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World War II veteran from Arkansas celebrates 105th birthday

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World War II veteran from Arkansas celebrates 105th birthday


DEWITT, Ark. — A World War II veteran from Arkansas celebrated another milestone on Saturday, as family members gathered at a nursing home for his 105th birthday.

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Claude Bell Sr., born on June 3, 1918, in DeWitt, is now the state’s oldest living World War II veteran, KATV reported.

“He was a good father and a good husband,” Claude Bell Jr., the veteran’s oldest son, told the television station.

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“He really worked hard,” added Keith Bell, Claude’s youngest son. “He farmed rice for 40 years or something and how he is in the physical condition he is now just amazes me.”

On Feb. 18, 1942, Bell joined the army and completed basic training at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, KARK-TV reported. He became a surgical technician during World War II, according to the television station.

“Any time we all had stitches or anything like that, my mom would say, ‘Your daddy can take those out for you,’” daughter Shirley Bell-Thrash told KARK. “And I’m thinking,’ How does he know how to do that?’ But, he learned it in the army.”

Claude Bell was a medic in England, France and Belgium, his grandson, Shawn Bell, told KATV.

“I think that is really cool just to imagine what he saw on the battlefield,” Shawn Bell told the television station. “We cannot comprehend that today.”

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Claude Bell received the Victory Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and two Overseas Service Bars.

According to Arkansas online records, Claude Bell married Helen Frances Jacobs on Dec. 31, 1947.

They were married for 67 years before Helen died on Sept. 28, 2014.

The couple raised three children and had seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

“He was a good father, took care of his family, a gentle man,” Claude Bell Jr. told KARK. “He didn’t talk a whole lot, but when he did, there was command in his voice.”

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Shawn Bell, 49,said his grandfather’s secret to longevity was his healthy lifestyle.

“When he was in his 90s, he got locked out of his car, at the farm, which is 10 minutes from Gillette in the summer,” Shawn Bell told KARK. “I just would’ve sat down and cried.”

Claude Bell Sr. had a simpler explanation.

When nurses at the DeWitt Nursing Home and Hospital asked the veteran if he felt good, he said, “I always feel good,” KATV reported.

Bell-Thrash said her father always talked about making it to 100 years old.

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Now Claude Bell has a new goal — reaching 110 years old.

Don’t bet against him.

“I want to be like that when I’m 105. Fifty-six years from now,” Shawn Bell told KARK. “I haven’t even lived half of his life.”

Need something to lift your spirits?





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Arkansas

Former Arkansas OT Ty'Kieast Crawford transferring to West Virginia, per report 

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January 13, 2025

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Former Arkansas OT Ty'Kieast Crawford transferring to West Virginia, per report 


Former Arkansas offensive tackle Ty’Kieast Crawford has changed his mind on his destination for this fall and is transferring to West Virginia, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg on Monday.

The 6-foot-5, 324-pounder had originally committed to play for UCLA in 2025, but now the mammoth tackle has pivoted and has decided to play for Rich Rodriguez in Morgantown this fall. Crawford started 9 games along the Razorbacks’ offensive line.

Crawford’s collegiate journey has already taken him to multiple schools. He began his career at Charlotte, choosing to play there over the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Florida State, Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma State, Purdue, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC and, ironically, West Virginia. So Crawford will now have played for 2 of the schools he originally spurned, in Arkansas and West Virginia.

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But Crawford didn’t last long at Charlotte, playing just 1 season for the 49ers. He entered the transfer portal and ended up at Arkansas after spurning the Razorbacks in his original recruiting process. Crawford appeared in 33 games for the Razorbacks over the course of 4 seasons, making 9 starts.

He will have 1 more year of eligibility left when he arrives in Morgantown to play for Rodriguez this fall.

Cory Nightingale

Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.

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Arkansas

Some Arkansas school districts announce Monday closures or delayed openings | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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12 hours ago

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January 13, 2025

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Some Arkansas school districts announce Monday closures or delayed openings | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


After last week’s winter storm, several Arkansas school districts have announced that they will remain closed or will open late on Monday because of icy road conditions in neighborhoods and secondary streets:

* Benton School District: Closed.

* Booneville School District: Closed.

* Bryant School District: Closed.

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* Cabot School District: Schools will have a 2-hour delayed start.

* Conway School District: School will start at 10 a.m. after a 2-hour delay. Snow bus routes will be in effect.

* Greenbrier School District: Closed.

* Hot Springs School District: Closed.

* Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District: Closed. District offices and departments will open.

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* Little Rock School District: Closed. However, all 12-month employees, school administration and custodians should report to work at regularly scheduled times.

* North Little Rock School District: Closed. District Central Office sites will open at 10 a.m. Monday.

* Pulaski County Special School District: Closed. District offices will be open for those who can safely report to work, including auxiliary offices. School staff who are 244-day employees will be expected to report to work as well.

* Sheridan School District: Closed.

This list is based on school district news releases and social media posts, and it is not comprehensive. For information on other Arkansas school districts, patrons are asked to consult their school’s website or district app.

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Where Arkansas transfers landed

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24 hours ago

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January 12, 2025

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Where Arkansas transfers landed


Where Arkansas transfers landed

While the Arkansas Razorbacks have been hitting the transfer portal hard, it is partially as a result of having more than 20 scholarship players decide to enter the portal after a 6-6 regular season that was capped off with a Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech on Dec. 27.

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The transfer portal officially opened Dec. 9 and it was open for a 30 day window through Dec. 28. There is also an additional five-day window for players to enter once their season is over, plus there will be an additional 10-day portal window from April 16-25.

ALSO READ: Arkansas Football 2025 Roster Tracker

HawgBeat provides a look at where former Razorbacks have transferred so far…

Note: “GP” denotes games played. Even if a player appears on special teams, that counts as a game played.

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OL Patrick Kutas – Ole Miss

From: Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, TN)

Transferred to: Ole Miss

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 25 GP

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TE Luke Hasz – Ole Miss

From: Bixby High School (Bixby, OK)

Transferred to: Ole Miss

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 17 GP, 42 REC, 577 YDS, 7 TD, 13.7 YPC

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CB Jaylon Braxton – Ole Miss

From: Frisco Lone Star High School (Frisco, TX)

Transferred to: Ole Miss

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 11 GP, 20 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PDEF, 1 FF

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OL Joshua Braun – Kentucky 

From: Florida

Transferred to: Kentucky

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 50 GP

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S TJ Metcalf – Michigan

From: Pinson Valley High School (Pinson, AL)

Transferred to: Michigan

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 24 GP, 72 tackles, 3 INT, 10 PDEF, 1 TFL, 1 FF

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DB Tevis Metcalf – Michigan 

From: Pinson Valley High School (Pinson, AL)

Transferred to: Michigan

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 1

Career Stats: 12 GP

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DE Nico Davillier – UCLA

From: Maumelle High School (Maumelle, AR)

Transferred to: UCLA

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 34 GP, 34 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 SACK

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C Addison Nichols – SMU

From: Tennessee

Transferred to: SMU

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 1

Career Stats: 26 GP

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LB Brad Spence – Texas

From: Klein Forest High School (Houston, TX)

Transferred to: Texas

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 23 GP, 70 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 4.5 SACK, 2 PDEF, 1 INT, 1 TD

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LB Carson Dean – Purdue

From: Hebron High School (Carrollton, TX)

Transferred to: Purdue

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 4 GP, 1 tackle

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QB Malachi Singleton – Purdue

From: North Cobb High School (Kennesaw, GA)

Transferred to: Purdue

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 5 GP, 21 COMP, 28 ATT, 358 YDS, 1 PASS TD, 17 RUSH, 74 YDS, 3 RUSH TD

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WR Isaiah Sategna – Oklahoma 

From: Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, AR)

Transferred to: Oklahoma

Seasons spent at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 28 GP, 54 REC, 632 YDS, 3 TD, 11.7 YPC, 2 RUSH, 43 YDS

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DB Dylan Hasz – Appalachian State

From: Bixby High School (Bixby, OK)

Transferred to: Appalachian State

Seasons at Arkansas: 2

Career Stats: 24 GP, 2 tackles

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RB Rashod Dubinion – Appalachian State

From: Cedar Grove High School (Ellenwood, GA)

Transferred to: Appalachian State

Seasons at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 31 GP, 209 ATT, 888 YDS, 8 RUSH TD, 42 REC, 315 YDS, 2 REC TD, 7.5 YPC

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LB Alex Sanford – Purdue

From: Oxford High School (Oxford, MS)

Transferred to: Purdue

Seasons at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 23 GP, 1 tackle

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LB Kaden Henley – Harding

From: Shiloh Christian High School (Springdale, AR)

Transferred to: Harding

Seasons at Arkansas: 3

Career Stats: 1 GP

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OL Ty’Kieast Crawford – UCLA

From: Charlotte

Transferred to: UCLA

Seasons at Arkansas: 4

Career Stats: 39 GP

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OTHERS

Uncommitted

OL Amaury Wiggins

DB Dallas Young

WR Dazmin James (expected to enter portal)

Quit/kicked off before end of season

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LS Eli Stein (Wisconsin)

WR Jaedon Wilson (UCLA)

WR Davion Dozier (Appalachian State)

TE Ty Washington (Notre Dame)

TE Var’keyes Gumms (UNLV)

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