Resident News Network

Boots and Chaps and Cowboy Hats…it’s Shodeo season in Lavaca!

Sports

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11:43 am

Boots and Chaps and Cowboy Hats…it’s Shodeo season in Lavaca!

The Lavaca Round-up Club has been busy planning a great season. Shodeo season starts tomorrow and will run through early September. The Lavaca Round-up Club would like to invite the community to come out to the Lone Pine Miller Arena at 2P for a fun afternoon with the family. A shodeo is timed events of poles, barrels, stakes, flags, keyhole and speed that the entire family can can participate in! Ages are split up for awards! The divisions are; 6 and under lead line, 7 to 9, 10 to 13, 14-18, and adults. There will 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 participating, there are a few things to remember:

Current coggins required
Must participate in 6 out of 9 shodeos to qualify for year end awards.
Must ride in 3 events per shodeo for it to qualify as 1 “qualifying” shodeo
Must fulfill the required amount of “works” for year end awards.
Must be a paid member Single $10/ Family $20 for points to count toward year end awards.
Events are $2 per event or $25 for all events for the whole family

Thank You and hope to see you there!

Arkansas River Valley Lawn and Garden Show

Networks

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4:14 pm

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The Arkansas River Valley Lawn and Garden Show kicked off on Friday, March 15 and will run through Sunday, March 17 at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

The show provides horticulture education for citizens of the River Valley. The mission is accomplished through the lawn and garden show and by providing financial support to the Arkansas River Valley Master Gardeners and the Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing.

The theme for the 2019 show is “small gardening.” It will feature vendors, educational speakers, plants, garden ideas and short demonstrations.

Hours are:
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The cost of admission is 12 and older $5 and 11 and under, free.

Hackett Students Participate in Criminal Law Education Program

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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3:38 pm

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Hackett Students Participate in Criminal Law Education Program

Students from Hackett elementary school participated in the Criminal Law Education Program on Friday, March 15.

Fourth grade students visited with members of the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office and learned about different aspects of law enforcement.

Circuit Court Judge James Cox also spoke to the students about court procedures and lets them ask questions.

Students learn about action and consequential behaviors such as bullying and theft.

Sheriff Runion has continued to make the school program a priority. Students enjoyed their visit to the SCSO and courtroom.

Lavaca Middle School receives a State Citation and National Distinguished School Honors.

Headlines

Resident News Network

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2:14 pm

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Lavaca Middle School receives a State Citation and National Distinguished School Honors.

It is a great day to be a Golden Arrow! Representative Lee Johnson came to Lavaca Middle School today to speak to the student body today. Representative Johnson told the school that he was there because Lavaca Middle School has been Nationally recognized as an ESEA Distinguished School. Steve Rose (Lavaca Schools Superintendent), Kenny Holland (Lavaca Middle School Principal), Krysta Winchester (Lavaca Middle School Teacher), and Brooka Meredith (Lavaca Middle School Teacher), had traveled to Kansas City, MO back in February to accept the award for closing the achievement gap between student populations. Today was the the day for the student body to get to see and hear just how big of an accomplishment this really was.

The National Association of ESEA ( Ensuring Student Equity and Access) State Program Administrators (NAESPA) is pleased to announce that Lavaca Middle School from Lavaca, Arkansas has been named a National ESEA Distinguished School by the state education agency in Arkansas. Rep Johnson said that Lavaca Middle School is one of only sixty-eight schools throughout the country to receive this honor and in Arkansas one of only two.

Lavaca Middle School’s Principal, Kenny Holland, called students Chandler Phillips (Student Council President) and Taelor Kendrick (Student Council Vice President) to be presented with a citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives as well as the ESEA Distinguished Schools banner which will be hung proudly in the Middle School.

Lavaca Public Schools should be commended on the hard work and dedication of its staff. There are many good things going on throughout the district. The teachers and administrators in Lavaca are often the unsung heroes and there efforts go without fanfare. This day and this recognition is a tribute to every teacher, every administrator, and every support staff member that make the daily effort to help students learn to be successful.

Resident Press first reported on Lavaca Middle School receiving this award on February 1 2019. See original story at https://residentpress.com/lavaca-middle-school-nationally-recognized/.

Lady Hornets Deliver Fundraiser Money

Sports

Megan Hecox

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1:47 pm

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Back in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Lady Hornets volleyball team hosted a non-conference volleyball match against the West Fork Lady Tigers.

Hackett ended the evening having put on a successful fundraiser with all money earned going to the Reynolds Cancer Support House to be delivered at a later date.

That date came this past Wednesday when the Lady Hornets went after school and hand delivered the money they had raised back in October. The entire Hornet community takes great pride in calling these girls their own and are super proud of how far they are willing to go to take care of others.

SCSO Investigates Theft

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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12:27 pm

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On March 7 the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen truck and tools at a residence on Diamondback Lane off Gap Road in Southwest Sebastian County.

Investigators believe two male subjects came to the residence when the homeowners were away. They broke into a tool trailer on the property, ransacked the trailer, and stole tools valued at around $1,000. The two also left the scene in a truck they stole from the property.

The truck is a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. It is silver in color and was displaying an Arkansas Disabled Veteran tag. The tag number is DV 37833.

The two were picked up on game cameras on the property. SCSO has yet to identify the two men.

SCSO is asking for any and all help in identifying the two. Anyone with information on the tools, truck, or subjects is asked to call FSSO at 479-783-1051. Callers do not have to give their names.

Bulldog Spencer Chapel Commits To Arkansas Tech

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:09 am

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Bulldog Spencer Chapel Commits To Arkansas Tech

Waldron Bulldog Spencer Chapel is the perfect overall example of what a positive student-athlete is. Football Coach, Jonathan Bates, remembers back to when Spencer was a little kid and how even at a young age, he was impressed with Spencer’s demeanor and how he handled himself. Today, Spencer Chapel is signing a commitment to play football for Arkansas Tech.

Spencer Chapel with parents Bobby and Melinda Chapel and Coach Bates

Playing since the third grade, football has always been a passion. Also guiding Spencer in life is his faith. Along with being a leader in school and on the field, Spencer is also a leader in church. Blessed with a talent of music, Spencer is able to impress with his outstanding piano skills.

As a long snapper and center offense, Coach Bates says that Spencer is one of the best deep snappers around. He says he can’t take any of the credit for that though. Coach Bates gives it all to the long list of amazing coaches before him who helped in the molding of Spencer’s sports career. Coaches included are Ricky May, Brock May, Kyle Foster, Joey Majors, Nick Stovall, Mark Brigance, and Garett Lazenby just to name a few.

Coach Bates also credits Spencer’s parents, Bobby and Melinda Chapel for raising such an upstanding young man. When asked how his parents feel about his decision to go to Arkansas Tech, Spencer replied “My parents support me in everything that I do. They are excited that I get this opportunity.”

Arkansas Tech is a Division 2 school and part of the Great American Conference. Aside from being his favorite campus, Spencer also says it was the nice facilities that helped seal the deal in attending his future school. Once in college, Spencer has plans to get a bachelors degree in Physical Education and Health and then move on to achieve his Masters in Education. After those goals are met, Spencer’s dream is to coach football on a college level.

Local Fire Departments Undergo Training

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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9:18 pm

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The Mansfield Volunteer Fire Department met at the Huntington Fire Department to undergo joint training in introduction to firefighting.

It is a requirement that each member of the MVFD train at least 16 hours per year to remain on the department. Members of the HVFD, and instructor Gary Lawrence gave taught both new and seasoned members.

Continued training and refresher courses are an essential part of fire life. Members plan to continue training with a course scheduled for March 28, personal protective equipment.

Juvenile Services Contract Contested

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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8:57 pm

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On Wednesday, March 13, rival bidder Youth Opportunity Investment LLC contested the Arkansas juvenile services contract recently awarded to Rite of Passage. –See related story

YOI challenged the state’s decision to grant the $15.8 million contract to ROP. And, in a letter, claimed ROP is unqualified and failed to meet the state’s qualifications.

YOI’s attorney also claimed that ROP made false and “defrauding” statements in order to obtain the contract. Furthermore, they allege that ROP has a questionable management history, plagued with sexual abuse by staff, needless restraint of the youth, and escapes.

According to Senator Terry Rice, “a contested contract is fairly normal and hopefully they will have a determination shortly so one of them will have time to prepare for the takeover of services.”

The office of state procurement has five days to respond to the YOI letter. The Department of Human Services, juvenile services division has stated the takeover will begin this summer. These statewide changes will affect the facilities at Mansfield, Dermott, Lewisville and Harrisburg.

Secretary of State Sets Up Mobile Office in Waldron

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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4:57 pm

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Secretary of State Sets Up Mobile Office in Waldron

A representative from the Secretary of State’s office set up a “Mobile Office” at Waldron City Hall, and came to share information with the residents on the services they provide.

Waldron Mayor David Millard welcomed Community Outreach Coordinator Paul Graham on Thursday morning. Graham visited with community members from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Secretary of State John Thurston said: “Mobile Offices are about bringing services of the Arkansas Secretary of State to rural areas of the state…”

Representatives from Thurston’s office will continue visiting rural areas of Arkansas as a part of the Mobile Office tour.

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