Resident News Network

Weekly Arrest Reports 7/12

News

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5:31 pm

Kyler Allen Boyd of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 10:45 p.m. and released on signature bond on July 20 at 1:35 p.m. Boyd was charged with contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine) and assist to an outside agency – felony.

Tylor Ray Brown of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 4:40 p.m., and released on bond July 13 at 8:45 p.m. Brown was charged with breaking or entering – building, structure or vehicle and theft of property – firearm.

Thomas Jefferson Cantrell of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 15 at 12:30 a.m. and was released on signature bond on July 15 at 1:07 a.m. Cantrell was charged with contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

Christopher Lee Carter of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 20 at 9:46 a.m. and released on signature bond on July 20 at 11:19 a.m. Carter was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor.

Steven Wayne Delapaz of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 19 at 6:48 a.m. He remains at the SCADC. Delapaz was charged with aggravated assault – firearm and false imprisonment 1st degree felony.

Trent James Hargrove of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 17 at 3:08 p.m. and was released on July 17 at 3:56 p.m. Hargrove was charged with possessing instrument of a crime.

Kevin W. Head of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 10:10 p.m. and was released on signature bond on July 14 at 12:47 a.m. Head was charged with failure to appear – class B misdemeanor and contempt – willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

Chance Lane Hevner of Cedarville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 10:18 a.m. and released on July 14 at 11:22 a.m. Hevner was charged with contempt of court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO and contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

Promise Chyanne Hill of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 16 at 12:12 p.m. and was released on bond July 16 at 4:48 p.m. Hill was charged with battery in the third degree – purpose.

Giles Whitmore Kelley of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 8:40 a.m., and remains at the SCADC. He was charged with a parole violation, ADC commitment hold and petition to revoke-felony.

Brandon Lee King of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 17 at 9:40 p.m. and released on signature bond on July 17 at 11:26 p.m. King was charged with failure to appear – class A misdemeanor.

Mark Dewayne Langwell of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 17 at 11:55 a.m. and was released on bond July 17 at 2:48 p.m. Langwell was charged with theft by receiving >$5k.

Sean Patrick Ohearn of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 3:15 p.m. and was released on signature bond on July 13 at 7:58 p.m. Ohearn was charged with theft of property <$1k and contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

James Rodney Payton of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 8 p.m. and was released on signature bond July 14 at 12:44 p.m. Payton was charged with possession of (schedule I/II controlled substance) with the purpose to deliver >2g, possession of drug paraphernalia – ingest meth/cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia – pack or repack – and other, possession of controlled substance – schedule VI misdemeanor <4oz, possession of drug paraphernalia – ingest, and driving while intoxicated 1st offense.

Cory Lee Pierce of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 1:05 p.m. and released on signature bond July 13 at 2:38 p.m. Pierce was charged with theft of property <$1k and contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

Bobby Ray Ponder of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 12 at 12:29 a.m. and remains in the SCADC. Ponder was charged with aggravated assault on a family or household member – choke, and terroristic threatening in the first degree.

Christian Jeremiah Smith of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 14 at 10:01 p.m. and remains in the SCADC. Smith was charged with failure to appear – class C felony.

Douglas Edward Teague of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 17 at 5:25 a.m. and was released on signature bond July 17 at 8:38 a.m. Teague was charged with contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

Candice Marie Varnell of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 16 at 4:50 p.m. and remains in the SCADC. Varnell was charged with failure to appear – class C felony, criminal impersonation in the second degree – false ID, possessing instrument of a crime, and possession of controlled substance – schedule VI misdemeanor <4oz.

Taylor Raee Wheeler of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 15 at 12:10 p.m. and was released on signature bond July 15 at 3:06 p.m. Wheeler was charged with failure to appear – class A misdemeanor.

Dan Wesley Wolfe of Barling was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on July 13 at 11:40 a.m. and released on signature bond July 13 at 12:22 p.m. Wolfe was charged with contempt-willful disobedience (failure to pay fine.)

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

Products of our Past

Networks

Tammy Teague

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3:46 pm

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By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Located at the top of the hill at Hickory Grove cemetery in Logan County is an unusual collection of grave stones. Composed of slabs of thick sandstone, the gravesite is completely covered in box-like containers of rock.
The rock boxes are found in few cemeteries in the U.S., most are in rural Tennessee, the Carolinas, and in the mountains of Arkansas. In our region, there are a few found north of Ozark, at Chismville, and in small family cemeteries.

As a child, I was told those were old burial sites from the Civil War. Men were off fighting in the war, the ground was rocky and hard, so women dug shallow graves and protected the bodies by covering them with stone. Seemed like a good explanation and one that appealed to my historical perception. Unfortunately, my science background kicked in and I realized the data just did not fit. Shaping and moving those rock would be more difficult than digging the graves. Additionally, the burial dates for the deceased did not match the dates of the civil war; in fact, James Hixson, a Civil War death has a typical stone and his grave is located just south of these stones.

If you research tent burials, you will find that they are very similar and found in the same area, the final product being a tent rather than a rectangle. Tent burials and stone rectangle burials have one thing in common; they are all found in mountain areas settled by the Scotch-Irish. Scotch-Irish traditions abound in our region because they were the primary settlers of the region and migrated here from Tennessee and the Carolina’s. Prior to that, they were from Scotland. The Scotch had many traditions we follow without thought to origin. These include the practice of visitation (wakes), family dinners, decoration, and even the practice of burying feet to the east.

In Scotland, soils are thin and rocky and exposed to the elements. Graves were shallow and the coffin made of simple wood. The people were poor but wished to leave a marker and remembrance of their deceased loved one. Similar to the Jewish practice of covering graves with stone, the Scotch-Irish would pile rock cairns over the gravel.

The cairns were multi-purpose. The covering afforded protection from the elements and helped the wooden coffin remain intact longer, preventing the site from sinking. They marked the grave, kept off wandering livestock, and allowed the grave to be more shallow than the traditional six feet. The latter is important when digging (and sometime dynamiting) the rocky hillsides to create the grave.

The traditions of the Scotch continued in America. Cairn stone, tent stones, and the rectangle sandstone slabs were readily available in our area and served as great marking stones in an era before marble and granite. More than three thousand such graves are scattered across the mountain regions of the South, including the half dozen at my families cemetery; Hickory Grove.

Burials of this type continued up until nearly 1900 and then phased out as embalming, mortuaries, and enclosed caskets became the norm. Perhaps not as romantic as the Civil War story, the stones yet remain as a remembrance of our Scotch-Irish past.

Census Workers Provide Aid to Scott County Residents

Tammy Teague

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1:14 pm

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Census Workers Provide Aid to Scott County Residents

Census workers will be set up in front of the Scott County Court House every day this week from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Scott County Judge James Forbes announced on Monday that the workers will assist people with filling out the census form. You are reminded to maintain social distancing of 6-feet. If that is not possible, then you will need to wear a mask.

Scott County sits at a response rate of 42.2 percent, well below the Arkansas average of 56.8 percent. The low response rate prompted a response by State Representative Marcus Richmond. “It is disheartening to see Scott County as one of the lowest response counties in the state for census participation. The results will be an inaccurate count which will adversely affect the residents of Scott County. You will lose influence in the competition for resources to those counties within the state that have a more accurate count. Your influence in State and Congressional Districts elections will be diminished as more and more communities must be added to achieve the required number of residents. Eventually you will no longer have state candidates originating from the rural areas of Western Arkansas. State wide candidates will not consider it necessary to campaign in our area and the voice of rural Arkansas will be further diminished. Future candidates for state office will find it unnecessary to live or campaign south of the greater Fort Smith area. Fort Smith will have multiple Representatives living in their area and Southern Sebastian County south to Mena will have a distant Representative uninformed and unconcerned about issues that affect residents living in rural Western Arkansas. So please participate. Your participation in the Census does make a difference.”

Getting Healthy with Kelly and Kim!

Networks

Resident News Network

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12:29 pm

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Greenwood’s Arbonne needs have been fulfilled by Kelly Feero Phillips and Kim Kinslow for quite a while now, but these two ladies are ready to take things to the next level with classes on healthy meals and at-home fitness classes aimed at creating confidence and improving physical health at the same time.

Kinslow has already lost an impressive 100 pounds exercising and eating clean and Phillips has overcome painful back injuries. Their success has driven them to share hope, inspiration and health with Greenwood residents.

According to them, one contributor of good health is daily water consumption. “Water is so crucial for your health, everything from your skin, hair, and nails is affected,” added Kinslow.

Phillips shared another healthy tip. “Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Since everyone has had different experiences and struggles when it comes to health, every diet and fitness routine can be modified to fit the individual needs of the person.”

For more information, check out Healthy Living Inside & Out

United Way of Fort Smith Area Fill the Bus School Supply Drive Goes Virtual

News

Tammy Teague

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11:53 am

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United Way of Fort Smith Area Fill the Bus School Supply Drive Goes Virtual

United Way of Fort Smith Area announced today that their 16^th Annual Fill the Bus School Supply Drive will go virtual. Fill the Bus is a community-wide school supply drive covering four counties in Arkansas and two counties in Oklahoma. You will not see volunteers out at your local Walmart stores this year, but United Way is committed to continue providing school supplies for students in need. The help of the community is needed to make this event a success.

Fill the Bus starts today and goes through August 10th. There are three ways to donate that allow you to make a contact-free donation while continuing to support local children as they start back to school! You can donate by texting “schoolbus” to 41444, online at unitedwayfortsmith.org, or by using the Walmart Registry For Good. You can find the “Registry for Good” on Walmart.com. Choose the United Way of Fort Smith Area and the supplies can be shipped to the United Way of Fort Smith Area office. The supplies will be distributed to the local school districts. If you make a monetary donation you have the option to choose the school district you want that donation to be directed to. Just choose your school district from the drop down menu.

“For the last 15 years the Fill the Bus school supply drive has provided area students with the supplies they need to get their year off to a great start, said Eddie Lee Herndon, President and CEO of the United Way of Fort Smith Area. Herndon added, “ Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is making our efforts a little more difficult this year, we are committed to a very successful school supply drive with our virtual Fill the Bus.”

With the uncertainty facing parents, teachers and school administrators this school year, a donation to Fill the Bus is one way that the community can show their support. “We will miss our volunteers and the face to face visits with our donors.” said Mitzy Little, Marketing Director, United Way of Fort Smith Area. “Every year we hear stories from donors of how they have received help and they want to pay it forward”, she added.

United Way of Fort Smith Area has been connecting people with resources in the River Valley since 1928. Counties in our service area are Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan in Arkansas, and LeFlore and Sequoyah in Oklahoma.

Kason Gets to Make-a-Wish

Networks

Tammy Teague

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4:16 am

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Keith and Kimberly Dedmon of Mansfield were notified in January that their son, Kason, had been approved by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Several weeks later they were connected with Mid-South Coordinator Taylor Strack.

COVID-19 hindered the application process, however on June 2, the Dedmons received an email approving Kason’s wish, a swimming pool.

“Two weeks later, our wish had been purchased and plans were being made for the granting of Kason’s wish,” shared Kimberly Dedmon.

The crews began working last week and completed the pool installation on Friday, July 17.

Make-A-Wish serves a unique, and vital, role in helping strengthen and empower children battling critical illnesses. Established in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the legacy of Chris Greicius, a 7-year-old boy from Phoenix. Greicius’ wish was to be a police officer. His wish set in motion a phenomenon that would create an unprecedented kind of charity.

Wishes are granted in a four step process. After being referred, the eligible child must be diagnosed with a critical illness (i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy).

In Kason Dedmon’s case, that condition is a rare genetic mutation called GRIN1. According to his mom, There are only about 75 other people in the world who have this genetic mutation.

Volunteers connect with wish kids “to help them awaken their imaginations and help them envision an experience with the power to change lives. Wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. They strive to personalize each wish and to make it match the wish kid’s idea of a perfect day.”

The vision for Kason Dedmon, a swim in his own pool. No doubt that “perfect day” will be relived every time he slips into his floaties!

“Thank you so much to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Luther Stem Pools and Spas, H&H Electric and all of the generous donors who have helped grant our baby’s wish,” his mom concluded. “Seeing him laugh like this is one of the best feelings in this whole world and we will forever be grateful to those who made it possible.”

MHS Junior Motivated For Upcoming Season

Sports

Megan Hecox

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7:47 pm

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MHS Junior Motivated For Upcoming Season

Pictures is Mansfield Lady Tiger cross country runner Darby Jones

Two seasons ago Darby Jones was just looking for an outlet to curb her athletic appetite. Having watched her older sister find huge success as a Mansfield Lady Tiger track athlete, the upcoming MHS junior has quietly begun creating a name for herself.

Jones, a member of the 2020 Mansfield Cross Country team, admits her first year in sports was anything but historic. That was two years ago when the home school student first tried cross country as a freshman.

“Darby joined us a couple of seasons ago,” John Mackey, the Mansfield cross country and track coach, explained. “She was really just a skinny kid that resembled a newborn colt finding its way. We just tried to encourage her and help her develop as an athlete.”

Eden Jones, Darby’s older sister by nearly five years, was to some degree responsible for encouraging her sibling to give cross country a try. The elder of the two family members was a three-year heptathlete and a crucial piece to Mansfield’s last state championship team.

Fast forward to this summer, that gentle nudge between sisters looks to be just the push that may move Mansfield past elite status once again in 2020.

“I watched Eden run track and cross country when I was younger,” Darby stated. “I was looking for something I could do in athletics. She made me come to summer practice and encouraged me to keep running.”

“That first year, I was a little frustrated. It took a while to get that muscularity. The following season I spent two to three times a day in the gym working with weights. I found a good ab routine on Youtube. It’s helped my posture. I feel stronger and it’s helped my breathing.”

The transformation in Jones has become increasingly more evident as the third-year Lady Tiger attends team workouts in preparation for the upcoming season. Motivated to be a better runner, she has set a lofty goal to be among the best.

“I’d like to get my 5K time down to the 21-minute range,” Jones expressed. “I’m already halfway through my high school career and I feel like I just got started. You could say I have a sense of urgency right now.”

Should Jones meet her goal, the results would most likely place her among the top 10 at the state championships in November. According to ar.milesplit.com, the top runners from the 2019 Arkansas State Finals for class 1A-2A ran faster than 22 minutes.

Last season, Jones reached River Valley All-Star and All-Region Top 25 status with a personal record time of 24:27 for the 5K distance. That was a three-minute improvement between her first race to her last race a season ago. A repeat improvement this season will likely put the junior runner right where she aspires.

“We ran three times one-mile repeats last Thursday,” Mackey said. “Darby went 6:37, 6:37, and 6:54 for the cycle. If you put that together, her pace was on target to reach the goal. She still looks like that skinny kid, but it’s the lean muscle of an emerging athlete.”

The coach continued. “What’s exciting was that our top girls were right there together. Faith (Rainwater) led two of the three reps. Her three-mile average was six seconds off the top pace of the day. McKenzie (Griffin), Hope (Rainwater), and Kat (Moore) weren’t far behind either. They were in the 22-minute range through projections.”

As a whole, Mansfield cross country runners logged 235.5 miles for the second week of July. Cassidy Carlton, a sophomore, was among the top five for total miles on the Lady Tiger senior high team. Lita Hecox, Jadelynn Wood, and Alyssa James added to the overall total for the older team.

John Branche accumulated the most miles among the Mansfield senior high men. The junior runner also averaged 6:08 per mile on Thursday’s pace workout.

Aidan Fildes and Trinity Triska reported the most miles among the junior high girls last week while Jonah Martin did the same for the junior boys’ squad.

“Those that have been coming to summer sessions are already seeing a real difference,” Mackey exclaimed. “With no seniors, the junior class is working hard, stimulating good competition and encouraging others by example. Darby’s story is just one of many positive narratives going on so far this year.”

Lady Tiger long distance racers Aidan Fildes and Cassidy Carlton

Tiger John Branche stays ahead of teammate Ashton Hinkle at cross country practice

MHS cross country runners Kat Moore, Hope Rainwater, McKenzie Griffin, and Faith Rainwater led a strong junior class

Area Law Enforcement Respond to Governor’s Executive Order

Tammy Teague

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3:21 pm

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Social media lit up with reaction to Governor Asa Hutchinson’s executive order on Thursday afternoon.

In that order, the governor mandated the use of masks to “slow the spread of COVID-19.” That order went into effect on Monday, July 20. Arkansans are required to wear a mask covering the face and nose in public areas when social distancing of six feet is not possible. Anyone violating the order can be charged with a misdemeanor and if convicted, punishable by a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500. Law enforcement may NOT detain, arrest or confine in jail anyone found in violation of the order. The order will not prohibit law enforcement officers or local officials from enforcing trespassing laws or other applicable laws in removing violators at the request of business or other property owners. There are, however, exemptions to the order.

–See related story

Area law enforcement leaders responded to the order, preparing for Monday’s inception:

Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion
“IF it’s in the county, we would respond and tell them to put on a mask or leave the establishment. If a person refuses, they could be given a citation for criminal trespass.”

Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores
“Our agency has received questions regarding enforcement of the Governor’s recent Executive Order, which requires the wearing of face coverings in many situations. Many people have questioned the constitutionality of such an order. Through laws like Arkansas Code 20-7-110 and the Arkansas Emergency Services Act of 1973 the Legislature has delegated broad authority to the Executive branch, and has defined violations as a misdemeanor under Arkansas Code 20-7-101. Regardless, it would not be surprising to see the constitutionality of this Executive Order challenged in court.
Constitutional questions aside, as a practical matter the order seems largely unenforceable. The order allows numerous exceptions. For example, those with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering are exempted, but what those conditions or disabilities are is not defined. Likewise, those performing job duties that would be inhibited by wearing a face covering are also exempted, but what qualifies as inhibition is left to be interpreted as broadly or narrowly as one wants. Face coverings are required outdoors where there is not enough space to practice social distancing, but almost all outdoor areas, by virtue of being outside, have virtually unbounded space for practicing social distancing.
It would therefore be a poor use of our limited resources to attempt to enforce such an order. We will, however, continue to protect the private property rights of the people of this county. If a property owner or business requires you to wear a mask to enter their property, respect that. You do not have a right to enter or remain on another person’s property if they ask you to leave. To do so would be trespassing.”

Greenwood Police Chief William Dawson
“We will respond, but we will not be writing tickets for just masks. If a business asks someone to leave because they are not wearing a mask, then they should leave. We cannot take enforcement action without detaining someone. We’re not going to violate someone’s rights over the masks.”

Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb
“I agree with it (the order.) It starts Monday, and we will follow the governor’s guidelines. We will educate by example, if either myself or one of my officers goes into a business, we will be wearing a mask. If we are called to a business where someone is refusing to wear a mask, we will ask them to leave. If they refuse, then they can be cited for criminal trespass. Although we have the ability to write citations, I do prefer to inform of the governor’s mandate.”

Hartford Police Chief Joey Bolin
“I am not going to actively seek those not wearing masks. I will let the businesses of Hartford dictate how that goes if they want to enforce it. If businesses call me when someone is not wearing a mask let the businesses dictate how that goes if they want to enforce it, I will step in.

Huntington Police Chief Stacy Wieburg
The Huntington Police Department will not be writing tickets to residents or visitors of the City of Huntington because of masks. We have more pressing issues to address. I feel each person has the right to decide if they want to wear a mask or not. I personally have worn a mask in situations where I felt it was warranted. Businesses are private property and they have the right to ask you to leave if you aren’t wearing one. If you do not, then you can be cited for trespassing.

Hackett Police Chief Ricci Pyle
“We will use our own discretion. Hackett doesn’t really deal in large crowds and social distancing isn’t a problem. We aren’t planning to write tickets just because people aren’t wearing masks.”

Barling Police Chief Darrell Spells
“The governor’s mandate does not alter our department’s prioritization of resources. We will continue serving the citizens of Barling and are available to local business owners should the need arise.“

Lavaca Police Chief Randy Toon
Awaiting response

Waldron Police Chief Jeremy Hunt
“We will educate the public on the order when needed, but will not be issuing citations.”

Area Law Enforcement Respond to Governor’s Executive Order

Tammy Teague

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3:07 pm

0

Social media lit up with reaction to Governor Asa Hutchinson’s executive order on Thursday afternoon.

In that order, the governor mandated the use of masks to “slow the spread of COVID-19.” That order went into effect on Monday, July 20. Arkansans are required to wear a mask covering the face and nose in public areas when social distancing of six feet is not possible. Anyone violating the order can be charged with a misdemeanor and if convicted, punishable by a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500. Law enforcement may NOT detain, arrest or confine in jail anyone found in violation of the order. The order will not prohibit law enforcement officers or local officials from enforcing trespassing laws or other applicable laws in removing violators at the request of business or other property owners. There are, however, exemptions to the order.

–See related story

Area law enforcement leaders responded to the order, preparing for Monday’s inception:

Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion
“IF it’s in the county, we would respond and tell them to put on a mask or leave the establishment. If a person refuses, they could be given a citation for criminal trespass.”

Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores
“Our agency has received questions regarding enforcement of the Governor’s recent Executive Order, which requires the wearing of face coverings in many situations. Many people have questioned the constitutionality of such an order. Through laws like Arkansas Code 20-7-110 and the Arkansas Emergency Services Act of 1973 the Legislature has delegated broad authority to the Executive branch, and has defined violations as a misdemeanor under Arkansas Code 20-7-101. Regardless, it would not be surprising to see the constitutionality of this Executive Order challenged in court.
Constitutional questions aside, as a practical matter the order seems largely unenforceable. The order allows numerous exceptions. For example, those with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering are exempted, but what those conditions or disabilities are is not defined. Likewise, those performing job duties that would be inhibited by wearing a face covering are also exempted, but what qualifies as inhibition is left to be interpreted as broadly or narrowly as one wants. Face coverings are required outdoors where there is not enough space to practice social distancing, but almost all outdoor areas, by virtue of being outside, have virtually unbounded space for practicing social distancing.
It would therefore be a poor use of our limited resources to attempt to enforce such an order. We will, however, continue to protect the private property rights of the people of this county. If a property owner or business requires you to wear a mask to enter their property, respect that. You do not have a right to enter or remain on another person’s property if they ask you to leave. To do so would be trespassing.”

Greenwood Police Chief William Dawson
“We will respond, but we will not be writing tickets for just masks. If a business asks someone to leave because they are not wearing a mask, then they should leave. We cannot take enforcement action without detaining someone. We’re not going to violate someone’s rights over the masks.”

Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb
“I agree with it (the order.) It starts Monday, and we will follow the governor’s guidelines. We will educate by example, if either myself or one of my officers goes into a business, we will be wearing a mask. If we are called to a business where someone is refusing to wear a mask, we will ask them to leave. If they refuse, then they can be cited for criminal trespass. Although we have the ability to write citations, I do prefer to inform of the governor’s mandate.”

Hartford Police Chief Joey Bolin
“I am not going to actively seek those not wearing masks. I will let the businesses of Hartford dictate how that goes if they want to enforce it. If businesses call me when someone is not wearing a mask let the businesses dictate how that goes if they want to enforce it, I will step in.“

Huntington Police Chief Stacy Wieburg
“The Huntington Police Department will not be writing tickets to residents or visitors of the City of Huntington because of masks. We have more pressing issues to address. I feel each person has the right to decide if they want to wear a mask or not. I personally have worn a mask in situations where I felt it was warranted. Businesses are private property and they have the right to ask you to leave if you aren’t wearing one. If you do not, then you can be cited for trespassing.”

Hackett Police Chief Ricci Pyle
“We will use our own discretion. Hackett doesn’t really deal in large crowds and social distancing isn’t a problem. We aren’t planning to write tickets just because people aren’t wearing masks.”

Barling Police Chief Darrell Spells
“The governor’s mandate does not alter our department’s prioritization of resources. We will continue serving the citizens of Barling and are available to local business owners should the need arise.“

Waldron Police Chief Jeremy Hunt
“We will educate the public on the order when needed, but will not be issuing citations.”

Obituary- Lloyd L. Hunt (1942-2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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12:43 pm

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Lloyd (Topsy) Hunt of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, July 16th, 2020 in Waldron, Arkansas with his loving family by his side. Topsy was born December 30th, 1942 in Dutch Creek, Arkansas to Ben and Isabelle (Wilkins) Hunt. He was 77 years old.

Topsy spent 39 years working for the US Forestry Service and retired in 1997 as a Forestry Technician. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed growing a garden every year but mostly he enjoyed giving away the produce to friends and family. Topsy had a great sense of humor and kept his friends and family laughing over the years with his tales, jokes and story telling ability. Even the stories he repeated multiple times over the years were hilarious because he had a gift for adding new twists, turns, voices or facial expressions. He was a master story teller. He was also a legendary beef jerky chef, keeping bags of beef jerky in his pockets to give to his kids, grandkids, friends and other lucky recipients. It was rare to visit or see Topsy and leave empty handed; he loved to share and help others.

Topsy leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 54 years, Linda; three daughters, Cindy White and husband Ray of Ranger, Arkansas, Mandy Smith and husband Rick of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Lorrie Richmond and husband Rowdy of Long branch, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Jesse Cleveland and wife Sarah of Atkins, Arkansas, Kayla Osborne and husband Ty of Dardanelle, Arkansas, Shawn Staggs of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Kendra Scroggins of Vian, Oklahoma, Levi and Luke Ridenhour of Greenwood Arkansas, and four great-grandchildren. Topsy will be missed by all who knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Topsy was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dorothy Owens and brother Norman Hunt.

Topsy’s graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m Monday, July 20th, 2020 at the Union Hill cemetery in Union Hill, Arkansas with Pastor Jeff Wilkinson officiating. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Topsy’s pallbearers will be Ray White, Rick Smith, Rowdy Richmond, Jesse Cleveland, Shawn Staggs, Levi Ridenhour and Luke Ridenhour. Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Lott, Clifton Ray Slater, Todd Johnson, Bud Hunt, and C.H. Woodall.

Topsy’s visitation will be Sunday, July 19th, 2020 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the Heritage Memorial Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

During these trying and difficult times, we must follow the guidelines we have been given to do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service but everyone must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart. For those who want to attend the service but wish to remain in your vehicles, the graveside service can be heard from the comfort of your vehicle at 87.9 FM.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK