Resident News Network

Sr Bulldogs Preparing To Unleash On 2019 Season

Sports

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12:20 pm

Sr Bulldogs Preparing To Unleash On 2019 Season

With a scrimmage and multiple team camps behind them, the Waldron Sr High Bulldogs are getting better and better every day. The hard work, determination, and heart that this small town football team brings to the table is unlike any other. The Bulldogs know though that they still have a long ways to go to be where they need to be for when the season starts.

“I believe that our defensive line will be solid and will give us an opportunity every Friday night,” says Head Coach, Jonathan Bates. “We are looking to have them on a 6-7 man rotation. They all have different skill sets that they can employ during the game that will make us competitive. I feel our strong points are our skill players. The majority of them started last year or saw significant playing time and it is hard to replicate game speed in practice.”

“They shouldn’t have any trouble with it and I expect them to pick up where they left off from last year. We have steadily improved and I think that’s because we are a year older and understand what we want to be accomplished. As long as we worry about ourselves, take care of our business, and limit injuries, everything should be just fine.”

Jr Tigers Look To Impress

Sports

Megan Hecox

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7:18 am

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There is much excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming Mansfield Tiger Jr High football squad. Last season the boys experienced some ups and downs. This season though, the junior high team is looking like they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Currently holding 27 boys on their roster, the pool is filled to the brim with unpolished talent. Already having two team camps under their belt, the Jr Tigers are competing well and holding their own.

“Our goal is to not lose ground, stay the course, continue player development, and to get bigger, faster, and stronger for the upcoming season,” expressed Head Coach, Tim Cothran. “Hard work and commitment to the “big” picture are some of our summer goals. We are trying to win ballgames, but we know that we are working towards championships on the next level (high school). We feel like our strongest positions will be in our backfield. We seem to be solid at our quarterback and running back positions and linebackers on defense.”

“The fun thing about coaching is every year is different, every group of players is different, and each group has its own identity. This group will be similar to last years in a lot of ways, but they will be different. Our offensive and defensive identities will differ. Offensively last year we were a team that lived and died on the big play, while defensively trying to be patient. This years group will show a lot of patience on offense while being aggressive and risk takers on defense looking for the big play or big turnover.” The junior boys will have one week left to work some kinks out until the mandatory two-week dead period starts June 24-July 5.

Bulldogs Hosting Youth Football Camp

Sports

Megan Hecox

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6:35 am

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On Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, the Waldron Bulldog Football Program will be putting on their annual Youth Football Camp. The camp will start at 8 am and end at 10 am. If campers already have their form, they can bring those on Monday morning to the high school practice field. If your child did not get a form, they will be provided one at the camp.

Coach Bates and the entire coaching staff along with the junior and senior high football players are excited to share their knowledge and love for the game with the girls and boys. The camp is for 3-7 graders and will cost $30. Every camper will receive a t-shirt. So grab your cleats and water bottles and join the Bulldogs for a touchdown of a time.

Wonderful World of Art coming to Greenwood students

Lifestyle

Resident News Network

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3:02 pm

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Wonderful World of Art coming to Greenwood students

In the River Valley area, there is a little-known organization called Center For Art & Education whose sole mission is to provide outstanding art educational programming to area children, among others.

Even though it is based in Van Buren and they started with promoting an interest in art to the students, it has expanded to other communities like Charleston, Greenwood and Hackett with more locations coming.

CAE is supported by individuals, businesses, and private foundations. The Center also has public support through the Arkansas Arts Council. They can offer something for everyone.

While they do have art programs for adults, the specific purpose of this is to highlight that it’s the children who are taking part in what is called the Wonderful World of Art with this year’s theme of Universal Stories. The students will be visually taken to a new country each day to learn about the culture, the art and why the art is created like it is.

According to Terri Burt of Center For Art & Education, “Many kids return year after year after being involved. In fact, this year, there are three college interns who are volunteering, each of them was involved in the Wonderful World of Art from grade school. This program has influenced them to give back.”

Next week, June 17-21 at the Greenwood Westwood school from 9am to Noon will be an opportunity to experience this program, for ages Kindergarten through 12^th grade. But, don’t worry, if you didn’t pre-register, just show up at the school on June 17 and your children will be able to participate. Cost is $20 ($25 with t-shirt) for the week-long camp.

Other Wonderful World of Art events to bring your children to will be held at the:

Cedarville Library on June 24-28 from 9am-Noon
Mulberry First Methodist Church on July 8-12 from 9am-Noon
Ozark ATU Student Services Center on July 8-12 from 9am-Noon
Charleston Public Library on July 15-19 from 1pm-4pm
Hackett School Cafeteria on July 22-26 from 9am-Noon

Since curiosity is always out there, it begs the question of what will children be doing as it pertains to Wonderful World of Art. The children will be educated on different cultures and each day will be different. They will have “hands-on” experience creating art with different articles and mediums such as origami, different paint compositions, different styles of painting, printmaking, drawing, creating collages and so much more.

In talking with Terri, this program has been presented to the children of the area for the last 30 years with an attendance at each site of 20-60 children at 17 camps this year and she would like to see many more. Organizations interested in hosting a summer art camp can contact Terri at 479-474-7767 or email Terri@art-ed.org.

CAE would like all students to experience art and hopefully it will influence their lives. Their website is www.art-ed.org to see all of the events they have scheduled for this summer.

Photos courtesy of Terri Burt

world of art children enjoying themselves — Recent World of Art events showcasing the art produced by students.

Lady Hornets Score Big With Volleyball Camp

Sports

Megan Hecox

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2:03 pm

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Lady Hornets Score Big With Volleyball Camp

The Hackett Lady Hornets volleyball team have pulled off their best yet volleyball camp during an unforgettable three-day court session. The camp was separated into two different age groups with two different time frames. Kindergarten through fourth grade took the morning session while the fifth through ninth graders participated in the afternoon. Along with Coach Bridget Freeman, the senior high volleyball girls helped work the camp.

The Lady Hornets hosted a grand total of 99 girls who were taught such volleyball skills as passing, setting, digging, blocking, and serving. “The girls love learning to play defense and practice diving for the ball,” said Coach Freeman. “I enjoyed this group and was really proud of the attitude of the campers and the work ethic of my senior high girls. We all made many new friends from Hackett, Mansfield, Greenwood, and Ft. Smith and look forward to doing this again next year!”

Jr High Bulldogs Lining Up For Football

Sports

Megan Hecox

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1:17 pm

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The Waldron Jr High Bulldogs have been practicing for the upcoming football season like there is no tomorrow. With a roster holding 45 players, the Bulldogs not only have the numbers but they have the talent too. The boys have been hard at work not only during practices but in their team camps as well, facing teams like Mansfield, Cedarville, Lincoln, and Mena.

“I believe our strongest position is at halfback,” says Head Coach for the Jr High team, Garett Lazenby. “Our strength this year are the seven returning starters that we have on both sides of the ball. Since we have so many returning starters and such a large group of 9th graders, 30 in total, we are in a much better spot now then we were in this time last year.” The Jr High Bulldogs will continue doing what they’re doing during summer practices until its time to unleash the beast when the 2019-2020 football season gets here.

Coach Garett Lazenby giving a pep talk to his players

AAA Shakes Up Conferences For Area Teams

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:33 pm

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AAA Shakes Up Conferences For Area Teams

The Arkansas Athletic Association has released its proposed conference realignment for the 2020-2022 seasons. Football is listed separately than all other sports, therefore, some teams will be in one conference in football but could be in another conference for Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Softball, etc. This shuffle will create quite the mix up for our area teams.

Mansfield will remain in the 3A in football competition but will see some new faces in their conference. The football Tigers will continue to face off against Charleston, Cedarville, West Fork, and Greenland but will also be welcoming Lavaca, Lincoln, and their old rival Hackett in conference play. The Tigers will be dropping down to 2A in all other sports such as Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Softball. This move will allow Mansfield to face teams they haven’t played in many years.

The Tigers will be in conference play with Magazine, Acorn, Fort Smith Future School, Johnson County Westside, Lavaca, & Mountainburg. Mansfield School District Athletics Director, Craig Bentley, gave his thoughts on the changes. “We are looking forward to our new conference, I think it will be a competitive conference and wide open…any number of teams could compete for the conference championship or one of those playoff spots. Also, it’s exciting to renew some old rivalries.”

The Hackett Hornets will be moving up to the 3A across the board in all sports. Hackett will square off with teams like Mansfield and Charleston who have spent years in 3A Football. The only familiar face in Football for the Hornets will be their former 2A opponent, the Lavaca Golden Arrows who are also moving up into the 3A. Also in the Hornets Football conference will be Cedarville, West Fork, Greenland, and Lincoln. Hackett will be moving up into the 3A conference in Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Softball facing the likes of Booneville, Waldron, Cossatot River, Paris, Charleston, and Cedarville.

Lonnie Hester, Hackett Hornet Athletic Director, said this about what the future holds. “You adapt to change. Our Coaches, across the board, coach our kids to compete no matter the opponent. That’s what Athletics is really about (training kids at doing your best and competing to win). We have great coaches & great kids and look forward to competing in the new classification. As for football, we already play Mansfield & Lavaca and we will be able to keep a couple of familiar teams on our schedule with our non-conference games like Mountainburg (which has become a big game for both programs). We will also be able to renew some old rivalries that we had from back in the old 2-4A West days. Some of these kids’ dads grew up playing teams like Charleston and Cedarville along with Mansfield & Lavaca.”

Waldron will see a few new teams in the shakeup, but will not move up or down in their conference in the 2020-2022 AAA proposal. They will remain 4A in Football and 3A in all other sports. Waldron football will be in the 4A-4 going toe to toe with Dardanelle, Dover, Lamar, Mena, Ozark, Pottsville, and Subiaco. The Bulldogs will be staying in the 3A conference in Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Softball. They will play pretty much the same opponents taking on Booneville, Paris, Charleston, and Cedarville while adding Hackett and Cossatot River.

Hwy 71 Tire & Service Center Opens in Waldron

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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10:24 am

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Hwy 71 Tire & Service Center Opens in Waldron

Hwy 71 Tire & Service Center, LLC in Waldron has recently opened their doors for business. However, owners Albert and Aimee Littleton have big plans for the remaining space at the store located at 1359 W. 2nd Street.

General Manager Matt Scantling said, “The opportunity became available to purchase the former Walmart, and the building came with a location previously used as a tire and service point. Since we already had a tire and service store in Magazine, it made it easy to transition into a second location. We felt that Waldron was a prime location with a substantial need for the services we offer. There was also a desire for the owners to expand in Waldron since Aimee is from that area. They wanted to build and help the community in the same way that they have in Magazine.”

One of the building blocks of their business is to offer great customer service on reasonably priced items. That dedication, according to Scantling, is what sets them apart. “We still believe in the adage that the customer is right, and we want to do whatever we can to fulfill their need at a reasonable price. If something isn’t right, we will do our best to make it right so that we can depend on repeat business.”

Currently, they are offering new and used tires, flat repair, balance, rotations, front and rear alignments, brake service, front end repair, rear end repair, multipoint inspection with service and lube. They offer most major oil brands as well as tractor and semi-truck tires.

Hwy 71 Tire & Service Center, LLC offers appointments for alignments and mechanical work. Tires and services are provided on a first come/first serve basis.

They plan to utilize the remainder of the building by opening Waldron Auto Parts, LLC, which will be a Bumper to Bumper parts store, sometime in July. Construction will also begin in July on a lumber building, which will house materials in a dry and secure location.

Then, in November, the Scott County Hardware, LLC will open. This will be a True Value Hardware store location. “This store will offer more than just hardware,” added Scantling. “It will also have a clothing line, offer housewares, sporting goods, ammunition, firearms, lawn and garden, and many other features. We are truly happy to be associated with True Value, and are pleased that they were just named JD Powers & Associates home improvement retailer of the year.”

As the building nears the completion of the remodeling phase, Scantling commented that they are eager to open the doors on their remaining stores. “We are extremely pleased with the reception we have received from the people of Waldron…We are excited to get all of the stores open and are very near the end of the remodel. Once the parking lot has been sealed, restriped and the signage has been put in place, we believe the only thing left to do is open the doors and welcome the community. Albert and Aimee are very excited about being apart of another community.”

AGFC Fishing Report

Outdoors

Tammy Teague

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9:37 am

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This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s weekly fishing report for June 12 2019. If there is a body of water youl would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed.

Lake Atkins

(updated 6-12-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said Lake Atkins is cloudy in some areas but overall is pretty clear. The water level is high by about 1-1.5 feet. No surface temperature was reported. No reports on bream and nothing reported on crappie, either. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater lures. Catfishing is good using worms or chicken livers.

Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 6-12-2019) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park (501-844-4176) checked with Austin Owens of the Lake Catherine State Park Marina, who reports that clarity is dirty from recent rains, though the water level is normal. Bream are good. They can be caught from the shoreline out to 7-8 feet depth. Worms and crickets are being used. Crappie reports are poor. Black bass are good, with the fish found in 5-10 feet depth. Plastic worms, topwater baits, Brush Hogs and lizards are all working well. Find the bass around the brush. Catfishing is good on worms and blood bait. No report on white bass.

Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 6-12-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that Lake Ouachita has risen slightly back into flood pool as more rainfall continues to plague our state. Carpenter Dam had been unsafe to navigate for weeks, but Entergy has scheduled time the last week for no generation until noon for the public to fish. This move has made it possible for anglers to safely and effectively target a virtually untouched trout population These fish are presently being caught in good numbers. Boaters can anchor in areas holding good numbers of trout and have success casting Rooster Tails in white or brown around rock structure and sandbars. The months of May and June brings huge numbers of shad toward the dam to spawn. Trout will feed heavily on these baitfish and will strike artificial lures that imitate live minnows. Small jigs in gray or white will also work well in the same areas in slack or current situations. Trolling against the current with shallow-running crankbaits imitating shad or crawfish will attract larger trout that seek bigger prey. Bank fishermen should take advantage of slack water periods by presenting trout with nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Waxworms and mealworms used in the same manner will allow anglers to catch limits of rainbows that are actively searching for food. Live bait presentations cannot be overemphasized, because trout become much more wary as their environment warms and the summer heat sets in. June brings white bass by the thousands into the Carpenter Dam tailrace to begin the spawn. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jig presentations will all draw strikes from these temperate bass from the dam to the bridge as they feed on shad for months. Hybrid bass also run alongside these fish and will feed on the same prey items. Stripers always migrate into the area in the summer months in search of food and cooler temperatures. Balloon rigs with gizzard shad give fishermen a good chance to hook a big striper, but artificial lures such as Super Spooks and Alabama rigs should not be overlooked. Strong rods and lines are recommended for these predator fish that possess great power and are often in the 2 to 40-pound range. Anyone navigating Lake Catherine should always wear a life jacket and be aware of the generation schedules. All park rules and regulations must be followed in the Carpenter Dam tailrace.

Lake Dardanelle

(updated 6-12-2019) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495), said the area has experienced mostly sunshine and breezy winds the past week.A sunny and dry week is forecasted until the weekend, when more humid air and showers arrive. The lake has no visibility, the water remains muddy. Surface temperature is 79 degrees. Boat ramps inside Lake Dardanelle State Park remain closed until further notice. However, please contact the Visitor Center (479) 967-5516 ext. 2 for updated boat ramp status. According to National Weather Service preliminary values, the river crested at the Ozark Lock & Dam 12 on May 30 at 374.99 feet msl with a flow around 560,000 cfs. As of Tuesday, June 11, the river at Ozark Lock & Dam 12 is forecasted to recede below flood stage (357 feet) Thursday morning. Currently, the tailwater elevation is 359 feet and falling. Release at Ozark L&D 12 has been steadily slowing and is currently 204,000 cfs. There has been no power generation. The islands and bottoms at the Arkansas Highway 109 bridge and near Spadra are beginning to emerge as the water recedes. It is likely that much of the sandbars and points have changed in size or shifted in these areas. Dikes remain underwater. so use caution. Downriver, pool elevation near Lake Dardanelle State Park has returned to normal. NWS preliminary values show the Lake Dardanelle tailwater crested on May 30 at 45.91 feet msl with a flow around 587,000 cfs. If official, this level will have exceeded the record established in 1943. It has since receded below flood stage to 28 feet. Release is currently 194,000 cfs and slowing. There has been no power generation. Anglers: Please use caution when on the water. Tournaments at Lake Dardanelle State Park have been cancelled or rescheduled due to dangerous river conditions. For tournament updates, please contact the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center at (479) 967-5516 ext. 2.

(updated 6-12-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) had no report.

Lake Hamilton

(updated 6-12-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred all-welded aluminum Xpress fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels normalizing and temps in the mid-70s throughout. Bass fishing is really hot right now! The water is just barely off-color, which makes things much easier for anglers to imitate the natural prey of the fish. Bass are good all over right now and not just on Hamilton. Carolina-rigged worms and lizards along with Texas-rigged ribbon-tailed worms in darker colors like black, plum or June-bug are doing well all over. Topwater is doing really well in the mornings and evenings. Whopper Ploppers always work, along with frog and popper styles. Change it up every now and then. Fish have seen the typical presentations on these public lakes, so think outside the box and modify what you have or throw something with rusted-out hooks at the bottom of the box. Catfish are good as usual this time of year. You can find them on drop-offs and creek channel bends everywhere. Crappie are fair in most areas from what we have heard, but no real reports. Good luck! And Go Greeson!

(updated 6-12-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips says that like at DeGray, the story is pretty simple after all the rainfall has moved on – the crappie are still biting and the whites are schooling.

Lake Nimrod

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 371.48 feet msl (normal pool: 345.0 feet msl).

(updated 6-12-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said the clarity is “real clear” now and the surface temperature is 83 degrees. Water level is high. But that’s not hurting fishing for their anglers. Crappie are good. The fish are in 5-7 feet depth and are biting black/chartreuse crappie niblets, as well as minnows or jigs. Work the brush piles. Black bass are fair. Use a chatterbait or a War Eagle spinnerbait. Catfish are biting well around the brush piles. They say that anglers tell them they are catching a lot of bream elsewhere, just not at Nimrod. At Nimrod, the bream bite rates fair. Use crickets.

(updated 6-12-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the water is muddy and at a high level. The area is “super flooded,” they say. Across the board, the results for fishing have been poor. “We’re playing dominoes,” the source joked.

Lake Ouachita

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 579.16 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).

(updated 6-12-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are good. Texas-rigged soft plastics and drop-shot rigs fished over points are working at this time. Walleye are still very good. Small minnow-colored crank baits and night crawlers on drop shot rigs are producing good stringers. Stripers are still good. Most of these fish have moved to the central part of the lake and are being caught on live bait or big hair jigs. Bream are still very good with reports of fish being caught with grubs and worms in 8-15 feet of water near brush. Crappie are fair and being caught with jigs or minnows in 12-20 feet of water near brush. Catfish are excellent and anglers are having luck with rod and reel using live nightcrawlers around brush piles. Surface water temperature is ranging 80-84 degrees. Lake level is 579.40 feet msl as of Tuesday and the clarity is clearing. Contact the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717; Chris Darby, 870-867-7822; and Jerry Bean, 501-282-6104) for more information.

Blue Mountain Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 409.40 feet msl (full pool: 384.00 feet msl).

(updated 6-12-2019) Angler Dane Goodwin said Blue Mountain Lake is still not producing well for crappie. Bream are on beds and good. No report on catfish. Water should continue to improve in coming weeks.

The Legendary Frank Boyd

Networks

Tammy Teague

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9:20 am

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We have been overwhelmed at the welcome we’ve received since adding print to our news offerings.

I am so proud to say that we are the sole local news outlet providing print, web and mobile. YOU are to thank for that!

We have underestimated the need for a fresh news source, and it’s been truly awesome to sell out at our drop locations.

We are currently in the process of adding newspaper machines at several more locations. Be watching next week, we will be sharing where you can find those.

Recently, I visited with Darlene Boyd at a Mansfield Chamber of Commerce meeting. She and her husband Frank pioneered the newspaper in our area. So many felt like the local paper was “not like it used to be,” after Frank’s passing.

It’s true, you cannot substitute heart. And, this business was the heart of Frank Boyd. I remember driving by late at night and seeing the lights still on at the office.

The passion he had to produce a quality, community focused paper cannot be learned at a college, or taught by a teacher. The dedication he had for providing news to this area was engrained in him.

I realize we will never duplicate this legend. But, the focus, the goal, and the heart is there. I am proud of that. With the continued support we can keep the light on, and keep working!

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK