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Friday, May 15, 2026
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Bulldogs Futures Camp A Success

It was an uplifting and successful three days for the Waldron Bulldog basketball program as they hosted their 5th Annual Futures Camp. The goal of the camp was to have each camper leave with a positive basketball experience. By the end of the camp, the Bulldogs had achieved that goal tenfold.

In attendance this year were 32 enthusiastic 4-7 graders which was double from what they had on the roster last year. During the course of the camp, the players were taught the fundamentals of passing, shooting, dribbling, and defense through fun and structured instruction.

Sr High boys’ basketball coach, Joshua Brown, expressed his thoughts on the Futures Camp. “Getting to work with our youth is the best thing about camp. We got to see where they were skill wise and was able to work on some of the basics of basketball for a few days. Every kid competed and worked hard. Getting our Sr High guys involved and giving back to the youth is awesome. The younger kids want to be where they are and be like them so them getting to be the role model was great to see.”

Farmers Markets Are Full of History

We see them and hear about them. You may have gone to some in the past.

But did you know that these little markets were a necessity even as far back as ancient Egypt over 5,000 years ago.

Farmers markets have many benefits:

  • They help maintain important social ties, linking rural and urban people
  • Markets bring more awareness to the area businesses
  • Allows vendors to share proudly what they have grown or make
  • Fresher food when in season
  • A place to meet friends

Farmers Markets have evolved over the years from only fruits and vegetables to including handmade crafted items. Some even provide information for purchasing grass-fed animals.

Today, in the United States, there is a greater need for fresh produce. There is also a greater interest to purchase unique handmade items, jewelry, skin care and soaps, home décor, plants and seeds, fresh eggs, jams and jellies (even the spicy ones), food, embroidered items, quilts, cakes, muffins and cookies … and more.

A Farmers Market supports the community and gets young entrepreneurs started with support from the community. Anytime there is a large group of people together in a community and they feel welcome, it encourages growth in that community and people return again and again.

Why should we shop at the local Farmers Markets when our local grocery stores also carry the same items? First, most grocery stores cannot bring in fresh to your table produce and fruit. Second, the quality of these items from a grower far surpasses those in the grocery store.

In addition, with people outside of their homes going to the Farmers Market, 70% of them will also bring customers into neighboring businesses.

Greenwood’s next Farmers Market is on the square on June 1 from 8am-1pm and will include the items listed above and more. There will be more than 40 vendors. Come and support your friends and neighbors.

See you there.

Hornets Host Volleyball Camp

Lady Hornet Volleyball Camp Registration

CAMPERS 1st through 9th grade for the 2019-20 school year

Attendees will be learning the skills of volleyball (passing, setting, hitting, digging, blocking, and serving) and getting lots of touches through game play

DATES/TIMES:

June 10-12, 9-11:00 am for 1st-4th graders for the 2019/20 year

June 10-12, 12-2:00 pm for 5th-9th graders for the 2019/20 year

At Hackett High School new and old gyms    

YOU MAY BRING/WEAR shorts/spandex, gym shoes, knee pads, and bring a drink.

COST: $30–T-shirt included!! BUT- I need forms/money by May 27 to guarantee a shirt. You may drop off forms/money in the high school office  (checks made payable to Bridget Freeman)

QUESTIONS: contact Coach Freeman at by email – CLICK HERE

Please fill out and return this bottom portion to the high school office or email Mrs. Freeman your information.  Money may be turned in to the office or the first day of camp.

Camper’s Name:________________________

Grade for 2019/20:_________

T-shirt size:  YS    YM    YL    AS    AM    AL   AXL

Emergency #:____________                                                            

PARENT SIGNATURE: _____________________________________ My signature verifies that my child is physically able to participate in all camp activities, and my understanding that camp officials cannot be held responsible for any injuries which might occur during camp activities.  

Boles Community Center In Jeopardy of Closing

On the evening of Tuesday, May 7th, nine people met in a small white building at Boles to discuss its future. Sitting on approximately 6 acres back off Highway 71 to the east, the Boles Community Center – once the Boles School cafeteria building – has a personal connection to these nine people and hundreds of others who attended school there until it closed in 1968. Most are unaware that the building is in danger of being lost.

Equipped with a full kitchen, handicapped accessibility, and tables and chairs to seat dozens, the building is available for rent for a fee that helps cover the cost of keeping it open and general upkeep. In the past, it has been a venue for small local music groups, birthday and anniversary parties, family reunions, and Bunco groups.

Anna Gayle House, Pat Ray and Gerri Biggs, and Tony and Vanessa Reed have done such a great job taking care of the facility and grounds, often with funding from their own pockets, that no one realized they need help. Unfortunately, this is unsustainable without additional assistance. The long-term goal is to preserve the building; however, the most immediate concern is funding for monthly bills for water, electricity, propane, and insurance.

Boles has lost its school building and gymnasium along with its small country stores. We need to come together as a community to preserve this piece of our heritage.

If you are interested, please attend our next meeting at the community center. We will be there at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4th.

Arson Case Under Investigation

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 22, the Mansfield Fire Department and the Huntington Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 808 Grove Street in Mansfield.

Responders had been called to this same address over the course of the past three days. Each time, members of the fire department were unable to locate the source of the smoke.

As a result of Wednesday’s fire, that home received extensive damage to one of the bedrooms, hallway and the second floor.

Due to the nature of the fire, Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb said he has turned the investigation over to the Arkansas State Police. Currently, the home has been taped off and is being treated as a crime scene.

Five Tigers Invited to Best of Preps

On May 30, some of the best high school athletes in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma will be recognized in downtown Fort Smith at a high caliber banquet. Among the many, will be five Mansfield athletes.

Representing the Mansfield Tiger football team will be Tyler Holmes and Ethan Stovall. From the Lady Tiger volleyball team will be Rylea Weaver. Faith Rainwater will attend under the MHS cross country team banner. Then, Caroline Nicodemus will cover the bases for the Mansfield softball team.

Holmes was an All-Conference receiver and defensive back for the Tiger gridiron squad. Stovall was an All-State selection as one of the premiere quarterbacks from the 3A-1 District.

Weaver was an All-District and All-State volleyball selection from the 3A West league. Rainwater earned All-District, All-Region, and All-State status as a long distance runner. Nicodemus was an award winning softball pitcher from the 3A-1W Conference and 3A state tournament.

This will be the third annual Best of Preps All-Star awards ceremony. It was developed by the Times Record in connection with several local business to celebrate the athletic achievements of high school students in the region. The event honors top performers from Sebastian, Logan, Crawford, and Scott Counties in Arkansas. It also pulls from Le Flore and Sequoyah Counties in Oklahoma.

Awards are handed out for 15 different sports. All-Star rosters, constructed through the observation of local sports writers, are announced at the banquet. Special recognition is also given to Outstanding Players of each sport, a Male and Female Athlete of the Year, and a Coach of the Year.

The Best of River Valley Preps are invited to attend the festivities which will include an appearance by three time Olympic Gold Medalist and two time World Champion Gymnast Gabby Douglas. Following a catered meal, the invited all-stars along with their family, friends, and the general paying public will have the honor to listen to an on stage interview session with Douglas.

Activities will take place at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Doors open at 5:45 PM with meals being served at 6:30 PM and the awards show being at 7:00 PM.

Army Corp of Engineers on Arkansas River Flood Risk

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Army Corps of Engineers warns the public that flows on the Arkansas River are anticipated to exceed the May 1990 flood event flows because of persistent rainfall in Oklahoma.

A small craft advisory was issued April 14. During high flows, strong currents and large debris can threaten the safety of pleasure craft. Small craft advisories are issued when flows exceed 70,000 cubic feet per second.
Flows at Trimble Lock and Dam near Fort Smith are 170,000 cubic feet per second and are expected to peak Saturday, May 25 at about 530,000 c.f.s. Flows at Dardanelle Lock and Dam at Russellville are 170,000 c.f.s. and expected to peak Monday, May 27 at about 500,000 c.f.s. Flows at Toad Suck Lock and Dam at Conway are 165,000 c.f.s. and expected to peak Tuesday, May 28 at about 485, 000 c.f.s. Flows at Murray Lock and Dam at Little Rock are 175,000 c.f.s. and expected to peak Wednesday, May 29 at about 475, 000 c.f.s. Flows at Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam at Pine Bluff are 174,000 c.f.s. and are expected to peak Friday, May 31 at 450,000 c.f.s. Flows at Dam 2 near Tichnor are 180,000 c.f.s. are expected to peak Sunday, June 2 at 450,000 c.f.s.

The National Weather Service predicts river stages and reminds persons along the Arkansas River to be monitoring their website in order to make decisions about whether to move livestock, equipment and belongings to higher ground. People in at-risk areas should also stay in contact with local emergency officials.

The river forecast website is https://water.weather.gov.
For persons who are interested in the Arkansas River in Western Arkansas the National Weather Service link for Van Buren is: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=tsa&gage=vbua4.
For Central Arkansas the forecast site is just outside Conway at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lzk&gage=toda4.
For those interested in the Arkansas River in eastern Arkansas, the Pine Bluff forecast information is: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lzk&gage=pbfa4.
Daily river information can be obtained at www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil or the Corps’ mobile App which can be found in mobile App stores by searching for USACE Little Rock.

It’s A Slam Dunk For Lady Tigers Cub Camp

On May 20-21, the Mansfield Lady Tigers coaches and basketball players held a cubs basketball camp for girls grades 3-6. With a total of 24 girls in attendance, the camp was a huge success. Along with having fun and making memories, the Lady Cubs were taught skills such as passing, dribbling, and shooting form.

“I was very pleased with the turnout and hard work of our little Lady Tigers,” expressed Head Coach Joshua Bryan. “There is some talent in the younger classes that will improve our young basketball program in the years to come. I’m excited to see each one of our players grow throughout their careers.”

“The camp’s success came from the output of our campers. Everyone worked hard with each and every task we put before them. One example was the fact that all of the girls remembered what was taught from day one when asked on day two. We also had a dribbling competition where our campers competed against our senior and junior high staffers. There was a lot of cheering and encouragement between everyone at the camp. Spirit was high and the girls just seemed to enjoy what they were doing throughout the duration of the camp.”

“The Lady Tiger basketball team would like to thank everyone who came out to participate in our annual camp. Your support and dedication to Tiger athletics are greatly appreciated! Lastly, it was the help of the 9-11 grade basketball players that made this camp possible. Without them, the camp would not have been as successful as it was. Thank you Lady Tigers!”

The Moore You Know: What’s Your Legacy?

As we get older we realize how fragile life truly is. Recently, we experienced the loss of a dear friend and brother in Christ.

For so long he fought cancer, and suffered more than I can imagine. But, through his suffering he never lost his faith. He and his precious wife, who never left his side, nicknamed me “Smiley.” When I heard of his passing, I couldn’t help smiling, although it was through tears.

Anthony Vanriper left a legacy for those of us who are left here fighting the fight, running our race.

Many times we get so involved with the things of this life that we neglect what truly is important.

One day we will all meet an end, just as sure as we were born we will die. What will matter in the end? A decision of where you spend eternity is the most important. What will you leave behind here? What will be your legacy?

I can recall someone at some point sharing advice with me on work, and priorities. They posed the question: “When you are on your death bed, what will you have wished you would’ve done differently?” That you’d spent more time working? Probably not!

Priorities, the life you live, the legacy you leave behind. It’s all what will matter in the end!

Bulldogs Fired-Up Scrimmage

Recently the Waldron Bulldogs Senior High football team held a small scale scrimmage giving fans a sample of what’s to come for the future season. Kicking off spring practice, the Bulldogs have 36 players putting in the work and fine-tuning their skills.

Sitting in the coaches box is Jonathan Bates as Head Coach, Mark Brigance as Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers, Nick Stovall as Offensive Coordinator/Offensive and Defensive Line, Jayden Southard as Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs, Garett Lazenby as Head Jr High Coach/Linebackers and Running Backs, Cory Chambers as Head 7th Grade Coach/Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs, and Chance Tanner as Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs.

Coach Bates and his Bulldogs

Head Football Coach, Jonathan Bates, gave his thoughts on how he feels spring practice is going. “I like our work ethic and determination. We have a solid group up front on the O-line and D-line and our skill guys have some explosive capability. With that being said we still can’t get anyone hurt. We have to continue just getting better at basic blocking and tackling. We are going to continue to develop depth at all positions during the summer.”