Resident News Network

Jr Tigers Fought The Good Fight

Sports

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4:48 pm

It was a clash of the Tigers which ended the basketball season for the Mansfield Jr High boys. The Red Tigers fell to Charleston 36-23 in their 3A-1 District Championship game. The match was cleanly played and full of pure defensive basketball.

Charleston jumped to an early 15-7 lead on Mansfield in the first quarter but the Red Tigers stayed poised under pressure. Mansfield’s defense tightened their grip only allowing Charleston to gain 4 points in the second quarter. By halftime, the score was 19-13 and could have been anyone’s game. The back and forth tag match continued throughout the third quarter with the Red Tigers keeping it close 24-19. Charleston overcame the Red Tigers in the fourth quarter with free throws and turnovers to win the Jr District Championship 36-23.

The Mansfield Jr Tigers closed out their season with a second place victory overall. Tiger fans saw many great things from the Jr boys this season but two things stuck out more than anything else. Growth as a team and hardcore effort. The Jr Tigers finished with a 7-7 conference record with most of those losses being close thrillers. The Tigers will be losing key players by moving up 4 of their 5 starters into Sr High basketball next season. Most fans would see that as a rough upcoming year but there’s a catch. The Jr Tigers have a depth of top-notch talent. They are hungry and eager to own their competition on the hardwoods next season coupled with great coaches to lead the way.

Head Coach, Kent Elmore, said this about his team. “I am very proud of my boys this season. We lost a starter early in the season and my bench stepped up and played well. The guys came in and worked hard every single day. Their work ethic and love of the game was truly special. They played each game so hard and I can’t ask for more than that.”

“I will have a lot of new bodies seeing the floor next season and we will have a lot of learning to do. I look forward to it just like I do every year. Once again I can’t say how proud I am of my 9th graders. It was a pleasure coaching them. Thank you to all the fans and volunteers that have helped us throughout the season. Without them, we wouldn’t have made it this far. Go Tigers!”

B.B. Flight Ends For Jr Lady Hornets

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:50 am

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As usual, all good things must come to an end. Including the Jr Lady Hornets 2018-2019 basketball season. They might not have won every game that they played in. But the Lady Hornets always exemplified what it took to be an accomplished player. Determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice.

Hackett rounded out their season, playing in two rounds of the 2A-4 Jr District Tournament. The Lady Hornets scored a 22-18 victory, conquring the Westside Lady Rebels in their first round of play. On their second night, Hackett lost their footing in their game against Mountainburg and fell 38-22.

“This is my 17th year of coaching basketball at Hackett Schools and this year’s junior high team is one of the topmost improved teams I have ever coached,” voiced Head Coach, Claude Foster. “From the beginning of this season until last night, we got better every week and gained confidence throughout the season. This group of junior high girls has truly impressed me with their willingness to work hard, learn, and improve on the aspects of the game that they needed to get better at.”

Championship Game Tonight!! Lavaca looking to clean Sweep the Top Spots.

Sports

Resident News Network

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10:43 am

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Championship Game Tonight!! Lavaca looking to clean Sweep the Top Spots.

Thursday night was the semi-final games of the 2A-4 Junior High School Basketball tournament. Both of the Lavaca Junior Arrow teams were slated to play, and both did just exactly what Arrow fans have come to expect of them…They won! The two seeded Lady Junior Arrows took to the court first and ended the “Cinderella” hopes of the number six seeded Danville Lady Little Johns. Danville had to beat both Magazine and Hector to get to the semi-final game. The winner of this game would advance to the finals. The Lady Arrows were victorious 30-26. Danville hung close the entire game and would not go away. Rylie Green was able to take advantage of driving lanes and did a great job beating their press. Elle Williams played great defense shutting down the lane. Lindsey Morgan did a good closing out on their shooters. Katie May, Rylie Green, and Anna Todaro were very active and created a lot of turnovers and quick shots. The Junior Lady Arrows Will play the one seed, Mountainburg, at 6:00 Saturday for the District Championship. Lavaca has but one blemish on their conference schedule and that was a loss to Mountainburg. Saturday’s game is a chance to even the score and bring home the trophy. Coach Vire looks forward to the rematch saying, “Mountainburg is a very big and physical team, we will be ready for them tomorrow. We just need to be patient on the offensive side of the ball and limit them getting easy baskets in the lane.”

The Junior boys were up next, matched up against the JC Westside Junior Rebels. With JC Westside hosting the tournament, The Junior Rebels were playing in font of their home crowd. Westside boys beat Magazine to face off against the number one seeded Lavaca team. The Junior Arrows were once again stellar winning 57-34. Coach Reed said, “We played really hard in the semifinal game and faced some adversity. We got ourselves in foul trouble and early we missed layups. I though we had a couple of guys step up like Kolby Glidewell by attacking the rim and Garrett Dorsey playing well defensively off the bench. When Drake, Avery, and Luke returned to the game they did a great job of finishing the game. Tonight will be a tough battle. Hackett is the biggest Jr. High team we faced this year. So, our ‘help’ defense will be important. It will be a highly intense game and the last one for both teams. It should be a lot of fun!” Next up for the Junior Arrows is Hackett. The last time these two teams met the Arrows pulled off a close win , 39-34. There is no doubt Hackett is hoping to even the score. However, the Junior Arrows will look to once again Sting the Hornets.

Out of seven schools to play in the District tournament, only Lavaca has both boys and girls remaining. This is a great testament to the schools basketball program and their coaching staff; Coach Reed and Coach Graves for the boys, Coach Wyles and Coach Vire for the girls. These coaches have not only been able to teach skill sets but also instill the confidence that is necessary for an athlete to meet their full potential. Often this type of article revolves around the players, as it should, but these coaches deserve a great amount credit for helping develop these kids. Lavaca should be proud of both the kids and their coaches.

The Junior Lady Arrows will take the court at 6pm and the boys will tip off at 7:30. Both of these games will be billed as “best vs best” in that the four remaining teams have lead the conference all season and earned the top spots in the Tournament. You wont want to miss this evenings event!!.

First Responders Recieve Suicide Prevention Training via Call for Backup Program

Resident News Network

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9:58 am

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Hackett Police Chief, Darrell Spells has a close connection to his calling and the message he gives through educating others.

Yesterday, Spells gave insight to multiple levels of first responder agencies on the subject of Call for Backup, Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training.

In today’s landscape, mental health is of high importance to all first responders and their families.

Whether it be Paramedics, Fire or Law Enforcement personnel who are often the first on scene, they are also the ones who leave with the images replaying in their mind. Over and over again.

The mental warfare is what brings many to suicide, which is a growing trend among first responder professionals in dealing with their realities.

“If something’s not right, it’s not all right. Get the needed help as soon as you recognize the need.” stated Spells during his training at Greenwood Police Department.

For more information on this training, or to contact Chief Darrell Spells about speaking engagements, please contact him thru Call for Backup or visit https://callforbackup.org/

Game Over For Jr Lady Tigers

Sports

Megan Hecox

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9:15 am

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The Mansfield Jr High Lady Tigers had one phenomenal season. The girls ended the year by making it to the second round of the Jr District Tournament. In their first game, the Lady Tigers overran the Lady Elks 32-27. For their final game, Mansfield pushed their skills to the limit but fell short 32-23 against Charleston.

Alyson Edwards, Natalie Allison, and Haylee Helms

The Lady Tigers played in over 20 games during their season. 14 of those were in conference play. Mansfield ended their season with a conference record of 6-8, earning the #5 seed position. The Lady Tigers are a young team filled with an abundance of talent. There will be only four ninth graders leaving the team. This leaves the nine eighth graders remaining, a great opportunity to lead the team for the underclassmen in the next season. Out of the Lady Tigers five starters, four of them will be returning.

Head Coach, Erica McKay, said this about her Lady Tigers. “There was so much growth from this group of girls. Each player individually improved and we most importantly improved as a whole team. I am most proud of the girls never giving up these last few games. Each game we seemed to have had a rough quarter that would get us far behind. At the start of the season, we could never mentally come back from it. However, towards the end of the season, these girls stayed mentally tough and would fight there way back.”

“They fought to the end and that’s what I am most proud of. This group of girls future is very bright for them. Next year, they will have to continue to keep working hard on the mental aspect of basketball and being confident in their ability to be more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball. These girls were fun being around my first year and I cannot wait to see them be successful in every sport they compete in.”

POA 746 Seek Clarity on Gun Laws

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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8:00 am

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President of the Arkansas Liberty Coalition and Scott County resident, Gary Epperson, along with members of the group, Patriots of Act 746, are spearheading a push that would provide clarity to gun laws, specifically, a resolution that affirms that Arkansas is a constitutional carry state.

Epperson was present when State Representative Brant Smith of Jonesboro presented HR 1013 on Thursday, February 7. He wasn’t alone, more than 30 other members of the POA 746 were also present. Smith presented the resolution, along with testimony from fellow Patriot Tim Loggains.

“This resolution is not something that is to make a new law. It is simply to provide our leadership with direction for law enforcement. This is to help avoid lawsuits and save the tax payers money on civil suits,” commented Epperson.

Smith asked members of the Judiciary Committee to provide that clarification by passing House Resolution 1013. That resolution calls lawmakers to recognize the 2018 case, Jamie Taff v. State of Arkansas, where the Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed that open or concealed carry without a permit is not a violation of Arkansas law.

-See related story

Loggains commented that the purchase of the concealed handgun license remains necessary for traveling outside of the state. He added that it’s also important for making a federal firearms license purchase.

State Representative Marsh Davis, a republican from Cherokee Village asked, “Is it not true that outside this building today, the citizens of Arkansas are open carrying and exercising their constitutional right as Arkansas citizens?” Loggains responded, “Not only are they open carrying, but they’re concealed carrying without a permit all over the state and not getting arrested because they’re not violating the law.”

Smith’s proposal was met with equal opposition, however. State Representative Nicole Clowney, a democrat from Fayetteville, expressed concerns that the resolution would “further muddy the waters.” State Representative Charles Blake, a democrat from Little Rock, expressed similar concerns stating “We shouldn’t try to interpret statutes or case laws through a resolution…”

Smith responded to the criticism stating that waiting on the Supreme Court’s interpretation would only further delay the clarification citizens deserve. Following the Taff ruling, the State of Arkansas had a window of time to file an appeal to the Arkansas Supreme court. Because they did not, that ruling will stand.

The members of the House Judiciary ultimately decided to delay the vote until Tuesday, February 12.

The following is the results of HR1013 in House Judiciary. State Representative Dwight Tosh asked for “due pass,” for immediate consideration. After a voice vote, a roll call was requested and here are the results:

Representative Carol Dalby-Chair
Representative Rebecca Petty Vice-Chair
Representative Stan Berry: NO
Representative Charles Blake: NO
Representative Sarah Capp: YES
Representative Nicole Clowney: NO
Representative Andrew Collins: NO
Representative Cindy Crawford: YES
Representative Marsh Davis: YES
Representative Charlene Fite: YES
Representative Jimmy Gazaway: NO
Representative Don Glover: NO
Representative Spencer Hawks: NO
Representative Douglas House: ABSENT
Representative John Maddox: YES
Representative Laurie Rushing: ABSENT
Representative Jamie Scott: NO
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd: ABSENT
Representative Brandt Smith: YES
Representative Dwight Tosh: YES

Jr Bulldogs Will Continue To Grow

Sports

Megan Hecox

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1:54 pm

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The 2018-2019 basketball season has come to an end for Waldrons Jr High boys’ team. Playing in over 30 matches, the Bulldogs faced some bigger heavy hitter teams as well as a few mediocre teams. But no matter what the boys were faced with, they always kept their feet grounded and their heads held high.

The Jr Dogs finished their season with an epic game against rivals, the Mansfield Tigers, in their District Tournament. Waldron lost 28-27 but they are still proud of how they played and are already thinking about what they are going to do for next season.

Head Coach for the Jr boys, Josh Atchley, said this, “I am so proud of the way those guys have grown throughout the year. The 9th-grade boys have continued to work hard and add value for the last three years. We had a team full of inexperienced players and kept getting better as the year progressed. I look forward to next year and the continued growth of our team. We will return several players next year and look to have another successful season. This group of Jr High guys have fallen in love with the game, and for me as a coach is one of the greatest feelings you can have.”

“I look forward to seeing our whole program grow with this group of kids. I would like to thank the parents and supporters of our team as well. It is a huge commitment to work as hard as these guys have and that would not be possible without people who support them. Roger Sparks, Konnor McKay, Kerry Barnett, and Ray Jett are rockstars at the scorer’s table and have volunteered for many years. We are all very appreciative of them,” expressed Coach Atchley.

Jr Hornets Unbeaten On Court

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:29 pm

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Things are heating up in the 2A-4 Jr District Basketball Tournament. At the start of the week, there were 14 boys and girls teams in play. But there can only be two. The Lady Hornets went unbeaten 22-18 in their first round of play against JC Westside. But in last nights game, the Lady Hornets got captured by Mountainburg losing 38-22.

The #2 seed Hornets came prepared for all-out war against the #3 Little Johns. Clicking on all cylinders the entire length of the game, Hackett was able to bring Danville’s suffocating play to a halt. The Hornets came from behind to deliver a remarkable 38-33 win against the bewildered Little Johns. Leading the team in points were Jensin Coggins with 13, Austin Cowell with 9, and Cash Oliver with 9 as well. Jensin and Austin also grabbed 9 and 6 rebounds respectively.

Starring in the 2A-4 District Tournament was Danville, Magazine, Hector, JC Westside, Lavaca, Mountainburg, and Hackett. After a week-long battle of total dominance, four teams from three schools remain. Playing Saturday, February 9th in the District Championship round will be the Mountainburg Lady Dragons vs the Lavaca Lady Arrows at 6 p.m. and the Hackett Hornets vs the Lavaca Arrows at 7:30 p.m.

It All Comes Down To This

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:52 am

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And so it begins. The beginning to an end. In last nights intense shoot-out between the Mansfield Tigers and the Cedarville Pirates boys’ teams, the Tigers put it through for two and came out with a 40-37 win. The teams were squaring off against each other in the semi-finals of the Jr District Championship in an attempt to secure their spot in the finals.

Mansfield and Cedarville kept the score within points of each other during the entirety of the game. Heading into halftime, it was the Pirates that held the lead with an 18-15 score over the Tigers.

#23 Zayne Dugan, #4 Clint Stovall, and #5 Steven Perez

With seconds left on the clock, the scoreboard read 38-37 Mansfield. In a Tigers free throw rebound, Zayne Dugan snagged the ball for a two-point buzzer beater sending the Tigers off to the finals. The 3A-1 Jr District Championship round will be played at Mansfield on Saturday, February 9th. The teams vying for the top hot shot spots are the Charleston Lady Tigers vs the Cedarville Lady Pirates at 1 p.m. and the Mansfield Tigers vs the Charleston Tigers at 2:15 p.m.

Obituary – Peggy Joyce Boswell (1933 – 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:03 pm

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Obituary – Peggy Joyce Boswell (1933 – 2019)

Peggy Joyce Boswell of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in Fort Smith, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born July 10, 1933 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Ernest and Leona Holt. She was 85 years, 6 months and 26 days old.

Peggy was a retired seamstress. She enjoyed crocheting, playing games,and working with her plants and flowers. She absolutely loved cooking and was able to pass that legacy to her children while teaching them how she worked her magic in the kitchen. Peggy was most passionate about her family and friends and spending time with them making treasured memories. She had a smile to brighten any room and a kind and welcoming spirit to everyone she met.

Peggy leaves behind to cherish her memory, two daughters, Leona Scott of Gloucester, Virginia and Leslie Boyd and husband Clarence of Waldron, Arkansas, one son, Bruce Waddle and wife Carla also of Waldron, Arkansas. Grandma Peggy will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Crystal Blowe, Angela Bryant, Tashia Ward, Daniel Boyd, Jacob Waddle and Jessica Brimble as well as 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Peggy 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.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Leona Holt, , husband, “Whistle” Zimmer, two brothers, John Holt & Billy Holt, two sisters, Ernestine Boyd & Rose Gilliland and one grandson, Josh Waddle,

Peggy’s life celebration will be Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Jeff Wilkinson officiating. Interment will follow in Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Peggy’s pallbearers will be Jacob Waddle, James Brimble, Alex Bryant Jr., Skyler Blowe, Tate Ward and Josh Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Bryant Sr., Beau Bryant, Ricky Blowe, Daniel Boyd, Kyler Boyd, Eric Sims, Jeff Sims and Clint Holt.

Peggy’s visitation will be Friday, February 8, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. You may leave words of remembrance for Peggy’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.

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