Resident News Network

Local Man Celebrates 102nd Birthday

Networks

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6:58 pm

Natural Dam native Mr. Thell Ellison recently celebrated his 102^nd birthday with a party attended by family, friends, and his wife of 78 years, Margie. State Representative Charlene Fite was also on hand to celebrate Thell’s amazing milestone. Fite told Ellison it was an honor to attend his party and she’d never known a 102-year-old man. To which Mr. Ellison replied, “And just think: next year you’ll know a man who’s 103!” Charlene says, “This amazing man works in his garden, does woodworking, and teaches Sunday School. He gives glory to God for the blessings in his life.” Ellison’s daughter, Kathy Bailey, describes her father as a role model and a legacy. And everyone who knows him agrees!

Sebastian County Fall Cleanup/Great Arkansas Cleanup

News

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12:33 pm

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Sebastian County Fall Cleanup/Great Arkansas Cleanup

Sebastian County Judge David Hudson announced that the Fall Cleanup Campaign has been scheduled for Saturdays in September and October as a part of the Great Arkansas Cleanup Statewide. The County Cleanup Campaign maintains the natural beauty of Sebastian County and helps eliminate illegal dump sites.

Proof of Sebastian County residency is required by Arkansas Drivers License for disposal of trash at the cleanup site.

The Sebastian County Campaign will take place on Saturdays starting September 14, 2019 through October 19, 2019. Dumpster schedules and locations are as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 AM – 2 PM – Milltown – VFD Community Building
Saturday, Sept. 28, 7 AM – 2 PM – Witcherville – Park on Highway 71 South
Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 AM – 2 PM – Hackett – High School Gym on E. Greenwood St
Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 AM – 2 PM – Bonanza – Street Dept. on Hwy 45
Saturday, Oct. 12, 7 AM – 2 PM – Hartford – Water Department 205 So. Broadway
Saturday, Oct. 12, 7 AM – 2 PM – Midland – County Park/Boyer Park Hwy 45
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 AM – 2 PM – Mansfield – Public Works Building
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 AM – 2 PM – Huntington – West Broadway at Cherokee Park

Note: The City of Greenwood residents may utilize dumpsters located at the Greenwood City Street Department North of the shop at the Recycle Center, 104 Bell Road, Friday, September 20th from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday, September 21st from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dumpsters will be placed by 7:00 AM on Saturday and will be picked up by 2:00 PM on the same day. Dumpsters are picked up by 2:00 PM in order to be hauled to the Landfill and dumped by closing time (3:30 PM)

NOTE: Dumpsters will be staffed at all times to assure that only acceptable wastes are disposed of. The following items are NOT acceptable in the “dumpsters” due to Landfill regulations:

Yard waste, grass, leaves and brush
Used oil
Tires
Batteries
Hazardous or toxic wastes
**TV’s Computers – Electronic Equipment
Cleaning chemicals
Herbicides or pesticides
Paints or liquids of any kind
Fluorescent Bulbs
Freon containing appliances (appliances using Freon MUST have the compressor removed before it can be accepted)

NOTE: Tires “will NOT be accepted” as a part of this cleanup campaign.

NOTE: Barrels used to burn trash “will NOT be accepted” as part of this cleanup campaign

NOTE: Computers, TV’s or VCR’s “will be accepted” with a trailer designated for these items at the Greenwood Street Department on Bell Road and at the Mansfield Public Works Building during their designated Cleanup time. Please contact the Solid Waste District at 452-4104 for a complete list of E-Waste recycle centers with dates and time of operation.

This cleanup is for Residents only and NOT for Commercial Disposal

Proof of Sebastian County residency by (drivers license) will be required prior to disposal

You Can’t Buy Love But You Can Rescue It

Headlines

Megan Hecox

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11:49 am

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You Can’t Buy Love But You Can Rescue It

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself” -Josh Billings

Dogs! To go through life with a dog by your side is like walking around embraced in a never-ending hug. As humans, we just want to feel loved and accepted, to feel important, needed, and to have a purpose in life. All of the above is easier to achieve than you think. How so? Because love is a four-legged word!

As some of you reading this already know, the City of Mansfield, like many other small towns, has been inundated with dog complaints. Whether dumped or strayed from owners who can no longer properly care for them, dogs are running rampant through the town.

That’s when they end up at the city’s kennel. Officer Kelly Perez is tasked with the locating and securing of these dogs. Just down the road from City Hall, near the treatment plant, is where these dogs end up. The kennels are quickly becoming overcrowded and these dogs need to find homes.

These dogs shouldn’t have to spend the remainder of their life hoping, wishing and waiting for someone who will care for them. The dogs currently impounded yearn for the human touch, and attention.

Yes, these dogs are a problem. Yes, the owners should be held accountable. But it’s not the dogs’ fault that they were given an unfair start to life. They are just looking for the same thing that we are, to be loved and accepted. To experience the love of a dog is a feeling like no other. You could be having the worst day ever and the moment you walk in the door, this beautiful creature, full of life, is there to greet you.

Statistics show that even petting a dog, lowers your stress levels, and I know everybody could use that! So what do you say? These dogs deserve a home, don’t make them wait any longer while being scared and alone. It’s time to open our hearts and our homes to rescue these dogs!

Currently, there are three dogs at the kennel at Mansfield. Two males, and one female. All three are extremely friendly, and according to Officer Perez, behave well with her children. The two males are black, one with a white chest and legs. The female is light brown in color and has been at the kennel the longest.

Why not bring home a new family member and best friend today? If you are interested in adopting any of these dogs, you can contact the Mansfield Water Department at 479-928-4606.

Waldron Bulldog 2019 Football Homecoming Court

Sports

Resident News Network

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9:59 pm

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Waldron Bulldog 2019 Football Homecoming Court

The Waldron Bulldogs Football Homecoming will take place on Friday October 4^th. The Homecoming Parade will be around 2:00pm on that day. Coronation will be around 6:00pm that evening.

The Waldron Bulldogs are set to kick off against the Dardanelle Sand LIzards at 7:00pm.

Waldron-Bulldogs-Arkansas-Football-Homecoming — Senior Leia Carnley – Weston Vanravensway, (Left) and Justin Goodwin (Right)

Youth Compete in Marksmanship Challenge

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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4:27 pm

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By Randy Zellers, AGFC Assistant Chief of Communications

More than 200 young outdoors enthusiasts gathered at Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature centers and education centers throughout the state last Saturday to participate in the first-ever statewide Marksmanship Challenge. When the last arrow was pulled Samuel Sanders at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center took top honors in the oldest age group, the tenth- through 12th-grade division.

Other winners include Easton Carter at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center (Grades 1-3); Ty Branton at JHARVNC (Grades 4-6), and Skyler Burch at Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center and Cora Regan at JHARVNC (tie for Grades 7-9).

Participants competed in target archery, 3D archery, BB gun marksmanship, slingshot and target casting with a rod and reel. The combined score of all five events was used to determine the winner of each category. The top three shooters in each division at each nature and education center received a medal. Winners of the top marksman awards in each age class also will receive a trophy.

“This wasn’t just a one-time event,” said AGFC Assistant Chief Eric Maynard. “We’ve held courses all summer at every center to teach youths the skills used in this challenge. The final event was a chance for the participants to celebrate what they’ve learned.”

The Marksmanship Challenge has taken place at the Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center for years, and similar events were held at other nature centers, but this year marks the first time that all nature centers and education centers coordinated their marksmanship days to give participants a truely statewide competition. Maynard says many of the centers took on the challenge internally, working even harder to increase the skill level of their participants so they could claim top billing as well as the students.

“We’re already looking forward to our next statewide event,” Maynard said. “With four nature centers, four education centers and the newest center being built in Northwest Arkansas, we are excited to increase opportunities for people to get outdoors and learn, no matter where they are in The Natural State.”

Visit www.agfc.com/naturecenters to find out what’s going on at an AGFC nature or education center near you.

Hunting and Fishing Day in Arkansas

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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4:15 pm

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The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be holding several fishing derbies and other outdoors-related activities Saturday as part of National Hunting and Fishing Day in Arkansas. Gov. Asa Hutchinson proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 28, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Arkansas, which concludes Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Week, which he also proclaimed recently.

Twelve free fishing derbies for families are scheduled for Saturday, including five specifically tied to National Hunting and Fishing Day and the AGFC’s Fisheries Division and the Aquatic Resource Education. Visit Arkansas State University Pond at Jonesboro, Cabot Community Pond, Entergy Park family community pond in Hot Springs, the Jim Hinkle Spring River Trout Hatchery in Mammoth Spring and Murphy Lake in Springdale for events AGFC’s Aquatic Resources Education has stocked the fisheries for that day (catfish at every pond; trout for the Spring River). The derbies are scheduled to run 8 a.m. to noon. While the events are for all ages, anyone 16 or older must have a fishing license.

Also, the Fred Berry Conservation Education Center in Yellville will be celebrating the day from 9 a.m.-noon with a free kids fishing derby; fish, tackle and bait are provided.

Fishing derbies also have been planned for Saturday morning through Aquatic Resources Education and various sponsors: They are: Boyle Park Pond (in conjunction with the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program), the North Pulaski Community Pond, Fred Berry Pond in Marion, McCabe Park in Mountain Home, Bull Shoals Lake (sponsored by The Call in Boone and Newton counties), Bishop Park Ponds’ Lake Charles in Bryant, and Spring Lake in Yell County north of Danville.

AGFC’s nature centers in Jonesboro and Fort Smith will be getting into the big day as well.

At the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro, some of the activities for National Hunting and Fishing Day include two hours or archery basics (equipment provided, recommended for ages 6 and older), BB gun shooting (ages 6 and above), learning about the facility’s animals, alligator feeding at 3:30 p.m., and self-guided craft activities. The event runs 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. No registration is required.

At the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith, visitors can go on a 10 a.m. hike, enjoy canoes and kayaks on Wells Lake from noon-2 p.m., learn all about mushrooms at 1 p.m., meet the facility’s animals at 2 p.m., and try laser shooting at 3 p.m.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was started in 1972 to recognize the contributions hunters and anglers have made to conservation in North America. The vast majority of America’s funding for conservation relies on hunting license sales in each state and special excise taxes collected from firearms, archery and ammunition sales. Championed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Hunting and Fishing Day was officially recognized after bills were passed in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and the official proclamation was signed by then-President Richard Nixon.

For more information on Saturday’s fishing derbies, visit www.agfc.com/are-derbies. For more information of to find a nature center near you, visit www.agfc.com/naturecenters. Each center has its own Facebook page where planned events are posted as well as updates from daily activities.

Charleston Band Participates in Battle of Franklin County

Sports

Resident News Network

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4:09 pm

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Charleston Band Participates in Battle of Franklin County

This past Friday, Arkansas River Valley bands traveled to Ozark for their Week 4 Friday Night Feature. That night, the Battle of Franklin County took place between Charleston and Ozark. This is another big rivalry game in our area. Even with the fear of rain, both bands were in full force to cheer on their team and perform at halftime.

Excited for their first home game, the Ozark Band warmed up in the stands. To start the game, the band played the National Anthem, the Ozark Alma Mater, and the school fight song.

As the teams prepared to run onto the field, the Charleston Band made their way to the field to form a run-through. As the football teams ran onto the field, each band played their fight song.

In the Ozark stands, the members danced and played as the game went on. At the start of the 2nd quarter, both bands left the stands to prepare for their performance. The Charleston Band worked their opener and ballad. The Ozark Band focused on certain parts of their show.

For halftime, the Charleston Band performed first. Their shows is titled, “The Greatest Showman.” They opened the show with “The Greatest Show.” For their ballad the band played “This is Me” which featured a soloist.

Next was the Ozark Band with their show titled, “Pulse.” They two pieces title “Movement 1: Momentum” and “Movement 2: Inertia”. Movement 2 feature a solo and a trio.

After a break during the 3rd quarter, the Charleston Band returned back to the stands. The Ozark Band sent over their senior members and drum major to talk to the Charleston Band. In the stand, the band was having a great time. They played stand tunes, dance, and waved back and forth with the Ozark band.

The feature of the Ozark and Charleston Band was a great night. Both bands performed an amazing show for their friends, family, and community. They crowd cheered for both bands as they performed on the field. If you get a chance, you need to check out Charleston’s and Ozark’s Marching show.

Arkansas River Valley Bands will be traveling to Booneville next Friday for their Week 5 Friday Night Feature of the Booneville Bearcat Band and the Paris Eagle Band.

Galyen Named Employee of the Year

Tammy Teague

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3:12 pm

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The Hartford City Council met on Monday evening, September 23 at 6 p.m.

Among the items of business, a surprise presentation by Mayor Larry Hall to city employee, Rich Galyen.

Galyen was presented with a plaque honoring him as the city’s Employee of the Year. Hall said, “I can’t say enough about him. He is an excellent employee and goes above and beyond all the time.”

Although Galyen hasn’t been with the city that long, he has made big improvements. “He took over the water department duties on June 25,” according to Judy Adair, Hartford’s Recorder/Treasurer. “He has located and repaired water lines, which has greatly reduced our water loss,” she added.

Galyen was humbled by the recognition. “I really appreciate the award,” he said. “The award means more than a pay raise, a pat on the back is worth more than money.”

Galyen has a heart for the city which he serves. In addition to his work duties, Galyen spends what little free time he has volunteering. For example, he is responsible for beautifying the main street with flowers and landscaping.

He is truly a dedicated, hard-working employee and an asset to the City of Hartford. Congratulations to Galyen on this achievement.

Scott County Voters to See Change

Tammy Teague

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2:37 pm

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Come November 2020, the voters in Scott County will see a change in how and where they cast their ballot.

Scott County Election Commissioner Steve Holland shared that new equipment and the implementation of voting centers will be a part of that change.

The new equipment is being purchased jointly through a $238,000 state grant and the county. The new Express voting equipment consists of an electronic poll book, the Express Vote machine and the precinct scanner and tabulator.

Voters will come in, check in with the ExpressPoll machine, take their ballot to the voting machine and follow the prompts. Once complete, the voter will have verified on the screen that the information is correct, and receive a printed out hard copy ballot. “They will be able to look at the screen and have a hard copy of the vote,” stated Holland. Once the voter has completed this step, they will then place the printed card into the tabulator.

Holland shared that the new equipment is ADA compliant with earphones and larger screen size capabilities.

Another change will be the implementation of vote centers. According to him, this will allow registered voters the option of voting at any of the proposed voting locations in the county. Also, that it permits most voter registration errors to be corrected at the voting site and significantly reduces the number of poll workers needed.

Those centers have not yet been established. In order to meet the requirements, those locations must have wi-fi service, telephone access and be ADA compliant.

The members of the election commission have submitted a proposal to the Scott County Quorum Court, and hope to have a final plan together for the October meeting.

The commission’s goals are to ensure fair, honest, and secure elections while offering voters more options on where to cast their ballots as well as upgrading aged voting equipment and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner that most efficiently utilizes taxpayers dollars.

If you have concerns or questions, you can contact the Scott County Election Commission at scottcountyelections5@gmail.com

Country Church Rich with History

Lifestyle

Tammy Teague

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2:03 pm

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By Ron Cochran

One of the oldest churches in south Logan County is the Pine Log Community Church. It was founded in 1871 and has served as a place of worship, a school and a meeting place for the community.

In 1871, an acre of land was donated for the purpose of a school and church to serve all denominations. Hand-hewn pine logs were used to build the original church, that’s how it got its name. Although the church has been remodeled and additions have been made over the years, the main auditorium still rests on the original foundation of hand-hewn logs.

A cemetery was also established just west of the church and now covers five acres and contains over six hundred graves.

The congregation of the church consisted of people and ministers belonging to all denominations. Those ministers have served the church throughout the years. Those who have served as pastor include Parson Holland, Brother Wright, Brother Etchion, Brother Ben Black, Reverend Huston Grayson, Ben Self, Reverend Richard Roat, Reverend Bryant, Elmer Polson, Auther Young, Bert Blankenship, Brother Sweat, Brother Thorton, Brother Dalton, A.L. Chaffin, Isum Goff, A.D. Kent, W.O. Dempsey, Nolen Bobbitt, Don Elmore, Bob Kennedy, Don Cochran, Brother Jedd and Brother Gilliam.

Throughout the years, the people of the community have supported the church and helped it to grow and prosper. Several generations of Cochrans, Camps, Blythes, Hunts, Nichols, Earps, Lowes, Williams, Nelsons, Hollands, Woods, Dickins and Norris families have influenced the Pine Log community.

Today the Pine Log Church still stands as a tribute to the generations whose faith and love have kept it going and contributed so much to this community.

*Courtesy of Pat Blanscet Dill

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