These days, you would assume that everyone has all that they need to take care of their property. Their home, their yard and any outbuildings should instill a sense of pride in everyone to keep it maintained and looking presentable, right?
When you drive by a home that is less than presentable, do
you assume that the homeowner is lazy or doesn’t care? You can drive around
Greenwood for about 15 minutes and find at least 10 properties that are
unkempt.
Have you ever thought that maybe the homeowner is doing the
best they can?
What I am talking about is a small Community Charitable
Project that started the other day because of something that was posted
elsewhere. Already, there have been volunteers from Greenwood going and helping
others who can’t themselves for free.
There are many elderly and disabled folks in our community of
Greenwood. Some of them do not have access to, or the physical ability to mow
their yards.
We assume that some people don’t care, but I assure you that
they do.
There are individuals and businesses that provide mowing
services or just mow for the enjoyment. And there are some people that love to
paint, they are good at it and they also enjoy it.
It’s not a surprise, a fresh-cut lawn looks great and we feel
good. Just the same, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to a person’s
outlook.
With these recent storms, there is a lot of debris that needs
cleaned up. Look around your neighborhood and see where you can help any time
of the year.
For the future, keep it up. They say it takes a village to
raise a child. I say it takes a caring community to grow a community.
Volunteer.
The Mansfield School Board met on Monday evening, May 20 at 6 p.m. Resignations and new hires dominated most of the night. Among those, the resignation of Superintendent Robert Ross.
“I feel honored to be a part of such a great district,” commended Ross. “I will be more than happy to help with the transition…For family reasons, it’s time for me to do something different. It’s been a pretty good ride.”
Ross has been with the Mansfield School District for the past 8 years. Ross’ last day will be June 30, 2019.
Additional resignations included:
Chasity Spicer
Shaina Stubblefield
Ashley Wilson
Bryan McKay
Dustin Payne
The board approved the motion to hire an additional dishwasher at the middle school. Also, they approved the following new hires:
Assistant Football Coach/Teacher – Landon Dover
Teacher/Baseball Coach – Layton Robinson
Elementary Paraprofessional – Jordan Martin
Middle School Paraprofessional – Amanda Wilson
Elementary/High School Choir – Kimberly Boyd
Teacher – Nerinda Elliott
Teacher – Sarah Key
Teacher – Laurie Lamb
The board is set to begin their search for Ross’ replacement.
When members of the Mansfield School Board met on Monday night, May 20, they commented on the omission of prayer from the graduation ceremony held the Friday night before.
“Why was there no prayer,” questioned Board President Rick Nicodemus. “Our lawyer told us that we cannot include prayer in the program,” responded Superintendent Robert Ross.
Following last year’s graduation, the group Freedom From Religion threated a lawsuit against the school if they did not drop the practice.
Board members and administrators discussed student lead prayer and resuming baccalaureate services.
It’s undoubtedly one of the toughest businesses to own, operate and maintain. But, it’s always been Terry Santini’s dream and when the opportunity came knocking, Santini swung that door wide open!
“I told my husband, I can’t pass this up,” shared Santini. “Everything about this building is just how I would have done it myself, all the way down to the tin!”
The former general store has more of a Cracker Barrel feel, with dining and shopping options in an old fashioned setting. She proudly showcases the work of locals, including art and jewelry.
According to her, business has been good since opening two weeks ago. “People like the good food, it’s made to order cooking and the big portions.”
Santini’s Store and More is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. On Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It is located on Hartford’s Main Street.
On Saturday, May 18,
the Lavaca Police Department and its supporters held a fundraiser at the Lavaca
Senior Activity Center. Proceeds of the
event were to go to the Lavaca Police Department and the Fort Smith Crisis
Intervention Center.
You could feel the joy of the day with the
attitudes of the folks who came to support the cause! There was live music beneath the awning from
the group “Highway 124”. The police cars
were all parked proudly surrounding the music.
Inside the activity center, tables were covered with freshly baked goods
for the Bake Sale. Tickets were sold to
guests who hoped to win the Silent Auction.
Gift Cards from Wal-Mart, restaurants and garages were covering
tables. A homemade rocker, detail kits
for cars, hats, and much more were part of the silent auction as well. (I
bought 10 tickets toward the Wal-Mart $50 gift certificate but didn’t get
called! Rats!) A food truck that sometimes operates on Main
Street parked near the building and our on drive-in R&A’s served folks out
front. Proceeds were earmarked to help
with the fundraiser.
Everything was going
just great until the clouds began to roll in and the rains came. Being the troopers they are, the band moved
indoors and the festivities continued undaunted until the clouds dropped and
people stayed home or ran to storm shelters.
Chief Randy Toon didn’t
have a total at the time I called but said that they had things left. The plan is to have an online auction for the
items that didn’t get to sell before they stopped because of the weather. We’ll report that soon.
Thank you to all of
the policemen and helpers at this event!
You did a great job!
Admittedly, I was totally against the idea of print.
In the months leading up to the moment where we released our first version of printed news, the idea was to fill a void.
That void was readership not reached by online, mobile app, and social media.Our staff were asked weekly, if and when we were going to go print. That answer was met with an astounding response.
75 printed copies SOLD OUT (May 7th)
150 printed copies SOLD OUT (May 14th)
Now, facing our third edition it’s apparent that printed news is still a factor in our lives. Here’s why.
There’s value in print.
The value of photos and names in print is significant through history. Many generations still understand the power (and the feeling) of seeing your name / photo in print. It’s magical.
It’s tangible.
People still like to hold something to read with both hands, and not have to scroll. That feeling of holding print paper, turning the pages and hearing the distinctive sound is reminiscent of younger days. A time that’s past, maybe.
Joy.
There is a simple joy in collecting newspapers for coffee tables, and the moment to enjoy breakfast with friends, family or even alone with a newspaper nearby. It’s comforting.
My final perspective is this. I personally witnessed tears of joy on May 7th due to the fact of being able to hold and to read a newspaper that was curated with heart. It truly means something to a lot of people, including those who tirelessly worked behind the scenes to make it work, and to make it happen.
Resident Press stepped into a niche where others are vacating. In a world where “tech is king,” our staff and business model revolve around a continued effort of providing locally focused news, and to do things our own way.
We have never followed a road map. But, we listen and we listen carefully. Additionally, we take pride in what we do for you.
In the wise words of Bill Mullens, “Support your local newspaper.”
Over the last six
years my department and I have worked hard to provide you with the best service
possible. Part of that service has been
our continued support and great working relationship with the Hackett School
District. As a town with only one full
time officer, myself, this often presents challenges but we have made it
work. The reserve officers on the
department do a tremendous job contributing to the safety of our town and
providing security at football games or other school functions, while also
working their own full-time jobs during the day. As many of you know, a large
portion of my time is spent at the school responding to various calls and
providing security, periodic walk throughs, traffic control, etc. We also have a great working relationship
with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies who’s K9 Officers
assist with drug sweeps randomly during the school year.
Throughout these
six years I’ve witnessed this community support both law enforcement and the
school district faithfully. As your
police chief, I come to you, the citizens of Hackett, with a concern that is
weighing heavy on my heart.
On or around May
9, I found out by accident that the Hackett School District has decided to arm
various teachers, faculty, and administrators for the next school year. This decision was made without any input from
the Hackett police department, city officials, or any other surrounding law
enforcement agencies. While I respect the District’s decision-making authority,
to not include local law enforcement in a decision of this magnitude is
concerning to say the least. For the
reasons outlined below, I oppose the decision to arm our teachers.
The District intends to arm several teachers, faculty, and
administration. For security
reasons, I will not disclose the exact number, but I can say the number is in the
double digits. The introduction of
multiple lethal weapons on campus drastically increases the chances of a child
coming into contact with a weapon.
The teachers will attend minimal training. It is my understanding that the armed teachers
will undergo a short sixty-hour training course. Full-time law enforcement officers complete a
minimum of 480 hours of training through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. Reserve officers complete a minimum of 110
hours of training. These are the trained
professionals we need responding to incidents at the school.
Increased potential of a friendly fire incident. Should an active shooter event occur, response
will come from multiple agencies, most of whom will not be familiar with school
staff or know which of them are supposed to be armed.
Teachers do not need the weight of this responsibility. I honestly believe we have the best teachers
in the state. Knowing that any day you
may have to take a life of a stranger – or quite possibly a student you have
personally taught and have seen grow up – is a heavy and emotional burden to
bear. While I understand that this was
done on a volunteer basis, to even ask our teachers to take on this responsibility
adds a stressful and mental burden many did not expect to be taking on when
they entered the teaching profession.
Lack of communication. Over the last few days I have spent time
reaching out to Mayor Harper, fellow officers, chiefs, and other members of the
judicial system for feedback. All
expressed concern and even shock that such a drastic decision was made and that
it was made without any consultation from local law enforcement. All echoed my
sentiment that safer, more effective options are out there.
Mental health. As many of you know, this year has been a
challenging year with regards to mental health issues at the school that we
worked hard together to address. Together we brought in different areas of
training including prevention, motivational speakers, and the creation of a
mental health board to search for answers. Now introducing weapons into this environment
creates even more risk and is a step backwards.
Lack of support on a national level. Numerous education and law
enforcement agencies across the country oppose arming teachers at school. Agencies such as the American Federation of
Teachers, National Education Association, and the National Association of
School Resource Officers.
I have personally
spoken with both Superintendent Eddie Ray and School Board President Jackie
Terrell. I explained to both of them
that as Chief of Police of the city of Hackett, it is my duty to do what is
best in regards to safety of the citizens of Hackett. Those citizens also include the children of
Hackett. I cannot support this proposal
due to risks it presents to the students, faculty, and fellow police officers
of neighboring agencies. Our
conversations were cordial but at this time the plan is still in place to arm
teachers, faculty, and other school personnel.
I recommend that all
parties come to the table to find a solution.
I am willing to work with the school board, city council, Mayor, and
whoever else is required to find a safer alternative to this proposal. It is my understanding that the training that
is required is coming up in a couple of weeks.
We still have time to come together and come up with a solution. My personal recommendation is some form of
School Resource Officer. A School
Resource Officer not only provides security, but can develop positive
relationships with students.
It’s my hope that we can come together and find a safer
solution.
On May 4th, Randall Sanderson, the President of the Mansfield Alumni Scholarship committee, awarded Rylea Weaver the 2019 Alumni Scholarship. Rylea is the daughter of Martin and Angie Morris of Mansfield and Billy Weaver of Lavaca. She is also the granddaughter of Ronnie and Wanda Black.
The
Alumni Scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating senior of Mansfield
High School. The scholarship is in the amount
total of $4000 in which the recipient is awarded $500 per semester for four consecutive
years. The Alumni Scholarship is funded
strictly by donations by Mansfield Alumni.
Rylea Weaver attended Mansfield Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. She just recently graduated last week. She is was an active member of the BETA, FCCA, Youth Alive and FBLA clubs. She was also involved in a community-wide recycling project sponsored by her EAST class.
Although Rylea was very active in clubs and school, she was also an amazing athlete throughout her high school days. Rylea was a member of the volleyball, basketball, softball and track teams. She was chosen for the River Valley Best of Preps Volleyball Team her junior and senior years, as well as making All District in Volleyball her 10th grade year and All-State in Volleyball her 11th and 12th grade years. She was named basketball’s Defensive Player in 10th through 12th grade, and she made All District in softball for her 10th and 12th grade year. She was named All District track her 10th grade year. Rylea is also a member of Mansfield Assembly God church.
Rylea plans to attend the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, and she will be majoring in Elementary Education.
Congratulations, Rylea, on your scholarship and your graduation!
Some of the best track
athletes in the state met for one last competition before the summer break. In
the two day Arkansas High School Heptathlon and Decathlon Championships on May
15 and 16, it was Mansfield that was well represented by a trio of it’s local
track stars.
For the Tigers, it was
Renden Emery, Makayla Strutton, and Sara Willadsen that took on the challenge
of the multiple events specialty meet. The group was escorted to the Fayetteville
hosted competition by Mansfield head track coach John Mackey and assistant
coach / jumps specialist Kaylie Pyles.
Emery was the Mansfield
men’s leading scorer this past track season. He was recently named the MHS male
track athlete of the year.
Willadsen was the top
award winner for the girls team. She was also the leading scorer for the Lady
Tiger senior high squad.
Strutton was an
All-District hurdler for Mansfield and was it’s second leading scorer
throughout the regular season.
Of the three, it was
Willadsen that made the most of her last track meet ever. The senior, who
actually graduated just two days before the first day of competition, scored
198 points above projections.
In four of the seven
events in which Willadsen competed, she placed above the estimated line score
that was sent in for her at registration.
“Sara had a really
solid meet, and season for that matter,” stated Mackey. “She deserved to be in
this competition. She trained in four brand new events just after the state
meet. She delivered above expectations. We’re extremely proud of what she was
able to do.”
Willadsen finished 59
out of 86 total heptathletes. Her total score for the combination of 100m
hurdles, long jump, shot put, 200m dash, high jump, discus, and 800m run was
2746 points.
Her best event was the
800m run. She accumulated 469 points with a time of 2:49.48. It was the
first middle distance race the track sprinter ran this year.
“Sara learned the
hurdles, long jump, and both throws in just the past two weeks,” informed the
coach. “We knew she would run a terrific distance race. The 800m is a gut
check. Sara has more intestinal fortitude than almost anyone on the team.”
Strutton was within 15
points of her projected score. Her two day total was 2573 points. Her best
events, which came at no surprise, were from her regular season event schedule.
Strutton ran the 100m
hurdles in 18.39 seconds for 449 points. She turned the half lap 200m dash in
30.76 seconds for 430 points.
“Makayla had a good
meet as well,” spoke Mackey. “”She is only sophomore, at least for the next few
days, but already one of the best girl athletes in school. We’re proud of the
way she competed in her group and overall among the great athletes in
attendance.”
Emery was the lone
Tiger to participate in the decathlon. The sophomore on day one entered the
100m dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400m dash. On day two he wrapped
up with the 110m high hurdles, discus, pole vault, triple jump, and 1500m run.
“Renden is really a
versatile player,” stated the coach. “As a tenth grader he’s just now getting a
feel for his abilities. The weight room this summer will add some strength. The
discus and pole vault, two strength events, were his weakest areas of the ten.
Of course, he just learned those events two weeks ago.”
Emery totaled 4200
points while competing in Group Four. There was ten registered groupings with
up to nine men per group.
The sophomore jump
specialist had his best scoring from the high jump. He cleared 1.75 meters or 5
feet 8.75 inches.
“He was really jumping
well,” continued coach. “For some reason he wrecked the last two attempts
thinking his approach was too tight. I wish he would have trusted those steps
and gave it a go at the higher bars. He was really on fire leading up to that
point.”
Emery took 585 points
from the high jump. He sprinted for another 509 points in the 100m dash. The
discus only netted 259 points, and the pole vault cleared only 242 points when
a 100 point deduction was charged for a third attempt.
The curtain call for
Emery’s two day, ten event schedule was the 1500m run. Not running more than a
two lap race since February’s indoor state championships, the Tiger’s featured
player went 5:20.30 for the metric mile for 448 points.
With the conclusion of
the Arkansas Activities Association’s specialty track meet, Mansfield wrapped
up its 2019 season.
Next year’s 2020 team
will be lead by a pair of seniors to be in Delilah McKusker and Lennon Woods.
The two Tiger track athletes actually attended the heptathlon / decathlon as
mandatory helpers. The two assisted Mackey and Pyles as the Mansfield coaches
judged five of ten heptathlon high jump flights.
Sara Willadsen attempts to block the sun as temperatures rose to the upper 80’s at the state heptathlon.Coach Kaylie Pyles sits nearby as Makayla Strutton readies for the girls high jump at the state heptathlon.Renden Emery of Mansfield stands near one of the big scoreboards at the state decathlon.Sara Willadsen and Makayla Strutton wait for the discus event at the AAA heptathlon.Mansfield seniors to be Delilah McKusker and Lennon Woods take a pause from their work station at the women’s high jump at the state heptathlon.Renden Emery competes in the pole vault for the first time at the state decathlon.Mansfield’s decathlete and heptathletes take a break around camp at the Fayetteville hosted event. Accumulated time at the May 15 and 16 event averaged 12 hours per day for the competitors from bus ride there to return trip home.
Governor Asa Hutchinson overrode lawmakers on Friday and says he plans to hire Indiana Company, Youth Investment Opportunities. YOI will run five state youth facilities with the $15.8 million contract, despite lawmakers voting against the review in a 9-5 vote.
Senator Terry Rice said, “for clarification to the mentioned vote of 9 against to 5 for, my motion ‘to review’ the YOI contract so it could proceed was senators only. Senator Chesterfield called for a split vote of the Senate and House, which causes failure if either body doesn’t pass by majority of present members. Since the Senate failed it, the House wasn’t required to vote. In the previous Tuesday ALC review subcommittee, after a one hour discussion, my motion ‘to review’ passed overwhelmingly on a voice vote with only one audible ‘no.’ As expected, Governor Hutchinson has indicated his intention to move forward with the Youth Opportunities contract so they can be in place July 1.”
Those members voting “no,” expressed concerns over YOI’s troubled past.
While the Legislature has the statutory authority to “review” state contracts, the governor can override this vote. The governor was in a similar situation three years ago, where once again, lawmakers failed to approve a contract. Subsequently, the state took over operations.
The transition at the Dermott, Harrisburg, Lewisville and Mansfield facilities is set to take place July 1.
