The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) has relaxed its ban on out-of-town travel for high school cheerleaders and dance team spirit groups. In a memo released by the AAA, there was no mention of high school bands in its list of spirit groups that will be allowed to travel.
The AAA memo stated in part, “Starting Monday, September 21, 2020, travel to away sporting events for spirit groups (CHEER/DANCE) will be a local district decision.” The memo relaxes the restrictions placed by the AAA at the start of current fall sports seasons that prohibited travel by spirit groups and band to away events. The restrictions were put in place as a response to the COVID -19 virus and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Resident Press will continue to follow this development and will report any new information to our readers when updates are available.
Stay with Resident Press for the most complete coverage of high school sports in the River Valley.
“May the odds be ever in your favor!”– Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games
Nearly halfway through their undefeated volleyball season, the Mansfield Sr High Lady Tigers continue to approach every opponent as if that quote was their team motto. On Tuesday, September 15, the Mansfield Sr High Lady Tigers strolled into Decatur cool as a cucumber looking to upgrade their 5-0 conference record. Although this was the first time these 2A conference foes had faced each other, the Lady Tigers and the Lady Bulldogs knew it wasn’t going to be the last.
With sets ending in 25-8, 25-9, and 25-10, this match was over before the Decatur Lady Bulldogs even knew what hit em’. As the Lady Tigers graciously accepted the 3-0 win, they bid adieu to the Lady Bulldogs while beefing up their conference record to 6-0. The Sr Lady Tigers were able to secure top-notch stats by the end of the game. Never having to do a lick of jail time for their continuous “kill” habits was Skylynn Harris with 15, Brooke Wright with 12, Natalie Allison with 10, and Sadie Roberts and Brooklyn Adams with 2 each. With more serves than a butler at Buckingham Palace was Adams with 8 aces, Wright with 6, Allison with 3, and Madelen Jones and Alayna Turner with 1 apiece.
With better “blocks” than a hockey goalie was Harris and Wright with 1 each. More helpful than Lassie to Timmy in “assisting” their teammates was Jones with 23 and Allison with 10. And with more “digs” than Martha Stewart’s garden was Kiara Thomas with 15, Adams with 8, Jones with 5, Haylee Helms with 2, and Turner with 1. As the Sr Lady Tigers take control of their division with an 8-0 season record, they are looking to upgrade that number tonight on the road when they take on the Mulberry Lady Yellowjackets in round two of conference play. The first time around, Mansfield won 3-0 against Mulberry with five-star sets of 25-2, 25-12, and 25-4. This match is happening tonight in Mulberry starting at 4:30 pm.
Fort Smith attorney Greg Magness is a candidate in the runoff race for the nonpartisan position of Sebastian County Circuit Court Judge, Division VI, a position now held by Judge James Cox, who is retiring.
Magness has been an attorney with Hardin, Jesson, & Terry, PLC, for more than 25 years with a general practice focused primarily on civil and business matters. Magness has served as a board member for the Western Arkansas Legal Services and recently completed a term as a member of the Fort Smith School Board.
Magness is a lifelong resident of Fort Smith and attended Southside High School. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry, Magness received his law degree with honors from the University of Texas. He and his wife, Van, have two children who are both graduates of Southside High School and students at the University of Arkansas.
Magness describes himself as a Constitutional conservative. “One of a judge’s most important functions is to uphold and protect the Constitutional rights of citizens whether the threat comes from outside forces or the government itself.” Magness also believes that judges “should endeavor to apply and enforce the laws passed by our legislative and executive branches – not to make the law.” Magness said “that is the only way to ensure justice for everyone on an equal basis.”
The time you spend in your car should be enjoyable. There are many different ways to improve your daily commutes. Accessories, in particular, can help you accomplish an enjoyable ride. There are many items that can be beneficial in this respect. Read this list below for some car accessories that you didn’t know you needed.
Car Mount
If you’re constantly on the go and exploring new areas, having a car mount is extremely useful. With a car mount, you can place your phone at a convenient eye level, which will help you avoid the hazard of driving with your phone in your lap. Driving with your phone in your lap can be very dangerous, as it can cause you to constantly look down and take your eyes off the road as you drive. Instead, with a car mount, your hands will be on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times, ensuring you have a safe commute.
Car Seat Covers
If you have kids or pets, car seat covers will be your best friend. There are various styles, materials, and designs to choose from. You’re guaranteed to find a perfect fit for your car. And, if you need something specifically tailored for your car, there are great benefits to custom-made seat protectors.
Car Trash Can
Long commutes can really make you feel as if you live in your car. After a few trips, you start to notice the evidence of this. Don’t let trash pile up in your car. Instead, invest in a car trash can. These come in many different sizes and styles, so you’ll be sure to find one that goes great with your car’s interior.
Car Vacuum
Messes and spills are inevitable, so you want to prepare for these types of accidents as much as possible. A car vacuum can help you in so many different ways. If you accidentally spill your lunch, having your car vacuum on hand will help you avoid ants and stains. The free vacuums at the car wash don’t always have the best suction, so having a car vacuum will be helpful for future car wash days.
Car Hangers
This car accessory is great for space optimization. If you find yourself placing your purse or bags in the passenger seat, you probably have to scramble to clear off the space when you have someone join you. Save yourself from these few awkward seconds and invest in a car hanger. This will give you a convenient place to hang your items.
These car accessories that you didn’t know you needed will make your commute safer and more enjoyable.
For months, football as a whole was questionable for 2020. Little League football was an even bigger question. With the COVID pandemic going on, even if Little League sports were allowed to play, how would smaller schools with already low numbers survive? The West Central Football League faced all of these issues and moreover the board tried to dot every “I” and cross every “T” to create a safe environment for their programs while still allowing kids to play and enjoy the sport of football. The league lost a program as Greenland respectfully bowed out of the 2020 season earlier in the summer. But with a lot of hard work and dedication from the coaches, the West Central Football League kicked off on Saturday, September 12th.
Magazine vs Hackett (courtesy of LaWaynea Cox)
Hackett traveled to Magazine for a defensive blockbuster with the Hornets walking away with an extremely close 2-0 victory. With both programs having a history of lighting up WCFL scoreboards, neither could seem to pull away from each other’s steel wall defenses. In fact, it was the Hornets defense that created the only score in the game when #69 Collin Cooper secured a solid tackle for a safety. Due to low numbers, Magazine canceled their 3rd and 4th Grade game against Hackett. Fans from both communities flowed in for this great game and were not left unsatisfied. Even better, everyone followed COVID precautions wonderfully. Hackett WCFL Representative, Kevin Stiles said “I think the fans on both sides Friday did a great job with the COVID guidelines. Magazine created a great atmosphere for the kids to play in. Both teams’ fans made it feel like we were playing a normal pre-COVID football game so this was a win for everyone no matter what the score was”.
JC Westside vs Mountainburg (courtesy of Tanya Kasper Robinson)
JC Westside took a road trip to Mountainburg’s Dragons Den. Both teams left the fans on the edges of their seats as the Rebels edged out the Dragons by a mere extra point attempt to win 8-6. Although the game was a bulldozer vs tank defensive game, both the Rebels and Dragons found the end zones for their first scores of the season. Fisher Bowden scored the lone touchdown for Mountainburg but the Dragons could not fire their way in for the two-point conversion. The Rebels Rylan Mendez found a weak spot in the Dragons scales to plow in for JC Westside’s score. It was Mendez who drove his way in to tack on the two-point conversion for the Rebel win. The 3rd and 4th Grade game was redemption for the Dragons, however, as they cruised to a 20-0 win over JC Westside. Mountainburg’s offense set the Rebels boots ablaze scorching JC Westside’s defense for three touchdowns. RJ Young flew through the Rebels defense scoring twice. To make those scores twice as nice, each touchdown run of Youngs was for 30 yards. Brody Guenther clawed his way past JC Westside’s defense on a big run also screaming downfield to cross the goal line for another Dragons touchdown. The Dragons secured a two-point conversion on one of those scores when “Powerful” Jeremiah Powell clawed his way across the goal line.
Mansfield vs West Fork (courtesy of Joanna James)
The Mansfield program headed north to face off with West Fork in a clash of the Tigers matchup. West Fork clawed at Mansfield with all they had, but the cards were not in their favor as they dropped both games to Mansfield. West Fork 5th and 6th Grade head coach, Rob Preston stated.“Aiden Stanton was the player who delivered our lone touchdown and Robbie Preston scored our two-point conversion. The key player’s trophy went to our QB, Carson Jones, and the offensive line!” Mansfield’s speed was the kryptonite for West Fork as big-play ensued throughout both games. Mansfield ended up winning their 3rd and 4th Grade game 38-6. The stand out players of that game were Colton Nelson, Layton Pyles, Sammy Cooper, and Payton James. The 5th and 6th Grade ended up with a 34-8 victory. Holding the football torch for that game was Hunter Whittaker, Cordel Stone, Keyton Oliver, and Caden Whittaker.
Magazine vs Hackett (courtesy of LaWaynea Cox)
The WCFL programs put on quite a show for their fans. With everything still uncertain in the world today, one thing that seemingly makes everything better is kids having fun. Win or lose, when these young men and women hit the field, they bring joy not only to themselves and each other but also to everyone in the stadiums and communities. Pandemic or not, the programs that played Saturday brought some normalcy into everyone’s Saturdays again.
The Hackett Sr High Lady Hornets took their second 3-0 conference win of the week when they hosted the West Fork Lady Tigers on Tuesday for Senior Night. The first win came from Monday when the girls took on Booneville. Tuesday’s game started off like any other. Both teams took turns attacking the net in the first set. Playing at an accelerated pace, each ace, kill, dig, and block that the Lady Hornets delivered was equally matched by the Lady Tigers. With determination in their eyes and sweat on their brows, Hackett and West Fork were each unwilling to bow out gracefully. When the first set ended with a score of 25-22 Hackett, the entire gym just knew they were in for an explosive evening.
But something unexpected happened in the second set. As the Lady Hornets geared up for another round of spikealogical warfare with the Lady Tigers, the atmosphere felt different. As with any volleyball match that Hackett engages in, they hit the court full force. While the Lady Hornets continued to fly higher and higher, it became apparent that West Fork was losing stamina. Unable to keep up, the Lady Tigers took possession of the second number in the score falling to the Lady Hornets 25-17. It was all or nothing when the third set rolled around. But by then, the Lady Hornets were nice and warmed up with only one possible outcome to the game. Complete and utter annihilation. Hackett took the third set of the match 25-10 upgrading their conference record to 6-1.
With plenty of “aces” in West Forks faces was Jamye Durham with 4, Kayla Richardson, Madeline Freeman, and Emma Infalt with 2 each, and Shayla Foster with 1. Not “killing” the Lady Tigers softly was Freeman with 13, Rain Vaughn and Durham with 6, Kandace Byrd with 5, and with 1 apiece, Kenadi Wright, Mackenzie Mendenhall, Madi Taylor, and Sarah Moss. Leaving Hackett fans telling opponents “Don’t knock em’ til you block em'” was Wright, Mendenhall, and Freeman with 1 block each. When you’re headed off to battle, it’s these ladies who will always be there to “assist” you. Taylor concluded with 13, Freeman with 10, Richardson, Byrd, and Infalt with 2 each, and Vaughn, Durham, and Foster with 1 apiece. What do you call a girl who is standing directly in the middle of the court? Annette. Leading with digs was Richardson and Byrd with 10, Freeman with 5, Foster with 4, Taylor and Vaughn with 3, and Durham with 2.
Coach Broc Adams had this to say about his seniors, “I don’t know that there are words to describe this group of volleyball seniors. To say I’m proud is an understatement and to just say they are good athletes isn’t a fair assessment! This group works harder, plays together better, and leads more than any group I’ve seen! They push each other non-stop and set the example for anyone else watching! They impress me more and more each day with how they get along and how positive/funny they are! This group is truly one of a kind and I will hate to see them go! However, they are amazing kids off the court also and I know that they will go on to do great things because of the support system and determination they all have, and it excites me to see where life leads them! Until that day though, I’m going to continue to enjoy watching them give everything they have and support each other on and off the court!”
Hackett Senior Lady Hornets:
Madi Taylor
Emma Infalt
Brooke Holt
Chloie Patton
Jamye Durham
Kandace Byrd
Rain Vaughn
Sarah Moss
Kayla Richardson
Manager Faith Thomas
Team photos courtesy of Tanya White and senior pictures courtesy of Mandy Foster
Your home is the place you should be able to come back to at the end of a long day, take a deep breath, and relax. It’s a safe space for you to be yourself, enjoy your time, and feel fulfilled. It’s so easy to let a home get out of hand and become an additional stressor in your life, but you can learn how to make your home more comfortable and keep it that way.
Keep it clean
Keeping your house clean is the first and most important step to making it feel more comfortable. When you walk through the door and enter your home, the first thing you see shouldn’t be more stressful tasks and chores you must complete, but a sparkling oasis built to calm you. Keeping a house tidy is a big task, and it’s best done in increments so as not to get too overwhelming. Set a cleaning schedule so that you don’t panic about cleaning the entire home in one day—rather, clean one room a day or one section a week.
Keep your home clean longer by doing little things to prevent dirt buildup, such as wiping kitchen counters after cooking and cleaning up spills the moment they happen.
Clear clutter
Clutter is one of the biggest overwhelmers in a home. Accumulating things you truly don’t need in large quantities can be easy, especially if you have children. Make sure everything in your home has a place, and return items to their respective places you’re not using them. This means putting away laundry right away, giving children a space out of sight to contain their toys, and even introducing a “junk drawer” to keep unsightly clutter off your counter. Simply clearing clutter is enough to make a home feel twice as comfortable and relaxing as before.
Make a sanctuary
Each person in the home should have a small space that is their personal sanctuary. The best options for these spaces are typically bedrooms. Explore ways you can make your bedroom cozier and customize it to your liking. This even works for people who share bedrooms, such as couples or siblings. Make your bedside table your own, and make sure you have pillows that support your exact needs. Having just a little space that soothes you can make any home feel much more comfortable. Learning how to make your home more comfortable is truly an individual journey, but it’s important to explore what it means for you.
A win is good. The first win in your first game of the season is better. A win over a top-notch program like Charleston is great. A win AT Charleston is awesome. But keeping top-notch programs like Charleston scoreless on their own turf in both little league games…..well that’s just a downright WOW! The year 2020 may seem crazy to most folks, but for the LL Bulldogs, beating the big-time teams of old is going to be the new norm. Waldron Little League Football is growing from mere puppies on the field to the Big Dogs of little league football.
The Bulldog 3rd and 4th Grade kicked things off last Saturday. Once the clock started in the game, time was the only thing standing in the way of Waldron as they poured it on the Charleston Tigers with a 24-0 final score. The Bulldogs defense dug a deep hole for any Charleston player who carried the football. Offensively, Waldron had the Tigers by the tail all game long. The Bulldog backs and receivers mowed up yards better than any zero-turn mower on the market and turned around in the end zone just to go the other way and do it again.
Waldron’s 5th and 6th Grade had quite the challenge as they faced off against the Tigers who were the 2019 runner-ups in the league. That was last year though. The Bulldogs made certain that Charleston would wind up as runner-ups in their first game of the season as the Bulldogs rolled over Charleston 12-0. Waldron’s defense went from just Bulldogs to Bullmonsters as they shut down the Tiger’s potent offense. Big hits were the name of the game and Waldron gave haymakers all night long. The Bulldogs offense didn’t rack up a million points against the stiff Charleston defense, but they crossed the end zone twice giving them the 12-0 go-ahead victory.
Jarrod Kluthe said “The 3rd and 4th grade are a very solid team with great hopes for this season. They have all of the tools for the job and I really think they can clean house this year. The 5th and 6th grade team has had a whole different view of the future after being a young group last season and taking some licks. The 6th graders have come out strong as leaders being more motivated and physical. They look to be the one delivering the licks this season.”
It’s hard to beat a Week 1 win over a big-time program, but don’t think that the wins are going to Waldron’s head. They are focused and prepared for a full season of tough opponents. The Orange and Black are ready to attack all who cross their path. Next up, the Bulldogs will host Paris on September 19 at Sawyer Wright Field and look to make a comfortable feather pillow of the Little League Eagles. The 3rd and 4th Grade will play at 6:00 pm and the 5th and 6th Grade will play at 7:00 pm.
Before the start of the Mansfield vs Elkins Sr High football game, Mansfield took a moment to recognize their senior Tiger and Lady Tiger student-athletes. The fall sports being highlighted were football, cheer, and band. For some of the seniors, the night was bittersweet because it signified the last sports chapter of their high school career. So when it comes to wise words for these seniors to live by, Dr. Seuss said it best. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Marty and Angie Pennington of Caledonia, MS are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Macey Elizabeth Pennington of Columbus, MS to Tyler Scott Wyckoff, also of Columbus. Tyler is the son of Scott and Pam Wyckoff of Columbus, MS.
Angie is a 2016 graduate of Caledonia High School, and will graduate from ICC in 2020 with an occupational therapy assistant degree. Tyler is a 2015 graduate of New Hope High School. He will graduate in 2020 from MSU with a degree in mechanical engineering. Tyler is employed by Bolzovi Auramo in Sulligent, AL as a manufacturing engineer.
She is the granddaughter of Paul and Dot Sansing, Beth Winders, and Everett and Sherri Pennington. He is the grandson of the late Chuck and Amanda Wilson, and the late Walter Wyckoff and Shirley Wyckoff.
A 5 p.m. wedding is planned on October 10, 2020 at the Barn at Lakeside.
