By Tammy Moore Teague
The Hartford Volunteer Fire Department and Chief Richard Hartsfied, promoted Hackett resident Daxton McBride by naming him an honorary member of their department.
McBride’s parents, Misty and Shane, were both humbled at the act of love. “He finally got to ride in a firetruck,” his mom said. “They made him a helmet and a badge so that he can now be part of them. They gave him a box of goodies and told him that now he has to help them out. His first job was handing out fireman hats, coloring books and bracelets.”
McBride wasted no time in starting to work. “On the way home and gave one to each of his nieces and nephews that live here. He’s a pretty happy young man,” she added.
The family is grateful to the department, but the department also feels a mutual gratitude as McBride’s smile and bubbly personality are contagious. Misty McBride shared how the experience made him feel special and how he is looking forward to his next ride during the town’s Christmas parade.
McBride Named Honorary Fireman
MSD’s Resignations and Hires for 2019 School Year
By Tammy Moore Teague
At the meeting of Mansfield School District’s board members on Monday, action was taken on both resignations and hires. Those resigning for the 2019 school year were Mallory Walker, as cheer coach, Eryn Musgrove-Hunt as English, oral communications, journalism and drama teacher, and Joanna James as cafeteria cook.
“Three awfully good people we are going to have to replace,” said Vice President Mike Gipson. “It is with a heavy heart we accept their resignation.”
Dr. Jim Best, High School Principal, made recommendations to the board for three hires. The first recommendation was for Allie Dake to fill the position of junior high head cheer coach and senior high assistant head coach. Second, was the position of Foreign Language/ESL teacher. “No one will ever replace Becky Yates,” said Best. He recommended Minerva Pineda , a teacher from Hope High School. Lastly, the position of computer lab aid. “We had many applicants and all of them were good,” stated Best. He went on to recommend Karen Mayor. The board voted to approve each of the recommendations unanimously.
Tigers Host Successful Youth Camp
The Mansfield Tigers football team and coaching staff hosted their second annual Youth Football camp on June 18th and 19th.
The 19 campers were led through a variety of drills, competitions and games led by the Tiger football staff and players over the course of the two days.
Coach Bentley stated, “We had a great camp this year and it’s exciting to see the future of Mansfield Tiger football develop right in front of our eyes. Great kids, great parents and I hope they had as much fun as we did hosting them. We can’t wait until next year”
The camp concluded the Tigers June workouts as they enter the AAA mandated dead weeks. They will continue their summer training program on July 9th.
WCFL Creates Football Future
After years of continual hard work in Mansfield & Hackett Little League Football, both programs have taken yet another step towards improving Football as a whole in their respective towns. The Mansfield Little League Tigers & Hackett Little League Hornets have joined a newly created football league called the Western Central Little League Football (WCFL).
This new league is the brainchild of Magazine Head Coach, Doug Powell, and Mountainburg Head Coach, Harrell who put in many hours of planning and footwork for this idea to take off.
The leagues purpose is to produce a more competitive atmosphere for the schools involved by facing opponents with a more equal talent level, size, and number of players. By giving every teams a competitive chance to play an opponent more their equal, the teams will be more apt to build confidence in the young players, help grow their programs, and a love for the game.
Although this season’s teams and schedule is set, other teams have also expressed interest in joining the WCFL in the future.
What happens in Little League can have a positive or negative effect in the future of the sport for High School programs. Knowing this, Little League Football Presidents Josh Strozier (Mansfield), and Dave Slavens (Hackett) consulted with their High School counterparts prior to making the move.
High School Coaches from both of the teams were excited with the opportunity for their Little Leagues to play in a more competitive & equal league.
Mansfield Tigers High School Head Coach, Craig Bentley said “As a school program, we are really excited about the new conference formed for our Little League. It levels the playing field & gets kids competing with the same type of circumstances that we are facing. It will do nothing but benefit the kids, parents, & coaches for years to come & by the time the kids get to us, we expect it to help grow our numbers & success. GO RED TIGERS.”
Hackett Hornets High School Head Coach, Lonnie Hester added “We just want to give our kids the opportunity to compete on a level that is realistic with our numbers. We don’t have our High School kids playing larger teams, so why would we expect our younger kids to do so? We think this will level the playing field. I want what is best for our guys & I think this league offers that. I want our little league guys to know they are important because that’s our future. GO HORNETS.”
As for the local teams of Hackett & Mansfield, this move will renew an old 3A rivalry that was strong in the 1990’s.
Both teams will play each other twice a year annually, with the first game being more of a practice game whereas the second game will count towards the league record, bragging rights, and have agreed to put a Rivalry Trophy on the line.
Two Rivalry trophies will be made for the 3rd & 4th Grade team & the 5th & 6th Grade team. The winner of each trophy will be able to place the trophy(s) in their respective school for bragging rights until it is put on the line again the following season.
Teams from Little League though High School are working hard bringing football pride back to our local towns. So let’s repay the players, coaches, and programs as a whole by showing as much support as possible for their hard work & effort. It’s time to paint the towns again in Pride.
Lavaca Chamber of Commerce June Meeting Minutes
President Jack James called the meeting to order. Present were the following members Sara McCormick, Drake Smith, LeAnn Ellison, Mary Rollins, Zach Johnson, Dorothy Lawrence, Holly Creel, Jack James and Angela Gillooley.
Jack James presented last month’s minutes, there was a mistake made on the May minutes. Lavaca Cruise night will be August 25th not July 30th as previously posted. Drake Smith motioned to accept from last month and Mary Rollins seconded. All approved.
Holly Creel presented a letter from Lavaca Middle School Principal Kenny Holland thanking the chamber for the donation made towards the Middle School Carnival. It was a huge success.
Holly Creel presented the Financial Report:
$150 for membership dues was collected. Farmers Bank has donated $500 towards the kids Area during the Cruise Night this money will be used for bounce arounds and slides during the event. Holly mentioned needing to pay the June bill for The New Sentry.
Holly and Jack James presented the new window clings for Lavaca Chamber Businesses. Holly asked the chamber for reimbursement for her paying for the window clings $124 dollars will be paid back to Holly Creel for the purchase.
Holly received a vendor check for the Lavaca Berry Festival which will be October 27th. Dorothy Lawrence moved to approve the financials and Mary Rollins seconded. All approved.
Holly Creel with Creel Outdoors had two winners for the May Crappie Contest; Brody Koch and Gary Barker tied to win last month, Congratulations winners!!!
Angela Gillooley presented the Lavaca Movies in the Park Report:
June 29th, July 13th and August 4th will be this summer’s dates. Also coinciding with the August 4th event will be this years Back to School bash. Angela is contacting Lavaca Superintendent Steve Rose for the use of a bus for a Fill the Bus event for our community children during the event. Also Kona Ice and other vendors to make this year’s event even better than last year.
LeAnn Ellison presented the Cruise Night Report:
Zach Johnson and LeAnn discussed a map for the event. LeAnn has several groups setting up to sale different things during the event including Funnel Cakes, Kettle Corn etc. We are still trying to find a cotton candy vendor at this time. We discussed colors for this year’s cruise night t-shirts. We also discussed the number of shirts to order. It was decided that we will order the same number as last year. Jack James suggested getting a banner for the event to stretch across highway 96 in down town Lavaca. LeAnn Ellison and Drake Smith mentioned needing to contact the highway department for information on doing this. Mary Rollins offered to make the call.
New Business:
LeAnn Ellison contacted local electrician Matt Douglas for a quote on fixing and adding more electricity to Lavaca City Hall Park. He quoted her $2,100 for this project. It would include 12 receptacles and all new conduit. Dorothy Lawrence suggested getting a second local bid. Drake Smith moves that the chamber provide the money to rewire the park. This will greatly benefit the citizens of Lavaca. Zach Johnson seconded the motion all approved. It was also discussed that there is a big need for restrooms in the parks in our community.
Jack James presented Lavaca Berry Festival update:
The Lavaca Arts and Crafts festival was voted to be changed to the Lavaca Berry Festival by the chamber members. The event will be held on October 27th at the ESCYO county ball fields. Drake Smith mentioned our putting the flyer and directions on our Lavaca Chamber of Commerce Page. Angela Gillooley proposed to let the chamber businesses set up for free during the event. Holly Creel motioned to approve and Drake smith seconded all approved.
Burger Barn has gone out of business and R and A’s will be taking over the drive in on that location beginning July 5th.
New Dollar General will be opening in July as well. The old Dollar General building has been leased but we are unsure of what business will be opening there.
Drake Smith attended the Regional Chamber Meeting in Van Buren. Van Buren City planner Joe Hurst spoke. Drake said he learned a lot about small communities and how they can potentially grow.
Jack James mentioned that the Chamber needed to purchase tickets for the Regional Mayor’s Breakfast for our two representatives Drake Smith and Zach Johnson. Approval was received for the $40 to be paid by the Chamber. Jack motioned to approve and Dorothy Lawrence seconded. All approved.
Jack James presented a card from Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. They invited our chamber to nominate a business in our town. Angela Gillooley nominated Steffey’s Pizza. Drake Smith seconded and all approved.
All business was concluded and Drake Smith moved to adjourn. Dorothy Lawrence seconded and all approved.
Next Lavaca Chamber of commerce meeting will be July 2nd 6pm at Lavaca City Hall.
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Gillooley
Hartford Represents at FBLA National competition
Article by Erica Hodges
Hartford High School is being represented one last time at the FBLA National competition in Baltimore, Maryland, June 28 -July 1.
Sara Willadsen will be competing in Securities and Investments. She has competed at District and State levels to qualify for Nationals.
Azzia Denham will also be attending as an FBLA member and Randa Mickle will be attending as their sponsor
They are having to raise around $3000.00 in order to attend. They have done multiple fundraisers in hopes of achieving their goal.
They will be having a bake sale this Saturday June 23 at the Walmart in Poteau, Oklahoma.
If you would like to make a donation, and can’t make it to Poteau this Saturday, you can drop it off at Hackett High School. All donations would greatly appreciated.
Vacant School Buildings Boarded-Up
By Tammy Moore Teague
As the school year came to a close, so did the doors of Hartford’s Public Schools (see related story). Over the past few days workers began boarding the windows and doors in all the buildings.
The barriers came as an effort to preserve the building, and keep out thieves and vandals. However, to some in the community, this further added to their feeling of loss.
The status of the proposed Charter School is still in the works. Even if the school is approved, it remains unclear where it would convene. Committee Member, Sherry Barnes and others will travel to Little Rock in August to seek final approval.
Freedom From Religion Foundation Files Complaint Against Mansfield Schools
By Tammy Moore Teague
The national non profit group of ‘freethinkers,’ Freedom From Religion Foundation, has filed a complaint against the Mansfield School District. The group is challenging the district in an attempt to force them to cease and desist in activities such as prayer at graduation and other school events.
The notice came at the close of the school year, and was presented at the board meeting held June 18. School Superintendent Robert Ross commented saying he is unsure of what course of action, if any, will need to be taken. He did state, however, that he plans to consult with the district’s attorney to see how they should proceed.
The Wisconsin based FFR is comprised of atheists, agnostics and skeptics whose goal is to rally and enforce the separation of church and state.
June MSD School Board Agenda
Resident Press will be going LIVE from our Facebook page tonight shortly before 6:00pm.
Tonight’s agenda will include the following items.
City Council to Discuss Joining Municiple League’s Opiod Lawsuit
By Tammy Moore Teague
In March of this year, the Arkansas Municipal League made an unprecedented move in filling a lawsuit against the opioid drug industry. This brazen approach brands the lone state in an effort to recuperate the cost of battling the opioid epidemic. These costs, as the filing contends, should come from the companies that caused the problem instead of the taxpayer. The Hartford City Council will meet tonight and decide if they will join the 72 counties and 210 cities, including Mansfield, participating in the lawsuit.
“Though other lawsuits have been filed in federal courts across the country, Arkansas is the only state that has united in this fashion,” said Executive Director of the Association of Arkansas Counties, Chris Villines. “Instead of fighting and competing with each other on critically needed settlement dollars for our cities and counties, all of the cities and counties are working together to do what’s best for Arkansas.”
The epidemic is one that has touched lives in our state and in our community. The number of overdoses in Arkansas has increased nearly 300 percent since 2000. Cities like Mansfield, have made great stride in combatting the problem by training officers and first responders on how to administer Narcan, an opiate antagonist. It is, however, not enough and comes at a great expense to small towns like Mansfield and Harford, which operate on a shoestring budget.
The Arkansas Municipal League lists 65 drug companies as defendants in the case. The case, which was filed in Crittenden County Circuit Court, is hoped to go to trial within the next two years. “It’s important to us that it moves as quickly as possible,” said Villines. “Every day, new people are becoming addicted to opioids and every day the problem is growing worse.”
In an effort to bolster support, Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck openly supported the lawsuit during the summer session of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association held June 5. If the court finds for the plaintiff, it would provide more resources to both law enforcement and medical personnel.