The Lavaca Lady Arrows shut down Magazine, in a ‘mercy rule” shutout 15-0 victory on Wednesday. The Lady Arrows fired up the offense in the first inning, scoring 6. They tacked on another 5 in the 3rd inning and capped it off by scoring 4 in the 4th. Lavaca had 4 players that were perfect at the plate. Kinzee Jo Brown, Jessica Flanagan, Morgan Taylor, and Tessa Leonard all batting 1000. In all Lavaca had 13 hits on the night. Leonard was also 1 of 4 Lady Arrows to have multiple RBI’s. BethAnn May, Brianna Winchester, and Morgan Taylor joined her with 2 RBI’s each.
May earned the victory on the rubber for Lavaca Lady Arrows Varsity. She surrendered no runs on one hit over four innings, she stuck out nine of the 13 batters faced. The Lady Arrows will travel to Hackett tomorrow to take on the Lady Hornets. The game is scheduled for 4:30 and should prove to be a great match-up with a lot riding on the out come. There is some bad weather in the forecast and if it renders the fields too wet to play, the game will be made up on Friday at the same time. Hope to see y’all there.
The Lavaca Golden Arrows completely defanged the Magazine Rattlers tonight by a score of 16-1. The Arrows cut loose in the second inning scoring 13. Magazine used 4 pitchers and gave up 16 runs on 9 hits. Offensively, Dylan Ellison and Jimmy Hall batted 1000, while Ellison and Colby Clunn lead the team in scoring with 3 runs a piece. Tyler Armistead was the RBI leader tonight with 3 on a triple hit to left field. All 9 of the Arrow starters found their way on the base path and all but one crossed the plate at least once.
On the mound for the Arrows was senior Trey Castor. Castor was strong giving up 1 run on 2 hits. Castor only faced 12 batters, due to the “mercy rule”. Of the 12 he faced, Castor retired 5 of them at the plate. Castor was backed up by solid defense by Jimmy Hall, Kaw-Liga Brewer and Jager Wagner, who all made good plays in the field.
Next up the Golden Arrows will be heading to Hackett where they will look to sting the Hornets. The game is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday the 4th at 4:30. There is a chance of wet weather in the forecast. In the event that the fields are not playable, this game will be played on Friday the 5th. Hope to see you there.
Westside Pentecostal Church Pastor Kennith Elmore and his wife Josie are some of the most well-known individuals throughout the Huntington/Mansfield community. And, with good reason. They have lived a lifetime of service to the Lord, their church, family, friends and even strangers.
The Elmores have a lasting legacy of love that spans their four children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The pastor’s heart for ministry reaches out beyond his precious family. He continues to visit the sick at home and in the hospital, and she remains faithful in supporting his ministry.
Although both are aging, their spirit remains renewed as they continue to trust in the Lord for their needs, and that of others. It’s an admirable strength that is such an amazing testimony of their faith.
“I remember him (Pastor Elmore), he’s the one that preaches all the funerals,” said Mansfield First Baptist Pastor Phillip Slaughter. Brother Elmore admits he wishes he’d kept a record of those services, including marriages. He couldn’t rightly guess, but acknowledged the numbers would be great.
Both are such rare devout Christians who live their faith, and give selflessly. Their service to the Lord and to others will long be remembered even after they’re gone.
“You know what the word Christian means, right?” he reminded his congregation. “It’s to be Christ-like.”
Congratulations to the Elmores on being nominated for our Hometown Highlight. If you know of an ordinary citizen who is doing extraordinary things, we want to honor them! Contact us -HERE
Sebastian County Judge David Hudson has announced plans for the spring cleanup campaign. According to Hudson, these cleanup campaigns are an opportunity to encourage community participation in cleanup activities.
County staff will be onsite with a backhoe to help fully utilize each county cleanup site dumpster. Additionally, they will provide a trailer to load and dispose of any white goods (large electrical goods such as refrigerators and washing machines) and scrap metal brought to the site during the cleanup site hours of 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
By tomorrow, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs are sure to be sick and tired of facing tigers. Last Friday they faced the Mansfield Tigers. Last night they faced the Charleston Tigers. And tomorrow night they will face the Acorn Tigers. In Tuesday evenings softball game, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Tigers kept things at a steady pace for the first four innings staying tied 1-1. But in the fifth inning, Charleston brought home four runners to Waldron’s two in the fifth and sixth innings, ending the game 5-3 Charleston.
Sophomore Saige Mahar came in strong with two runs and one hit. Senior Mackinzie Callahan lobbed off two hits, one run, and one steal. Freshman Molly Richmond fired off one hit. Senior Whitney Richmond hurled one hit, made one steal, and had one runner batted in. Sophomore Ashton Young produced one hit. And junior Bayleigh Lipham brought one runner in.
Sophomore Rheagan Sanford profited three putouts and two assists. Freshman Ashtyn Moore picked up three putouts. Freshman Jayden Manning cleaned up with three putouts and two assists. Bayleigh reaped four putouts. Whitney yielded two putouts. And with one putout each was Mackinzie, Saige, and junior Taylor Stacy.
Not only did pitcher Ashton Young draw one assist but she also threw out 76 pitches to 29 batters striking out one. For their last kitty war of the week, the 9-5 Waldron Lady Bulldogs will stay home and take on the 1-9 Acorn Lady Tigers on Thursday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m.
The Mansfiueld Tigers blew the Cedarville Pirates out of the water in last nights baseball game. With the Tigers playing at home, they were dead set on not giving the Pirates any leeway to conquer home field. And Mansfield succeeded nicely. With complete and total domination, the Tigers took an 11-0 win. Mansfield now finds themselves 3-6 in total season play.
Faster than a plastic bag on a windy day was senior Tyler Watkins with three runs. Freshman Aaron Brewer with two. And with one apiece, seniors Seth Fudge and Hunter Willsey, junior Isaac Cothran, sophomores Codi Chick and Hayden Henson, and freshman Nathan Brewer.
With more hits than a Guns N’ Roses drumset was Aaron and Hunter with two and Seth, Hayden, Codi, Isaac, Nathan, and sophomore Cody Fudge with one each. Hayden, Cody, and Isaac also each had two runners batted. Along with Seth, Tyler, Hunter, and Codi who had one runner batted in a piece.
Coming in big in the steals department was Tyler Watkins with three. Aaron, Seth, Hayden, Hunter, Codi, and Nathan individually had one steal. There are no picking flowers while out in the field for these Tigers. With eight putouts was Cody Fudge. Isaac Cothran had six. Hayden earned two. Seth snagged two putouts and three assists. Junior Layton Howard made one assist. Codi scored one assist. And Hunter Willsey made two assists. Also pitching for the Tigers, Hunter threw 69 pitches to 22 batters striking out eight.
The Mansfield Tigers will be home again for their conference game Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. against the Charleston Tigers.
The 2019-2020 Lavaca Cheerleaders are selling advertisements for the 2019 Lavaca football programs. You can purchase business card, ¼ page, ½ page, ¾ page, or full page ads. They will be providing both business ads and personal ads. Each cheerleader is required to sell a minimum of $500 in ads to cover camp and stunt clinic costs, shoes, replacement uniforms/Pom-Poms, and other equipment that they need. The first deadline is May 22nd (for the first $250). The second deadline is July 10th (When the remaining balance is due). Listed below is a list of the 2019-2020 cheerleaders. Please reach out to any of them to make your purchase. This is a great way to support the defending State Champion cheer squad, as well as wish your student-athlete or band member a great season, or promote your business.
Junior Arrow Cheer Squad: Kaileigh Whitson. Captain. (Senior High Competition team) Shaylee Wingfield. Captain Julia Owen Snyder Williams Alana Mendez Cailyn Smith Piper Brown Taelor Kendrick Emileigh Vaughn Sophie Harrison Shaylee Leech
High School squad: Allie Colclasure. Captain Payton McMahan. Captain John Stoll. Captain Taylor Lile Hannah Hutchins Reshia Sparkman Ali Simpson Ashley Sawyer Loralai Kremers Kamrem Cross Andrew White Kaile Burnett Lindsey Morgan Selena Shelly Brice Hobbs Rylie Green Mark Miller Aaron White
The first thing I noticed when meeting Coach Lonnie Hester almost a year ago, was his light up a room smile. I had just started sports writing and Lonnie was one of the first coaches I started working with. Although I knew about football and other sports, this new career I had chosen was still kind of scary to me. No matter the time or day, anytime I had a question or needed a quote for an article, he was always there front and center with that big ole’ smile on his face, ready to help.
When news broke that Lonnie Hester would be stepping down as Head Football Coach for the Hackett Hornets, my heart broke a little. Not only because he was moving from the field to the stands but because I was going to be losing one of my favorite football co-workers.
I knew when I started writing this article, I didn’t want to do some ho-hum story loaded with Hester stats and zero personality. You could find that information anywhere. I wanted to zoom in on the real Lonnie Hester. Not only the coach but the father, son, friend, and confidant. Most people just see what’s on the football field. But what happens when the games over? What happens the other six days of the week?
When it comes to his players, Coach Hester, on one hand, would be stern and direct when trying to get his point across but then turn around, wrap his arm around you and tell you good job. For many of his players, he was that extra father figure that they looked up to and respected. “Coach Hester and I used to clash a little bit but he was a great coach,” says Hornet player Layne Dennis. “He knew how to lead a team and take charge. I liked his passion for coaching and how he pushed all of us to be our very best. He was tough on us but that’s why he always had great seasons. I won’t forget the last game we played and he told us how proud he was of us and told us if we ever needed anything that we could call him and he’d be there to help us.”
One thing is for sure. Whoever follows in Coach Hesters footsteps is going to have some big shoes to fill. Blayde Chappell, another Hester Hornet player, said this about his coach, “Coach was only hard on us about 98% of the time. But he made us who we are and is always there for us if we need him.” The only thing keeping many of us from having a complete sobbing like a baby meltdown is the fact that we are not losing Hester forever. He is just moving on up in the world, taking a position as Assistant Principal and Athletics Director.
So Coach Hester, from your entire fan club, Thank You!!! Thank you for always taking the time to be there. Thank you for your constant and consistent support. Thank you for your gentle soul and being able to pick us up when we’ve fallen down. Thank you for never judging and always encouraging. Thank you for the blood, sweat, and tears that you selflessly put into the game. Thank you for never doubting. And thank you for being a fearless leader, even when you wanted to break down yourself.
On Sunday, March 31, the Mansfield and Hackett Little League Football teams got some closure on what their 2019 football season would entail as the Lavaca Golden Arrows joined the West Central Football League. The Golden Arrows are no strangers to the Hornets and Tigers. The three programs faced each other annually in their previous league before Hackett and Mansfield left to help form the WCFL.
The West Central Football League was formed last season with the intent to give smaller programs a chance to play more equal competition. After a great success in their inaugural season, the goal was to attempt to allow three more schools into the League to make an even set ten teams.
Greenland and West Fork spent previous years playing much larger teams in NWA which kept the programs down in success and in numbers of players. Lavaca was offered an invite to the league last season but turned it down. This time around they were all aboard.
WCFL teams include Mountainburg, Mansfield, Cedarville, Hackett, West Fork, Magazine, Greenland, JC Westside, Lavaca, and Western Yell County
Mansfield Little League Football President Josh Strozier said, “This will be our second season in the WCFL and the addition of three more teams gives us more opportunities to see growth amongst our kids. Lavaca, Greenland, and West Fork should be great matches for us which will create more competition. We are building the future for this entire group on and off the field. We’re very excited to face off with our new opponents.”
Hackett Little League President Dave Slavens said, “Both Hackett and the WCFL were successful last year and it shows. When you have other small programs jumping at the chance to gain a spot in the league, it proves to us that we’re doing something in the WCFL that’s needed. Greenland, West Fork, and Lavaca will be formidable programs. They are small programs looking to build off of more equal competition just like the rest of us were last year. We’re very excited to play against them and the rest of the league in 2019.”
In the end, the overall goal of the WCFL is building small school football programs for the kids. The Little League Tigers and the Hackett Hornets proved that that goal is achievable by making the playoffs and winning WCFL Championships last season. Other programs are also seeing success in numbers of kids wanting to play football and communities being excited about little league football again. Small town football is making a comeback and it all starts here. So be sure to get out and support your Little League programs in any way you can.
It was just like any other work day. Tom’s ship was docked and hauling supplies for the Marines and the Navy Seals. With his ship, the LCU, docked, the 5-ton military truck arrived daily and would load up with ammo and food for supplies for the guys at the barracks. It wasn’t long after handing out supplies and deliveries that Tom got to know most all the Marines and the Seals. Some of the Marines practiced repelling off the side of the ship for extra training. They worked hard perfecting their skill and craft.
It was a nice change of pace from what they had been doing for the last three months. Things seemed more relaxed. The last couple of months dodging artillery rounds and the recent bombing in April at the U.S. Embassy at Beirut had been pretty rough. However, now the American troops were trying to maintain a non-martial stance and bring peace. The Marines had just moved into the old Lebanese Army barracks near the airport as America continued to seek a peace agreement. Soldiers was settling in. Through it all, everyone became friends, friends that would be remembered for a lifetime.
The day was coming to an end and Tom boarded his ship for the night. They needed to deliver some water tomorrow, but that didn’t matter at the moment. Tom was ready for sleep. Little did he know, that when he awoke, his life would be changed forever. About 6 :30 A.M., Tom was suddenly awaken by the Lieutenant from the LSD in charge of the Assault Craft Union. The Lieutenant was beside his bed tugging at Tom’s shoulder. It was almost like a dream. Tom couldn’t seem to get himself awake because the Lieutenant never woke him up. Tom was the captain of his ship, yet the Lieutenant was persistent that he wake up.
“Get up! I have
something to tell you!”
Tom finally set up on the side of his bed. He rubbed his eyes trying his best to get
awake.
“A truck bomb just hit the BLT (Barracks Landing Team). You gotta get up!”
The words still didn’t seem like reality.
“Listen to me, Tom!
You got to get all the bullet proof vests and helmets and get them to
the LSD ship, NOW! Then, I need you to
get your guys together and get to shore.
Just help in anyway you can. It’s
a disaster and there are a lot of casualties.
Warn your men before they come ashore.”
Tom had a hard time piecing it all together. He had just been ashore with these guys. This was Sunday. It was supposed to be a day of rest. But, now… now all this. These were his friends. These were Americans. This could have been him. He had visited those barracks plenty of times, even spent the night there, and now they were dead?
Tom informed the guys on his ship, and they docked the ship. A 5-ton Military truck picked him and five of his guys up to transport them to the BLT. Four men stayed behind to guard their Naval Ship. Tom had no clue what he was about to see. This was about to change his life forever.
When they reached the BLT, Tom’s heart sank. It was a disaster. It was almost like being in a horror movie. People were dead everywhere. People were screaming and hollering for help. People were wounded. These were Americans. These were his friends. There was no time to waste. Tom went straight to work looking for anyone still alive. Everyone, who was able, was digging.
“It was a disaster to have that many people trapped in the building and barracks and be helpless,” Tom thought.
After a day of digging and pure exhaustion, Tom returned
back to his ship to keep order. One of
his deckhands told Tom, after three days of digging,
“I can smell the dead. I just got to keep digging.”
Tom knew his deckhand was losing his mind and needed to stay back behind on the ship. It was just too much to comprehend. It was too much for all of them, but they had to keep pushing forward and helping. However, Tom soon realized the only way to make it through this disastrous attack against America was to,
“Give it to God…if it is…it is.”
And, that’s exactly what Tom did. He gave it to God.
Navy Soldier Tom
You see, Tom could have been the one killed that day, but he wasn’t. He may never understand why he lived and his friends died, but for some reason, God spared his life. It was his GodWink moment in life. God had saved him. Oh, how Tom wishes that his friends would have been saved as well! However, over the years, Tom has realized to just “give it to God,” just like he had to do on that day that all of these events took place.
So many times in our life we question God, “Why?” I think God understands why we question, as long as we don’t focus our whole lives on never knowing the answer to the “why.” We tend to blame God. We tend to be mad at God. We say we want nothing to do with God. But… being mad at God won’t change what’s been done. It only pushes us farther away by staying angry at God. We have to let go and let God be God. I know this sounds so much easier said than done. However, we must not throw in the towel as soon as a huge storm surrounds our life. Tom will never know why he lived that day, and his friends died. However, through this experience Tom realized his life was spared! He still has the rest of his life to live. He is thankful God allowed him to live.
Are you going through a storm and ready to throw in the towel? Do you blame God for your past or maybe something tragic that has happened in your life? Try letting go. God wants your heart to be filled with joy and happiness. In Psalms chapter 30 verse 5, it says, “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
You must choose joy. If not, the bitterness and sadness will uproot your life. If you are battling with depression, seek help. Pray, but don’t be afraid to talk to someone. Let your friends and family help you. Most of all, let God help you! Life was never intended for sadness to rule over our lives. Life was intended for you to be happy. God has spared your life, so choose JOY!
Psalms 40:1-3 Iwaited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990
Veteran’s Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
History fact: On October 23rd of 1983, around 6:22 A.M., a suicide bomber drove a 19-ton yellow Mercedes-Benz stake-bed truck filled with 2,000 pounds of explosives into a U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regimental Battalion Landing Team barracks at the Beirut International Airport. This was not the water truck the Marines and Seals had been expecting. The driver took an access road leading him to the compound which he then accelerated to crash through a 5-foot-high barrier of concertina wire separating the parking lot from the building. He then crashed through a guard shack in front of the building smashing his way through to the lobby of the BLT. Although, LCpl Eddie DiFranco tried to fire a round in his chamber, it was too late. The man, Ismail Ascari, detonated his explosives. The four-story barracks building collapsed, crushing the American soldiers amongst the rubble. The explosion killed 220 Marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers. That day, 241 American servicemen died.
Minutes later after that bomb irrupted, a second bomber
drove into the basement of the nearby French Paratroopers’ barracks, the
Drakkar building, killing 58 more people.
In total, 307 people were killed:
241 U.S. and 58 French, six civilians, and two of the attackers. Another 128 Americans were wounded in the
blast, and later 13 died of their injuries.
They were counted among those who died the day of the attack.
The Hezbollah , the Lebanese Shia group backed by Iran and Syria, were responsible for the bombings. Four months after these bombings, American forces left Lebanon without retaliating. This attack became the first battle in the nation’s ongoing war against terrorism according to Vice President, Mike Pence.
GodWinks: the unexplainable moment the life when it can only be God!
Cover Photo credited and retrieved from ABCnews.go.com
