Resident News Network

It’s Batter-Up Time For Bulldogs

Sports

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10:58 am

The Waldron Bulldogs are singing “Take me out to the ballgame” as they suit up and prepare to take on the Mena Bearcats in tonights season opening away game. The Bulldogs and Lady Dogs will take to the field with a 4:30 start time.

This season the Bulldogs are sporting a young roster with only one senior, Tyler Owens, whose positions include pitcher, catcher, and first baseman. The boys are being coached by Mark Brigance, who had this to say about his Bulldogs, “I feel good about today’s game. Mena has an outstanding facility. We had a great practice yesterday. The strength of going into this first game is starting pitching and offensive speed. Right now junior, Carson Cain whose positions include pitcher and outfielder, is stepping up defensively and the Freshmen group is hitting the ball well right now.”

The Lady Bulldogs opened their season last night against Dardanelle. Waldron was able to hold the Lady Sand Lizards in a tie until the third when Dardanelle put the score to 3-1. Coach Bailey Moore explained “We struggled against their offense in the 5th. We had a few errors but mainly they were just a solid hitting team. They put 3 out of the park and had several gap hits that are hard to defend against.”

Knowing her girls had more fight in them, Coach Moore got her Lady Bulldogs fired-up.“We started putting hits together and making things happen. In the 6th, we loaded the bases and my freshman 2nd baseman pulled out a hard hit grand slam. Even though it wasn’t a W in the books, the girls fought hard and I am proud of them for that.” The Lady Bulldogs ended with a final score of 17-9 Dardanelle. “We aren’t planning many changes for tonight’s game because I think a few of our errors were jitters. If we can come out strong and keep putting the ball in play, I think we will show Mena a new team. We are ready for the challenge!”

School Board Discusses Option to Buy Former Hardware Store

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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7:39 am

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School Board Discusses Option to Buy Former Hardware Store

The Mansfield School Board met on Monday, February 25 for their monthly meeting. After approving the financial reports and minutes from the previous month, the board was presented with Superintendent Robert Ross’ report.

Tina Smith, Director of Instructional Services and Federal Programs, and Elementary Principal Kim Arnold have been visiting area schools, looking at their elementary ALE (alternative learning experience) classrooms.

Ross informed the board that work on the rock gym has been underway. According to Ross, half of the flooring has been replaced, and Mansfield’s West Fraser will be donating the lumber to complete the remaining repairs. That work is expected to take place over the summer.

Next, he presented the board with an estimate on the former Hurt’s Hardware building. That building is currently owned by Farmers Bank and is up for sale. The asking price is $325,000 and the district is entertaining the notion to convert the building into an indoor softball/baseball and weight training facility.

“I think it would be great for the community,” said Ross. Ross added that the school held the option to sell the surplus 40 acres that was purchased when the new high school was built to help fund the purchase. The board took no action on this item of business.

The board took the following action:

approved a motion to advertise for mowing bids
waived 1.6 GPA for student graduation
approved DHS summer feeding program, which will coincide with the summer school program
accepted the resignation of a bus driver and first grade teacher
accepted a resignation and retirement letter
approved the estimated budget of expenditures for 2020-2021
approved the salary schedules for 2019-2020
renewed contracts for administrators

The next school board meeting will be March 25.

ALE Class to Sponsor Community Service Project

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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6:52 am

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ALE Class to Sponsor Community Service Project

The Mansfield School District’s ALE Class is seeking to sponsor a Pack Shack party event. The organization supplies all the dry goods for volunteers to come together to “pack” and make meals, which all stay within our area. -Read more about the Pack Shack.

Alternative Learning Experience classroom facilitator Talana Nelson said “We will be making enough meals to service 1250 families. Each meal bag has eight servings. The bags will then be given out to local churches, daycare, the Mansfield School District and to any other non- profit in need.”

The funds needed to sponsor the Pack Shack event is $2,750. Nelson said she had received a mini grant from BC/BS for $1000.00 but would still need an additional $1,750. “I am asking for help from anyone, any organization or church that may wish to contribute,” stated Nelson. She’s also open to further ideas on grants to help achieve this mission to serve hungry families in our area.

The Pack Shack brings all the supplies and they create a party atmosphere while packing the meals. “I am looking at having the party in April or May on the weekend,” she added. “With 40 people helping to pack the meals it shouldn’t take more than 1.5 hours to complete the party.”

If you would like to assist these students and Nelson, you can contact the school and leave a message for her.

Obituary – Cathy Lee Payne (1958 – 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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6:31 am

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Obituary – Cathy Lee Payne (1958 – 2019)

Cathy Lee Payne of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, February 24 2019 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Cathy was born April 6, 1958 in Mena, Arkansas to Theo “Pete” Leeper and Catherine (Rogers) Leeper. She was 60 years, 10 months and 18 days old.

Cathy met and married the love of her life, Randy Payne when she was just a young woman. Together they have conquered this thing called life. They have been each others best friend, soul mate, companion and partner in everything. They have raised three children of their own and helped in raising many of the nieces, nephews and numerous others that have been blessed with entering their home. To some she was Cathy but to most she was “Nan or Nana”. Nan was a wonderful and kind person. She had a welcoming spirit to everyone she met. She opened her heart and her home to everyone. To know Cathy was to love her. Cathy worked for 16 years for the Waldron Public Schools in various areas but the last several years in the cafeteria. She was loved and cherished by her co-workers and she made everlasting friendships. She might have had 3 of her own children but she loved all of Waldron’s children. Any child that needed a hug would go hunt for Ms. Cathy. She was full of wisdom and always had an uplifting piece of advise. When Cathy wasn’t working she enjoyed hunting and fishing but especially following her kids and grandkids to their sporting events. Spending time with family was Nan’s most treasured memories and where she always wanted to be. Her legacy of love and laughter will remain with everyone who knew her.

Cathy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 42 years, Randy Payne of the home, two daughters, Dawn Payne and Andrea Wagner of Waldron, Arkansas, one son, Glendall Payne and wife Tasha also of Waldron, Arkansas. Nan will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Gentree Ridenhour (Jaren), Tristan Manning, Dayten “DayDay” Manning, Christina Manning, Gavlen “Gada” Wagner, Drake Wagner, Driften Wagner, Kaylen Payne, Driften Wagner, Ashlyn Payne, Aiden Wagner and one great grandson, James Ridenhour. Cathy is also survived by her siblings: Linda Robertson, Roger Leeper (Betty), Larrain Smith, and Jody McDaniel (Loyd). Nan will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces and nephews and extended family, friends, and loved ones dear to her heart.

Cathy is preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Catherine Leeper, and one brother, Glen Leeper.

Cathy’s life celebration will be Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs and Rev. George Crump officiating. Interment will follow in Center Point Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Cathy’s pallbearers will be Jaren Ridenhour, Daniel Taff, Gabriel Manning, Jason Broomfield, Mark Harris, Josh Sanford and Greg Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Tristan Manning, DayDay Manning, Gada Wagner, Drake Wagner, Driften Wagner and Aiden Wagner.

Cathy’s visitation will be Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas where Cathy’s family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

You may leave words of comfort and remembrance for Cathy’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.

Scott County Boys and Girls Club to Launch the Dollar Project

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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9:35 pm

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Scott County Boys and Girls Club to Launch the Dollar Project

The Scott County Boys and Girls Club Director, Amanda Falconer, has big plans for the organization’s future. Part of that vision includes a teen center, and a branch expansion into the City of Mansfield.

These plans do not come without a price tag, however, and thats where Falconer has been hard at work. She’s calling it the “Dollar Project.” Falconer plans to seek assistance from Tyson Foods in Waldron to help fund the project. Employees would have the option of designating a $1 donation per paycheck to benefit the club.

“It would be huge,” Falconer said. “We could do our remodels and the things we are needing to do.”

Falconer added that she would like to see a Mansfield branch, however funds have not afforded that expansion. “We want to grow the future $1 at a time,” Falconer added.

The club currently exists on donations and grants. However, Falconer sees the need for the Boys and Girls Club to be functioning more independently.

She added that they have recently joined forces with the 4-H organization and will be working in collaboration with them on programs like agriculture, gardening and archery.

“My goal in one year is to get our teen center going and be discussing an expansion into Mansfield,” Falconer concluded.

Newly Elected Mayors Attend WAPDD Meeting

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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9:31 pm

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Newly Elected Mayors Attend WAPDD Meeting

Newly elected mayors across our area attended the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District meeting last week. WAPDD is a primary source of information, support and services in the Western Arkansas counties of Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Sebastian and Scott.

Waldron Mayor David Millard, Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black and Hartford Mayor Mary Radley were all in attendance.

The mission of WAPDD is “To foster community and economic growth in our local economy by providing community and economic development, workforce innovation, transportation and emergency planning and various other professional services in support of our Region. We are the central catalyst for community-centered economic development that links our counties, cities and businesses with state, federal and private resources to aid in a higher quality of life while promoting future growth for all citizens of Western Arkansas.”

With services and information that is valuable both to governments and to the general public, WAPDD impacts the region in areas such as community and economic development, transportation improvement, 911 emergency services, GIS/utility mapping and workforce development.

The board of directors includes leaders from all across the region from every community. Mayor Black, who is on that board of directors, said “they (WAPDD) are a great resource to our area.”

EAST Students Work Hard To Help The Community To Receive Free Fire Alarms

Headlines

Resident News Network

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5:36 pm

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EAST Students Work Hard To Help The Community To Receive Free Fire Alarms

The Mansfield High School EAST Classroom is teaming up with the American Red Cross and the Department of Emergency Management & Public Safety to help our community by preventing unnecessary deaths due to house fires. They are offering free smoke alarms to anyone who does not have one or would like to have their old alarms replaced. These alarms have a 10 year battery and will be installed in your home at no charge. All students of the Mansfield School District will be sent home with a flyer this week to be filled out and returned to the school by Friday, March 1st. Anyone else who does not have a student in the district is encouraged to get their free fire alarm by contacting Annette Smith at [email protected] or calling the Mansfield High School at 479-928-1105. You will need to provide your name, address and phone number when you contact the school. The EAST students will then contact you to set up a date to install the fire alarms in your home.

EAST (Education Accelerated by Service and Technology) is a technology driven, student led, service based, collaborative class in which all learners have the opportunity to have relevant, individualized, life changing educational experience. Students develop and implement community service based projects they create using cutting edge technology.

EAST Students working on this project are pictured above from left to right: Logan Yoss, Robert Smith, and Dustin Holland.

Little Hired as Mansfield Public Works Director

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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5:01 pm

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Little Hired as Mansfield Public Works Director

Mansfield resident Charlie Little has been hired as the new Public Works Director.

Little is a former employee of the city, serving for 14 years. He will oversee the street, water, wastewater and sanitation departments.

Mayor Buddy Black was happy to have Little back working for the city. “I think he will be great for our town. It’s the most important thing to me to always try to do what’s best for the City of Mansfield,” commented Black.

Currently, the search is underway for a new police Chief. That position will be vacated at the end of March by current Chief Boyd Farmer. -See related story.

Cherry Honored as Volunteer of the Year

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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4:41 pm

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Former Mayor Neil Cherry was honored on Thursday evening, February 21. Cherry was named “Volunteer of the Year,” by the board members of the Scott County Boys and Girls Club.

Cherry has been a long time supporter of the club. He initiated the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote events such as the city’s car show. “He made sure all the proceeds went to the club,” said Director Amanda Falconer.

Falconer noted that as many as 400 people were in attendance. The annual banquet is the club’s largest fundraising event.

Cherry has always been a champion of the City of Waldron, and we congratulate him on this great honor.

100 Families: Restoring Hope

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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4:19 pm

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On Monday, February 25, Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion joined 20 other businesses and organizations in pledging to work together, assisting families within the River Valley.

The 100 Families initiative is committed to restoring hope. The leaders of the organization have designed a plan to make an impact within the community. This plan “partners training agencies on a collaborative case management system to respond when a family is in crisis.”

The goal of these combined resources is to move families from crisis to career. These families will be engaged by any provider in the partnership, and under case management through “care teams,” consisting of multiple organizations.

They can be referred from any agency partners such as the prison, district court, schools or juvenile court. Once in the program, families can benefit from employment or recovery coaches. They will be provided with opportunities to build life skills and can be assisted in finding employment.

Through assessment, basic needs are addressed. This would include nutritional needs, clothing and shelter. Next, providing hope by teaching a renewed mindset. Wellness and recovery are also part of the approach. Lastly, employment and education.

“This Declaration of Participation was ceremonial, but it was all the players saying we will be involved in helping with this,” stated Runion.

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