Resident News Network

Root Beer Float Cake

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1:22 pm

It’s summer time so that means it’s time for swimming and ice cream! Why not make your favorite ice cream treat into a cake? This cake is so simple and makes a cute display if you are hosting a party. Also, if you are a big fan of root beer, you will love the taste! It’s light taste makes for a delicious bite!

Ingredients:

1 Vanilla Cake Mix

1 Can Of Root Beer

1 Egg

1 8oz Cool Whip

1 Can Of Cream Cheese Frosting

Optional: Cherries, Crushed Hard Flavored Root Beer Candies, Straws for display

Directions:

Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Open the can of root beer and place two tablespoons of root beer into a cup and set aside. Then, in a large bowl, mix the vanilla cake mix, 1 egg and the can of root beer. Mix and whisk until no lumps are left in the cake mix. Spray a cake pan with nonstick cooking spray and pour cake mix into the pan. Bake the cake according to the directions on the cake box.

Icing: In a large bowl, mix icing and unthawed cool whip together. Once it is mixed well, add the two tablespoons of root beer to the icing and mix it in. Chill icing in the refrigerator until ready to spread on the cooled cake after it has finished baking. Once icing is spread on the cake, you can crush up hard disc root beer flavored candies and sprinkle on top of the cake if you like a little extra crunch. You may also decorate with cherries and straws to add the finishing touches to your Root Beer Float Cake!

Enjoy!

Side Note: If you do not want a strong root beer flavoring with your cake, you do not have to add the root beer to the icing.

The Moore You Know: The People’s Sheriff

Networks

Tammy Teague

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10:29 am

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It is not unusual for me to have the opportunity to visit with representatives of our sheriff’s office, both Sebastian and Scott. I have to say it’s been an amazing experience on both sides of the county.

Today I was speaking with Captain Pevehouse with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. He, like several others, including Deputy Mike Burcham, Chief Deputy Kevin Nickson and Sheriff Runion himself, have been wonderful to work with.

When I first interviewed Runion, I dubbed him “the People’s Sheriff,” and time after time, he’s proven that to be true. I have witnessed, on several occasions, each one of these fine gentleman being advocates for the citizens in their county.

Similarly, Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores always makes time to return a call or text, and in a timely manner.

I’ve been on the flip side of the equation, wondering when I’ll get a confirmation or call back. That makes it difficult to get the news reported in a timely, and accurate manner.

One thing about it, and I have told each of them, their safety and the citizen’s safety always comes first. I always want to be as respectful and courteous as they have surely been to me!

Several of our local departments are quite the same, and I appreciate the cooperation and efforts that come from them as well.

I’ve always said that it makes my job easier when everyone realizes that the press can actually work for you, not against. Trust and confidence, it goes a long way in this business!

Obituary – Thomas Wayne Gray Jr. (1975- 2019)

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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8:18 pm

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Obituary – Thomas Wayne Gray Jr. (1975- 2019)

Thomas Wayne Gray Jr., 44, of Magazine , Arkansas, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 in his home near Magazine. He was born April 13, 1975 in Long Beach, California.

He served in the United States Navy and was formerly an assistant manager at Wal-Mart. He enjoyed hunting, video and board games, cooking, spending time with family and spoiling his cats.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Reveille Primitive Baptist Church near Magazine, under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife, Laura of the home, two sons, Thomas Wayne Gray III and Colton Gray both of the home; 2 daughters, Alexandria and Helena Gray both of the home; his parents, Thomas Wayne Sr. and Sharon Gray of Mansfield; 1 brother, Andy Gray of Fort Smith; one sister, Tricia Gray of Issaquah, Washington; one stepbrother, Kevin Chambers of Brandon, Florida; 1 stepsister, Kimberly Boyd of Dayton; 14 nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Power House Meeting Held to Discuss MJTC Future

Headlines

Jason Baggett

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7:46 pm

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Power House Meeting Held to Discuss MJTC Future

On Wednesday, July 17, members of law enforcement, legislators, and state and local officials met at Mansfield City Hall. The purpose of that meeting, according to Mayor Buddy Black, was to ensure that the citizens of Mansfield are notified in an effective and accurate manner regarding escapes from the Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Facility. Representatives of Youth Opportunity Investments were on hand to address those issues.

The round table discussion began with Black relaying concerns from citizens regarding notifications and surveillance. Marq Golden, Assistant Director with the Division of Youth Services, updated those in attendance with the work currently underway. That work includes anti-climb fencing. Keesa Smith, Deputy Director of DHS said, “we have a 90 day timeline to get that done…this is critically important.”

Senator Terry Rice expressed disappointment in the 90 day timeline. “I was assured weeks ago that the funding was there.” YOI Statewide Director Stacy Williams responded that until they do get the fencing up, they have added staff to secure the perimeter.

Williams shared the current protocol of notifications, noting that the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office is the first point of contact. YOI’s proposed notification system or “Emergency Call Tree” is initiated by newly appointed Facility Director Lemont Daniels. Then, to Williams, Sheriff Runion, Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb and Marq Golden. According to that “tree,” Williams will be responsible for notifying Tyrene Green, YOI Vice President of Program Development and Mayor Black. Black, in turn, will notify “community stakeholders.”

“We want to make sure all the critical public safety people know within 8-10 minutes of this occurring,” stated YOI attorney Sylvester Smith.

One addition, which Keesa Smith stated had been added to other facilities, was the RAVE Mobile Safety system. This is a mass automated notification app. “It doesn’t give them the details, but it will tell them when there is an escape and when they are brought back.”

Communication has been an issue in the past. Sheriff Runion said that the most recent escape involved a juvenile that had escaped previously. “When he got out, stole a vehicle and is brought back to do it again…it still bothers me.” Runion also asked why juveniles, being wards of the state, are being housed at his jail. “I really have an issue with that,” he said. “I haven’t pushed back very much, but since we’re all here…why am I taking a ward of the state and putting them in my jail?”

Runion recommended that those juveniles be taken back to the facility and transferred. Keesa Smith responded that they are not opposed to that proposal. “We…and I mean the contractor YOI, DHS, these guys here (Rice and Richmond) and Governor Hutchinson want this facility to be an asset to the community,” stated Sylvester Smith. “We don’t want to be a burden.”

The Sheriff’s office, according to Runion, is happy to be working with the new vendor. “I am actually really looking forward to you being there,” shared Runion. “We will assist you.”

Sylvester Smith stated that the lack of programming by DYS and boredom was the driving force of the repeated escapes. Kara Benca, DYS Assistant Director, said that they perform a battery of tests, compile that information and decide what treatment is needed. “We look back at history to see where to place them.” She added that the Mansfield facility is rated as moderate risk.

State Representative Marcus Richmond responded that the lack of common sense and broken promises have left him “skeptical.” He suggested meeting again to address progress. Keesa Smith agreed, stating they would be more than willing to do that.

The procurement hurtles have slowed efforts for necessary improvements such as fencing, and Senator Rice acknowledged that this is unacceptable.

“Our goal is the safety and security of the citizens of Sebastian County,” stated Sheriff Runion. Sylvester Smith responded by saying, “we’re all in this together and we all believe that this facility is an asset to Mansfield, and I can tell you the President of the company will come back here…we want to do something in town so people can ask questions.”

Arkansas State Police Investigator Kevin Richmond and Representative Richmond echoed the need for repercussions for juveniles within the system. Keesa Smith agreed and concluded by saying that some of these kids have a shot at turning their life around. With time, YOI promises to aid in that mission.

Sebastion-Sheriff — Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion (left) and Chief Deputy Kevin Nickson

Lawmakers Speak at Mayor’s Community Coffee

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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10:12 am

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Lawmakers Speak at Mayor’s Community Coffee

State Representative Marcus Richmond and Senator Terry Rice were on hand to speak at Waldron Mayor David Millard’s Community Coffee. The event is held monthly at Dalton’s Place.

Millard introduced both stating, “they do an awesome job for our area!”

District 21 Representative Marcus Richmond, who grew up in the area and attended Waldron Schools, admitted that although his military career took him all over the world, he wanted to come back home to Scott County. “When you drive down the road in this part of the country, people will wave at you…people are happy to see you! Here, God is still important and talked about in the community. That’s how I wanted to raise my kids,” stated Richmond.

Richmond went on to inform those in attendance about the legislative session, which he described as “significant.” One piece of legislation in particular was the highway funding bill. Richmond described the bill as a “good compromise.” The compromise included an increased fuel tax as well as funding from the state’s general revenue. “It’s not always what you want,” stated Richmond. “It’s what you can pass and sometimes that’s a compromise.”

Richmond also spoke on the internet sales tax, which he stated “leveled the playing field for local businesses.” He summed the session, stating that throughout this legislation period they were able to solve some problems. Yet, as he said, they continue to face others. One of those is healthcare for the elderly, children and disabled. “We’re changing rules in the middle of the game and it affects people who live here… To me, it’s the same thing as breaking a promise. It looks like we are going to get some people to address this issue and make it better. Change, it takes time.”

Hometown Senator for District 9 and business man, Terry Rice, followed up by noting Richmond’s strong record and reputation in Little Rock. Rice spoke on the push for juvenile justice reform. “It’s critical that we do the right thing for the children,” stated Rice, noting that they have made a lot of headway in the last two session on juvenile justice reform.

Additionally, Rice spoke about the homestead tax relief, and the four T’s, teacher pay, transportation, tax cut and transformation. Lastly, the push for rural broadband, and address issues with Arkansas Works.

“I hold government and officials accountable…we need to keep our promises.” stated Rice. “Our seniors need to be taken care of.”

Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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8:14 am

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Arkansas law enforcement officers will be working overtime shifts and regular patrols committed to the assignment of making state highways and streets safer by stopping drivers who don’t obey the speed limit. The special enforcement operation will begin today (Monday, July 15th) and continue through Sunday, July 21st.

“Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine” is a coordinated effort aimed at stopping drivers who exceed the posted speed limit along streets and highways they’re traveling. The intensified enforcement effort underscores the severity of the problem, both locally and across the nation.
“Speeding translates into injury and death on our roadways,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “It greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object on the roadway or an unexpected change in the highway, such as a sharp curve.”

During calendar year 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S., accounting for more than 9,700 deaths.

“Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk,” Colonel Bryant stated, “and the Arkansas State Police is prepared to dedicate whatever resources necessary to stop speeders and make the highways safer.”
According to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a motor vehicle crash on a road with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour or greater, is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 MPH and nearly five times as likely from a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or below. Each year across the nation approximately 15 percent of the speeding-related fatalities occur on interstate highways.
Driver and passenger safety is also compromised when a vehicle is traveling at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during inclement weather, along sections of roads that are being repaired or during evening hours when a road may not be adequately illuminated.

NHTSA officials consider a motor vehicle crash to be speed related when a driver is charged with exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions.
For more information on the “Obey the Sign, or Pay the Fine” mobilization, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. For more on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visitwww.TZDarkansas.org.

Arkansas Peach Wins First Place in Alabama Festival

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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3:21 pm

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Arkansas Peach Wins First Place in Alabama Festival

By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture

@AgNews479

Fast Facts:

White County peach wins first and second place in Chilton County Peach Festival
White County is white-fleshed peach released from Division of Agriculture in 2004
First and second place entries were submitted by brothers Mark and Seth Knight

CLANTON, Ala. — Mark Knight wasn’t even considering entering a white-fleshed peach in the Chilton County Peach Festival contest in Alabama this year. His daughters talked him into it.

Knight had harvested some White County peaches, a variety developed in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program, that looked good on the morning of June 29, the day of the contest. But they were only one of several varieties he was considering for his entry. He was leaning toward an Alabama yellow peach, because it was bigger, when his older daughter, Andrea Williams, objected.

“She said, ‘Dad, I’m just going to go with that one right there,’” Knight said. She was pointing to the White County peaches. “She told me, ‘It’s just too pretty.’”

Younger daughter, Alyssa Knight, added her vote for the Arkansas white peach variety.

“Naturally, little sister sides with big sister,” Knight noted. “I said, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’”

Talking About Peaches

Knight does know what he’s talking about. M and M Farms, which he runs with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, has about 50 acres in peaches, nectarines, plums and a couple rows of blackberries in Alabama’s premier peach-growing region. He has been entering the Chilton County Peach Festival contest for years and, though he hasn’t won more contests than some of the more senior peach growers, he has the record for the most consecutive wins.

Those blackberries, by the way, are Arkansas varieties from the Division of Agriculture’s fruit breeding program. “You guys got it going on with blackberries,” Knight said.

Knight planted his first peach trees in 2003 and harvested his first peaches in 2006. Most of his peaches are yellow-fleshed — he only has about 30 trees in white peaches. White County shines among those, he said, because it’s a reliable producer with healthy trees.

Nevertheless, Knight had a few doubts about entering White County in Alabama’s top peach contest. First, white peaches just didn’t have a very good record in the Chilton County Peach Festival contest. Only two white peaches had ever won in the festival’s 60-70 year history, and the last one was about three or four years ago. White, low acid peaches just don’t have the consumer following in Alabama that is enjoyed by traditional tangy, yellow-fleshed peaches, and he didn’t think another white peach stood a chance of winning again so soon.

Also, it wasn’t an Alabama peach. It wasn’t even a neighborly Georgia peach. This usurper came from Arkansas, way over on the wrong side of the Mississippi River.

White County was released by the Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program in 2004, said John Clark, Distinguished Professor and fruit breeder for the division’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. It is one of a series of white-flesh, low-acid, fresh market peaches to come out of the program that was begun in 1964 by James N. Moore, the division’s first fruit breeder.

“White County is an outstanding product with fabulous flavor in a reduced-acid peach,” Clark said. “It has a large size and attractive and healthy trees. It deserves to be grown more widely in Arkansas and beyond.

“I’m glad the folks in Alabama were able to use a product of our Arkansas fruit breeding program,” Clark said.

Taking the Prize

In the end, Knight bowed to his daughters’ wishes, and went with White County. He was glad he did.

“I fixed that basket for the contest in 10 minutes,” Knight said. “It usually takes about 20 minutes to make a basket of peaches look good for the judges.”

Knight thinks the basket was easy to arrange because the White County peaches were all about the same size. That consistency and reliability has sold him on the peach.

Most fruit growers in Chilton County — the peach capital of Alabama — are looking at greatly reduced harvests this year because of late freezes early in the growing season. Several nights of temperatures in the 20s took a huge bite out of most peach production. However, White County has thrived where other, more tradition Alabama peaches have suffered, he said.

When the judges announced their decision, Knight’s White County peaches took first place. “It was a surprise for me,” he said. “And I’m happy it was.”

Even more surprising, Knight’s brother, Seth, won second place in the contest with the same variety. Arkansas’ White County peach won first and second place in Alabama’s premier peach festival.

“I didn’t know he was going to enter a white peach,” Knight said of his brother.

Peach Breeding

Margaret Worthington, Division of Agriculture fruit breeder who has been heading up the peach breeding program since 2016, said White County has made an excellent parent in crosses to develop new breeding lines.

“The peach season usually begins in June, when the earlier ripening fruit is harvested, through about late August,” Worthington said. “Each peach variety usually has about a two-week window when it’s ready for harvest.”

Worthington said one of her goals for the peach breeding program is to develop good quality white peach varieties that ripen earlier and later. “Nice firm, delicious white peaches that go earlier or later,” she said. “That would stretch out that harvest season for white peaches.”

Knight said he likes the firmness of White County’s flesh. That means the peaches hold up longer so he can get them to market and consumers can still keep them at home for a few days.

Knight usually sells his peaches in mall markets — a fresh market Alabama variation on farmers markets. When he has an abundant crop, he said, he picks some White County a little early, letting them ripen off the tree, and ships them to a wholesale market in Birmingham.

Developing firmer flesh peaches — both white and yellow — is one of the goals of the peach breeding program, Worthington said.

Worthington noted that the earliest peach varieties from the Arkansas breeding program were developed for an Arkansas canning industry that existed at the time. But James Moore changed direction in the 1990s, when canners declined in the state.

“Dr. Moore wanted to build variety,” Worthington said. “He wanted to use firm-fleshed canning peaches to breed fresh market peaches with longer shelf life.”

John Clark crossed White County with Souvenirs, a firm, yellow-flesh peach, cultivar from the Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program, to get a wide variety of firm and attractive yellow and white-fleshed progeny with maturity dates ranging from June to August.

Worthington said that new selections derived from that cross are in advanced testing now and are used as parents every year to make new breeding lines, some of which she hopes will yield new peaches for Arkansas fresh markets.

In the meantime, Arkansas peaches are leaving their mark on the markets.

Knight said the Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program has a solid reputation nationwide. “I certainly appreciate Arkansas’ fruit breeding program and the work they do,” Knight said.

Arkansas’ reputation gave him confidence to add White County to his peach orchards, he said. “We certainly wouldn’t put them in if they weren’t promising peaches.”

To learn more about Division of Agriculture fruit breeding and research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.

To learn about Arkansas fruit varieties and management practices, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit https://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/commercial-fruit-production/. Follow us on Twitter at @fruitveg_uaex.

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 five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sr Lady Hornets Shout It Out At Cheer Camp

Sports

Megan Hecox

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9:00 am

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Sr Lady Hornets Shout It Out At Cheer Camp

It was a cheertastic good time for the Hackett Sr High Lady Hornets recently as they wrapped up their own personalized cheer camp. Held annually at Arkansas Cheer Unlimited, 16 Sr High cheerleaders showed up to perfect their skills and learn the halftime routines that will be performed during the upcoming football season. Cheer Coach, Courtney Sangster, says, “We choose ACU every year bc its a one-on-one atmosphere where we’re the only team learning those routines. I was very impressed with their ability to push through the difficulty of the routines and still can’t get over how well their stunts hit!”

The Sr High squad has two familiar faces returning to the team this year, seniors Jordyn Null and Sydney Widmer. “Several girls have moved up from Jr High this year but we have several who’ve never cheered before but they’re all athletes and that makes a big difference.” The Hackett cheerleaders are also hard at work getting ready for Pride Night which will be held on August 8. Along with tailgates, car smashes, and bonfires this upcoming season, Hackett Hornet supporters have a lot to be excited about.

“Fans can expect great energy, great routines, and a LOT of school spirit and community involvement. We’ve got a lot of great things planned to get our fans and athletes pumped!”

Lady Tigers Call The Shots In Branson

Sports

Megan Hecox

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7:46 am

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Both Jr High and Sr High Mansfield Lady Tiger volleyball teams headed north of the Arkansas border to attend the Branson Licking Volleyball Camp in Branson, Missouri. Over a three day period, the girls worked hard and played even harder. After competing against numerous tough teams, the Lady Tigers got to enjoy some much-needed team bonding. The girls got to visit the Dolly Parton Stampede and Branson Landing amongst other things.

Head Coach for the Jr High Lady Tigers, Erica McKay, had this to say about the trip. “We took two teams to the camp. Both teams played 7-8 games. As the camp progressed, each team grew in multiple ways and that’s all you can ask for at the beginning of the season. There will be a few underclassmen that will be able to contribute to the teams’ success and this camp gave the girls a great opportunity to bond and learn how to mesh with one another.”

There were a total of 12 senior high players and four freshmen that attended the volleyball camp. They were separated into varsity and junior varsity teams. There were over 120 other teams from several surrounding states taking part in this camp. Each Lady Tiger team played 11 games within the course of three days.

Sr High Head Coach, Kaylie Pyles filled us in on the Lady Tigers camp play. “Both groups played some very talented teams. We even played Jonesboro, splitting sets with them. Varsity beat Booneville in the opening round of tournament play and then went on to play another very talented team, Blue Eye. We lost in a close match but ended third in our bracket. Junior Varsity fought hard and won two games within their bracket which led them to place first in their tournament play. All of the girls hustled hard and worked together as a team. We competed and fought for every point within every match and never gave up.”

The Lady Tigers have an exciting volleyball season coming up. According to Coach Pyles, Lady Tiger fans have much to expect from the 2019 season. “We have great chemistry on the court, which is very important in volleyball. Our defense is solid and our offense is a threat. It is still early so we have a few things to learn and work on. The girls’ hard work, determination, and love for the game is something fans will be excited to watch this upcoming season. There is a lot of potential for the Lady Tigers!”

A Veteran Salute: Bill Coben

Networks

Tammy Teague

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10:18 pm

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It is always a honor and privilege to feature the men and women who have bravely served, defending our country and our freedoms. Let us never take for granted their great sacrifice, and the sacrifices of those who gave all to keep this great nation free.

This month, we are featuring hometown veteran William (Bill) Coben. Coben and his wife Cassie (Wood) have been married for 25 years. Together they have two daughters, Amber Coben, who lives in California, and Danica Taylor, who lives in Mena with her husband Guy. Additionally, the couple have two grandsons, Gavin, 9, and James Lee, 2.

Coben, 58, graduated from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, CA in 1979. He was in the Air Force from 1979-1983 and the Army National Guard from 1993-2009. He proudly served 19 years. During that time he was deployed overseas to Camp Taji Iraq from April 2004-April 2005. Coben said” I have no regrets about going to Iraq or being in the military and would gladly do it again if needed.“

In the Air Force Coben served as a jet mechanic airframe repair specialist. He began his career with the Army National Guard in Air Defense Artillery, then served as a Combat Engineer (SAPPER) and as a Combat Lifesaver while deployed in Iraq. After returning home, Coben served as a Supply Sergeant.

Following his discharge, Coben worked for three years at the Scott County Detention Center. Currently, he is a school bus driver and mechanic for the Waldron School District.

We thank you Bill Coben for your years of military service and for the work you continue to do for your fellow veterans through Ouachita Mountain VFW Post 1345.

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK