Resident News Network

New Law Costly for Texting and Driving Violators

Headlines

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2:02 pm

By Tammy Moore Teague

The new law went into effect today, and it will get into the pocketbook of those who choose disregard it. It’s Act 706, and it will cost first time offenders who are texting while driving a hefty $250 fine.

This law, known as Paul’s law, will increase from the first offense to each additional offense up to $500. If the offender’s actions result in an accident or collision, that fine will be doubled. The law prohibits writing or reading a text-based communication and reading or posting to a social media site. It is not against the law to select of enter a telephone number or name for the purpose of making a telephone call.

Additional laws concurrently in effect are:
Act 1097
Allows the State Highway Commission to increase the speed limit of a controlled-access highways to 75 mph.
Act 313
Allows direct shipment of wine from small farm wineries to residents without an in-person winery visit.
Act 538
Requires lifetime registration on the Arkansas sex offender registry for a person convicted of rape when the rape involved the use of force.
Act 849 cc
Makes it illegal for a person to possess an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle.
Act 1071
Allows people with a “concealed license to carry” to leave their handgun in their car at work.
Act 1075
Allows daily fantasy sports games and sets 8% tax for paid fantasy sport games.

New Law Costly for Texting Violators

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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1:37 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague
The new law went into effect today, and it will get into the pocketbook of those who choose disregard it. It’s Act 706, and it will cost first time offenders who are texting while driving a hefty $250 fine.
This law, known as Paul’s law, will increase from the first offense to each additional offense up to $500. If the offender’s actions result in an accident or collision, that fine will be doubled. The law prohibits writing or reading a text-based communication and reading or posting to a social media site. It is not against the law to select of enter a telephone number or name for the purpose of making a telephone call.
Additional laws concurrently in effect are:
Act 1097
Allows the State Highway Commission to increase the speed limit of a controlled-access highways to 75 mph.
Act 313
Allows direct shipment of wine from small farm wineries to residents without an in-person winery visit.
Act 538
Requires lifetime registration on the Arkansas sex offender registry for a person convicted of rape when the rape involved the use of force.
Act 849 cc
Makes it illegal for a person to possess an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle.
Act 1071
Allows people with a “concealed license to carry” to leave their handgun in their car at work.
Act 1075
Allows daily fantasy sports games and sets 8% tax for paid fantasy sport games.

Lavaca Welcomes New Dollar General Store

Resident News Network

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12:55 pm

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Lavaca Welcomes New Dollar General Store

By Jack James
The new Dollar General Store opened in Lavaca this past week! The people here couldn’t be more proud of it either! The company built a new larger store just across from the Lavaca City Hall building in a piece of ground that hasn’t been used in decades.
The old Dollar General, located just up Main Street from the newest one, couldn’t handle the amount of merchandise, parking or customers who called it the Lavaca Wal-Mart. Freight delivery trucks had to back into the narrow service lane to bring in goods and often ended up stuck in the ditches along the road as they tried to maneuver in the lot. The newest store has three lanes to enter and exit and the freight trucks can pull in directly. The old store was a dream for Lavaca when it came in at just over 6400 square feet but the new store is a whopping 10, 770 square feet!
Just goes to show you that Lavaca has the customers to keep businesses in business! A big welcome to store manager, Sonya Baysinger, and the rest of the crew! Best wishes!

Charter School Decision Date Imminent

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Tammy Teague

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6:31 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague

The fate of proposed Hartford charter school, Sugarloaf Valley Academy, will soon be determined. The final determination will be made on August 17. Charter School Board members will meet in a conference call in order to prepare for the scheduled interview on August 16.

The process began March 2, when a letter of intent was filed with the Arkansas Department of Education. Since that time, the board members of SVA have worked tirelessly to bring a school back to the town. This, following the public school closure this past year. The hope is that the charter school will be open for the 2019-20 school year. According to their application, SVA intends to enroll up to 100 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade and up to 300 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The following are listed within the application as members of the SVA’s board: Edwin Harbottle, President; Dr. Tom Harris, Director; Sherry Barnes, Vice President; Debbie Hudgens, Secretary; Tyler Hudgens, Director; Mary Radley, Treasurer; Debbie Slankard, Director; Elizabeth Euston, Planning; Julaine Pearson, Planning; Roy Shankle, Planning; Marian Steele, Planning.

We will continue to update this story as it develops and will publish the decision made by the ADE.

Spreading the Banner Gospel

Headlines

Tammy Teague

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12:06 pm

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By Tammy Moore Teague
Anyone who travels Highway 71 has most likely seen them. The massive signs imprinted with the 10 Commandments, towering boldly proclaiming Christ. For one local man, erecting these banners has become his life’s calling.
“It started because I had spent my life working and when I retired I wanted to do something more,” the anonymous sign builder said. He asked us not to reveal his name, simply because he does not want any personal credit. He quoted the scripture Isaiah 13:2 as an inspiration for the ministry. “Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.”
Since that time, he and three others, have constructed multiple signs throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma. Additionally, he has a portable unit, which he mobilizes and sets up in different locations.

He doesn’t ask for, nor does he accept, monetary donations. He has had some donated materials, which he has utilized in building the signs. “Some of these banners cost $18,000 to build, and we do not ask for donations.” But what he would like to do is find more locations to erect the signs. He added that he would like to put banners on the interstate, Highway 10 and Highway 64. “Just any road that is well traveled.”
If you are a landowner and would like to have one of these banners on your property you can contact us. Additionally, any churches or businesses that would like the mobile unit parked on their lot, you can contact him on his Facebook page.

City of Mansfield Waste Water Progress Report

Networks

Tammy Teague

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1:22 pm

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City of Mansfield Waste Water Progress Report

By Tammy Moore Teague
Finally, the waste water issues plaguing the city over the past several months, have been resolved. Mansfield Mayor, Mike Gipson, reported that all outstanding violations with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, have been addressed. The following are photos documenting the progress.

Gladys Marie Simpson (1938-2018)

Resident News Network

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8:11 pm

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Gladys Marie Simpson, 80, of Booneville, Arkansas passed away. She went home to be with the Lord peacefully at 2:59 am on Friday, July 27, 2018 in Springdale. She devoted her life to her children and family. She is loved by many who refer to her as Mom, Sister, Aunt, Grandma, Granny and Friend. She was a homemaker and member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church #2 in Abbott. She worked many years as a volunteer at the Senior Citizens Center in Mansfield and also through the Foster Grandparent Program in the Waldron School District for ten years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, R.E. Junior Simpson and her mother and father, Berta and Haskell Ramsey.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 30 at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron with interment at Pleasant Grove Baptist #2 Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood. Viewing will be Sunday, from 2-5 pm at Heritage Funeral Home in Waldron, where the family will visit with friends at this time.

She is survived by one son, Randall Welch of Mansfield; two stepsons, Steve and Mike Simpson both of Vilonia; three daughters, Sharon Lee Welch of Lucas Community, Debra Kern of Rudy; Shelley Welch-Hunt and husband, Steve of Waldron; one stepdaughter, Pamela Abel of Vilonia; one brother, Edward Haskell Ramsey, Jr. of Auburn California; one sister, Jewel Riddle of Tulare, California; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; many loving nieces, nephews, friends and her Waldron Nursing Home family.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to all those who cared and loved her at the Waldron Nursing Center.

Pallbearers will be Scott Welch, Caleb Free, Steve Hunt, Don Ramsey, David Johnson and Alex Carter. Honorary pallbearers are Randall Welch, Terry Thompson, Adam Welch, Harley Taylor, Michael Welch and Klint Davis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Gideons International at The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.

Local RVFDs Receive Wildfire Suppression Kits

Networks

Tammy Teague

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8:32 am

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Local RVFDs Receive Wildfire Suppression Kits

By Tammy Moore Teague
Two local rural volunteer fire departments will receive wildfire suppression kits this year. Both departments, Northwest Scott and Sugarloaf-Slaytonville, will receive the kits containing lightweight wildfire-resistant personal protective equipment, hand rakes, back-pack water pumps, and leaf blowers.
In a press release from Arkansas Agriculture Department’s Forestry Commission (AFC), “The rural fire program received $200,000 from the United States Forest Service to purchase and distribute 67 wildfire suppression kits to statewide volunteer fire departments in 2018.”
Volunteer fire departments partner up with AFC crews in the event of a wildfire. Often these rural departments do not have the necessary gear to assist in these events, so programs like this are beneficial to both the department and also to Forestry crews.
Any volunteer fire department who is interested in participating in the wildfire suppression kit program can submit applications. Those applications are “scored according to specific criteria, including fire district population, the size of the response area, wildfire equipment response needs and other factors.”
The application period for the 2019 program starts in September. You can contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten by email at [email protected] and call 501-679-3183 for questions or to be added to the Rural Fire Program email distribution list.

Clawing All Players!

Headlines

Resident News Network

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8:09 am

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By Megan Hecox
The Mansfield little league football sign-ups are days away. With the BIG changes made during off-season, the coaches are hoping for a BIG turn out at sign-ups.
One of the changes made by the little league board was the decision to join the newly created West Central football league which allows a more even playing field for schools similar in size.
Mansfield little league football president Josh Strozier had this to say about the upcoming season.
“I began my little league journey three years ago when my son started playing football in the third grade. This year we have the opportunity for change. And, with this change we are hoping to increase our numbers and bring some fun and spirit back into our community. We believe it will be beneficial for not only our school, but for the other schools in the league by helping the kids find their strengths and allowing them to grow within themselves and as a team.”
The little league players of today will be the senior high players of tomorrow.

Lavaca Senior Citizens Enjoy Ice Cream Social

Resident News Network

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11:33 am

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Lavaca Senior Citizens Enjoy Ice Cream Social

By Jack James
It was nothing but ice cream and smiles this past Wednesday at the Lavaca Senior Citizens Center!.
After the regularly served lunch, the seniors were treated to a good old fashioned Ice Cream Social. Dishes filled with the choice of chocolate or vanilla ice cream were crowned with every delicious imaginable topping.
While some went with the old tried and true favorite toppings some were more adventurous and experimented by mixing flavors and extras. Some were seen sneaking in line again for another taste! This week’s Ice Cream Social was such a success that they will most likely be having it every Wednesday throughout the rest of summer.
All people over 60 years old are invited to eat at the Senior Center every weekday. Plenty of things to keep you occupied and having a good time!

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