Resident News Network

Broadband, the Electricity of Our Time

Networks

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4:20 pm

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture

As the nature of working life continues to shift away from manual labor and local manufacturing, creating a digital ecosystem will likely prove key to revitalizing rural areas.

This was Matt Dunne’s message to those at the 2019 Breakthrough Solutions conference, held in late June in Little Rock. Dunne, founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation, based in Hartland, Vermont, delivered a presentation titled “Stemming the Tide: Creating Digital Ecosystems in Rural Areas.”

One of the building blocks of a digital ecosystem is broadband connectivity. “I could talk for days about broadband,” Dunne said. “It is the electricity of our time.”

Broadband is “the way to connect to marketplaces around the world, to allow education to happen, to have access to information and collaboration.”

Dunne was the keynote speaker for the Breakthrough Solutions conference, the theme of which being “Creating connected communities in in the 21^st century.” The annual conference is hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Breakthrough Solutions Program, which is a partnership initiative with the purpose of equipping communities and regions to prosper in the emerging 21^st century economy.

Breakthrough Solutions is offered through the Community and Economic Development unit of the Cooperative Extension Service, which puts a focus on identifying assets in struggling towns or rural communities, and helping those communities use those assets to build their economies.

Dunne said a common pitfall for rural communities trying to find their way into the digital economy has been that they historically focus on training a potential workforce, without simultaneously developing a local community that will entice that newly-trained workforce to stay.

“Our belief is that you have to do many things at once, and that just focusing on the tech training piece is not going to be your long-term solution,” Dunne said.

He emphasized five things communities need to do, more or less simultaneously: provide education and training for the digital economy; develop an intentionally distributed work community, which can do work for companies located elsewhere; establish entrepreneurship programs; invest in downtown housing; and finally, promote amenities and culture.

“The real core of economic development are the ‘three B’s,’” Dunne said, emphasizing the importance of establishing a social community attractive to a younger workforce: “broadband, blues and beer.”

Mark Peterson, professor of community and economic development for the Division of Agriculture, said Dunne’s presentation connected powerfully with those in attendance, many of whom were community leaders looking for ways to bring their home towns into the mainstream of the modernizing economy.

“Conference participants could see multiple ways in which they can become connected to new resources and strategies to move forward, and several indicated they are ready to go back and make a difference in their communities,” Peterson said.

Emergency Conservation Program Set to Begin

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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3:41 pm

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Emergency Conservation Program Set to Begin

Farms and ranches suffering severe damage are eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by the Sebastian/Crawford/Scott County Farm Service Agency (FSA).

For land to be eligible, the natural disaster must create new conservation problems that, if untreated, would:

• be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be needed to return the land to productive agricultural use

• is unusual and is not the type that would recur frequently in the same area

• affect the productive capacity of the farmland

• impair or endanger the land

A producer qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost-share levels not to exceed 75 percent of the eligible cost of restoration measures. Eligible socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers can receive up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of restoration. No producer is eligible for more than $500,000 cost sharing per natural disaster occurrence.

The following types of measures are eligible:

• removing debris from farmland

• grading, shaping, or releveling severely damaged farmland

• restoring permanent fences

To be eligible for assistance, practices must not be started until all of the following are met:

• an application for cost-share assistance has been filed

• the local FSA County Committee (COC) or its representative has conducted an onsite inspection of the damaged area

• the Agency responsible for technical assistance, such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), has made a needs determination, which may include cubic yards of earthmoving, etc., required for rehabilitation

Producers who have suffered a loss from a natural disaster may sign up for ECP from July 22, 2019 through September 19, 2019.

For more information about ECP, please contact the Sebastian/Crawford/Scott County FSA Office at 479-646-8300Ext. 2, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm located at 3913 Brooken Hill Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER, EMPLOYER, AND LENDER

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting/event/function should contact Kaci Crumb at 479-646-8300 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Sr Tigers Strengthen Ties Within Community

Sports

Megan Hecox

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3:24 pm

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Sr Tigers Strengthen Ties Within Community

The Mansfield Tigers are no strangers to working hard on and off of the field. When it comes to team bonding and volunteering for the community that they love, the Sr High football team seems to flawlessly do it all. Recently the Tigers were called in to assist in helping to move an elderly woman from Mansfield uptown to Barling.

Tiger Coach Keith Stovall gives his thoughts on the positive effects of young people and volunteering and what it does for his team, “Volunteering is what keeps a community together. It allows you to connect with people in your community that you may not have known before. Helping in small ways can make the largest difference for another person. To high school students, it allows the opportunity to establish new friendships and expand on their networks. Networks which can provide future opportunities. For our team, it reinforces working together for a common goal which is so vital to success and they develop unity as a team. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of young men in just the numbers that showed up to help. It certainly shows the strength of their character!”

Head Tiger Coach, Tim Cothran, expresses his feelings about this wonderful group of players, “We have a very selfless group of young men. They are shining examples of our community. This is evident in their schooling, the way that they play ball, and the way that they treat one another. I’ve never seen a more selfless bunch willing to give for the good of each other.”

Winning Is A Habit For Team Express

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:21 am

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It’s hard to believe that in only a short amount of time, Little League Baseball Team, Arkansas Express, has accumulated such a colossal amount of achievements. The travel team is made up of boys from a variety of towns in Arkansas and Oklahoma including Bella Vista, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Lonoke, Greenwood, Mansfield, and Pocola.

Although Team Express is classified as being a 10u team, incredibly only one member is actually ten years old. With a roster of 11 players, ten of the boys are nine-year-olds playing up in an older age division. This awe-inspiring group is coached by Garrett Carson, Drew Sims, Todd Koch, and Brandon Myers.

The out of this world players for Team Express include Kade Poole, Cash Myers, Keagan Magee, Ty Jerrell, Dabin Gaines, Ryder Ingle, Carter Koch, Hunter West, Isaac Carson, Lawson Leath, and Canan Sims.

Since the start of Fall 2018, this group of boys has either been the champions or runner-up on ten different occasions. A few memorable highlights for Team Express include their championship wins in the 10u Greater Midwest Baseball Mothers Day Classic at the Ball Parks of America in Branson, MO and their most recent victory at the Louisville Slugger 9u World Series in Chickasha, OK.

Coach Garrett Carson had this to say about the future of Team Express, “Our goals for next season are to build upon what we achieved this season. Our main priority, as it is every season, is that these kids are developed to their full potential. If we do that then success is the natural by-product of that development.”

Canan Sims with the World Series MVP Award

City of Hartford Appoints New Mayor

Headlines

Resident News Network

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9:53 am

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The Hartford City Council met July 22, 2019, at 6 p.m., to discuss, among other business, the appointment of a mayor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former-mayor Mary Radley.

Judy Adair, City Recorder-Treasurer, called the meeting to order. She reminded the council that it had been decided at the last meeting that while written financial reports would be included in council’s packets, verbal financial reports would no longer be given. Councilman Eddie Kazy stated he had a request from a resident that verbal reports given. Adair replied that council had already decided the issue, and unless they wanted to revisit that decision, verbal reports would not be given. Adair noted that written reports were available to anyone who wanted them. It was agreed that a copy of the written financial reports would be made available to the public at the regular city council meetings.

Employee Rich Galyen addressed the continuing problem of the city’s water loss, and reported on several leaks that have been repaired in the last month. He noted that the city’s daily use is down considerably, and that next month’s water reports should reflect this. He also reported on his plans to repair a water leak on Olive Street.

There was a consensus of approval regarding newly hired employee, Levi Smith, who is working on an as-needed basis and at minimum wage.

Next, Adair opened the floor to audience comments regarding the recent enforcement of the city’s property cleanup ordinance. Only one citizen spoke, and it was with gratitude to the city for enforcing the ordinance.

Council then voted to go into executive session to discuss the appointment of a new mayor. After returning to regular session, the motion was made and seconded to appoint Larry Hall as mayor to fill out the remainder of the term, which ends December 31, 2022. This motion was approved by a 6-0 vote of council.

Noting that there have been no applicants for the vacant water operator position, Adair recommended hiring James Fildes as the city’s ORC (Operator in Responsible Charge), while Rich Galyen continues to run the street and water departments. Council approved hiring James Fildes as the ORC on a contract labor basis until the city hires a licensed water operator.

Last month, the City of Mansfield presented a sanitation contract to the City of Hartford. Adair stated that Altes had challenged the City of Hartford’s legal ability to secure a sanitation contract without a bidding process. According to Adair, she inquired with the legal staff at the Arkansas Municipal League about this matter and found that the city is not bound by the statute that requires a bidding process on projects over $20,000 since Hartford is, by size, a city of the second class. The statute applies only to cities of the first class. The sanitation contract was discussed among the council members. There was concern over the five year term, as well as the clause that allows for a yearly increase in rates. Council expressed an interest in making sure the increase is limited proportionally to the business done in Hartford. Council gave Mayor Hall the authority to sign the sanitation contract with Mansfield provided the issues raised were satisfactorily addressed.

Adair then presented council with the renewal information for the city’s two water department CDs. Water Clerk Michael Fildes recommended that some of the funds in the water meter deposit account be moved to either the CD or the water operating fund. Once it was determined that the CD has the proper amount of escrow for the water meter deposits on hand, it was decided that $2500 will be kept in the water meter deposit account and the balance will be transferred to the water operating fund.

In other business, Bob Ellison of West Hartford has expressed interest in creating an outdoor entertainment area in downtown Hartford. Ellison plans to build a stage and include patio tables and chairs for free use by the citizens for family and musical events. He offered to lease it to the City of Hartford for $1 per year. After discussing the proposal, council expressed approval of the plan, but noted that utilities would be the responsibility of Ellison. The City of Hartford would provide insurance for the property. There were several other related issues that council felt should be addressed, so it was decided that Adair would prepare a contract addressing these issues for council to consider at the next meeting. Mr. Ellison’s interest in providing the city with a low-cost option for an entertainment area was noted and commended by council.

The next topic for consideration was that of an upcoming animal control workshop. Police Chief Keith Dedmon stated the laws for picking up animals, kenneling them, and performing euthanasia will change in 2020. There is a certification program through the Arkansas State Animal Control. Adair noted that she would be interested in both Galyen and herself being certified in animal control, but said that if the city can only send one person, she felt Galyen would be the best person to attend. The course will be held September 9-13 in Little Rock. The cost for two people to attend would be around $1500 for the workshop, certification, and hotel. After a discussion, it was decided by the council to send Galyen to obtain his certification, pending a verification of when the change in law will take place.

In employee business, Adair recommended giving a raise to Galyen, noting the long hours he has put in and his dedication to locating and repairing leaks in the water lines. Council voted to raise Galyen’s pay to $12 per hour. In addition, council voted to add extra allowed hours for Michael Fildes, who was recently re-hired as water clerk, so that he may correct mistakes entered into the water department billing program and perform maintenance that had been neglected in the past several months. It was unanimously approved to change his hours from 16-20 hours each week to 20-24 hours per week.

Council also approved the repair of sewer lines in City Hall, accepting a bid from plumber Mark Beckham.

Following a discussion of the water system master meter being out of the industry standard of tolerance by one-half percent, which amounts to a three percent error in the reading of the amount of water purchased from James Fork, council approved buying a new master meter and having the old meter calibrated so that it can be used for a backup meter.

All business being concluded, the council meeting was adjourned.

Bynum Granted Continuance in Court Case

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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8:51 am

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On Thursday, July 18, in a Scott County Circuit Court, defendant James Bynum was granted a continuance in his highly anticipated trial date.

Judge Jerry Don Ramey notified Bynum’s attorney, Shannon Foster, that her client’s motion for recusal was denied. Judge Ramey did, however, take under advisement the request for a bond reduction and change in venue.

Bynum was granted a continuance in his case, and a new trial date is pending.

–See related story

Obituary – Charlie “Bo” Willsey (1951- 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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6:57 am

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Obituary – Charlie “Bo” Willsey (1951- 2019)

Charlie “Bo” Willsey, 68, of Alma, Arkansas passed away July 22, 2019. He was born July 4, 1951 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was of the Baptist Faith, a Free Mason, and a US Veteran. He was a self employed entrepreneur, he graduated from Mansfield High School and from NE Oklahoma State University with a degree in Accounting. He was a collector of antique cars and an avid motorcyclists.

He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Alvin Willsey and Pauline Willsey-Pitchford and Tommy Pitchford, one son Matthew Willsey, wife Cindy Willsey, fiancé Barbara Gerald-Williams. He is survived by one son Marcus Willsey and his wife Kim of Fort Smith, one brother Danny Willsey and his wife Jan of Abbott, two sisters; Silvia Holstein and husband Bill of Huntington, Bea Sharp and husband Virgil of Huntington, five grandchildren; Lucas Willsey, Isabella Willsey, Lilah-Grace Willsey, Jenna White and Cody White, one great grandson Cian Willsey and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be a Gathering at Lewis Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Arkansas 4:30 – 6:00 pm Thursday, July 25^th, 2019. In lieu of flowers you may make donations online to the veterans at www.volunteer.va.gov To place an online tribute, go to www.lewisfuneralchapel.net

Commission Authorizes Funds for Boat Access

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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6:21 am

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Commission Authorizes Funds for Boat Access

By Randy Zellers, AGFC Assistant Chief of Communications

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously authorized $538,900 from the state’s Marine Fuel Tax program to be used in Fiscal Year 2020 for repairs and upgrades to boat ramps and access points throughout Arkansas at its meeting today.

The money will fund 15 improvements in the next year ranging from road repairs and parking lots to courtesy docks and riprap reinforcements to prevent erosion. Estimated costs for individual projects range from $10,000 for a courtesy dock at Brewer Lake to $60,000 to completely renovate the Perryville Access on the Fourche River.

During Wednesday’s briefing Commission Chairman Ken Reeves of Harrison asked about the various prices of projects planned that appeared similar on paper. Kevin Mullen, chief of the AGFC’s operations division, explained that various factors like site conditions, water level changes and engineering can cause a project’s cost and construction time to fluctuate widely.

“These are big improvements that our constituents have been waiting on,” said Commissioner Bobby Martin of Rogers.

Marine fuel taxes are collected on gasoline and diesel fuel used in boats throughout Arkansas. The money is held by the Arkansas State Department of Transportation and is distributed through a partnership between the AGFC and ADOT.

Ben Batten, AGFC chief of fisheries, said since its inception in 1969 Arkansas’s marine fuel tax has funded nearly $59 million in improvements to boating access in the state.

Projects funded for Fiscal Year 2020 with Marine Fuel Tax funds are:

Repair of an asphalt road and riprap at Don Roufa Highway 412 Beaver Lake Access
Repair of the parking area at Riverview School Access on the Strawberry River.
Placement of rock to prevent erosion around the boat ramp at Romp Hole Access on the Kings River
A courtesy dock on the Arkansas River at the Pendleton Access
A courtesy dock on Brewer Lake
Engineering for a boat ramp’s construction at the Greenville Bridge Access of the Mississippi River
A new parking area and engineering for a new boat ramp at the Barfield Access of the Mississippi River
Placement of riprap to repair an eroded hole in the parking lot of Highway 45 Access at Beaver Lake
A courtesy dock at South Shore Landing on Lake Columbia
Paving a parking lot at Big Clifty Park Access on Beaver Lake
Boat access development at Highway 124 on Cadron Creek
Renovation of the Perryville Access on the Fourche River
Renovation and replacement of the ramp at Nimmo Access on the Little Red River
A courtesy dock at Brady Point Access on Lake Ouachita
A new parking lot and boat ramp at Interstate Park in Little Rock

In other business, the Commission:

Authorized AGFC Director Pat Fitts to issue a permanent right-of-way easement for roughly 0.9 acres to Entergy Arkansas for placement of an overhead electric transmission line on Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area.
Awarded retiring AGFC Wildlife Officer Lt. Howard “Bubba” Norvell his service sidearm after 34 years of service.
Awarded retiring AGFC Wildlife Officer Senior Cpl. Ross Spurlock his service sidearm after 30 years of service.
Awarded retiring AGFC Wildlife Officer Senior Cpl. Robbie Stout his service sidearm after 24 years of service.
Approved the removal of outdated and obsolete inventory with a total original cost of $90,909.85 and a present net book value of $8,128.60.

A video of the meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/user/ArkansasGameandFish/videos.

Cedarville Football Is Full Steam Ahead

Sports

Megan Hecox

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4:18 pm

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When it comes to football, the Sr High Cedarville Pirates have got it going on. They are a team chocked full of size, strength, and staying power. The 2019 Pirate roster holds 43 players, 12 of whom are seniors. Although that makes for a young team, opponents stepping up to face Cedarville in the upcoming season should still proceed with caution. Leading the 3A Pirates as Head Coach is Max Washausen. Matt Chandler is working as the Defensive Coordinator and Jarred Remer is heading the Offensive Line and Defensive Line as Assistant Coach.

Cody Dickens catapults the ball downfield

On Monday, July 22, Cedarville competed in Lincoln for their last 7 on 7 of the summer. Gravette, Prairie Grove, Greenland, Huntsville, and Gentry, were all on hand for the football camp. Fourth-year Cedarville Head Coach for the Pirates, Max Washausen, had this to say about his boys and their program, “I feel the Cedarville Football program is on the rise. We have 30 plus kids consistently making summer workouts and camps. Our junior and sophomore classes were back to back conference champs in junior high and our senior class wants to be successful.”

“Our strengths are that we are a physical football team that runs the ball well and plays solid defense. We also have more depth than we have had in the past. We now have the ability to throw the ball with senior Calloway Henslee and sophomore Cody Dickens. We will continue to work on playing as one unit and playing as a team. This group plays for each other and the team chemistry is evident. The players have set high goals this upcoming season which include beating Charleston and becoming conference champs. It’s an exciting time for Cedarville Football.” The Pirates will kick off the first game of the 2019 season on August 30 at Westside against the Rebels starting at 7 p.m.

A Brush Of Orange And A Dab Of Black

Sports

Megan Hecox

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3:42 pm

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The Waldron Little League Football program is on a fast upward trend with no signs of slowing down. With last seasons success, great leadership, and the community backing them 100%, they have their heads high with Championships in their eye. Needless to say, there’s nothing “Peewee” about this program anymore.

Due to their success on and off of the field, the Bulldogs have been reaping the benefits of their hard work. The players dawned new jersey’s at the beginning of last season and received some really nice new helmets at the conclusion of their 2018 season. The players themselves will look just as good as they play. But something was somehow still missing.

A championship-caliber program deserves a Champions caliber facility. A few volunteers in Waldron stepped up and put in some hours to give these young athletes just that. With some physical labor and a lot of sweat, the Little League Bulldogs will now step into a “dog house” they can be proud of.

Waldron Little League Co-Commissioner Thomas B Mays said “When you think about Pee-Wee football usually Jared Kluthe and myself get all of the credit but these men and women work for hours behind the scenes helping us build a program. The Rise As One motto is just what we are. We’re a unit and we work well together. Dayna Mays, Charlie Allen, Tylor Hudson, Jerry Morris, Duane Blackmon, Luke and Samantha Aynes, and Ryan Brown. Our locker rooms are coming right along thanks to all of our volunteers’ hard work and dedication.”

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