An accident in Chickalah, AR claimed the lives of two from Scott County on Saturday, June 13.
According to a report from the Arkansas State Police, Chase K. Hale, 18 of Waldron and Jenna M. Singleton, 18 of Boles were traveling north on Highway 27 at around 7:20 a.m. when the vehicle, a 2016 Nissan, left the roadway, traveled down the ditch line and struck a fence line and telephone pole. Before coming to rest, the vehicle struck an embankment and overturned in a creek.
Road and weather conditions were listed as dry and clear.
A jungle of brush and saw briars surround an isolated cemetery plot at Anderson, the now deserted former county seat for Sarber (Logan) county. Once nice tombstones and fence are now in disrepair, the stones so old and marked they can scarcely be read.
One of the foremost pioneers of the region, James L. Garner is buried in the south east corner of the small cemetery. The stone is damaged beyond repair and the once famous resident largely forgotten. Garner lead a life comparable to Crocket, Boone, and other famous pioneers found in our history books.
Born in Alabama in 1828, he moved to the Dardanelle area in 1845 and started a family there. He enlisted in the military during the Mexican War and fought in several battles, including the battle at Palo Alto where former Arkansas Governor Archibald Yell was killed by being run through with a pike. After returning from the war, he married Emily Barnes and began a family. Not content with farming, he joined a wagon train and traveled to California during the gold rush. Unlike many others, Garner struck gold and brought back a copper pot containing nearly fourteen pounds of gold dust. It is said he returned by ship around the tip of South America.
Garner later bought land near Revilee just south of what is now Paris on Red Bench Road. At some point, he also owned the grist mill located on cutter creek.
When the Civil War began, he enlisted in the Union Army as part of the 4th Arkansas Cavalry. Letters and stories abound from the Civil War days and the atrocities committed by bushwhackers representing both sides during the war. James would return home for leave but was afraid to remain in his home for fear of attack by the bushwhackers. Instead, he would remain in a cave above the family farm until his wife signaled with a sheet that things were safe. While he was absent fighting, his home was raided and his gold and other valuables stolen.
It is possible he was home during the Haguewood Prairie skirmish in September of 1863. Regardless, his brother-in-law Benjamin Wilkins was killed in the battle and James and Emily raised their three kids. He became ill in 1864 and was mustered out of service.
After the war, those fighting in the Confederacy lost the right to vote for ten years so all political power fell into the hands of the former Union supporters. With the population expanding, the state began to carve out new counties. Garner became involved in politics and was J.P. for the mountain district and then assisted in forming Sarber (later Logan) county and served as state representative. He was very colorful and wore a rattlesnake belt and vest made from snakes caught on the bluffs above his house. He and two other men established the first county seat at Revilee (Anderson) and a court house and jail was built. The county seat remained there less than two years.
From 1871-1874 he served as first Sheriff or Logan County. After his death, he was buried near the old home place.
In recent month, Sherriff Massey and others have worked to clean the cemetery and site. The eventual goal is to make the cemetery more public and to place a suitable grave stone at the site to honor Garner. Donations can be made directly to Mr. Massey, Curtis Varnell, or left at Castle Graphics in Paris
Gerald Dean Sparks of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Sunday, June 14, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas with loved ones by his side. Gerald was born June 17, 1938, in Waldron, Arkansas to Arvil Sparks and Opal (Cheek) Sparks. He was 81 years, 11 months and 28 days old.
Gerald was a member of Haw Creek Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas. He loved the Lord and was strong in his faith. Gerald was a retired farmer and also retired from Tyson Foods as a field tech. He enjoyed bluegrass music and followed his family around to festivals and shows where they were playing. Gerald loved his family. He looked forward to quality time making memories.
Gerald leaves behind to cherish his memory, Mary Sue Sparks of the home, his children: David Sparks and wife Tiffany of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Jeff Sparks and wife Danielle of Maumelle, Arkansas, Susan Henry and husband Alan of Raleigh, North Carolina, Deb Stowe and husband Jon of Plano, Texas and Nicole Harrison and husband Ray of Waldron, Arkansas. Gerald is also survived by two nephews, Roger Sparks and wife Tammie of Waldron, Arkansas and Russell Sparks and wife Dawnette of Lavaca, Arkansas. Pops will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gerald will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including an extended family of friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Arvil and Opal Sparks, one brother, Glen Dale Sparks and his wife Carrie Sparks.
Gerald’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. John Elmore officiating. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
Gerald’s pallbearers will be Roger Sparks, Russell Sparks, Taylor Sparks, Bear Sparks, Tucker Sparks and Ray Harrison.
Gerald’s visitation will be Wednesday, June 17, 2020, from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home 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. We must limit the number of people at public gatherings. 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 funeral service will be live streamed on our website.
Sometimes the space you’re in can affect your mood. For example, everyone spends frequent time in their bedroom, and a boring, plain room can damper their mood. Some people may not know how to convert their current spaces into something more inviting. Fortunately, these cool ways to spruce up a bedroom will help. Read on to learn how you can add creativity through some artwork, rearranged furniture, mood lighting, and sewn crafts.
Rearrange Furniture
One easy way to change up a plain bedroom is to rearrange your furniture. Aesthetics get stale after a while, so changing the bedroom layout can refresh things. Move your bed from one side of the room to the other or rearrange it from vertically to horizontally against a wall. Rearranging furniture may also give you more space than before. From there, you can add or get rid of furniture pieces you like or dislike. Either way, this can create a dream sleeping spot.
Cover Any Blank Spots
Another neat trick is to cover any empty spots on your walls. Art, posters, pictures, or other decorations turn a blank wall into a canvas. Since this is your bedroom, you can decide what you want to hang. Even silly trinkets and toys make great decorations. Consider hanging shelves that can show off your prized possessions. Seeing your walls adorned with various items might surprise you.
Most people purchase their pillows, blankets, linens, coverings, and bedspreads from the store, but you can use some bedroom sewing projects to add color and creativity. Some examples are restyling pillows, creating room dividers, decorating your nightstand, or making your own furnishings. Rather than spend money on these items, you can start a new hands-on hobby where you make them yourself.
Change Up Your Lighting
Finally, changing up your lighting is a cool way to spruce up a bedroom. Ambient and mood lighting not only make you feel more relaxed, but also make your living space more relaxing. Alternatively, you can opt for a reading sconce that swivels in whichever direction you desire. Dimmer switches and multicolored bulbs can create a calming environment. There are endless possibilities to add different light fixtures to your bedroom, so take your time and choose some that appeal to you.
It was a situation that no school district or athletic director wants to face. And it is also a case of being “victimized” by your own success. When you hire good people, other people want them too.
Thus is the case with the Paris Lady Eagles basketball program. Earlier this month, it was announced that head coach Dustin Williams had been named as the head senior high coach for the eStem High School Lady Mets, a Class 4A high school basketball program. Not only was the announcement a surprise to the Paris administration, players, and fans, it was sad to see him go, although everyone appreciates the great job he did and is happy to see his career advance. But nevertheless, life goes on, and the district had no choice but to move quickly in naming Williams’s successor.
It is a difficult proposition to replace school personnel in June. Coaches are typically on 10-11 month contracts that begin around July 1. In school terms, that means that districts usually send contract to renewed personnel in May and they are signed and returned to the district no later than late June. An unexpected departure of any school employee places the district in the position of finding a replacement with approximately six weeks to go before staff returns to open the new school year. And for coaches, now that sports are literally a year-around thing, the absence of a coach to develop his or her players during the summer becomes a big issue for the schools, their players, and their parents.
The danger in searching for a good candidate in June rests in the timing of the vacancy. Desired candidates with good employment histories and successful coaching records are usually in place and have signed contracts in June. That does not mean that good candidates cannot be found, but it does mean that a district is more at-risk of hiring a candidate that has had work-related issues, or is young and has little experience and is looking for their first break in the coaching field. Programs such as Paris that have enjoyed a history of great success in their programs are looking for successful candidates that have a track record of previous success on their resumes.
So, this is the position that Paris found themselves in just a few weeks ago. The pressure was on, and the Paris administration had less than 30 days to find a viable candidate. The longer the search prolonged, the less the chances were of finding a quality replacement. Paris had just made a home run hire for the boys program in Blain Brewington, but, it did not expect to have to hit another home run in the girls program. After all, Dustin Williams had done a remarkable job the season before with a very inexperienced Lady Eagles team that eventually finished third in the conference and earned the number three seed in the district tournament. Dustin was well liked by his players and parents, so, this was going to be a late, critical hire for the district. Could Paris hit another home run; this time for the girls basketball program?
The answer to that question is a resounding “YES!!” Donald Hart, who was currently on staff as Dustin Williams’s assistant, and who had been highly successful with the same core group of players as the head softball coach, decided to put his application in late in the hiring process for the new girls’ basketball coach position. Yesterday, I visited with Coach Hart about how exciting the past few weeks have been for him leading up to his naming last Thursday evening by the Paris school board as the Lady Eagles’ new head basketball coach.
In our interview, I asked Coach Hart how he became a candidate for the position. Coach Hart explained, “Well, actually, I had to think on it a little while. I was a late applicant. When it all came about (the announced vacancy) I didn’t put much consideration into putting in for it. But, I got to thinking about it. I have always liked basketball. My first love in high school was just baseball. But to have the opportunity to lead a high school team is appealing to me. Some of our kids (players on the team) have had a change in coaching through their junior and senior high careers at least twice. Always when you have change the kids are a little reluctant to get to know them. So, I felt like that if I was able to get the job they will have at least been around me and would know what my expectations are and might make the transition a bit smoother for them.”
At the time of Coach Hart’s application, the district was involved in a search of outside candidates that it had been working from a list of possible coaches. “I called them a couple of weeks ago and asked if they would still accept an application. When they said yes, I told them I was going to put my resume in. So, I submitted my resume and they called me and I ended up interviewing on a Monday. I knew they were in the middle of interviewing other candidates and I was just fortunate that I got an interview.”
Coach Hart loves sports, loves his players, and is very intense in both his preparation and his game demeanor. He will give the Lady Eagles basketball program 150%. I asked Coach Hart how he will balance his time and intensity between basketball and softball where he now finds himself as the head coach for both sports. “From an intensity standpoint, I am going to have the same intensity in both sports. I will bring the intensity (for basketball) for sure. As far as hours wise (divided between the two sports) it is not going to be any different with practice times or the time I am putting in now. There will be some extra hours for me now that will involve planning for basketball. I will be going from one season to the next, but I am already doing that now (previously as assistant basketball coach into softball season as head coach). I feel like I can handle the transition, and I am expecting not to have any problems from going from one sport to another.”
Hart has not had a chance to meet with his team as their new head coach. “I have practiced them the last two weeks (as the interim head coach) and they have been asking. I didn’t even tell them I was a candidate or that I had put in for it. I didn’t want to say anything and then if I didn’t get an interview or not get the job, you know, so I just kept my mouth shut. But I am excited to get to talk with them.”
The job was not just given to Coach Hart because he was already there and it was getting late in the hiring timeline. Coach Hart went through the same application and interview steps that any candidate was expected to do who was receiving serious consideration by the district. “I did have an inside foot from already being in the program, but I went through the same process.”
I asked Coach Hart about what he thought his approach would be with the players as a head coach compared to when he was an assistant. “I worked in a factory for over 19 years, so promptness is very important to me and is something I am going to be stressing. For kids to get on the same page with my expectations, its not a total restructure or rebuild thing. Its just that I may do a few things differently, but I think….I started a few weeks ago implementing a few things not knowing whether I was going to be the coach. I tried to implement things that would be in line with my expectations if I were to get the job.”
Coach Hart played high school basketball at Magazine High School from the seventh grade through the twelfth. “I played for Randy Bryan and we were a man-to-man team (on defense). We played a little bit of zone. Coach Bryan instilled some things in me that I still believe to this day. Intensity, effort: that’s one thing that…we are going to have the numbers this year to play some man-to-man, and this is something that I am going to place some emphasis on.”
Coach Hart will have the opportunity to coach his daughters, Jadyn and Jacee, this upcoming season. When I asked him how his daughters are receiving the idea of playing basketball for their dad, Coach Hart said, “I asked them before I ever put in for it, and my oldest daughter, Jadyn, said, yeah, that’s cool. The only one I’m concerned about (in a kidding fashion) is Jacee, the junior. My wife says she is a “mini me” and we are both cut from the same rock. So, the other day I told her that I was going to put the assistant coach to working with her because we both knew we would butt heads (also kidding). Jacee said, “Oh yeah; you know we are going to butt heads!”
In the case of Jadyn, it is with mixed emotions that Coach Hart enters into her senior year as coach; he looks forward to it, but he also knows it is Jadyn’s last year. “I have tried not to think about it. It’s inevitable that it is coming to an end, and it has been a great ride, and I am sure there will be a lot of emotions. I am going to be emotional leading the program, so, my emotions may be high for the entire season.”
Senior Jadyn Hart
Junior Jacee Hart
The Lady Eagles have both talent and numbers returning for next season, and Paris fans are looking forward to the 2020-21 season with great anticipation. I asked Coach Hart about his game philosophy and the basis of his strategy and he replied, “I am going to focus on man-to-man, intensity, and pressure, and if we are in a zone we are still going to be very intense and active on defense. We are going to have the manpower to be able to do that. We are going to be fairly deep, so, defensively, that is one of the things that we are really going to work on. Offensively, we have good guards and tall kids that can play inside as well as outside. I am kind of old school; I played back in the time when you looked for your post players, your “bigs”, before you went to your guard play. I am going to use our size to our advantage. I am going to use it to break down other teams’ defenses. We have speed; if we can get out in front we can run with people. We’re not going to be run and gun for 32 minutes; we will have some set plays. I am going to put some focus on just playing basketball where I don’t have to call a set play every time down the floor. I want them to get to where they can drive the gaps and make things happen without a play being called from the bench. I want to develop our inside play physicality a little more and try to work through them which will allow our guards to get some open looks.”
As much as things will be staying the same, there will be some changes within the girls basketball program. One such change has been the hiring of new assistant coach, Kaleb McAnally.
New Girls Basketball Assistant Coach, Kaleb McAnally
McAnally is a native of Ozark and graduated from Arkansas Tech University. As part of his degree program at ATU, McAnally served an internship under coach Joe Brunson at County Line High School. McAnally comes from a family coaching tree that includes current Ozark football defensive coordinator, Cliff McAnally. In addition to his internship at County Line, McAnally coached travel basketball in Ozark.
Coach Hart was involved in the selection of McAnally as his new assistant coach. “I did get the opportunity to interview Kaleb. He interned, in my opinion, with one of the best high school coaches around in Joe Brunson at County Line. Coach Brunson runs a very good program there at County Line, and so, he has been exposed to things on how to run a program and that was one of the things that attracted me to his application. I know Kaleb’s dad and his mom both. His mom went to Magazine with me, and his dad and I went to college at Tech together, and I have kind of watched him grow up through sports and on Facebook, so he wasn’t a total stranger to me. He’s young, he brings some experience that is going to help our program in areas where I may be lacking. Such as running HUDL (a coaches’ software program used for analyzing game videos and searching for opponents’ tendencies). He spoke in his interview about breaking down game film and I think he will be able to help me in that aspect. So, I think it is going to be a good fit.”
McAnally will serve as a junior and senior high basketball assistant, as well as coaching the seventh grade girls basketball team. “I’m going to let him coach seventh grade; we will both do it, but I am going to let him take the lead with the seventh grade team. He is going to be fully involved in practices, game planning, and all aspects of the program. He is going to be a head coach someday, and I don’t want him to have a bad experience at Paris.”
McAnally is very excited to be coming to Paris for his first coaching assignment. In an interview with the new Lady Eagles assistant basketball coach, McAnally said, “I come from kind of a coaching background (father coaches football at Ozark high school). I have been in Ozark since the fourth grade. After I graduated from Tech, I got to help Coach Brunson at County Line. I have coached travel ball in Ozark for four years now. At County Line, Coach Brunson gave me the opportunity to help during practices, and learn how he breaks down drills. He helped me run and coach some seventh grade practices, taught me how to make a practice plan, and how to analyze what worked and what did not work. We would discuss at half time what needed to be changed and how we could change it or make adjustments to what we were doing.”
I asked Coach McAnally what are the one or two things he learned from Coach Brunson that he would like to bring to Paris. He responded by saying, “He had great attention to detail; with everything that he did. From small drills to strategy, and he wrote everything down I hope to bring that with me.”
So, Paris fans, it is definitely a new day in Paris High School basketball, both in the boys and girls programs. After having interviewed boys coach Blain Brewington, and now, Donald Hart in the girls program, it appears that both programs will emphasize pressure defense and fast-paced offense that will not only play fast, but smart, as both coaches have a commitment as well to the half court game and getting the ball inside, while also taking advantage of every opportunity that the defenses will present.
I can see it now. It’s a cold, Friday night of basketball this winter. And inside Paris gymnasium will be capacity crowds going crazy for the hot brand of intense basketball all night!
Wow! Paris fans…does that sound great? See you at next year’s barn burners for the boys and the girls Paris basketball games!
A Lavaca officer was involved in an automobile accident on Friday afternoon, June 12.
According to Lavaca Police Chief Randy Toon, the officer was traveling east bound on Highway 22 when he locked a speeder traveling west bound at 75 mph. Toon stated that the officer turned on his emergency lights and slowed down to make a U-turn in order to make the the traffic stop. “Once west bound traffic cleared, the officer started to make his turn,” Chief Toon stated. “The vehicle following the officer tried to pass after the blue lights were turned on and hit the officer.”
Toon stated that the officer was not injured, and that the driver of other vehicle was treated for minor injuries.
Huntington Mayor Gary Lawrence administered the oath of office to the city’s new police officer, Levi Thomas on Tuesday, June 9.
Thomas, 32, and his wife Pamela call this area home. “I chose to go into law enforcement to better serve the community I grew up around and still reside in. I believe I can make a difference here, and look forward to helping everyone in the community any way I can.”
Police Chief Stacy Wieburg is working to continue building the department is pleased to have Thomas join the department.
“I have joined a great group at Huntington,” Thomas concluded. “They are very professional and knowledgeable.”
Pictured from left, Huntington Mayor Gary Lawrence, Police Chief Stacy Wieburg and Officer Levi Thomas.
Hobby farms start as just that—hobbies. However, as with many hobbies, there’s plenty of opportunity to make a little extra cash with your agricultural pastime. Have you been giving away your excess eggs or vegetables to neighbors? Are you looking for a way to try something new with your modest backyard farm? Do you simply enjoy spending your Saturdays at the farmers’ market? All of these are excellent reasons to make a small business out of your farm. To help you along the way, we’ve created a guide on how to make money from your hobby farm.
Get Creative with Your Land
Growing vegetables or raising chickens are common small farm endeavors, but they’re not the only ways to make money from your hobby farm. If you want to make your operation more lucrative, consider trying your hand at something new. Install an apiary, raise fish, or rent your land to campers. You can also get a little experimental with the plants in your garden. Mastering the crops and livestock you already have is important, but trying something new keeps your farm fresh and exciting. Besides, you never know when you’re going to stumble across your next financial success.
Be Smart with Your Supplies
As with any other business, you need to make sure you don’t spend more money than you make. Be smart when shopping for supplies and services. Try to pick up handy new skills so that you can build coops, repair fencing, or fix equipment by yourself. If you come across a job you can’t do on your own, find a regular, trusted business or contractor on whom you know you can always rely. When it comes to purchasing supplies or equipment, make cost-effective decisions. Purchase milk bottles, honey jars, and other packaging supplies used, in bulk, and from reliable sources. See if you can fix broken tools before replacing them. Little habits such as these will help you save money throughout your entire operation, increasing your overall profits.
Rely on Your Community
Hobby farms are often staples in their communities. Whether you’re looking for workers or supporters, you’re sure to find them right in your hometown. Enlist neighborhood kids or teenagers to help with regular chores such as weeding the garden or collecting eggs. See if any local businesses can sell your products or provide repairs and other necessary services. Become a regular member of your local farmers’ market. By participating in your community, you can build a loyal, local customer base for yourself and your new business.
The Paris school board approved a recommendation last night to assign Donald Hart as its new girls basketball coach for the 2020-21 contract year. Hart replaces Dustin Williams who resigned the position last month to become the new girls basketball coach at eStem Charter High School in Little Rock. Hart has served as the Lady Eagles softball coach, and most recently, has stepped in as interim basketball coach since the departure of Williams.
In a statement released last night by the Paris school district, the district commented, “Paris Schools are excited to announce the new leadership in the women’s basketball program. Coach Donald Hart has been promoted to head coach. Coach Hart has been the assistant for the past three years at Paris assisting with junior and senior high programs. Hart is also the head softball coach; a position he will keep.”
In additional board action Thursday evening, the board approved the hire of Kaleb McAnally as an assistant coach for the senior and junior high programs. An Ozark native, McAnally graduated from Arkansas Tech University. While a student at ATU, he completed an internship under coach Joe Brunson at County Line high school.
Resident Press will have more on this story on Sunday, Congratulations to Coach Hart, and welcome Coach McAnally!
By Lindsay LaChapelle Improvements, such as the sidewalk project, continue to be a priority for the City of Greenwood. Mayor Doug Kinslow shared that construction on those sidewalks is set to begin sometime this summer, and in two phases.
At the end of 2018, the City of Greenwood received a $394,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The 80/20 grant will provide 2.2 miles of sidewalk, stretching from Denver Street on the south side of the highway to the Golden Years Retirement facility. Also from the northside of 10 Spur at Stallings Trail, where the new Waffle House is expected to be added, back down to Denver Street.
The main focus would still be pedestrian access to retirement communities along 10 Spur. “That is the main priority, to get those folks off the shoulder and let them walk where they need to go in safety,” added Kinslow.
The project has faced challenges including the COVID-19 shutdowns, which have forced timelines for completion to be pushed back. Additional setbacks have included engineering issues with the placement of sidewalks near the highway. Following months of discussions, however, Mayor Kinslow advised that Project Engineer Jeremy Shores will soon be finalizing the right-of-way easements.
