Baseball season got underway for the Hackett Hornets as they took on the Hector Wildcats in last nights away game. Although the Hornets lost 3-2, the boys played extremely well considering the cold temperatures and the amount of time that they have had to practice. Hackett was first to put two runs on the board in the second inning. In the fourth inning, it was Hector who added one run to the score. But by inning five it was Hector who got in two runs and the game came to an end.
Hackett is a young team with the majority of the roster being freshman. That’s no cause for concern though because according to Coach Broc Adams, his team is loaded with speed and a strong defense. The Hornets are playing in the 2A-4 conference division and will step up to bat this season against Danville, Hector, Westside, Magazine, Lavaca, and Mountainburg for their conference games.
The game that was scheduled for tonight, March 1, against Mansfield, has been postponed until further notice. As it stands now, the Hornets will travel to Lavaca on Monday, March 4, to face the Golden Arrows with a 4:30 p.m. start time.
Lavaca Lady Arrows headed off to Carlisle for the first round of the Arkansas 2A State Tournament. Coming off of a heartbreaking loss in the Regional Championship game to the Danville Lady Little Johns, The Lady Arrows remained highly optimistic about their chances. They met up with the Riverside Lady Rebels in the first round. Riverside came in as the favorite with a 32-7 record and averaging 52 points per game. The Lady Arrows played hard and held the Lady Rebs to only 37 points. However, The Lady Arrows had a hard time finding the bottom of the net, only scoring 20.
Five Starters, Building a legacy of hard work.
For the Lady Arrows, it was sad to have a season cut short of the goal. However, these ladies have had a great season and should be extremely proud of themselves. They have played hard every time they hit the court. They have proved that they have no quit in them. Most importantly though, they have left their mark on the school. They have built a legacy of basketball excellence and set an example for future generations of Lady Arrows to follow. This is a senior laden team, and they will be missed for sure, but the Lady Arrows will be returning a talented group of underclassmen who stand ready to pick up the torch. Resident Press would like to wish seniors; BethAnn May, Hope Headley, Skylar Hyatt, Julianne O’Dell, Avery Green, and Adeline Newhart, God Speed and good luck in your futuren endeavors. Thank you ladies for the memories.
Coach Wyles talking it up to his Lady Arrows.
Coach Wyles had a special relationship with these seniors and will miss coaching them next year. He expressed his pride in them them and his outlook of the future of the program saying, “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of girls and what they accomplished this year. Making the state tournament is never easy, and I’m really glad these girls were able to see the product of their hard work this year. The seniors who are leaving our program have been a really special group of girls to coach. They’re ending their careers with 57 wins, a conference championship, a district championship, a regional runner-up, and a state tournament appearance. Beyond all that, those girls have been great leaders for our program, in our school, and within our community. It’s hard to replace that kind of character in student-athletes, but I’m incredibly thankful that I got the opportunity to coach them. I’m really excited about what we have returning next year. This off-season we’re going to spend a lot of time getting stronger in the weight room, and getting a lot of skill development reps in on the court. Next year these girls will be looking to repeat what we were able to accomplish this season.”
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert to area citizens, particularly, senior citizens. The SCSO warns that residents need to be aware of the work of a scam artist in the county.
On February 27, SCSO took a report of fraud from an 88 year-old citizen. She had reportedly paid a man $4,200 to repair her driveway. Promises were made by the scammer, but he did not follow through.
According to the man, he would redo her driveway to include a base layer and asphalt. The man came and laid down a layer of crusher rock and did no more work. The man stated he would be back in two weeks to finish the job. This was early February of this year.
Also, the man told the victim he would paint her house and he asked for $1,000 up front to cover his labor. On February 13, the man returned and asked for $600 to cover the paint.
Almost $6,000 has been paid by the victim and so far the
only work done was a thin layer of crusher rock on her driveway.
SCSO has identified the scammer as Brian Stanley. Stanley, 40, is a white male with dark hair and dark eyes. He stands around 5’6” and weighs over 200 lbs. While he has been identified, investigators have been unable to find the man or even locate his supposed company.
SCSO Captain Pevehouse said, “We are asking the public to help us in locating Stanley and also being aware of Stanley continuing to run his scam.”
Citizens should check out contractors through references, the Better Business Bureau, and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office. If Stanley comes to your home and offers to do work, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 479-783-1051. Also if you have been a victim of Stanley in the past but have not reported it, SCSO would like to hear from you.
It sure was a cold one for the Mansfield Lady Tigers Softball Team. With temperatures in the lower thirties, the girls gave it their best in last nights game against Northside. Getting off to a rough start, Northside made nine runs in the first inning with Mansfield bringing in zero.
In the second and third innings, Northside had added four more runs. The game was called shortly after with the final score reading 13-0 Northside. “We use most of our first 5 non-conference games for practice opportunities and ways to get better,” says Head Coach Kent Elmore. “It also allows me to better evaluate who I can rely on at different positions.”
“My seniors hit the ball well but the bottom half of our lineup has to improve. I am still trying to fill in some big holes and seeing what players want to step up,” said Coach Elmore. Leading the team was Caroline Nicodemus and Rylea Weaver who each made some good hits and went 1-2. “Cold weather really played a factor last night, our girls just didn’t have the mental toughness needed for that situation.”
Hopefully, the Lady Tigers can catch a break from Mother Nature as they compete in tomorrows Pottsville Classic. Mansfield will play at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. against Clinton and Pottsville JV.
Members of the women’s leadership of Scott County Farm Bureau came to Mansfield Elementary to participate in Read Across America.
Sue Cox, a SCFBWLC member, read the book “Sixteen Cows” to fourth grade students. Regina Oliver read “Clarabelle-Making Milk and So Much More” to second and fourth grade students.
Oliver displayed a variety of foods derived from dairy cows, and gave each student a cheese stick and coloring sheet.
Other members of the Scott County organization who came to read at MES were Cheryl Phipps and Linda Parish. They donated an autographed book to the library.
All of the ladies had fun reading to these students and look forward to reading again next year. The ladies of the Women’s Committee will be reading to elementary school students in Mansfield and Waldron over the next two weeks in conjunction with Read Across America.
Today, Friday, March 1, will be the only day that Make-a-Wish will be in Mansfield, so don’t miss them!
They will be at Mansfield’s 71 Express, 504 Highway 71 S. from 3-5 p.m. Swing by, and enter to win a Grasshopper mower from the Mower Shop in Fort Smith. They are $1 per entry, and 100% of the donations go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. A $20 donation will also get you a collectible Make-a-Wish t-shirt, sponsored by Crain Hyundai and Crain Kia.
With the help of others through donations, Make-A- Wish is able to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. In 2018, a wish was granted for Mansfield Elementary student Angel Mounts. –See related story.
Six years ago, another area child, Radley O’Neal, was granted his wish. “He’s a Make-a-Wish kid,” said his grandma Brenda Sweeten. “He was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He is in remission and doing good. He likes to participate in Make a wish and encourages others to do so.”
KTCS 99.9 is putting on the event. The radiothon starts April 5. You can also donate online to kids who are waiting on wishes to be granted in the River Valley.
The Mansfield Lady Tigers Softball Team is clocking in and ready to get to work on the ball fields. Tonight they will brave the cold and knock out their first game of the season. Playing in an away game, Mansfield will take on Northside with game time at 5 p.m.
“I feel confident our girls will come out and perform well,” says Head Coach Kent Elmore. “We have had a total of 3 outside practices so we are going to use the next 5-6 games to really get a feel of who we are as a team.”
“We return 7 starters and that will give us a boost as far as managing the game. My seniors have done a great job of stepping up and being leaders to their underclass teammates.” The seniors playing for the Lady Tigers this year are Kylie Eveld, Caroline Nicodemus, Rylea Weaver, and Shyann McDowell. “My seniors are all 4-year starters and that will help us win some of those close battled games. I look forward to learning more about our team throughout our non-conference games.”
On Wednesday, February 27, the contract bid from Rite of Passage Inc. was awarded by the state to take over operations at the Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center.
Two contractors had submitted bids for the take over, Youth Opportunity Investments LLC and Rite of Passage Incorporated. Both underwent a weighted scoring evaluation, with Youth Opportunity Investments LLC scoring 533.69 and Rite of Passage Inc. scoring 569.85.
Division of Youth Services Chairperson Larry Ivens said Rite of Passage Inc. was chosen because “it was in the best interest of the state.”
ROP is a nationwide contractor based out of Minden, NV. The winning contractor proposed the daily cost per bed at all facilities would be $215-$236 per calendar day.
“Rite of Passage supports the State’s decision to award a single contract for the operation of Arkansas’ four residential treatment facilities. We believe that this approach provides the best opportunity for the successful implementation of the state’s Transformation Plan. We believe ROP is the most qualified bidder, and that the selection of ROP as the contractor will be the most advantageous to the State, DYS and its youth,” said Michael Cantrell, ROP Executive Director. Cantrell added, “ROP embraces and is excited to be considered for the opportunity to partner with DYS and their Transformation Plan for the Mansfield Youth Treatment Center, Lewisville Youth Treatment Center, Harrisburg Youth Treatment Center and the Dermott Youth Corrections Facility.”
The program at the Mansfield facility will serve fifty-eight males between the ages of 13 and 18 with moderate to high risk aggression, behavioral issues, and gang involvement. This program will focus on the value of education, character development and integrity, with the utilization of team sports to improve physical and mental health, and to improve self-discipline and social interactions.
“Utilizing individualized plans, youth will become accountable for their actions, and have opportunities to develop and practice coping skills. Our Collaborative Plan ROP will work in conjunction with DYS to conduct a thorough assessment of the utilization of facility space with the goal of achieving a dedicated vocational training center, indoor recreation space, and a maintenance garage/warehouse. Continued facility improvements will include adding air conditioning to vocational/ recreational space thereby ensuring space usable year-round. Adding LED security wall packs to building perimeters will enhance lighting during dark hours. ROP would also recommend adding round tables to the dining hall to facilitate face-to-face conversation in a family style setting, which allows students to practice social skills and interaction at every meal.”
Rite of Passage anticipates the need for structural modification and enhancement at all four Arkansas residential treatment facilities. At the Mansfield Youth Treatment Center, ROP will plan to implement observation solutions which will include a monitored gate entry. According to ROP, the current perimeter at Mansfield is not designed to stop escapes. They recommended installing razor wire and anti-climb measures. Lastly, suicide vulnerabilities were identified in all living units. ROP would immediately address these areas by placing the hydraulic door closures on the outside of the student doors, replace door knobs with anti-ligature door handles, and replace the residential shower heads with detention grade ligature resistant safety shower heads.
The graphic above highlights the areas of the Mansfield facility where ROP proposes modifications and enhancements for increased safety and security.
The operational start-up of the Harrisburg, Dermott, Lewisville and Mansfield facilities are set to begin on July 1, 2019.
Although the basketball season has come to an end for the Waldron Bulldogs, the boys along with their coaches have much to be proud of. The Bulldogs got a taste of success by setting a school record for season wins (23-10) and making only the third trip to a State tournament in school history. For the first time in seven years, Waldron traveled to Osceola to play Booneville in the State Tournament but ended falling short 84-72.
#15 Ruben Valdez and #10 Payton Brown
Leading the team in scoring was Payton Brown with 50 points. Drew Dozier with 11 points and combining for 11 points was Mason Ford, Gada Wagner, and Jacob Avila.
#13 Isaac Villareal, #2 Jacob Avila, #15 Ruben Valdez, and #20 Jaden Hutchens
Head Coach, Joshua Brown, expresses his thoughts on the season, “We had a great year. I’m very proud of our Bulldog Basketball team and the way that they competed throughout this basketball season! These years fly by and watching these boys grow into young men is the best part of coaching. I’m proud to be their coach and would take them over anyone any day.”
#2 Jacob Avila
“We accomplished more than a lot of people thought we would or could. Booneville did a great job and hit a lot of shots. We say goodbye to one senior, Drew Dozier, who has been a big part of our success. He has helped build our program and has been a leader for our team. He has been a great teammate and we will miss him!”
#11 Drew Dozier
The Bulldogs are already starting to prepare for next seasons run at State. “We will concentrate a lot on getting better defensively and rebounding. In games that we lost this year, we struggled with both of those areas but they are fixable and we will go to work on those,” said Coach Brown. “We hit some goals that we set at the beginning of the year of making Regionals and the State tournament. I know our guys aren’t satisfied and it left a hungry taste in their mouths to come back and do better next year. I probably don’t say it enough but I’m proud of these Bulldogs!”
The Waldron Bulldogs swung full force into their baseball season like Evander Holyfield facing Muhammad Ali in a boxing match. The boys headed to Mena Tuesday night to take on the Bearcats in a wild extra-inning baseball game.
Within the first five innings, the score was held firmly in place with a 2-2 tie. Waldron and Mena were able to keep each other from scoring until the ninth inning when the Bearcats pulled away with two runs while the Bulldogs made one bringing the final score to 4-3 Mena.
Junior Seth Hunt made two runs and one hit while senior Tyler Owens made one run and two hits. Also securing one hit each for the Bulldogs was junior Carson Cain, sophomores Bryson Bailey, Drake Carnley, and Clayton Montgomery and freshman Blake Owens.
Pitching a great first game was Seth Hunt with 77 pitches striking out eight batters. Tyler Owens made 67 pitches striking out eight batters as well. And sophomore Braden Williams struck out one batter during his fifteen pitches.
The Bulldogs did a great job in their first game of proving that they are able to take the game as far as it needs to go without giving up. Waldron will stay home for their next game and host the De Queen Leopards on Friday, March 1 at 4 p.m.
