Resident News Network

Lady Tigers Are The Seven Inning Queens

Sports

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8:56 am

Through the ups and downs that the season has had to offer, the Mansfield Lady Tigers never once gave up. Whether it was 20 degrees outside or their games got canceled or they played four games in five days, not once did you hear the Lady Tigers complain. They put a smile on their face, threw on their gear, and got the job done.

Mansfield has had four straight wins with zero plans of stopping now. The Lady Tigers started their District play on Wednesday, April 24 against Greenland. After completely dominating the Lady Pirates 10-0, the Lady Tigers leveled-up to the next round of play against West Fork. Last night, Tiger versus Tiger, scratched and clawed to keep their spot in District play.

But there can only be one and it was the Mansfield Lady Tigers that came out victoriously. Keeping the score tied for the first four innings, Mansfield refused to lose and secured the lead for a 6-5 win. Now sitting in the semi-finals, the 13-13 Lady Tigers will face the Charleston Lady Tigers tonight, April 26 in Greenland at 6 p.m. “Our team is playing good softball right now,” expressed Coach Kent Elmore. “Our girls are leaving everything on the field and cherishing every opportunity given to them. It has been really fun to see this team grow throughout the season.”

Picture provided by Kandis Howard

SCSO’s Drug Take Back Day

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Tammy Teague

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8:19 am

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SCSO in partnership with Barling PD will be participating in Drug Take Back Day this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at Barling City Hall, 307 Fort Street. The Take Back will accept any unused prescription medication. After the drugs are collected they will be gathered by DEA for safe disposal.

The last Drug Take Back Day in October of last year collected almost 500 tons of unused prescriptions nationwide.

Drug Take Back Day is a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused medications. It is not safe or environmentally friendly to dispose of these prescriptions on your own. Also, it is not safe to leave these medications in your home as they can be become abused, misused, or stolen.

If you miss your opportunity to participate on Saturday, citizens are reminded that there is an unused prescription depository at the Fort Smith and Greenwood Sheriff’s Offices. Since October of last year SCSO has already collected several hundred pounds of medicine through these safe boxes.

Let’s make our community safer by all participating in cleaning out our medicine cabinets this Saturday.

The Waldron Lady Bulldogs Rise Up

Sports

Megan Hecox

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7:50 am

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In this real-life Cinderella story, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs didn’t lose a slipper and they ain’t lookin’ for no prince! The ladies have spent the entire season fighting and never giving up to be where they are today and that is in the semi-finals of the 3A-1 District Tournament.

In the last four seasons, the Lady Bulldogs started at the bottom of the totem pole and through true grit and determination, they have earned their way to the top. During the 2015-2016 season, the girls went 1-6 in conference play. In the 2016-2017 season, the girls were last in conference and finished 3-23 on the season. Last year, the Lady Bulldogs were 5-5 in conference play. Today, Waldron sits 8-2 in conference play and are the #2 seed.

If your still not impressed by how far these Lady Bulldogs have come, only two starters were replaced from last year so this group of girls have been together from the beginning. Coach Bailey Moore has been coaching for four years all with this same group and the pride is evident on her face when she talks about her Lady Bulldogs. “My girls have worked SO hard to be where they are. I cannot express how proud I am of this team. They have put in hours of hard work, played sick, played hurt, and played tired.”

“They have shown up to morning practices and stayed late after school. They have asked questions and taken butt chewings all in an effort to get better. This team has nothing but respect from me. No matter where this season takes us, I am overjoyed to get to be their coach. The Lady Bulldogs are where they are today because of their hard work, dedication, and will to improve. They have found a way to rise up and I could not be any prouder!”

After securing a 5-4 win from the Lincoln Wolves in the second round of District play, the Lady Bulldogs will face the Elkins Lady Elks today, April 26 in Greenland at 4 p.m. in the semi-finals round. If they win, they could go on the face either Charleston or Mansfield in the championship game.

Mansfield Tigers Fall From District

Sports

Megan Hecox

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7:15 am

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In Wednesday nights first round of the 3A-1 District play, the Mansfield Tigers heartbreakingly lost to the West Fork Tigers. For the first four innings, Manfield held strong with the lead for a score of 3-1 in the fourth. But West Fork turned it on and took control of the board 7-3 in the sixth inning. Painfully, Mansfield couldn’t quite catch up and fell to West Fork 8-6.

The Tigers ended conference play with a 4-6 record and 5-10 in total season play. Layton Howard walked away with one run, one hit, one runner batted in, and one assist. Hayden Henson earned one run, one hit, one RBI, one putout, and two assists. Henson was also one of three pitchers to see the mound. He threw 27 pitches to five batters striking out two.

Isaac Cothran netted one run and eight putouts. Codi Chick slammed out one hit, two putouts, and one assist. Cody Fudge made seven putouts. Nathan Brewer scored one hit and one RBI. The Tigers will be losing four seniors this season. Seth Fudge who acquired one hit, one RBI, two putouts, and two assists. Fudge also pitched 23 pitches to four batters. Tyler Watkins who landed one run and one assist. Zach Woolbright. And Hunter Willsey who profited two runs, one hit, one RBI, one putout, and two assists. Willsey was the third Mansfield pitcher and he catapulted 111 pitches to 30 batters striking out eight.

Total season stats for the seniors are Seth Fudge with 16 hits, 5 runs, 14 RBI, 1 home run, 22 putouts, and 22 assists. He threw 627 pitches to 169 batters striking out 49. Zach Woolbright with 6 runs, 2 hits, 1 putout, and 1 assist. Tyler Watkins with 12 hits, 8 RBI, 12 runs, 9 putouts, and 5 assists. Watkins also made 80 pitches to 23 batters striking out 4. And Hunter Willsey with 16 runs, 16 hits, 8 RBI, 1 home run, 10 putouts, and 24 assists. Hunter accomplished 737 pitches to 239 batters striking out 65. Because the Mansfield Tigers are a young team, next season is looking pretty good for the boys to take it all the way to the top.

Mansfield Students Are On A Mission To Raise Money For New Classroom Chairs

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Resident News Network

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10:57 pm

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Mansfield Students Are On A Mission To Raise Money For New Classroom Chairs

Recently, Mansfield 3rd grade students had a chance to run against their fellow classmates for a position as Class President. Students designed posters and delivered speeches to their peers, and then classmates voted on their own selection of who they wanted to represent their class. Third grade student, Rylan Jones, was selected as Class President for Mrs. Davis’ class along with Cosmo Whiley elected as her Vice-President for Mrs. Davis’ class also. Together, they have devised a plan to conduct a fund raiser to raise money to purchase new classroom chairs. They need 32 chairs with cost being approximately $832 in total. Rylan and Cosmo have made it their mission to raise the money. Rylan typed out a personal message that was sent home with every student at Mansfield Elementary to try and reach their goal! The flyer read as follows:

Other Presidents for other Third Grade Classes are also working on projects and brainstorming for ideas for other school fund raisers to help better their classrooms as well as their learning environment.

If you would like to help donate money to help with this cause, please send money in an envelope with your student labeled “Classroom Chairs.” If you do not have a child who attends Mansfield Elementary and you wish to donate, just simply call the office and ask to speak to the principal, Mrs. Arnold. She will further direct you on how to donate.

Hornets Close Up Shop

Sports

Megan Hecox

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2:25 pm

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The Hackett Hornets made it to the second round of the 2A-4 District Tournaments last night after two hard-fought battles. The Hornets have every reason to keep their heads held high. The entire season they were led by an elite roster of players who played with a high octane offense and a ferocious defense. Hackett ended conference play with a 2-4 record and total season play 5-10.

In the first round of District, the Hornets took on the Magazine Rattlers. Hackett conducted a lethal attack against Magazine and came out victorious with a final score of 9-1. Ty Smith delivered two runs and one hit. Avery Hester netted two runs, two hits, one putout, and two assists. Tyler Satterfield delivered one run and one hit. Luke Gann added one run, one hit, and five putouts. Layne Dennis secured one run, one hit, one putout, and one assist.

Roland Smith made one hit. Cash Oliver picked up one putout and three assists. Mason Oelke obtained nine putouts and one assist. Pitching for the Hornets was Ethan Slavens and Bradley Martin. Ethan flung out 62 pitches to 17 batters striking out 4. Slavens also grabbed two runs and four putouts. Bradley threw 37 pitches to 10 batters striking out 5. He also made one hit and one assist.

For their second round, Hackett faced Lavaca. The boys played for five innings with everything that they had left but ended falling to the Arrows 9-2. Sealing the deal on the two Hornet runs were Ty Smith and Cash Oliver. Smith, Avery Hester, Ethan Slavens, and Layne Dennis earned one hit each. Mason Oelke, Bryce Brown, and Slavens combined for 12 putouts. And Tyler Satterfield and Oliver added a total of three assists.

Avery Hester and Tyler Satterfield did the pitching for the Hornets with Hester throwing out 80 pitches to 18 batters striking out 8 and Satterfield making 34 tosses to 10 batters. The Hornets racked up some pretty nice season totals as well. They had 49 runs, 76 hits, 36 RBI, 274 putouts, and 98 assists.

Coach Broc Adams had these final thoughts on the season, “I thought we were playing good baseball at the end of the year. We knew we were going to take some lumps this year with the youth we had, but I was proud of how they pulled together and really gave what they had the last two weeks of the season!”

Bynum Seeks Reduced Bond

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Tammy Teague

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12:27 pm

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On Thursday, April 25, Shannon Foster, defense attorney for Scott County inmate James Bynum, filed a motion to have his bond reduced or for the judge to grant Bynum house arrest with electronic monitoring.

Bynum’s conviction was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court after he was found guilty on 10 counts of sexual assault in the fourth degree and two counts of sexual assault in the second degree. –See related story

In the motion filed with the Scott County Circuit Court, Bynum is seeking a reduced bond, from $75,000 to $25,000. According to the filing, Bynum’s pacemaker recently stopped working. “The defendant did not receive any medical care for 15-20 minutes at the jail…which could have been fatal.”

As a result, Bynum was hospitalized. Foster claims that Bynum’s medication has been improperly administered on at least one occasion since that time. Additionally that, “…the defendant is a long-term resident of Waldron, and his family and his physicians are in this area, and is not a flight risk. The defendant prays that his bond be lowered to $25,000 or that, in the alternative, he be placed on electronic monitoring in his home so that he can receive proper health care pending his trial.”

Bynum’s trial is set to begin on July 29, 2019.

Lady Arrows not slowed down by a little rain, shuts out Magazine to advance to semifinals

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Resident News Network

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11:48 am

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Lady Arrows not slowed down by a little rain, shuts out Magazine to advance to semifinals

Photos by Amanda Hall

BethAnn May threw a gem on Wednesday for Lavaca, allowing zero runs and besting Magazine by a score of 15-0. The Lady Arrows got things started in the first inning scoring 5 runs. The Lady Arrows never looked back as they made short order of the Lady Rattlers on a wet and rainy night. Lavaca scored another six runs in the third inning. The rally was led by walks by Jessica Flanagan and Tessa Leonard, a single by BethAnn May, a groundout by Brooklynn O’Kelley, and a double by Morgan Taylor.

BethAnn May was credited with the victory for Lavaca Lady Arrows Varsity. She went four innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out 11. Taryn Leslie took the loss for Magazine. She lasted three innings, allowing 11 hits and 15 runs while striking out one.

BethAnn May pitches a one hit shutout to advance to semifinals

The Lavaca Lady Arrows totaled 11 hits in the game. Brooklynn O’Kelley, Sierra Lamb, and Morgan Taylor all collected multiple hits for the Lady Arrows. Taylor, Lamb, and O’Kelley each collected two hits to lead the Lady Arrows. Kinzee-Jo Brown led Lavaca with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with nine stolen bases.

The Lady Arrows advance to the Semifinals of the 2A-4 District Championship Tournament and will meet up once again with the Lady Little Johns of Danville. Today’s game has been postponed until tomorrow April 26th at 6pm. In the previous matchups Lavaca and Danville split with the Lady Arrows winning the first meeting and Danville taking the second. This promises to be a very good game between two strong programs.

Lavaca advances to Semi Final game of 2A-4 District Tournamnet.

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Resident News Network

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11:32 am

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Lavaca advances to Semi Final game of 2A-4 District Tournamnet.

Photos by Amanda Hall

The Lavaca Golden Arrow baseball team started off the 2A-4 baseball district tournament by knocking off the Hackett Hornets in a rain drenched game at Hackett last night. Hackett struck first scoring one run in both of the first two innings. But in the third Colby Clunn started things with a lead off double to right center, Jayger Wagner drew a walk, setting the table for Jimmy Hall, who doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring both base runners, Kaw-Liga Brewer, Trey Castor, and Tyler Armistead drew a walks before Dylan Ellison singled on a 0-1 count. In all, the Arrows put up 4 runs in the inning, and never looked back. The Arrows knocked in another five runs in the fourth inning to secure a 9-2 victory. The fifth inning onslaught was led by Tyler Hobbs, Jimmy Hall, Trevon Moore, Dylan Ellison, and Colby Clunn, each crossing the plate in the inning.

Trey Castor led the Lavaca Golden Arrows to victory on the mound. He went five innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out three. Avery Hester took the loss for Hackett. He lasted three innings, allowing three hits and five runs while striking out eight. Hall, Castor, Ellison, and Clunn all had one hit to lead Lavaca.

Trey Castor pitches a two hitter to advance to Semifinals

With the win, Lavaca advances to the semifinals of the 2A-4 district tournament. They are all set to play the Danville Little Johns. Today’s game has been postponed due to rain and will be made up tomorrow April 26 at 6pm. This game promises to be a battle of pitching. For Lavaca, Jimmy Hall will take the mound and Danville is expected to throw Dalton Reagan. These are amongst the best pitchers in the district. Hall boasts a .851 ERA and strikes out nearly 45% of batters faced. While Reagan’s stats are not posted with MaxPreps he is by far the best pitcher Lavaca has faced this year. He had 9 strikeout in both of the previous meeting against the Arrows.

The other things to look for in tomorrow’s game is the offense. Lavaca seem to have a momentum edge. Lavaca is coming off a 3 game winning streak in which they have out scored opponents 45-7. Danville is coming into the game fresh off of a 5-3 loss to Hector. The Arrows are really seeing the ball well right now and seem to be gelling at the right time. This should be a great ball game.

T-Man Moore to Dylan Ellison for the out

Scientist, Curtis Varnell, Visits Mansfield Elementary

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Resident News Network

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9:56 pm

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Scientist, Curtis Varnell, Visits Mansfield Elementary

On Tuesday, first and second grade students were excited to attend a science presentation by Curtis Varnell and Amber Cobb. Curtis Varnell, from the Guy Fenter Education Service Coop, is a Specialist in Science and Social Studies and is over the Science Education Division. Amber is the Gifted and Talented Specialist for the Coop, and she overseas the areas schools GT programs. Both Cobb and Varnell help area schools with STEM projects and competitions.

Cobb talked with students about space adventures and challenged the kids to astronaut training. She explained to the students how rockets and spaceships work and how they survive in space. She also explained to the students what astronauts eat in space and how they are able to drink liquids.

Amber Cobb explains the control center for spaceships at NASA to Mansfield students.

Next, Varnell talked with students about gravity and explained how rockets take off. He demonstrated several small rocket take-offs within the classroom, and then students went outside after lunch to watch a large rocket launch and take-off. He told students, “Science is fun! It’s the best subject.” He encouraged students to get involved with science, projects and learning. In the conclusion of their presentation, students were given an astronaut badge.

Showing small rockets to students
Explaining pressure and rocket take-offs
Launching the larger rocket outside for students

Picture below is of 2nd grade students sampling the real astronaut food and drinking juice like astronauts. Students also received their astronaut badge while leaving the presentation from Ms. Amber Cobb.

After the large rocket launch, students in Mrs. Root’s 2nd grade class then returned to class and wrote about what they learned. Student, Makenzie, had much to say about how much she loved having Mr. Curtis and Ms. Amber come to her school and visit!

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