LITTLE ROCK — Biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are seeking public input on the current revision to Arkansas’s White-tailed Deer Strategic Management Plan. This is the first review and revision of the plan since 2013.
The plan is reviewed every five to seven years to adapt to changing needs by developments in Arkansas’s deer herd and available habitat.
“Obviously, the discovery of chronic wasting disease in Arkansas is a major factor that has changed Arkansas’s deer management strategies since the last version of the plan,” Ralph Meeker, AGFC Deer Program Coordinator, said during a presentation to the Commission about the revision. “We also have an upcoming review of our CWD management plan that focuses solely on that part of our deer management. However, this strategic plan takes a deep look at trends in harvest, biological, and observation data for each deer zone. From that we are able to draft regulation proposals intended to reach target deer densities.”
The plan was drafted by the agency’s deer program coordinator and assistant deer program coordinator with considerable input from the agency’s Deer Management Team, a collection of biologists and enforcement personnel from every region of the state. Additional review was provided by Wildlife Management Division administration as well as representatives from the agency’s Research, Evaluation, and Compliance Division and Communications Division before being submitted to the Commissioners for their review.
“A lot of work goes into the development of this plan. Once the nuts and bolts of the plan are in place, we try to get as much input from staff that work regularly with both deer and the public in order to ensure that we submit a quality document for public review. Once the public is able to submit their comments through the online survey, we will try and incorporate pertinent changes before the plan is presented to the Commission for final approval,” Meeker said. “We try to be as transparent as possible about the plan, and we try to do what we can to adjust it to what the majority of our hunters want as long as it is something that makes sound biological sense. We do realize and appreciate that hunters are our biggest partner in the management of white-tailed deer in Arkansas.” The draft of the plan and a public comment survey are available at www.agfc.com/en/hunting/big-game/deer/2019-strategic-deer-management-plan/. Comments will be accepted until Jan. 20th. The Deer Management Team will then make needed revisions and submit the final draft to the Commission at its regularly scheduled February meeting.
Joel Earl “Jody” Potts of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Friday, January 3, 2020, in Waldron, Arkansas with his family by his side. Jody was born July 30, 1960 in San Bernardo, California to Joel Layfette Potts and Mary Francis (Reed) Potts. Jody was 59 years old.
Jody enjoyed wood working and fishing. Mostly he looked forward to spending time with his family and making memories.
Jody leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Charlotte of the home, one daughter, Jodi Evans of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, one sister, Pam Keeler and husband Kevin of Norman, Oklahoma, two brothers: Lonnie Potts of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Tommy Potts and wife Tonya of Norman, Oklahoma, and two sisters in law: Judy Anderson of Hommie, Oklahoma and Brenda Fagan of Poteau, Oklahoma. Paw Paw will forever remain in the hearts of his three grandson, three granddaughters and 2 great grandchildren. Jody will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted, including a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.
Jody was preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Mary Potts, one daughter, Marissa Potts, one granddaughter, Taylynn Briggs and one sister, Connie Marsh.
A memorial life celebration will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Jody and Charlotte Potts . Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory.
You may leave words of comfort and remembrance for Jody’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
Joyce Lea Thompson of Parks, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, December 27, 2019, in Waldron, Arkansas with her loving family by her side. Joyce was born August 31, 1940, in Waldron, Arkansas to her parents George W. Blalock and Addie (Brazil) Blalock. She was 79 years old.
Joyce married the love of her life, Henry Bell Thompson when she was just a young woman. Together they spent 54 years, making a life together, raising their children, had the honor of being grandparents and then great grandparents. Joyce was a homemaker and enjoyed taking care of her loved ones. Family was the most precious gift to Joyce. She was a loving and kind Granny. She enjoyed children and doing anything that involved them. When she had the time Joyce loved to read and watch the Atlanta Braves play.
Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter, Lucinda Wagner and one son, Chris Thompson and wife Paula of Parks. Granny will forever be in the hearts of her grandchildren: Claude Thompson and wife Amanda, Josie Thompson and wife C.J., Kinnley Wagner and fiance’ Dalton Miles, Janie Rhyne. as well as her great grandchildren: Nicholas, Colton and BoJessie Thompson, Samual Nobles, Adilyn Thompson, Delilah Edgar, Oliver Bell Thompson and 3 future great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Lydia Butler and husband Ralph of Waldron, Arkansas and Mary Rudnicki of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Joyce will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends and loved ones dear to her heart.
Joyce’s was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Henry Bell Thompson, her parents George and Addie Blalock, one son Jance Thompson and one daughter, Lana Vell Thompson.
Joyce’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 30, 2019, at the Keener Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Hawkins Cemetery in Parks, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Joyce’s pallbearers will be Daniel Butler, Matt Butler, Phillp Casey, Bob Lovett, Mark Isham, Nathan Hunt, Zach Kelley and Phillip Casey.
Joyce’s visitation will be Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
For new Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman, the first of two major and immediate tasks he was faced with after being named head coach was to recruit players before the early and February national signing dates, and to put together a coaching staff. One of those tasks is now complete with the announcement of the final four position coaches that will be part of his on-field staff. The Razorbacks sports information and communications department has announced that new assistants Jon Cooper, Scott Fountain, Derrick LeBlanc and Jimmy Smith will now join offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and defensive coordinator Barry Odom on Pittman’s staff.
Cooper will coach tight ends for the Hogs after serving in the same capacity at Central Florida for the last two years. At UCF, the Knights 2019 offense finished the regular season in the top 10 nationally in total offense. Prior to UCF, Cooper spent two seasons as an offensive analyst for then-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel at Missouri. The Tigers offense exploded to lead the Southeastern Conference in yards per game in 2017 and points per game, while ranking second in passing yards. Prior to Missouri, Cooper was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Oklahoma, where the program defeated Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. He played four seasons in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans.
Fountain comes to Arkansas as the special teams coach after spending 2019 at Georgia in the same capacity. Georgia saw immediate improvement with Fountain as special teams coach, led by kicker Rodrigo Blakenship. Punter Jake Camarda improved in 2019, upping his average to 46.8 yards per punt to rank sixth nationally. Prior to Georgia, Fountain spent eight years at Auburn as player personnel director and as tight ends and special teams coach. Fountain has coached in four national championship games (1997, 2010, 2013, and 2017).
LeBlanc brings SEC experience from LSU and Kentucky and ties to the state of Arkansas having coached at Henderson State and Arkansas Tech. He will coach the defensive line at Arkansas. At Kentucky, he helped build the Wildcats into a solid program, going to three straight bowl games. Kentucky was 25-14 over the three seasons he was on the Kentucky staff. LeBlanc begain coaching in college as a graduate assistant at LSU. He assisted then-defensive line coach Pete Jenkins as well as assisting the strength and conditioning staff.
Smith will coach the Arkansas running backs after spending last season as the running backs coach at Georgia State. The Panthers featured one of the best running attacks in the Sun Belt Conference led by first team All-Sun Belt running back Tra Barnett, who led the league and ranked 11th nationally. The Panthers running attack was ranked 13th nationally.
Pittman’s on-field coaching staff is now complete with the four joining the offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and defensive coordinator Barry Odom, as well as offensive line coach Brad Davis, wide receivers coach Justin Stepp who was retained from Chad Morris’s staff, linebackers coach Rion Rhoades, and cornerbacks coach Sam Carter.
The new staff brings to Arkansas a track record of success both inside and outside of the Southeastern Conference. The next step for Coach Pittman and his new staff will be to gain as many committments as possible from targeted recruits for the upcoming February national signing day for college football players. How much the staff can improve the quality and rating of the 2020 signing class will be the first indicator of the success of the new coaching staff.
As Razorbacks fans, let’s hope the new assistants will have similar recruiting success to that of their head coach, Sam Pittman.
As the Cossatot River Eagles flew into Waldron on January 3, its safe to say that they were expecting a different outcome than what they walked away from. Although the Eagles tried hard to keep flight with the Bulldogs accelerated pace, it just wasn’t meant to be. In the first half of the game alone, Waldron secured 53 of their 76 total points while holding Cossatot to a mere 29 points.
With such a big lead, the Bulldogs were able to slow down the pace of the second half of the game while getting in some beneficial reps for the rest of the roster. After ending the match victoriously 76-47, Waldron moved to 13-3 in total season play. This year, the Eagles are a non-conference foe. But next season 2A Cossatot will be moving up to 3A and joining the Bulldogs in the 3A-4 basketball division. Waldron currently plays hoops in 3A-1.
The Waldron Bulldogs hit a season-high during this match-up netting 12 three-point buckets. Gada Wagner was on fire as he earned six of those 3-pointers also earning a personal best this season of 20 points on the game. Untouchable Payton Brown snagged 28 points with 15 of those coming from three-point shots. And Isaac “The Real” Villarreal sent the Eagles away shaking as he logged 12 points while also hitting a three-pointer.
Jacob Avila and Camdon Holcomb were offensive outlaws as they each obtained three points. And rounding out the Bulldog cast of All-Stars was Bryson Bailey, Braden Williams, Tyler Wright, Ruben Valdez, and Caden Fuller with two points apiece. Defensively, the Bulldogs kept the Eagles grounded as they earned 13 steals in the game and 19 defensive rebounds.
Conference season starts back up in Waldron on Tuesday, January 7 as the undefeated 2-0 Bulldogs host the 1-1 Cedarville Pirates with Jr High starting at 4 p.m. Last season, Waldron sunk the Pirates in three games taking all three wins. This year, the Bulldogs are Locked In and ready to yet again blow a hole in the Pirates ship.
On January 3, for their first game of the new year, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs hosted the Cossatot Lady Eagles. With the Lady Eagles being 11-5 in total season play and undefeated 4-0 in conference, the Lady Bulldogs came into the game ready to engage in some smash-mouth basketball because they knew that was the kind of game that the Lady Eagles were bringing to the court.
“I am so proud of the girls for not giving up,” exclaims Coach Josh Atchley. “We found ourselves down five points with just under a minute left in the game and we managed to go on an 8-0 run to successfully win the match 42-39.” The MVP of the game was junior, Jessica Ozuna. With time winding down to 30 seconds and Waldron behind, Ozuna came out of the shadows with a flawless 3-point bucket, putting the team back on top. She finished the game with a total of six points.
“Sophomore, Hailey Stidman, carried the Lady Bulldogs offensively early and finished with 19 points. Rheagan Sanford iced the game at the free-throw line and Chelsea Stidman and Kadance Espinoza both came up with big steals to seal the win.” Sanford and Stidman each ended the match with six points while Molly Richmond netted four and Espinoza grabbed one.
Up next for the (7-8) Waldron Lady Bulldogs will be a huge at-home conference game on Tuesday, January 7 against the (6-7) Cedarville Lady Pirates. Both teams currently sit evenly matched 1-1 in conference play. Last season, Waldron and Cedarville split the columns with the Lady Pirates first taking a 60-24 win followed by the Lady Bulldogs returning the favor in their second match-up with a 37-35 victory. Since the beginning of basketball season, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs “Epic Eight” have proven that there’s really not much that they cant accomplish. So don’t expect any neeeeerves from these girrrrls when the Lady Pirates sail into town.
When homeowners face the threat of extreme temperatures, how can you protect your home? Busted pipes and frozen lines can be costly.
Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent them:
Make sure all garden hoses are disconnected.
Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
Turn off water to outside faucets, if available, and open valves on faucets to allow them to drain.
Close or cover foundation vents under house and windows to basements.
Close garage doors.
Insulate exposed pipes (both hot and cold) under house with foam pipe insulation.
Open cabinet doors under sinks.
Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath. Drip single control faucets with lever set in middle.
Set icemaker to make ice if the water line to it runs under the house.
Don’t forget to check on pipes to your washing machine in the laundry room
Locate water main cut-off valve, and have a cut-off key handy.
Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst.
Keep the faucet open when thawing frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it.
After the weather has warmed above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed, turn off dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks.
Repairs are expensive, and in some cases, devastating. Take a moment and utilize these tips and keep your home protected.
School was the last place most teachers and students wanted to be over Christmas break. But for one teacher, Hackett’s Angie Wilson, there was no other place she’d rather be. In fact, Wilson and her family made it a point to be at school last week, working to bring the classroom outdoors.
The Wilsons have been caring for and beautifying the school garden. This is a project Wilson, who is an art teacher, took on two years ago and has continued to work tirelessly at.
Hackett Elementary Principal Tura Bailey said, “Hackett Elementary is extremely blessed to have Mrs. Wilson on our team! Her dedication to our school and our students is outstanding, even bringing her out to work on the garden on her time off! Thank you Mrs. Wilson and Wilson family! The garden looks fabulous! Great things are happening at Hackett Elementary!”
The Paris Eagles and the Lavaca Golden Arrows stepped out of conference play last evening to renew an old rivalry in high school basketball. The games were a great way for both schools to get into the post-holiday drive when conference seasons resume for both schools next week.
The Paris Lady Eagles senior high team picked up a big road win at Lavaca by defeating the Lady Golden Arrows 43-34. In a game that was marked by intense play and effort from both teams, the Lady Eagles pulled away in the second half before surviving a late defensive flurry from Lavaca’s defense. The win is yet another indicator of the steady improvement this team has made since November. It was an important tune-up for the resumption of conference play when the Lady Eagles play a very important conference game Tuesday night versus Atkins.
Lady Eagles coach Dustin Williams was pleased with his teams’ performances and the progress they continue to show. “That game felt like the best game we have put together from start to finish in every aspect of the game. Our offensive execution, defensive intensity and rebounding were there for most of the game. We still haven’t put together a full 32 minutes but this young team is getting there. We will hit our stride at the right time.”
With the Paris sweep of the girls games on Friday, the opposite was true in the boys games. Lavaca swept Paris in both junior and senior high boys games. The senior Golden Arrows defeated Paris 54-24. Paris held the lead at the end of the first quarter 10-5 before Lavaca went on a 16-3 run in the second quarter to close out the half ahead of the Eagles 21-13. Paris was in the game at the half and continued into the third quarter where Lavaca outscored Paris by just four points. Then the dam broke. Lavaca went on a 24-6 run in the fourth quarter behind outstanding defense that produce multiple turnovers and scoring opportunities from its pressure defense and outstanding guard play.
Now, the Eagles must regroup and get ready to host a very good Atkins team at Paris Gymnasium on Tuesday. It doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles as they resume conference play.
The conference schedule will resume on Tuesday, January 7 when the Eagles host Atkins. The senior girls will play at approximately 6 p.m and the senior boys will immediately follow. The Junior Eagles and Lady Eagles will not play again until Thursday night when they travel to Fountain Lake. Girls and boys junior high games are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Finally, to wrap up the week, the Paris senior and junior high teams will travel to Two Rivers to play the Gators on January 10. It will be a challenging week in the schedule that will include two long road trips on consecutive nights.
The Atkins senior boys team (9-0, 3-0), according to Max Preps, is ranked 14th in Arkansas in Class 3A and 86th over all classifications. Akins has a half-game lead in the conference over Fountain Lake who is 3-1 in conference play. Akins has won nine in a row, including three in a row in conference.
The Atkins senior girls team (6-8, 1-2), is ranked 40th in Arkansas in Class 3A and 161st over all classifications in the state. Atkins is two games out of first place, behind conference leaders Perryville, Two Rivers, and Lamar, who are all undefeated in conference play. Jessieville is tied in the loss column with two loses, but has played four conference games.
With the conference standings for both the Paris boys and girls, it is easy to see that this is a critical week of conference play for Paris. Both teams have an opportunity to tighten the races in their respective conferences.
The Eagles and Lady Eagles will play in a new Class 3A basketball conference next year, and now is the time to make a statement in their current conference before schedules change in November.
The holidays are over and teams now find themselves in the most important part of their schedules where they play conference games each week leading into district tournaments that will begin in mid-February. Before we know it, the junior district tournament will be here the week of February 10, and the senior district tournaments will begin the following week. Regional tournaments will be held the week of February 26 and qualifying teams will head to the state tournament the week of March 3. Senior high rosters could be tweaked all around the conference after the district tournament concludes. Freshmen could add depth or fill gaps in senior rosters throughout the district tournament. It is always interesting to see which teams in the district will significantly improve or change their personalities with the addition of freshmen to the varsity rosters.
All of this, combined with a sport in which anyone can win on any given night, and it is no wonder why the great sport of high school basketball is so popular in Arkansas. Eagle fans need to turn out for the stretch drive to support their Eagles and Lady Eagles as the teams focus on each crucial conference game and the goal of advancing to post-season play. The Paris basketball program needs its fan base to be road warriors this week and support the teams at Fountain Lake and Two Rivers.
It should be an exciting time leading up to Valentine’s Day and the district tournaments! All teams, regardless of records, have a lot to play for in January and February. The goal is to improve with each week and to be playing your best basketball at tournament time. There are many stories and legends out there about teams of the past who got hot at the right time and made big runs in post season tournaments! The old schoolers may remember the North Carolina State team of 1983 who became the first team to win the NCAA tournament with 10 or more season losses. The Wolfpack were the epitome of a team that got hot at the right time. In fact, NC State beat outstanding teams in the tournament to win the national title: UNLV, Virginia, and Houston…all ranked in the top four nationally!
It can be done.
So, Eagles fans….why not Paris?
Stay With Resident Press for Complete High School Basketball Coverage!
Hurcel Lee Williams, 84, of Abbott, Arkansas went to meet his Lord and Savior on December 30, 2019. He was born April 25, 1935 in Abbott, Arkansas to the late Rufus and Vinita (Harp) Williams.
Hurcel is survived by four children; Stephen Williams and wife Kathy of Abbott, Pamela Hattabaugh and husband Randy of Lucas, Robert Williams of Burnsville, Johnny Williams and wife Darla of Fort Smith, eight grandchildren; Jesse Hattabaugh, Tasha Bailey, Zoe Hattabaugh, Elizabeth Williams, Hanna Williams, Sarah Williams, Jeremy Williams, Maleahh Williams, four great-grandchildren, one brother Charles Williams of Abbott, Arkansas and by numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other extended family.
Many people remember Hurcel as the one who drilled their water well. This is what he did to support his family for many years. Some will remember him as the fastest guy on the Centerville racetrack. He loved fast cars! But his greatest love would have to be his love for God his family and his friends.
He is preceded in death by his father Rufus and Mother Vinita, his wife of 63 years Betty Leonard Williams, his brothers. Raymond, James, Herman, and Ray and his sister Bernice.
Visitation will be held Friday January 3, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday January 4, 2020 at Westside Pentecostal Church in Huntington. Burial will be in Gilliam Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Hunt, Daryl Hunt, Ronnie Elmore, Joshua Elmore, Bud Qualls, Jim Bray. Honorary: Rex Driscoll, Dave Johnson and Mark Cumbie.
Online condolences may be sent at www.martinfuneralhomes.com
