Vol. 2, No. 2
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
Free entry possible for basketball Battle of Ravine Special to the Dispatch Henderson State University is offering an opportunity for free admission to HSU’s Battle of the Ravine women’s and men’s basketball games against Ouachita Baptist at Duke Wells Center on Thursday evening, Jan. 16. Simply bring one or more of items needed often by the local Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center. Otherwise, admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children in grades K-12 and free for children age 5 and younger. The women’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m., while the men face off at 7:30 p.m.
Fans from both schools are advised to arrive early as Battle of the Ravine basketball games usually attract large crowds to the 2,500-seat Wells Center. Going simply by win-loss records, both Henderson teams would appear to have the edge in tonight’s games, but longtime observers often say all bets are off for BoR matchups. Henderson State’s men are 11-3 and 6-2 in Great American Conference play, while HSU women are 10-4 and 5-3. Ouachita’s men are 6-7 and 3-5 in GAC play, while OBU women are 4-10 and 1-7. The Henderson State Student Athlete
Advisory Committee will work together with the safety center to collect donations at the ticket gate at Thursday's games. The Malone center provides a wide range of services in a child-friendly, central location for children who have been sexually abused, physically abused, or exposed to violence or neglect. The center also works to eliminate child abuse through prevention and awareness activities, also providing children a place for healing. Fans are encouraged to bring the following items to Thursday's games in exchange for free entry:
• Boxes of Kleenex • Full-size hygiene items, for adults and children, such as body wash, shampoo, deodorant • Packs of socks and-or underwear for children and adults • Small throw blankets • Activity-coloring books with crayonscolored pencils • Toilet paper • Non-perishable snacks • Paper towels For more information on how you can contribute, visit https://www.pdmcsc. org/.
County asks Corps to lease Lakeview area By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor Clark County’s Quorum Court unanimously endorsed the idea Monday that the Corps of Engineers should abandon its plans to build a new office at the Lakeview area of Lake DeGray and instead let the county lease the property to enhance tourism. “I don’t want to fight with the Corps of Engineers, and I want them to have a nice, new building,” said Brown Hardman, a longtime justice of the peace who initiated the resolution adopted by the court. I just don’t want them to use Lakeview.” The county’s move,
Dispatch photo/Bill Sutley
Peake Elementary student Ben Taylor looks upward as he tries to recall the spelling of a word he’s being givebn at the Clark County Spelling Bee at Goza Middle School on Friday. Other spellers actually closed their eyes to concentrate and-or visualize the words they were trying to retrieve from their memories. More photos, Page 2.
S-a-v-v-y spellers shine at bee By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor “Jumbo. J-U-M-B-O.” The Clark County Spelling Bee for students in grades 5-9 started innocently enough Friday, with a word that the first speller knocked out of the park quickly. But all that would change over the next 90 minutes as the words got increasingly tougher. “Widget” was one of the first words to eliminate
one of the 30 spellers from Goza Middle School, Peake Elementary and Gurdon schools participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee-sanctioned event held at Goza. The student speller forgot the pesky “d” in the middle. Only three students were eliminated in the first round, but the second round proved more lethal, eliminating 14 participants — nearly half those who started — for stum-
bling on less-common words such as “fabulist,” “Corgi,” “inclusion” and “prejudice.” One of the second round’s toughest? “Arborio,” which Webster’s defines as “a short-grain rice that has a creamy texture when cooked and is typically used in risotto.” But the speller got it correct, drawing a laugh from bewildered onlookers unfamilSee Spell • Page 4
meaningful impact agricultural leaders have throughout Arkansas. Beyond Ross, the new inductees include ag aviator and longtime chairman of the Arkansas State Plant Board, George Tidwell of Lonoke; Tuskegee airman and retired Cooperative Extension agent Thomas Vaughns from Marianna; and Gene Woodall, a retired University of Arkansas faculty member who paved the way for crop yield increases by creating verification programs that are now emulated around the world. Other posthumous inductees besides Ross are Gene Sullivan, who served See Ross • Page 4
See Corps • Page 4
Gurdon voters reject tax hike
From Dispatch Reports Gurdon Public Schools will be forced to reconsider its plans for the future after nearly 61 percent of voters rejected the district’s proposal to add five mills to the property taxes of homeowners in the school district. The vote was 245 for the millage increase, with 382 against it in complete but unofficial election returns on Tuesday night. Gurdon School Superintendent Allen Blackwell told citizens at a recent forum that the millage increase was mainly needed because of a downward slide of 200 students in annual enrollment since 2001. The district’s board proposed closing the old Gurdon Primary School and expanding the campus where all other students attend classes. That would reduce administrative costs and allow the See Vote • Page 4
Ross named to ag Hall of Fame Special to the Dispatch The dedication to forest conversation, management and stewardship exhibited by the late Jane Ross of Arkadelphia will be recognized in March when the wellknown philanthropist is inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. She’s among six individuals being honored for how their leadership and service have brought Jane Ross distinction to the state’s largest business sector. The newest class represents timber, beef cattle, philanthropy, research, water management, conservation and reclamation, agricultural aviation, banking, civic leadership and outreach to farmers, a reflection of the broad and
which Hardman hopes to have endorsed by the governing bodies of Amity, Arkadelphia, Caddo Valley and Gurdon, is the latest volley in a monthslong battle to preserve the Lakeview site as a more pristine vantage point of the lake’s main basin, DeGray Dam and one of the lake’s best spots for watching the sun set. Some advocates have proposed using the area as a site for a wedding venue. And county officials wouldn’t be disappointed if such use produced revenue. Representing the
Murder trial to stay put By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor
Mike Atkinson of 304 Cherry St., awoke Saturday morning to find the high winds of the night before had ripped off a giant limb of his front yard Maple tree, throwing it across the top of his parked Cadillac. Police responded to his 5:08 a.m. call and soon had city workers out to cut up and clear the limb from blocking tree-lined Cherry Street.
Holiday idles trash pickup Monday From Dispatch Reports
State, federal and local offices will close Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and no curbside trash will be picked up. Both Arkadelphia universities, as well as public schools throughout Clark County, will not hold classes, and offices won’t be open either. Several events are planned locally in recognition of the civil rights leader. See
Page 2 for a complete list. Clark County Sanitation, which operates in rural areas, will not run Monday, but workers will pick up trash on Tuesday, Jan 21 for those who weren’t able to be serviced on Monday. For more information, call 870-246-7602. In Arkadelphia, where Sanitation crews pick up twice a week, Monday customers will only get service one day of the week. Trash service returns to normal Tuesday.
Circuit Judge Blake Batson ruled Tuesday that Stanley Wayne Powell Sr., a suspect in Arkadelphia’s only murder of 2019, will have to stand trial in Clark County, rejecting a change of venue motion by Powell’s attorney. In a recent court filing, Willard Proctor Jr., Powell’s Little Rock-based defense attorney, had argued that Powell couldn’t get a fair trial on his first-degree murder charge because of how well-known and extensive the crime victim’s family is in Clark County. As a result of Batson’s ruling Tuesday, Powell, 60, will stand trial the week of March 16 on a first-degree murder charge in Arkadelphia’s first homicide since 2013. Powell is accused in the June 6, 2019 shooting death of Jalen Da’rel McGhee, 26, also of ArkadelSee Venue • Page 4
2 News
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
The University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana will hold a grand opening for its James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, featuring the dedication of “Bowie No. 1,” what’s believed to be the first 200-year-old knife created by James Black for James Bowie in Washington, near Hope. Gov. Asa Hutchinson will formally dedicate the knife, which the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock acquired several years ago after an auction that featured the collections of two well-known Texas knife collectors. The ceremony will take place at the James Black school, located in the Stephens House at 601 Lawrence St., in Washington. For more information, call 870-722-8516. >>> <<< Winners in Friday’s Clark County Spelling Bee at Goza Middle School were, from Arkadelphia American Legion Baseball will present a Texas Hold right, Goza eighth-grader Summersky Molinari, first-place winner; Goza seventh‘Em Poker Tournament, hosted by the Arkadelphia Baseball Commisgrader Bryce Martin, second place; and Peake Elementary fifth-grader Henry Harrell, sion, from 6:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Slim & Shorty’s, 617 third place. Story, Page 1. Clinton St. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. All proceeds benefit the commission’s management of American Legion Baseball. S-a-v-v-y The tournament features a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to Arego’s Guns in Hot Springs, plus prizes from Southwest Sporting Goods, spelling bee Celebrations Liquor, Hardman Lumber Co., DeGray Liquor, Arkadelphia competitors Tire and Outfitters and Arkadelphia’s Exxons. >>> <<< rise to A Small and Minority Business Forum will be available through occasion the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Small and Minority Business Division from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. Other resource Summersky Molinari, partners will be available to answer questions. The event, co-sponright, smiles after being presented with sored by the Economic Development Committee of Clark County, is her first-place trophy. offered at no cost, but pre-registration is required. Register at http:// Talon Griffin, below, asbtdc.org/arkadelphia-events/ or call 870-230-5184. of Gurdon, displays >>> <<< a determined look A Resolve to be Healthy Health Fair will be held from 7 a.m.while spelling his noon Friday, Jan. 24 at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center, 2555 Twin word correctly in the seminfinals. Rivers Drive. Sponsored by the Becoming a Healthy Clark County Coalition and Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia, the fair will Dispatch photos/Bill Sutley feature over 40 vendors, door prizes, dental hygiene, mouth cancer screenings (limited free, same-day extractions), heart risk assessment, mental health-substance abuse screenings, information on health and wellness and flu shots courtesy of the state Department of Health, which will charge the insurance companies of those participating. For those without insurance, the charge is $30, but no one will be turned away due to an inability to pay. For more information, contact bahccinfo@gmail.com. >>> <<< Perritt Primary School, 1900 Walnut St., will host its 36th annual Perritt Primary Chili Supper from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. A $5 ticket ticket gets you chili, cinnamon rolls, cheese, crackers and a drink. The night includes an Art Show and Sale, plus silent and live auction. Purchase tickets in the Perritt Primary School Office or from a student. All proceeds benefit the Perritt Primary Parent-Teacher Council for security, technology and equipment purchases at the school. Recent purchases include the Raptor guest check-in system that runs a background check on school visitors, U-Bolt locks for every classroom and new risers with rails to keep children from falling off the back row. Order T-shirts, sweatshirts or a hoodie at https://store.printmaniatees.com/ perritt_chili_supper/shop/home. >>> <<< The newly formed DeSoto Bluff Chapter of Quail Forever will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at Arkadelphia’s USDA Service Center, 640 S. 6th St. The meeting is open to the public, especially those interested in preserving quail and their habitat. For more information, call Adam Cooper, 870-613-4719, or Kelly Bufkin, 601-218-8940. >>> <<< Third Street Baptist Church will host its annual women's conference from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Event speakers include Jennifer Watson, Christy Rodriguez and Jennifer Francis. Worship will be led by Robert and Brooke Ramsey. The conference is open to girls as young as sixth-graders. Registration costs $30 ($25 for college students) and includes lunch on Participants in the 2020 Clark County Spelling Bee were, from Peake Elementary, Saturday. For more information and to register by the Feb. 1 payment Jayla Lee, Sheena Molinari, Ben Taylor, James Bautista, Spencer Seel, Henry Hardeadline, visit the link at thirdstreetbaptist.org. rell (third-place winner, fifth-grader); from Goza Middle School, Ellie Echols, Macey >>> <<< Cervantes, Kaden Willett, Bryce Martin (second place, seventh-grader), Miles Parker, The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Jared Campbell, Samara Hammack, Yharely Ramirez, Summersky Molinari (first Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet at 6 p.m. place, eighth-grader); from Gurdon, Chassidy Cornish, Evan Kinser, Talon Griffin, Thursday, March 5 in Henderson State University’s Garrison Center. Sarah Cagle, Isaac Lule, Tristan Gober, Mollee Manning, Francisco Alba, Emilee Davis, Jesse Kent, Hannah Lopez, Caleb Davis, Ja’Mya Garland, Alan Martinez and Lee and Alicia DuCote, of Amazon Prime Video’s Adventure and RoJayden Collins. mance will be guest speakers. Individual tickets are $40, with sponsorships ranging from $350 to $1,000. For more information, contact Ashlee Vaughn at 870-246-1460 or ashlee@arkadelphiaalliance.com. >>> <<< A local group, Women of Prayer United will present Simply SanFrom Special Reports Starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, St. di: An Intimate Night of Songs and Stories with Sandi Patty, at 7 p.m. Mount Olive Baptist Church, 307 N. Paul A,M.E. Church, 1501 Caddo St., will Saturday March 7 at Trinity Temple Assembly of God, 3509 Pine St. 16th St., has added two events to celebrate stage the 10th annual MLK Community From 1984-1996, Patty won or shared seven Grammy Awards. Patty the legacy of Martin Luther King on the Celebration, hosted by Dee Clay, featurfederal MLK holiday, Monday, Jan. 20. ing: was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2004. The church will, for a second year, host • St. Paul A.M.E. Church Inspirational From 1982-1992, she received the GMA’s Dove Awards for Female Voa Chili Supper for the city’s Sanitation Choir and the Rev. Tom W. Scott. calist of the Year for 11 years straight. Tickets are $25 and on sale now workers at 11:30 a.m. (King’s assassina• Eastern Star Missionary Baptist through Eventbrite. tion came during a stop in Memphis to Church >>> Ongoing <<< help bring awareness to the conditions the • Prevail, from Forrest City The Arkadelphia Arts Center, 625 Main St., is hosting an exhibit city’s sanitation workers were enduring.) • The Hearts, from Star City “We applaud their efforts and appre• Gospel Wonders, from Brinkley through January titled Design by Nature, honoring the winter months by ciate the work they do throughout the • Southwest District Mass Choir featuring creations constructed from natural elements such as grasses, year,” said the Rev. Llewellyn E. Terry Sr., • The Singing Revs, from Pine Bluff and crystals, moss, and much more supplied by Mother Nature. Gallery Mount Olive’s pastor. Little Rock hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. The exhibit is sponAt 2 p.m., the church will be the gatherOn Monday, the actual Martin Luther sored by the nonprofit Caddo River Art Guild, 870-245-7982. ing spot for a “marade” at 2 p.m. that will King Jr. holiday, a free breakfast will be move south to Main Street, heading east held starting at 8 a.m. at the Community >>> <<< to the courthouse. For more information Family Enrichment Center, followed by Alcoholics Anonymous holds two meetings a week in Arkadelon either event, call 870-403-1675. an Opening Ceremony there at 10 a.m. At phia. The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of The Clark County NAACP earlier an10:15 a.m., classroom discussions will be recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the Stnounced a full lineup of weekend events to held at the center for girls in grades 1-4, urgis Building at North 9th and Caddo streets. For more information on honor King. Citizens will be able to gather girls in grades 5-up, boys in grades 5-up the Arkadelphia Group meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Community and adults. Family Enrichment Center, 301 N. 23rd At 1:45 p.m., the NAACP will start anmeets at 7 p.m. Thursdays weekly on the lower level of Park Hill Baptist St., for a cleanup along Pine Street, also other 2 p.m. marade at the Clark County Church, 3163 Hollywood Road, with parking on the left rear. For inforknown as Honorary Dr. Martin Luther Courthouse gazebo. Walkers, floats, bikes, mation on that group’s meetings, call 870-230-2975 or 870-260-9277. King Jr. Drive. Anyone can join the effort. cars, four-wheelers and horses are wel>>> <<< At 7 p.m. Saturday, an MLK Jr. Day come. The marade will end at St. Paul Narcotics Anonymous’ local Recovery World group meets at 7 Dance for Peake Elementary and Goza A.M.E. Church, where a special celebraMiddle School students is planned at the tion program will begin at 2:20 p.m. p.m. on Mondays at the Sturgis Building at the corner of 9th and Cadcenter. The event, which costs $3, feaFor more information on the NAACP do. The meetings are open to anyone interested in recovering from an tures music, concessions, door prizes and events, contact Doug Nelson at 870-403addiction to legal and illegal drugs.
MLK weekend events set
games.
3760 or Jason Nelson at 870-210-6139.
Arkadelphia Dispatch
News 3
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
OBU reports 99% career outcomes rate for grads
By Rachel Moreno OBU News Bureau Yet another Ouachita Baptist University graduating class found success in postgraduate pursuits, with 99% of the May 2019 graduating class currently employed or furthering their education, the university reported Friday. The number exceeds the most recent national average of 93% for colleges and universities. “This outstanding statistic is reflective of many years of hard work by our
students and the faculty and staff who prepare them for the next step after Ouachita,” OBU President Ben Sells said. “Ouachita is the No. 1 ‘Best Value’ college in Arkansas, according to Niche.com. This is further evidence that Ouachita provides true value to its students.” This is the second consecutive year Ouachita’s student career outcomes rate has exceeded the national average reported by the National Association for Continuing Education. Last year, Ouachita’s 99% placement rate surpassed the
8 Ouachita students make statewide band By OBU News Bureau Eight Ouachita Baptist University music students have been selected for the 2020 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band and will attend the Arkansas Music Educators Convention Feb. 20-21 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Following auditions and rehearsals beginning Thursday, Feb. 20, the band then will perform a free concert for the public on Friday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. Student musicians from universities around the state were selected for the ensemble by recommendation of their band directors. “It is an honor for the students to be selected to perform with the AIB,” said Craig Hamilton, Ouachita’s Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands. “Students learn from an outstanding guest conductor and enjoy the experience of performing with their colleagues from around the state.” Ouachita students selected include: Holli Barger, a junior instrumental music education major from Carrollton, Texas, on horn; Richard Blosch, a senior music major from Fort Worth, on percussion; Cross Brandon, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Little Rock, on tenor saxophone; Andrew Coop, a senior worship arts
major from Gladewater, Texas, on trombone; Craig Crawford, a sophomore instrumental performance and communications & media/multimedia journalism double major from Texarkana, Texas, on alto saxophone; Bethany Crawley, a junior instrumental music education major from Jonesboro, on flute; Taryn Toles, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Cabot, on clarinet; and Sam Youmans, a sophomore music industry major from Siloam Springs, on bass clarinet. “I am stoked for the opportunity to play with the Arkansas Intercollegiate Band; it's been a dream of mine since seeing the 2017 Intercollegiate Band performed at All-State Clinic my senior year of high school,” Crawley said. Joe Missal, director of bands at Oklahoma State University, will be the 2020 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band guest conductor. The performance repertoire will include “Variations on ‘America’” by Charles Ives, “Southern Harmony” by Donald Grantham, “Of Our New Day Begun” by Omar Thomas and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. For more information, contact Hamilton at hamiltonc@obu.edu or (870) 245-5137.
national average by 15%. The “career outcomes rate” — often called a placement rate — is the percentage of graduates who are working full- or part-time or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. “I am extremely proud of our graduates and will continue to strengthen key partnerships with employers who are eager to hire our students because they demonstrate high levels of performance and strong principles,” said Rachel Roberts, Ouachita’s director of career and calling.
Goza Middle School’s Quiz Bowl team were the champions of a tournament in Murfreesboro on Monday. Goza was sixth seed after the morning’s play but defeated North Height Junior High of Texarkana in the first round before upsetting No. 3 seed Dierks and No. 2 seed Nashville to reach the championship game. Once there,
Ouachita’s student career outcomes rate is based on its First Destination Survey, which follows the standard established in the annual data collection by the National Association of Colleges and Employers each year. Of the 330 Ouachita graduates who were contacted, 83% completed the survey compared to a national knowledge rate of 75%. Nearly a third of Ouachita’s most recent class of graduates, 30.9%, are attending graduate or professional school.
they defeated the No. 1 seed, Ashdown, to claim their trophy. Team members are, from left, Mason McKinney, Mtende Moyo, Calvin Clardy, Brandon Dickey, Owen Morgan, Seth Campbell, Madelyn Neel, Olivia Fenocchi, Blaise Batson, Cassidy Parker, Cater Babb, Judsen Coon and Gray Manning.
Goza’s Quiz Bowl teams win tournaments
Goza Middle School’s seventh-grade Quiz Bowl Team won the seventhgraders tournament at Murfreesboro on Tuesday after defeating Ashdown in the finals. Members of the team are, from left, Jack Eldridge, Bryce Martin, Jared Campbell, Emma Nelson, Nathan Alexander, Huston Hooten, Carson Carozza, Miles Parker, Murfreesboro Diamond photos
Governor appoints local men to boards Special to the Dispatch Two Arkadelphia men have been appointed to state boards by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Derek Helms, a veteran farmer who operates Helms Dairy, was appointed on Dec. 31 to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. His appointment expires June 30, 2021. Helms replaces Gary Sitzer of Weiner, a Poinsett County farmer. Beyond the dairy, Helms raises soybean and corn silage on the land his family has owned southwest of Arkadelphia since 1907. He’s been Farm Bureau’s Clark County presi-
Helms Viser dent since 2012. He’s a South Arkansas University graduate. Hutchinson reappointed William “Bill” Viser to the state Board of
Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. His appointment expires Sept. 14, 2021. Viser, a longtime professor of Christian Ministries at Ouachita Baptist University, also comes from a counseling background and holds eight counselor-therapy-mental health certifications. He’s been an advanced certified alcohol and drug counselor with the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board since 1999. In 2001, he also became a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor under the board he now serves on.
Gurdon prepared for threatening weather
Dr. Charles Vermont, left, of Baptist Health Family Clinic-Prescott, which is a service of Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia, stands with Baptist Health Chief of Strategy and Innovation Doug Weeks and Dr. Vermont's wife, Anne Vermont, in a Decemberr ceremony finalizing the donation of the Vermonts’ medical office building, valued at $600,000. Baptist Health had been renting the building at 1480 W. 1st St., Prescott, from Vermont after he and his wife retired, but they recently decided to offer it as a gift to Baptist Health. "I want to thank Dr. Vermont and his wife, Anne, for their commitment to providing health care to Prescott and the surrounding areas for over 30 years,” said Tony Hardage, president of Baptist Health-Arkadelphia. “Their generous donation of the clinic building to Baptist Health will help ensure quality health care for many years to come."
By Sherry Kelley Gurdon Mayor Last week's wild weather steered clear of the Gurdon area. Police, street and emergency personnel were ready and prepared to respond. Thankfully we had very few problems. While we are all glad that Gurdon avoided the danger on this occasion, please remember to keep your guard up every time severe weather threatens. By now, most of our Christmas lights are down in the city — with one exception. We hope to keep the colorful awning lights on Main Street lit throughout the year. Also, there are plans to add more lights downtown as the year continues. Business and activity are picking up in
Banks CPA, PLLC Stephanie M. Banks, CPA 204 North 27th Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923-5309 Phone: (870) 245-3975 Fax: (870) 246-7149
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the area, and we feel the ambience will add to the emerging vibrancy of Main Street. Union Pacific Railroad did some maintenance on the Miller Street crossing on Monday and Tuesday. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate our Union Pacific friends for their work. At this writing, early voting is underway in the proposed Gurdon School District Millage increase election that ended Tuesday. Early voting has been steady. It’s good to see so many people exercising their right to vote.
The Arkadelphia Dispatch 812 Clinton St., Suite B Arkadelphia, AR 71923 Phone: 870-617-7001 Editor: Bill Sutley email: arkadelphiadispatch@gmail.com The Arkadelphia Dispatch is published weekly by Nashville Leader, Inc., 119 N. Main, Nashville, AR 71852.
4 News
Corps Continued from page 1 county’s first official action of 2020, the resolution adopted by the Quorum Court proposes that the Vicksburg District of the Corps of Engineers offer the county a long-term lease on the property and “explore a different site as the location of the new DeGray Lake office.” The resolution also requests that the county have at least a year to develop a public-use plan for the land. Tom Calhoon, another longtime JP, said followthrough on the development of a plan would be crucial. “Let’s not stop them from doing something and then go away and say we won’t do anything,” he said. County Judge Troy Tucker, who backs the resolution, agreed, and he’s stepped forward to coordinate the effort. “If it doesn’t happen, Justice Calhoon, then I think you’re right,” Tucker said. In response to a ques-
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 tion from Justice of the Peace B.J. Johns of Amity, Tucker said that the plan would encompass funding of any proposal. On behalf of the Corps of Engineers, the county has for 30 years leased the land and water area where the Iron Mountain Lodge and Marina are to its managing partners. That’s an example of what the county proposes for the Lakeview area. On Aug. 22, 2019, the DeGray Lake (Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers) page on Facebook posted a simple one sentence notice that’s sparked five months of public and private debate: Starting August 26, 2019, Lakeview Area will be closed for construction of the new DeGray Lake Field Office. Since then, the Corps spent weeks thinning the trees at the onceovergrown Lakeview area. Corps officials conceded it would take two years to complete the office because of the need to spread costs out over multiple years. On Oct. 22, more than 40 DeGray Lake lovers crammed into the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce conference room, with many expressing opposition to the Corps’ plans that were announced
on Facebook. In November, about 16 people who attended that meeting accepted an invitation to meet out at the site and hear more from Corps’ representatives. At that time, the Corps agreed to open the Lakeview Area, normally closed, so visitors could see for themselves the area being discussed. Lakeview area’s turnoff is .8 miles past the Iron Mountain-Skyline Drive entrance. The Lakeview entrance is the second road on the left, before you get to the dike and the Highway 7 Recreation Area. Local public officials have apparently been dissatisfied since 2010 with the Corps’ management, maintenance and promotion of the Lakeview area, according to a timeline shared by opponents. That year, the Lakeview area never reopened as usual in March due to needed repair of a water line, sanctioned timbercutting and removal of a weathered pavilion that had suffered roof damage. Local officials succeeded in getting then-U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor and then-U.S. Rep. Mike Ross to write the commander of the Corps’ Vicksburg District, which oversees DeGray Lake, out-
lining the problems at the Lakeview area. Lakeview opened briefly in August 2010 as part of the lake’s annual triathlon route. From 2011-2014, local officials continued to complain about continuing problems with the mostly off water supply, unkept grounds, frequent gate closures and poor signage making visitors virtually unaware of Lakeview. In 2014, Pryor’s office told then-County Judge Ron Daniell that the Corps had agreed to allow Clark County to lease the area if the county would submit a proposal. Informal discussions were held, but the Corps apparently declined to guarantee water to the area, and no lease agreement was reached. At Tuesday’s Quorum Court meeting, some officials said they believe it was electricity to the area that the Corps wouldn’t guarantee. Many times during those earlier talks, local officials expressed interest in establishing a scenic overlook at Lakeview or, if backers could be found, a chapel with a view, suitable for weddings. Few discussions occurred from 2014 until the August 2019 Facebook notice. Their Vicksburg District commander had
Arkadelphia Dispatch agreed in May to allow local Corps officials to begin work on the office using the proceeds from the sale of timber cut around Lake DeGray’s shoreline. Apparently the only “public notice” of the plans was the one-sentence Aug. 22 post on Facebook and an Oct. 8 news release posted on the local Corps website and never distributed to local media. Some have suggested the CCorps officials proposed in October that it would create a scenic overlook near the new office building, plus more parking to accommodate that, but it wasn’t
included in topographic site plans shared with the audience. Corps officials said that more parking and picnic tables would also be added but stopped short of promising another pavilion would be built. The Corps has argued that the presence of the office at Lakeview would make the area accessible to visitors for far more hours, with park rangers working out of the office until about 11 p.m., and the area would be open year-round, while many areas close from November until March due to seasonal use.
FCC expanding rural broadband By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
If you’ve lived in rural Arkansas for any length of time, you know that broadband connectivity is a huge issue. Something as simple as uploading a resume to a job posting or conducting research for a time-sensitive project can quickly be delayed by a spotty internet connection. Communities are becoming more reliant on internet connectivity by the day, which further increases the divide between rural and heavily populated areas. As we start the new year, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is launching an aggressive plan to invest in rural broadband connectivity across America. With a $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, the commission seeks to establish a two-part process to deploy high-speed funding for areas currently below the FCC’s minimum threshold for internet speed. “While we’ve made substantial progress in expanding broadband deployment over the last three years, the founded the Ross Foundation in Foundation, Ross served in numerRural Digital Opportunity Fund would be the biggest step 1967 with her mother, Ester Clark ous positions of civic and philanthe FCC has taken to date to close the digital divide,” Pai Ross. Today, the Ross Foundation thropic responsibility. administers a philanthropic grants “Clearly the benefits and the joy of said in a news release. “This new fund would target rural Continued areas across the country where residents currently lack program and manages more than giving extend to both the giver and from page 1 access to adequate broadband and would deploy high60,000 acres of diverse timberland, the receiver,” she once said. speed broadband to millions of rural Americans in an mostly in Clark and Hot Spring In 2010, her legacy was magnified as state conservationist in three efficient and effective manner.” by the founding of the Arkadelphia different states and guided key water counties. The foundation's philanMany areas in Arkansas stand to benefit greatly from thropic programs benefit the people Promise scholarships, which has management programs, and the late this announcement, and I’m so glad to see this adminismade higher education a reality cattleman and banker Leo Sutterfield of Clark County through revenue tration placing such a high emphasis on connecting all produced by the timberlands. for hundreds of Arkadelphia High of Mountain View, who served as Americans — regardless of their zip code — to the ecoAfter graduating from Henderson School graduates eligible for Archairman of the Arkansas Beef Counnomic benefits of high-speed, reliable internet connectivState Teachers College in 1942, Ross’ kansas lottery-funded scholarships. cil and a member of the Arkansas ity. love for photography led her to the Arkadelphia Promise, endowed by Farm Bureau board of directors. Rochester Institute of Technology the Ross Foundation and Southern three more students, Induction ceremonies for the 33rd in Rochester, N.Y. During World Bancorp, continues to pay off the difwith students stumbling class of the Hall of Fame will be held War II, she served in the Women’s ference between the lottery scholaron “duopoly,” “officiant” Friday, March 6 at 11:30 a.m. at the Army Corps in the Army Air Force ships and the balance of students’ and “Bonita.” However, Embassy Suites ballroom in Little as a photographic technician. She college tuition and fees. students correctly spelled Rock. Continued returned to Arkadelphia in 1948 to The selection of Ross and the five other words such as “tur“What a marvelous class of from page 1 open a photography studio, which other inductees will bring to 175 the ret,” “skedaddle” and the inductees who reflect the broad and miliar with the word she operated until 1955. number of honorees in the Arkansas ever-tricky “vacuum.” (It dramatic impact of agriculture across when he uttered a “whew” After the death of her father, Ross Agriculture Hall of Fame, begun in just looks wrong, right?) the state of Arkansas,” said Butch after responding. began managing the family lands. Af- 1987. The mission of the Arkansas The fourth round elimiCalhoun of Des Arc, chairman of the The county bee’s ter the death of her mother in 1967, Agriculture Hall of Fame is to build nated six more spellers Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame pronouncer, Arkadelphia she became active in the everyday public awareness of agriculture and with tougher words such as committee. “I have said this before Board of Education Presioperations of the Ross Foundation as to formally recognize and honor “cuckoo” and “fallacy.” and it bears repeating: Agriculture a trustee and chairman of the board. individuals whose efforts have led to dent Casey Motl, grinned By the time the fifth is one of the great success stories broadly when a secondRoss continued her active involvethe prosperity of local communities round started, only four of our state, and that is sometimes round speller correctly and spellers remained. And ment with the Ross Foundation as and the state. overlooked in today’s society. We clearly offered S-A-V-V-Y. trustee and chairman for 32 years, Luncheon tickets are $35 each. then there were the top are pleased to bring recognition to “Mrs. Snowden and I until her death on July 9, 1999. Individual tickets and tables of 10 are three finishers: Goza these individuals who have impacted were in competitive spellThe Ross Foundation has focused available by calling (501) 228-1609 eighth-grader Summersky our state’s largest industry in such a ing bees when we were on sustaining healthy and productive or emailing aghalloffame@arfb.com. Molinari (a multiple previpositive way.” students, so we know how forestlands to help ensure long-term Online reservations can be made at ous winner) in first place, Ross, an Arkadelphia native, you feel,” Motl said. success. In addition to the Ross http://bit.ly/AgHallTickets. Goza seventh-grader Bryce Later, Peake Elementary Martin in second place and Principal Mary Snowden Peake fifth-grader Henry During Tuesday’s concerns about the size of Within minutes, officer said she had shared with Harrell in third place. the jury pool for the trial. Christopher Sparks arrived pre-trial hearing, Proctor The winner will com“I don’t feel like it would Motl that the word “savvy” at the scene first and spoke presented two witnesses had been her downfall pete Feb. 1 at the statewide to testify that they didn’t be fair to have the jury with both Buckley and Continued when she was a fifth-gradspelling bee in Cabot. But think Powell could get a trial from this county,” the Powell while Powell was from page 1 er competing at Delight that might not be Molidefense attorney said. still on the phone with the fair trial because of Mcnari, father Tim Molinari Turner argued that most Elementary School in Pike 911 dispatcher. Powell was Ghee’s family and its statphia. County. She forgot the explained later. He, Sumure in the community. of Proctor’s concerns were standing near a VolkswaCourt records show Arksecond “v,” but she still mersky and other family One of the witnesses, based on “conjecture.” gen Jetta and identified adelphia Police received a enjoyed the experience members are going on an Ashley Preston, said In his ruling against himself to Sparks as the 911 call at 1:19 a.m. June annual mission trip to Proctor, Batson agreed that overall. shooter. Powell pointed to she had spoken to many 6 from Alvin Buckley at Motl also remembered Honduras this month and, people in Arkadelphia who the defense had “failed to a handgun laying between 911 S. 25th Street Circle. right now, isn’t scheduled confirmed her fears about meet its burden” in propos- later the word that elimithe hood and the windBuckley requested police nated him from a spelling to be back by Feb. 1. That Powell getting a fair trial. ing a change of venue. shield on the passenger and an ambulance for the bee during junior high in may mean Martin gets to Upon cross-examinaIn September, Proctor side of the vehicle. shooting victim, unidentiBryan, Texas: “bureaucratake her place. That’s still tion, Prosecuting Attorney proposed that Powell’s Across from the vehicle, fied at the time, who had cy.” He forgot the second being worked out, Tim Dan Turner made a point first-degree murder bond Sparks saw McGhee, who been shot in the street Molinari said later. of noting Preston wasn’t be lowered from $300,000 “u.” He doesn’t forget it appeared to have a gunnear the home. Buckley Whatever happens, a registered voter in Clark to $25,000, allowing Pow- anymore, and Snowden shot wound to his chest, also told police he thought said the same goes for Clark County will no doubt Country — a condition for ell to live with his son and lying on the ground and the shooter was still at the be represented well. such a witness, according grandchildren. Batson also “savvy.” identified him. By then, scene. During the phone The third round claimed to previous court rulings rejected that proposal. ambulance personnel call, another male began to establish grounds for On Aug. 1, Proctor filed arrived and transported speaking over the phone a change of venue. Also a notice stating Powell McGhee to Baptist Health and identified himself intends to say he acted in Medical Center in Arkadel- called as a witness for the as Powell, telling the 911 change of venue motion self-defense. Proctor has phia, where he later died dispatcher he was the was Ollie Ware of Arkaalso filed a motion seekfrom the gunshot wound. shooter. delphia, who said he had ing to suppress the 911 call known Powell for about 45 made by Buckley that later years. included Powell saying he questioned the wisdom of Proctor also expressed was the shooter. having the district’s youngest children attend school Continued in such close proximity from page 1 to older teens, even with measures designed to keep district to downside them from mixing. from 70 to the 48 employBlackwell said at the ees that the state recomforum that, if the 5 mill mends for the current increase doesn’t pass, cuts student enrollment. will have to occur. Some opponents
Ross
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Arkadelphia Dispatch
Public meetings to discuss, pitch highway plans Special to the Dispatch LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Highway Commission has scheduled 12 regional public meetings through April 2 to educate the public and solicit input about projects that could be funded by continuing a temporary half-cent sales tax. The meetings will consist of an open house session where attendees can view displays and visit with Arkansas Department of Transportation staff. A brief formal presentation will follow on the current funding and condition of the state highway system as well as the impact that continuing the half-cent sales tax would have in preserving highways and building new ones. In early 2019, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his highway funding legislative package that resulted in Act 416 and a proposed Constitutional Amendment, House Joint Resolution 1018. Act 416
provides revenue from motor fuel taxes, electric and hybrid vehicle registration fees and casinos resulting in an estimated $95 million in new funding to ARDoT. If the constitutional amendment is approved by voters, it will provide an additional estimated $205 million annually to ARDoT and an estimated $43 million each to cities and counties. Citizens who want to learn more about the governor’s proposed highway program are encouraged to attend one of the 12 regional public meetings. Each meetings will be identical in format and presentation material. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the five commissioners and ARDoT Director Scott E. Bennett. The closest meeting to Arkadelphia will be in Hot Springs on Feb. 20. Meetings set for the southern half of the state will be at: • MONTICELLO, Tues-
day, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m., UAM Fine Arts Center, 371 University Drive. • TEXARKANA, Thursday, Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church,
Co-organizers of SAU’s July 2020 rocket workshop are, from left, engineering faculty Md Islam, Abdel Bachri, Mahbub Ahmed and Puskar Chapagain.
SAU to host rocket workshop, drone racing Southern Arkansas University has received $25,000 from NASA through the Arkansas Science Space Grant Consortium to develop and host a high-powered rocket workshop July 20-24. The College of Science and Engineering workshop will offer students from SAU and elsewhere in Arkansas an opportunity to develop engineering design skills through high-powered rocketry. Teams will spend a week on the Magnolia campus, fabricating rocket parts using 3D-printing, laser-cutting and machining processes. Teams will then assemble and fly their rockets with a payload equipped with video recording and a micro-controller system to capture flight data, then retrieving rockets using electronic deployment recovery. “This event offers a unique opportunity for us to broaden our partnership with the industry and join forces on STEM outreach,” said Abdel Bachri, dean of the College of Science and Engineering. “The aerospace sector of southwest Arkansas includes industry leaders in rocket and defense systems, and the proximity of SAU enables wonderful collaboration to advance STEM through high-powered rocketry. The end result is a unique aerospace experience for students.” Teams will train on rocket simulators before designing their rockets and build-
News 5
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
ing them, and finally submit a report and make a presentation about their project. Participation is free and open to high school and undergraduate students. Teachers from participating schools are encouraged to form teams and help them during the workshop. No experience working with high-powered rockets is required. Aerospace experts from Arkansas defense industries will serve as build engineers, safety professionals and consultants on rocket design and safety matters. There will be a series of lectures provided by aerospace engineers and professionals. Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne provided additional funding to sponsor this event. The weeklong workshop will conclude with a rocket launch and drone-racing competition, where drone pilots will fly a set course as quickly as possible using drone’s-eye view only. The event will take place at SAU’s Gov. Ben T. Laney Farm, home to the University’s new Trap Shooting Facility. The SAU organizing team is certified by Tripoli Rocketry Association to conduct high-powered rocket launches. Registration will open soon. For more information contact Bachri at agbachri@ saumag.edu.
The Arkadelphia Dispatch
3115 Trinity Boulevard • MENA, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m., U of A Rich Mountain–Ouachita Center, 1100 College Drive • HOT SPRINGS,
Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m., Crossgate Church, 3100 E. Grand Avenue • MAUMELLE, Monday, March 9, 5:30 p.m., Jess Odom Community
Center - Gymnasium, 1100 Edgewood Drive • EL DORADO, Thursday, April 2, 5:30 p.m., El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. 8th St.
Governor: New year means new tax cut
This transcript of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's recent weekly radio address has been edited slightly for length. LITTLE ROCK — When I was running for governor in 2014, I promised to cut our income taxes by $100 million. With the support of the General Assembly, we not only kept that promise, but over the course of the past five years, we have reduced our income taxes by over $250 million each year. In 2020, our top individual income tax rate will be reduced again. The top rate will be cut from 6.9% to 6.6%, and next January, it will be reduced again — down to 5.9%. The latest reductions were approved last year when the 92nd General Assembly passed the 5.9 Percent Tax Cut Plan, which was the third phase of my threepart plan to reform Arkansas’s tax code. We also reduced the corporate income tax rate from 6.5% to 5.9%. This will be phased in over time. These are important steps toward allowing Arkansas taxpayers to keep more income while making our tax rate more competitive with our neighboring states. These changes began in 2015 and, over three legislative sessions, we reduced taxes for everyone in Arkansas. What that means for Arkansas is that the state will collect $250 million less in taxes every year. Over 10 years, this means that Arkansas taxpayers will have $2.5 billion in their pocket that state government would have spent otherwise. Of course, we made up for the lost state revenue with a growing economy. In other words, more people are working with higher wages, and that means there are more taxpayers who can support our essential services. Yes, we have cut taxes, and at the same time we have raised teacher pay; invested more in education; and increased funding for important safety nets for our most vulnerable citizens who are struggling and need help. Whenever we talk about cutting taxes, we must ensure that we leave enough
money in the bank and have enough coming in to fully operate the state. There are certain services that we as a state have a moral obligation to fund. We must always provide the money to care for the less fortunate, to support our colleges and universities, to maintain our court and prison systems, and to repair and improve our highway system. When we find ways to responsibly reduce our income tax, we accomplish several things. Individual taxpayers keep more of the money they earn. When taxpayers keep more money, they can care for their families. They support the local and state economies. Tax cuts also allow families to put away money for emergencies and achieve their dreams. This economic activity promotes job creation and industry. And now that our top income tax rate will be 5.9% next year, we can attract more companies as they consider expanding into other states. Through 2020, the biggest benefit that taxpayers will have noticed from tax cuts is a bigger tax refund. The next phase for the tax cut is a revision of the withholding table that employers use when they calculate how much money to withhold from wages. After we roll out the revised withholding table later this year, taxpayers won't have to wait until they file taxes to realize the bigger payday. They will see more paycheck money every week. When we talk about all the work and the thinking that goes into cutting taxes, it is easy to forget why we do this. I wanted to reform our tax code for a couple of simple reasons — to grow our economy and to improve the quality of life for all Arkansans. I’m often asked whether we’ll cut taxes any more. My answer to that question is that our first priority is adequate funding of education. Then we must ensure public safety and fund essential health care. But yes, we can meet those critical needs, and as the economy grows, we can ultimately reduce our individual tax rate to 5%. But that will take time.
6 Sports
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020
Arkadelphia’s Kyla Elgas (23) prepares to drive past two Nashville players Tuesday night in the varsity girls’ 65-35 loss to the Scrapperettes.
Boys win, girls lose to Nashville teams By Cassidy Witherspoon Special to the Dispatch The Arkadelphia Badger boys’ 64-54 home court win over the Nashville Scrappers Tuesday night extended their impressive season record to 16-2. The Badgers got off to a quick start with two three-pointers, going up to 8-0 within minutes before Nashville was able to score. The Badgers played quick offense and strong defense throughout the game, and the crowd roared every time a steal turned into a fast break that turned into a score. In the second quarter, one of those steals that led to a fast break resulted in an injury for sophomore point
guard Ryan Harris. But losing their point guard didn’t slow the Badgers down any. Senior Sam Smith proved to be a key player in the Badger’s offense and defense. He scored, assisted, screened, rebounded and defended well for the Badgers. Player stats weren’t immediately available. Before the Badgers took the court Tuesday evening, Arkadelphia’s varsity girls suffered a 30-point loss to Nashville, 65-35, bringing their record to 3-10. The Badgers started strong, holding the lead over the Scrapperettes for most of the first half. Junior Kyla Elgas’ two threepointers were a key reason the Badgers stayed ahead as
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Reddies power past SWOSU
WEATHERFORD, Okla. — Henderson State out-scored Southwestern Oklahoma State by 15 in the second half Saturday to race past the Bulldogs, 9274, at the Pioneer Cellular Events Center. Five different players scored in double figures for the Reddies in the win. Anthony Lupardus had a team-high 17 on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range, while Rel Johnson finished with 16, Chris Owens chipped in 15 on 7-for-7 shooting, and Mike Fofana and Raekwon Rogers each had 11. Henderson jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the opening moments but SWOSU used a 9-4 spurt of its own to tie the game at 13-13. With the score knotted up, the Reddies put together a 20-7 run, which was Cassidy Witherspoon photos/Spedial to the Dispatch highlighted by seven points Senior Sam Smith shoots from at least four feet beyond from Fofana, to take their the three-point stripe during the Badgers’ 64-54 win over largest lead, 33-20, at the Nashville. Smith has proven to be a consistent shooter 7:13 mark. both under the basket and beyond the three-point arc. The double-digit advantage disappeared quickly long as they did. Turnovers, Badgers looking at a deficit. for HSU, as SWOSU got “The effort was definitely hot down the stretch of rebounds and fast breaks on both ends of the court kept there,” the Badgers’ head the first half. The Bulldogs the score close later, but coach, Jonathan Klein, said. cashed in on seven of their consecutive plays in Nash- “But the execution was slop- final eight shots from the ville’s favor soon had the py.” floor, three of which were
3-pointers, to power a 24-14 run and trim the deficit down to just 47-44 at halftime. Despite squandering the lead, HSU got back on track at the start of the second half and used three-straight 3-pointers from Lupardus, Johnson and Owens to jumpstart a 13-1 run which restored a double-digit advantage, 60-45, with 16:26 to go. The lead grew as large as 18 points for the Reddies near the midway point of the period, as Henderson's defense forced SWOSU's previously hot shooting to slump down to 3-for-16 to begin the half. An old-fashioned threepoint-play from Rogers and a 3-pointer from Xavier Davenport extended the lead out to 81-57 for HSU with just under six minutes remaining. Although SWOSU did trim the lead down to 16 in the final moments the result was never in doubt again, as Henderson cruised to a 92-74 win. HSU shot 55.9% from the floor in the game and held SWOSU to 38.8% shooting, including a mark of 32.4% in the second half. The win is the fifth-straight
3 OBU seniors chosen among 13 state colleges Three seniors on the 2019 Ouachita Baptist University football team were honored last Thursday, Jan. 9 during the annual awards banquet of the Little Rock Touchdown Club. Cori Gooseberry, Ouachita's left offensive tackle from Episcopal Collegiate High School in Little Rock, received the Willie Roaf Award, which goes each year to the best college offensive lineman in Arkansas. Players from all 13 of the state's college football programs — four NCAA Division I programs, six NCAA Division II programs, one NCAA Division III program, one NAIA program and one junior college program — are eligible for the award. Roaf, a Pine Bluff native, played in the NFL for 13 years. He joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Roaf played college football at Louisiana Tech. Brockton Brown, a Ouachita running
back from Sheridan High School, received the Darren McFadden Award, which goes to the best college running back in Arkansas. Players from all 13 of the state's college football programs are eligible for the award. McFadden, a University of Arkansas running back picked fourth in the 2008 NFL Draft by Oakland, was a finalist for the 2006 and 2007 Heisman Trophy. McFadden was inducted last month into the College Football Hall of Fame. Allie Freeman, a Ouachita wide receiver and return specialist from Episcopal Collegiate High School, was named the school's most valuable player for 2019. He’s now playing varsity basketball for OBU. "These three players were part of a senior class that took Ouachita football to the next level," said Todd Knight, the Ouachita head coach. "They have been leaders at Ouachita both on and off the
field since the day they arrived. And they all came from Arkansas high schools." In 2019, OBU had a higher percentage of players from Arkansas than any of the other 12 college programs in the state. Gooseberry, Brown and Freeman helped lead Ouachita to three consecutive Great American Conference championships, two consecutive undefeated regular seasons and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II national playoffs. Ouachita has now won 27 consecutive conference games. Ouachita had a combined record of 39-9 overall and 38-6 in conference play during their four seasons. In 46 OBU career games, Freeman had 5,290 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns. He was a GAC All-Conference selection for four consecutive years, an All-American selection in 2019 and the 2016 GAC Freshman of the Year. Freeman had 36 receptions for 514 yards as a
SWOSU rips Reddie women WEATHERFORD, Okla. — Cold shooting doomed Henderson State’s women on Saturday as the Reddies fell to Southwestern Oklahoma State 84-66 at the Pioneer Cellular Events Center. Henderson (10-4, 5-3) entered the game shooting almost 36% from the 3-point line but was just 2-for-18 from beyond the arc (11.1%) while the Lady Bulldogs hit 11 of their 27 attempts. Maci Mains led the Reddies and tied a careerhigh with 20 points off the bench, while Hailey Estes added 13 and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds. Little separated the two sides through the first 20 minutes. After battling to a 15-15 tie in the first quarter, the second
period was marked by runs from both squads. An 11-4 stretch from SWOSU gave the Lady Bulldogs a 33-26 advantage, but an 8-3 run from the Reddies trimmed the deficit to 36-34 at halftime. Things got away from Henderson in the third, as SWOSU used a 21-8 run over the first six minutes of the period to seize its largest lead, 57-42. Three free throws from Mains and a put-back from Estes helped Henderson trim the lead to 57-47 with a 5-0 spurt, but back-to-back 3-pointers from SWOSU once again lifted the Lady Bulldogs and put them in front 63-47 with 10 minutes remaining. That cushion would prove to be insurmountable for the Reddies.
Ouachita falls to NWOSU on road trip ALVA, Okla. — Ouachita Baptist University fell short, 83-77, on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday. Trey Harris led the way for the Tigers with 17 points. Kendarious Smith added 13 off the bench. Freshman Leon Kalinic picked up his career high as a Tiger with 12 points. For Northwestern, Parrish Hewitt led all scorers with 25. Jaedon
Whitfield tallied 17 on 100 percent shooting from the field. Northwestern captured the lead 18-16, and the Tigers were unable to regain a lead the rest of the game. Twenty-two of the Tigers’ 26 firsthalf points were contributed by the bench. Northwestern would not be denied from three-point range and went into halftime with a comfortable six-point lead. Ouachita held the
lead for a mere 1:13 in the first half. In the first ten minutes of the second half, the Tigers shot 70 percent from the field but still found themselves behind. Northwestern answered basket for basket, not allowing Ouachita to regain the lead. With just above three minutes to play, the Tigers began to press, but to no avail. The Ranger offense never slowed down.
freshman, 63 receptions for 879 yards as a sophomore, 54 receptions for 560 yards as a junior and 95 receptions for 946 yards as a senior. He finished his career with 1,608 kick-return yards and 575 punt-return yards. Brown, an all-conference selection in 2019, finished his college career with 264 carries for 1,788 yards and 43 touchdowns. As a junior, he carried the ball 98 times for 647 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a senior, he carried the ball 159 times for 1,104 yards and 25 touchdowns. Gooseberry started 48 consecutive games, every game of his OBU career, at left tackle. During his time on the offensive line, the Ouachita offense had 11,363 rushing yards. That's an average of 247 yards per game rushing. He was a threetime All-GAC player and, as a senior, was also an honorable mention All-American and a first-team member of the NCAA Division II All-Super Region 3 team. Arkadelphia High School wrestler Rickey Rogers, left, hoists an opponent upward to bring his feet out from under him as he won another match Saturday at the Pulaski Academy Tournament Saturday in Little Rock. Rogers finished first in his weight class while Ross Womack claimed fourth place in his class. Rogers’ sister, Reyna Rogers, finished sixth in her weight class, and Landon Kuhn claimed 12th place in his class.