Arkansas

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Toy Toss returns Nov. 12 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2024

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Toy Toss returns Nov. 12 |
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

FORT SMITH — The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Toy Toss will return at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Stubblefield Center during the UAFS men’s basketball game.

Fans are encouraged to bring new, soft toys to donate. In exchange, they will receive free admission to the game, according to a news release from the university.

Following the Lions’ first point, fans will toss their toys onto the court to display of support for local organizations.

This year’s Toy Toss will benefit the Salvation Army, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, and the UAFS Lion Pride Pantry. Children from the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club will assist in gathering the toys from the court, the release states.

“This event brings so much joy to the community, and we’re proud to support local charities while creating such a memorable experience,” said Dyllan Newell, coordinator of student activities and civic engagement. “The Toy Toss has become a beloved tradition for Lions fans, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow.”

Leading up to the Toy Toss, toys are being collected on campus until Nov. 8 in the Campus and Community Engagement Office, located in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. On campus, registered student organizations will compete to see who can donate the most toys, with the winner announced at halftime of the Nov. 12 game.

In addition to the on-campus collection site, the United Way of Fort Smith Area will conducting a citywide toy drive with companies including Arvest Bank, ArcBest, ABB and BHC Insurance hosting collection boxes.

Area K-12 schools will also host collection bins, with each school vying for the traveling Toy Toss trophy. Toys will be counted at the door of the Nov. 12 game, and students from the winning school will receive the trophy and a Lion-themed prize.

Toy Toss was established in 2010 on the UAFS campus, and has become a signature event for the university, capturing the attention of fans across the state and on ESPN, the release states.

Children from the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club will assist in gathering the toys from the court during the UAFS Toy Toss, set for Nov. 12. The Toy Toss was established in 2010 on the UAFS campus, and has become a signature event for the university. (University of Arkansas at Fort Smith/Submitted Photo)

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Arkansas

Staff Members at A-State Honored for Retirement and Years of Service

Published

10 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

JONESBORO – Staff members at Arkansas State University were honored for their retirement
and milestone accomplishments during the annual Distinguished Performance Awards and
Service Recognition Ceremony in Centennial Hall of Reng Student Union on Monday, May
11.

Those who have or will retire during the current academic year include Malissa Davis,
Ellis Library, 35 years; Jimmy Crocker, Facilities Management, 28 years; Anna Warren,
Childhood Services, 19 years; Cameron Martin, Facilities Management, 14 years; Barbara
Bland, Childhood Services, 14 years; Charlotte Booker, Information Technology Services,
12 years; Mary E. Williams, College of Nursing and Health Professions, 11 years; and
Joe Boon, Facilities Management, 9 years.

Honored for 45 years of service was Sharon Lee, director of community engagement and
outreach for the office of Access and Accommodation Services.

Honored for 40 years of service was Sharon McDaniel, records management supervisor
for the Registrar’s Office.

Those honored for 35 years of service include:
Phillip Ladd, project manager in Construction Services, and Russ Hannah, vice chancellor
for Finance and Administration.

Those honored for 30 years of service include:
Natalie Turney, administrative assistant in the Department of English, Philosophy
and World Languages and Cheryl Richey, custodial coordinator in Facilities Management.

Those honored for 25 years of service include:
Woodie Sue Herlein, out-of-school time projects coordinator in Childhood Services;
Diana Courson, assistant director of Childhood Services; Laura Miller, director of
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center; Mia Sheppard-Taylor, director
of Custodial Services; Eric Barnett, core network engineer and wireless administrator
of Information Technology Services; Clay Hurn, Mail Center; and Sharon Rye, hardware
engineer in Information Technology Services.

Those honored for 20 years of service include:
April Morris, Michael Glover, Mary Melton, Grady Clark, Amber Long Martin, Kayann
Brown, Dwain Roberts, Randy Wheaton, Amber Jones, Melissa Jackson, Cheryl Wright,
Christy Brinkley, and Jimmy Rousseau.

Those honored for 15 years of service include:
Ronnie Gilley, Christina Kostick, Carol Caldwell, Michael Bradley, Mark Freier, Shea
Harris, Thomas Wilson, Chris Boothman, Lora Gibson, Cary Estes, Stephanie Gibson,
Jesse Blankenship, Violeta Lugo, Alyssa Wells, Marsha Carwell, Vickie Gilmer, Edward
Haff, and Alexis Hurdle Besharse.

Those honored for 10 years of service include:
Michael Hagen, Tammy Daffron, Terri Teters, Mollie Menton-Ipsen, Dale McClelland,
Taylor Carpenter, Anne Merten, Avis Turner, Benjamin Housewright, Dallas Reece, Brandon
Tabor, Tia Caldwell, Tara Thomason, Petree Buford, Robert Davenport, Cathy Naylor,
Shannon Williams, Jackie Cox, Frazier Dixon, Devin Nelson, and Michelle White.

Those honored for five years of service include:
Jeri Knight, Josh Rogers, Taylor Shannon, Fen Yu, Deloris Holley, Penny Toombs, Greg
Umhoefer, Sasha Jones, Brittany Stokes, Stephanie Stanley, Caleb Lawson, Raven Person,
Maria Bedwell, Michael Bledsoe, Judith Poole, Suzette Hinkle, Leigh Ann Crain, Bryce
Moore, Andrew Shoffner, Lyle Jones, Derrick Lett, Ben Kutylo, Autumn Anderson, Stanley
Broadaway, Michael Alexander, Jennifer Keys, Julie Yarberry, Shauna Baker, Melissa
Dooley, Paula Kelley, Taylor Simmermon, Craig Estes, Kyle Ford, Fady Fara, Sylvia
Zavala Brandon, Nicholas Wallis, Olivia Clark, and JD Stallings.

Honorees from five years of service through 20 years received a certificate and a
pin. Those celebrating 25 years and up received a plaque in recognition of their dedication
to A-State.

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Arkansas

Working on softball skills | Washington County Enterprise-Leader

Published

22 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Working on softball skills | Washington County Enterprise-Leader

Anya Lynch (left), a Farmington High School student, fields the ball with the help of Riley Sundquist, Farmington Junior High School student on Wednesday, May 6, during the Special Olympics Arkansas Area 3-Farmington softball skills and competition event at the Farmington Sports Complex. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Caleb Grieger)

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Arkansas

Arkansas State Police hold annual awards ceremony at Benton Event Center, honoring bravery

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas State Police hold annual awards ceremony at Benton Event Center, honoring bravery

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) held their annual award ceremony today, to recognize bravery and service within their ranks.

Channel 7 provided coverage at the Benton event center this morning, as ASP awarded the troopers cross award, the distinguished Meritorious Service Award and the Medal of Valor to some of its finest members.

“Just a job, you got to do it. I mean, didn’t the day. You know, that’s what we’re trained for, and we’re thankful receive the highest quality of training, you know, in the state, and I’m thankful for the ones that come before us and taught us,” said Trooper Ethan Hiland.

This year, three troopers shared the honor of being named Arkansas State Police Trooper of the year, including Hiland.

Trooper First Class Brady Knuckles and Trooper First Class Jacob Price were recognized for their actions last June, during the arrest of a violent felon out of Michigan who had carjacked a woman at gunpoint.

The troopers saved that woman and killed the suspect in a stop near Carlisle.

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