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State Capitol Week in Review from Senator Terry Rice

LITTLE ROCK – Tuition will increase at almost all Arkansas universities and colleges in the fall.

The University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees has approved tuition and fees for the school year that begins in the fall of 2025. The system comprises five four-year universities,  several colleges in the medical school, an online university and eight two-year colleges. More than 70,000 students are enrolled. The system employs 28,000 people and has a total budget of more than $4 billion.

A typical undergraduate at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville who takes 30 hours will see an increase of 3.89 percent. Tuition will go up 2.5 percent to $8,092 and mandatory fees will increase 8.88 percent to $2,404.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will increase fees by 1.93 percent, to $3,161, and tuition for undergraduate residents will not change. The University of Arkansas at Monticello will see tuition increase from $189 to $194 per credit hour.

At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff the cost of a credit hour will go from $211 to $219. The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will increase tuition for the typical undergraduate from $5,940 to $6,600. Fees will go up from $3,188 to $3,226.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will raise tuition by $475 to $17,475 at the College of Medicine. Tuition at the College of Pharmacy will remain $10,428.

The Board of Trustees of the Arkansas State University System has also set new rates for tuition and fees at its campuses. The system has four-year universities – ASU in Jonesboro and Henderson State in Arkadelphia.

It has a two-year college in Beebe with campuses in Heber Springs, Searcy and the Little Rock Air Force Base. It has a two-year college in Newport with additional campuses in Marked Tree and Jonesboro. Also, the system has colleges in West Memphis, Mountain Home and Malvern.

The ASU system includes a campus in Queretaro, Mexico. In total, the system enrolls almost 35,000 students.

ASU at Jonesboro will raise tuition and fees by 3.3 percent, to $10,430. Henderson State will raise tuition and fees 2.5 percent, to $10,560. At both ASU-Newport and ASU-Beebe tuition and fees will be $4,290, up 3.6 percent and 2.9 percent respectively.

At ASU Mid-South in West Memphis tuition and fees will increase 1.9 percent, to $4,770. At ASU-Mountain Home tuition and fees will increase 1.4 percent, to $4,200.

The University of Central Arkansas at Conway will raise tuition and fees by an average of 3.96 percent for graduate and undergraduate students. A typical undergrad who enrolls for 30 credit hours over two semesters will pay $10,940, up from $10,523 this year.

Arkansas Tech in Russellville will increase tuition and fees for a typical undergraduate by 2.55 percent. A student taking 15 hours a semester will pay $5,113 a semester. That is $127 more than last year. Students at the Ozark campus enrolled in skilled career education and skilled trades will pay $140 per credit hour, up from $136 last year.

Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival: A Musical Gem in Scott County

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Obituary: Rose Fosnaugh (1942-2025)

Rose Lee Fosnaugh of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Waldron, Arkansas. Rose was born June 17, 1942 in Waldron, Arkansas to John Kelley and Viva (Stewart) Kelley. She was 82 years old. Rose was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas.

Rose met and married the love of her life Donald while living in California. They were married 58 years before Don went to Heaven to wait for Rose. They raised 2 amazing daughters and became grandparents and great grandparents. They cherished the time spent loving their extended family and being instrumental in molding them into the wonderful people they are today. Rose loved reading, listening to Celtic music and working sudoku puzzles.

Rose leaves behind to cherish her memory, two daughters: Kim Defoor and husband Tim of Union Hill, Arkansas and Donna Wood of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Roey will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Michael Defoor and wife Sheena of Waldron, Arkansas, Jonathan Defoor and wife Tiffany of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Amy Dismukes and husband Kyle of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma as well as her great grandchildren: Chayse Nelson, Landon Defoor, Kimmy Defoor, Iwan Dismukes, Archer Dismukes, Stella Defoor, Cassidee Tucker and Rowdy Tucker. She is also survived by siblings: Joyce Jasso, Stewart Kelley and Billy Kelley. Rose will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including special friends Kathy Cabe, Lin Forrest a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Rose was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Donald Fosnaugh, her parents John and Viva Kelley and siblings: John Kelley, Anita Gamez, Viva Tellez and Kenny Kelley.

Rose’s visitation will be Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Obituary: Loretta Daggs (1936-2025)

Loretta Daggs, 89, of Waldron, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Waldron, Arkansas. She was born on January 29, 1936, to Leonard and Mildred (Wilson) Wagner in Dutch Creek, Arkansas. Loretta was a devoted member of the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene.

Loretta held many clerical positions over the years, eventually retiring from Tyson Foods after many years of dedicated service. She was married to the love of her life, Jim Daggs, for 51 years. Together, they raised six amazing children and played a huge role in the lives of their grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Memaw.”

Loretta loved hosting large family get-togethers. She also enjoyed playing cards with her Skip-Bo buddies and looked forward to game nights at the Nazarene Church. When she wasn’t spending time with family and friends, Loretta enjoyed traveling, flowers, the color red, and found joy in collecting many things, especially Fenton glassware.

Loretta leaves behind to cherish her memory six children: Jason Daggs and wife Wendy of Waldron, Arkansas; Pam Owens and husband Myrtie of Waldron, Arkansas; Terri Benefield and husband Johnny of Wister, Oklahoma; Sherry Hoffman and husband Randy of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Jimmy Daggs and wife Helen of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Kenneth Daggs of Waldron, Arkansas.

Loretta will forever remain in the hearts of her twelve grandchildren: Jacob Daggs, Jaren Daggs, Chad Owens, Shane Owens, John Benefield, Justin Benefield, Bambi Jo Benefield, Robin Daggs, Aaron Daggs, Celeste McClennan, Aimee Steamson, and Logan Daggs; as well as fourteen great-grandchildren: Hannah Owens, Drew Owens, Cash Owens, Tate Owens, Lana Thackler, Noah Benefield, Sydney Benefield, Paisley Benefield, Mia Benefield, Jacob Benefield, Lily Cowen, Brooke Cowen, EverRae Daggs, and Nathan Daggs; and a special niece, Tammye Sherrill.

Loretta will be missed by all who knew her and by the many whose lives she touched, including a host of extended family, friends, loved ones, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Loretta was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Jim Daggs; her parents, Leonard and Mildred Wagner; her sister, June Owens; her brother, Bud Wagner; and her grandson, Jase Daggs.

Loretta’s celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Waldron First Church of the Nazarene, with Rev. Wally Beckman and Rev. Jeremy Newlin officiating. Interment will follow at Duncan Cemetery in Waldron. Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Loretta’s pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jacob Daggs, Jaren Daggs, Chad Owens, Shane Owens, Drew Owens, John Benefield, Justin Benefield. Honorary pallbearers will be Hannah Owens, Danny Rhyne, Benny Newberry, Jim Wilmoth, and Noah Benefield.

Loretta’s visitation will be Friday, June 13, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

Sebastian County Library Groundbreaking Ceremony Scheduled

GREENWOOD, AR (June 18, 2025) – Decades in the making, Sebastian County Library, a branch of the
Scott-Sebastian Regional Library (SSRL), will soon have a new building. Construction of the library is underway with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for Wednesday, June 18, 9 a.m.

The new Sebastian County Library site is located on the corner of Hwy 71 and Center Street. Entry into the library site for the groundbreaking ceremony will be on the north side of the development through Cedar Valley Drive. Parking space will be limited.

The new Sebastian County Library will have:
10,000 sq. ft.
Dedicated adult, teens, and children’s spaces with enclosed areas for teens and children
Community room and study rooms
Outdoor spaces

“The location of the new library site is ideal for a county library. The location of Hwy 71 and Center Street improves accessibility for not only the Greenwood community but also Hackett, Bonanza, Lavaca, Witcherville, Huntington, Mansfield, Hartford, and Scott County communities,“ said SSRL Library Director Rene Myers.

“Community members have been asking for a community room and study rooms for several years. I’m so excited to finally be able to provide those spaces for the community.”

Construction for the new Sebastian County Library is expected to be completed August 2026. For
more information on the new Sebastian County Library project, please contact Rene Myers [email protected] or visit the SSRL’s website scottsebastianregionallibrary.com

About Scott-Sebastian Regional Library: Scott-Sebastian Regional Library (SSRL) is a two-county
library system that serves the communities of Sebastian County and Scott County.
SSRL provides information, materials, services, and programming that supports the communication of
ideas, enlighten citizenry, and enrichment of the personal lives of the residents of Scott and Sebastian
Counties. For more information, visit scottsebastainregionallibrary.com

ASU Announces Spring 2025 Chancellor’s and Dean’s List

JONESBORO – Students on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists for the spring 2025 semester at Arkansas State University have been announced. The lists recognize undergraduate students who achieved the highest grade-point averages while completing a minimum of 12 credit hours of study.

The Chancellor’s List (designated as CL) includes students who earned a perfect GPA of 4.0. The Dean’s List (designated as DL) includes students with a GPA of 3.6 to 3.99.

Franklin County:
Ozark: Joseph Cowell, DL
Booneville: Diondra Neve, CL
Paris: Sarah Baumgartner, CL

Logan County:
Paris: Heather Jackson, CL
Paris: Callie Smith, CL

Sebastian County:
Fort Smith: Caleb Capps, CL
Fort Smith: Kaleah Chaffin, CL
Fort Smith: Rylee Cowart, CL
Fort Smith: Kristyn Grayson, CL
Fort Smith: Devin Griffin, CL
Fort Smith: Heather Griffin, CL
Fort Smith: Adam Nobles, CL
Fort Smith: Samone Taylor, CL
Fort Smith: Venesa Lewis, DL
Fort Smith: Brynn Phillips, DL
Greenwood: Jillian Lathen, CL
Greenwood: Abigail Veatch, CL
Greenwood: Aidan Kittell, DL
Greenwood: Amelia Morgan, DL
Hackett: Delvin Dupre, DL
Hackett: Paige Pugh, DL
Mansfield: Tammy Teague, CL

Waldron School Board Holds Monthly Meeting, Approves Key Resolutions and Personnel Changes

The Waldron School Board convened for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Office Building. Presiding over the meeting was Board President Clay Woodall, joined by members Mac Davis, Angela Hunsucker, Konnor McKay, and Stan Cottrell. Superintendent Daniel Fielding and several district staff members were also present.

After a welcoming statement from Woodall, McKay led a prayer, followed by Hunsucker guiding the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The board approved the Consent Agenda, which included minutes from prior meetings, financial reports, and expenditures. Additionally, several program guidelines and financial agreements were approved, including the annual Microsoft license renewal, Dyslexia and ESOL program guidelines, and insurance premiums for district vehicles and equipment.

A key resolution regarding compliance with ACT 1105 was passed, allowing the district to transfer any excess carryover funds beyond $1,990,000 into a designated building fund after necessary deductions.

Darla Jeffery informed the board about ongoing hail damage repairs. Zack Taylor provided an enrollment update for the Middle School, noting a total of 395 students at the close of the 2024-25 school year, and thanked local churches and businesses for their contributions during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Lipham reminded the board of the upcoming Dog Days event, scheduled for June 21, with student activities planned for June 20. Meanwhile, Toni Dozier presented policy updates for board review before the next voting session.

Superintendent Daniel Fielding reported that Service Master had begun paint and roof repairs at the Elementary and Middle Schools.

The board accepted the resignations of Billie Jo Corbin, Rylea Weaver, and Tyler Hankins, and approved the retirement of Patti Fletcher, the High School Media Specialist.

Coaching assignments for the 2024-25 school year were adjusted and approved. The board also voted to hire Roger Rich as a Level 2 Bus Mechanic with 15 years of experience and as a Level 1 Bus Driver, pending his CDL acquisition.

The meeting concluded at 6:49 p.m., following a motion by McKay and seconded by Hunsucker.

Obituary: Kevin Smalling (1971-2025)

Kevin Ray Smalling was born on September 17, 1971, in Mena, Arkansas, and departed this life for his eternal home on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He was the beloved son of Darrell and Wanda Smalling, and grew up in Cedar Creek, Arkansas, alongside his brother, Steven.

Kevin was a cherished father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his children; Raquel Mason Smalling, Tasha (Glendall) Payne, Keisha Wright, and Miranda (Joseph) Nichiniello. His grandchildren; Elena Smalling, Marco (Maleea) Mondragon, David Mondragon, Abi McKenzie, Jackie Powell and Knoxlee Payne. Great grandson; Julian Mondragon. His mother; Wanda Smalling Raines, his brother; Steven (Leane) Smalling, nephews; Tyler (Lyndsey) Smalling and Lance Smalling and his niece; Olivia (Kaden) Stuart. Great niece; Lily Smalling, Great nephews; Eli Smalling, Max Smalling, Greyson Smalling and Sterling Stuart. Stepsisters; Jennifer Rowland, Amanda Jennings, Ashlee Gibson and Sarah Lee. Kevin is also survived by many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Darrell Smalling; his stepfather, Earl Raines; and his son, Ben Mason. His paternal grandparents; Virgil and Roxie Smalling and maternal grandparents; Ed and Mabel Hulsey.

Throughout his life, Kevin was known for living life to the fullest and bringing joy to everyone around him. He had a way of lighting up every room with his humor, making people laugh, and showing love in the most loyal and generous way. Whether it was through a joke, a helping hand, or just his presence, Kevin made people feel like they belonged.

He didn’t just care about his friends-he loved them like family. His friendships were deep, real, and lifelong. His unconditional love for his family and friends was always evident, and his legacy will live on through the memories we shared and the laughter he brought into our lives.

We take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, reunited with the loved ones who went before him.

The funeral to celebrate Kevin’s life will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cedar Creek Cemetery Fund c/o Chambers Bank or Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.

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Bowman Closes The Book At Mansfield To Begin A New Chapter

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