After a unanimous vote by the Mansfield School Board, Assistant Football Coach Tim Cothran has been promoted to the head coaching position for the Mansfield Tigers. A native to the Mansfield area, Coach Tim Cothran has been a beloved role model and coach to the Tigers for the last six years. For as long as he could remember, sitting in the coaches chair has always been a lifelong dream. Coach Cothran has been a loving and devoted husband to wife Annette for almost 27 years. The two are parents to Lydia, 19, a sophomore at ATU, Isaac, 17, a senior at Mansfield, and Levi, soon to be 15, a freshman at Mansfield.
In his free time, Tim Cothran enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything that has to do with being in the outdoors. Coach Cothran is also heavily led by his faith in all that he does. He doesn’t merely coach his players and students, he mentors them into young men and women who will be ready for the world after high school. Coach Cothran had this to say about his dream job, “I love being a Tigers coach because of the kids and the people in this community. Everyone has an old fashioned down to earth way about them which is exactly how I was raised!”
Join us in welcoming Mansfields very own Tim Cothran as the new Head Football Coach and Top Tiger.
From stilt walkers to electronic unicycle rider, 5K Run, kettle corn, Miss Greenwood, excellent live bands from all around, the best food vendors in the area, arts and crafts, dunk tank, area fundraisers, cotton candy, bounce-arounds, line dancing, free hot dogs and the greatest fireworks in the area. All was sponsored by the Greenwood Parks and Recreation Department, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and Focus on Greenwood. It was a huge turnout.
Let’s not forget the Mayor of Greenwood, Doug Kinslow and his costumes every year.
All around, families and individuals were enjoying the 5K Run, festivities, good food and music.
It was reported there were 360 cotton candy “cones” made … big ones … for adults and kids.
Tammy Briley, Greenwood Parks Director, said “It turned out to be a great festival!”
Of course, there are many people behind the scenes helping put this event on for the community.
The Chamber of Commerce also put on the 5K Run where even the Greenwood Firefighters did the run in full firefighting gear along with hundreds more people. In addition, both the Greenwood Fire Department and the Greenwood Police Department were at the festival to meet people and let kids get their pictures taken.
Enjoy the photos of this year’s event and be sure to attend the next one in 2020.
On Tuesday, July 9, first grade Hackett Elementary teacher Val Harp received her Teacher of the Year. – See related story
The award was presented to Harp during the Arkansas Rural Education Association (AREA) conference in Eureka Springs. Rob Rodel, Corporate Communications Manager for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, presented Harp with a crystal apple and a check for $1000.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas sponsor the teacher of the year award each year. Hackett Elementary Principal Tura Bailey said “we are extremely proud of Mrs. Harp and her accomplishment as Teacher of the Year! We are very blessed to have her on our team! Congratulations Mrs. Harp! Great things are happening at Hackett Elementary!”
I had the privilege this weekend of making the acquaintance of some really good folks.
I had become acquainted with Gary Epperson about six months. He has continually proven to be one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. He is one of the founding members of the Patriots of 746 group, a non-partisan, grassroots group fighting for the rights of all Arkansans. Specifically, they have been extremely influential among legislators and are making a big impact in the fight for Second Amendment rights.
I was also able to visit briefly with former gubernatorial candidate and nationwide gun rights advocate Jan Morgan. A few months ago I was afforded the opportunity to visit Morgan at her private gun club, the Gun Cave in Hot Springs, AR. –See related story
Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin was the featured guest speaker. Several legislators, including State Representatives Marcus Richmond and Harlan Breaux were also on hand.
I was quite moved and impressed that this group began with prayer. POA 746 representative Dan Borum, who is also a pastor, prayed a humble and heartfelt prayer. It wasn’t much later that I discovered that Breaux, a State Representative from district 97 was a Gideon! I recognized his sweet spirit and he and I immediately made friends! He was truly a blessing to get to know!
Afterwards I thought about how fortunate I was, but not because I was able to get to meet these wonderful folks, or vice versa. It is the fact that the One who afforded us such an opportunity knows who we are, and calls us by name. He even knows the number of hairs on our head. The Lord knows His children and I am so thankful to be one of His!
Representative Michelle Viney with the organization Communities Unlimited recently conducted a workshop for the employees of the City of Mansfield.
Communities Unlimited provides rural and under-resourced communities with infrastructure and economic entrepreneurial growth strategies. The Mansfield meeting was mandatory for all city employees, and Mayor Buddy Black said it was time well-spent.
“It was very informative,” Black shared. “It was a technical, managerial and financial assessment and general overview of Mayor/Council forms of city government. They provided really good information and insight into some things we encounter and deal with on a regular basis.”
Communities Unlimited, which is based in Fayetteville, serves seven states, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama.
The overall goal of the organization is to move communities, small businesses, entrepreneurs and families away from poverty and toward sustainable prosperity.
HWY 71 Tire & Service Center is currently in the process of assisting customers in offsetting the cost increases of tires that will be greatly affected by the coming tariffs imposed on products from China. Since the majority of the rubber used to manufacture tires comes from foreign markets, the tire industry expects a 25% – 40% increase to take effect in the next few months. “Our goal is to help our customers avoid these huge increases. We are implementing a program to allow customers to order their tires now, pay a $10 deposit per tire, and then purchase the tires anytime during the next twelve months. Ordering the tires now could easily save hundreds of dollars. The best part of this deal is that we store these tires for you for up to a year and you pay today’s price. Come in today and preorder your tires before the tariffs take effect because this deal will end once they begin.”
When it comes to BBQ competitions, Sodie Davidson Parks first annual “Pork in the Park” was a smokin’ success. The BBQ competition was hosted by the Waldron Little League Football Program at Sodie Davidson Park. The competition consisted of both an adult division and a youth division for participants to showcase their master grilling skills.
The kids were judged on two meat categories which consisted of pork chops and leg quarters. The adults had four meat categories which consisted of chicken, ribs, pork tenderloin, and a meat of their choice. The lucky dogs who were asked to judge these tasty BBQ delicacies were David Millard, Philip Scantling, Angela Talmadge, Zack Connelly, and Megan Hecox.
Connelly, Scantling, and Millard judging some of the delicious BBQ
Judges Angela Talmadge and Megan Hecox tasting the yummy entries
The youth division had five participants that included Emily Kluthe, Eli Kluthe, Cody Mays, Brayden Mays, and Dawson Griffin. In the pork category, Brayden Mays took third place, Dawson Griffin took second place, and in first place was Cody Mays. In the chicken category, Eli Kluthe earned third place, Dawson Griffin took second place, and Emily Kluthe took home the first place honors.
The participants from the kids division showing off their wins
Showing off their grilling skills in the adult division was Charlie Allen, Jared Kluthe, Derek Yandell, and Daniel Anderson. In the chicken category, Derek Yandell took third place, Jared Kluthe took second place, and Charlie Allen clucked in with first place. In the pork category, Jared wound up in third, Charlie in second, and Daniel Anderson rooted in at first. For the ribs category, it was Charlie who came in third, Daniel with second, and Jared with the first place victory. In the open meat category, Charlie took third, Daniel placed second, and Jared earned first. And the overall Grand Champion for Pork in the Park was Jared Kluthe.
Holding up their plaques and ribbons are the participants from the adults division
Sodie Davidson Park Board President and Bulldog Little League Co-Football Commissioner, Jared Kluthe, had this to say about the event. “For this to be the first year, I was pleased with the overall turnout. We did lose a few people that wanted to participate, due to work, but I hope to see this event continue to grow in the future. We would like to see more local businesses set up booths at next years event to show off some of their merchandise. We have a lot of ideas to add to next years Pork in the Park. I know all of the people involved this year had a blast, but one of our biggest highlights was the kids cooking in their own competition and the fun they had with it. We would also like to thank our judges for their volunteering and support.”
Ricky
Gene Newman of Mansfield, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday,
July 5, 2019 in Mansfield, Arkansas. Ricky was born on April 13, 1958 in Fort
Smith, AR to Orville and Etta Bell (Duncan) Newman. Ricky was 61 years old.
Ricky was a hardworking and loving man. His motto was
“Always be yourself and do your best to help others in this life”. He
was a genuine guy, what you see is what you get. He loved staying busy. He was
always doing something, albeit gardening, woodworking or helping someone.
Ricky’s true love was spending time with his family and especially his
grandchildren.
Ricky leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children:
Brittany Hill and husband Carl of Mansfield, Arkansas, Crissy Johnston and
husband Matt of Indianola, Oklahoma, and Ricky (Jody) Newman of Mansfield,
Arkansas. Papa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Alyssa
Thompson, Kaleb Johnston, Joshua Johnston, Aaron Johnston and Emily Johnston.
Ricky will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted
including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Ricky was preceded in death by his loving wife of 23 years,
Kathern, his father, Orville Newman and his mother Etta Bell (Duncan) Newman
and two brothers, Robert and Bobby Joe.
Ricky’s graveside life celebration will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday,
July 9, 2019 at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Midland, Arkansas with Rev. Kenneth
Elmore officiating. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial
Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
You may leave words of remembrance for Ricky’s family by
visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
The neighborhoods on and around Joyce Drive in Lavaca were
wakened in the early morning on Saturday, July 6 by firetrucks answering the
911 call of a house fire on their street.
The house on 2203 Joyce Drive, owned by Shawn Rush, was in flames. Fire departments from Lavaca, Riverdale, Big
Creek and Barling answered the call somewhere around 1:30 am. The house suffered severe damage, visible in
the darkness, which will be more evident in the daylight.
Local fireman Smith said, “The fire appears to have been caused by his vehicle that was parked in the enclosed garage but the owner is safe. We were on a call from a tree that had been struck by lightning in Barling already.” Mr. Rush was standing alone across the street, dressed in his night clothes and, of course, was visibly shaken.
Firemen had pulled the garage door away from the house to
fight the burning car and where the fire had moved into the attic and
surrounding rooms.
Joyce Drive is a major street in Lavaca’s quiet Berry Ridge
addition and connects Highway 255 to North River Road.
