Mansfield Mayor Black announced further city operation closures on Thursday, April 2.
Starting tomorrow, Friday, April 3, the drive-thru at the Mansfield Water Department will be closed. Customers can still utilize the drop box for payments, pay by phone or sign up for auto pay. Black stated that anyone interested in auto pay would need to contact the water department by phone so that arrangements could be made for necessary paperwork. To utilize the pay by phone option, customers can call 855-483-5729 and use the ID code: 7294411. SoftelPay is also available online at pay.softelpay.com.
Black also announced that the tentative reopening date of the Mansfield Recycling Center is set for April 20. However, that date is subject to change.
The Mayor assured residents that he will continue to relay any upcoming changes within the city.
James D. Trumble, better known as Jim, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Sunday, March 29, 2020 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his loving wife at his side. Jim was born October 16,1951, to Charlie and Ruth (Seymore) Trumble in Dumas, Arkansas. He was 68 years old. Jim was of the Baptist faith.
Jim was an outdoor man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He especially loved spending time with his family. He looked forward to making forever memories with his loved ones.
Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Nan of the home, two sons: Mark Trumble of Van Buren, Arkansas and Jason Trumble. Grandpa will forever remain in the hearts of his granddaughters: Saundra, Rebecca and Heather. Jim will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and loved ones dear to his heart.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ruth Trumble, brothers, T.J. Trumble, Leroy Trumble, Bob Trumble and sisters: Doris Bruton and Peggy Rose.
Jim’s graveside life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2020, at the Chant Lane Cemetery with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
The family would like to invite everyone to sign the online guestbook for Jim at www.heritagememorialfh.com. During these trying and difficult times, we must limit public gatherings and do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. If you are attending his life celebration service please, remain in your vehicle where Jim’s service can be heard on radio channel 87.9. Jim’s life celebration will be available for viewing online the following day on Jim’s obituary page at www.heritagememorialfh.com.
Jim’s honorary pallbearers will be Matt Rose, Randy Jones, Col Browder, Brian Pierce, Stanley Holleman and Ronnie Bruton.
Leave it to the creative minds of Greenwood School District staff to envision, plan and execute a parade that would allow students to see the faces of their beloved teachers.
That’s exactly what happened this afternoon when vehicles adorned with personal messages carried GSD staff along a planned travel route. Smiles were readily present, and maybe a few joyful tears.
All in all this is what community is truly about….coming together, which has a unique meaning now, even in the midst of the current circumstances.
Teachers, principals and a town always come through. Even if it’s for a brief moment of joy that will become a memory. What an amazing memory it will be.
“The kids miss their teachers and the teachers miss the kids. This put a smile on their faces which lifted every ones spirits. We’re blessed to have such an amazing group of teachers.”
Cows from all over the state gathered Tuesday night to hold an emergency bovine meeting concerning the ever-increasing night time tipping dilemma. President of the “Cows for a Cause” chapter, Mrs. Ineda Bunn, spearheaded the get-together in hopes to get a solution to this inconvenience. “For decades, we have been cheap entertainment for small-town youth but tonight, the fun stops here,” exclaimed Bunn. “No more will we allow these children to disrupt our much-needed beauty sleep!”
As the night wore on, more and more cows came forward to express their dismay for the situation. Angus cow, Leonardo DiCowprio, took to the podium to deliver an emotional tipping recollection that still haunts him to this day. “Although this incident took place three years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just finished my nightly graze and retreated to my favorite area of pasture. I was just drifting off to sleep when all of a sudden, I felt four hands on my side. I remember hearing giggling and next thing I know, I’m careening towards the ground.”
“After a couple of attempts of rocking back and forth, I was able to get to my hooves just in time to see a truck speed away. It took me weeks to be able to finally sleep with both eyes closed but I will never be the same.” After the testimonies were heard, a decision was made to establish round the clock security in every field. Any violators caught would be subject to ten face lickings while standing on one leg and singing only the cow verse of Old MacDonald Had a Farm.
On Saturday, March 7th the West Central Football League board met for their 2020 spring meeting. After another successful year of Little League football, the WCFL Board was ready to continue improving the league for their respective programs and most importantly, for the players themselves. However, it was the review of the 2019 season that stole the show.
Greenland Pirates
Although the 2019 season has been over for quite a while now, there are some things that many may not have noticed about the seasons end. One thing that stood out to the WCFL Board was that every program in the league made the playoffs. This wasn’t because the league has an “everyone makes it” rule either. With nine teams in the league and only six playoff spots, the math adds up to where at least three teams would be left out. So not every team made the cut, but every program did.
Mansfield Tigers
In the 3rd and 4th grade division was Mansfield, Hackett, Mountainburg, Lavaca, JC Westside, and Cedarville. That left West Fork and Greenland out of the 3rd and 4th grade Playoffs. As fate would have it, Greenland and West Fork got their fair share in the 5th and 6th grade Playoffs as they joined Mansfield, Hackett, Lavaca, and Magazine. With nothing given and everything earned by each program, the WCFL as a whole proved by definition what a competitive and balanced league can be at its very best.
JC Westside Rebels
Another point of emphasis was the growth in all of the programs in the league. In its first two years, the WCFL has seen three different programs win league Championships. Mansfield has won back to back championships in the 3rd and 4th grade while Hackett and Magazine have successfully brought home the gold in the 5th and 6th grade. A key team to take note of was the 2019 3rd and 4th grade Mountainburg Dragons. The Dragons struggled to make the Playoffs with a 4-3 regular-season record which gave them the final slot in the Playoffs as the #6 seed. Mountainburg then rolled past rivals #4 Cedarville in Pirates territory and beat #2 Hackett to punch their ticket to their first WCFL Championship game. Although the Dragons lost to Mansfield in the championship round, they proved that anyone in the WCFL can succeed.
Mountainburg Dragons
With the past behind the league now, the meeting shifted to business where there was a board shakeup. Shortly after the 2019 season ended, Cedarville’s Keith Ridgeway and Greenland’s Jeremy Selvey stepped down from their WCFL Representative positions. At the meeting itself, President Doug Powell (Magazine), Vice President Adam Hamilton (Mountainburg), Treasurer Josh Scott (Magazine), Secretary Adam Hecox (Mansfield), and Dave Slavens (Hackett) stepped down from their respective positions also.
Hackett Hornets
Founder of the league, Powell, stepped down due to his change in schools as he was hired by the Waldron School District as their high school head football coach. Slavens, Ridgeway, and Selvey stepped down for personal and family reasons. Hecox and Scott merely shuffled to new positions on the board and Hamilton solely maintained his Representative spot for Mountainburg. With those positions vacated, the league gained some fresh blood to help it move into the future as David Moore (Mansfield), Aaron Lanning (Cedarville), and Stormy Swinson (Greenland) stepped up to fill the representative voids. Slavens replacement for the Hackett representative is still to be determined.
Magazine Rattlers
With fresh faces at the table and positions available, the WCFL Board voted on board positions to close out the meeting. Adam Hecox (Mansfield) replaced Doug Powell as the WCFL President, Aaron Lanning (Cedarville) replaced Adam Hamilton (Mountainburg) as Vice President, Stormy Swinson (Greenland) replaced Josh Scott (Magazine) as Treasurer, and Scott replaced Hecox as Secretary. Along with Moore, Lanning, and Swinson, town representatives will be, Adam Hamilton (Mountainburg), Josh Scott (Magazine), Clay Bryant (JC Westside), Taylor Genz (West Fork), and Alanna Brunson (Lavaca).
Cedarville Pirates
Although the WCFL is only going into its third season, the league has made quite an impact on the programs and communities. Vice President Aaron Lanning said “The WCFL has been great for our program. All of the teams we are competing against are the same size schools which creates a perfect kind of competition for our kids. The teams in the league have around the same size and amount of players as us. When we played bigger conferences in the area (mainly being Van Buren) it was hard to keep kids interested in the sport of football. Cedarville has always had smaller kids and smaller numbers so in the Van Buren league kids are just getting beat down. We have had a record number of kids signing up since joining the league two years ago which is great for Cedarville’s football program as a whole from elementary up to high school. We signed up over 100 kids last year for football and cheerleading as well as also having a 1st and 2nd grade football and cheerleading team which helps with our numbers.”
West Fork Tigers
Magazine resident and #1 Rattler fan, Brandy Moore, had this to say about the West Central Football League “Ever since Magazine joined the WCFL, I have seen our players’ confidence and sense of school pride grow tremendously. It has been such a blessing to be a part of a league and program that pushes our athletes to be better players as well as better students and citizens.”
The past couple of weeks have been very trying on most people. Shortages at the stores, kids at home instead of school, lay offs, and the anxiety of the unknown.
But we just have to have faith that it will all be for the best and we will be better than we were before. One thing better is all of the cities and towns now have a clear plan if this ever happens again. You the people the people will know what to do and you can now prepare.
Maybe we can all start saving back a little bit of money each month for that emergency fund or buy just a small amount of extra food every month. I don’t know, I don’t even pretend to know. But, when this is behind us, each one needs to look back on this and make our own decision on what we are in need of for the next time.
There will be a next time! So remember this and prepare!
The Sebastian County Judge’s Office Department of Emergency Management in partnership with the City of Fort Smith, United Way of Fort Smith Area, UAMS, Arkansas Department of Health and both Baptist and Mercy Hospitals are opening a regional call center to address the COVID 19 Virus.
The call center will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and will be staffed with medical professionals. The call takers will be asking specific questions and will direct those who need assistance to the appropriate facility to address their concerns.
If you have questions or need resources, you may contact 211, where a skilled person will direct you to the right location or service.
LITTLE ROCK — Spring is in the air, and many Arkansans are looking for reasons to break away from the house and explore The Natural State. According to Karen Rowe, nongame bird program leader for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, birdwatching (called “birding” by those who pursue the interest in earnest) is not only a fun way to beat cabin fever, but it also can help conservation efforts.
“Enjoying birdwatching is the first step to becoming an active conservationist,” Rowe said. “Once people get an appreciation for our winged friends, many start doing things to help them with their struggles. Birding is very therapeutic.”
According to a recent article in Science magazine, results of researchers from seven institutions, the populations of birds throughout North America have plummeted by more than 2.9 billion adult birds since 1970. Birds in every ecosystem have been impacted to some degree. From Eastern and Western meadowlarks to the sweet-singing white-throated sparrow, much fewer of our feathered friends are gracing feeders, birdbaths and native habitat than a few decades ago.
One great resource to get people started birdwatching is the Wings Over Arkansas Program. Now in its 20th year, this backyard birding program offers awards for participants based on the number of different species they identify outdoors. People can send in a copy of their lists (called “life lists” by the indoctrinated) and receive a pin for each level of birding they’ve attained. If you’d like to take it to the next level, set up an account at eBird.com and become a citizen scientist. Your bird lists become a part of a world-wide set of data.
“It’s a great way to get kids and adults outside, and right now is a great time to be out with the warming weather,” said Kirsten Bartlow, watchable wildlife program coordinator for the AGFC. “It’s also when many of our Neotropical migratory species are making their way back into the state after spending winter in Central and South America.”
Bartlow and Rowe agree that birding can be done practically anywhere. Backyards in subdivisions, park ponds and even native gardens in the middle of cities still attract many birds, but the varieties of species you’ll encounter can grow with a little travel. The AGFC’s nature centers may be closed to the public, but their trails are still open for exploring. The AGFC’s many watchable wildlife trails, water trails and wildlife management areas also are great places to start searching for the more active.
“It can be as simple or as much of an adventure as you want to put into it,” Bartlow said. “A pair of binoculars and a pocket guide like the AGFC’s “Arkansas Backyard Birds” can be helpful, but they’re not necessary. The main thing is to get outside and enjoy some fresh air while we’re all trying to practice physical distancing.”
Rowe also suggests downloading free bird identification apps to your smartphone instead of carrying a cumbersome bird field guide. “Merlin Bird ID and Audubon Bird Guide are free and invaluable when trying to identify our returning spring migrants,” Rowe said.
Visit 3billionbirds.org for more information about the 3 Billion Birds initiative to combat the decline of bird species in North America.
For more information about the Wings Over Arkansas Program, including Arkansas bird checklists and brochures, visit www.agfc.com/wingsoverarkansas.
Bettie Jo Sisk, 71, of Mansfield went to her Heavenly home on March 19th, 2020.
Bettie was the daughter of William Elmer and Ella Mae Allen of Arkoma. Bettie is proceeded in death by her husband of 51 years Neal Sisk.
Bettie was a retired Nurse’s Aide and was a homemaker. She loved to take care of her family and loved cooking lunch for them on Sunday. Bettie was loved by all, her kind word, her caring ways, her sweet smile and most of all her pink cancer hat she wore all the time. Bettie was a supporter of finding a cure for cancer.
Bettie is survived by two daughters: Teresa Ann Peterson (Keith) of Mansfield, Terre Lin Traylor (Ray) of Mansfield, three grandchildren: William Wayne Traylor (Victoria) of Mansfield, Oren Ray Traylor of Mansfield and Niki Peterson (Rob) of Huntington, four great grandchildren: Conner Bryce and Genevie Ann Traylor of Mansfield and Hailie Nicole and Abbigail Mae Pratter of Huntington.
A Celebration of Life will be in the springtime. All family and friends will be contacted for a further date. Cremation under direction of Lewis funeral Chapel, Fort Smith. To place an online tribute, go to www.lewisfuneralchapel.net
Yesterday I posted about rainfall chances for today, as of this evening that rainfall is in full swing and has swept into the area. Although it’s wet and soggy out there, it will make for some perfect sleeping conditions tonight! Temperatures will linger this evening into the overnight in the low 50’s and high 40’s around the viewing area.
By Tuesday, we should eventually dry out by mid-day. Cloud cover should also disperse giving way to some much needed sunshine by Tuesday evening! In fact, Tuesday evening looks gorgeous with temperatures in the mid 60’s.
State Wide Temperatures (Tuesday Afternoon)
Enjoy the break Tuesday evening into Wednesday, as it appears another round of showers and thunderstorms may arrive by Thursday/Friday. Looking over data tonight, some of those storms could be on the stronger side. Just something to monitor for now.
As you go about your week, please remember our friends in eastern Arkansas, specifically in Jonesboro. If you didn’t already know, the city was struck by a large and violent tornado on Saturday afternoon. They have a TON of work and cleanup to do and could use any support possible.
Large EF-3 Tornado Moving Through Jonesboro, Arkansas
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