boil Order

Tammy Teague
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The James Fork Regional Water System has been placed under a boil order as of today, Friday, September 25, by the Arkansas Department of Health.

A notice was sent out to operators within the system, including Mansfield, Bonanza, Hartford and Hackett, stating “if you are a consecutive system of James Fork Regional Water and do not booster chlorinate, your system is being put on a boil order for inadequate disinfectant levels.”

The notification went on to add that low disinfectant levels were found in the system, and James Fork Regional Water is required to take two sample sets, which must have absent bacteriological results and adequate disinfectant levels.

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black stated that the boil order is expected to last for at least a week. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water should be brought to a “rolling boil for one minute”.

How To Prepare Your Hobby Farm for Winter

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How To Prepare Your Hobby Farm for Winter

If you own a hobby farm, fall means a lot more than colorful leaves and Halloween celebrations. This is the season for preparing for winter. Whether you’re securing your livestock or prepping your garden for next spring, your autumn to-do list is sure to be a mile long. Fortunately, working hard now will pay off when your plants and animals make it safely through the winter, setting you up for success next spring. Take advantage of the last of the nice weather with this guide on how to prepare your hobby farm for winter.

Start Planning for Spring

The more you prepare in the fall, the better your spring will be. Get to work in your garden beds. You can mix compost or other soil solutions into your garden during the fall so that it spends the season breaking down and feeding the soil. This will give you a rich, fertile starting point to plant in the spring. You should also look ahead to what kinds of plants you want next year. Shrubs, perennials, and other long-term plants will be on sale at the end of summer, so now is a great time to purchase and plant.

Prepare Your Animals for Winter

Each type of animal on your hobby farm will come with its own checklist of fall and winter tasks. Make sure you take care of everyone before the cold weather hits. Reinforce chicken coops and fencing, winterize your beehives, and make sure all feeders, waterers, and other equipment is in working order.

By the end of autumn, all your animals should have safe, insulated places to spend the winter. Make sure your structures are secure and able to keep the wind and snow away from your animals. It’s also a good idea to stock up on food and any other supplies you might need—especially if you live far from town or know there’s inclement weather on the way.

Figure Out Storage Solutions

When winter comes, you won’t need a lot of the tools and equipment you used throughout the summer. One of the most important parts of how to prepare your hobby farm for winter is to find secure and adequate storage for your supplies. Keep your tools somewhere safe, dry, and warm so that they don’t end up freezing or buried in snow. Drain any garden hoses, and keep more fragile supplies indoors and away from the cold. It might also be a good idea to check your storage space for holes in the roof, walls, or foundation. This will keep pests and critters away from your supplies, making it much easier to brush off your gear and get to work when spring comes around again.

Paris To Suspend All Volleyball Activities Until October 5

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Paris To Suspend All Volleyball Activities Until October 5

After further contact tracing in the Paris school district after a confirmed positive COVID case was discovered two days ago, the Paris school district announced today that all volleyball activities are now suspended until October 5 due to two positive cases within the program. Resident Press first broke this story on September 22.

In a statement released today on the district’s website, the district announced, “The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority and we are taking actions recommended by the ADH (Arkansas Department of Health) to mitigate the situation. With the move to virtual school for two days, this press release will deal with athletics. All volleyball activities will be suspended until October 5 which includes grades 7-12. These measures are due to two positive cases within the volleyball program. After conducting contact tracing and following ADH guidelines concerning close contact, the volleyball program couldn’t continue due to multiple student quarantines. Regarding the football program, at this time, all football games will be played as regularly scheduled. The impact of the cases was minimal after conducting the contact tracing. By following the ADH guidelines, the football program is eligible for continuation of activities. We will update our social media and district webpage with any new information. “

Per the statement above from the district, tonight’s junior high football game will be played as scheduled, as well as Friday’s conference opener in Paris against Mayflower.

Resident Press will continue to follow this story as more information is made available.

Sebastian County Conservation District Director Receives Outstanding Award

Tammy Teague
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Sebastian County Conservation District Director Receives Outstanding Award

Sebastian County Conservation District Director Conaly Bedell was awarded the Outstanding District Director for the month of September by the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts.

Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts recognized Bedell as one of two District Directors being recognized in September. Bedell, Director for Sebastian County Conservation District, has been instrumental in reclaiming Sebastian County Conservation District and ARC&D. Both had been faltering for three to four years.

Bedell has directed both Sebastian County Conservation District and Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development Councils to be viable, functioning entities financially, technologically and professionally.

Sebastian County Conservation District was voted the Most Outstanding Conservation District in 2019, in great part to his leadership and direction. Bedell is constantly moving Sebastian County Conservation District, Crawford County Conservation District and Poteau River Conservation District to work together to enhance the effectiveness and long term benefits of all three districts.

Arkansas Association of Conservation District appreciates Conaly Bedell’s leadership and dedication in recognizing what could be done if individuals dedicate themselves to a greater purpose.

Dardanelle Shows Off Big Bass

Tammy Teague
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Dardanelle Shows Off Big Bass

Lake Dardanelle hosted two major national fishing events the past two weeks, giving the lake a chance to show off its population of black bass. The fishing was often hard, as early September can be as the weather is changing and bass are transitioning to fall patterns. Still, some major bass were pulled in (and released, too, so they are still out there). From the Hobie Kayak Bass Open Series on Sept. 12-13, 112 anglers caught 693 largemouth and Kentucky bass over the two days (1,111 pounds total). Drew Gregory (top left) edged Eric Siddiqi (top right) in a tie-breaker to claim the championship. The tournament was scored by inches of bass caught, rather than pounds, and both anglers caught 171 inches of fish. But Gregory had the one fish he had caught on Saturday that was 21 inches and proved to be the tie-breaker. Those shown in the photo are a couple of the nice ones reeled in by the top two anglers, both from Ohio. The top weighing fish in the event was 5.51 pounds.

Jason Baumgartner, our reporter from Lake Dardanelle and the park aquarist at the state park, said that the FLW Toyota Series, which was held there last week, Sept. 17-19, featured 121 boats and 242 anglers who caught 1,004 fish weighing 2,054 pounds over the three days. The Big Bass weighed 5.44 pounds. Conway’s Jason Lieblong, who won the event here in 2015, outlasted the rest of the field last weekend, pulling in more than 15 pounds of fish on the last day to win the event with 40 pounds, 9 ounces.

Baumgartner said the FLW anglers reported the bite was tough, which is typical for the fall transition. They used a wide range of lures, including plastics, spinners and Rat-L-Traps. Many anglers fished shallow and on hydrilla or water willow. The FLW website reported that shallow power-fishing techniques prevailed, and if you are interested in more fishing information from the pros, such as how to fish Lake Dardanelle and how Lieblong approaches it, you can find it here.

Check out Baumgartner’s report this week from Dardanelle, and many other reports if you’re looking for that big bass or some other species around the state. There’s a big fish waiting.

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