Resident News Network

Hornets Host Volleyball Camp

-

9:54 am

Lady Hornet Volleyball Camp Registration

CAMPERS 1^st through 9^th 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 1^st-4^th graders for the 2019/20 year

June 10-12, 12-2:00 pm for 5^th-9^th 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

Headlines

Tammy Teague

-

8:40 am

0

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

Headlines

Tammy Teague

-

4:44 pm

0

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

Sports

Tammy Teague

-

4:34 pm

0

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

Tammy Teague

-

2:05 pm

0

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

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

1:20 pm

0

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?

Headlines

Tammy Teague

-

12:54 pm

0

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

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

12:01 pm

0

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.

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.”

Mansfield Athletics See Changes In Staff

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

11:21 am

0

Mansfield Athletics See Changes In Staff

With the end of the 2018-2019 Mansfield school year, the Tigers sports programs saw an exciting game of musical chairs staff edition. In total, the Mansfield Tigers heartbreakingly said goodbye to four coaches. Dustin Payne, Ashley Wilson, Bryan McKay, and Kent Elmore.

Two new faces will be joining the Tigers staff roster. Landon Dover and Layton Robinson. Coach Dover will be taking over as assistant football coach and track coach. He has eight years of football experience including three years as a coordinator. Including his thrower career on the Harding Track and Field team, Coach Dover as many years of experience as a track coach as well. Magazine native Coach Robinson is coming on as the assistant baseball coach and golf coach. He has been a member of the Arkansas Tech baseball team for the past five years.

Six current coaches will be seeing a change in their titles come the 2019-2020 sports season. Tim Cothran will be the new Head Baseball Coach. He has coached baseball for the past 17 years, including the last six years as the assistant baseball coach at Mansfield. He will also continue to be the Offensive Coordinator for Mansfield football.

Erica McKay is stepping up as Head Softball Coach. She has served the past two seasons as the assistant softball coach and was a member of the 2012 state softball championship team. She will also continue with her volleyball duties.

Josh Bryan will take over as the new head Junior High girls’ basketball coach in addition to his role as head Senior High girls’ basketball coach. He will also continue in his Cross Country and Track duties.

Keith Stovall will be adding head Junior High boys’ basketball coach to his resume. He will continue his role as assistant Senior High boys’ basketball coach and assistant football coach.

Allie Dake will step into the role of head Senior High cheer coach in addition to her role as head Junior High cheer coach. Keith Dake is gearing up for his new softball assistant coach position in addition to his role as head Senior High boys’ basketball coach and assistant Junior High boys’ basketball coach.

Mansfield’s Co-Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Craig Bentley had this to say about the changes.“We are very excited about getting all our coaches into place to best benefit our programs and our kids. We are blessed with great coaches here at Mansfield that work hard and most importantly, put kids first. As always, thank you to our administration and school board for allowing us to have the vision to make all of this work! Go Red Tigers!”

Bulldog Bryson Bailey Jumps Into Success

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

9:10 am

0

Bulldog Bryson Bailey Jumps Into Success

Waldron Track sophomore, Bryson Bailey, made his team and his town proud when he took part in a two day Decathlon. Competing against 71 boys from across the state, Bryson ended the event with 4,936 points putting him in a 23rd place finish.

During the Decathlon, Bryson partook in ten different track and field events. These included hurdles, high jump, shot put, pole vault, discus, and Bailey’s personal favorite, long jump.

Day one concluded with Bryson sitting in eighth place after sealing a first-place triumph in the long jump section of the competition. It was during this long jump event that Bryson landed a new personal jump record of 22’1.5.

Bryson endured a slight amount of difficulty in day two’s happenings which included pole vault, hurdles, and discus. Only having thrown a few times prior to the event, Bryson finished with a discus throw of 103-6. With plans of going back to the Decathlon next year, Bryson Bailey has plenty of time to perfect his track and field skills in preparation of his Track domination.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK