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Waldron’s Community Coffee Event

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5:57 pm

By Tammy Moore Teague
Waldron residents and city leaders met together at Dalton’s Place on Tuesday morning during “Community Coffee.”

Mayor Neil Cherry gave updates on several upcoming events throughout the city. Those include:

Pumpkin Patch – October 13-November 3, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. First Kids Daycare, Ministry of First Baptist Church, 57 West 6th Street, Waldron.
Pickin’ in the Round at “The Hall” on Main Street, 264 S. Main, Waldron – Thursday nights beginning October 18 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Waldron PTO Fall Fest on Main Street – Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Movie & Popcorn – Wednesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. “Chasing the Dragon” at Scott Theater.
A Revival of Song-Saturday, October 29 beginning at 11 a.m. The United Methodist Church, corner of Main and 6th Streets.
Christmas Market beginning Saturday, December 1 at the Scott County Fair grounds, 165 Mill Street, Waldron. Begins at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Special guests included the new Scott County Boys and Girls Club director, a representative from Kindred At Home and District 21 State Representative Stele James. Singers Curtis and Jean Billings were on hand to entertain the guests with some good ole’ gospel music.

Local Non-Profit Birthed From Heartbreak, Mission to Help Others

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2:17 pm

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Local Non-Profit Birthed From Heartbreak, Mission to Help Others

By Tammy Moore Teague
CNW Headstone Foundation provides the service one would expect from its namesake. The local non-profit organization, Chelsey and William’s Headstone Foundation, was birthed out of heartbreak, and gave way to a mission to help ease the burden of others who’ve faced loss and hardship.
Husband and wife team, Roy and Brooklyn Holtz, co-founded the foundation. “When our son William died we had no idea the cost of a headstone. Were it not for our community, friends, and family he still would not have a headstone,” Brooklyn Holtz said. “Once we buried him we walked around and looked at what I call his new “neighbors”. We found Chelsey, who had only had a temp metal marker since the 90’s. It broke our hearts and we knew we had to do something. We talked about it for awhile and decided we wanted to do something, anything, to help other people. You would be surprised at how many people struggle with death related expenses for one reason or another. My husband and I hated the thought of others having to do without. We started the foundation so every person can receive a headstone and their life be remembered and honored.”

In September of this year, CNW Headstone Foundation was formed. After purchasing the headstones for William and Chelsey, the Holtz set a goal. “Our goal is to make sure that no person has to be buried without a marker of their life on this Earth.”
To date, they have been able to provide one headstone, and two others are on the list. This work, however, requires funding to continue. The foundation is pursuing a 501 non-profit status and is funded solely by donations and sponsorships. “The community is giving back to the community,” Brooklyn Holtz added. Donations are needed. Currently, the foundation has a GoFundMe account set up. Additionally, the foundation is selling custom t-shirts on bonfire.com. Brooklyn Holtz designed the shirts. Her sister-in-law and artist, Lana Laughlin, donated the logo.
“If we are able to make this happen at the level we want it to, it will be like William and Chelsey did not die in vain. Their little lives served such a huge purpose and they will have touched so many lives, even after theirs ended.”
If you aren’t able to donate, and would still like to help, there is a need for volunteers. If you’re interested you can fill out an application here.

Community’s Help Needed in Hurricane’s Aftermath

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Tammy Teague

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1:55 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague
Hometown boy, Darin Williams, son of Nan and Terry Williams, needs the community’s help! His home took a direct hit by Hurricane Michael and it did significant damage. He and his wife, Shannon, are like many others in that area and have no running water, electricity nor cell phone coverage. “Their house isn’t as damaged as others and he wants to help them,” said Nan Williams.
The following is a list of needs:

Very large tarps
Roofing nails with orange plastic heads to hold the tarps
Battery operated fan
Clean/new jerry cans for water (for bathing)
Spray sunscreen
Baby wipes
Clorox wipes
Bleach
Laundry soap
Empty gas cans
Work gloves
Dish soap
String mops

You can bring any of these items to the First Baptist Church on Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Local Non-Profit Birthed From Heartbreak, Mission to Help Others

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Tammy Teague

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1:12 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague
CNW Headstone Foundation provides the service one would expect from its namesake. The local non-profit organization, Chelsey and William’s Headstone Foundation, was birthed out of heartbreak, and gave way to a mission to help ease the burden of others who’ve faced loss and hardship.
Husband and wife team, Roy and Brooklyn Holtz, co-founded the foundation. “When our son William died we had no idea the cost of a headstone. Were it not for our community, friends, and family he still would not have a headstone,” Brooklyn Holtz said. “Once we buried him we walked around and looked at what I call his new “neighbors”. We found Chelsey, who had only had a temp metal marker since the 90’s. It broke our hearts and we knew we had to do something. We talked about it for awhile and decided we wanted to do something, anything, to help other people. You would be surprised at how many people struggle with death related expenses for one reason or another. My husband and I hated the thought of others having to do without. We started the foundation so every person can receive a headstone and their life be remembered and honored.”

In September of this year, CNW Headstone Foundation was formed. After purchasing the headstones for William and Chelsey, the Holtz set a goal. “Our goal is to make sure that no person has to be buried without a marker of their life on this Earth.”
To date, they have been able to provide one headstone, and two others are on the list. This work, however, requires funding to continue. The foundation is pursuing a 501 non-profit status and is funded solely by donations and sponsorships. “The community is giving back to the community,” Brooklyn Holtz added. Donations are needed. Currently, the foundation has a GoFundMe account set up. Additionally, the foundation is selling custom t-shirts on bonfire.com. Brooklyn Holtz designed the shirts. Her sister-in-law and artist, Lana Laughlin, donated the logo.
“If we are able to make this happen at the level we want it to, it will be like William and Chelsey did not die in vain. Their little lives served such a huge purpose and they will have touched so many lives, even after theirs ended.”
If you aren’t able to donate, and would still like to help, there is a need for volunteers. If you’re interested you can fill out an application here.

Jr Lady Arrows District Runner up. Senior Lady’s To Take Court Tonight

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9:37 am

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Jr Lady Arrows District Runner up. Senior Lady’s To Take Court Tonight

Photos by Amanda Hall
Congratulations to the Lavaca’s Junior Lady Arrows for a great season and 2A runner up. The Lady Arrows came into the tournament as the 2 seed and played well but came up just short falling to Hackett in the final. This is a great group of young athletes and the future is definitely bright.
The senior high Lady Arrows will take the court this evening at 6:30 verses Alpena. Lavaca comes in to the tournament as Conference Co-Champions and the 2 seed overall. The last time these two teams met, Lavaca won in straight sets. Hackett will take on Decatur at 5:00.

Championship match will be at 6:00 on Thursday. The Arrows must take care of their business tonight, but they seem to be destined for a third match up the Lady Hornets. The last two meetings were fierce battles. Come out and support these ladies as they make their run for a District Title. You will not want to miss this.
As Always,
Go Arrows!!
Arrow Pride!!

Lavaca Alumni Profile – Janson Graves

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8:58 pm

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Janson Graves is a 2017 graduate of Lavaca High School. While at LHS, Janson showed off his athletic abilities lettering in three sports: Football, Basketball, and Baseball. After graduating, he went on the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, where he is majoring in Mathematics. Janson plans to gain his teaching and coaching credentials and coach high school sports. Specifically, he would like to coach Baseball and Football.
Janson did not play any college sports his freshman year and had pretty well conceded that his athletic career as a player had come to an end, but that’s not how this story ends. Janson has always had a work ethic that was unequaled and that did not end just because he was no longer playing. One day, while working out in the gym, Janson met a guy named Easton Stalling. Easton was a pitcher for the UAFS Lions. As they got to know each other, Easton asked Janson to go to the field and throw with him, of course Jason complied. That’s when opportunity struck. The UAFS pitching coach saw him throw and invited him to start working out with the team.
It is hard for players from small 2A schools like Lavaca to be seen by college coaches, and many do slip through the cracks. Players from small schools have to be ready to recognize opportunities when they arise. It is not a surprise, to those that know him, that Janson is able to continue to play the game he loves. He has never met a stranger, as he continually creates networks, and he has never been out worked. Both of these attributes help him answer the bell when opportunity comes calling. These characteristics, along with many others, will bring him much success, both on the mound and in life.
Greg Pair, Janson’s former high school coach, had this to say about him, “Janson Graves is the most mentally tough young man I have ever been around. You will not beat him because he refuses to lose. Heck of a player and an even better man. Blessed to have coached him.”
We at R22 News would like to congratulate Janson and wish him all the best as he continues to play baseball. Good luck in the coming season and Go Lions! Be on the look out for other Arrow Alumni profiles, as well as updates on Janson’s upcoming season.

Things Heat Up in Concession Stand, Board Considers Solution

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Tammy Teague

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8:47 pm

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Things Heat Up in Concession Stand, Board Considers Solution

By Tammy Moore Teague

The Mansfield School Board met in regular session on Monday evening. All members of the board were present with the exception of Trent Hayslip. Following the approval of the minutes and financial reports, the board moved on to current business.

Present to address the board was Amanda Wilson. Wilson, President of the Mansfield Parent Involvement Committee and treasurer for the Athletic Booster Club, expressed the need for air conditioning inside the concession stand. Wilson, booster athletes and parents have endured a grueling hot summer in the confined space. “Everyone who volunteers said they wouldn’t do it again until we can get some sort of air conditioning,” shared Wilson. Adding that when working the concession stand, “We are all ringing wet with sweat, head to toe.”

No immediate board action was taken. Superintendent Robert Ross responded by saying they will look at what needs to be done, and use the winter months to explore options.

In other school business, the board accepted an expulsion recommendation, adopted a minority recruitment plan and discussed implementing a ALE, Alternative Learning Experience, at the Elementary School.

Your Girdler is Showing!

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8:18 pm

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By Jack James
At the coffee shop this week, a hometown gentleman was worried because his hickory tree had lost some smaller branches. With his trusty cellular device, he researched and found out he is a victim of twig girdlers! I’d never heard of them, but had seen their work. Thought you might like some information too.
Twig Gridlers are a skinny beetle. They have a head like a grasshopper and are not the prettiest of insects. They feast on trees like basswood, Bradford pear, cherry, dogwoods, elm, hickory, redbud, persimmon, pecan, oak…you get the idea. Most any tree you have on the place can fall victim to these ugly pests.
They are active in the spring but are really active in the fall. The crazy thing about these guys is that they band the limb, meaning they cut the bark, and then eat until the limbs are cut completely through, usually on a branch no bigger than an inch wide. They make such a perfect cut with their little insect incisors that you almost think you have someone pruning your tree. In fact, there is a cousin to the girdlers that are called twig pruners.
They lay eggs there so their young can eat wood when they hatch. The female lays eggs in the fresh pulp down toward the center for the branch. The eggs feed on the sugar in the dead branch and they must love it. The larvae feed for about a month or two and then the growing process begins, according to the research from my friend’s email. Once a girdler prunes a tree and lays the eggs, they put a scent on the tree, one that others can detect from great distances. Girdlers will come from far and wide to take advantage of the proven goodness of a tree.
There are products that will take them on down the road, away from your cherished trees, shrubs and bushes. You need to spray the trees. In the spring before they get to cutting and in the fall when the eggs start being laid, is the perfect answer to making them miserable. Products are on the market if you find the need for it. Just tell the man at the COOP you have problems with your girdlers. Hopefully he will keep eye contact.

City Works to Address Pothole Problem

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Tammy Teague

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7:06 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague
It’s one of the biggest complaints from residents in the city, our streets. In some areas, there are deep and crumbling portions of roadway that force drivers to slow to a crawl, or avoid all together.
Mansfield Public Works Director, Joe Manes, was hard at work last week repairing some of these areas. If you’re aware of potholes or an area that is in need of repair, you can contact Mansfield City Hall at 479-928-5552 and report it.

Tiger Teams Ring Van Buren Classic

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5:56 pm

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Mansfield beat the rains and got in a four race schedule at Van Buren’s Cross Country Classic on October 13 before the skies soaked the area Saturday afternoon. Thank goodness for the window of opportunity as 17 out of 23 Mansfield runners set personal records on the day.

In cool, windy temperatures Mansfield athletes ran some of their best times of the season through all divisions on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. With the many personal records produced, several Tiger individuals got a chance to ring in a new tradition.

“We ran at the exclusive Chili Pepper run and saw some high profile schools from around the country ring a bell,” said Mansfield coach John Mackey. “It signified a record breaking day for runners. Our young kids immediately said they wanted a bell. Tiger booster Eric Christensen got us one.”

Seventeen Mansfield athletes got to ring the bell due to personal records they established in the large scale event at the Academy in Van Buren. Everything from a few seconds to nearly a five minute reduction highlighted a fabulous morning. Along with the PR parade also came a championship trophy by the junior girls.

“You look at who set records today and it warms your heart knowing they have been working hard enough to see results,” rejoiced Mackey. “This is the most PR’s in one day I can ever remember for our team.”

Janna Coplin and Josefin Lofving cut their 5K times by wide margins. Coplin a first time runner of any sort repositioned her best by 4 minutes and 44 seconds from where she started the racing season in September. Lofving knocked nearly a minute off her previous best established just four days earlier.

“Janna has been a discus thrower or volleyball player most of her career,” informed the coach. “ I’m so proud of what she has become trying a new sport in cross country running.”

Artem Zirka shaved another seven seconds off his record 5K time. The Ukrainian exchange student has improved 2 minutes and 12 seconds since the beginning of the season.

Twelve junior girls put up new margins leading to their capture of the championship plaque in the small school division at Van Buren’s Academy. The group collectively scored 24 points on route to the first place trophy.

Two junior boys also set premiere marks for themselves while one of the pair collected his third medal of the season.

Zac Desormeaux, Shelby Cole, Mikeal Harrison, Darby Jones, Harleigh Mars, Lauren Poston, Faith Rainwater, and Hope Rainwater all from the freshmen class bettered their 2-mile times.

Olivia Bouse, Lita Hecox, and Jadelynn Wood from the eighth grade class posted personal records also at the 2-mile distance.

Finally, seventh grade runners Heidi Ebarb, Raine Hecox, and Eden Mounts each finished the 2-mile course in a record time for themselves.

Among the 577 athletes that participated in the Van Buren Classic, 23 came from Mansfield. Among those 23, eight finished with medal honors.

Jessica George and Josefin Lofving off the senior girls team took home medals. The pair finished 11th and 15th place respectively in their race. George came across in her season best 26:43.83 while Lofving went career top time at 27:38.98.

Faith Rainwater, Olivia Bouse, Hope Rainwater, Jadelynn Wood, and Shelby Cole were among the top 15 places and received individual medals. Those same five were responsible for producing Mansfield’s 24 point team total.

Faith Rainwater ran the fastest among the Lady Tigers with a 14:22.56 clocking. Bouse came in at 14:40.53 while the other three junior high girls scattered in with times under the 15:16 mark.

Mikeal Harrsion picked up his third medal of the season for the junior boys. His time was 12:47.05. He was the top junior boy for Mansfield and the only individual award winner.

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