One of the first items of business during the Greenwood City Council meeting on Monday, January 6, was the recognition of a young man, Xander Molina, 11, for his outstanding efforts and conduct.
“He is an asset to his community, his neighborhood and the City of Greenwood…we appreciate everything you do,” stated Mayor Doug Kinslow. Adding that Molina takes pride in caring for both his, and his grandmother’s yard.
Kinslow praised Molina for his meticulously manicured lawn, landscaping and his Christmas light display.
“If we could all be like this, we would be much better off,” shared Kinslow. Molina was then awarded a plaque on behalf of the city, declaring January 6, 2020 as Xander Molina Day. Additionally, Molina was presented a pin with the City of Greenwood’s motto, “Feels Like Home,” and a key to the city. Kinslow concluded that the reason Greenwood feels like home to so many is because of people like Molina. “Doing for others, especially those who can’t, is very commendable.”
Congratulations to Molina and to his parents on this outstanding honor!
Jordana Rogers, the Mansfield woman being charged in the death of her mother, Melinda Rogers, was arraigned in a Sebastian County Court this morning, January 8.
Rogers was appointed a public defender, waived arraignment, and plead not guilty to first degree murder charges.
She remains in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash only bond. Her next court date is pending.
Their name is synonymous with faith, family and ministry. Dr. Larry and Jeania Brown of Mansfield have dedicated their life to service for the Lord, and we are featuring the family in this month’s Hometown Highlight.
The couple were married December 27, 1969 in their hometown of Ozark, Arkansas. A few years later, the Browns would moved to Mansfield, where Dr. Brown would serve as a dentist in the community for the next 40 years. Throughout that time, they had two sons, Matthew and Marcus.
Their family has grown since then, both sons married and had families of their own. Matthew and Joyce Brown now reside in Allen, Texas, and Marcus and Amy live in Benton, Arkansas. Currently, they have seven grandchildren: Elliana (18), Mikayla (15), Xander (5), and Faith (4) of Allen, Texas and Nathan (18), Sarah (17), and Peter (13) of Benton, Arkansas.
Throughout the years, and amid the changes, one thing remained steadfast. The couple’s faith. Dr. Brown and Jeania have served in church ministries as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and pianist. They also assist in missions, leading trips throughout the summer months. They continue that work in the ministry today at their homechurch at Fellowship Baptist in Witcherville, Arkansas.
“Any written notice regarding the lives and marriage of Larry and Jeania Brown would be remiss if it failed to point out that dedication and service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is their singular, driving focus,” shared daughter-in-law, Joyce. “Their sincere prayer would be for the reader to experience the same love, joy, and peace that can only be found through a relationship with Him (John 14:6).”
Nominations for them to be featured in the Hometown Highlight echoed the same sentiment. “They are givers and workers for the Lord,” shared one reader. “They have helped many people throughout the years, and deserve to be honored.”
Just recently, the Browns celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Family and friends gathered at the church’s reception hall on December 29 to honor the couple.
Congratulations to the Browns on their golden wedding anniversary celebration, and to them for being chosen as this month’s Hometown Highlight!
If you know of an ordinary citizen doing extraordinary things, we want to hear about it! You can send your nomination -HERE.-
Dr. Larry and Jeania Brown celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary.Dr. Larry and Jeania Brown (middle row,) with their children (standing,) and grandchildren (front row.)Dr. Larry and Jeania Brown (seated) with their grandchildren.
The 2020 Hunting Heritage Banquet, sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation – Poteau Mountain Long Beards, Scott County Chapter, is slated to take place Friday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m., Waldron First Baptist Church.
The banquet will be catered by JR’s Charbroiler restaurant. There will be a live and silent auction, games, and raffles. A $500 scholarship will also be awarded to a local senior.
All monies raised will go to aid the habitat of the wild turkey, which in turn, helps other animals as well.
The Waldron Jr High Lady Bulldogs made a valiant effort in last night’s game against the Charleston Lady Tigers. But in the end, the cats beat the dogs 27-17. The Lady Bulldogs remained consistent in both halves of the game bringing in nine and eight points respectively.
The Lady Bulldogs were led offensively by Jasmine Nelson who netted eight points while staying cool as a cucumber under the Tigers pressure. Vivian Holmes played the game with ease and skill bringing in five points. Katy Stringer who is a master at working both sides of the court to her advantage brought in three points. And Reagan Adams who plays with the same focus used by chess players obtained one point.
The Jr High Lady Bulldogs will be back on the hardwood on Tuesday, January 7 as they host the Cedarville Pirates starting at 4 p.m.
Although several years have passed, Greenwood realtor Larry Stanfill continues to treasure a memorable gift from a childhood friend.
Huntington native, Jerry Harris Moore, constructed a lamp out of old street lights from his hometown. Those lights, owned by SWEPCO, were special and this one was quite unique.
“He donated it to us in memory of my dad who retired from SWEPCO,” said Stanfill. Stanfill’s father retired from the company after 39 years of employment.
The lamp serves as a constant reminder of his father, and his friend!
Monday, January 6 was a huge night for both Hackett Jr High Hornet boys and girls teams. With their first game of the new decade, the Hornets and Lady Hornets were ready to lay down the law as they hosted the Mulberry Yellow Jackets. Hackett has been putting in long practice hours on the court while establishing a formula they hope will fly them to the top.
Last night, Hackett got to reap the benefits of all their hard work as both teams were victorious against the Yellow Jackets. The Lady Hornets went first and were fast and furious right out of the gate. Never missing a beat, Hackett set the offensive bar high and the Lady Yellow Jackets never could quit catch up. Ending with a final blow-out score of 32-13, Kyleigh Hill led her team in scoring with nine points while also earning four steals.
Lilly Slavens and Alex Bunch followed with five points apiece with Bunch gaining four steals as well. Tori Blanton logged four points along with seven rebounds. Abby McBride, Hannah Fox, and Aaliyah Escoffier combined for seven points. And Alona Rothwell netted two points, four rebounds, and three steals on the game.
Defense was the name of the game for the Jr Hornets. Both Hackett and Mulberry kept control of their side of the court and what the game boiled down to was who had enough fire left in them to push through till the end. With the closing of the fourth quarter, it was the Hornets that wanted the win more ending the game on top 18-14.
Making 13 of those points was Wyatt Hester trailed by Cole Ketchum and Seth Crane with two each and Josh Atchley with one. With this victory, the Hornets move to 3-6 on the year. Up next for the Jr Hornets will be County Line at home on Thursday, January 9 with 7th grade starting at 4:30 p.m.
There’s no chaining up these dogs. Although many contenders have tried, the Waldron Jr High Bulldogs prove to be too powerful a force to take down. In their most recent showdown, Waldron hosted the Charleston Tigers and despite the fact that the Tigers ferociously clawed their way till the end, it was not enough to conquer the Bulldogs bite.
Offensively, the Bulldogs held the keys to the kingdom as they ran the court unrestrained by the Tigers defense. Waldron racked-up 46 total points while holding Charleston to just 22 points upgrading the Bulldogs to 15-2 in total season play. Leading the offensive charge in scoring was Lidge Stinson with 17 points. The Bulldogs collected seven three-point shots with Stinson sinking three of those.
Also helping to shut down the Tigers was Peyton Lipham, Trevor Hunt, and Trenton Hunt who each brought in six points with Trevors points coming from two in your face three-point buckets. Jacob Daggs and Forrest Efurd each set the scoreboard on fire with a thrilling three-point shot. And accounting for a combined five points was Ethan Mayberry, Petey Justice, and Kason Davis.
Defensively, Waldron showered Charleston with pure court dominance. Never letting up on the Tigers offense, the Bulldogs were fast-footed fugitives with their seven steals and 12 defensive rebounds. On Tuesday, January 7, the Jr High Bulldogs will be back to breakin’ ankles and rackin’ up digits as they host the Cedarville Pirates with the Jr Lady Bulldogs starting off the night at 4 p.m.
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.
