By Tammy Moore Teague
The Lavaca City Council met in regular session on December 10, at City Hall in Lavaca. Board members present were Aldermen: Mike Ray, Rick Edgerton, Jeff Price, Dale Teague, Lorie Robertson, Benny Hunter, attorney John Verkamp, and Recorder Shelly Hockaday. Mayor Hugh Hardgrave was absent. Visitors present were Ken VanDusen, Rene Myers, Steve Helms, Randy Toon and Gerald Schaefer.
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. Hockaday led the Pledge of Allegiance and Helms led the prayer. The Council approved the minutes of the November regular meeting as presented.
The Council members then reviewed the report from the police department. The department answered 383 calls in November. Additionally, eight traffic tickets, 11 criminal tickets and 23 warnings were issued. There were 9 arrests made in the month of November.
Next, the council reviewed the report from the fire department. The department responded to 17 first responder calls, three fire calls and one vehicle accident.
In other business, a motion was made to appoint Ron Smith to another term on the FSPWA board. Also, Rene Myers from the Scott Sebastian Regional Library system presented photos of the Library expansion that has been completed and thanked the city and council for their help.
In the last order of business, Jeff Price was awarded a plaque in appreciation for his time served with the City of Lavaca. Price was an asset to the city and will be missed.
With no further business, the Lavaca City Council meeting was adjourned.
City Presents Price with Retirement Plaque
Davidson Out on Bail Following Fatal Accident
By Tammy Moore Teague
On Friday, November 30, John Davidson, 37, was involved in a head-on collision that resulted in the death of an Elm Park resident.
While Davidson was recuperating from his injuries, his mother, Mary Davidson petitioned the court for his involuntary commitment to a drug recovery center. At the time of the accident Davidson tested positive for cannabis, opiates and benzodiazepines. None of which he had been prescribed according to court documents.
On December 5, a Scott County Circuit Judge ordered that Davidson be confined. However, on December 10, a counselor with Harbor Recovery Center stated “Davidson was admitted to Harbor Recovery Center’s Residential Chemical Dependency Treatment Program on December 6. As of December 10, 2018 he has been discharged incomplete from this program due to a positive drug screen for THC, opiates and OXY upon returning from a pass from a doctors appointment. He will be eligible for re-admission (30) days following his date of discharge.”
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davidson was arrested on December 15 and released on December 18 on a $150,000 bond. Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports, which were sent to the state crime lab in Little Rock following the accident.
Lap Blankets Presented to Mercy Hospice
By Jack James
Through the miracle of the Internet, a plea was made for lap blankets to help comfort Hospice patients in the Mercy Hospice in Fort Smith. Something was needed to keep the patients warm as they sat in their chairs or wheelchairs and something that wasn’t so “hospital” looking would be a blessing, they said. Well, a post to the masses of social media got several ladies attention. One of those ladies was Fort Smith resident Mary Tomlin!
Mary Tomlin heard the call and went to work immediately. She was already collecting material for a project with local Girl Scouts that was donated by her friend Terry Hunter. Terry’s mother had left a tremendous amount of material when she passed and she was doing something constructive and nice in her mother’s name. When Mary called her and approached her about donating material to the hospice blanket campaign, she didn’t hesitate to hand over all kinds of material for it. Mary made 13 blankets!
On Friday, December 14, 2018 the blankets were presented to the Mercy Hospice in the Mercy (St. Edward’s) Hospital. On behalf of Mary Tomlin and Terry Hunter, Jack James presented the blankets to Hospice Head Nurse Edith Brown and Nurse Amy Hollen. They were beyond thankful and appreciated the time and effort of the donation. It really was Christmas! The head nurse saw the one in the photos and was already handing it to one of their patients who she knew would enjoy it. The blankets are given to the patient and something that the family can take home later.
If you are interested in making a lap blanket to donate to the Hospice care, please do so! They really do a great service to those who have little time and comfort left. (Any part I played was to honor God, my Father and in the memory of cancer patients who lost their battles, especially my sister Donna Jo Johnson, and friends Woody, Roy and Debbie S.) “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”-Matthew 10:42
Santa Stops in Mansfield Senior Center
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Mansfield Senior Center hosted their annual Christmas party on Thursday. The packed out event got the attention of the big man himself!
Santa Claus made a surprise visit to area seniors. Mansfield Mayor Mike Gipson and his wife Karen were also among the dignitaries. Musicians Becky and Robert Walker, Buddy Elmore, Joe Morgan, Linda Blount Morgan, Bobby Johnson, Wayne Owens and Bob Garret set the festive atmosphere.
Of course what’s a party without food? The center served up ham, green beans, cheesy potatoes, hot rolls, and peppermint mousse, This, in addition to Christmas cookies, fudges and all sorts of yummy treats.
A special thanks to Site Director Candice Graham, and cooks Donna Elmore and Kandi Williams, and van driver Claudia Blum for all their hard work. Also to Gipson and his wife for the thoughtful gift of cordial cherries to all who attended. Lastly, to Santa and Mrs. Claus who took a moment from their busy schedule to be with the townspeople.
First Baptist Church Lavaca says goodbye to Pastor Joe and family
First Baptist Church of Lavaca Arkansas will be saying good bye and God-Speed to Pastor Joe Donahue and his family. Pastor Joe tendered his resignation back on the 18th of November and will be moving to Lake Havasu Arizona on December 27th. Bother Joe has been the Pastor at First Lavaca since September of 2014. He recently posted the following explanation of what their new adventure would look like.
“The girls will be enrolled at Calvary Christian Academy, and Kristy has accepted a Kindergarten teaching position. Each day, we will drive together to work and school! I will be the Associate Pastor of Preaching and Teaching and will transition to the co-pastor position. I am excited to grow and learn in a new environment. Pastor Chad Garrison has known Kristy’s family for decades. In fact, his wife used to babysit Kristy and her sister when they were young’uns. Calvary is in the process of launching new campuses in neighboring cities so that more people can experience a genuine life-changing relationship with Jesus. While our hearts ache a bit to leave so many friends who have become like family here in Lavaca, we are excited about making more lifelong friends in Lake Havasu City.”
First Baptist is also making preparations for this new chapter. They have formed a Pastor Search Committee and are asking for prayers as they began to search for Lavaca’s next Pastor. On Tuesday First Baptist posted the following on their Facebook page.
“Here are the men and women that have been selected to the First Lavaca Pastor search committee: Perry Newman, Darren Smithson, Justin Green, Bruce Womack, Dewayne Jones, Saundra Coble, and Sheryl Carter. Please be in prayer for our search committee as they begin the search for our new lead Pastor.”
We at Resident Press would like to offer God-Speed to the Donahues and offer our prayers for the Pastor Search committee as they seek God’s guidance to find their next pastor.
Coach Erica McKay Is Making Her Own Way
By Megan Hecox
Mansfield Coach, Erica McKay, is in her first year of coaching but that doesn’t mean that she is new to the coaching world. Erica McKay is the daughter of Mansfield Baseball Coach, Bryan McKay. While at times it was difficult growing up with a dad that’s a coach, Erica loved every minute of it, even inspiring her to follow the same coaching path. Coach McKay grew up playing softball, basketball, and volleyball, most nights and every weekend. She even spent a few years volunteering with volleyball at Girls Inc. in Fort Smith.
There are many aspects of coaching that Erica loves. “I love teaching the game and sharing my passion for the sport. While coaching, you build relationships with your athletes and get to know them better,” says Coach McKay “My favorite part about coaching is being a role model and somebody that they can come to for anything. Coaches have the chance to impact student-athletes in more than just the sport and that’s the best part.” Working at the same school as her dad is the best experience and something that Coach McKay will cherish forever. “We are constantly talking about what I could do during practice to better my girls or what I should have done during the game,” says Coach Erica McKay. “He gives constant advice. I am taking it all in and hope to be the coach that he is one day.”
Deputies Recognized Through Awards Ceremony
The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office recognized several deputies during a small ceremony held on Wednesday evening. The event was hosted by Sheriff Kevin Nickson and Sheriff-elect Hobe Runion.
The following deputies were recognized for their actions during a 2018 SWAT callout on Highway 10.
Corporal Ron Decker-Purple Heart
Corporal Sean Wallace-Purple Heart
Lavaca Police Department Officer/Sebastian County EMS Rusty Wilson-Purple Heart
Hackett Police Department Officer Todd Johnson-Certificate of Merit
During the ceremony, several awards were given out in recognition of outstanding service to the department.
Deputy of the year: Coby Miner
The Moore You Know…about CHRISTmas
By Tammy Moore Teague
This is truly the most special time of year! For me, probably like most of you, it envokes a lot of memories. Childhood memories!
We grew up working poor, we didn’t have much. We had each other, and boy did we make the memories. I am thankful that even today, we still gather together and keep most of those traditions. There is no ribbon that will encompass the greatness of that gift! Family and faith, it’s what Christmas is all about!
One memory in particular I wanted to share. As children, before we would open up one gift, we prayed. A prayer of thanks and gratitude. It will always remain in my heart, every Christmas morning. That prayer!
My prayer for you this Christmas, is that you are with the ones who mean the most to you. Also, that you find health and happiness in 2019. Lastly, that if you dont know Him, the One whom we celebrate this season, that before this year, this day ends, you do!
Jesus came into this world so that you might live! I am so thankful for our Savior! As my precious Sunday School students say…accepting Him is as easy as ABC: A, admit that you’re a sinner, B, believe that Jesus came to give you life, and C, confess that Jesus is the Lord of your life!
Thank you for all you’ve given me throughout 2018! I look forward to all that the new year brings! Merry Christmas my friends!
Great Week for Golden Arrow Basketball
It’s been a great week for Lavaca Basketball. The week got started Monday night when the Lavaca 7th grade boys and girls and the Junior High boys and girls teams took on the Danville Little Johns. All four of the Lavaca teams won. Then on Tuesday night the Lavaca Junior Girls and both Senior high teams traveled to JC Westside to take on the Rebel’s. This will be the last High school game before the Christmas Tournament.
In the Junior High game Riley Green led the team to victory with 23 points. The high school Lady Arrows played a hard fought battle. Skylar Hyatt and Hope Headley combined for 26 points, with 13 each to lead the team. BethAnn May had another 10 despite being in foul trouble most of the night. This was a great team win for the Lady Arrows who went on to overpower the Lady Rebs 51-36. The Lady Arrows are now 4-0 in conference play.
The boys also saw both of their bigs in foul trouble. Mark Miller and Cayden Hearn were called early and often for fouls and had to sit out for much of the game. But Jordan Fenner and Matt Melton really stepped up in the paint to keep the game close. In the end, the Arrows were able to hit free throws when needed to keep the Rebels at bay and remain undefeated in conference play. Arrows won 44-37.
The Junior High will play tonight at Chaffin Junior High. They will play the 8th grade team as well as the full Junior High teams. Games will start at 4:30. The Senior High will both play West Fork in The Airedale Classic in Alma. Both senior high teams will play Thursday, December 27th. Girls play at 3:30 and Boys play at 5:00.
Hackett Robotics Team Finish in Top 10
By Tammy Moore Teague
The Hackett Robotics Team is only in its second year and is already outperforming their competition. In fact, they are the only school in the River Valley that competes elementary students in robotics! Most of the teams the school have competed against are seventh-ninth graders. This, in comparison to the Hackett teams fourth-sixth graders.
“Our kids finished in the top ten in coding which is awesome,” stated Elementary Principal Tura Bailey. “I don’t understand coding at all and these kids are competing against much larger schools doing a task I can’t do!”
The Robotics Facilitator is Michelle Lasiter. She along with “Team Terminator” coaches, Gail Pelham and Shannon McKnight, and “Dabbin’ Dragon” coaches Erica Cooper and Shirley Davis have assisted the students in this endeavor. Parent mentors include Chelsea Gordon and computer programmer Andrew Velosky.
The First Lego League Competition teams are given a problem they are to find an innovative solution for. “This year’s problem was how to make life better for astronauts that stay in space for a year or longer,” stated Lasiter. “The teams them research several different ideas before settling on the one that they want to do. The teams then come up with a way to present their innovation to the judges. So far all out presentations have been in skit form.”
Then, they present core values, which are all about teamwork, cooperation, and things learned outside FLL. The third set of judging is for robot design. “There the students explain their robot attachments and plan of attack for the robot game,” Lasiter explained. “Then there is the actual robot games where teams try to have their robot accomplish as many missions in 2.5 minutes as they can.”
This year “Team Terminator” came in fifth and “Dabbin’ Dragons” came in ninth place out of the 19 participating teams.