By Tammy Moore Teague
This weekend all you need is a pole and some bait! Arkansas’ Free Fishing is a statewide event for both residents and non residents alike to enjoy hitting the area waterways. Tomorrow, June 7, starting at noon through Sunday, June 9 the Game and Fish Commission will waive fishing license requirements, including trout.
This annual anglers weekend encourages family and young people to get outdoors, and explore one of the Natural State’s most abundant resources. “People under 16 don’t need a license any time, but parents don’t want to pay the extra money for a license to find out if their kids will enjoy fishing,” AGFC Director Pat Fitts said. “Make it a fun family outing and you may just find out that it will be the best $10.50 you’ve ever spent to increase family time.”
That family time is important to local resident Brad Elmore. He and his son, Bryson, spend many weekends together hiking, hunting and fishing. The young angler also inherited a love of nature from grandparents, Buddy and Donna Elmore. They too, have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy hiking area trails.
In addition to fishing rivers and lakes, families are encouraged to visit one of the five Game and Fish hatcheries across the state. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 9, kids can cast their line for a sure catch and experience. New this year, is a derby for those age 15 and under. The hatcheries are located in Hot Springs, Centerton, Corning, Lonoke and Mammoth Springs.
For more information and for directions to the hatcheries you can visit the Arkansas Game and Fish website.
By Tammy Moore Teague
The United Way will host the annual Fill the Bus campaign on July 27 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m, and July 28 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Walmart locations across six counties.
A portion of the donations received during the campaign benefit local schools, including Mansfield. Districts distribute the donated supplies to students who need them. “We give to every school district in our six-county service area,” said United Way Marketing Director Mitzy Little. “This area includes Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian Counties in Arkansas and Leflore and Sequoyah Counties in Oklahoma. We give the school supplies directly to the school districts and they distribute the supplies to the children that are in need of supplies. We feel that the school districts, teachers, counselors, etc, know best who needs the supplies.”
Mansfield educators Tamachia Barton and Kim Arnold volunteer annually. Join them this year and help Fill the Bus!
By Tammy Moore Teague
Following a court hearing on Monday, former Korean War Veteran Fred Potter was ordered to pay a $1,000 per day fine untill he complies with a court order by Judge David McCormick. Additional charges have been added, which are yet to be released. These charges include Potter’s nephew, Allen, being in contempt for aiding and abetting.
The story has been ongoing since last month when the 88 year old was jailed for contempt of court. Both Potter and his wife Betty set up trusts to provide the surviving spouse with a continued income from rental properties, stocks and bonds. The battle began, however, when his wife passed and Potter’s niece and executor, Cassandra Holmes of Waldron challenged the trust. After years of court hearings, Potter was ordered to return items he took after moving from the property at 2151 West 6th St. in Waldron. Potter states that he does not have possession of the items ordered returned, one of which is a highly valued Stradivarius violin. After failing to produce them, Potter was considered in contempt of court and turned himself in to the Scott County jail. This ruling by McCormick has sparked criticism locally and nationally.
Although Potter was released from jail due to health issues, he had been confined on house arrest prior to the June 4 hearing.
Further developments in the case came following Monday’s hearing when the judge ruled that Potter was to pay $1,000 daily until he could comply with the court’s original order. Additional charges by Holmes’ attorney, Jack Skinner, are yet to be released. “How can you prove you don’t have something,” Potter’s nephew, Allen, questioned. “They depended on someone who they thought was a descent person and family member to do the right thing and that was to make sure the surviving spouse was cared for.”
Potter faults the attorney who originated the documents citing that it gave way for these events to transpire. He has moved to Alma as the case continues. Supporters took to main street on June 3 to participate in the Veterans Walk in Solidarity. Opponents of the judge’s ruling have questioned his conduct in this case, claiming that the American Bar Association calls for judges to exhibit “compassion, decisiveness, open-mindedness, sensitivity, courtesy, patience, freedom from bias and commitment to equal justice.”
By Tammy Moore Teague
United States Representative for District 4, Bruce Westerman, spoke at a meeting for Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative employees on Monday. He was there to highlight benefits of the 2018 Farm Bill, which is still in legislation. The bill, he explained, would provide jobs and much needed technology in rural areas.
Additionally, the bill would provide 150 million dollars each for loans and grants to develop the rural broadband service. Ozarks’ Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative spokesman, Greg Davis, indicated the company has done two feasibility studies and is currently reviewing those before deciding if the company would move forward.
By Tammy Moore Teague
Selfless giving of oneself and time is such a rare quality in today’s fast paced world. But for one local man, it is something he learned to do, and learned it at an early age in life. Richard Hartsfield, 46, has spent most of his life volunteering, serving and aiding his country and community.
Hartsfield was born May 21, 1972 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Richard C. and Betty Hartsfield. The family, including his four brothers and sisters, moved to Bonanza when he was 12 years old. At this age he was witnessing first hand the value volunteerism. “My grandmother was a city alderman for years for Bonanza and I had a couple of uncles on the fire department,” said Hartsfield. “I learned at a young age about volunteering.” By the time Hartsfield turned 14 he was entertaining his drumming talent and playing in a band with his father. Together they performed at many events benefiting others in the community. Then, in 1988, he joined the Bonanza Fire Department as a junior fire fighter and worked his way up the ranks.
He is a Hackett alumnus, having attended the school from Kindergarten to graduation in 1991. Following graduation Hartsfield joined the Navy as a jet engine mechanic. Stationed at NAS Agana from November 1992 until September 1994 and NAS Whidbey Island Washington until April 1996, he was once again finding himself in a life of service. Hartsfield spent time in Bahrain, Sadia Arabia, Okinawa and Misawa Japan.
After enlistment, he moved back home to Bonanza and returned to the fire department. In 1998 Hartsfield moved from Bonanza to Hartford. It was at this time he married his wife of 20 years, Teresa Orr Hartsfield. Meanwhile, he had found employment at Baldor. It was through this company Hartsfield found another way to serve. “I worked there 13 years, he explained. “In 2004 I took a responder class through Baldor and started responding for the county and Hartford fire.” This sparked further interest for him and he sought ways to continue his education. In 2005 he began pursing his EMT (emergency management technician) through Sebastian County EMS (emergency medical services). He then enrolled in the paramedic program at Kiamichi Tech and graduated in July of 2008. “I started working part time EMT for SCEMS and Fort Smith EMS in 2006 and then in 2008 as a paramedic.” Since that time he has continued to serve the citizens of Sebastian County.
Additionally, Hartsfield has continued his work within the fire department. He held the position of assistant chief and was eventually promoted to chief at Hartford. “Being the chief at Hartford is not really that hard because I have a firehouse full of knowledgeable, hard working, eager to learn men and women. When you have fire fighters like that it makes the chief look awful good.” Hartsfield is certified as a fire fighter instructor I through the Arkansas Fire Academy and a holds a BLS/CPR instructor certification through Mercy Hospital. “I just love helping people. The Hartford Fire Department and SCEMS are like my family.” With that family Hartsfield has gained a valued paramedic partner, Dennis Hulsey. “We have been partners for over seven years,” Hartsfield explained. “He is also my supervisor and training officer so I feel I have an advantage when it comes to training.”
Besides his work family, Hartsfield and his wife have two children, a son, Lindsey Fox and a daughter, Rachel Hartsfield. Additionally, he has two grandchildren, Hannah Fox, 12, and six month old Evelynn. His family has influenced his decisions throughout his life and taught him give back. Certainly he himself is setting a great example for future generations.
If you’ve been to Silver Dollar City near Branson, MO, you’re well acquainted with the aromas of amazing food.
One of our favorites is the Southwestern Chicken Skillet that screams taste, and not to harsh on the diet. Here’s the recipe originally created by Recipes from our Daily Bread.
https://recipesforourdailybread.com/southwestern-chicken-skillet/
Our good friends at Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park near Greenwood will be hosting three separate camps in the month of July. Each camp will be divided by age.
The links below are how you can sign your child up for each camp and will take you to the separate website. The cost, dates, and the majority of the information will be posted on those links as well as the flyer in the picture.
-July 9-13 Roo Doo’s Summer Camp for ages 3-4 – CLICK THIS LINK
-July 16-20 Roo Doo’s Summer Camp for ages 5-8 – CLICK THIS LINK
-July 23-27 Roo Doo’s Summer Camp for ages 9-12 – CLICK THIS LINK
All individuals wanting to help or volunteer please send them a private message on Facebook.
Children 4 years of age and above are invited to the Hartford Public Library for a fun story hour every week on Wednesdays at 10:00 am.
This event will start Wednesday June 6th and run until July 25th of 2018. The period will include books, crafts, and activities.
The Library will also offer an independent reading achievement program for children to keep track of books read during the summer, earn prizes
and incentives, and qualify for a party at the end of the summer on July 26, 2018.
WHEN: June 6, 2018- July 26, 2018
WHERE: Hartford Public Library Branch of Scott-Sebastian Library 109 S. Broadway (City Hall Building) in Hartford, AR
© Resident News Network | 2015 - 2026 | All Rights Reserved | Baggett Enterprises LLC | Isaiah 43:18-19
