Resident News Network

SWEPCO Customers to See Sharp Rate Increase

Headlines

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1:07 pm

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power company, has submitted a request to the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) for a net annual increase of $45.6 million in the company’s non-fuel base rates, plus $12 million for increased vegetation management.

If approved, new rates would likely go into effect in the first billing cycle of January 2020. The combined $57.6 million request would result in an overall bill increase of approximately $22.60 per month, or 24 percent, for an Arkansas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

“We recognize that this increase will impact individuals, families and businesses. At the same time, we have made significant investments in generation, transmission and distribution facilities since our last Arkansas general rate case in 2009,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “We work hard to provide high quality customer service while managing our costs and continuing to invest in the electric system to provide reliable and safe power for Arkansas customers.”

The sharp rate increase has faced opposition, however. Many customers feel that the average increase of $22.60 doesn’t accurately reflect their average monthly bill with a 24 percent rate increase. For example, the average homeowner sees a $150.00 to $200.00 per month electric bill in the summertime. With the rate increase, they will see a $36 to $48 increase per month.

Lady Arrow’s, Brianna Winchester, Commits to Alabama A&M

Sports

Resident News Network

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9:46 am

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Lady Arrow’s, Brianna Winchester, Commits to Alabama A&M

Hard work and dedication does payoff. Brianna Winchester has been playing the game of softball since she was 8 years old. She and her parents have dedicated themselves to perfecting her skills in the game. Brianna started playing in Lavaca’s ESCYO league and later moved to travel fastpitch. She has played for SWAT 02, Rapid Impact O2, and finished her travel career with So Cal Athletics Jendro/Dempsey. Currently Brianna plays for the Lavaca High School Lady Arrows as a shortstop and pitcher. She has traveled and competed in several different states; Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, and Kansas. She’s also been invited to several different College camps, Florida Ava Marina, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson, Missouri Drury University, Texas A&M Commerce, Alabama UAB, and Alabama A&M. Wednesday Brianna verbally committed to Alabama A&M to play D1 softball after high school. She will be visiting in the fall for the official visit.

Brianna’s Travel Ball coach, Brian Jendro posted the following “Well what do you know, our 3rd commit of the day. So Cal Athletics Jendro/Dempsey 2020 Brianna Winchester commits to The D1 Alabama A&M university. This kid puts in so much work, and now it paid off, she will play softball and get her degree from one of the best schools in the south. Congratulations Rusty Winchester you have raise a great young lady!!”

Jonathan Vire, Brianna’s High School softball coach, also wanted to congratulate her saying, “First of all I would like to congratulate Brianna on her commitment to Alabama A&M! Brianna is a big part of what we are trying to accomplish as a team, we want to be aggressive at the plate and on the base path. She has been a great lead off batter for us through our first nine games. She is leading the team in batting average, stolen bases, and in triples. I’m happy for her. It’s good to see that her hard work has paid off, and that she will get to further her career after she is done playing for the Lady Arrows.”

City Honors Dedicated Duo

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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9:32 am

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On Thursday evening, the City of Mansfield and Mayor Buddy Black honored two individuals who have given many years of service to the city. Retiring Police Chief Boyd Farmer and Ward 1, Position 1 Alderman Georganna Mabry have both served proudly for over a decade.

Alderman Dave Johnson presented Farmer with a gold retirement shield. Farmer has served as Police Chief for the past seven years, been with the Mansfield Police Department for the past 16 years, served in law enforcement for 24 years and as a first responder for 30 years. His tearful words of gratitude to the city council, mayor, and the people were heartfelt.

“I want to thank my wife and my family for being by my side. Thirty years of saving lives…helping the community and doing what I love…I thank the citizens of Mansfield, I’ve really been honored to serve the people in this town.”

Farmer plans to take some time off following retirement, fishing and camping. Following that, he plans to work part time as a reserve officer for Sebastian County.

Former City Alderman Mabry served 13 years on the council. Mayor Black commended her for the years of service.

“We want to thank you for your service to the City of Mansfield.”

Sincere thanks to both Farmer and Mabry for their dedication to the city, and its citizens.

Hornet Baseball Ready To Swarm NWA

Sports

Megan Hecox

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8:59 am

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The first weekend of spring can mean only one thing. BASEBALL! On Saturday, March 23, the Hackett Hornet Baseball Team will pack their gear and head to Arvest Park in Springdale, Arkansas. That’s right. Small town USA is headed to the big city to play in a professional baseball park. Are the Hornets excited? Dang skippy they are! How many people can say they’ve done that?

Along with the Hornets wanting to be a part of this awesome program, this opportunity also comes in the form of a fundraiser. Until the end of the school year, the Hornets will be selling tickets to the Naturals games to cover the cost of playing at their field. “If we sell all the tickets we also get money back as a fundraiser. It is a really cool opportunity and I’m excited we get to be a part of it,” says Coach Adams.

The Hornets still have tickets left for purchase and can be bought from any player or from Coach Adams. The Naturals tickets are $8 each and good for any home Naturals game excluding the Fourth of July.

Hackett will be playing against the (1-7) Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds from Imboden, Arkansas. The Hornets are sitting at 1-3 in total season play. The game will start at 11:30 a.m. and admission is free. Since there will be no concession available, fans are more than welcome to bring in food and drinks.

There is no crying in baseball…unless you miss the sign-up deadline

Sports

Resident News Network

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9:29 pm

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East Sebastian County Youth Organization needs your help making this summer season special. The league is up against a deadline and must lock teams by this Saturday. Therefore the last chance to sign up your child will be this Saturday March 23rd from 1-4pm at ball field on Featherhill Road.

“We have one last sign up on Saturday March 23rd from 1-4pm at ball field on Featherhill Road.
I need three more boys age 7-8 to fill a team. I need 6 more girls age 7-8 to fill a team. I will also need a coach for the 7-8 year old girls and the 7-8 boys. I am also still looking for a coach for the 13-15 year old boys. Rosters must be turned in on Monday March 25th so we will not be able to accept any sign ups after Saturday. Please make sure you are signed up by the 23rd. Call Cindy at 479-252-2794 if you have any questions or if you can’t make the sign up Saturday and need to make other arrangements”

If you know someone in these age brackets that want to play, please help get them in touch with Cindy. There is an online registration availability. Please see the following link.

https://sites.google.com/view/escyobaseball/sign-up-online?authuser=0

Vandals Damage Hartford Coal Mine

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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1:03 pm

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On March 15, a caretaker discovered vandals had visited the closed coal mine in Hartford. The vandals did over $5,000 in damage to equipment, which was in the mine, as well as set fire to an area near the mine entrance.

According to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, the last time the caretaker was at the mine was the previous day. Additionally, that a neighbor saw two young men around the property the day before.

Game cameras captured photos of the unidentified young men. At this time SCSO investigators are seeking to identify the young men and would like to speak to them.

Anyone who can identify the young men or has any information about them are asked to call the Fort Smith Sheriff’s Office at 479-783-1051. Callers do not have to give their name.

Semi-Pro Football Has Touched Down In Waldron

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:45 am

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Semi-Pro Football Has Touched Down In Waldron

Have you found yourself suffering from the football blues? Sluggishly moving through life like a robot while waiting for fall to arrive? Well wait no further. The Ouachita Reapers are answering your prayers. A semi-pro football team with members from Mena to Fort Smith, have partnered up with Sodie Davidson Park in Waldron to bring another level of sports to the area.

Any football enthusiast aged 18 and up, can find themselves on the talented roster that makes up the Reapers. In being the first season, the team is individually funded by the team members who provide their own equipment, purchase their own jerseys, and provide their own way to and from games until sponsors are found. Plus the added cost of officials. At the moment, sponsorship is greatly needed and welcomed.

The Ouachita Reapers will play their first game this Saturday, March 23 in Waldron at Sawer Wright field at 3 p.m. Coached by Donald Thomas and coached and team owned by Wesley Allen Schuller, the Reapers will face first the Arkansas Silverbacks. The Silverbacks are coached by Pat Patterson out of Hope, Arkansas.

Wesley Allen Schuller has been working extremely hard to get this team up and running. “The Ouachita Reapers are glad to be able to call Waldron home. We are proud to be this areas team and we hope to be here for a long time.” For more information, you can contact Mr.Schuller on Facebook or through the team Facebook page, Ouachita Reapers football. So grab your cushions, cowbells, and football spirit and head to Waldron this Saturday. Lets help support and build-up not only the Reapers but the area as well.

United Way Day of Caring 2019

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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10:17 am

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The United Way Day of Caring is scheduled for April 25, and is a great way to get involved, volunteer and make a difference in your community.

Last year over 1200 volunteers completed an estimated 6,000 volunteer hours. This year, 110 projects are planned in a six county area with over 1,000 volunteer opportunities available.

According to the United Way Website, “Day of Caring is a great way to promote volunteerism, increase awareness of local human service agencies and give people a chance to see firsthand the impact that United Way is having in our communities. These unique collaborations provide essential support to our community partners agencies.”

Choose below which city you want to volunteer in. Projects are listed alphabetically by Community Partner Agency. Be sure to look at the entire list as some community partners are listed in more than one community.

Projects are located in:

Alma
Barling
Booneville
Cedarville
Charleston
Fort Smith
Greenwood
Lavaca
Mansfield
Mulberry
Ozark
Paris
Poteau
Sallisaw
Van Buren

You can also volunteer by texting “dayofcaring” to 51555 or visit the United Way of Fort Smith website.

Obituary – Dovie L. (Smith) Williams (1925 – 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:38 am

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Obituary – Dovie L. (Smith) Williams (1925 – 2019)

Dovie L. (Smith) Williams, of Mansfield, Arkansas left this life on March 20, 2019 at the age of 93 years, eleven months and eleven days. Dovie was born April 9, 1925 in Scott County, Arkansas to the late Felix and Mima (Taylor) Smith. She enjoyed cooking and spending special times with her family.

Dovie is survived by two sons; Paul and wife Shannon Williams of Mansfield, AR., Arnold and wife Dalana Williams of Mansfield, AR., four grandchildren; Julie (Evans) Williams, Linda and husband Davey Lowery, Allen and wife Angela Williams, Macy and husband Stevie Cowan, six great-grandchildren; Aaron, Kaylie, Austin, Danielle, Colten and Jani. She is also survived by her siblings; Frances Judy, Dora Harrison, Melvin Smith and wife Betty, Margaret McCafferty and husband Jerry and by a host of others friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her husband Charlie Williams, parents Felix and Mima Smith, and six siblings; Ardell, Jess, Lester, Roxie, Evie Jewell and Iola.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday March 22, 2019 at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield, AR.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday March 23, 2019 at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield with Bro. Keith Elmore officiating. Burial will follow the service at Freedom Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield.

Pallbearers will be Allen Williams, Bill Weaver, Kevin Jolley, Stevie Cowan, Davy Lowery and Aaron Evans.

Park Expansion to Feature Unique Additions

Networks

Tammy Teague

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6:21 am

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Park Expansion to Feature Unique Additions

Earlier this week, Waldron city leaders announced plans to add two very unique additions to their new city park.

One of those is a Bankshot Basketball Court. A Bankshot course consists of a varying number of stations, each with a uniquely shaped Bankboard. Each Bankshot requires a different banked shot to score. Players may use a scorecard to track their score as they shoot increasingly difficult shots at each of the stations.

There is no running, no jumping, no offense and no defense. Participants play alongside, not against each other creating equality for everyone. Non-aggressive, accessible and inclusionary variations.

The other addition is a dinosaur dig. Most children love dinosaurs and what could be better than to uncover one? Parts of the skeleton protrude from the sand it is buried in to grab the attention of the child who then starts digging!

Both of these additions will be unique to the park. As Waldron Mayor David Millard says, “good things are happening in Waldron!”

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