By Megan Hecox
The Hackett Hornets Sr High basketball teams made their way up North last night to compete in the Bev Stone Border Classic in Omaha. Although both Hackett teams took a loss against the Flippin Bobcats, they didn’t go down without a fight. The (1-3) Lady Hornets fell 47-39 to the Lady Bobcats while the (0-4) Hornets come up short 58-48 against the Bobcats.
The Lady Hornets hit the court running when it was time to face the Lady Bobcats. The girls were quick and played toe to toe against their opponent. Sophomore Kayla Richarson led the team with 15 points. Senior Taylor Glass followed up with 12 points. The Lady Hornets played the game with such raw determination that they might just have to change their name to the Rim Reapers.
The Hornets were persistent in their efforts to let the Bobcats know that this was not going to be an easy game for them. That although only one team could win, they were going to fight tooth and nail to get there. Junior Dillon Kats netted 8 points for the Hornets. Following on his heels was junior Zach Gragg and sophomore Avery Hester tying with 7 points each.
Both Hornet teams are going back tonight for Round 2 of their jam session in the Bev Stone Border Classic. The boys will take on the Green Forest Tigers at 5:15 pm and the girls will face Mt.Judea at 6:30 pm.
“The strongest people aren’t always the people who win, but the people who don’t give up when they lose.”
Photos courtesy of Lonnie Hester
Hackett Hornets Refuse To Lose
It’s Time To Hit The Road! Christmas Lights Are All Aglow!
*It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go.
Take a look in the five and ten, glistening once again with candy canes and silver lanes all aglow!*
By:Â Kimberly Boyd
It’s Christmas time! Christmas lights and decorations are up in every department store and down almost every street. We have four kids, so we like to make family traditions without spending a fortune yet still have lots of fun.
One of our favorite Christmas family traditions is to celebrate my son’s youngest birthday at Golden Corral (because they send you a free coupon on your birthday if you sign up with your email on their website), ride the train at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith, and then go look at Christmas lights before heading home.
So, to make it easy on everyone, I have compiled a list of local Christmas Lights and Displays with their addresses. I have also listed how many miles each display is from Mansfield. After all, you must plan out your trip, right?
Be sure and let us know which one is your favorite! Also, if you know of more in the area, feel free to comment to let others know! ‘Tis the season to be jolly!
So, bundle up those kiddos, put on your favorite ugly Christmas sweater, and get ready to see some lights!
Arrows advance to Semi Finals of the Golden Arrow Classic.
Lavaca boys and girls both advance past the Black Diamonds of Sallisaw in the Golden Arrow Classic lat night. The Lady Arrows were met by a very fast and aggressive Lady Diamond team, The Diamonds pressed Lavaca and found success doing so in the first half. Lady Arrows went into half time trailing 18-25. The Lady Arrows made good halftime adjustments and took over in the second half. BethAnn May and Skyler Hyatt played big down low, while Hope Headley, Avery Green, and Julianne O’Dell all hit threes. Sierra Lamb and Avery Green ran the floor well beating the press. When the smoke had settled Lavac took the win 53-41.
The Boys game was also very physical. Mark Miller, Jordan Fenner, and Cayden Hearn played very strong in the paint. Andrew Wright, Jayger Wagner, and Matt Melton rained threes from the perimeter. Tyler Armistead also gave some very solid minuets. The Arrows lead the entire way, winning 70-54.
Next up will be Providence Academy tomorrow night. Girls will play at 7:00 and Boys play at 8:30. Come out to the gym and cheer on the Arrows as they play in the semi Final game.
As Always,
Go Arrows!!
Arrow Pride!!
Pre-Schoolers to Perform at Walk in Solidarity
By Tammy Moore Teague
Pre-schoolers from Jack and Jill Daycare in Fort Smith will perform “America to Me” during the ceremony preceding the Walk in Solidarity. That event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at the Waldron High School gymnasium.
Recently, the children performed the song for Fred Potter. Potter is the 88 year old Korean War veteran who has been in an ongoing legal battle over a family trust. -See related story
Additionally, the students performed the song at the Veterans Day program at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
At 2 p.m., the veterans and supporters will begin their march to downtown Waldron. At 6 p.m. the group will join in the parade festivities with a float themed: Star of Hope and Love.
West Fraser Donates Town’s Christmas Tree
By Tammy Moore Teague
This year the City of Mansfield will partake in a new tradition with a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 8 at 6:30 p.m. That event will take place downtown at the gazebo.
West Fraser donated the tree to the city. It was purchased and delivered by Greenview Lawns, owned by Cory Green. James Travis, Mill Manager, said “we appreciate the community’s support. We were glad to be able to do it and we look forward to watching it grow.”
Mansfield resident Russell Litchford came up with the idea and suggested it to Mayor Mike Gipson. He contacted Travis and together they made it happen. “I appreciate Travis and West Fraser. They do a lot for the town,” stated Gipson.
Travis is planning to add a plaque beside the tree to denote the year it was planted so generations to come can recall it’s history.
No Time Off For These Cheerleaders
By Megan Hecox
On Saturday, December 1st, the Mansfield Tiger Cheerleaders will be Competition bound. Both Jr High and Sr High teams will head to Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy, Ar to compete in their 2nd Cheer Competition of the season. The Lady Tigers have one more competition on Dec 8th and then its high-flyin’ time for the Sr girls as they head to STATE on December 15th.
This Saturday, the Jr High girls will compete in the 3A Jr Game Day division versus Glen Rose Jr High at 6:18 pm. The Sr High girls will go up against four other schools in the 3A Sr Game Day division. They will compete at 5:17 pm and 7:06 pm. Both teams took home 1st place in the 3A Game Day division during their last Cheer Competition in November. Good luck girls!!!
Tigers Ready For “Jolly” Good Time
By Megan Hecox
In a few short hours, the Sr High Mansfield Tigers are going to storm through the gym doors at Booneville and unleash a furry on the Dover Pirates so big, that even One-eyed Willy will be able to see it. The 5th Annual Bearcats Hoops Tournament opened last night with many teams shootin’ fast and seeing what they were made of. Tonight, the Tigers will get their chance as they drop anchor on the Pirates.
The (1-2) Lady Tigers are up first, starting their game at 4 pm. Then, the (1-2) Tigers will hit the court at 530 pm. The winner from the girls’ game will face Danville on Thursday and whoever loses will take on Waldron on Wednesday. The winner from the boys’ team will play Waldron on Thursday and the losing team will pick up Danville on Wednesday.
Below are the Booneville Invitational brackets.
Hornets Ready For Battle At The Border
By Megan Hecox
Todays the day! The Hackett Hornets Sr High Basketball Teams are locked, loaded, and ready to shoot for tonight’s tournament in Omaha. For the last several years, the tournament has been known as the Border Classic. Last year, former Omaha faculty member Bev Stone, passed away after a long battle with cancer. In her honor, the name of the tournament is being changed to the Bev Stone Border Classic.
The (1-2) Lady Hornets and the (0-3) Hornets are going to be taking on the Flippin Bobcats for their 1st Round in the Classic. The girls will be playing tonight at 4 pm and the boys will follow at 515 pm. The winners from tonight’s match-up between Hackett and Flippin will play in the 2nd Round on Thursday the 29th. The team that loses will play Round 2 on Wednesday the 28th. The boys’ team will go on to face either Western Grove or Green Forest. The girls’ team will go for three against Omaha or Mt.Judea.
Below is the bracket for the Bev Stone Border Classic.
Bulldogs Slammin’ and Jammin’ In Undefeated Season
By Megan Hecox
If you don’t know who the Waldron Bulldogs are, your about to. The Sr High boys basketball team is livin’ in hoop heaven as they sit in the number 1 spot in their 3A-1 West Basketball Division. The Bulldogs are 6-0 in non-conference play so far this season. With conference play right around the corner starting in just 14 days, the boys are shooting for a record-breaking year.
The Bulldogs have earned their Undefeated status by delivering a full court press to teams in DeQueen, Mulberry, Magazine, Atkins, Horatio, and most recently Danville. The Sr High Bulldogs kicked off their week last night, facing Danville in the 5th Annual Bearcats Hoops Tournament in Booneville. Both boys and girls teams played in last nights tournament. The Lady Bulldogs fell to Danville 59-21 but are looking to turn that around when they head back to the Bearcat Tournament on Wednesday.
As for the boys’ team, they delivered nothin’ but net to the Little Johns in last nights 64-42 victory. Those numbers have added nicely to the stats that the Bulldogs already hold. Just 6 games into their season, the Bulldogs have already obtained a total of 425 points. The boys will be back for more in the Bearcat Tournament when they play again on Thursday.
Sr High Boys Head Coach Joshua Brown couldn’t be more proud of how his boys played against Danville in the tournament, saying “Our kids keep playing extremely hard on both ends of the floor. We shot the ball really well, forcing some turnovers and getting a lot of deflections. Our post defense was really good too.” Both Jr High and Sr High Bulldogs will play tonight against the Mena Bearcats. “We get back to work tonight when we play Mena. They are a very good team that likes to push the tempo. It should be a great basketball atmosphere!” said Coach Brown.
Tonight the Bulldogs get home court advantaged as they take on the Mena Bearcats starting at 430 pm. Be sure to pop in and show your support by cheering on the Bulldogs and watching as they take it to the hoop!
Obituary – Willie Newman (1922 – 2018)
Willie Newman of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Sunday, November 25, 2018 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family. Willie was born September 19, 1922 in Hon, Arkansas to James and Katy Newman. He was 96 years, 2 months and 6 days old. He attended Hon Baptist Church.
Willie was proud to have served in the United States Army during WW II. He was awarded 7 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. In 2015, Willie was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal collectively for superior service to the First Special Service Force during WWII. Willie had become notorious for telling his war stories. Willie was a hard worker, he believed in a good day’s work for a good day’s pay. He believed in doing everything with precision and perfection, a trait he passed to his children and grandchildren. He loved and treasured his family and was extremely blessed with the time he spent with them passing on his legacy.
Willie leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son JR Newman, and wife Gina of Waldron, Arkansas. Poppa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren: Danny Newman, Kellie Robertson, Terri Robertson, Sara Koltzau and husband Brian and Jenna Parker and one great granddaughter, Kaylee Gardener. Willie will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted, including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Scott Newman, one daughter, Mary Sue Parker and son in law, David Parker and eleven siblings.
Willie’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Butch Morgan officiating. Interment will follow in the Center Point Cemetery in Hon, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Willie’s pallbearers will be Roy Browning, Lindon Scott Bud Gossett, Howard Gossett, Danny Newman and Brian Koltzau. Honorary pallbearers will be Junior Franklin, Kenneth Ridenhour, Larry Scott, Scotty Scott, Andy Scott, Keith Dedmon, Kason Dedmon, Ben Roseberry and Blakely Aynes.
Willie’s visitation will be Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
You may leave words of remembrance for Willie’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.