Resident News Network

Savages Show No Mercy In Tournament

Sports

-

2:33 pm

For the second year in a row, co-ed Little League softball team, The River Valley Savages, has dominated their annual Softball Tournament held at Ben Geren Park in Fort Smith. Made up of 12 players with 9 returning from last year, the Savages hold players from Mansfield, Greenwood, and Fort Smith. The entire team knows how to work together and in return, it is manifested through the scoreboard.

Making up the River Valley Savages are Isaac Carson, Colton Moore, Carter Koch, Layton Pyles, Drake Brunson, Hunter Whittaker, Jalee Edwards, Ellah Heydenreich, Bailey Quick, Kaegen Hickey, Kaylynn Piyapho, and Loghan Settle. The Savages, who are coached by Brandi Elmore, Blaine Quick, and Jeremy Whittaker, won their tournament on August 3 by defeating the Leflore County Ballers and Beauty and the Beast. The River Valley Savages are exactly that, Savages. With the trend they are setting, can you say Threepete?

Davis Enters Year Eight at Hackett

Sports

Resident News Network

-

1:31 pm

0

Every year teachers, coaches, and administrators change throughout school districts across the area. Something that one district has not seen in their band program is a change of director. For the past seven years, Lucas Davis has been the Band Director for the Hackett School District.

Davis, who plays the trumpet, grew up in Fort Smith and attended Southside High School. He went on to get his Bachelors in Music Education at Arkansas Tech University. After job searching for a few years, he was hired by Hackett School District to oversee their band program in 2012. Since then, Davis has been hard at work pushing his students to be the best that they can be.

When asked why he chose to be a band director Davis said, “I really enjoyed my time in the high school band.” In his free time, Davis runs with his wife and races drones. He also is a member of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church orchestra and the River Valley Community Band. A fun fact about Davis is that he was born in Germany and he is blind in his right eye.

At Hackett, Davis teaches Elementary Music, 6th Grade Band, Intermediate Band, General Music, and High School Band. Last year the High School Band was awarded 1st Division at Marching and Concert Assessment, earning their first Sweepstakes Award. They also placed 4th at the Dale Bumper Marching Contest and 2nd at the State Marching Contest while earning numerous awards for drum major, percussion, and color guard.

Last year was very successful for the Hackett Band. But with almost half the band freshmen and no seniors, Davis’ goal for this upcoming school year is to rebuild and keep expectations high. But Davis did say that “This group is dedicated.” So we can expect to hear a great show from the Hackett High School Band this year.

Cedarville Loading Cannons For 2019 Season

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

10:57 am

0

Cedarville Loading Cannons For 2019 Season

Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell

When the 2019 Cedarville football season starts, Head Coach, Max Washausen, will be starting his fourth year as the Pirates captain. It’s been a journey that has not only changed his life but many of his players lives as well. In just a few short years, Coach Washausen along with Assistant Coach Jarrod Remer, have taken a down and out football program and given it a complete makeover.

“The program has completely changed,” explains Coach Washausen. “In 2016 we started from the ground level as far as a football program goes. At that time we only had 20 players on the team and the entire 2015 seventh through twelfth grade season, had only won a combined six games. Flash forward to now, and the Junior High has won back to back conference championships in 2017 and 2018 and our Senior High team went 4-6 last season beating a well coached Mansfield team who ended up making it to the playoffs.”

This season, the Cedarville Pirates are bringing more to the table than ever before. “We have more depth than we have ever had in previous years. More and more players are doing what it takes during the summer to turn this into a successful program. The seniors have seen improvement every single year and the tenth and eleventh graders were back to back Jr High conference champs.”

Historically, the Cedarville football program has only had five winning seasons. But if you ask anybody in Pirate territory, this season that’s all going to change. The 3A-1 Cedarville Pirates are sitting in a conference with Booneville, Charleston, Greenland, Lamar, Mansfield, Paris, and West Fork. “If we continue to have good team chemistry and overcome adversity early in the season, I believe we will have one of the best seasons Cedarville football has had in a while.”

The returning senior high team is hoping to achieve success on a few goals that they have set in place for the upcoming season. To beat rivals, the Mountainburg Dragons. To beat Charleston for the first time in senior high history. To go 3-0 against the Mansfield Tigers. To make the playoffs. And to become Conference Champions.

A few Cedarville players you’ll want to keep your eye on this season include sophomore Runningback and Offensive Linebacker, Darryl Kattich, who according to Coach Washausen is “one of the most talented runningbacks I have seen in a long time.” Junior Runningback and Free Safety, Kelin Mitchell who rushed for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns in his sophomore year.

Three-year starter on the Offensive and Defensive Line, senior Alex Ascencio. Strong-armed senior Quarterback and Linebacker, Calloway Henslee. Sophomore Middle Linebacker and Fullback, Hayden Partain who Coach Washausen says “is very smart, tough, and the ultimate teammate.”

Senior Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Kolbye Beals, “has a great attitude and is always ready to give 100 percent.” Kevin Jones, also a senior Offensive and Defensive Lineman, has great size and strength which helps him stand apart from the crowd. Adding depth in the Quarterback position is junior Nick Moore and sophomore Cody Dickens. And sophomore Bruce Turney and junior Tommy Metcalf are returning as starters on Offense and Defense. In total, Cedarville is returning seven starters on Offense and seven starters on Defense for the upcoming season.

The Cedarville Pirates football program seems to be on the rise and the 2019 season just might be what sends it over the top. Coach Washausen concludes, “I think we need to continue on the path we are headed. In 2015 we literally had 1 or two players willing to do what it takes to be a winning program and now we have the majority of the team doing what it takes. We need a total team commitment to getting better and it’s coming with this group.” Cedarville kicks off their football season on August 30 at 7 p.m. against the Rebels at Westside.

Bynum Trial Underway in Scott County

News

Tammy Teague

-

10:09 am

0

The jury trial of James Bynum is underway in a Scott County Court. Bynum’s trial began yesterday, October 29.

Bynum, who was convicted in 2015, was found guilty of 10 counts of sexual assault in the fourth degree, a class D Felony and two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony. After finding Bynum guilty, the jury handed down a 100 year sentence.

In October 2018, the judgement of the circuit court was reversed and remanded by the State Supreme Court. Judge Kenneth Hixson ruled that Bynum’s counsel was “deficient” and that the court “erred in not finding that Mr. Bynum’s counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defense.” Furthermore, “We believe the fact of being charged with twelve crimes instead of two was, in itself, prejudicial to Mr. Bynum. Couple that with the fact, at the jury trial Mr. Bynum received, the jury was given no limiting instructions…Under these circumstances, we hold that there was a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different had Mr. Bynum’s counsel not been deficient.”

Bynum is being retried on two class B felony sexual assault charges, which allegedly took place from 2013-2014. The trial is scheduled to continue through today, and on into tomorrow.

Lifetime License Options Worth Their Weight in Golden Years

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

-

2:00 pm

0

Lifetime License Options Worth Their Weight in Golden Years

LITTLE ROCK — Even though Arkansans enjoy one of the lowest resident hunting and fishing license costs in the nation, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a special present for everyone’s 65th birthday — one last license that will never expire.

Resident 65-Plus lifetime licenses are offered for hunting, fishing or as a combination of both. All licenses cost the same as their annual counterpart:

Resident 65-Plus Hunting License – $25;
Resident 65-Plus Fishing License – $10.50; and
Resident 65-Plus Combination License – $35.50.

AGFC Deputy Director Chris Colclasure says the 65-Plus Lifetime Licenses offer a way to remove barriers to the outdoors for hunters and anglers.

“As people begin enjoying their golden years, they have to be mindful of added expenses,” Colclasure said. “We want them to continue hunting and angling, enjoying what they’ve always had available. Many people who may have stopped hunting or fishing and now also may have more time to enjoy the outdoors and we want to welcome them back.”

The 65-Plus Lifetime License is not all-inclusive. Hunters wishing to hunt doves, ducks and other migratory birds must still sign up for a free Harvest Information Program registration each year as part of federal requirements. Federal waterfowl stamps also must be purchased before duck hunting. For their state waterfowl stamp, however, 65-Plus Lifetime License holders may purchase a single 65-Plus Lifetime Waterfowl Permit (also at the standard annual rate of $7).

Hunters using wildlife management areas still must sign up for a free WMA General Use Permit each year, and those interested in trapping must still hold a valid annual trappers permit, which also is free.
“Both of those permits are used to gain information on how many people are using the state’s wildlife management areas and how many active trappers are in the state,” Colclasure said.

Anglers interested in trout fishing also must have a valid 65-Plus Lifetime Trout Permit, which costs $5, but will increase to $10 on Aug. 1, 2019.

Best of all, a person doesn’t even have to wait until their official “birthday” to get their 65-Plus License. These options become available to purchase at the beginning of the year in which a person will turn 65, so hunters and anglers who won’t reach that milestone until November or December can begin enjoying the benefits of this option for the whole year, and all the years to come.

All 65-plus lifetime licenses are available at the AGFC Little Rock headquarters, all AGFC regional offices and AGFC nature centers. They also are available through the AGFC’s online license system at licensing.agfc.com.

Secretary of State Speaks on Funds for New Voting Equipment

News

Tammy Teague

-

1:49 pm

0

Secretary of State Speaks on Funds for New Voting Equipment

(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston issued the following statement following Governor Hutchinson’s announcement yesterday that $8.24 million in state funds were being released to fund new voting equipment in accordance with Act 808 of 2019, passed by the Legislature, earlier this year:

“I am excited to learn that Governor Hutchinson has released the funds necessary to complete the state’s commitment to the funding of election equipment for the counties in need. We appreciate his heart in this matter, as we are also thankful to Senate Pro Tem Jim Hendren, House Speaker Matthew Shepherd and others that supported meeting this need. We are hopeful that the individual counties are in a position to take full advantage of this watershed moment in our state’s history. My office looks forward to assisting the counties in completing this process. It is a process that will aid all of the state leadership’s efforts and hopes toward providing the most secure voting experience possible.”

Earlier this week, Secretary Thurston and his staff met with county judges, clerks, and election commissioners from the 21 counties that will benefit from the release of these funds.

Summer Sessions End With Splash and Dash

Sports

Tammy Teague

-

1:39 pm

0

Summer Sessions End With Splash and Dash

Pre-season summer sessions for the Mansfield cross country team ended on Friday, August 2. The team concluded their organized team activities with a bit of splash and dash just 11 days before the start of school.

Select members of the Tiger long distance team were rewarded with a trip to the Alma Aquatic Park to close their pre-season training schedule. It was at the Alma amusement facility that the players enjoyed a splash in the pool and a dash of salt on watermelon dessert after an afternoon cookout.

“This has become a real tradition like so many things we do as a team,” stated MHS coach John Mackey. “It’s pretty exclusive however. You have to earn your Tiger stripes to make the trip.”

Mansfield saw solid numbers put forth near maximum days at evening running sessions and weight training through the month of July. However, not everyone completely reached the high end quota of workouts to earn the reward trip.

“The athletes that went on the trip averaged nearly 90 percent attendance through the summer,” commented Mackey. “We have high expectations for the season and that requires high expectations for the summer. You had to make some sacrifices to meet the goal.”

Of the 15 athletes that earned their “walk in the park”, seven were sophomores. John Branche, Ethan Chapman, Shelby Cole, McKenzie Griffin, Harleigh Mars, Faith Rainwater, and Hope Rainwater peopled that tenth grade list.

Senior Delilah McKusker and junior Renden Emery were the oldest players to fulfill the requirements.

Emery was one of two players to chart perfect attendance. The other was his seventh grade sister Meghan Emery.

Trinity Triska, Raine Hecox, Eden Mounts, Lita Hecox, and Ashton Hinkle bridged the remaining attendance club catalog. In order, the five accounted for another seventh grader, two eighth graders, and a pair of freshmen added to the list.

From the 4-week training block that preceded the Alma reward trip, all participating Tiger runners produced 975.6 collective miles. According to their coach, that was just short of their 1,000 mile goal.

“Our numbers were well ahead of schedule for the first couple of weeks,” noted Mackey. “Our dual sport kids were pulled away with cheer, volleyball, and football camps over the last six days. That left us a little short, but the total was impressive nonetheless.”

The cross country team will take a small break from team sessions for the remainder of summer. The unit will resume group activities when classes begin on August 13.

According to Mansfield’s coach, individual workouts will undoubtedly continue despite the recess from OTA’s. Dedicated runners found through the month of July will most likely resume individually prescribed workouts they started back in May.

Mansfield-cross-country — Tiger cross country runners enjoy a cookout at the conclusion of pre-season training.

Armed With Arrows, Head Archer Readies For Release

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

11:55 am

0

Armed With Arrows, Head Archer Readies For Release

To say it’s been a busy summer for Lavaca Golden Arrows Head Coach Mark Headley would be an understatement. But that’s not a bad thing. After hanging up his football coaches hat after the 2014 season, Coach Headley is taking back his spot at the top of the tower.

Mark Headley moved to Lavaca in 1989 from Fort Smith, Ar and after graduating from LHS in 1992, Headley packed his stuff and headed off to college at Arkansas Tech University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education and in 1997, Coach Headley landed his first coaching position at his alma mater.

“Coaching was not on my radar growing up,” says Coach Headley. “My dad was a pharmacist and at one time I felt like I might follow in his footsteps but as I got into high school, I fell in love with athletics and being a part of a team and that got me thinking about a coaching career.”

Although many coaches and teachers inspired Headley to go on and do something amazing with his life, it was his senior high football coach, Coach Vitale, who influenced Coach Headley the most. “He showed up every day and was enthusiastic and loved kids.”

Mark Headley stepped down as head football coach for the Arrows after 13 incredible seasons. Between 2002-2014, Coach Headley walked away with an extraordinary 84-60 football record. For the last four seasons, the Golden Arrows were headed by Coach Brian Schlinker who after the 2018 football season, left for Van Buren with an 18-24 overall Lavaca football record. Last year, the Arrows finished their season with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-3 conference record.

Now, back in the driver’s seat with the support from the love of his life and partner in crime for the last 24 years, wife Dasha, and their two children, son Hayden-22 and daughter Hope-18, Coach Headley is ready to shoot his Golden Arrows into victory. “My expectations are the same every year. We want to teach players to be quality young men and to learn accountability and discipline. We also want to get better each week and have the opportunity to compete at the end of the year.”

Nowadays, as times have changed over the years, kids are being pulled in many different directions. “It’s harder to get players committed and accountable to a team,” says Coach Headley. But one thing that hasn’t changed in Lavaca over the years, are the hard-working and spirited coaches, teachers, and student-athletes who show up year after year all with the same goal in mind. To continue to support and grow their small-time community, into the same greatness as the big-time schools that overshadow them.

This 2019 season, the Golden Arrows will be returning three offensive starters and three defensive starters. According to Coach Headley, he has four seniors to keep your eye on. Quarterback, Kaw-Liga Brewer, Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Zach Gann, Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Skyler Barger, and Offensive Lineman and Linebacker, Jacob Smith.

“In order to have success, we have to create a culture of young men who do the little things right and focus on not only football but on living their lives with high standards and high expectations,” expresses Coach Headley. This season, 2A-4 Lavaca will face-off with Hector, Mountainburg, Magazine, Hackett, Westside, and Western Yell County, for conference supremacy. The Golden Arrows will scrimmage Lincoln, August 20 at Lincoln. The first game of the season will be at home on August 30 at 7 p.m. when the Arrows wage war on the Mountainburg Dragons.

Lavaca Rallies around Area Family

Networks

Resident News Network

-

7:09 pm

0

This past July 4 was supposed to be a celebration of our Independence for a local family. The grill was most likely filled with burgers and hotdogs, music was playing, lawn chairs were scattered about with family and with friends. Everyone around was enjoying the fireworks, “oohing and awing” at the bright explosions. Then, without warning, a rouge bottle rocket flew sideways and into the eye of a young girl and exploded.

Ten-year-old Bailee lost her eye because of this accident, something every parent has feared since fireworks became part of our celebration. Bailee was airlifted to Little Rock’s Children’s Hospital for surgery and is now recovering, preparing for an artificial eye. That’s a lot for a child to go through!

The bills for hospital stays, helicopter flights, motels, medication, doctors, therapists, and such have been astronomical. And it continues.

Under the loving and guiding hands and heart of Lavaca’s Christy Marshall, she rallied the town to do something to help the family. Christy began calling friends and businesses to get a fundraiser started for Bailee. Banners and fliers were made. Plans for a BBQ dinner, raffles, and t-shirt sales: a true carnival atmosphere began taking shape!

On Saturday, August 3, it all came together! Even though the rain was falling earlier, people set up awnings and bounce-around and a band set up under the pavilion of the Lavaca City Park. Even the good Lord was on Bailee’s side and gave her a break in the rain for the festivities! You have to love the South. You have to love Arkansas and you have to love small towns! People came and gave their time and money to help this family. The whole atmosphere was one of fun with hugs, handshakes, and smiles were given generously.

It’s not over for the monetary need for this family but every dollar helps them. If you can’t give to this cause, please pray for young Bailee. She’s got a long row to hoe but she has untold friends and family and a community surrounding her! #baileestrong

Winds Of Change Building Up In Tiger Football

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

6:08 am

0

Winds Of Change Building Up In Tiger Football

What makes a winning program? We’re not talking about merely a one in every five years team that has a good season. We’re talking about a top-notch winning program. An actual winning program is one that can repeatedly put together a good season year in and year out. To create that type of program, it takes four key ingredients. First, you have to have talented and smart players that work hard together as a single unit. Then, you need players who take extreme pride in the colors on the jersey they put on in every game.

Next, it takes passionate coaches who build not only players but young adults. Coaches who love their players enough to teach them work ethics, humility, and respect. And lastly, it takes a committed community who will back their team every time no matter the outcome of the games. Now spread those ingredients across all grades from kindergarten through senior high. It takes all four of the ingredients listed above to be consistent and unwavering to have what is known as a winning program.

Mansfield Football has been known as a mid-card program for many years. Since 2004, Mansfield football has had a 73-89 overall record and have gone 40-65 in conference play. Slowly but surely, the Tigers are turning that trend around. After the Tigers huge success from Little League to senior high last season, the mid-card pattern may be about to shift. There’s a sense around the program, the community, and even around the state, that Mansfield football is turning into a force to be reckoned with from here on out.

Mansfield Sr High Head Coach, Tim Cothran, said, “During my time at Mansfield, our coaches and administrators have worked very hard at improving our facilities and trying to improve community support which I feel has gotten better throughout the years. Hopefully, due to the seeds that were planted throughout the last six years by a multitude of people’s tireless efforts, we will soon be able to reap a harvest of success and continued high expectations. I see nothing but good things for our Tigers.”

Mansfield currently sits atop the list of teams to watch this preseason at every level of football. The Flag Football team changed leagues this season and will face off with a more even competition. The Little League teams are entering their second season in the West Central Football League and both squads are picked by many as the favorites to gain the WCFL Championship this year. The Jr High team is packed with talent ready to show that they can play with anyone on any level. And the Sr High team is currently ranked fifth in the state and picked to finish second in conference. Sitting in the coaches chair for the Tigers this season are Tim Cothran, Keith Stovall, Layton Robinson, and Mark Tolton.

Mansfield Little League Football President, Josh Strozier, said, “Over the last few years it has been very evident that Mansfield football and sports in general, have been on the rise. Our numbers are up. The quality of our programs has drastically increased. And players are taking pride in the sports they play. The Tigers are on the rise and there’s no stopping them now!”

In each grade from kindergarten to twelfth, Mansfield is overflowing with an abundance of skilled players. There’s no more rebuilding the Tiger teams, just reloading them. The Tigers have impeccable staff who know what it takes to win and who are great mentors for their student-athletes. The coaches are creating a standard for winning and the community is starting to paint Mansfield red again. It’s evident that the skies are turning red and the winds of change are blowing like a hurricane through the Mansfield Tiger football program.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK