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INDEX Events COVID Update Sports
No. 12
Vol. 2
Facelift at AHS gym
2 3 4
July 29, 2021
Photo by Blanton Matthews
The gym at Arkadelphia High School has recently undergone an extensive renovation just in time for classes to begin again.
Blanton Matthews Staff Reporter
The Arkadelphia High School gym has been undergoing renovations this month. The work began the week of July 14 with the floor being replaced, resurfaced and repainted. Rails along the bleachers have been repainted, new wall padding has been put in place, a shiny new scoring table has been added, and a new Alma Mater sign has been installed in place of a decades old one. Coach Donald Williams, athletic director of Arkadel-
phia Public Schools, said on Thursday that the work was “long overdue.” Prior to this, the most recent addition to the gymnasium was a new scoreboard that was installed in 2019. “The fans and the kids are going to be really excited,” said Williams. “It adds a whole new dimension to the gym. Coach Klein has been instrumental. He’s been acting as my foreman on the project.” In response to the compliment, Coach Johnathan Klein chucked in humility. Klein is the head girls’ basketball coach at Arka-
delphia High School. Klein also rolled out a long Badger blue mat along the gym floor sideline shortly before Williams entered the gym like a Hollywood red carpet. In the next few weeks, the old basketball goals will be replaced with new ones that include shot clocks, new banners will be installed commemorating championship years, and even more Badger-head logo decals will be placed. No precise figure was given Photo by Lance Brownfield for the total cost of the Three buildings on 10th street, including the old Reddie or Not Bookstore were renovations, but Williams demolished this week and the plot is being rezoned to educational district after and Klein estimated close the property was bought by OBU. to six digits.
It’s gettin’ hot in here Phoebe Darley Staff Reporter
Although Arkadelphia has received plenty of rain this summer, residents still need to take precautions for when the driest days of summer are upon us.
city, AFD responds to the occasional yard fire. Luckily, Arkadelphia’s abundance of roads make it easy to gain access to the fire on most calls. During the winter the fire station responds to more house fires, “the
Some tips for having a safe fire include: - Keep an eye on the fire until it is done. - Have a bucket of water around just in case . - Rake the ground and surrounding area before burning. - Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving. Lack of rain in heavily vegetated areas can lead to dryness of the ground and plant life. The plant life then becomes the perfect kindling for a wildfire. This is concerning because a large part of Arkansas is covered with trees and vegetation. “In Arkadelphia limits people are only allowed to burn tree limbs and other landscaping scraps,” Fire Captain Marty Adair of Arkadelphia Fire Station One said.” “But occasionally we do have some folks who start burning a mattress or couch. Which is not allowed.” Although they do not see many wildfires in the
biggest one we see is people leaving space heaters on and catching fire,” said Captain Adair. “Or they will have multiple cheap extension cords plugged up to the heater and they melt and catch fire.” Captain Adair stresses the most important prevention measure to have in your home or business is a smoke detector. If you live in Arkadelphia city limits and your home does not have smoke detectors. The fire department will install them in your home for free. “If you plan on burning something,” Captain Adair said. “Call the fire Photo by Lance Brownfield department and let us know, The Arkadelphia Fire Department recommends calling before starting a fire so they are aware of where to respond if needed. just so we know where to go
Info from Weather.com
FRI - July 30 mostly sunny
SAT - July 31 mostly sunny
SUN - Aug 01 mostly sunny
MON - Aug 02 partly cloudy
TUE - Aug 03 mostly sunny
WED - Aug 05
THU - Aug 04
95o 72
partly cloudy
102o 76
101o 72
100o 73
95o 73
94o 73
95o 74
Precipitation: 12% Wind: WSW 5 mph Humidity: 55%
Precipitation: 24% Wind: W 5 mph Humidity: 55%
Precipitation: 17% Wind: W 6 mph Humidity: 55%
Precipitation: 15% Wind: WSW 7 mph Humidity: 66%
Precipitation: 11% Wind: WNW 7 mph Humidity: 62%
Precipitation: 10% Wind: SSW 7 mph Humidity: 60%
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mostly sunny
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Precipitation: 22% Wind: SSW 7 mph Humidity: 60%