Stories from Tuesday, August 16, 2016

It's time to make some not-so-bold predictions as to who will make the College Football Playoff. As much as I hate to disappoint all of the Arkansas fans, I find it nearly impossible for the Hogs to be one of the final four left standing. I do, however, see Arkansas continue to trend in the right direction. Bret Bielema has improved Arkansas' record in each of his first three seasons and with a favorable home schedule, I see him improving on that once again...

As the season draws near, the Berryville Bobcat football team continues to improve on the progress it has made since spring ball. Dating back to summer workouts, coach Austin Winters has stressed the importance of working on the little things. He is beginning to see these little things pay off...

It's the first week of school for the Green Forest Tigers, but for coach Bobby Bishop it's about sticking to the same routine the Tigers have been through the last few weeks. "We will stay fundamental this week," Bishop said. "We went through our kicking game this morning. Once we get through this week, we will turn our attention to our jamboree game and start looking ahead to Huntsville a little bit. This week it's fundamentals, blocking tackling, kicking and catching."...

Another historic picture from Eureka Springs from the days of the trolley cars and dirt streets. Do you recognize this location? Many of the buildings are almost identical in appearance to how they look today, save for a very familiar sign that was added later to one. Here's a hint -- it's Spring Street. Check out Friday's Weekend edition for more information and to see what this view looks like today. (Photo courtesy of Myra Poynor)...

Many years ago, I coached a fifth- and sixth-grade boys basketball team in Pine Bluff. The team was made up entirely of African-American boys, ranging in age from 10 to 12. And it was a very good team. The only games we lost during my first season as coach were in a tournament where we competed against older players...

The Eureka Springs Hospital Commission is looking for ways to use its funds to help the surrounding community. Janell Robertson, executive director of the Carroll County Community Foundation, presented one of these options at the commission's meeting Monday afternoon. Commissioner Mary Jean Sell introduced Robertson, saying the commission should consider working with the foundation...

The Berryville Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with plans to sponsor two silent auctions this year. The chamber discussed the upcoming events at its meeting on Tuesday. Aug. 9. The first auction will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, during the Carroll County Country Club's annual Men's Invitational Golf Tournament. The chamber will pay $200 to set up a table during the tournament and run the auction from the morning until 2 p.m. during the registration of morning and afternoon players...

The Green Forest School Board voted Monday to increase the employee health insurance contribution rates. Superintendent Matt Summers said that according to Act 995 of 2015 the minimum contribution rate for a school district's employee health insurance shall increase annually by the same percentage that the legislature increases. ...

The Eureka Springs High School Rotary Interact Club joined forces with Samaritan's Feet to provide shoes for students throughout the community on Saturday. Eureka Springs Rotary Club member Michele Gann reported Monday that 210 people left the event with a new pair of shoes. Joanie Kratzer, Rotary Interact adviser, pointed out that some parents even got in on the action...

The long-running debate over ambulance service in eastern Carroll County is now in the hands of voters. On Monday night, the Carroll County Quorum Court approved an ordinance that would create an ambulance service district for the portion of the county east of the Kings River and establish a tax of 2.5 mills to support the district's operation...

The streets were a little more yellow Monday morning as school buses picked up Carroll County students for the first day of a new school year. Despite a few tears from kindergartners and their parents, administrators in Berryville, Eureka Springs and Green Forest reported a successful first day of school that they hope will set the tone for the rest of the year...

Tyson Foods will break ground on its new facility in Green Forest later this month. On Monday, Tyson sent email invitations to a groundbreaking ceremony to be held from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the construction site at East Main Street and Wyoming Place in Green Forest. A Tyson spokesman confirmed the date, barring weather delays...