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Junior Arrows fly like the wind at the District track meet

Photos by Shannon Todaro

Lavaca High School posted the following announcement today “the Junior High boys and girls track teams competed yesterday in the district track meet hosted by Danville High School. All the athletes worked hard and many placed in their respective events. The girls came in 3rd place overall and the boys came in 2nd place overall. We had 3 athletes competing for high point. Rylie Green was runner-up for girls’ high point. Luke Watson came in 3rd for high point and Kolby Glidewell was runner-up for the boys’ high point. All of the athletes worked hard each meet and many beat their personal record as the season progressed. Great job to all our track athletes! Go Arrows!”

2019 Junior High District Track Meet

I was able to catch up with Coach Reed who is proud of the work that these Junior boys track team has put in, saying “the Boys placed runner up in district. Many of our guys stepped up and made their personal best times. We won the 4×4 relay and 4×8 relay with season best times. Kolby Glidewell won the high jump and placed 2nd in total points. Luke Watson won the 800m and placed 3rd in total points. It was a great effort overall and I’m proud of the team.”

Huntington Firefighter Honored at Banquet

The 16th annual Sebastian County Emergency Services Appreciation Banquet was held on Saturday, April 13 at the Greenwood School Student Union.

The banquet was presented by the Sebastian County Fire Association. The Huntington Fire Department recognized member Chris Elmore as Firefighter of the Year.

This year’s guest speaker was Sam Jeffrey. Jeffery worked with the CIA for 10 years. He is a private security contractor and is a federally certified polygrapher. He is currently employed at Harding University teaching criminal justice.

The annual event was held in appreciation of all county firefighters and first responders.

Sebastian County Offers Mobile Assessment

On Tuesday, April 16 Sebastian County Assessor Zach Johnson and
business Deputy Assessor Lauren Walden were on hand at the Mansfield Senior Center to offer onsite assessment to area residents.

“We do this as a community service,” stated Johnson. “We want to make assessing as easy as possible. Plus, we really enjoy getting out into the community and connecting with the people.”

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Sebastian County Assessor Zach Johnson with Mansfield Senior Center Director Candice Graham.

Johnson has been quite successful in the work he’s done across the county. His office has seen approximately 2/3 of its residents assess so far this year.

“We want to make sure people are getting their homestead tax credit and that we are doing all we can to assist them,” added Johnson.

The Sebastian County Mobile Assessment tool has aided in that mission. Johnson plans to visit other area senior centers to continue offering the service.

The deadline for assessing personal property in Arkansas is May 31. If you have questions about your assessment or homestead tax credit –click here.-

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Sebastian County Assessor, Zach Johnson has a true servants heart! He volunteers to assist the kitchen in washing dishes following the meal at the Mansfield Senior Center.

Scott County Coroner and Deputy Coroner Resign

On Monday evening, April 15, at the Scott County Quorum Court meeting, Judge James Forbes and members of the court went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

Upon reconvening, Judge James Forbes stated that Scott County Coroner, Sam Callahan and Deputy Coroner, Billy Biggs had resigned.

“…It will be up to the Quorum Court to appoint a new coroner in accordance with state law. The Quorum Court has indicated that I run it in the paper for two weeks. They will review all applicants and make a decision. I take full responsibility for all these actions and we will leave it at that. The Quorum Court understands, and I appreciate your patience in this matter.”

Forbes then instructed Sheriff Randy Shores that if there is a call about a body or a death that requires the coroner’s presence that he will be required to get a hold of the JP for that district and the judge.

“We will both be there,” Forbes stated. “The JPs most likely don’t know a lot about this, but I know a little bit more due to the fact I’ve had to deal with the laws…we will deal with that issue as we go along…I am taking 100 percent of the responsibility for this, period. Our coroner did a good job, a fine job.”

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Scott County Coroner, Sam Callahan, resigns.

Callahan stated the reason for his resignation was “in his letter to the court.”

In that letter, Callahan thanked the citizens of Scott County for allowing him to serve for the past 10 plus years. He noted that lack of funding for the office prohibited him from carrying out his duties as coroner. Furthermore, recent issues of the handling of an unclaimed body.

According to Callahan’s letter, “I was advised that it was the county’s responsibility to provide for the final disposition of the deceased. I requested to be put on the agenda to ask for funds for the final disposition and was told it was too late…After two weeks of not being able to resolve this matter, my wife and I felt it was our Christian duty and as human beings to lay the deceased to rest with dignity and respect. Therefore, the individual was laid to rest…With great regret I feel I must resign as Scott County Coroner for the following reasons. I feel that it is a conflict of interest for me to own a funeral home and that funeral home be responsible for paying the fees for storage of deceased individuals, for which the coroner’s office must receive into our care for legal investigation or be responsible for the final disposition of unclaimed deceased persons.”

Callahan’s resignation was effective as of midnight on Monday, April 15. The Quorum Court will accept applications for the position for the next two weeks and then meet to appoint Callahan’s replacement.

Mansfield Athletic Banquet

The 2018-2019 Mansfield All-Sports Athletic Banquet will be held on May 7 at 6 p.m. All athletes grade 7-12 are invited to attend along with family and friends. Student-athletes are free and guests are $10.

Athletes have been given forms and are due back to school by Tuesday, April 23. Forms are to be given to Coach Bentley or Coach Mackey. At that time, a meal ticket will be handed out. Dinner will be provided by Western Sizzlin.

A “picture board” is being put together for the athletes. Any student that would like to participate, please supply a copy of two of your favorite athletic pictures along with your banquet form.

Sr Bulldogs Race For A Win

On Thursday, April 11, the Sr High Waldron Bulldogs Track Team hosted the Gaile Hainley Relays. With 17 teams on hand to compete, the night was a huge success for the Bulldogs. After all was said and done, the Sr High Boys and Girls took home overall First Place in the meet.

In the girls’ 100 M Dash, Chenoa Burdess took second while Chelsea Stidman took fourth. In the 200 M Dash, Chenoa took third and Chelsea placed fourth. Stephanie Sexton took first place in the 400 M Dash and Desiree Hunt came in sixth. Ryleigh Anschutz took first in the 800 M Run while Madison Patrick scored second.

In the 1600 M Run, Constance Richmond took second and Kentucky Spence placed third. Constance placed first in the 3200 M Run while Kentucky took second. Erica Davis ranked sixth in the 100 M Hurdles and Bayleigh Lipham took eighth. Bayleigh earned ninth in the 300 M Hurdles while Rena Owens got eleventh. The girls got first place across the board in the 4×100, 4×400, and the 4×800.

In the High Jump, Jaden Kirkendoll placed first while Kentucky Spence tallied fifth. Chenoa Burdess got fourth in the Long Jump and Rheagan Sanford placed fifth. Chenoa and Rheagan achieved second and third respectively in the Triple Jump. Lauren Trampp got sixth in the Pole Vault. Mackinzie Callahan netted first in Discus along with Anastasia Lynch who got second. And for Shot Put, Anastasia placed fourth while Mackinzie brought in sixth.

For the Sr High boys, Bryson Bailey made first in the 100 M Dash and Levi Hayden ranked second. In the 200 M Dash, Bryson placed first and Levi placed second. For the 400 M Dash, Caden Fuller earned third while Garron Deramus placed seventh. Zach Canada sat in fifth for the 800 M Run and Jordan Dickens picked up eighth. Evan Ledesma got eighth in the 1600 M Run and also seventh in the 3200 M Run.

Isaac Villareal placed first in the 110 M Hurdles while Drake Carnley got third. In the 300 M Hurdles, Isaac ranked first and Drake earned fourth. The boys placed second in both the 4×100 and 4×400 M Relays and fifth in the 4×800. For the High Jump, Gavlen Wagner snagged first and Levi Hayden got second. Bryson Bailey took first in the Long Jump while Levi took fourth.

In the Triple Jump, Levi grabbed first and Mason Ford picked up fifth. Carson Cain got fourth in Pole Vault while Jordan Dickens received seventh. Ethan Slater and Spencer Chapel placed ninth and thirteenth respectively in Discus. And in Shot Put, Peyton Brown scored second while Trevor Root got fifth.

On April 18, the Sr High Bulldogs will compete in the Southside Track Meet. Then on April, 22, the Bulldogs will jump into District which is being held this year at Mansfield.

Mansfield School Board Accepts Principal’s Resignation

The Mansfield School Board met in regular session on Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m.

After approving the minutes and financial reports, Superintendent Robert Ross gave his report.

Dr. Jim Best, High School Principal, informed the board that the academic awards assembly will be during the school day at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1. Later that evening, at 6 p.m., the academic banquet will be held at the high school cafeteria. Additionally, the athletic award banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Lastly, graduation will be held May 13 at 7 p.m.

Elementary Principal, Kim Arnold, reported that the kindergarten graduation will be held May 20 and that kindergarten registration will be hon May 21 and 22. Awards for first through fourth grades will be held on May 23.

Next, the board acted on the following:

  • Approved an overnight trip request for the volleyball team
  • Renewed the contract for speech, physical and occupational therapists
  • Tabled the contract renewal for psychometry services
  • Failed to renew the choir contract for 2019-2020 (vote 2-3)
  • Approved classified contract renewal for 2019-2020
  • Accepted resignation letters from Coach Kent Elmore and High School Principal Dr. Jim Best

“I truly want to thank you,” stated Dr. Best. “You renewed my contract every year…everyone in this room has been good to me, and I will never forget it.”

At 6:26 p.m., the board went into executive session to discuss the hiring of the principal’s replacement. However, upon reconvening, the board took no action on the matter, and tabled it until another meeting date.

Bulldogs Sink To Dover Pirates

Last night the Waldron Bulldogs took a tough loss for the team when they fell to the Dover Pirates 18-3. Although they fought hard til the end, it just wasn’t enough to overpower the Pirates. Waldron sits on the season with a 3-12 record.

The Bulldogs hosted four pitchers on the mound during the game. Braden Williams threw 32 pitches to 9 batters. He also scored two runs, two hits, one runner batted in, one steal, and three putouts. Caden Fuller tossed 46 pitches to 12 batters striking out two. He also made one run and one steal. Clayton Montgomery hurled 18 pitches to three batters. And Jayden McConnell catapulted 56 pitches to 14 batters striking out one.

Ruben Valdez netted one RBI and one steal. Drake Carnley landed one hit. Tyler Owens established one hit, one RBI, and one steal. Bryson Bailey obtained two putouts. And Seth Hunt snagged one putout. Tonight the Waldron Bulldogs will host the 2-9 Cedarville Pirates with a game time of 4:30 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs Off By One

For the second game in a row, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs have lost by one point. “A loss always hurts,” says Head Coach Bailey Moore. “I lose sleep over a 1 point loss nearly as bad as a 10 point loss. Having a game in your hands and letting it slip through is a rough way to go.” The girls fell to the Ozark Lady Hillbillies 7-6. The Lady Bulldogs are now 11-7 on the season.

By the fifth inning, the score was tied 4-4. In inning six, Waldron pulled ahead with a score of 6-5. But by the unlucky hand of fate, Ozark added two runs in the seventh inning sealing the deal for the Lady Bulldogs. Mackinzie Callahan finished the game with one run, two hits, two runners batted in, and four putouts.

Rheagan Sanford earned one hit, one run, one steal, two putouts, and two assists. Bayleigh Lipham snagged one run, one RBI, and six putouts. Saige Mahar nailed two runs, two hits, three putouts, and three assists. Whitney Richmond scored one hit, one RBI, one putout, and one assist. Taylor Stacy landed one run, one hit, two RBI, one steal, two putouts, and one assist. Jayden Manning obtained two putouts and two assists. And pitcher Ashton Young threw out 117 pitches to 35 batters striking out three. She also bagged one hit and one assist.

“We are staying positive and taking it one game at a time. These girls have heart and I have faith that they will dig deep to finish this season out strong!” The Waldron Lady Bulldogs will stay home tonight and take on the 1-11 Cedarville Lady Pirates at 4:30 p.m. As an added bonus, the Lady Bulldogs will be celebrating senior night.

Tigers Play “Lights Out” In Loss Against Lamar

One thing is for sure. Last nights baseball game against the Mansfield Tigers and the Lamar Warriors was nothing short of entertaining. The game started off with the Tigers celebrating their seniors in a warm-hearted ceremony. Four seniors are saying goodbye to their high school baseball days. Seth Fudge, Tyler Watkins, Hunter Willsey, and Zach Woolbright.

#6 Seth Fudge and #30 Zach Woolbright

Shortly into the first inning, freshman Nathan Brewer stepped up to the plate. After a few errored attempts at hitting the ball, contact was made and the ball was catapulted up and behind him slamming into a light and shattering it around nervously running fans. Nathan garnered three hits, one run, and two putouts in the game.

#40 Nathan Brewer

Catcher Cody Fudge had a heck of a time staying on his feet while going after the baseballs hit behind him. With the grass still wet, Cody was slippin’ and slidin’ all over the field but not once did he lose momentum. Cody finished the game with seven putouts. Clay James earned one putout. Seth Fudge made one run, one hit, and four putouts. Zach Woolbright scored one hit.

#7 Hayden Henson

Hunter Willsey landed two runs, one hit, one putout, and three assists. Codi Chick hooked one hit, one RBI, one putout, and two assists. Isaac Cothran grabbed four putouts and one assist. Hayden Henson made one hit and one RBI. And Tyler Watkins acquired one RBI, one putout, and two assists. Hayden and Tyler did the pitching for the Tigers. Hayden threw 72 pitches to 23 batters striking out four and Tyler threw 54 pitches to 18 batters striking out two. The final score tally was 11-4 Lamar. Next up, the 5-7 Mansfield Tigers will face the Charleston Tigers tonight, April 16 at 4:30 p.m.

#6 senior Seth Fudge
#10 senior Tyler Watkins
#30 senior Zach Woolbright
#12 senior Cindy Willsey
Book keeper for the Tigers, senior Allie Willsey