82.2 F
Fort Smith
Thursday, July 2, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 653

Safety Tips for Your Horse Trailer

Resident News Network
-
0
Safety Tips for Your Horse Trailer

The first step to take when traveling with your horse is to follow all safety precautions. Many may think to double-check precautions that keep your horse physically safe and sound, such as ensuring the temperature of the trailer is not too hot, wrapping your horse’s legs with protective gear, and giving them plenty of water and hay. However necessary these steps are, keeping your trailer up to par is just as important. These safety tips for your horse trailer will keep you, your vehicle, and your horse safe.

Towing Abilities

Whether you are purchasing a new trailer and truck or using the same equipment as always, double-check the towing abilities of your hitch and vehicle. Make sure that both are able to withstand the additional weight when your trailer is full. Otherwise, you run the risk of the trailer breaking loose from your vehicle. 

Pre-Check

When gearing up for traveling with a horse trailer, run through a checklist to ensure the trailer and its accessories, such as exterior lights, are all working. Be sure to check for interior issues as well, such as weakened floorboards or sharp surfaces. 

Tires

You should change the tires on your trailer frequently. Even if your trailer tires do not appear worn, weather damage can cause the rubber of the tires to stiffen over time, which puts you at risk of a blowout. 

Balance Your Load

Before you hit the road, make sure the load you are towing is balanced to avoid damage to your vehicle and trailer while ensuring safe handling. An unbalanced load can create difficulty in gaining traction and interfere with your ability to make safe turns. 

Double-checking your trailer and vehicle towing abilities and condition, as well as balancing your tow load, are some of the top safety tips for your horse trailer. By following these tips, you can rest easy knowing your trailer is ready to go. 

Making Saturday Mornings Great Again

Resident News Network
-
0
Making Saturday Mornings Great Again

By now, everyone has heard the phrase “The New Norm” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is having to adjust their day to day lives around things like masks, social distancing, and staying home. With all the gloom and doom out there, what can we all look forward to that could brighten things up? Maybe we can go back in time and pick the brightest spot of our childhood week. Saturday morning!

Who recalls what their Saturday mornings were like? I bet you can even do an exact play by play scenario of them right now as you’re reading this. The sights, sounds, and smells are floating around in your head right now, aren’t they?  For me, Saturdays meant an awesome breakfast and Saturday morning cartoons. Of course, my sister and I’s chores had to be done first, but we’ll get to that later in the article.

Breakfast on Saturday mornings was a treat. Normally breakfast was cereal, oatmeal, or Malt-o-Meal during the week. Nothing was wrong with that by any means, but on Saturdays, we feasted like kings and queens. This task of the royal treatment was placed on my dad’s shoulders and boy could he cook a breakfast! His specialty was super omelets, gravy, and toast! He’d turn on some “old” Christian music like The Greens or Gold City and away he went. Rarely did we see him do the cooking because we were doing our morning chores (again, I’ll get to that later), but we knew once the music hit that full bellies would soon follow.

Once my mom had set the table and dad had completed his masterpiece, we’d all sit down together at the table, say a prayer, and then let the forks fly. As my parents discussed what the day would hold, my sister and I would eagerly eat and wait to be excused from the table for the highlight of every kid’s Saturday morning…….CARTOONS! Once everyone was done we’d all crowd into the living room and on came good ol’ Looney Toons. We’d turn the top dial to U, the bottom dial to 40, and the show would begin. Our parents would join us and chuckle and laugh just as much as we did with every Wile E. Coyote fail and every Yosemite Sam growl at Bugs Bunny.

Now, on to the chores. Breakfast was free, but we had to earn our Looney Tunes. With beds made and rooms picked up, we’d head outside to tend to the animals. My sister usually got the eggs from the chickens while I fed and watered them. Then we would head over to the hog pen to slop and water them. Of course, we couldn’t forget to take care of our beloved dogs. Chores would change depending on what time of year it was on our little acre farm. Winter tacked on filling the wood box and emptying the stove ashes. All was worth it though for our hour of Looney Tunes.

It sounds quite simplistic, but it was a simpler time back then. You see, a family is supposed to do things together as a family. Sitting down at the table to eat and talk isn’t torcher, its family bonding. Back then, no one was too busy or doing their own thing. Sure, there will always be work to be done on most Saturdays, but we can always do it after Saturday morning cartoons and family time.

So during this “New Norm” trend, try taking a Saturday morning to repeat your childhood morning rituals with your family. Go ahead and cancel all plans for Saturday mornings. Put away everyone’s phones and technology for a couple of hours. Maybe dad can even do a kitchen takeover for breakfast and the family can sit at the table to eat. Then turn on some good ol’ cartoons for everyone to watch as a family for an hour or so. The “New Norm” Saturdays are boring and overrated. Make Saturday Mornings Great Again!!!

UPDATE: Governor Doesn’t Indicate a Decision is Coming Soon Regarding Fall High School Sports

Resident News Network
-
0
UPDATE: Governor Doesn’t Indicate a Decision is Coming Soon Regarding Fall High School Sports

Arkansas governor Asa Hutchison briefly referred to media questions in today’s daily press briefing regarding the status of fall high school sports and their possible resumption.

Following questions regarding the face mask mandate, the governor was asked about when a decision was coming regarding fall sports. Referring to the COVID-19 statistics to-date, the governor said, “these are not good numbers.” When asked about a decision on fall sports, the governor explained that “if we want school to be open and want to have sports, we have to wear the masks.”

As of the publication date of this story, it is not known as to when a decision will be announced by Governor Hutchison. Many players, coaches, and athletic directors are growing increasingly concerned about time becoming shorter and shorter with respect to having enough time in August to safely prepare players for the fall seasons. Many are hoping for a July 31 announcement, but, after today’s remarks by the governor, there is certainly no guarantee that will happen.

Stay with Resident Press for more on this story as events occur.

Mansfield Mayor Provides Update on COVID-19 Cases in City

Tammy Teague
-
0
Mansfield Mayor Provides Update on COVID-19 Cases in City

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black announced on Tuesday afternoon, July 28 that the city had two new positive cases of COVID-19.

Because the two cases directly affect the meeting of the city council, Black stated that the regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 30 will once again be postponed until Thursday, August 6 at 6 p.m.

However, there will be a special meeting Thursday evening, July 30 to vote on the rezoning change for the proposed duplexes on Cole Street. This will be the only item of business at that meeting.

Black also provided an update of COVID-19 cases in the city. “To the best of my knowledge there have been a total of nine cases, seven recovered and two active.”

Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet

Resident News Network
-
0
Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet

It is a rare thing at my house that I will cook a new dish, and everyone of my kids enjoy it.  Each of my kids have different tastes in food.  You can just imagine what it is like trying to pick a place that we all agree on to go out to eat at.  No one can ever seem to agree on where to go.  So, it is usually solved by me saying, “Let’s vote on it!”  However, I decided to try this idea I had for a Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet dish at the spare of the moment on the kids.  All of my kids loved it!  I am not sure how that happened, except to say maybe it was a miracle?  This is a simple dinner idea with not a lot of clean up.  That is always a big plus for me. 

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds of Ground Beef

½ a bag of Frozen Cubed Hash Browns

1 8oz bag of Shredded Mexican Style Cheese (Cheddar and Pepper Jack)

8 slices of cooked Bacon crumbled (should equal about a cup of bacon crumbles)

Seasonings:

Minced Onion

Garlic Salt

Cavender’s All Greek Seasoning

Head Country Original Seasoning

Lawry’s Season Salt

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown hamburger meat with seasoning it with the all the spices listed above except the season salt.  I gave the meat a generous dash of each seasoning.  Once the meat is browned and almost completely finished, drain the grease and return to the skillet.  You don’t want the meat to fully finish browning because you still need to cook the potatoes so the meat will finish up browning with the hash browns.  Once the grease is drained off the meat, add the hash brown cubes and stir. Now, sprinkle the mixture with season salt.

Cover your skillet with a lid.  Let it sit, covered, and cook for five minutes on medium heat.  Then, remove lid, stir well, and return the lid.  Let it sit, covered, and cook for another five minutes.  Once this time is up, remove the lid, stir again, and return the lid.  Now, repeat again.  Let it sit, covered, and cook for another five minutes.  This takes about approximately 15 minutes total to get the potatoes cooked and a nice golden color.  Now, once the hash brown cubes are fully cooked, top your skillet with the package of graded cheese.  Once, this is melted, top with your crumbled bacon. 

Now, you are ready to scoop up in a bowl.  Garnish your Bacon Cheeseburger skillet bowl with your favorite burger toppings:  lettuce, tomatoes, pickle and onions!  You can use your favorite condiment for your topping too!  So, grab the ketchup, mustard or mayo, and give it a squeeze to top your bowl off.  Time to enjoy! 

Fiddle-Fartin’ With Hecox: To Coffee Or Not To Coffee

Megan Hecox
-
0
Fiddle-Fartin’ With Hecox: To Coffee Or Not To Coffee

For as long as I can remember, coffee has always been both a necessity and comfort in my life. Growing up, my mother never left the house without finishing a pot of coffee first. Her father was the same way. So I guess I come by it naturally. It’s a running joke in my household with my 12-year-old, 14-year-old, and husband that unless you want to die, DON’T talk to mom before she has had her coffee. I even have a sign hanging in the kitchen that says “Well, bless your little heart…Did you say something before I finished my coffee?”

In my house, we drink coffee in the morning. We drink coffee in the evening. We drink coffee when company comes over. We drink coffee during birthday parties and holidays. We drink coffee during every season of every day. Coffee is not only a staple in my household, its a way of life! But I know many people who not only don’t drink coffee, but they can function without it. I know, it blows my mind too!

Not everybody in the “Coffee Club” is the same though. There are those who like their coffee strong, black, and thick like Castrol oil and then there are those who like a little coffee with their creamer. Those who drink a shot of espresso and those who drink their coffee from a bucket with a straw. Sometime drinkers and every time drinkers. With 30 types of coffee in the world and many types of flavors, variations, and aromas, a coffee lover can spend the majority of their lives trying new kinds of coffee and never get bored.

As I stated before, there are households that prefer tea over coffee. Or soda over tea. Or just plain water only. So what is it about coffee that makes a person either love it or hate it? Is it an acquired taste? Is it a habit? Or is it simply a state of mind that tells us we can’t leave the house until at least four cups of joe have been consumed? As for me, I’m going to grab another cup of coffee, fiddle-fart around, and continue pondering life’s simple mysteries!

Dating in the Ice Ages

Tammy Teague
-
0
Dating in the Ice Ages

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

I must have fallen a hundred times. My right leg wanted to go straight, my left leg wanted to go right and neither leg was going where I wanted them to. I had bruises on top of bruises, my arm was skinned and my tail end was numb from constantly landing on it- and I was having a ball. I was thirteen and just learning to skate. It was a Sunday afternoon and half the kids in my school were laughing at my antics; the other half were suffering the same maladies as I as we learned to skate.

Roller rinks were big time entertainment in most of the small towns around. William (Bill) Barnett had opened his rink near Subiaco a few years previously but I didn’t feel the call to learn until I found out that was where the gals hang out.

Many of the guys would buy soft drinks, watch the skating, or play pool on the table in the back room. Those brave enough or had the fifty cents could join the seventy or more people circling the hard-wood floor on eight wheels, each wheel with its own mind, or holding firmly to the rails and praying to stay upright as they pulled themselves around.

All-skate was a madhouse of individuals circling counterclockwise at every speed imaginable and with every skill range from expert to beginner. Great music played loudly over the speakers and drowned out the laughter and excited talk between the kids and adults enjoying a night out exercising and visiting. Mrs. Barnett ran the lighted board which announced the skating preference in cycles; girls skate only, boys skate, and reverse. Boys skate was a free for all with guys racing, knocking each other down, or showing off to the girls by showing how many coke crates you could jump and still survive.

And then came the couples skate, girl’s choice. Young ladies would invite a lucky guy to hold their hand while skating under the glow of a few colored lights, soft music playing in the background. For some, it was the earliest initiation into dating and we circled the floor with sweaty palms and a heart beating at twice the normal rate. Some of those encounters lead to life-time relationships, others to just an opportunity to talk and visit with the opposite sex.

For many teens of that era, dating consisted of church parties, occasional school dances, movies, and cruising up and down the streets of Booneville, Paris, or Charleston. Not to say it was always so innocent but life was much slower. Trips to Fort Smith were rare, phones hung on a wall and involved party lines, and T.V. consisted of three channels. I eventually learned to skate forward, sideways, and even backward; sometimes even the one I intended.

There’s No Playing Possum with this Pie Recipe!

Tammy Teague
-
0

It’s a southern favorite, but enough to make any northerner question your sanity. Possum pie? Ewww! But there’s no playing around with this sweet treat, it’s always a hit!

  • 2(3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3⁄4cup powdered sugar
  • 1(9 inch) graham cracker crust
  • 1⁄4cup chopped pecans
  • 1⁄3cup instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1⁄4cup vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 1 3⁄4cups cold milk
  • 3⁄4teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1⁄2cup whipping cream, whipped
  • 12 -16 pecan halves

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread onto bottom of crust. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. In another mixing bowl; combine pudding mixes. Add milk and vanilla; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Spoon over the pecans. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with whipped cream and pecan halves.

There’s No Playing Possum with this Pie Recipe!

Tammy Teague
-
0

It’s a southern favorite, but enough to make any northerner question your sanity. Possum pie? Ewww! But there’s no playing around with this sweet treat, it’s always a hit!

  • 2(3 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3⁄4cup powdered sugar
  • 1(9 inch) graham cracker crust
  • 1⁄4cup chopped pecans
  • 1⁄3cup instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1⁄4cup vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 1 3⁄4cups cold milk
  • 3⁄4teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1⁄2cup whipping cream, whipped
  • 12 -16 pecan halves

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread onto bottom of crust. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. In another mixing bowl; combine pudding mixes. Add milk and vanilla; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Spoon over the pecans. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with whipped cream and pecan halves.

Police Reports: 7/19

Resident News Network
-
0
Police Reports: 7/19

On July 20 at approximately 9 a.m., a Greenwood officer made a traffic stop on a silver Pontiac Grand-am for having no rearview mirror at the intersection of S. Coker and Old Hackett Road. The officer explained the reason for the stop, and asked for the occupant’s information. The officer was advised that there was a warrant for passenger Christopher Carter, 36, of Waldron. Carter was taken into custody and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center without incident.

On July 21 at approximately 5:45 p.m. day shift officers received a call
in regards to a disturbance at Eastside gas station where a man by the name of Brandon Spence, 28 of Van Buren, ran from the scene as officers arrived. Officers searched the area but did not locate him. The department received several calls about him being spotted at various locations in the area including Forrest Park Way and Eastside gas station. At approximately 9:50 p.m., an employee of Eastside gas station called and stated a man wearing blue shorts and no shirt walked east past the store. An officer was dispatched to the scene and walked the area of the apartment complex next to the gas station. The officer made contact with the individual fitting the description, and placed him in handcuffs. Spence had numerous scratches on his arms, legs, and back. He told the officer that he “got cut up by briars after he ran from us.” Dispatch returned with two warrants on Spence, both failure to appear. He was then transported to the Sebastian County ADC where he was booked on those charges.

Leon Silas Peoples, 32 of Greenwood, was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 24 at 12:00 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Peoples was charged with failure to appear – class C felony.

On July 25 at approximately 10:15 a.m. a Greenwood officer initiated a traffic stop and advised the driver Justin Robbins, 27 of Greenwood, of the reason for that stop. Dispatch advised that Robbins had two confirmed warrants out of Fort Smith. Robbins was placed under arrest and transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center without incident.

Gabrielle Paige Epps of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 22 at 2:55 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Epps was charged with domestic battering in the third degree – second offense (recklessly,) and endangering the welfare of a minor in the third degree.

Tyler J Steel of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 23 at 2 a.m. and released on bond July 23 at 10:48 a.m. Steel was charged with assault on a family or household member – third degree.

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**

1...652653654...1,055Page 653 of 1,055

© Resident News Network | 2015 - 2026 | All Rights Reserved | Baggett Enterprises LLC | Isaiah 43:18-19