Resident News Network

State Capitol Closed to Public: Precautions Taken Over Coronavirus

News

-

2:07 pm

State Capitol Closed to Public: Precautions Taken Over Coronavirus

(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – In light of the COVID-19 pandemic announcement yesterday, the measure taken in Washington, D.C. today along with the very recent report from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Secretary of State John Thurston is ordering the closure of the Arkansas State Capitol to the public, effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Only authorized personnel will be permitted to enter the building for work purposes. Updates to the building’s status will be made available as we continue to monitor the situation.

The Secretary of State’s Office will also not be accepting walk-in visitors to their Business & Commercial Services offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville until further notice. Business services can still be conducted by phone or online.

Hot Spots: Big Crappie and Bream Being Caught

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

-

6:54 am

0

Hot Spots: Big Crappie and Bream Being Caught

Spring fishing is heating up on Arkansas lakes, according to reports this week. With temperature warming, the bite is heating up on lakes in central Arkansas, including Overcup, Greers Ferry and Conway.

The Central Arkansas Crappie Association held a tournament on Lake Overcup on March 7 and the winning, seven-fish limit weighed a whopping 17 pounds. That is just under a 2.5-pound average. The big fish of the day topped the scales at 3.31 pounds, definitely a slab in anyone’s book. Anglers who participated in the event said there were plenty of 2-pound crappie to be had, according to AGFC biologist Matt Schroeder.

Schroeder also reported that the walleye spawning run is in full motion in the primary tributaries of Greers Ferry Lake: the South Fork, Middle Fork and Devil’s Fork of the Little Red River. Anglers are reporting catches of male walleye on and near the first good shoal upstream of the lake and there are a few females being taken in the deeper pools and runs below these shoals. Any substantial rain that puts significant inflow in the creeks will really spur the fish on. Don’t overlook the smaller tributaries. Places like Pee Dee Creek in the South Fork, Wild Goose Creek in the Middle Fork and Sugar Camp Creek in the Devil’s Fork will see a few walleye moving in if there is enough inflow. The lower lake sees its share of walleye spawning activity on the Big Dike and on long, gently sloping points with gravel substrate. “We have also seen spawning fish in Peter Creek when there has been sufficient inflow,” Schroeder reports.

Lake Conway has been producing some good crappie around the live cypress trees in mid-lake, Schroeder says. “One of our more consistent crappie anglers reported that he has caught some big females already running eggs. This seems a little early, yet but he is a very reliable source when it comes to talking crappie. This being the case, anglers should start seeing the crappie move up into the lily pads along the edges of Gold Creek and Caney Creek. The way temperatures are looking in the long-range forecast, the bass should not be far behind them. One place to target during the spawning seasons on lakes like Conway that have been impacted by sedimentation over the years, regardless of the species, is around mid-lake cypress trees and mid-lake humps. These areas are not as prone to silt in and will usually have a hard bottom and fish like to spawn on a hard substrate.”

In east Arkansas, guide Ronnie Tice reports an excellent bream bite suddenly on Horseshoe Lake, where he just caught his personal best bream (see photo upper left). Read more of Ronnie’s report in the Fishing Report under “East Arkansas” and follow his Facebook page as well for the latest updates.

Lou Gabric from Norfork Lake sent us a nice photo (bottom left) of his son-in-law, Jason Lenard of Spring, Texas, with a 4-pound, 2-ounce largemouth bass caught on a Berkley Flicker Minnow over a brushpile that was in 30 feet of water at Norfork Lake. The bass are really starting to get active and moving into very shallow water, Lou says, and topwater action has started for the bass.

Lady Hornets Puncture Magazine In Softball Battle

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

12:53 pm

0

Lady Hornets Puncture Magazine In Softball Battle

The Hackett Lady Hornets flexed their softball muscle on Tuesday night when they walked away from their first conference match of the season against the Magazine Lady Rattlers with an out of the ballpark 21-2 victory. The Lady Hornets were crackin’ bats and stealin’ bases like it was going out of style with the entire roster earning stats. Leading the way with three runs apiece was Madeline Freeman who also earned a double and Madi Taylor who stole two bases while she was at it. Jamye Durham, MacKenzie Mendenhall, Emma Infalt, and Shayla Foster followed up with two runs each with Durham also achieving a double.

The Lady Hornets ended the game with 15 total putouts with eagle-eye Rachel Widmer picking up seven of those. Infalt snagged four, Mendenhall caught two, and Foster and Durham secured one each. Mendenhall was all over the place as she also took the lead as pitcher, hurling out 68 balls to 16 players striking out six. Kayla Richardson got a little over an inning under her feet as she pitched 33 balls to eight players striking out two.

On Thursday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. Hackett will host the Lavaca Lady Arrows for the Lady Hornets second conference game of the season. Hackett will be going into this match with a 1-2 total play record while Lavaca sits 0-1 after succumbing to Mansfield 11-0. Last season, the Lady Hornets won two out of their three matches against the Lady Arrows and this time around, Hackett doesn’t have any plans to change pace now.

Lady Tigers Strike It Up Against Greenland

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

11:54 am

0

Lady Tigers Strike It Up Against Greenland

For their first conference game of the softball season, the Mansfield Lady Tigers went to Greenland to have a ball against the Lady Pirates on Tuesday, March 10. And have a ball they did! The Lady Tigers competed in just five innings before securing an 11-1 win with the lone box run from the Lady Pirates coming in the second inning. This win upgrades Mansfield to a 2-3 total play record and 1-0 in conference.

With just three seniors on the team, the underclassmen have been doing a swell job stepping up to the plate and impressing their team and coaches. Fresh on the dirt are ninth-graders, Natalie Allison, Brooklyn Adams, and Skylynn Harris. The three freshmen combined for four runs with Adams leading with two. Harris also got in a little mound time as she catapulted eight pitches to two batters striking both out.

Senior, Maggie Strunk is every position wrapped into one as she is able to accurately deliver in any area asked of her. Strunk not only led her team with three runs but as pitcher, she issued 67 balls to 16 players striking out seven. Rounding out the runs department was Amber Elmore with two, and Chloe Creekmore and Kiara Thomas with one each. The Lady Tigers will be back to work on March 13-14 when they compete in the Clarksville Softball Tournament.

Photo courtesy of Michele Elmore

Hornets Get Gnawed By Bulldogs In Season Opener

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

10:16 am

0

Hornets Get Gnawed By Bulldogs In Season Opener

Pictured is pitcher Ethan Slavens

On Tuesday, March 10, the Hackett Hornets went batter up against the Waldron Bulldogs for their first game of the baseball season. The Hornets finished with an 8-3 loss which isn’t too shabby for their first time workin’ the dirt. “Our biggest area of improvement needs to be the hitting,” explained coach, Jordan Shelby. “I thought our pitching and defense looked good for the most part and I thought we competed well for it being the first game of the year.”

The Hornets are sitting with a roster of 21 players consisting of seven seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, and two freshmen which is the perfect balance of seasoned players and fresh faces. Teamwork is what the Hornets do best and with the first game jitters under their belt, these boys are about to send shock waves all through the rest of their season.

Up next, Hackett will slam out their first conference game of the year when they host the Lavaca Golden Arrows on Thursday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. This will be Lavaca’s first game of the season. “I feel good about our Lavaca game. I think we have a lot of potential to have a good year. I think we have a good pitching staff and our defense plays well. We will have to hit better and just put the ball in play.”

Photo courtesy of Dave and Desiree Slavens

Waldron Jr Track Overcomes Hurdles To Victory

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

9:37 am

0

Waldron Jr Track Overcomes Hurdles To Victory

Pictured is Kason Davis

Talk about a challenge! On Tuesday, March 10, the Waldron Jr High Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs took on almost 30 teams and 32 events in the Alma Airedale Relays. After Monday night’s track meet in Mena was canceled due to weather, Waldron decided to sign up and try their hand at this monstrous event. With hundreds in attendance, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs stepped up to the track and competed likes champs.

After five hours, the meet concluded and Waldron walked away holding some encouraging marks. The Bulldogs finished in first place with a team score of 98 points while the Lady Bulldogs secured seventh place with a team total of 38.33 points. For the Bulldogs, Kason Davis is improving by leaps and bounds as he finished with a double win in high jump at 5’10 and the 300-meter hurdles at 44.57. Davis also picked up second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.30 and fifth in triple jump.

Ninth-grader, Peyton Lipham was a busy little bee as he was off and running in five events and placing in the top 10 as an individual in three of them. Lipham earned second place in pole vault with a height of 10’0, fourth place in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 46.36, and sixth place in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.49. Peyton also scored eleventh in high jump with a height of 5’0. Bryson Barker walked away with top marks as he scored first place in the 200-meter with a time of 24.33. Barker also snagged third in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.90 and fifth in long jump with a marker at 16’9.

Also scoring for the Bulldogs was Brayden Houston and Fernando Guerrero earning eighth and 13th in shot put with marks at 38’11 and 36’11 feet. Houston placed fourth in discus with a score of 115’5 as well. Trevor Bates picked up fourth in the triple jump with a bound of 33’6. Jeremy Brown got 12th in long jump at 15’7. Brycen Hattabaugh earned 11th in pole vault at 8’0. In the 1600 meter run, Michael Certuche picked-up 15th with a time of 5:36. Marco Mondragon and Whitley Fielding took home fifth and 11th place in the 400-meter. Ambrose Poor was successful in the 800-meter dash with a fourth-place win and a time of 2:21. And Leo Lopez placed 15th in the 200-meter with a time of 26.45.

In the relay events, the Bulldogs walked away with two third-place wins in the 4×100 and the 4×400 and a sixth-place win in the 4×800. For the Lady Bulldogs, Jasmine Nelson had many irons in the fire as well. She placed second in pole vault with a marker at 7’0, fourth in the long jump with a length of 14’2.50, and eighth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:07. Maria Grano took home fourth in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:58 and fifth in the 800-meter with a time of 2:45.

For discus, Madison Goff placed third with a mark at 74’7 and Peyton Boyd took eighth at 68’3. Macie Davis jumped into a ninth-place win in long jump with a length of 13’6. Rylie Brown was over the moon with an 11th place win in pole vault with a height of 5’6. Kylee Day raced into 13th in the 100-meter dash with a time of 14.06. Jinger Ward and Emily Sears each earned a ninth-place win in the high jump. Lily Woodard and Annabelle Millard aimed for the stars in shot put and placed 13th and 15th respectively.

Coming in at 12th and 15th in the triple jump was Arlene Jaminez and Hazel Buessing with markers at 26’7.50 and 26’4. For the 100 meter hurdles, Gracie Carnley placed sixth with a time of 18.48 and Kyleigh Cook-Coker placed 12th at 19.01. The Lady Bulldogs finished with two fifth plays wins in the 4×100 and the 4×400 and a ninth-place win the 4×800 with a time of 11:48. The Waldron Jr Track squads will be back at makin’ tracks again on Monday, March 16 in Van Buren for the Pointer Relays starting at 3:30 p.m.

Photos courtesy of Adam Hecox

Obituary- Marie Hudson (1917-2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

-

6:10 pm

0

Marie Hudson of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, March 8, 2020 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Marie was born May 8, 1917 to Walter Wigley and Etta (Kitchens) Wigley in Waltreak, Arkansas. She was 102 years old. Marie was a member of Primitive Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas.

Marie was married to the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) Hudson for many wonderful years before he went on to Heaven to wait for her. Together they raised their children and played a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren and beyond. Marie absolutely enjoyed going to church, going to yard sales and listening to music. But Marie loved spending time with her large extended family, making memories and passing on her legacy. Everyone has a treasured memory of Grandma Marie.

Marie leaves behind to cherish her memory, two sons: Curtis Hudson of Waldron, Arkansas and Bill Hudson of Waynesville, North Carolina. Grandma will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Angie Rhyne of Colorado, Pam Houston and husband Danny of Waldron, Arkansas, Mary Munsey of Virginia, Tammy Dedmon and husband Todd of Waldron, Arkansas, Tim Hudson of Waldron, Arkansas, Randy Hudson of Alabama and Sam Hudson and wife Chastity of Waldron, Arkansas as well as numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Marie will be missed all that knew her the many whose lives she impacted including a special great niece Janet Owens of Waldron, Arkansas, a large extended family, and a host of friends and loved one’s dear to her heart.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Hudson, her parents, Walter and Etta Wigley, one son Bobby Hudson, one infant daughter, one grandson, Jeff Hudson, one sister, Myrtle and four brothers: Herbert, Arlie, Raymond and Lavoy.

Marie’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Bro. Dennis Horn officiating. Interment will follow in the Earl Ladd Memorial Cemetery in Danville, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Marie’s pallbearers will be Rick Hudson, Gayla Hudson, Ron Hudson, Danny Houston, Todd Dedmon and Don Horn.

Marie’s visitation will be Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Obituary- Juanita Louise Holt (1965-2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

-

6:03 pm

0

Obituary- Juanita Louise Holt (1965-2020)

Juanita Louise Holt of Pencil Bluff, formerly of Waldron, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, March 6, 2020 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Juanita was bon March 28, 1965 in Hico, Texas to Charles and Betty Lois McCubbin. She was 54 years old. Juanita was a member of Pencil Bluff Church of Christ in Pencil Bluff, Arkansas. She was strong in her belief and she led by example.

Juanita married the love of her life Norman, at a young age. Together they raised a family, endured everything life threw at them, and stayed strong in their faith in God. Juanita was an outdoors woman. She enjoyed everything from camping and fishing to swimming and so much more. Juanita was a loving and caring person. She had a generous heart and was full of compassion for others. But above all, Juanita was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter and sister. She proudly wore the title of “Memaw” to her amazing grandsons that lite her world. She loved her family beyond measure, and she treasured the time and memories she had with all of them.

Juanita leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 37 years, Norman of the home, two sons: Jarrod Holt and wife Lael of Waldron, Arkansas and Terry Holt of Pencil Bluff. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Lois McCubbin, one sister, Betty Singleton and husband Robin of Pencil Bluff and one brother, Travis McCubbin of Pencil Bluff. Memaw will forever remain in the hearts of her grandsons: Hayden, Aaron and Easton Holt all of Waldron, Arkansas. Juanita will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that were very dear to her heart.

Juanita was preceded in death by one daughter, Deanna Holt and her father Charles McCubbin.

Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Obituary- Benjamin Loyd Massongill (1938-2020)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

-

5:56 pm

0

Obituary- Benjamin Loyd Massongill (1938-2020)

Benjamin “Ben” Loyd Massongill of Beaucamp, Arkansas passed from this life, Monday, March 2, 2020 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Ben was born January 22, 1938, to Henry O. Massongill and Sara Jane (Staggs) Massongill . He was 82 years old.

Ben leaves behind to cherish his memory, one son, Mark Massongill and his loving daughter-in-law, Marlene also of Beaucamp, Arkansas. Ben will forever be missed by his grandchildren: Austin, Justin and Nicole as well as his great grandchildren: Trenton, Caydance, Coltonl, Hayden, Benjamin and Tacee and one great great grandchild, Titus. Ben will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of friends and neighbors dear to his heart.Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Sara Massongill, one daughter, Teresa Massongill Broussard and one grandson, Christopher Massongill. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Waldron Mayor’s “Eggstra” Special Hunt

Networks

Tammy Teague

-

5:47 pm

0

It’s not unusual for a holiday to envoke a memory of a loved one. But for Waldron Mayor David Millard, the memory of one holiday has yielded a legacy he intends to build on.

Jessie Millard, David’s father, pastored Harvey Assembly of God for nearly two decades. Prior to that, he pastored in Gans, Oklahoma, where David grew up and graduated from high school.

“My dad loved the Easter and Christmas holidays,” shared David Millard. “He loved doing for the kids.” A portion of that ministry was at Easter, when Jessie Millard would host an annual egg hunt. “He went all out,” the Mayor added. “He would get toys, bicycles…you know, the good stuff!”

Kids within the church grew up and still remember the special holiday. “My childhood at Harvey Assembly just came flooding back,” shared Leslie Wagoshe.

Last year Mayor Millard hosted the first ever “Mayor Dave’s Easter Egg Hunt,” continuing in the legacy of his father, his love for children and Easter. “Papa loved his Easter egg hunts. I think that’s why I get excited about it now!”

Mayor Millard will host his second annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 11, from 2-4 p.m. at the City of Waldron Forrester Davis Memorial Park. There will be games, face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny. Prizes include six bicycles! You can find out more details about the Egg Hunt on the City of Waldron’s Facebook page.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK