Resident News Network

Paris, Charleston Win in Semi-Finals to Advance to Senior District Volleyball Tournament Final

Sports

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8:09 am

Paris, Charleston Win in Semi-Finals to Advance to Senior District Volleyball Tournament Final

In an awesome display of power, athleticism, roster depth, and rising new freshmen stars, the Paris Lady Eagles appeared to be in top post-season form as they defeated Mansfield in the semi-finals of the senior district volleyball tournament held at West Fork High School. Paris was never challenged in the match as they defeated Mansfield 3-0, and moved on to face the winner of the night’s second semi-final match.

Many fans from all four schools made the long drive to Northwest Arkansas to support their teams. It was a proud moment for the district. Great volleyball, great fan support, and a great job by West Fork High School in hosting the event.

Paris coach Jordan Devine was pleased with her team’s strong performance in the semi-finals. “Great game tonight. I thought we played really well. I thought we had a young one (freshman Brailey Forst) come in and put some big points up for us, which was nice to see. Probably served aggressively which is what we have been trying to do all season. I really think our serving can be a weapon for us. So, I thought we did well tonight. When asked if her team was ready for the state playoffs, Coach Devine said, “well, we’ll see.”

In the evening session, the Charleston Lady Tigers defeated a hard-charging, much improved, Waldron Lady Bulldogs team. Charleston defeated Waldron 3-1. Charleston will now play Paris in the championship final on Thursday at 7 p.m. This will be the second year in a row that the two schools have met in the district tournament championship game. The winner of the match will be crowned as senior high district tournament champions and will be a number one seed in the state volleyball tournament. The loser will become the tournament runner-up and will be a two seed in the state tournament.

Charleston coach Ryan Rachuy, was grateful to win against the strong Waldron effort, but was concerned about the mistakes his Lady Tigers made in the win. “Tomorrow we are going to come in (to practice) and tighten up some mistakes we made tonight, cleaning up our play. I think we are looking at somewhere around 15 to 18 errors in that second set, probably the same in the fourth set. In the third set we cut it (errors) down to about nine errors and we won that set 25-14. When we play volleyball the way we are supposed to we are going to be alright. But we’ve got to clean up our level of play. They (Waldron) played their butts off tonight.”

For Charleston to have a chance against Paris Thursday night, the Lady Tigers will have to be much improved over their semi-finals performance. If the team that played Paris in Charleston a few weeks ago gets off the bus Thursday night in West Fork, then it should be a classic finals match-up. But for that to happen, Charleston has to eliminate the mistakes and stay in the game mentally from the first point to the last. As with all of the teams in the tournament, it is important for each team to end the tournament playing well to have positive momentum heading into the state tournament next week. For Charleston and their heralded senior class, this is their last shot at a district tournament championship. Now is the time for the Lady Tigers to play their best game.

Mansfield and Waldron will play a consolation game Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The winner will receive a third seed in next week’s state volleyball tournament. The loser will be a fourth seed entering the state tournament.

Seedings in the state tournament that will be earned in the district tournament have a major impact on the potential strength of the first round opponent that teams will face next week in the state tournament. The higher the seed a team earns in the district tournament will result in a lower-seeded first round opponent. It will be important for all four remaining teams to win on Thursday to earn the highest possible seedings for the opening round of the state tournament. According to Max Preps, the first round state tournament schedule for the 3A West teams will be:

October 29 (First, Second, and Third Round Games Played at Paris High School)

First Round

Court 1

West #4 Seed vs. North #1 Seed, 1 p.m.

West #1 Seed vs. Central #3 Seed, 7 p.m.

Court 2

West #3 Seed vs. Central #1 Seed, 1 p.m.

West #2 Seed vs. South #3 Seed, 7 p.m.

Quarterfinal and semi-final matches will be played on October 30 and 31. The two semi-finalist will advance to the state final that will be played in Hot Springs at Bank OZK Arena on Saturday, November 2. The Class 3A final will be played at 5 p.m.

There is the potential for the River Valley to have both teams in the Class 3A final in Hot Springs. Doing so would be a statement for the River Valley after regions such as the northeast and others have dominated the tournament in the past. Paris has won multiple state titles as it has proudly represented the region over the past several years, and with the young players on its roster, Paris is in good position to continue its dominance for at least three more years. Charleston, in just its fifth year of playing volleyball, and only its fourth year in playing in the district (did not play in a district in the program’s first season), would take a monumental step forward in its program if it could reach the finals this year.

For the complete state tournament bracket, go to Max Preps online and search for “2019 Arkansas state volleyball tournament.” And as always, you can stick with Resident Press all the way through the crowning of the new state volleyball champions! Resident Press is your one stop for tournament schedules, times, match-ups and scores!

Good luck to all of the River Valley teams as they compete for a state volleyball championship!

Extended Summer-Like Temps Delay Annual Fall Foliage Display

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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3:50 pm

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’ summer-like start to autumn has slowed appearance of the state’s annual foliage show, said Kyle Cunningham, extension forester with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“Fall color will likely be a little delayed this year compared to other years because of the post-summer warmth we’ve experienced,” he said.

The late summer and early fall dry spell also caused some trees to turn brown, especially on ridge tops in the Ouachita Mountains and other areas in Arkansas. Those trees, Cunningham said, probably won’t show any fall color at all.

There is good news, though. “The showers over the last few weeks may help reduce the number of trees browning up,” he said, adding that any trees that have remained green through the dry spell “may actually be more vibrant than usual once the color change begins.”

Northern Arkansas will be the first to see significant color, with the rest of the state turning in the following weeks.
When it comes to the fall color show, there are a few early adopters:
• Black gums – Some trees began turning in August with their oval leaves showing a brilliant scarlet.
• Dogwoods – Some of Arkansas’ dogwoods also started turning in August with leaves turning red and yellow.
• Sweet gums – The star-shaped leaves on these trees show yellow and red when fall comes around.
• Maples – Many maples, especially in urban landscapes, were selected for early color and were changing in September and October.

As fall progresses, look for oaks, cypress and gingko trees to add their colors to the landscape.

Lady Tigers Basketball Asking For Fans Support

Sports

Megan Hecox

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3:20 pm

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Lady Tigers Basketball Asking For Fans Support

An open letter from Mansfield Lady Tigers Head Coach, Joshua Bryan:

Dear Mansfield Tiger Fans, The Lady Tigers basketball team is selling Tiger apparel. Help support your Lady Tigers while improving your own hometown wardrobe. Some items of choice are generic Tiger apparel and others are basketball specific. See any female 7th, Junior, or Senior High basketball player to place an order between now and next Friday, November 1st. Payments will be due by November 1st. Please make checks out to “Beacon Ink”. If you do not know any Lady Tigers, order forms will be in both the middle school and the high school offices. Money can be turned in to the high school or middle school offices or to Coach Joshua Bryan. Thank you for your support of Tiger Athletics!

Hackett LL Falls But Ready To Bounce Back

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:11 am

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Hackett LL Falls But Ready To Bounce Back

Hackett Little League went all out in preparation to host their annual rivalry game against the Mansfield Tigers. The players had made College Gameday style signs to hang. The rivalry trophies were polished and set out for all to see. The field was lined up perfectly. And the announcer was excited and ready to entertain the masses. All they needed was a football game to take place. With all the planning made, the one thing Hackett didn’t plan on was the outcome at night’s end.

The Hornet 3^rd and 4^th Grade suffered a loss to Lavaca the previous week and was out for redemption against Mansfield. The Hackett players and coaches squared off against their opponents with ferocity in their eyes as the first snap was taken. The Hornets made out with a few good defensive stops with Mason Mathis and Collin Cooper plugging up the running backs and forcing them to run to the outside on the perimeters of the field.

Noah Rogers and Austin Gordon came up with some big open field tackles forcing the Tigers to become creative with their game. The Hornets couldn’t seem to match the speed of the Mansfield backs on a few occasions giving up a few big runs. Hackett’s offense struggled during the game but shown a spark late in the game when Zayden Holbert was able to snag a big pass to get the Hornets on the board, but it’s wasn’t enough as Hackett lost 38-6.

Hackett 3^rd and 4^th Grade isn’t done yet though. The Hornets have earned the #2 seed in the Playoffs and will have a bye week to prepare for the winner of the Round 1 game between #4 Cedarville and #5 Mountainburg on November 2nd at home. Hackett did not face either team during the regular season but will be fully prepared none the less for anything that comes their way.

Hackett’s 5^th and 6^th Grade was tied for the #2 seed in the Playoffs with Mansfield. Both teams had only one loss in the season which came at the hands of #1 Magazine. Hackett started out strong offensively with a solid ground and pound running game behind running back Elijah Rodgers, but it didn’t take long for the Tigers to figure out how to stop it. The Hornet defense held strong against Mansfields short yardage runs and was able to keep any trick plays at bay. Defenders Hunter Mays, Matthew Garner, and Chris Elkins came up with some big takedowns. Towards the end of the half, Hackett opened up the passing game and connected a few hefty yardage passes which built momentum going into halftime. The Hornets were able to put 20 points on the scoreboard, but could not stop Mansfields powerful run game which created a final score of Mansfield 44 Hackett 20.

The loss dropped the Hornets to the #3 seed in the playoffs which means they will host #6 West Fork at home on Saturday, October 26. The Hornets already beat West Fork 32-8 in the first week of the season and they are ready to do it again. Hackett will do what Hackett always does…..work and practice hard to get the win.

Freedom From Religion Files Grievance Against MSD

Tammy Teague

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8:40 am

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Freedom From Religion Files Grievance Against MSD

The Mansfield School Board met on Monday evening, October 21. Board members present included Trent Hayslip, Mark Barton, Dewayne Ward and Mike Gipson. Board President Rick Nicodemus was absent. Also present, Superintendent Joe Staton.

Missing from the agenda, and from the meeting…prayer. Gipson inquired about the omission. Staton shared that the Wisconsin group, Freedom From Religion, had filed a formal grievance against the school. As a result, prayer was removed from both the agenda and from the meeting itself.

This isn’t the first time FFR has come against the district. Last year, they rallied to end prayer at graduation.

Next, the board voted to go into executive session at 6:02 p.m. After reconvening at 6:28 p.m., members accepted the resignation of Carla Carter, a cafeteria worker at the elementary school. Additionally, voted to hire Emily Myers, full-time.

In the superintendent’s report, Staton shared training dates and times. Lastly, shared progress on repairs being done to the baseball field fencing. “We will try to have that done before wet weather gets here,” added Staton.

High School Principal Donnie Eveld and Elementary Principal Kim Arnold both gave brief positive progress reports.

With no other items of business, the meeting of the Mansfield School Board was adjourned.

Scott County Man Honored For Life-Saving Blood Plasma Donation

Networks

Tammy Teague

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7:52 pm

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Scott County Man Honored For Life-Saving Blood Plasma Donation

In 2014 Melissa Bonniksen lay critical in the hospital with an infection. Without a life-saving blood plasma transfusion she wouldn’t survive. Hundreds of miles away, and five years later she would have the opportunity to meet four of the five donors who saved her life.

One of those donors was Vestal Hutchens, 69, of Waldron. Hutchens and three others across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas were contacted by Tamika Hudgens with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. “On July 30, I got the call by Tamika,” shared Hutchens. “She said your blood plasma saved my sister-in-law’s life…I said lady, I am about to cry. She said don’t start, I’ll cry too!”

Hudgens would extend an invitation to attend the surprise reunion with Bonniksen and pay for the family’s stay and fuel costs.

blood-plasma-donation — Blood plasma donor, Vestal Hutchens (left) and recipient Melissa Bonniksen.

On Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 6 p.m., the tear-filled, emotional Bonniksen came face-to-face with each of her donors. “I was blessed beyond measure,” Hutchens added. “It was an honor to be a part of this wonderful event.”

Both Hutchens and his wife Judy have routinely donated blood for over thirty years. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.

The banquet was an honor for both gift giver and receiver, and was an evening that both will always cherish.

Gateway Park in Fort Smith Brings Culture & History

Networks

Resident News Network

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3:32 pm

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If you get the chance, drive to downtown Fort Smith toward the Immaculate Conception Church. In the curve there that divides Garrison and Rogers Avenue is a new park being finished. Gateway Park has been built where a multi-colored building that once housed AC Taylor Mobile Service Station on the triangle-shaped property. It is now a monument of sandstone steps and half-walls that lead visitors to three historically significant statues. The statues are in the likenesses of Judge Isaac Parker, John Carnall, and Mother Superior Mary Teresa Farrell.

The statues were created by a Kansas City artist named Spencer Schubert. Schubert created a 3:1 model of the statues to show what his vision was before completing the final ones unveiled last week. He is known nationwide for his many works.

Judge Isaac Parker is the most recognizable of the three statues. His likeness and life are known far and wide in this area of the nation. He is depicted sitting in a chair and reading a law book as he faces Washington, D.C. Parker served in the US Congress for two terms in Missouri and became interested in Native American issues. Because of this, President U.S. Grant appointed him the judge over the United States District Court for Arkansas’ Western District. He was the youngest federal judge west of the Mississippi River at 36 years old.

He and John Carnall worked together to provide schools in Fort Smith. Most know him as “the hanging judge’ but Parker was fair and honest, bringing civility to Fort Smith and the territory.

The second statue is of John Carnall (1818-1892). Known as ‘the father of Fort Smith Public Schools,’ he was only twenty-two when he moved to Fort Smith and started the first free public school. Through Carnall and other civic leaders, including Judge Parker, government lands were sold and the money went to build schools, hire teachers, and buy supplies. He was also Sebastian County’s first county clerk and established a newspaper, The Fort Smith Elevator, at his own expense. Carnall invested in land, creating subdivisions that expanded the city. Carnall Elementary is named for him.

The third and final statue is of Mother Mary Teresa Farrell who was born in Ireland (1821-1892). She was chosen to come to help teach and care for the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations. She is known for establishing the Sisters of Mercy in Arkansas, building the Mt. Saint Mary Academy, the oldest education institution in Arkansas today. She and other sisters came to Fort Smith by steamboat and began educating many girls, especially girls from prominent Cherokee and Choctaw families.

During the Civil War, their ministry changed from education to health. The sisters closed the schools and turned them into makeshit hospitals for both Confederates and Union soldiers. Teachers became nurses. Mother Mary Teresa Farrell devoted her life to both education and health care in Fort Smith and Arkansas. Her statue faces the convent and the old Saint Edwards Hospital building just behind Immaculate Conception church.

“The Gateway Park is a private/public partnership” according to Ben Griffin. The $750,000 project, Griffin said, noting that the park will be built with privately donated funds. The cost of the statues themselves was around $342,000.The cost of the statues was around $342,000.

Griffin’s family donated $50,000 to the park at the unveiling. Less than $100,000 is now needed to meet the fundraising goal. The park is managed by 64.6 Downtown who is the group behind the mural paintings and other downtown promotions.

Once finished, the park will be turned over to the city of Fort Smith.

Fort Smith is doing so much to keep history alive, improving tourism to all of the River Valley. Look for more projects coming in the near future.

Pirates Cruise in Conference Win Against West Fork

Sports

Resident News Network

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3:17 pm

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Pirates Cruise in Conference Win Against West Fork

Pictured is the Pirates rushing attack. Photo courtesy of Kali’s Photography.

The Pirates (6-1, 3-1) are off to one of the best starts in school history. You would have to look back to the 1999 football team to find a 6-1 start through the first seven weeks of a season. Making quick work of the Tiger’s (0-7, 0-4), Cedarville rushed out to a quick 35-0 lead early in the second quarter then cruised to finish the game 35-14. The win puts the Pirates in a three-way tie for second place in their conference.

Kelin Mitchell and Darryl Kattich on reaching 1,000 rushing yards. Photo courtesy of Rodney Dickens.

This night would be one for the record books and would once again belong to the Pirate duo who have been tearing up the gridiron so far this season. Both Pirate running backs, Kelin Mitchell and Darryl Kattich, broke the 1,000-yard mark on the same night in week 7. Mitchell had 7 carries for 190 yards with 2 touchdowns on the night getting him to 1,139 rushing yards so far this season. Kattich had 9 carries for 163 yards with 3 touchdowns on the night getting him to 1,039 yards so far this season. Nine different backs carried the ball 41 times totaling 490 yards on the night for the Pirates.

Cody Dickens at Quarterback. Photo Courtesy of Kali’s Photography.

The Pirates will host Greenland (3-4, 1-3) for Senior Night this Friday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.

LL Tigers Take It All Against Hornets

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:38 am

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Saturday, October 19^th was the day both Hackett and Mansfield Little League Football programs had waited for all season. It was Rivalry Game Day and the stakes couldn’t be any higher for these games. Mansfield had lost both Rivalry Trophies last season to Hackett and the Tigers were going to do everything they could to get them back in the jungle. The programs were also vying for the top two WCFL playoff seeds. And most of all, it was Mansfield vs Hackett…..enough said.

Mansfields 3^rd and 4^th Grade team starting things off on the gridiron. It didn’t take long for the Tiger offense to get on the board as Colton “00 Buckshot” Nelson caught the outside edge of the Hornet defense going untouched for 63-yards in the first score of the night. Colton Moore tacked on the 2 point conversion and just like that the game was 8-0 Tigers. Just three minutes later in the first quarter, Mansfields Hunter Whittaker found a gap in the Hornet hive and took the ball 63-yards to the house. Another Moore 2 point conversion had the Tigers up 16-0.

After shutting down the Hackett offense, Whittaker yet again broke free this time for a 36-yard touchdown. The Tigers weren’t able to convert the extra points so they were left with a score of 22-0. Colton Moore recovered a fumble on Hacketts next possession and shortly after pounded his way into the end zone. It was Nelson who sealed the Hornets fate when he made the biggest run of the game busting out for a 71-yard touchdown. Hackett managed to pull some trickery with a double pass which opened them up for a big running touchdown late in the game, but it was the Tigers who came out on top 38-6.

With the victory, the 3^rd and 4^th Grade Tigers completed their regular-season games undefeated at 6-0. Mansfield also gained possession of the Sebastian County Rivalry Trophy. They now hold the #1 Seed in the WCFL Playoffs and will have a bye week for the first round. The Tigers will then host the winner of the #3 JC Westside and #6 Lavaca game at Tiger Stadium on November 2^nd.

The Tigers 5^th and 6^th Grade team knew they were going to face an evenly matched team in Hackett who were statistically dead even with them. But what was written on paper versus what was done on the field was a completely different story. Mansfield stepped up to the challenge and decimated the Hornets with a final score of 44-20. Mansfield Running back Dawson Robinson stole the show scoring three times in just the first half with runs of 60, 43, and 53 yards.

The Tiger defense pounced on anyone in yellow creating chaos in the Hackett backfield. Alex “Ax-Man” Hecox and James “Critter” Bausley had the Hornets quarterback on edge all night as the duo each came up with two hard-hitting sacks and two fumble recoveries. Jr Cash and Dominic Shores were warriors of the edges as they didn’t let a soul pass to the outside of them all night.

The Hornets weren’t able to power their way through the Tiger D, so they turned to the passing game. Cooper Edwards picked off a short pass by Hackett and screamed downfield for a defensive Tiger touchdown. Dawson Robinson would add one more offensive touchdown to the game to give the Tigers the “dub-ya”.

The 5^th and 6^th Grade Tigers finished their regular season with a 5-1 record. The team was rewarded with the Mackey/Campbell Trophy to show off at Mansfield Middle School for the entire next year. Mansfield will be the #2 Seed in the WCFL Playoffs and will welcome the winner of the #4 Greenland and #5 Lavaca game to Tiger Stadium on November 2^nd.

Sr Lady Bulldogs Aren’t Slowing Down For Anyone

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:36 am

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Sr Lady Bulldogs Aren’t Slowing Down For Anyone

On Saturday, October 19, the Waldron Cross Country Sr High and Jr High teams showed off their leg speed in the Van Buren Pointer Classic. Along with 30 other teams, the Bulldogs stepped onto the dirt as their opponents quivered with fear at the thought of having to race them. With one meet left until District, Waldron has had an impeccable season with no signs of that slowing down now.

The Sr High Girls’ team took First Place in the Invitational with Maria Grano medaling in 2nd with a new personal best of 21:33. The Top 15 from each division took home a medal. Constance Richmond earned 8th with a time of 23:22, Ryleigh Anschutz took 10th with a 24:12 time, McKenzi Stidman made 11th with 24:13, Melissa Schroeder secured 14th clocking in at 24:49, and Kentucky Spence placed 15th with 24:56.

The Sr High Boys’ team grabbed a Third Place win with two Bulldogs seeing a payday. Ethan Martin placed 10th with 19:02 and Baldy Villarreal took 14th with a time of 19:33. The Jr High Boys’ team placed 2nd with Landon Defoor taking 14th at 13:38 and Jordan Kerr earning 15th with 13:43. The Jr High girls who received medals were Emily Sears in 9th with a time of 12:10, Ailey Ledesma in 10th with 12:47, and Ashlynn Stidman taking 12th clocking in at 13:12.

The Bulldogs will take on their final meet before District on Wednesday, October 23 at the Top 25 SW Regional in Acorn at 3:30 p.m. District will follow on October 28 at 4 p.m. in Elkins.

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