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Two Pending High Profile Cases Scheduled for Trial

Two high profile cases are slated to be heard in Scott County Circuit Court on Monday, March 25.

Former Waldron School Administrator, Jessica Williams and previously convicted sex offender James Bynum will both appear before Judge Jerry Don Ramey.

Williams was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation back in January. -See related story.

Bynum’s case was ordered reopened by the Arkansas Supreme Court who ruled that Bynum’s sentence be reversed and remanded due to ineffective counsel. -See related story.

We will continue to follow both of these cases and keep you posted on all the latest developments.

AG Warns Elderly About Scam

Elderly Arkansans are often a target of con artists, and one of the most convincing ones is called the favorite grandchild scam. This scam involves a scammer calling an elderly individual, saying they are his/her favorite grandchild and are in trouble and need money wired immediately. Grandparents are often willing to do whatever it takes to help their grandchild, and so they more commonly fall for the scam.

“Under no circumstances should you wire money or give a credit/debit card number to a caller claiming to be a grandchild in jail unless you have verified that information with another close family member,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “The caller tricks Arkansans into saying the names of family and then pretends to be that family member in dire need of money.”

Attorney General Rutledge recommends the following strategies to avoid falling victim to the “favorite grandchild” scheme:

  • Resist pressure to act quickly.
  • Never give or wire money based on any unsolicited phone call.
  • Verify the family member’s location by directly calling another family member or the grandchild.
  • Do not send money to an unknown account or entity.
  • Ask the caller for his or her name, and if they cannot provide it, hang up immediately.
  • Have a plan in place when family members are traveling to easily identify whether or not a need is genuine.

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.

City Side Walk Repair Near Completion

Recently, Mansfield city workers made a temporary sidewalk crossing near the school. However, a more permanent solution was implemented over the last few days.

That area located at the intersection of Grove Street and Huntington Avenue had become a flood prone area due to a culvert being blocked by tree roots and debris.

Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black arranged for Butch Martin, owner of Butch’s Concrete, to make the repairs. Mayor Black admitted this area was dangerous when heavy rains caused standing water across the highway and that it was a priority for him to get repaired.

The project will be completed just in time for students following the week-long spring break.

Shodeo was a big hit! Jr Rodeo is next up.

Last Sunday, The Lavaca Round-up Club was pleasantly surprised by what turned out to be the largest turn out in recent years to their first Shodeo of the year. Shodeo season will run through early September and with the number of folks who came out, this looks to be the best year yet. A shodeo is timed events of poles, barrels, stakes, flags, keyhole and speed that the entire family can can participate in. But more than that, the Shodeo is a fellowship and kinship for people with horses to get together and have a good time. It is an opportunity to hone their skills, tune their horses, and teach the younger generations the skills of horsemanship. There will be prizes for the point leaders at the end of the year, but it’s not really about the competition as much as its about promoting a way of life. There will always be great concessions with burgers, hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, pretzels, popcorn, nachos, chili Frito pie, candy, pickles, soft drinks, and really sweet tea! This will be fun for the whole family. If you have never been to the Shodeo in Lavaca, you owe it to yourself to pack up the family, and horses and come see what the fuss is all about. The next scheduled Shodeo will be April the 6th at 6pm.

See more pictures from the Sundays Shodeo here…https://www.facebook.com/1614485241/posts/10216872604360106?sfns=mo

On another note, the Double D Rodeo Company will be coming to the Boone Miller Lone Pine Arena for the Lavaca Arkansas Junior Rodeo on March 29 and 30. Rodeo starts at 7:00 each night and will have events for ages 19 and under. There is bound to be a lot of local talent present. Come out and support these young cowboys and cowgirls. For all events please follow the Lavaca Round Up Club on facebook.

Proposed Expansion at Waldron City Park

On Tuesday, March 19, at the Community Coffee event in Waldron, Brandon Nelson City Superintendent and Sherry Johnston spoke about current and future progress at the City of Waldron Forrester-Davis Park.

Community members and leaders gathered at Dalton’s Place to discuss the original park plans as well as plans for expansion. Nelson and Johnston explained the changes to the original plans to the volleyball and basketball courts. The volleyball court had to be relocated due to the elevation of the property.

Johnston said they are in the process of adding lighting around the pavilions as part of the original grant.

With the Blue and You Grant (see related story), the city plans to add a dinosaur dig and add a bank shot basketball game. Both new additions will be unique and exciting.

Plans for the future also includes more playground equipment and parking lot improvements. Johnston said they are working on a grant with the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain through Tyson foods to put fencing around the park.

Lady Bulldogs 3 and Whoa In Conference Play

In back to back home conference games against West Fork and Elkins, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs subdued their opponents and remained in control of their winning streak. With only 14 girls on the roster, the Lady Bulldogs are proving that it’s not the size of the team that matters but the amount of heart and dedication that is put into the game.

Waldron completely shut out the Lady Tigers winning 10-0 in just four innings. Locking down the runs were Rheagan Sanford, Taylor Stacy, and Kelsey Yother with two each. And with one run apiece was Mackinzie Callahan, Ashtyn Moore, Bayleigh Lipham, and Jayden Manning. Leading her team with five putouts was Kaydance Espinoza.

The Lady Bulldogs kept the ball rolling the next night against the Lady Elks as Waldron won 15-5 within five innings. Leading with three runs individually was Rheagan Sanford and Saige Mahar. Ashtyn Moore and Whitney Richmond secured two hits apiece. Mackinzie Callahan brought in four putouts. And pitcher Ashton Young made 86 pitches to 26 batters striking out three.

At 7-3 in total season play, it’s looking like nothing and no one is going to stop this softball hurricane known as the Lady Bulldogs. The girls will cool their heels for a few days and then get back to the chopping board on Tuesday, March 26 when they head to Greenland and attempt to make the Lady Pirates jump ship at 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Sandy Tull

Obituary – Bob Douglas Mays (1930 – 2019)

Bob Douglas Mays of Boles, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Monday, March 18, 2019 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born July 6, 1930 in Oden, Arkansas to Thomas and Mary Mays. He was 88 years old.

Bob married his sweetheart, Needa House, on January 21, 1949 in Mt Ida, AR. Bob & Needa were together for about a year prior to getting married. Growing up In a small community like Chant Lane, of course there wasn’t an over abundance of recreation. Bob & Needa spent a lot of their time together going to Boles to watch the movies played at the small theater there. After getting married, they lived at Mill Creek and Bob worked in the woods with Needa’s father, Claud House (Grandad). Bob & Needa had two sons, Bobby Ray & Ronnie Douglas. In the early 50s Bob & Needa moved to Littlefield, TX where they lived for about 8-9 years. Bob worked in the cotton gin, worked as a mechanic and later joined the police force. Needa worked as a waitress and a grocery clerk. In 1958 Bob & Needa had a daughter, Sharon Faye, who went on to be with the Lord. In the early 1960s they moved to Portales, New Mexico where Bob worked as a mechanic for the Highway Department. In 1965 they adopted a daughter, Dyiana Lynn. They moved back to Arkansas in 1969. In the 1970s Bob, Needa & Dyiana spent a lot of their time traveling & evangelizing. They also pastored a church in Crumptown during this time. He worked as a mechanic for a local tractor company and owned & operated his wrecker service. Around 1996 Bob & Needa moved to Bronte, TX where he also worked as a mechanic before moving back to Arkansas in 2000. Bob spent the last seven years at the Waldron Nursing Center where he became a grandpa/father figure to many of the nursing staff/aides.

Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory, his devoted wife Needa of the home, one daughter, Dyiana Kane and husband Matt of Waldron, Arkansas and one son, Ronnie Mays and wife Phyllis of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandpa will forever remain in the hearts of his 8 grandchildren: Andrea Taylor, Crystal Mays, Douglas Mays, Thomas Mays, Phylisa Millard, Sarah Catlett, Kerstein Kane and Hunter Kane as well as 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Bob will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones dear to his heart.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Mays, one son, Bobby Ray Mays, one infant daughter Sharon Faye Mays, one brother and two sisters.

Bob’s life celebration will be Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Boles Freewill Baptist Church in Boles, Arkansas with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Chant Cemetery in Y-City, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Bob’s pallbearers will be James Royall, Hunter Kane, Thomas Mays, Douglas Mays, Larry Boren and Gary Lynn House. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob’s visitation will be Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. You may leave words of remembrance for Bob’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com. http://www.heritagememorialfh.com

Red Tigers Steal “Home” From West Fork

The Mansfield Tigers closed out last week on a positive note. Having traveled to West Fork to face the Tigers on Friday, March 15, Mansfield not only stole the win but they stole the show too.

The two teams kept things close the entire game coming to a 6-6 tie in the seventh inning. With zero action in inning eight, the Red Tigers were done playing eenie meenie miney mo. Getting their second wind, Mansfield came out of right field to charge West Forks bases with five runs ending the game 11-6 Red Tigers.

Coming in with their so fast if you blink your going to miss it pitching skills were seniors Seth Fudge and Hunter Willsey. Seth made 78 pitches in five innings facing 25 batters and striking out six of them. Throwing in four innings, Hunter made 57 pitches to 17 batters while striking out five of them.

Putting the numbers on the board and perfecting their left turn running abilities were Hunter Willsey and Isaac Cothran with two runs apiece. And bringing in the remaining seven runs were Aaron Brewer, Seth Fudge, Hayden Henson, Tyler Watkins, Codi Chick, Zach Woolbright, and Nathan Brewer. Seth and Hunter even earned extra sprinkles on their cupcakes by making one homerun each.

With more hits than Woody Woodpecker was Hunter with three. Seth, Hayden, Codi, and Cody Fudge with two each. And Tyler, Isaac, and Layton Howard with one apiece. Layton, Hayden, and Isaac also earned themselves a combined three steals.

Sitting cozy in the department of defense was Isaac with 13 putouts and Cody with 12. Nathan and Hunter each made one. Assisting the Red Tigers in their victory was Layton and Hayden with four assist each. Seth and Hunter with three each. And Cody with one.

After Friday’s successful outcome, the Mansfield Tigers have upgraded their total play record to 2-2 and 1-1 in conference play. Up next for Mansfield are the Booneville Bearcats on Monday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m.


NWS Set to Undergo Major Rennovations

Northwest Scott County Fire Department is set to undergo major renovations, and a few of them are already underway.

Fire Chief Donnie Adkins said “the contractors are starting the construction of three new bays and a total remodel of the old building.”

The department has two locations, one off Highway 71 in Abbott and the other off Highway 378.

Chief Adkins said he is hopeful that the concrete crew will start this week. “We already have the new signs up at both stations with our new logo,” he added.

When the work is complete at the Highway 378 location, work will begin on the Abbott station.

fire-department-renovations

AFC Prescribed Burns Near Waldron

The Arkansas Forestry Commission will be conducting multiple prescribed burns over the next 24 hours near Waldron.

Beginning Monday, March 18 at approximately 13 miles south of Waldron, the AFC will be strip-heading 70 acres of land. Additionally, 18 miles north east of Waldron, they will be backing over 1,000 acres of land.

Both of these prescribed burns are scheduled to be complete within 24 hours. Residents in that area, and the surrounding community will need to be aware of that activity.