HW October 25

Andrew Bagley HELENA WORLD A single mother is dead, another man is wounded, and the father is a suspect after a shooting in the 600 block of Poplar Street last Thursday. Officers with the HelenaWest Helena Police Department were called to the scene on Poplar Street last T h u r s d a y for what was initially an unwanted person call. While on the way, dispatchers advised that a shooting had taken place and there were gunshot victims. When the officers arrived, they noted that a man, later identified as 27-year-old Edward Griffin appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to his head. Officers also found 27-year-old Ashley Ewing, described as “bleeding profusely,” had been shot multiple times. Pafford Ambulance responded and both victims were taken to the Helena Regional Medical Center, where Ewing died from her injuries. Griffin was McGee Andrew Bagley HELENA WORLD Pointed discussions about administrator’s desire to change the school calendar that Personnel Policies Committee Chair Brenda Brown and Board President Sandra Bagley said had b e e n approved w i t h Superin - t e n d e n t Keith M c G e e ’ s recom - mendation and addressing a controversy over a logo trademarked by HWHSD’s administrators with the help of a now-ousted Little Rock law firm highlighted last week’s meeting of the Helena-West Helena School Board. Discussion of the calendar kicked off during the monthly report from Brown who asked about confusion about whether or not paraprofessionals were to report on October 19 since this was listed as a non-contact day for students with professional development in the morning and parentteacher conferences in the afternoon. McGee noted it was his intention to have the students come to school that day. Bagley, who has previously expressed a preference to have students until the mid-afternoon and then parent-teacher conferences in the afternoon and evening where teachers get two of their 190 days in one day while Andrew Bagley HELENA WORLD A shootout at the Plaza Express Mart that left bullet holes in cars and eighteen shell casings on the ground resulted in two being critically wounded that were still in critical condition at Regional One in Memphis according to reports available at press time. According to an eyewitness working in the area, bullets started flying at 4:42 pm, resulting in people near the scene hitting the ground in an effort to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. The witness reported hearing ten shots in quick succession. A Helena World reporter observed marked spots on the parking lot representing 18 shell casings. The first officer on the scene notified dispatchers that he was patrolling in the nearby area and heard the shots and was responding. Upon arrival, the officer noticed two vehicles in the parking lot with broken windows. Upon exiting his police cruiser, the officer saw a man, later identified as Sir Frederick Spiceson on the concrete next to the front door of Visit our website: www.helenaworld.org October 25, 2023 • Single copy $1.25 Volume 152 • Number 42 © 2023, Helena World Chronicle, LLC Please see DEAD on 2A Please see HWHSD on 2A BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Single mom of two dead after Poplar Street shooting Board addresses calendar, logo controversies Elected officials and county employees observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month last week by wearing their pink to work. The month is meant to bring awareness to the disease and help raise funds for research. Breast cancer claims the lives of 42000 women and 500 men each year in the United States. Contributed Photo Two wounded during Plaza Street shoot-out Please see PLAZA on 2A Ewing

Local The Helena World 2A — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Levon Helm Jubilee PLAZA Amy Helm, daughter of famed musical artist Levon Helm, takes a moment to visit with the Levon Helm Down Home Jubilee Event Coordinator, Barbie Washburn, and local Justice of the Peace, Martin Rawls. Amy Helm and the Helm Family performed during the event in Marvell on Saturday, October 21. The event began at 11:30 a.m. and lasted until after 9:00 p.m. Both locals and visitors enjoyed the music, atmosphere, and fellowship at the dual celebration of Marvell’s 150th birthday and Levon Helm. Contributed Photo HWHSD DEAD transported to Regional One in Memphis where, at last report, he was in critical condition. Officers identified 65-year-old Charles Ewing as a suspect in what was described as an ongoing investigation. Ewing, who reportedly has children with Ashley Ewing, is still on the run according to personnel with the Helena-West Helena Police Department. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is urged to call the HWHPD at 870- 572-3441. students also get one, noted that students not showing up was the recommendation of the PPC and the Superintendent and what the Board had approved for this year. She said, “I recall us approving a calendar with the day of ParentTeacher conferences being a non-contact day for students. McGee said that he had discovered problems with that calendar that if the changes he wanted to make were not implemented, then students would be returning after Memorial Day or a holiday break like Thanksgiving would have to be shortened. Brown also noted that daycares had made adjustments based on this calendar, including the ASU center for babies through age 3 on the Central campus, and had made plans to have no students. McGee called on Sheila Whitlow to back up his position who said that the confusion was probably a result of looking at color versions of the calendar versus black and white versions. She said the key on the calendar was inaccurate. Ultimately, McGee made the decision to have students come last week with parent-teacher conferences held in the afternoon. Discussion of the logo, which resulted from litigation over the district’s non-athletic logo and inspired passionate denunciation of the one designed by the state-appointed administration and the recently fired law firm of Bequette, Billingsley and Kees from Little Rock without any public input on social media due to its Panther-like appearance and its lack of the district’s scarlet red and royal blue colors in favor of a darker blue and black, was passionate. McGee opened up with an apparent defense of the logo panned by alumni and fans on social media , “I know there has been a lot of talk the last couple of weeks, but we are not changing the mascot. We’ve got a logo we just need to add colors to.” Bagley immediately noted the problems on social media, suggested keeping the separate logo for athletics and said, about the one trademarked by administrators, “The logo register by Dr. Mcgee with the assistance of the Little Rock lawyers identified our colors as blue, black and white while our colors are scarlet red and royal blue.” Bagley also made sure that the criticized new logo would not be on the gym floor, which McGee confirmed. The board asked McGee to meet with the new school attorney and to get input from the board on future branding efforts. In other business, the board approved taking bids for significant roof and HVAC work on the administration building at 305 Valley Drive. one of a silver vehicle on the parking lot. He was bleeding and a pistol was laying beside him. As other officers were called in for backup and the presence of Pafford Ambulance Service was requested, the officer saw Darshun King exit another vehicle and walk to the entrance of the Plaza Express Mart, falling at the entrance saying he had been shot. Multiple off-duty nurses were in the area and offered assistance until Pafford could arrive according to reports from the HWHPD. Both men were transported to the Helena Regional Medical Center where they received treatment and were flown to Regional One. After recovery at the hospital, both men are expected to face felony charges of Battery in the First Degree with purpose of causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and terroristic act-shooting that causes physical injury. HWH Police Helena-West Helena Police arrested Daniel Young Sr. for driving on a suspended license after he apparently ran a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle headed east on Porter Street Friday afternoon. There were no fatalities. Pafford Ambulance and the Helena-West Helena Fire Department were also called to the scene. Photo Credit: Andrew Bagley

The Helena World Opinions WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023 — 3A Andrew Bagley Publisher I have written ad nauseum about the promises made during the 2017 millage campaign that have been broken as part of the scaled-back renovations of the Central High School Gymnasium. Everything I have written on that subject remains true. What is about to be delivered is not what was promised to the voters and falls short of the district keeping its word. The refrain is repeated so often it is starting to feel like there were fewer lies told during Watergate than there have been told to the voters about this project. But another interesting tidbit grabbed my attention from the last School Board meeting. Not much was said about this item but the Board approved Superintendent Keith McGee’s request to get bids for significant roof and HVAC work at the administration building on Valley Drive. During the discussion, the possibility of building a multi-million dollar facility to replace the current Wahl Elementary was mentioned again as well. This is significant because voters were promised during that millage campaign that the administrative offices would be moved to the old Central High School up the hill at the CHS campus. This was planned as a cost-saving measure to reduce the size of the district’s physical plant and free it from the types of large expenses the district is now preparing to outlay for the 305 Valley Drive facility. The Valley Drive complex would have been sold. It’s just another promise broken. And it’s done with a straight face and a smile. Donald Trump would be proud. Why did the regime under Linda English ignore that plan when she, Sanetta Davis, and Earnest Simpson ascended to power? They acted like they weren’t there for all those discussions, which we all know they were. That was baffling and a sample of the kind of misguided moves that resulted in Takeover 3.0. But, more importantly in the present tense, why does Dr. McGee and his contingent with state authority resist such a common sense move now? It’s puzzling, discombobulating, and distressing because getting out of 305 Valley Drive and out from under its incessant problems made sense when John Hoy and I proposed it and it makes sense now. It saves money. It ties the administration closer to where the actual learning and school cultural activities take place. The practicality of this move is so obvious that Clarence Carter, Ronnie Milsap, and Stevie Wonder could see it. Sometimes I wonder if high-level administrators just want an ivory tower office where they can get away from the students, their parents, and the teachers they purport to lead. The old CHS could easily be converted to an administration building. That library could be the board room. Classrooms could be divided by cubicles into multiple offices where entire departments could be together and have the synergy of collaboration without having to walk down a hall. Teachers could have work rooms with large copiers and other equipment for use during planning time. The possibilities for administrative uses of that facility are endless. When I left the board, it was in substantially better shape than 305 Valley Drive. I bet it still is. And these discussions about Wahl Elementary being moved ahead of keeping the promises made to the voters about the CHS Gymnasium are tone deaf and wreak of a condescending hubris. The current gym renovation plans do not keep those promises. Significant portions of that plan have still been eliminated. To tell us otherwise is to ask us not to believe our eyes. If Dr. McGee with his Division of Elementary and Secondary Education advisors are serious about building community support back for HWHSD then they need to keep the district’s promises to its people. A millage won’t pass if those promises aren’t kept. And you can’t fulfill Dr. McGee’s plan without a millage unless you divert some local property tax funds that were meant for the comprehensive renovation promised of that gymnasium. That sort of move would be the political equivalent of flipping the taxpayers the middle finger. Anyone who lives in this community recognizes that. Spare us the educrat speeches about prioritizing academics above athletics. That isn’t the choice here. This choice is between HWHSD keeping its word or continuing to break its promises to those who sacrificed with support for a tax increase to build the facilities they were promised and should be done by now. Being for integrity doesn’t mean you are against academics. If district officials choose the latter, they tell the students and their patrons that integrity is optional and situational ethics rule. Our local school board still has the final say on this matter since it isn’t personnel. And they should insist on fulfilling all of the promises made during the millage effort regarding the CHS Gym renovation before any other new buildings are built or major renovations completed. My support for public education and students cannot be questioned by anyone with a scintilla of integrity or sense. I have the battle scars from being hit from the front, back, and side to prove my commitment. Rarely a week goes by when someone who was against that tax increase hasn’t told some version of an “I told you so” joke. But I still stand on the notion that Helena-West Helena cannot succeed unless we have a strong, vibrant public school system that the community is firmly behind. I want our students to have what kids have in districts across this region and around this state take for granted as the norm. However, I am sick and tired of adults, whether they be examples of local corruption or Little Rock elitism, getting in the way regardless of which category they fall into. More Promises Broken on Facilities Why is Asa still in? Same reasons as in 1976 By Steve Brawner Columnist To understand why Asa Hutchinson is still seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2024 despite the numbers showing he’s probably not going to win, look to what he did in 1976, 1986, and 2006. We’ll get to the history lesson shortly after first covering the news, which is that his presidential campaign this week announced it had raised $640,000 during the third quarter, and that he has $325,000 in the bank. In contrast, the Republican front runner, former President Donald Trump, raised $24.5 million over that same time period. Campaign fundraising both affects poll performance and mirrors it. Candidates must raise money to increase their poll numbers, but donors don’t like giving their money to candidates who aren’t going to win. Eventually a campaign enters a financial death spiral, and that’s when candidates know they have to quit. Hutchinson is not there yet, but he’s getting close. He consistently has polled no higher than 1% and did not qualify for the last debate. He has said he needs to poll at 4% in an early voting state by Thanksgiv - ing. If not, he’ll “reevaluate where we are.” Why would Hutchin - son stay in the race given that he’s never polled high and isn’t raising much money? His history provides a clue. When he first got into politics, Arkansas had been dominated by Democrats for a century. Undaunted, he ran for the Benton County Quorum Court in 1976 and lost. He ran for prosecuting attorney two years later and lost again. He kept plugging along. In 1986, he ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers and lost with 38% of the vote. Four years later, he challenged incumbent Attorney General Winston Bryant and lost again with 45%. By then, Arkansas was not quite so Democratic-dominated, in part because Hutchinson and others like him had kept putting their names on the ballot. His home 3rd Congressional District in Northwest Arkansas had been represented for years by a Republican, John Paul Hammerschmidt, and then by Hutchinson’s brother, Tim Hutchinson. In 1996, Asa was elected to Congress in that district while Tim beat Bryant and was elected to the Senate. Asa would be re-elected to Congress in 1998 and 2000. He then would serve as President George W. Bush’s Drug Enforcement Administration director and then as under secretary for border and transportation security. He came back to Arkansas and ran again for governor in 2006 – and again he lost, this time to Mike Beebe, managing less than 41% of the vote. But the 2014 governor’s race was a different story. For the first time in four tries, Hutchinson entered a statewide race with the political currents favoring him. He won 55% of the vote against the Democrat, Mike Ross. At that point, the Republican Party that Hutchinson had been helping build since 1976 was becoming Arkansas’ dominant party. Personally, he had reached the top of Arkansas politics. It only took 38 years of losing more often than winning for that to happen. Which brings us back to 2024, when Hutchinson again is trying to achieve those same two goals. One is build a party or, more accurately, change it to reflect the restrained, pragmatic conservative GOP of his younger years. Then, it was led and personified by President Ronald Reagan. Currently, it’s the party of Trump, whom Hutchinson opposes. The other goal he’s trying again to achieve is win an election, and again he’s swimming against the prevailing political currents. The difference is that in 1976 he was 25 and had time on his side for the currents to shift. Now he is 72. This is probably his last campaign. Given his history, it’s not surprising that he’s still in the race. If he decides he can’t win, he can still try to achieve his other goal: help change the party by dropping out and endorsing the Reagan Republican who might beat Trump. We’ll see what happens around Thanksgiving. Central football needs realignment By Rick Kennedy Columnist After covering a number of Central High School football games this season, it should be obvious to anyone that Cougar football, now at 0-8, needs a reboot. And, I am not necessarily talking about the head coach Russell Smith, who has struggled mightily keeping players healthy and even fielding a team. I have witnessed games this year where Central had 19 players dressed and available. This is not a 4A program. At this point, this is not even a 3A program. Class 2A or Class 1A may be better suited for Central at this point. Need proof? Look at Central’s record over the past four years. 2020 0-9 2021 0-11 2022 1-10 2023 0-8 As it now stands, this Cougar senior class has seen one victory in four years. The Cougars face undefeated power Warren this Friday, and end with another aspiring playoff team McGehee in two weeks. Does anyone reasonably see a victory anywhere in Central’s future? Of course, not. When I see Central opponents like Star City, Crossett, and Hamburg line up 30, 4o, even 50 players, and Central with only 19 or 21 healthy and dressed, the problem seems pretty clear to me. Central is clearly playing out of their league. I am aware that there is this talk among Cougar alumni and local folks about “playing at the highest level of football,” but again, the numbers don’t bear it out. Maybe if Central was playing Barton or Drew Central or Lake Village, then maybe the Cougars could actually compete. Again, Central resides in a town that has lost 17-percent of its total population over the past 10 years, and it likely stands to reason its student population has declined too. There is an old saying that “Pride comes before the fall” and it is clear over four years now -- an entire graduating class -- that Central football has fallen. I understand that there has been a choice for Central to play in Class 4A, or at least, it has discouraged any talk of movement to Class 3A or Class 2A. Who is making this choice? Central alumni? Big wigs at the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA)? What do these Central alumni or big wigs in the AAA gain by watching the current day Cougars get routinely beat up by scores of 49-0, 42-0, or 44-12? Who doesn’t think that Warren can put a 50-burger up on Central and not blink an eye? Having covered these train wrecks, I can say that all of these games were basically over by halftime. I don’t know who the decision maker is, but that person should consider an immediate relocation for Central to either 3A or 2A at the next AAA realignment next year. These beatings by teams that are superior in numbers, resources, and fan bases have to be demoralizing to the Central players, staff and anyone associated with the current program. The current season and the past three seasons are evidence enough that Central High School football doesn’t belong where they are now. Someone needs to accept the fact that Class 4A is not an appropriate place for them, and they need a new home with a chance to win in the future.

Local/Religion The Helena World 4A — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Dr. Keith Roach SPONSORED FEATURE DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 75 and have had Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia for three years, which has been treated with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and is now in remission. A side effect of Imbruvica is bleeding, and it requires the drug to be withheld before procedures. I need a colonoscopy and a prostate biopsy now. Ideally, how long before and after the procedures should Imbruvica be withheld? If the procedures cannot be performed a day apart, how long is too long an interval between them? How often can Imbruvica be withheld? Also, at my age, how long is the recovery period required for anesthesia when undergoing two separate procedures? -- T. ANSWER: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare disease -- a type of blood lymphoma and a cancer of the bone marrow. Ibrutinib is a new effective treatment for many people who have this condition and sustain remissions from the disease. As you correctly say, bleeding can be a problem with this medicine, and it is generally held for three to seven days before and after surgery (depending on the type of procedure and the risk involved). Because a prostate biopsy is a low-risk procedure and a colonoscopy has almost no risk (unless a biopsy is required, then making it a low-risk procedure), most experts would only hold the medication for three days before and after the procedure. There have been reports of the disease flaring up when withholding the drug, so as little time as possible is the best answer of how long it should be withheld. If you can get the two procedures done within a few days of each other, that would seem reasonable to me, but it is your hematologist whose clinical judgment is required. It would be ideal to coordinate the two procedures. In my opinion, even a day in between procedures is safe from the standpoint of anesthesia risk. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 85 and in reasonably good health. I have been an athlete for most of my life. I developed neuropathy of my feet approximately seven years ago after my back surgery, but now I am to the point where I have difficulty walking. My doctor said I have persistent spinal stenosis with no cure. My feet are now mostly numb, and the heel of my right foot is causing more problems when I walk. Is there any medical procedure to help? -- W.T. ANSWER: “Neuropathy” is a term used to describe a syndrome of nerve damage, which can stem from dozens of different causes. Sometimes no cause is found. In your case, the neuropathy may be due to pressure on the nerve roots from your spinal stenosis, which means that the bone canals the nerves go through once they leave the spinal cord are too small. There are treatments, starting with surgery, to relieve pressure on the nerves, which provides some, but usually only temporary relief. Surgery is not appropriate for everyone, either because of their back anatomy or because they aren’t good candidates for surgery due to other reasons. Physical therapy can be helpful for some people. Medications are also helpful, but they can only relieve the pain, not the numbness. Medicines that are more specific for nerve pain, such as gabapentin or amitriptyline, are usually more effective than opiate-type medications in the long-term. ***** This Sponsorship is available now. To see your name or business here, call Andrew Bagley at the Helena World. Imbruvica shouldn’t be withheld long before or after procedures * It’s (past) time to weatherize your home. Temperatures are dropping, and if you haven’t done it yet, don’t sweat it. We have a few ideas for you. Here are mine: Layer up and keep a sweater on when lounging about the house. Extra clothes don’t cost anything to wear, and they don’t dry out the air, either! -- JoAnn * Heavy drapes can be a great investment to draft-proof your windows. Best are insulation-lined, but you can double hang some good quality curtains to get a similar effect. * One of the best investments I made was a water heater cover for my unit. It’s in the garage, and it gets very cold in there. The blanket was easy to install, and it keeps my water heater from having to work to keep all that water heated. It wasn’t very expensive. -- R.A. in Washington * Don’t overlook your outlets when weatherproofing. They are really just a hole that is covered by a plastic plate. The hardware store sells fireproof insulated inserts that work very well to keep electrical boxes from stealing your house heat. -- M.M. in Indiana * Draft dodgers, or door snakes, are easy to make and provide reasonable protection against drafts. To make one for yourself, you’ll need a pair of thick tights, fabric scraps cut into inch-wide strips and a big bag of rice. Cut the tights off into two long leg portions. Stuff them with fabric scraps and then add rice to give weight and fill in the holes. When the long “socks” are full, tie them off. Lay them out along the threshold, pushing them tight against the door, where they will block the draft! *** This Sponsorship is available now. To see your name or business here, call Andrew Bagley at the Helena World. It Happened at Night – The Beginning Sandra Bagley RELIGION COLUMNIST God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis 1:5) The night has long been a symbol of darkness, a shroud that blankets the world in obscurity and veils it in an enigmatic embrace. It is a time when the known retreats, and the unknown takes center stage. The sun, that dependable source of warmth and light, sets beneath the horizon, and we are left to confront the mysteries that emerge in the absence of its reassuring glow. Throughout human history, we have had an undeniable fascination with the night, which in both its literal and metaphorical sense, has kept an enduring hold on our psyche. Long associated with both fear and wonder, the darkness of night is a canvas upon which our deepest fears and anxieties are painted, a reminder of our vulnerability in the face of the unseen. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, when the stars illuminate the heavens, there is a beacon of hope that beckons to us from beyond the realm of our understanding. From a spirituality and faith perspective, night often serves as a backdrop for profound encounters, revelations, and transformations. The pages of the Bible are filled with stories of individuals who, under the cover of night, found themselves face to face with God. It is within these moments of darkness when God’s voice emerges from the silence, or when we, like Jacob, wrestle with our own doubts and uncertainties in the quiet hours that emerges the opportunity for our lives to be forever altered, when the depths of our souls are stirred, our faith deepened, and our purpose clarified. In the upcoming weeks, we invite you to embark on a spiritual journey with us through our series, “It Happened At Night.” In this exploration, we will unveil extraordinary encounters with God that have shaped the course of human history, the revelations that have fortified our spirits, and the faith that has carried us through the darkest of storms. “It Happened At Night” is not just a retelling of biblical events; it is an expedition into the timeless lessons and inspirations these stories offer. As we traverse these sacred texts, profound insights into faith, human resilience, and God’s enduring presence, even in the darkest moments, await. Our voyage begins in Genesis, where we witness the birth of night and the transformative encounters it first heralded. At creation’s dawn, God sculpted a world veiled in darkness, and with His divine spoken Word, light pierced the night. He called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Genesis 1:1-5 narrates this creation: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Throughout the days of creation, God’s creativity knew no limits. From the vast oceans to the smallest insects, each creation is a testament to His masterpiece. As He surveyed His creation, He declared it to be “very good.” The beauty of creation reminds us of God’s boundless love and His desire for us to find joy and wonder in His handiwork. From the outset, the creation of night becomes a pivotal element in God’s ordering of time. It is a sacred threshold—a time when divine communication unfolds through dreams, visions, and revelations. As a part of the natural cycle of life, night offers both challenges and opportunities for rest, reflection, and spiritual growth. We spend half of our lives in the night, and despite our most determined efforts, we cannot cease its perpetual appearance. Night is a time of awe when the sun sets, painting the evening sky with vibrant colors, and when the stars twinkle against the velvet curtain of the heavens. Yet, the darkness of night can cast shadows of fear, danger, and loneliness, amplifying emotional distress. In these dark hours, we are reminded of the many times when God’s acts of deliverance and providence have unfolded in the night times of our life. The Israelites’ liberation from Egypt and Job’s redemption serve as powerful examples of God’s work amid darkness. It is in these moments that our faith is tested, where we discover solace in the face of danger, and where the mighty hand of God’s providence reaches down to deliver His children. Embracing nighttime encounters with God, like those experienced by individuals like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Samuel, and Gideon, can be profoundly transformative. It is important to recognize that each person’s journey is unique, and what resonates for one may not work for another. We invite you to join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the timeless wisdom and spiritual insights interwoven into the narratives of these nighttime encounters. May the insights illuminate your path, rekindle your faith, awaken your spirit, and serve as a beacon of hope, even in the darkest moments, reaffirming that, indeed, it happened at night.. Rev. Sandra Bagley is an Associate Minister at New Haven Missionary Baptist Church, and an award-winning columnist. Readers may send feedback to [email protected]. Sandra Bagley

The Helena World Church WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 — 5A St Mary’s Catholic Church St. Johns Episcopal Church For more information on a sponsorship of this church directory Please contact Wally Burchett at: Wally@ burchettmedia.com or call 910-528-0244 ASSEMBLY OF GOD FIRST Assembly of God 1807 Stringtown Rd. Pastor Dwight Miner 338-3882 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.. & 5 p.m. Wed. 5 p.m. Hope Church 417 E. Baldwin Pastor Qway Duvall 501-655-0359 Worship Service Sundays 10:45 BAPTIST Asbury M.B. Church Wallace St. Marvell Rev. Leroy Williams Min., Rev. Gray Asst. S.S 9:30, M.W. 11:00 a.m. 2nd & 4th Sundays Bible Study Wed. 6:00 Harmony M.B. Church 801 Airport Road Fred Garrison, Min. 572-9342 S.S. 10 A.M. W.S. 11am & 5pm Wed 7pm Beautiful Zion Miss. Baptist 218 Ponotoc 338-3977 Danny Robinson, Min., S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m. Beulah Missionary Baptist Onieda - Robert L. Goldsberry, Min S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. County Line Baptist P.O. Box 273, Marvell, AR 72366 Nate Lawerence, Min., 829-3260 S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Elaine Baptist Church 200 Main St. Elaine Luke Watson/Pastor., 870-827-3469 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. & 6p.m. Wed. 7:00 p.m. First Baptist M.B. Church Comer of Miller & Walnut St., Helena, 338-8652, Derrick L. Hughes, Pastor S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:30 a.m. Helena First Baptist Church 600 Franklin, Helena Cliff Bernard/Pastor., 338-6764 S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 6:45 p.m. First Baptist Ward St., Marvell S.S. 10:00 a.m.; Randy Williams, Pastor W.S. 11:30 a.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Every Sundays First Missionary Baptist Church 125 N. Coanza Von Daniels, Min., 870-228-5007 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Fourth Street Baptist B.MA Pastor: Lance Madden SS, 10am; WS, 11am &6pm Wed.- Adult Bible Study/ Children/Youth Classes 6pm Fountain Head M.B. Baptist Willis DR Marvell Pastor Vincent Bell. 870-829-2558 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; M.W. 11:00 a.m. Evening Service 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:00 p.m. Galilee Missionary Baptist206 Adams 338-3024 S.S. 9:30 a.m. Pastor Jessie King Greater First Miss. Baptist Comer of Sam and Bonanza St. Arthur Hughes, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m., 1st & 3rd Sunday Lambrook Baptist 827-3918 S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Lexa Baptist 213 Cedar St. Pastor: Nathan Perry 572-6533 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Morning Grove Missi. Baptist Hwy 44 - Elder Robert Davi, Pastor, 572-0667 S.S. 10:00 a.m.; W.S. 12:00 noon every Sun. Bible Class every Tues. Morning Star Baptist 885 S. Biscoe 338-6727 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 6 p.m. 1st & 3rd Sun Rev. Larry Edwards, Pastor Mount Oliver Miss. Baptist Onieda - Moses Tillman Sr., Min. S.S. 10:30 a.m.; W.S. 12 Noon every 2nd Sun. Mount Tabor Miss. Baptist 1160 Holly & Adams Streets S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. 2nd & 4th Sun. Tues. 7:30 p.m. 2nd & 4th Tues. New Haven Missionary Baptist Rev. Rodney D. Corbin, Pastor 404 W Street West Helena, AR 72390 S.S. 9:30 a.m.- W.S. 11:00 a.m. - Prayer, Mon. 6 p.m., B.S., Wed. 7 p.m. Ph. 870.572.6314 New Hope Missionary Baptist Jackson & Holly • Billy G. Williams, Min., 338-9095 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Wed. 6 p.m. New Light Baptist 522 Arkansas Andre K. Valley, Min., 338-8677 S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 6:30 pm Wednesday New Zion Missionary Baptist - 225 Plaza L.A. Gamble, Min., 572-2159 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:30 a.m. 2nd & 3rd Sun. B.S. 2nd Wed. Pleasant Grove Miss. Baptist Hwy. 316 Kenion Williams, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. 1st & 3rd Sun. Salem M.B.Church - Hwy. 44 So. S.S. 10:00 a.m. W.S. 11:00 am. 1st & 3rd Sunday Paster Randy Williams, Sr. St.John Missionary BaptistPerry ext., Helena S.S.9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Rev. Walter Debro Jr- Pastor St. John M.B. Church Perry Ext., Helena, AR Rev. Walter Debro Jr., Pastor Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M. Each Sunday St. Joseph Missionary Baptist - Postelle S.S. 10 am.: W.S. 11:30 am. Wed. 6 p.m. Spring Lake Missionary Baptist S.S.9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Rev. Garland Lee Restoration Outreach Center Int. and Non-Denominational Worship Service Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ICTC (I Can Through Christ) Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. I am the Sr Pastor Matthew McKing Sr. First St. Paul Missionary Baptist 3182 Phillips Rd. 300 Billy Ward, Minister 572-2870 S.S. 10:00 am; W.S. 11:30 every Sunday Bible Class 7:00 pm - Wednesday St. Paul Missionary Baptist Corner of Walnut & Adam St. -Amos Newell, Min., S.S. 9:45 am.: W.S. 11 p.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m.-Tuesday St. Peter Missionary Baptist Old LR Road - Devin Brown, Min., 338-7164 S.S. 9:30 am.: W.S. 11:30 a.m. Bible Study: 6:00pm Wednesday followed with every choir rehearsal Second Baptist SBC 3rd & Baldwin St. Mike Collins, Senior Pastor., 572-3264 S.S. 9:00 a.m.: W.S. 10:00 a.m. & 7 p.m. Wed. 6:30 p.m. Second Baptist - Park & Hernando St. Jarvis Smith, Min., 572-9647 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. NS. Sun., 6:30 p.m., BC., Tues. 5:00 p.m., Every 1st. Sat., Mo. Mus. 7:30 p.m. Second Baptist Church Lexa - 113 Mapl & Maine St 572-1525 S.S. 10:00 a.m.; M.W. 11:30 a.m.; Bible Study (First & Third Wednesdays) at 6 p.m. Silver Cloud 206 Riverview James L. Williams, Pastor 338-6822 Sunday School 9:30 , Morning worship 11:00 am, Wednesday night Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Trenton Baptist Pastor: Brother Mike Shelley S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Truevine Missionary Baptist 415 W. Garland Dr. Pastor: TBA S.S. 9:30 a.m.; 1st and 3rd Sundays 11 a.m. Wed. Bible Class 6 p.m. Tucker Grove MB PC Road 115 Marvell, AR S.S. 9:30 am W.S. 11:00 am Rev. Earnest Womack Jr.- Pastor Mt Shelly MB Church Marvell Arkansas Pastor Vincent Bell West Acre Baptist Church S.S. 9:45 a.m. W.S. 11:00 a.m. Pray meeting Wed. 7:00 p.m. West Helena Baptist 702 Plaza St. S.S. 9:30 a.m.: W.S. 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 6:30 p.m. Zion Hill Baptist - 1108 Pecan St. 338-3712 Leroy Harper Sr., Min., S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m., 1st & 3rd Sunday Zion Travelers Mis. Baptist Rev. Austin D. Hill SR Pastor 32610 HWY 44 Mellwood, AR 72367 S.S. 10:30am W.S. 11:30am CATHOLIC St. Mary’s Catholic 123 Columbia 338-6990 - Sun. Mass: 10 a.m. CHRISTIAN First Christian Carruth St. - Marvell Alton Merchant, Min. S.S. 10 a.m.: W.S. 11 a.m.; E.S. 5 p.m. Bible Study: Wed. 6:30 p.m CHURCH OF CHRIST Hicks United Church of Christ Marvell Alton Merchant, Min. S.S. 10:00 a.m.; W.S. 9:00 a.m. Twin City Church of Christ Larry R Scott, Rev., 572-1215 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Southland Church of Christ Bro. Derek Wilson, Minister 5625 Hwy 242 West I Lexa, AR 72355 S.S. 10am - W.S. 1 lam 572-2240 CHURCH OF GOD Church of God - 1736 Hwy 49 Gene Rutledge, Min., 572-2099 S.S. 10:00 a.m.; W.S. 11:00 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Church of God of Prophecy 210N.9TH Pastor: Doris Smith, 572-7587 S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wed. 5 p.m. Elaine Church of God Dan Wessell, Pastor S.S. 10:00 a.m. W.S. 11:00 a.m. Living Water Ministry 227 N. 8th St. West Helena Judy Carter, Pastor 572-5327 S.S. 10:00 a.m.; W.S. 11 am & 6 pm. Wed. Bible Study: 7 p.m. New Beginning Church South Seven Audie Richardson Sr., - Pastor CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST Christ TempleFranklin & Jefferson, Helena Supt. Alex J. Smith, Pastor; Min. Abram Johnson, Pulpit Chairman; SS 9:00 am, MS 10:30 am, YPWW 5:00 pm. Evening Service 6:00 pm, Wednesday Prayer & Bible Band 7:00 pm, Holy Communion-Third Sundays Greater Powerhouse/Adams Temple 519 Plaza Street - Alex J. Smith, Min. First Lady-Clinton Smith S.S. 9:30 am.; W.S. 12 Noon, Tlies. Thurs, Fit, Nightly 7:30 pm St. Luke COGIC Elaine, Robert Tackett, Min. - S.S. 9:30 a.m. W.S. 11 a.m. 2nd & 4th Sun Upper Room Pentecostal COGIC Jalen Phillips, Pastor. Sunday Worship 10 am. Wednesday Prayer Service 7:00 pm. 870-995-5128 Power House COGIC - 2nd St Kim Smith, Min., 572-9901 S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Tues. 7:30 p.m. Watson Temple Church of God Hwy 49, Lexa Tues. Bible Study 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fri. Regular Services 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sim. S.S. 9:30 to 10:30 Regular Services 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. Evening Services: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. EPISCOPAL St. John Episcopal Perry & Pecan St. Rev. Ray Brown, 338-8115 W.S. 10:30 a.m„ S.S. 9:00 a.m. Allen Temple A.M.E. - 120 S. Ashlar SS 9:30 am -10:45 am Worship: 11:00 am Each Sunday Pastor T.B. Lamb METHODIST Carter Chapel AME 419 Columbia Deborah Senter, Pastor S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Elaine United Methodist Pastor William Joe Head W.S. 9:00 am. First United Methodist in Helena 502 Porter 338-7418 Rev. Buddy Hamner S.S.9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. Lexa United Methodist Pastor: Kenneth Lee - Cedar - S.S. 9:55 a.m.; W.S. 9 a.m. Marvell United Methodist Pastor: Kenneth Lee - Hwy. 49 S.S. 9:55 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Pettis Memorial CMJZ. 121 Coranza 572-5046 Pastor William C. Gant S.S.9:30 a.m.; W.S. 5 p.m. Sun. CYF: 5 p.m. Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Center & Wallace St., Marvell W. Simmons, Min., 338-8651 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. West Helena United Methodist - 109 N. 6th St. 572-2559 Pastor William Joe Head S.S. 9:30 am.; W.S. 11 a.m. PENTECOSTAL Pentecostal Porter Kenneth D. Harman, Pastor S.S. 10 am.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wed. 7 p.m. Apostolic Life Center Church 1335 Hwy 49, Marvell, AR Pastor Bishop S. R. Jackson S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Tues & Thurs 7 p.m. Bible Study Thurs 7:30 p.m. Pentecostal Church of Holiness 52 ST. Francis Glenn Jackson, Min., 388-8974 S.S. 10 am.; W.S. 11 a.m. Wed. 7 p.m. United 7TH DAY ADVENTIST Seventh Day Adventist Church Hwy. 49, Bill Neptune, Min. -W.S. Sat 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Pastor Jeny Kenyon, 572-9141 Faith Lutheran Church 4525 North Washington Forrest City, AR 72335 Earl D. Burhhart, Deacon OTHER Greater Miracle Temple - 228 No. 2nd St Bro. Willie Manuel, Min. S.S. 9:30; W.S. 11:00 Tuesday Bible Study 7:30-9:00 p.m. Gods House “A Safe Place to Come To” Outreach Ministries, Inc. - Pastor: Elder Robert Davis 9th Street & Plaza 815 Plaza Street West Helena AR 72390 870-753-4050 870-995-3533 mobile Church Services Every Sunday: S.S. 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00 am Every Tuesday even. Bible Teachings 6:00 pm Every 2nd & 4th Sunday after service Lords Supper Free Food Pantry schedule: 1st Tuesday & 3rd Tuesday Call Pastor 870-572-0667 House of the Lord Church - 8365 Phillips 300. J.L. Sanders 572-2469 or Bill Home 572-5679 True Gospel Church - 542 Cooper St., West Helena Tony Dyce, Pastor., 870-572-9651 Sunday 10:00 am-12 noon. Sun, Evening 6pm-till, Wed. 7pm-till. Church of the Living God 700 Park Ave West Helena, AR 72390 (870) 572-7188 Pastor Jenkins P.S. 7-7:30 Wednesday B.S. 7:30-8:30 Wednesday S.S. 11am - 1pm Every 2nd Tuesday Food Pantry Giveaway NON-DENOMINATIONAL Faith Outreach Church - 1430 Springdale Rd. Jim D. Harrison,Pastor -572- LORD W.S. 10 a.m. Mid-Week Service (Wed.) 7 p.m. This local church directory is made possible by these supporting businesses that are positioned around these page. The basic church listings are provided at no charge to all our area churches. If your church is not listed or an information change is needed, please contact Andrew Bagley at [email protected] Dean Watts For more information on a sponsorship of this church directory Please contact Wally Burchett at: [email protected] or call 910-528-0244

6A — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Comics/Puzzles The Helena World

The Helena World Local WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 — 7A Bridal Shower held for VonKanel in Marvell Staff Reports HELENA WORLD Bailey VonKanel, daughter of Alan and Wendy VonKanel of Helena, was honored at a traditional wedding shower on Saturday, September 23rd. at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The hostesses, Liz Bartlett, Audria Foran, Annie Guest, Leigh Ann Guest, Gretchen Hall, Holly Hall (not pictured), Terri Ann Hall, Lana Kirkpatrick, Tammy Miller, and Melissa Warren, were thrilled to celebrate Bailey and her fiancé, Drake Bonner of Turner. Drake is the son of Brooks and Renee Bonner of Turner. Served on a variety of crystal trays and platters, refreshments included cheese straws, fruit and dip, decorated cookies, mini iced-sugar cookies, sausage balls, black bottom cupcakes, muffins, two cheese balls with crackers, oreo balls, bacon cracker bites, party sausage appetizer, and punch. A beautiful floral arrangement was the focal point of the refreshment table. The entryway was decorated with a balloon arch and a ‘Miss to Mrs.’ backdrop. The gift table held a variety of gifts from the couple’s registry. The hostess’ gift was two place settings of her China pattern. Bailey and Drake are planning a late fall wedding. The happy couple plans to make their home in Turner, AR, after they are married. Candace Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER With the first full month of having a City Clerk vacancy, Elaine’s City Council spent a little more time than usual reviewing the report of monthly expenses. Once approved, Mayor Lisa HicksGilbert gave an update on the water department. The city is still waiting on a Master Electrician to finish the work, but for now, the system is properly operating. The Water Department of Elaine owes the city of Elaine general fund a total of $59,637.43 for payroll taxes. Mayor Hicks-Gilbert and a contracted assistant are working on cleaning the water department books. She mentioned that all should be completed by the next regularly scheduled city council meetings. Each City Council member is required to take 8 hours of training before December 31, 2023. “We’re looking at asking Communities Unlimited to provide that training on a Saturday.” Mayor Hicks-Gilbert also mentioned the need for the city to undergo a rate study. The current water department staff will also receive compliance training at PCCUA over the next few weeks. Next up, the Council moved to address the City Clerk vacancy. First, the council had to declare a vacancy for the position. They’ll be eligible to appoint someone to the position at the November 2023 meeting. Attorney Amy Green then read an ordinance to levy taxes on property for the upcoming year, which is standard and requires annual approval by the council. Elaine participated in the Water Assistance Program, which ended on August 15, 2023. It provided emergency funds and left a credit on a number of resident’s water bills. $29,240.78 was erased from the Elaine Water Works department’s debt. Delta Waste Disposal will increase the rural pickup by $11 starting November 1, 2023 or December 1, 2023. This would increase the waste fee for the rural customers to $32 per month. Out of 300 rural customers, only 108 have opted to have their waste picked up. “They’re increasing it again and not even picking up the trash?”, inquired Councilmember Tammy Swindle. “We understand an increase, but I think we should look into another company servicing the rural customers.”, stated Councilmember Nancy Webster. Witcher Auctions visited the city and offered to auction a 1952 fire truck, a 1972 fire truck, two older city trucks, a John Deere tractor, a mosquito sprayer, and a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. After consulting the Fire Chief on selling the fire trucks, the council approved for Mayor Hicks-Gilbert to move forward with putting the out-of-commission vehicles and items up for auction. The City of Elaine has been utilizing a contractor to assist with bookkeeping in the absence of a City Clerk. Council members questioned the amount that has been spent on fuel and how much the meter reader was paid during the month of September 2023. Mayor Hicks-Gilbert addressed the need for the reader to initially work more hours due to meters going unread for so long and dealing with constant water leaks needing to be repaired. Phillips County Road 518 has repeated leaking problems. “We have a lot of our water lines that have been buried very shallow, and that’s creating an issue and costing us money.”, stated Mayor HicksGilbert. Attorney Green announced that a lawsuit has been filed in federal court on October 4, 2023 for damages to Whiskey Shoot Road aka Phillips County Road 518. The City is currently under a Legislative Audit. “I have six emails with requests for documentation.”, stated Mayor Hicks-Gilbert. “I’m looking to hire a file clerk to help with gathering these records.” The meeting concluded with public comment. First up was Mrs. Bernita Glass. She decreased the rent owed by 10%. The last meeting she attended to discuss the matter was in July 2023, and she has not received an answer from the Mayor or City Attorney. “I have been strung along for 15 years. Someone needs to give me an answer one way or another.” Mrs. Glass indicated that this would be her last time appearing before the council to ask for compensation for the city’s unauthorized use of her land, only if they have everything on the property professionally removed. “If you’re not going to pay for it, I’m asking you to have it professionally removed.” Mrs. Glass received no response regarding her proposal at this meeting. Next was citizen Toria Jefferson. She announced the meeting of the Watershed project, which was held on Thursday, October 19, at Central High School. Jefferson is one of the ambassadors of the project covering Phillips County, known as the Long Lake Bayou-Little Bee Bayou Watershed project. Last, was Yolanda Clash. She requested the city open up the hydrants to drain the water system. She’s concerned with the sediment in the water. Clash also mentioned her displeasure with how the telecommunications company servicing the area was raising the price of their basic-level services, especially for those utilizing the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), making use of the ACP almost useless. Due to not having a City Clerk, court will be canceled for the City of Elaine until further notice. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21 at 6:00pm. Full plate faced by Elaine City Council for October Staff Reports HELENA WORLD Warfield Concert Series presents, NOBUNTU, on October 30, 7 PM, at the Hendrix Fine Arts Center, at PCC in Helena. This is a free concert. Nobuntu, the female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements. The word Nobuntu is an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity and family from a woman’s perspective. This program features traditional songs and original arrangements. Their mix of traditional Zimbabwean folk songs, gospel influences, recognizable covers, and original work is a unique musical fusion under the larger umbrella of Mbube Acapella, made famous by the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Nobuntu member Zanelle Manhenga spoke about the legacy of Ladysmith and the formation of Nobuntu. “We thought, where are the girls that are doing Mbube? Is it set in stone that Mbube should be done by men only?” With this conviction, Nobuntu became the first all female Mbube group in not only their home country of Zimbabwe, but in the world. Warfield Concerts are always free, but get your tickets now at www.warfieldconcerts.com. Warfield Concert Series presents NOBUNTU

8A — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Local The Helena World

The Helena World WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 — 1B Rick Kennedy HELENA WORLD With Crossett looking for a possible playoff berth, Central, which came in winless, probably had hoped to sneak in and pull an upset on the sleeping Eagles last Friday. But, it was Central that showed up as the sleepwalkers, and the Eagles who looked wide awake and romped to a 49-0 win over the beleagered Cougars. As has been the pattern all year, untimely penalties and poor offensive play cost the Cougars. And Central’s defense, although tough at times, let too many big plays and touchdowns happen too early, and the the game was effectively over by halftime. Crossett opened up scoring almost immediately, while Central staggered out with an interception on its third play of the game. Crossett then threw an 82-yard touchdown pass, and the Eagles were already ahead 14-0 with 8:43 still to go in the first quarter. Central’s next offensive series consisted of two sacks, and its punt on fourth down was returned for a Crossett touchdown, which put the Eagles further ahead 21-0. Central’s next drive again started with no gain, followed by two incomplete passes. The fourth down punt to Crossett was successful in the fact that it was not returned. The Eagles kept coming with a play for seven yards, followed up by a 20-yard run with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Central providing 15 more yards. After a run for no gain, the Eagles simply threw a 16-yard touchdown pass over the Cougars, and Crossett expanded its lead 28-0 with 3:29 left in the first period. Central saw the same story on offense. Two plays gained no yards, followed by a penalty on the Eagles. Instead of taking advantage of the break, Central Central steamrolled by Crossett 49-0 in latest debacle Andrew Bagley HELENA WORLD Barton vs Rison. Two programs that are synonymous with excellent small-town high school football. Just reading their names together evokes visions of the fall, full-stadiums, rowdy fans, raucous bands, and fierce rivalry. The two programs sit atop the AAA record books. Both are tied for fourth with eight state championships, behind LR Central’s 31, Pulaski Academy’s 11, and Greenwood and Pine Bluff’s ten apiece. Both have eleven appearances in the title games. They have faced each other six times in the postseason, each winning three. Bear fans remain haunted by a 28-20 defeat in the 1990 state championship game that ended a 63-game winning streak, still the record for the state’s longest. There was also a loss in 1973 when an undefeated Bear squad that had just captured the first conference title under Frank McClellan laid an egg in Cleveland County, losing 25-13. In recent years, with the two in the same conference, Rison has owned the Bears, winning the last five in the series. So when the two gather together for another installment of this vexing rivalry, much remains on the line. Rison is trying to salvage its season and make the playoffs. The Bears need a win to keep hopes alive for the first conference championship in two decades. Can the Bears finally break through against their nemesis from Cleveland County and take another step toward returning from their exile from elite status in Arkansas football? Barton Head Coach Steve Sexton, who is in his first season and will be getting his first taste of this rivalry, is trying to treat this as just any other game and keep his players focused on “taking care of us.” In an interview last Saturday, Sexton says the message is “focusing on execution, Barton looks to break through at Rison Andrew Bagley HELENA WORLD Faced with the unpleasant prospect of two weeks without a game before resuming action in the second round of the MAIS Class 2A playoffs, Desoto Head Coach Sam Pearson scheduled AAA-member Parkers Chapel, a school with an enrollment almost four times that of Desoto’s, in a non conference game and the T-Birds rolled to a 36-8 victory. Desoto, which will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs this week, started slowly with their only first quarter points coming on a 1-yard touchdown run from Clayton St. John followed by a two-point conversion pass from Ethan Phillips to Aiden Liston. But Desoto’s defense was like a wall that kept the Trojans outside the promised land, holding them scoreless and leaving the T-Birds ahead 8-0 at the end of the first period. But then the Thunderbird engine revved in the second quarter. On the first play of the period, Phillips scampered 89 yards for the touchdown as the Desoto contingent that had made the trip to just outside El Dorado rise to their feet. The try for two failed but the game remained tight at 14-0. But as the Desoto defense continued to stifle the Trojans, Phillips took to the air with a demonstration of why no one in the MAIS has been able to stay close to the Thunderbirds all year. He hit Liston with an 89-yard touchdown strike and ran in the twopoint conversion himself to make the score 22-0. After Parkers Chapel finally put points on the board to cut the lead back to two touchdowns at 22-8, the Thunderbirds respondDesoto completes perfect regular season with win over AAA foe Trazon Rogers looks for an open lane to run in Friday’s 49-0 loss to the Crossett Eagles on the road last Friday. The Cougars remain winless on the season with perennial powerhouse Warren coming to town. Kickoff against the Lumberjacks is set for 7:00 Friday in Cad Polk Stadium. Photo Credit: Doug Bielemeier Barton Head Coach Steve Sexton, shown here giving instructions to the Bears in a game earlier this season at Frank McClellan Field, is looking to keep his team focused heading into Friday night’s battle at Rison. The Bears will be looking for their first win at Wildcat Stadium since 1989. Helena World File Photo Please see CENTRAL on 2B Please see DESOTO on 2B Please see BARTON on 2B

2B — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Sports Week The Helena World CENTRAL DESOTO Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Marvell Academy Eagles played their last game of the season on Friday night. The 1A team traveled to Tunica Academy with hopes of an upset against the #6 ranked team in the MAIS 2A division. Although this young team was optimistic, luck was not in their favor. The Eagles’ final score was a 44-8 loss. Head Coach Greg Wallace, who just finished his second year at MA, felt the team faced additional challenges this season due to the lack of bench depth and player injuries. The Eagles graduated six senior starters last year, so many of the current players lacked critical game experience and the ability to play well under pressure. Even with these challenges, the Eagles had an improved win record over last season. “I thought that Friday was a situation where we could’ve been in the game in the fourth quarter if we had cleaned up some missed assignments and executed a little better,” Wallace said of the loss in the final game, before turning his attention to the overall season performance, “Our positives from this year were the leadership from Chris Cutlip (junior quarterback), Sam Sabbatini, and several others. Another huge positive was the level of play we got from our young guys - Sawyer Roth, Collin Fraiser, Levi Sabbatini, Jackson Schaffhauser, and John Kale who all are 8th graders. Bryce Edgin, Kaden Floyd, and Patrick McCall also played well. Offensively, we didn’t turn the ball over this year with only four fumbles (three fumbles lost) and one interception on a two-point conversion.” Wallace noted that Cutlip had over 700 yards passing and over 130 passing attempts that resulted in eight touchdowns with only one interception (on a conversion). He feels this game experience will make for an even better passing game next year. Other players whom Wallace has high expectations for are Will Fowler, Chris Sorsby, Corbin Smith. MA Eagles fall flat in season finale at Tunica Academy BARTON then threw an interception to Crossett, giving the ball right back to the Eagles. And with 1:58 left in the first quarter, the Eagles were not through yet. After a 10-yard gain, Crossett followed up with a 30-yard run on a jet sweep, and the Eagles ended the first quarter with a 35-0 advantage. Central’s offense finally showed some signs of life with a 12-yard run, followed by a five-yard run and 3-yard run, but the Cougars moved no more and loss the ball on downs, ending their best effort of the night. For Crossett, they kept coming with a three-yard run, followed by a seven-yard run for another first down. The Eagles took a rare sack, and then followed up with an incomplete pass. On the third-down play, however, Crossett tossed what appeared to be a simply screen pass, but it ended up as a 44-yard touchdown play. With 9:03 in second quarter, the Eagles enjoyed a 42-0 advantage. On the ensuing kickoff, Central had 40 yard return, but the Cougar offense continued to stumble. After a fumbled snap, a sack, and an incomplete pass, the Cougars punted the ball away unable to capitalize on the excellent kickoff return. Crossett held the ball for the rest of the period, and the Eagles went into halftime confortable at 42-0. Central saw the second half start with a running clock and down 42 points. With the Eagles playing several substitutes, Central enjoyed an 18-play drive that took up all of the third period, and moved into the fourth period. The Cougars used a version of the famous Philadelphia Eagles QB sneak three times to keep the drive moving, and it appeared that Central might score at the start of the fourth quarter. After a third down play that saw no gain, Central came up empty on fourth down as well, and the Cougar threat ended almost as quickly as it started. Crossett, which was looking to run out the clock, started with a eight-yard run, followed up by a 42-yard gain off another jet sweep. After another gain of eight yards, Central saw a facemask penalty that added another 15 yards. As an indication that everything was going right for the Eagles on this night, two plays later, Crossett’s quarterback mishanded the snap, but rolled left, and ended up throwing a touchdown pass with 4:50 left in the game. Central came back with a 45-yard kickoff return, but this time, it was negated by a penalty. Two plays later, the Cougars fumbled the ball away to the Eagles, and Crossett simply ran out the clock and celebrated a 49-0 win. It was a big win for Crossett, which kept the Eagles in the playoff hunt, while winless Central must face the undefeated powerhouse Warren Lumberjacks this week. Central is scheduled to end the season in two weeks against the McGehee Owls, who are also looking for a playoff berth. not emotion.” He said, “We have to just go play football. We have to focus on doing the little things right and staying in on our routine. We have to focus on being consistent.” And while Sexton will be participating as a coach in this rivalry for the first time, he knows its importance. His brothers-in-law are Scott and Jerry “Bruiser” Pryor. Scott, who now leads the Phillips County Farm Bureau, experienced the ecstasy of winning against Rison in the 1994 title game. His brother Jerry anguished with the agony of defeat in that 1990 game decided by a fake punt. His wife Kellie was a cheerleader in one of those games. Sexton knows that it will be hostile when the Bears travel to George Walker Field at Wildcat Stadium on Friday. He said, “I tell the players we are going to be down two scores before we get off the bus. We are preaching that the adversity is coming.” When asked what the keys will be to winning on the road, Sexton said, “We have got to take care of us. We have to control the ball, play good defense, and take care of the ball. We can’t have turnovers.” Rison is coming off a 35-0 win over Lake Village. The Bears had an open date last week. Barton trapped the Beavers 57-8 on September 29. Kickoff in Rison is set for 7:00 ed with another Phillips touchdown run to make it 28-8 at the intermission. St. John put the game out of reach with a 43-yard touchdown run followed by a twopoint conversion by Phillips to round out the scoring as Desoto ground out the clock and held the Trojans scoreless the rest of the way. Pearson was pleased with the win, which was the closest test the T-Birds have faced since the first week of the season. He said, “It was a tough environment on the road. But I was pleased to see how our kids responded.” St. John led Desoto’s rushing attach with 169 yards and two touchdowns on eleven carries. Phillips followed with nine carries, 168 yards, and two touchdowns. He also completed two passes to Liston for 96 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Gregoy added 52 yard son seven carries. Desoto will face the winner of Ben Ford Christian in Louisiana and North Sunflower Academy in Mississippi on November 3 at Sam Howe Field in the second round of the MAIS Class 2A playoffs. Pearson said the T-Birds will follow a normal practice schedule except for Friday when they will take off. He added, “We won’t do as much full-contact drills to allow every one to get healed and be ready for the run in the playoffs. We will do some scouting and watch some film and just try to be the most prepared when we get back on the field.” Candace Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER In their last stretch of the regular season, the Marvell-Elaine Mustangs fell to the Dermott Rams 44-12. The Rams meant business playing on home turf as they prevented the Mustangs from scoring for most of the game’s first half. Treyveon Campbell made the first touchdown for the Mustangs right before the first half ended. Quarterback Jabaris Green executed a flawless snap, launching a precise pass to Campbell, who swiftly covered 40 yards downfield. After a game-halting rhubarb in the third quarter, Green secured the next touchdown with just seven minutes remaining in the game. The Rams closed out the game by scoring one more touchdown to seal the 44-12 defeat for the Mustangs. Next up is another away game for the Mustangs on October 27 against Woodlawn. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm. Dermott Rams stampede Marvell-Elaine 44-12

The Helena World Local WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 — 3B Call Us At 501-500-0520 ext. 1 Call Us At 501-500-0520 ext. 1 Averaging 1,000 readers strong every edition ***** Advertise in the Helena World and reach hundreds of shoppers and decision makers every week Call Us At 501-500-0520 ext. 1

4B — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Local The Helena World Fires Rage Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER Desoto School has been focused on athletics and academics for some time. However, this school also understands the importance of training students for their futures and enables them to follow this path. These Desoto School students (front: Bryce McGee, Luke Pryor, Dawson Spakes, Carter Gore; back: Landon Holland, Dalton Mabry, Clayton St. John, and Aiden Liston) have gained a new credential through Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. Recently, these seniors received their OSHA Forklift Certification on the Helena Campus. Regardless of their future paths, this certification may be very helpful with a part-time summer job or joining the workforce. After completion of the requirements, the students received their OSHA Forklift Certification certificate and card. (picture contributed) Otis Kirk CONTRIBUTING WRITER FAYETTEVILLE -- Sam Pittman made a mistake when he hired Dan Enos, but he avoided a second one when he fired him following a lackluster showing in 7-3 loss to Mississippi State. The 2023 season has been one filled with disappointment, but a closer look at it magnifies how bad the offense has been. There’s three aspects to football..... offense, defense and special teams. Arkansas has been outstanding in two of the three areas. The special teams had an off day, for them, against BYU and the defense had a second-half collapse against LSU. But, for the most part, both units have been very solid this season. The offense has struggled under Enos from the very beginning. Even though the Hogs opened the season in Little Rock winning 56-13 the running game wasn’t good. The Hogs ran 36 times for 105 yards (2.9 average). UCF is winless in the Big 12, but they put up 723 yards of total offense against Kent State including 389 on the ground. Arkansas rushed for 172 yards on 45 carries against Kent State, Arkansas has averaged 305.9 yards per game of total offense. That ranks dead last in the SEC. It’s 31.1 yards behind Auburn, the No. 13 offense. The Hogs are No. 12 in passing yards each game with 196.9, which is just ahead of No. 13 Kentucky 196.7. The 109 yards per game rushing is also No. 12 in SEC. By comparison, Arkansas is No. 6 in the SEC in total defense giving up 333 yards per game. The special teams has seen Cam Little perfect on 22 point after touchdowns, 12-of-13 on field goals with a long of 56. Max Fletcher has punted 39 times for 48.4 yards average. Little has kicked off 40 times with 36 touchbacks. Isaiah Sategna has returned a punt for a touchdown. Arkansas is 2-6 on the season despite good performances from defense and special teams. The losses have been to BYU (7 points), LSU (3), Texas A&M (12), Ole Miss (7), Alabama (3) and Mississippi State (4). With just a middle of the SEC offense there’s a good chance Arkansas would be at least 4-4 and maybe better than that. Kenny Guiton will now call plays the remainder of the season. There’s mixed views by many of making a coaching change during the season, but after only amassing 200 yards against Mississippi State on Saturday I don’t think Pittman had a choice. At this point how much difference will it make is anyone’s guess, but it was something that needed to be done. Enos first to go in wake of Arkansas loss to Mississippi State Students receive OSHA certification A house burns on Oakland that was one of two simultaneous fires Sunday afternoon in the area. The other fire appeared to be kudzu burning behind houses on Oakland closer to their intersection with Helendale. These fires come on the heels of another fire on Oak Forest that destroyed a home as well. Photo Credit: City of Helena-West Helena/ J. F. Valley Pittman Students earn OSHA forklift certificates

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6B — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Local The Helena World Farm Bureau Players of the Week Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Player of the Week for DeSoto School was junior Ethan Phillips for his standout performance on Sam Howe Field on Friday, October 13th. In the final district game of the season, Phillips took control of the game and led his time. It’s no surprise that this 2022 Class A All-MAIS Offensive Player of the Year racked up impressive stats. “Ethan had great effort on both sides of the ball Friday. He had two rushing touchdowns and one passing. I feel like his Pick Six when Tunica was threatening to score, gave us full momentum. So proud of Ethan and all T-Birds on being 2023 District 1-2A Champions,” Coach Sam Pearson stated. The DeSoto T-Birds were undefeated in their district games as well as non-conference games for the season. Defeating the Tunica Academy Blue Devils 56-26, secured the District 1-2A Championship title for the T-Birds. Junior Christopher Cutlip was selected as the Player of the Week for Marvell Academy. He was selected for his performance in the game against Hebron Christian School on Friday, October 13th. Coming back from an injury that sidelined him, Cutlip was ready to play on both sides of the ball. On offense, he had 13 carries for 87 yards, and 11-20 on passing for 145 yards with one touchdown pass and a two-point conversion. On defense, he had nine tackles. Cutlip played a key role in the close game that narrowly ended in a loss during overtime. Phillips County Farm Bureau Player of the Week for the Central High School Cougars was Treyzaughn Johnson. He had several tackles on defense during the Homecoming game at Cad Polk Stadium on Friday, October 13th, against the Hamburg Lions. Johnson played hard during the game and was a key defensive player. La’Davion Willis is the Phillips County Farm Bureau Player of the Week for Barton High School. In the game at Drew Central on Friday, October 13th, La’Davion helped the Bears shut down the Pirates on their Homecoming. He had a great offensive game with six receptions for 172 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he had three tackles and one pass break-up. Phillips County Farm Bureau awards footballs to outstanding local football players through the Player of the Week recognition. Players are selected by their team’s coach based on many factors including game statistics and performance. Agents from Phillips County Farm Bureau deliver the commemorative football to the player at his school and take a picture for the Phillips County Farm Bureau Facebook page. Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Marvell Academy Lady Eagles have had a great Fast-pitch Softball season. They were the undefeated District 1-2A Champions and the undefeated Champions of the North AA Regional Softball Tournament. They entered the Class 2A State Tournament as the #1 seed from the North. They played in the Championship Matchup in a “best of three games” series against Briarfield Academy. It began at Marvell Academy on Saturday, October 7th. The Lady Eagles won the first game and then traveled to Louisiana to play at Briarfield on Monday, October 9th, and then again on the following day. The Lady Eagle came in second place, securing the Class 2A State Runner-up title and trophy. Head Coach Dub Reyna and his Assistant Coach, Tiffany Wooten, knew after the Lady Eagles played in the Tunica Tournament early this season, that this team had the potential to make it a long way. The team motto from that tournament until the State Championship was “All Gas No Brakes”. Reyna felt the team improved over the season, “We started a little slow, but once we locked in, we had a ‘no quit’ attitude. I just preached every game to ‘lock in, have discipline, and focus on what we are trying to accomplish’… not to dwell on any one mistake and to always look at ways to get better from it. I make sure my girls know that I care for them. Win or lose, they each will get a text from me about something positive they did after every game, and to keep grinding.” When asked if there were a key player or players that really stood out this year, Reyna sang the praises of his team, starting with the seniors, “Kynsley Wooten pitched great all year and bunted the ball well. Ella Hindsley did a great job catching early in the season, then played great at first base and batted well; she also had a home run. Mabry Hall played great on second base and had a great year batting for us; she had the 3rd highest batting average on the team. Mabry also hit big behind KJ when she was intentionally walked. Reese Schaffhauser played great in center field, running almost everything down and bunted and hit the ball well.” Reyna continued, “Kylee Jo Holder played great at shortstop, had the 2nd highest batting average on the team, and she had several key home runs in the State Tournament. KJ was well respected at the plate and was walked intentionally a lot this year. Lindsey Wallace led the team with the highest batting average, and she had a great year catching. Kenzie Cook, a 7th grader, stepped up for us big time in left field and hit the ball great. Kaitlyn Bartlett also stepped up and played great in right field. She didn’t play last year, but she was ready to go, helped us a lot, and was disciplined at the plate. Laney Wallace played third base, did a great job, and hit the ball well.” A winning team is a combination of all the players, not a select few. Reyna concluded, “Coach Tiffany and I want to say thanks for the hard work and dedication to Annaline Jackson, Amelia Brown, and Addison Chastain for stepping in when we needed help. Thank you to all the Eagle parents and supporters, we had a great year, and it wouldn’t be possible without all their love for the kids and the school. Eagle Pride!” Team members of the Lady Eagles are seniors Mabry Hall, Ella Hindsley, Reese Schaffhauser, and Kynsley Wooten; junior Laney Wallace; sophomores Katelyn Bartlett and Addison Ford; freshmen Lindsey Wallace, Bella Walker, Annaline Jackson, and Austin Camp; 8th graders Kylee Jo Holder, Addison Chastain, and Amelia Brown; 7th graders Kenzie Cook, Miya Mora, Hadley Booker, Audrey Kemmer, Rylee Hall, Mary Igou, Conley Ferebee, and Kori Jackson and 6th graders Olivia Chastain, Perry Brown, Kareline Chastain, Bennett Powell, Kemmer Gurley, and Macie Gibbs. Lady Eagles Softball finishes as MAIS Class 2A Runner-up

The Helena World Local WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 — 7B Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER Head Desoto Softball Coach Alan Barnes has seen his share of ups and downs while coaching softball for the Lady T-Birds. After being an assistant coach for a year, he moved into the Head Coach role and has been there for the last six years. However, Barnes didn’t want to just coach a team; he wanted to build a solid program and build for the future. Building a program takes time, patience, dedication, and a lot of hard work. He was honored to coach the Blue Team at the All-Star game this year. Sam Pearson, Headmaster and Athletic Director of Desoto School understands this level of dedication and stated, “We are so fortunate to have a man of the caliber of Alan Barnes leading our girls in fast-pitch softball. He and his staff work relentlessly to prepare our team for competition and more importantly…Life. I used to say there was no bigger T-Bird than his dad, Big Al, however, Alan is now…just that…A tremendous man of Faith, Family, and Friendship, who is a credit to both our school and community at large.” To get a sense of what a coach is truly like, you can usually ask the players. Several of the Lady T-Birds weighed in on Barnes. Several attributes were mentioned repeatedly. It is clear that he cares for his team, has a passion for the sport, and aspires to win every game. Most notably, he has a desire to see the players succeed, not just on the field, but more importantly, in their lives. Coach Barnes’ younger daughter, Emmy, feels he is an amazing coach, “My dad loves Desoto softball. More than anything though, he loves his team, each and every girl on that field. He has put in countless hours of work with us, which is finally paying off. This year he has started doing a devotion after practices and games, I think that speaks to what kind of a guy he is. He is devoted to making us better on and off the field, which is why he deserved the All-Star Coach position. I couldn’t imagine playing this game without him.” Senior Harmonee Griffin was appreciative of the opportunity to play for Barnes, “He led our team farther than even we could’ve imagined and never gave up hope! He knew we had it in us and helped us to see that too! Although he might come off as harsh sometimes, I knew the love he had for each of us, and he wanted to see us succeed more than anything. It was such a great moment to be coached by him in the All-Star game, and I couldn’t imagine anyone who deserved it more!” “I’ve been with Coach Alan since I was probably about five years old,” junior Raelynn Darby said and continued, “I’ve been very close with the Barnes family my whole life, and the best thing about having Alan as a coach is he pushes me just as much as he pushes his own daughters. He puts so much time into the softball program at DeSoto and doesn’t get anything for it, he just does it out of the kindness of his heart and the love for the girls and the game. I’m so grateful for him and how much he has helped me on and off the field since I can remember.” Junior Carsyn Gore is another player who has known Barnes for years, “I have played for Coach Alan since I was six years old. He has always had the passion to win. He wanted and expected us to do our best, at all times. I have enjoyed being a part of his teams and have learned so much over the years. He has not only taught me the game, but he has taught me many life lessons.” “My Dad is a good coach because he puts so much time and effort into our team and the sport. He spends countless hours up at the field. He does whatever it takes to make his athletes the best they can be,” Anslee Barnes said and continued, “I think he was very deserving of the position of All-Star Coach because he led our team farther than any other Desoto team has been; I think that says enough itself. It was a very special moment for me, being able to play in the All-Star game and being able to have the best All-Star Coach in the MAIS!” Desoto’s Barnes named as All-Star team coach Terri Ann Hall CONTRIBUTING WRITER After being the underdog team with many young players for the last four years, the Lady T-Birds hoped to be a top contender this year. Their years of hard work, determination, and work ethic paid off. Even though a few key players faced injuries, the team kept their focus on playing their best and winning each game. The DeSoto Softball coaching staff expanded this season. Joining Head Coach Alan Barnes and Assistant Coach Rob Kendrick were Joe Garner, Jr., and Morgan Spakes. With the additional coaches, the team appeared to accomplish more at their practices and be better prepared for each game. In the preseason, it was noted a few of the key players to watch would be senior Anslee Barnes, junior Raelynn Darby, and sophomore Emmy Barnes. They did step up to help guide and lead their team. Senior Harmonee Griffin, junior Carsyn Gore, and senior Sarah Lane Riddell were motivators and provided constant encouragement to their teammates. The Lady T-Birds had some big plays this season. Their ability to communicate and make double plays was an asset on defense. Home runs from Anslee and Raelynn, in addition to all the other big hits with doubles and triples made their offense solid and intimidating to their opponents. After competing and working their way through the North 3A Regional Tournament, the Lady T-Birds entered the Class 3A State Tournament. They won their first game of the State Tournament on Saturday, September 30th, against Franklin Academy, 18-3. In game two on that same day, they played their district rival, the Tunica Lady Blue Devils. In a heart-breaker game, they lost 6-7 and dropped to the consolation bracket. Playing in their third game, they beat Lamar Christian, 8-5. On Monday, October 2nd, the Lady T-Birds beat Franklin Academy, 7-6, and soundly defeated Prairie View Academy, 8-1, advancing to the Championship Matchup. In the Championship Matchup, the first game was played on the Lady T-Birds’ home field. The number of cheering T-Birds fans was unbelievable. At times, the players could not hear their coaches over all the cheering. Coach Barnes and his coaching staff are very appreciative of all the support for their team. The support and love shown to them, while playing their hearts out, by their families, friends, fellow students, and teachers was an extraordinarily emotional game for the players and the coaches. It was considered one of the most incredible experiences and one they will be grateful for and never, ever forget. The Lady T-Birds finished the State Tournament as the Runner-up. They received medals and a team trophy. The players are seniors Anslee Barnes #38, Sarah Lane Riddell #32, Harmonee Griffin #8, and Jaycee Worstell #7; juniors Raelynn Darby #9, Charly Allen #22, and Carsyn Gore #1; sophomore Emory Barnes #3, Olivia Rawlings #12, and Josie Wooten #75; Freshman Kourtney Mabry #11; 8th graders Payslee Mckaskle #99, Eden Garrison #13, and Andersyn Watson #25; and 7th graders Morgan Allen #2 and Madi Wiggins #6. Lady T-Birds claim MAIS Class 3A Runner-up title Barnes Desoto Softball All-Stars Marvell Academy Softball All-Stars Desoto School had two senior players, Anslee Barnes and Harmonee Griffin, selected for the 2023 2A-3A Fast-pitch Softball All-Stars. The MAIS 2A-3A All-Star game was held on Wednesday, October 11 at Jackson Prep in Flowood, MS. The Lady T-Birds had a successful season in a competitive district, region, and class. They ended the season as the Class 3A State Runner-up. Marvell Academy had three senior players, Mabry Hall, Ella Hindsley, and Kynsley Wooten, selected for the 2023 2A-3A Fast-pitch Softball All-Stars. The MAIS 2A-3A All-Star game was held on Wednesday, October 11 at Jackson Prep in Flowood, MS. The Lady Eagles were District 1-AA Champions, North AA Regional Champions, and the State Class AA Runner-up.

8B — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023 Recipe of the Week The Helena World Subscribe Today Kings Features HELENA WORLD SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Ingredients 6 cups coffee 5 cups of whole milk 1 cup of heavy cream 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (not pie filling) 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract 1/2 cup of sugar 3 teaspoons of cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling Whipped cream topping, optional Directions This delicious latte is the perfect way to use pumpkin puree and create a delicious drink for the winter months. 1. Add the coffee, milk and heavy cream to the crock pot. Stir to combine. 2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon until well-mixed. 3. Whisk the ingredients into the milk and coffee in your crock pot. Cook on high for two hours. Then, change the heat to warm and serve the drink with a ladle into coffee cups. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. You can leave the remaining drink mixture in the crock pot on warm for up to 2 hours. SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Serves 4