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Scott County Man Pleads Guilty in 2023 Death of Infant

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Scott County Man Pleads Guilty in 2023 Death of Infant

A Scott County man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2023 death of 2-month-old Kyzer Fry, avoiding a scheduled jury trial.

Rodger Sorg, 24, was originally charged with first-degree murder following the infant’s death on August 2, 2023. He initially pleaded not guilty and was set to stand trial in July 2025. Instead, Sorg entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.

According to court documents, Sorg was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with a three-year suspended sentence. He had remained in custody at the Scott County Detention Center throughout the proceedings and had acquired 711 days of jail credit at the time of his plea.

The tragic case began on August 2, 2023, when the Mansfield Police Department responded to a call at a home on Huntington Avenue. Samantha Dotson, the child’s mother, told authorities she had returned from work to find her son, Kyzer Fry, unresponsive. At the time, Kyzer and two other children were in the care of Sorg.

The Arkansas State Police were brought in to investigate, and Sorg was arrested days later on August 8, 2023.

Tigers Senior High Is Leading Mansfield’s Little League By Example

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Tigers Senior High Is Leading Mansfield’s Little League By Example

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Timepiece: Arkansas Ancestors

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Extension to host Southern Chow-Chow relish workshop, part of preservation demo series

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Extension to host Southern Chow-Chow relish workshop, part of preservation demo series

At the upcoming Southern Chow-Chow workshop, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service on Aug. 23, attendees will learn to combine green tomatoes, bell peppers and cabbage to make the classic relish recipe.

The event is part of extension’s Preserving Arkansas summer series, which aims to teach food lovers and home cooks about the basics of food preservation and value-added foods.

“Whether you’re a beginner or looking to grow your food business, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect and preserve something delicious,” said Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach arm of the Division of Agriculture.

The workshop will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale. The cost to attend is $10, and participants must register at uada.formstack.com/forms/preserving_arkansas.

David Hill, extension program associate for food systems and safety for the Division of Agriculture, said Southern Chow-Chow is an ideal recipe for learning about food preservation techniques, including pickling.

“In the South, Chow-Chow is a dish traditionally made of chopped vegetables pickled in a vinegar-based brine with sugar and spices,” Hill said. “Known for its sweet and tangy flavors, it’s used as a condiment for many classic southern dishes.”

The Division of Agriculture’s Local Food and Preservation teams, along with family and consumer sciences staff, will lead the demonstration. They will also be joined by local chef Margie Raimondo.

Raimondo, author, filmmaker and owner of Urbana Farmstead, helped lead a hands-on jam-making workshop for the Division of Agriculture earlier this summer. Hill said Raimondo is a perfect pick to help attendees develop their skills.

“Chef Margie is incredibly passionate about using fresh, local produce to create delicious food,” Hill said. “Lucky for us, she also loves to share her knowledge and help people build their cooking confidence. We’re excited to work with her again for this demonstration.”

Perez said the workshop will walk attendees through the essentials of safe, legal value-added food production in Arkansas. Value-added products, such as jarred vegetables, jams or jellies, are defined as food products that are not fresh, and they can be produced by home-based or commercial manufacturers.

“With the Preserving Arkansas summer series, we’re hoping to engage with people who love food and enjoy learning new things,” Perez said. “By introducing attendees to the basics of food preservation, we want to spark some ideas for passionate home cooks and inspire potential home-based food entrepreneurs.”

The Preserving Arkansas series will include one more workshop in September, with the date to be announced on the extension Local, Regional and Safe Foods Facebook page.

Ingredients for the workshop are sourced from the Arkansas Farm Trail, a program of Arkansas Farm Bureau. The program was created to promote direct-to-consumer farms and teach consumers about where their food comes from.

For more information, contact Amanda Philyaw Perez at [email protected].

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Amanda Perez at [email protected] as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

Simon Announces Candidacy for State Representative, District 46

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Simon Announces Candidacy for State Representative, District 46

Brad C. Simon, a small business owner, family man, and lifelong conservative, proudly announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for State Representative in Arkansas District 46, encompassing portions of Logan, Franklin, Scott, and Sebastian Counties. With a campaign slogan of “Faith, Freedom, and Family First”, Simon positions himself as the steadfast conservative choice to replace the term-limited incumbent, Jon Eubanks, whose dedicated service to the district is deeply appreciated.

Raised in Paris, Arkansas, by educators James and Linda Simon, Brad learned the values of hard work, faith, and community early on. A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Economics, he married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, at 19 and built a life centered on family, faith, and service. Together, they have three children-Andrew, Emily, and T.J.— and are active members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Paris, where Brad has served on the Parish Council. His leadership in the Knights of Columbus, raising funds for charities like CASA and the Boys & Girls Club, and his role as former Vice President of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, reflect his commitment to strengthening local communities.

Simon’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his small business, started from scratch in 2013, now employing over 20 Arkansans statewide. His firsthand experience navigating government regulations fuels his passion for limited government and economic freedom. “As a conservative, I believe in unleashing the power of Arkansas’ workers and businesses by cutting red tape and lowering taxes,” Simon said. “I’ll fight for jobs and a thriving economy by protecting small businesses from overreach and ensuring our tax dollars are spent wisely.”

On immigration, Simon takes a firm stance: “We must secure our borders and enforce our laws to protect Arkansas communities and resources. Illegal immigration strains our economy and public services, and I’ll support policies that put Arkansas citizens first.” He also pledges to safeguard Arkansas from foreign influence, particularly from China. “We cannot allow Communist Chinese interests to infiltrate our land, businesses, or institutions. I’ll work to keep Arkansas sovereign and secure.”

As a supporter of law enforcement, Simon is committed to keeping Arkansas safe. “I back the blue and will ensure our first responders have the resources they need to protect our communities,” he stated. His deep ties to educators, including his parents and close friends, drive his support for education, but he emphasizes fiscal responsibility: “We must fund our schools effectively while cutting wasteful government spending to keep taxes low for hardworking families.”

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s ‘A Day of Hope’ Unveils New Award

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Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s ‘A Day of Hope’ Unveils New Award

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), a nonprofit helping single parents rise out of poverty through access to higher education, announced a new honor for its annual awards banquet. The newly established Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented during A Day of Hope on Oct. 2 at the City Center, 315 N. Shackelford Road in Little Rock, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $75. The last day to purchase tickets is Sept. 25.

“The new Distinguished Alumni award was created to celebrate an ASPSF graduate who has completed his or her degree, pursued a career with family-supporting wages, and has given back to the ASPSF program,” ASPSF Chief Development Officer Christine Gronwald said. “We are thrilled to honor Tikima Simpkins, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) and admissions specialist at National Park College, with the inaugural award.”

The full list of this year’s honorees, voted on by ASPSF supporters, are:

Outstanding Education Partner: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Outstanding Corporate Partner: Arvest Bank
Outstanding Philanthropy Partner: Arkansas Community Foundation
Newly established Distinguished Alumna: Tikima Simpkins of Hot Springs

“A Day of Hope is an opportunity for Arkansans to come together and celebrate single parent students and those who champion their success,” ASPSF CEO Jenn Morehead said. “Attendees will witness how education creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children.”

Lisa Fischer — former radio personality and on-air reporter, and current host of the “Lisa Fischer Said” podcast — will deliver an emotional keynote about her experiences growing up as the daughter of a single mom. Fox 16 News’ Donna Terrell will emcee.

Along with Fischer and Terrell, attendees will hear from scholarship recipient Takida Jester and alumna Carrie Terry. Jester is a single mom of three from Little Rock, working at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield while studying for a bachelor’s in health care management. Terry graduated from UAFS in 2021 and is the community outreach coordinator for OGE Energy Corp.

In its third year, the statewide ASPSF luncheon was renamed in a nod to past event A Night of Hope, held in Little Rock for many years to raise funds for single parent students in Pulaski County. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the nonprofit’s scholarship program in 69 counties in Arkansas, including Bowie County, Texas.

To purchase tickets or learn more about becoming a sponsor, visit aspsf.org/hope.

Mansfield School Board Holds Special Meeting to Finalize ABC Pre-School Staffing and Salaries

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Wallace Steps Down as Waldron Chamber President

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Obituary: Daniel Carl Coleman (1933-2025)

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Obituary: Daniel Carl Coleman (1933-2025)

In Loving Memory of Daniel Carl Coleman

Daniel Carl Coleman was a devoted and hardworking family man who loved deeply and lived with strong values. He instilled in his children the importance of commitment, integrity, and a solid work ethic-principles he upheld throughout his life.

From a young age, Carl learned the value of hard work. His family raised strawberries and sold them at the end of their driveway, earning a reputation for having the best strawberries in Scott County, Mississippi. Carl always had chores to do and a garden to tend. His first job was at a gas station in Dallas, where he worked after school and on weekends.

Carl grew up with a love for horses and mules, especially Appaloosas. He was especially proud of his Appaloosa stallions, which he would sire out to other ranchers. Over the years, he also ran a firewood business in the winter and a hay hauling business in the summer. He worked evenings and many weekends to provide for his family. In addition to all this, he was an excellent welder and often took on welding jobs for extra income.

Carl worked for the Purex Corporation for 27 years as a supervisor. He later became the proud owner and operator of his own trucking company, Double C Enterprises. Carl was also a proud Navy veteran. He served aboard the U.S.S. Essex (CVA-9) from 1955 to 1957.

He also proudly served his community as a member of the Denton County Sheriff’s Posse in Texas for 56 years. The Posse worked closely with the Sheriff’s Office, assisting in searches for missing persons and criminals on horseback. Carl participated in parades and rodeos across North Texas and helped organize many fundraisers for special needs children in the Denton County area. He was also a lifetime member of the American Association of Sheriff Posse &Riding Clubs.

Family time was precious to Carl. Weekends were often spent together enjoying rodeos, playdays, and trail rides. One of his favorite memories was at the age of 75, when he embarked on a big trail ride from Texarkana, Texas to Tombstone, Arizona in 2008. Accompanied by his twin Appaloosa mules and a covered wagon he built himself, Carl’s grandson Dustin joined him for every step of the journey-an adventure neither would ever forget.

If you were around him long enough, you’d probably hear him say “you betcha boots” or “come on, we’re burnin’ daylight.” Some of other favorite one-liners we grew up hearing him say were “could be better or it could be worse” and “another day-another dollar”.

His life was a rich tapestry of family, hard work, and adventure. Carl Coleman-PawPaw-will be remembered always for his strength, kindness, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Carl leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children: Jeanine Gray, Dwain (Debra) Coleman and Carla Waddle (Bruce). Paw Paw will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Amy Brooks, Dustin Coleman (Kassey), Jake Waddle (Sierra) and Jessica Brimble (James) as well as great grandchildren: Ambre Brooks, Emma Waddle and Joshua Waddle.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents Elbert and Lyda Coleman, wife of 49 years Patricia Maris Coleman, wife Wanda Coleman and grandson Joshua Coleman Waddle as well as siblings: Percy Coleman, Leonard Coleman, Butler Coleman, Lester Coleman, Clara Trest, Beatrice Rodgers, Johnny Frank Coleman, Dean Howard, Elbert Coleman and Electa Eaves.

Carl’s graveside celebration of life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Needmore Cemetery in Needmore, Arkansas. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Carl’s visitation will be Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.