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Obituary: Billy Lee Reather (1940-2025)

Obituaries

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2:36 pm

Billy Lee Reather, who resided near Muldrow, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on June 16, 1940, in Magazine, Arkansas, to the late Thomas K. Reather and Vivian Marie (Roberson) Reather. He was 85 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Eula Faye (Elkins) Reather; a daughter, Vicki Reather; a sister, Sue Reather; a brother, Daymon Reather; and an infant brother.

For 34 years, Bill worked for the Fort Smith Police Department. He was a former commander for the Fort Smith Swat Team and Honor Guard Team, and played many different roles while serving in law enforcement. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and member of Rye Hill Baptist church in Fort Smith.

A family-held memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30th at Rye Hill Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

He is survived by a son, Randall Reather of Muldrow; (7) grandchildren, Richard Rivera, Logan Taylor, Landan Reather, Jessica Gibbs, Quinton Cunningham, Felicia Reather, and Matthew Collins; (6) great-grandchildren, Shianne, Austin, Zane, Hayden, Thomas, and Logan; and (2) great-great-grandchildren, Hadley and Swazee.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR 72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

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1:02 pm

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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – The inmate population in Arkansas prisons will grow by an estimated two percent a year until 2035, according to an expert’s presentation at a conference of county officials, sheriffs, prison administrators and lawmakers.

There is general agreement that Arkansas needs to add prison space in order to relieve overcrowding in county jails and provide a deterrent to violent offenders. Some elected officials want to build a large, new prison unit while others prefer to expand existing units.

The inmate population grew by 2.4 percent a year from 2010 through 2023, but since 2021 it has grown by an average of 5 percent a year, the expert said. There are now more than 19,400 inmates under state jurisdiction. Those estimates prompted one legislator to call the situation “very alarming.”

Sheriffs are in charge of county jails. Some are full because they house inmates waiting to be transferred to a state prison unit. This creates dangerous interactions if serious offenders are in the same facility with people who commit minor offenses. In some county jails an offender guilty of a misdemeanor may not have to serve time behind bars due to lack of safe space.

Counties have approved local taxes to build more jail space. Since 2021 county jails have added more than 3,000 beds. However, one sheriff told the group that jails were bursting at the seams because of a backlog of about 1,900 state inmates.

Since 2023 the Correction Department has added about 1,400 beds to the state system, according to the head of the department.

One reason the inmate population is growing is that tougher new laws require more serious offenders to serve at least 70 percent of their sentence. Another law passed in 2023 requires the most serious offenders to serve 100 percent of their sentence.

Criminals convicted of rape and capital murder serve 100 percent of their sentences, as do inmates convicted of aggravated robbery, human trafficking, Internet stalking of a child and more serious categories of aggravated residential burglary.

Inmates must serve 85 percent of their sentence after conviction for violent felonies such as second degree murder, negligent homicide, manslaughter, encouraging someone to commit suicide, first degree battery, first degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child.

Other felonies on the list include permitting abuse of a minor, serious categories of arson, advocating overthrow of the government, treason, making a terrorist threat, arming a terrorist and exposing the public to toxic, chemical or radioactive substances.

Thanks to the 2023 law, sentencing guidelines more closely mirror those in federal prisons, where inmates generally serve most of their original sentences.

Many county jails are not built to segregate all prisoners, so the presence of violent offenders is potentially dangerous to other inmates and to staff. Another challenge for local jails is the high percentage of people with mental illness who are incarcerated.

The legislature approved Act 733 earlier this year to streamline the process of ordering psychological evaluations for people who have been charged with crimes. It also allows jails to provide medications in a more timely manner, to prevent people from spiraling into a mental health crisis.

Family of Brad Jones Responds to Prosecutor’s Decision: “We Will Not Give Up on Justice”

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10:40 am

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Family of Brad Jones Responds to Prosecutor’s Decision: “We Will Not Give Up on Justice”

Charleston, Arkansas – The family of Brad Jones today expressed deep disappointment at the
prosecutor’s decision not to file criminal charges against Kermit Acosta, the man who fatally
shot Brad on July 10, 2025.
“Brad was a loving husband, father, and hardworking member of this community,” said his wife,
Sherry Jones. “His life was taken without cause, and our family deserves justice. The
prosecutor’s decision does not change the truth of what happened, nor will it silence our pursuit
of accountability.”
Brad was unarmed and posed no imminent threat at the time of his death. Witness statements and available evidence show that his killing was unnecessary and unjustifiable.
The Jones family announced that they have retained Kevin Metcalf and Chad Atwell of The
Atwell Law Firm, who will represent them in a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Acosta.
“If the criminal system will not hold him accountable, then we will fight through the civil
courts,” said Brad’s daughter. “Our father’s life mattered, and we will not rest until the truth is
recognized.”
The family also voiced concern over how the investigation was handled, citing potential conflicts
of interest and inconsistent communication. “We ask the community to stand with us and
demand transparency and fairness,” said Sherry Jones.
The family requests privacy as they continue to grieve and prepare for the next phase of their
pursuit of justice.

JR Tigers Scramble Past Bearcats In Scrimmage Showdown

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10:37 am

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JR Tigers Scramble Past Bearcats In Scrimmage Showdown

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Special Prosecutor will not Seek Charges in Shooting Death of a Charleston Man

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10:11 am

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Special Prosecutor will not Seek Charges in Shooting Death of a Charleston Man

The Office of Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge, 14th Judicial District, announced today that no charges will be filed in the July 10 shooting that claimed the life of a Charleston man.

Fort Smith, Arkansas — Special Prosecuting Attorney David L. Ethredge has completed his review of the July 10, 2025, incident in Sebastian County in which Mr. Richard Bradley Jones was fatally injured during a confrontation with Mr. Kermit Acosta. After a diligent investigation conducted by the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, and a review of all available evidence —
including the statements of three witnesses and information from the Arkansas State Crime Lab. The facts established are as follows:

Mr. Acosta acted in lawful manner under Arkansas law. The investigation revealed that Mr. Acosta was confronted by Mr. Jones and reasonably perceived an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death. The witnesses interviewed by investigators provided consistent accounts supporting the claim that Mr. Acosta’s actions were necessary to protect himself.

Under Arkansas law (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-607), a person is justified in using deadly physical force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves from death or serious physical injury. Based on the totality of the evidence — including witness testimony, physical evidence, and investigative findings — the State cannot disprove that Mr. Acosta’s actions were legally justified.

The decision to file criminal charges must reflect the ethical obligation to the victim, the community, and the potential defendant. Prosecutors must never rush to charge an individual without the unwavering belief that, after hearing all the facts and evidence, a jury of twelve citizens in this jurisdiction would find beyond reasonable doubt that an unlawful taking of life had occurred.

“This decision is based solely on the evidence and the law,” said Special Prosecuting
Attorney David L. Ethredge. “While any loss of life is a serious matter, the law
recognizes the right of every individual to defend themselves when faced with an
imminent threat.

Our responsibility is to ensure that justice is pursued fairly, impartially, and only when the evidence supports it beyond a reasonable doubt. We commend the diligence of the investigating officers and the cooperation of the witnesses in ensuring a thorough and fair review. The Office of the Special Prosecuting Attorney thanks the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office for its professionalism and the community for its patience during the review process.

Ethredge was appointed special prosecutor on July 29 after Sebastian County Prosecutor Daniel Shue recused himself from the case. The incident occurred at the 1500 block of Highway 96 East in Lavaca on July 10, 2025.

SR Tigers Mangle Mena In Scrimmage

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Dodging Danger in Iraq: Coben’s Story of Survival and Service

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3:54 pm

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Dodging Danger in Iraq: Coben’s Story of Survival and Service

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Roots Run Deep: Edwards Honors Farming Legacy

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10:52 am

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Roots Run Deep: Edwards Honors Farming Legacy

Scott County native Regina Edwards sees farming as more than a livelihood—it’s a calling. Most days, she is hard at work caring for crops and livestock on her family farm. Other times, she can be found volunteering, sharing both the history and the rewards of a life deeply connected to the land.

“I want others to understand where their food comes from, and also the resilience it takes to work the soil,” Edwards said. “It’s not just about farming—it’s about heritage, family, and community.”

That heritage runs deep in Edwards’ bloodline. Her passion for the land is one inherited from generations before her, including her great-grandfather, W.C. Edwards, a Huntington farmer whose life was featured in the Southwest Times Record in 1973.

The article, titled “Wintertime and No Shoes,” told the story of W.C. Edwards, who was born in 1878 near Charleston, the son of an English immigrant. At the time of the feature, he was 95 years old and living in Huntington, still planting a small garden behind the Wilson Nursing Home.

Edwards’ memories, recorded in the article, painted a vivid picture of farm life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He recalled raising cotton for just a few cents a pound, losing crops to sudden downpours, and selling eggs for 5 or 10 cents a dozen. He remembered hauling timber to the mines in Huntington and being paid in gold, as well as witnessing the devastation of the great Fort Smith tornado.

“Wintertime and no shoes was hard going,” he said in the 1973 interview. “I’ve had more downs than ups, but I’ve tried to live straight all my life.”

Despite hardship, W.C. Edwards raised ten children with his wife, Mabel White, and passed down a philosophy of hard work, patience, and faith—values that remain alive in his descendants today.

For Regina Edwards, history isn’t just something to study—it’s a way of life she, and other members of the Edward’s family work to embody and pass along. Her message highlights how food production has evolved, while emphasizing the timeless lessons of sustainability, resilience, and gratitude.

Canning is a way of life for Regina Edwards Oliver…

“Farming has always required creativity and grit,” she explained. “My great-grandfather worked with almost nothing, and yet he built a life for his family. That’s the kind of perseverance I want young people to know they can carry with them.”

Preservation, for Edwards, goes beyond jars of canned goods and hours of labor. She continues to bridge past and present, honoring her family’s heritage while inspiring future generations to cherish the land beneath their feet.

The Olivers are ensuring the next generation knows how important farming is to their way of life.

“It’s more than farming,” she said. “It’s a tradition and legacy…feeding our own families and/or the world.”

AGFC extends $777,800 to Arkansas schools

Outdoors

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9:37 am

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AGFC extends $777,800 to Arkansas schools

By Randy Zellers

At today’s (August 14) regular meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission commissioners unanimously voted to offer more than three-quarters of a million dollars from money collected through wildlife and boating violations fines to Arkansas schools through conservation education grants for the current school year. The money will be available through grants administered by the AGFC’s partner, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Department of Rural Services.

Contrary to popular belief, the AGFC doesn’t use any of the fine money collected from wildlife and boating infractions. Instead, that money is collected at the county level and earmarked for schools to use toward conservation and outdoor recreation programs to help strengthen students’ appreciation for the natural world.

“Many schools use these grants to support some of the great archery and shooting sports programs we offer through our Recreational Shooting Division,” AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch said at a briefing on Tuesday. “We anticipate many applications for these grants from our schools participating in our School of Conservation Leadership Program to help fund some of the activities required for that designation.”

An application for this grant money will be available on the Department of Rural Services website (www.arkansassedc.com/rural-services) soon. Visit www.agfc.com/educationgrants for more information about the program and qualifying activities.

Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock to complete a land exchange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to trade the Service’s currently landlocked Oakwood Unit in Desha County with a portion of Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area in Ashley County. Under the exchange, the former Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA property would be absorbed by the bordering Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge and remain open to public hunting opportunities, and the AGFC would add the Oakwood Unit to its WMA system, effectively increasing public hunting opportunities in this portion of the state by more than 2,200 acres.

AGFC Assistant Chief of Wildlife Management Matthew Warriner said the exchange will help the USFWS complete a vital corridor of property, spanning from Felsenthal NWR in Arkansas to the Lower Ouachita NWR in Louisiana and was a focus of former AGFC Director Pat Fitts, who recently died.

“Opening this area to public access in Desha County was very important to Pat, who spent most of his career in Southeast Arkansas,” Warriner said. “This exchange has been a long time in the making, and we’re excited to open this land up to outdoors enthusiasts in Desha County upon its completion.”

The Commission voted to approve a budget increase of $51,000 from unobligated Marine Fuel Tax funds to build a canoe and kayak access on Lake Atkins in Pope County. The access will be constructed on the north side of the lake, near the dam, and will be used exclusively for canoes, kayaks and other watercraft capable of being launched by hand.

AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock highlighted the efforts of the agency’s Recreational Shooting Division during his report to the Commission, noting that August is National Shooting Sports Month.

“Recreational shooting has a very strong link to conservation,” Schoenrock said. “A portion of the purchases of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment is being allocated back to the states for conservation support.”

In addition to highlighting some of the special promotions being conducted at AGFC ranges, Schoenrock explained how the Recreational Shooting Division and AGFC Research Division are working together to learn more about people’s attitudes toward efforts to expand shooting sports like trap and skeet shooting as collegiate sports offerings.

“This is a fast-growing segment of education experiences, and AGFC Recreational Shooting Chief Jose Jimenez and his team are at the forefront of the charge to make it a reality in more Arkansas schools and colleges,” Schoenrock said.

The Commission also formally agreed to send a letter of support to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, requesting the new Arkansas Highway 88 bridge over Little Bayou Meto in Reydell be named in honor of former Commissioner Joe Morgan when it is completed. The new bridge is needed to increase flow through the bayou and improve drainage to George H. Dunklin Bayou Meto WMA. Morgan served on the Commission from July 2017 until his death on the opening day of duck season 2020 and was a stalwart advocate of improving public hunting opportunities on Bayou Meto.

In other business, the Commission:

Heard a presentation from Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation President Deke Whitbeck about the Arkansas Outdoors Hall of Fame, scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
Approved a budget increase of $221,000 from unobligated federal wildlife restoration funds and AGFC state funds to renovate a water-control structure on Galla Creek WMA in Pope County. This water-control structure is required to flood the greentree reservoir on the WMA, offering vital wetland habitat to waterfowl in this portion of the state.
Approved a budget increase of $573,000 from unobligated federal wildlife restoration funds and AGFC state funds for the removal and replacement of a water-control structure at Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA in Conway County. The water-control structure is essential to management of moist-soil units that provide wildlife habitat for wetlands species and migrating waterfowl popular with hunters on the WMA. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.3 million.
Approved a minute order to remove a stolen firearm from inventory with an original value of $424 and a current net book value of $0.

A video of today’s meeting is available on the AGFC’s YouTube Channel.

Obituary: Fritz Morales (1937-2025)

Obituaries

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4:49 pm

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On August 19, 2025, at the age of 88, Federico G. (Fritz) Morales passed peacefully from this life. He is now rejoicing in Heaven! Fritz was born on March 3, 1937 in Norwich, Kansas. His parents were Natividad and Refugio Morales. His siblings were: Juanita, Ben, Beatriz, Pauline and Leonard (all deceased).

Fritz and Pat began married life in Wichita, Kansas. They later moved to Conway, Arkansas before being transferred to Waldron in 1963 with the Soil Conservation Service. He served as a Civil Engineer Technician until his retirement. During his employment, he received a special merit award in Washington D.C. for Outstanding Cost Reduction Achievement. Only 5 employees of the Soil Conservation were honored that year. President Lyndon B. Johnson honored the group by presenting a short address.

From a young age, Fritz loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Even something as simple as a walk in the woods brought him great joy.

During his childhood in Norwich, Fritz began to develop his love of sports. In high school, he played basketball, football and ran track. He went on to play college football for one season for the University of Wichita Wheat Shockers.

During the late 1960’s in Waldron, Fritz coached a pee wee basketball team, the Falcons. It was also during this time that he began, what would become a 56 year tenure as the football announcer for the Waldron Bulldogs and would become known as “The voice of the Bulldogs”. He began announcing in a wooden pressbox on the North side of Sawyer Wright Field, then finally to the beautiful new pressbox that is named for him at the current football field. He loved announcing and always took great pride in making sure that the visiting teams, band and fans always felt welcome. Nothing made him happier than Friday nights with his “crew”, (Jeto, Ray, Roger and David). And of course, some of “mama’s chocolate cake”.

Fritz is survived by his wife of 68 years, Pat, daughters: Carla Terry (Michael) and Mareta and one son Mark (Kathy). He will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Michael Terry (Raven), John Terry (Meghen), Jennifer Adcock (Monty), Brandy Hopkins (Nathan), and Dustin Waters (Tiffany) as well as great grandchildren: Aiden Terry, Lily and Eli Hopkins, Sophia and Logan Waters, Maddox and Marley-Grace Adcock and Oliver Terry.

Fritz’s visitation will be Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 22, 2025 at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in Birdsview Cemetery.

Fritz truly enjoyed life and all the people he met along the way. He seemed to never know a stranger and always had a story on hand to share. He found the good in everyone and was always positive even during difficult times.

The motto Fritz wanted to share was: “I didn’t always win, but I ran a good race.”

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations be made to the Waldron Athletic’s Program at 1560 West 6th Street, Waldron, Arkansas 72958 or online at http://waldronbulldog.weebly.com/store/c4/Donation.html

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