Washington County Enterprise-Leader

News

VIDEO: Governor pushes back against idea of state stay-at-home order; deaths rise to 12 Gov. Asa Hutchinson doubled down Thursday on his decision that a stay-at-home order is not needed in Arkansas even as a majority of other states have implemented some form of the measure. by NWA Democrat-Gazette

Hutchinson announces Bentonville covid-19 testing site for health care workers, first-responders Health care workers and first-responders in Northwest Arkansas will soon have another option for getting tested for covid-19. by Alex Golden

VIDEO: State's virus death toll up to 10; new rules announced for state parks Two more people have died of covid-19 in Arkansas, bringing the state's death toll to 10, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday at a news conference where he also announced new rules for state parks designed to limit visitors from out-of-state and stop the spread of the virus. by NWA Democrat-Gazette

PG Planning Commission Plans Meeting April 6 FARMINGTON -- On tap for the Planning Commission's April 6 agenda is a proposal for a 40-acre development with single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, a public park and a community pool. by Lynn Kutter

Semi-Truck Catches Wires, Power Goes Out Again FARMINGTON -- For the second time in two months, an accident at the intersection of Main Street and South Hunter caused power to go out and traffic to be diverted for hours. by Lynn Kutter

Using 'Tools' To Deal With Anxiety Amid Covid-19 FARMINGTON -- Limit social media and watching the news, listen to music and exercise are some ways to deal with anxiety stemming from concerns about the coronavirus crisis, according to Sherri Gansz, licensed certified social worker and owner of Cardinal Care Center in Farmington. by Lynn Kutter

Three Prairie Grove Eateries Close For Safety FARMINGTON -- Choosing to set a good example for customer and employee safety in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, three local businesses announced Sunday they planned to close until it's safe to reopen. by Lynn Kutter

Prairie Grove Covid-19 Screening Site Moved To Fayetteville PRAIRIE GROVE -- Community Clinic on Monday moved one of its screening sites for covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses from the Prairie Grove Elementary Health and Wellness Clinic to Fayetteville Medical, 162 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., according to a news release. by Lynn Kutter

Sports

Goldman Saves Season SPORTS EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an on-going series highlighting top sports stories for the 2010-2019 decade pertaining to Lincoln High School and its alumni. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Jarren Sorters' Lingering Influence SPORTS EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an on-going series highlighting top sports stories for the 2010-2019 decade at Prairie Grove High School and its alumni. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

2020 Vision: Go Pro SPORTS EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an on-going series highlighting top sports stories for the 2010-2019 decade pertaining to Lincoln High School and its alumni. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Preparing For 'What If' PRAIRIE GROVE -- There's a "Big If" right now as to whether or not high school spring sports will get to play out part of their seasons with schools remaining closed this week. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

State Volleyball Caps Thrilling Season For Lady Cardinals SPORTS EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of an on-going series highlighting top sports stories for the 2010-2019 decade at Farmington High School and its alumni. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Lincoln Softball Roundup LINCOLN -- Lincoln brings an undefeated 3-0 record out of the covid-19 crisis. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Farmington Softball Roundup FARMINGTON -- Playing the toughest competition available has been a staple of Randy Osnes' tenure as Farmington head softball coach and 2020 began as no exception. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Classic Battles Exemplify Softball Series BENTON -- Counting the 5A State championship game played May 19, 2018 Farmington has lost eight games-in-a-row to the Greenbrier Lady Panthers which could have changed this year. by Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER

Opinion

EDITORIAL: Bold Budget Initiative In 'Rainy Day Fund' Allows Quick Action Leadership from the Governor's mansion this past week provided Arkansans with a sense of comfort seldom seen in modern legislative times. by Maylon T. Rice WCEL Columnist

OPINION: What 9/11 Taught Us For The New Crisis The community came together to help 9/11 survivors and their families get relief. Here are the lessons we learned for the hard times ahead. by Ray Brescia Columnist

COLUMN: Faith And Facts, Not Fear Weather or news, take your pick. Where do we start with the "news"? One group was tearing our country apart (Read Luke 11:17, KJV). Now, along comes a world-wide problem. The prevention tips about this latest "virus" are about the same as for the flu, which is still a problem, especially this time of year. Hopefully, all have received their flu shots. About the coronavirus, the media states "facts not fear." I say, "Facts, yes, but most important, Faith, and not Fear." by Marie M. Roy WCEL Columnist

COLUMN: Called Out...For What? Every year, 32 pro-football teams in the U.S. draft 224 prospective team members from a pool of approximately 3,500 college/university graduates. At present, there are seven rounds in selecting prospective players. Each team calls out, or picks, one player per round, and the lowest-ranked teams get to pick first. The current Super Bowl teams pick last. by Gene Linzey

COLUMN: Pandemic Preparation: Don't Panic, Don't Hoard My hope is that, by the time these words get into print, the supply wagons will have re-stocked the area's stores with toilet paper, disinfectant, and beans. Luckily, I inherited my dad's genetic penchant for never running low on essentials. Every single time he went to the store, he would pick up a pack of toilet paper, tissues, and Little Debbie snack cakes, "just in case," he always said. He would bring it all home just to find that Mom had also bought toilet paper. I'm proud to say I've continued the practice because, you know, just in case. by Devin Houston Guest Columnist

Virtues Of Kindness And Caring Are Values We All Need Now Dare I say it? The "End-Time Preppers" were right. They have canned goods and toilet paper stashed away, plus enough guns and ammo to defend it. The rest of us have put a huge drain on the supply chain of food and goods to the point that grocery store shelves are bare. It's not that there is a shortage - there isn't. We're hoarding supplies by buying more than we need. Why? Because our neighbors started doing it, so that creates a scarcity and we have to do it too. by Ron Wood

COLUMN: Coronavirus? What's Happening? Our local newscast was mostly about the coronavirus: the covid-19. It gave little new information -- mostly about the increased death number. Then Carol and I watched the ABC Coronavirus Special. But besides their increased death number, it gave us insignificant new information. When the host asked the doctor questions, nearly all her answers were basically: by Gene Linzey

Religion

RELIGION: Who holds your breath in His hand? "And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven ... and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written." Daniel 5:23,24 (Read Daniel 5:1-31) by Randy Moll

RELIGION: God Offers Unique Privilege To Meet Him In Corporate Prayer I was recently with a company of regional pastors and church leaders in NW Arkansas. We gathered by teleconference to consider the ramifications of the present virus pandemic. Of course, large church gatherings are put on hold for a time. What are we to do? by Ron Wood

RELIGION: 'Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows' "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5 by Randy Moll