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Texting Drivers Beware: “U DRIVE – U TEXT – YOU PAY”

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5:33 pm

(LITTLE ROCK) – Distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes across the nation’s roadways. The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office is working with state and local law enforcement agencies to encourage drivers to put down their phones while driving.

Beginning April 11 and continuing through April 15^t, law enforcement agencies in Arkansas will participate in the “U Drive, You Text, You Pay” campaign, which includes both educational as well as enforcement operations designed to make streets and roads safe. The goal is to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted driving associated with cell phone use while driving.

A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that examined motor vehicle crashes that occurred during 2012 – 2017 indicates nearly 20,000 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers. During calendar year 2017 there were 3,166 people killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

In recent years a younger generation of millennial drivers has become the biggest texting-while-driving offenders, using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Since 2007, according to NHTSA, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers. During 2017, 8 percent of people killed in teen (15-19) driving crashes died when teenage drivers were distracted at the time of each crash. The statistical analysis indicates female drivers are the most at risk for being involved in a fatal crash when distracted.

“While on the road anyone can look out of their vehicle window and see drivers using their cell phones,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “People know texting and driving is dangerous and illegal, but they do it anyway, and it puts others at risk.”

Colonel Bryant has committed to increasing state police patrols in the coming days. Troopers will be stopping violators and ticketing them if caught texting and driving.

Violating Arkansas’ distracted driving laws can be costly. Arkansas law prohibits the use of a hand-held cell phone for texting, typing, email or accessing the internet while driving, regardless of the driver’s age. It is also a “primary offense” law, which means a state trooper, police officer or sheriff’s deputy can initiate a traffic stop without observing any other violation. Fines can range from up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for any subsequent offense.

Arkansas law enforcement officers urge you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If you’re driving, follow these steps for a safe driving experience:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location before you attempt to text.

• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.

• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. Cell phone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. For more information on distracted driving issues, visit www.Distraction.gov, www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. For more on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDarkansas.org.

Waldron Special Dawgs Track and Field Day

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:27 pm

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Waldron Special Dawgs Track and Field Day

Today, the coaches and teachers of the Waldron School District once again showed just how big their hearts are and how far their school spirit goes. In an act of true selflessness, the teachers and coaches got together to put on the very first Special Dawgs Track and Field Day for the students in the elementary through high school Special Education Program.

The Special Dawgs got to showcase their talents in events such as the long jump, baseball toss, and track races. At the end of their events, the students received ribbons and later got to enjoy and cool off to some delicious snow cones. Today was a beautiful sight to watch as the coaches, teachers, and other students came together to support and encourage ALL of their Waldron Bulldog family.

The Lady Bulldogs Are Where It’s At

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:51 am

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In what was probably the game of the season, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs were able to get the job done in just three innings. Facing the Cedarville Lady Pirates, the Lady Bulldogs completely crushed Cedarville on their own home turf, not even allowing one run to come in. In the blink of an eye, the game ended with a final score of 18-0 Waldron.

At three runs each were Mackinzie Callahan, Rheagan Sanford, and Saige Mahar. At two runs apiece were Bayleigh Lipham, Taylor Stacy, and Jayden Manning. And with one run each was Whitney Richmond, Ashton Young, and Kelsey Yother.

Mackinzie made three hits batting in four runners. Rheagan earned three hits, three runners batted in and one steal. Taylor made one hit, one steal and two runners batted in. Ashton Young brought one runner in and stole one base. Jayden Manning earned two RBI and one steal. And with one steal each was Bayleigh, Saige, and Kelsey. Molly Richmond also brought one runner in.

Jayden had one putout and one assist. Whitney made one putout. Saige secured two assists. Bayleigh claimed two putouts. Rheagan had one assist. Mackinzie led with three putouts. And Kadance Espinoza earned two putouts and one assist.

The Lady Bulldogs were able to get three pitchers some time on the mound. Ashton Young made six pitches to three batters striking out one. Saige Mahar threw out 20 pitches to four batters striking out one. And Rheagan Sanford had 15 pitches to four batters striking out one as well.

The Waldron Lady Bulldogs not only talk the talk. But they can walk the walk. The girls are able to take on any opponent with confidence in their softball skills knowing that no task is too big. Waldron now sits 10-5 on the season and 6-1 in conference play. Up next for the girls are the Mansfield Lady Tigers at Mansfield on April 9 at 4:30 p.m.

AVECC Announces Creation of Wave Rural Connect

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Tammy Teague

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11:21 am

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AVECC Announces Creation of Wave Rural Connect

Ozark, Ark. – Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) is proud to announce the creation of Wave Rural Connect, LLC., a 100% owned telecommunications subsidiary. Wave Rural Connect will be offering high-speed internet, television, and telephone services to the entire membership of AVECC, which covers 13 counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Ben Roe has been named General Manager of Wave Rural Connect, while AVECC’s Barret Ewing has been named the Fiber Project Coordinator. Both are overseeing operations, including construction and ongoing management of the business.

AVECC was incorporated July 13, 1937, pursuant to the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation Act. The Act was adopted by the State of Arkansas after being drafted by the Rural Electrification Administration, which was created in 1935 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to bring electricity and telephone service to all people residing and working in Rural America. By 1938, AVECC had constructed 57 miles of electric line that provided electricity to 214 members. Today, AVECC has 6,628 miles of line that serve over 59,000 meters.

In 2018, AVECC’s Board of Directors approved phase one of a six-phase smart grid system buildout that will improve communication to all devices on AVECC’s electric grid. The excess fiber capacity of the smart grid system will be used by Wave Rural Connect to provide broadband services to all AVECC members.

“To remain competitive in today’s world, our rural areas must have access to high-speed internet service,” said Al Simpson, CEO of Arkansas Valley Electric. “Our children depend on this technology for their educational needs. Our seniors can utilize this technology to gain easier access to world class health professionals. Our members can now experience the benefits of working from home, a luxury that they haven’t been afforded in the past.”

Simpson continued, “The lack of access to electricity following the depression is like the lack of access to broadband internet rural America is experiencing today. The passion we have for our members and rural America is why we are bringing fiber to AVECC’s membership, just like we did with electricity 80 years ago. Because of AVECC’s smart grid project, Wave Rural Connect will be able to continue the fiber buildout into the homes of our members, fulfilling a need that is long overdue.”

Wave will offer 100mbps service for $49.95 or a gigabit of service for $79.95, both with symmetrical upload and download speeds. In addition to internet, Wave will also provide television and phone services. For more information about which phase you are on or to sign-up for service, visit: www.waveruralconnect.com.

AG Reviews Juvenile Contract Decision

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Tammy Teague

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10:28 am

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The contract award for state ran juvenile treatment centers remains in limbo with less than 90 days until that transition is slated to take place.

After the state procurement’s office disqualified Rite of Passage, one of two vendors who bid on the contract, they moved forward with the alternative, Youth Opportunity Investments. Officials deemed that decision as final, with no recourse except through a circuit court appeal.

Surprisingly, however, last week the state procurement’s office handed over that decision to the Arkansas Attorney General’s office for a review.

ROP is asking for reconsideration in the decision that found them “ineligible due to nonperformance.” Their attorney admonished the action and threatened legal recourse.

State officials are finding themselves in a familiar quandary. In 2016
lawmakers failed to approve a contract. This ultimately led to the state takeover of the Youth Services Division.

Amy Webb, spokesman for the Department of Human Services, said the plan remains to make the transition to a private vendor on July 1.

Lets Get Growing-with Experience!

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8:20 pm

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The one thing that has helped me the most is talking to other people that raise gardens.

I use to always stake my tomato plants, I did this for years and it worked well. Then I was talking to a man that raised a large garden and he used cattle panels to support his tomato plants. He used the panels like a trellis. The next year I tried the cattle panels, and liked it way better than the stakes I had always used. So I changed to cattle panels. He had a better way to support the tomato plants.

One person told me to remove all the suckers off my tomato plants. He said the suckers were just using water and nutrients that could be going to help the main plant. Another person told me to leave them alone. That year I had planted thirty tomato plants and removed the suckers from half of the plants to see if it made any difference. I could not see any difference between the plants with suckers and the ones without the suckers.

Several years ago, I had a problem with the sun blistering my tomatoes. To try and solve this, I planted two plants in the same hole. I thought this would give me more leaves to provide extra shade. This worked very well and I do this all the time now.

I like to plant my vegetables from seeds when I can. I have always bought tomato and pepper plants. This year I am trying to raise my own tomato and pepper plants from seeds in the house. Starting your plants from seeds is cheaper than buying the plants and you have a larger variety to choose from.

When you buy plants they have to be transplanted into the garden. Transplanting a plant will disturb the root system. This can also slow down the growth of the plant, or put it into shock for a while. When you plant the seeds directly in your garden you never have to bother the roots and, I believe, your plants will do much better.

Talking to other gardeners will give you some new ideas to try. You will find some ideas that work really well. Other ideas may not seem to help very much. Use the ones that work best for you. Keep an open mind to new ideas.

There are a lot of vegetables that I have not tried to grow. All I can do is tell you about what I have worked with, and share my experiences with you. Even what I do in the garden may not be the best way to do it, but it works best for me.

My advice may not work best for you, but at least it should give you some idea of how to get started. I still talk to other gardeners when I get the opportunity. I am always looking for new and better ways to have a successful crop, or a different way of making gardening easier.

MMS Prep Squad Buzz Greenwood

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8:07 pm

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The track teams counted at the Greenwood Seventh Grade Relays on April 2 numbered eight. That in itself was a bit of a problem for the Mansfield prep squads that joined in the event.

Mansfield’s seventh grade squads are lower in numbers than they have been in decades. There just aren’t many seventh grade athletes across all sport lines for the Tigers this season.

The younger Tiger teams have done well for most of this season thanks in part to relied upon rest provided by large overall attendance at those meets. The Greenwood Bull Pup playground was no such advantage.

Greenwood started the field events at 4 PM and then went immediately into the races by 4:15 PM. With a maximum of two heats per race, the event schedule flew by as many of the Tigers struggled to get to their predesignated events.

With Mansfield’s limited roster, that meant maxed out players had little time to recover before toeing yet another starting line.

Through it all Lady Tiger Kynslee Ward still had a productive night. The true seventh grader scored in four individual events and two relays. She won the high jump at 4’ 4” and placed second in the long jump with a 13’ 11.5” mark.

Ward was fourth and fifth in the two hurdle races. Similarly, she was fourth and fifth as well as a member of the 4x400m and 4x100m relays.

Harlie Fuller had the next best success for Mansfield. She placed well in both hurdle events at third and seventh places. She took second among all pole vaulters and was a member for those same relays as team member Ward.

Kalie Sysakayavong joined Fuller, Ward and Eden Mounts on the 4x100m team. She was also the third fastest 200m girl at Smith-Robinson Stadium as well as the sixth best long jumper.

Mounts took third in the 100m sprint. She was the lead leg in the 4x400m relay with Fuller, Ward, and Katelyn Corson.

Corson took fifth in the 400m run. Teammate Emilie Nelson grabbed seventh in the same one lap race.

Nelson, Rachel Johnson, Trinity Scott, and Raine Hecox combined to place fifth in the 4x800m relay.

lap-relay-MMS-Tigers — Trinity Scott makes the lap in the 800m run.

For the boys, Mansfield received much action from twins Donovan and Ethan Walker. The pair covered most of the sprints, the horizontal jumps, and two relays.

Peyton Martin did much of the rest. The multi-talented Tiger participated in the pole vault, long jump, high jump, two hurdle races, and a relay. His best finish was third in the pole vault.

Dakota Langford and Sammy Sellers both placed in the shot put. Zach Hayslip and Jonathon Norris completed the 4x400m relay team with the Walker boys for seventh place.

More MJH Records Fall As Junior Tigers Roar

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7:55 pm

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More MJH Records Fall As Junior Tigers Roar

Is was a busy two days for the Mansfield junior high track teams. Consecutive meets at Greenwood and Booneville put the Tigers to the test. When the marks came in, you could find the two Mansfield squads in the advanced range.

The Lady Tigers took the championship plaque at the Booneville Bearcat Meet. The Tiger men set two new school records at the Greenwood Bulldog Invitational.

JR-Tigers-win — Junior Tigers celebrate victory at Booneville.

The two gender squads first stopped at Greenwood on April 1. Because the teams were going to the Bearcats the next night, the Tiger athletes reduced their load for the back to back competition.

Because Greenwood was a chance to concentrate on speciality events, the teams’ scores suffered but the individual accolades flourished.

Mansfield freshmen Ethan Chapman and Steven Perez both found their way onto the MJH school record book.

Perez-Chapman-history-Tigers — Picture: New Mansfield record holders Steven Perez and Ethan Chapman make history at Greenwood.

Chapman had just reached the prestigious position a week earlier in the 1600m run. He bettered that time four days later. Meanwhile, Perez had been eyeing the pole vault record of 10’ 6” established by Brandon Carver last season. He took that down with a winning jump at the Greenwood Invitational.

Chapman’s new official mark in the 1600m run is now 5:13.06. Perez’s new school mark in the pole vault is 10’ 9”.

At Greenwood, Lady Tiger Madelyn Jones continued to shine in the hurdle races. The Mansfield eighth grader was top three in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles. A few nights later she cruised to victory in the 100m hurdles with a near season best 17.96 at Booneville.

Teammate Harleigh Mars pushed her teammate in the 300m style hurdles to take first at Booneville with a mark of 54.14. She was fourth in the 300’s at Greenwood.

Mars was also a part of the women’s 4x400m relay team that won first place at the Booneville Relays. The victory helped seal the overall championship for the Lady Tigers as they edged Clarksville 132 to 101 for the title.

Jadelynn Wood, Shelby Cole, and Olivia Bouse joined Mars for the four lap cooperative in 4:55.20.

relay-Tigers-Track — Jadelynn Wood, Shelby Cole, Olivia Bouse, and Harleigh Mars enjoy 4x400m victory.

Logan Yoss, Dru Buckner, Tommy Phang, and John Branche made the final relay at Booneville an exciting race as well. The Tiger foursome rounded out the 4x400m race in 4:13.27 for second place just hairs behind host Booneville.

The Tigers ended the entire meet in third place behind winner Booneville and Runner-Up Ozark.

Skylynn Harris continued to dominate the shot put event. The eighth grader crushed the competition both nights for consecutive victories.

Brooklyn Adams and Seven Sanderson supported the throws team in the discus event with point production on separate nights. Teammate Alyssa Frasher was registered as a non-scoring athlete but tossed a personal record 71’ 0” throw in the discus anyway.

Hope Rainwater, McKenzie Griffin, Olivia Bouse, and Faith Rainwater won the Bearcat 4x800m relay in 12:04.31. Faith Rainwater also scored in 1600m and 800m runs.

Cole was solid at both venues in the 100m hurdles. The ninth grader took second with a time of 17.87 at Booneville and fifth at Greenwood with a measure of 18.72.

Fellow ninth grader Sadie Roberts won four events over the two day schedule. She won both the high jump and pole vault on the consecutive nights.

Shawn Brown went large in the throws for the Tiger men. He scored second place at Booneville in the discus toss with a mark of 119’ 4”. He was third at Greenwood with a measure of 116’ 7”.

Buckner and Yoss capped a good night in the hurdles. The pair of freshmen caught second and fifth places respectively with 49.00 and 50.64 times in the 300m hurdles at the Bearcat event.

Senior Track Teams Keep Moving Forward

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Resident News Network

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7:22 pm

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Mansfield has been scratching it’s way through the 2019 track season. Depleted by graduation, injuries, and off the field discipline issues, the pair of senior high teams have continued to move forward.

The close of a busy week gave evidence that the MHS squads are making progress despite the stacked against odds of a small team.

Both the men and women finished in third place overall in the team points race at their second hosted meet of the season on April 4. The ladies also took fourth at the Bearcat relays on the previous Monday. The Tiger men were sixth at that meet.

Tiger Artem Zirka again pulled the heavy load for the Tigers. The exchange student ran 3.5 miles or more at both meets to earn valuable points.

At Mansfield, Zirka medaled twice. He went 5:26.85 in the 1600m for second place. He went 2:24.62 in the 800m for third.

Zirka proved his conditioning by completing the 3200m Mansfield run for fourth place before running anchor on the 4x400m relay moments later.

Renden Emery and Jaicy Griffin produced as well taking care of business in the many of the other events. Emery handled the high jump, triple jump, both hurdles, and two relays. Griffin covered the sprints, long jump, and two relays as well.

Emery had scoring marks in all of his events over both nights. Griffin did well at Booneville but suffered another set back in his on going knee issues to register a DNP at Mansfield.

Jacob Brown took his first winner’s medal with a 111’ 1” toss of the discus. The Tiger junior has been consistently pushing beyond the 100 foot barrier for solid marks this season. This was his first gold medal of his career.

Bri Sanderson nearly made it a sweep in the men throws with a second place position in the shot put. The tenth grader sent the 12 pound implement 41’ 6”.

Senior Sara Willadsen broke through in the sprint department for the Lady Tigers. The Hartford transfer was all Tiger as she scored in the 100m and 200m dashes in consecutive meets. She was also part of the 4x100m and 4x400m scoring relays for Mansfield.

Makayla Strutton, Delilah McKusker, and Lennon Woods joined Willadsen for those relay encounters. Addison Goetz also joined the baton passing party at the Mansfield hosted 4x400m relay.

Strutton went 18.44 in the 100m hurdles at Mansfield. She went 18.40 in the same barrier race at Booneville. The two times knocked out fourth and fifth places respectively.

McKusker ran her season best in the 300m hurdles with a time of 56.03 in front of the home crowd. Woods was the fastest Lady Tiger over the same style hurdles at the Bearcat in 55.90.

McKusker-track-Tigers — Lady Tiger Delilah McKusker makes ready to run the 4x400m relay at home.

Senior Haylee Buckner continued her string of scoring in the women’s high jump. She placed third at BHS and second at MHS. Her top bar was 4’ 9” at the home meet.

Buckner-Tiger-track — Mansfield senior Haylee Buckner poses at the Bearcat high jump.

Sophomores Randall Claude and Victor Steffen picked up their first individual ribbons of the season. Claude’s success came in the 200m dash while Steffen’s came over the 300m hurdles.

realy-Tigers-Mansfield — Mansfield senior high track athletes Renden Emery, Randall Claude, Jaicy Griffin, and Victor Steffen prepare for the 4x400m relay at Booneville.

Senior Hailey Byers also found her first individual accolades with top eight marks in the 200m and 400mm dashes. Freshman Darby Jones who recently moved up to support a thin Lady Tiger distance unit also scored her first ribbons.

Alyssa Berry saw her first action since the Tiger Relays on March 26. The senior scored in the pole vault, 1600m, and 3200m runs.

Janna Coplin, Hailey Burns, and Miracle Pettigrew each contributed points in one or both meets of the past week.

Coplin has been a discus specialist most of the year. Burns and Pettigrew have been throwing both shot and discus. The later two both set personal throwing records this past week.

Hackett Lands Building for Recreational Center

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6:57 pm

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Hackett Lands Building for Recreational Center

Young people in Hackett will soon have a place to go after school and in the summer. Earlier this week, plans were finalized to lease a building from Hackett United Methodist Church.

The building, located on Williams Street in Hackett, formerly housed the Hackett museum. While no opening date has been announced, work is proceeding at a fast pace to get the building up and going for summer.

According to volunteer Kim Henry, they have already acquired two pool tables and monetary donations. The group is also seeking out grant opportunities to help with the cost of operation. Volunteer Todd Johnson also noted that they are also in search of an air hockey, ping pong, or other games.

Volunteers are currently accepting monetary donations through GoFundMe as well as a donation jar at Hugs and Biscuits in Hackett. While the need for funding is crucial, what’s more crucial is the need for volunteers. A background check will be conducted on all volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kim Henry at 479-650-8444

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