Douglas Dwayne Ward, age 29, a resident of Mt. Ida, Arkansas died Saturday, August 17, 2019, in Dierks, Arkansas.
He was born May 16, 1990, in Hope, Arkansas. He attended the First Assembly of God Church in Dierks.
He is survived by his mother and step father, Phyllis and Joe Partain of Mt. Ida; his father and step mother, Douglas and Michelle Ward of Newhope, Arkansas; two sons, Caleb and Clayton Ward of Mt. Ida; one sister, Dondy Russell of Mt. Ida; his grandfather, Clyde Ward of Dierks; his grandmother, Christine Krantz, of Dierks; and his nieces and nephews of Mt. Ida.
Graveside funeral services for Mr. Ward will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at Fellowship Cemetery in Dierks with Kevin Herrington officiating, under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
You may leave a condolence at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com
Douglas Dwayne Ward
Harold Standridge
Harold Standridge, age 89, of Mount Ida, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at his home.
He was born on January 8, 1930 in Mount Ida, the son of Lester and Elvia Norman Standridge. He married Lestel Danley Standridge on February 5, 1952 and was married for 60 years.
He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and a farmer. He was a charter member and the first deacon of Lake Ouachita Baptist Church. He was a wonderful husband, father, and papa. Papa Harold will be dearly missed by his family and by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents; one son, David Standridge; one sister and brother-in-law, Myrtle and Afton Bradshaw; one sister and brother-in-law, Maurita and Cecil Stroope; one brother, Fred Standridge; and one sister, Norma Jean Standridge.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Debbie Standridge and Philip and Kaye Standridge, all of Mount Ida; four grandchildren and their spouses, Alisha and John Pollock of Mount Ida, Jared and Lacey Standridge of Dennard, Cody and Amanda Standridge of Farmington and Amber and Sam Wolf of Benton; ten great-grandchildren, Allie and Averie Pollock of Mount Ida, Sydney, Sam and Shelby Standridge of Dennard, Jace, Jax, Jordyn Kate and Jenna Standridge of Farmington and Aiden Nally of Benton; one sister and brother-in-law, Jocelyn and James Ford of Russellville; three sisters-in-law, Lois Standridge and Zaylene Danley, both of Mount Ida, and Marilyn Danley of Siloam Springs; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Lake Ouachita Baptist Church with Bro. Roy Brooks and Bro. Ty Huitt officiating.
Visitation be 1:00 PM until service time, at the church.
Burial will be at Stanley-Standridge Cemetery at Mount Ida under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.
Pallbearers will be Jared Standridge, Cody Standridge, John Pollock, Sam Wolf, Rodney Standridge and Charlie Jones.
The family would like to thank his caretakers, Kandis Sandlin and Katelyn Cody. They would also like to thank all the nurses and staff at Ouachita Hospice. The caretakers and hospice staff were second to none.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Stanley-Standridge Cemetery, Lake Ouachita Baptist Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice.
Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.
Fresh faces fill familiar scheme
Fresh faces and players playing multiple positions should make it hard for opponents to prepare for the Mount Ida Lions this year.
New head coach Zack Wuichet is excited to get his players on the field Friday night for the beginning of the 2019 football season. He takes over for Mike White who had moved into administration at Mount Ida as the new superintendent.
Tad Kesterson will return as an assistant coach for the Lions with Trip Rowton joining the staff this year.
The Lions will feature a host of new faces. Many of the teams starters haven’t seen action since junior high, but they are bringing a high level of enthusiasm to the field.
Senior Hunter Davis will be the offensive workhorse this year, with Coach Wuichet expecting to call his number a lot this year. Davis is an elusive running back who runs hard downfield
Sophomore Baylor Bates moves up to help out as a running back as well.
John Hoeksema has worked his way into the starting quarterback position. What he lacks in experience at the position he makes up for with his athleticism. Wuichet admitted that Hoeksema didn’t always call the right play in the huddle in a recent scrimmage, but is confident he will be ready come week one.
Austin Cooper will take snaps under center as well. Wuichet stated that the two will swap out depending on the need. Both can move in the backfield and pass in space.
“It’s gonna make it hard to scheme for us because there’s no rhyme or reason to what we’re doing.” he joked.
AJ Perez provided some great runs at the Bismarck scrimmage and will be a likely starter at slot back. Although Mount Ida isn’t known for their passing game, Perez gives them an option with the bubble screen.
As with previous years, success depends on the strength of the offensive line. Unfortunately, this could be the biggest uncertainty with the Lions this year. Wuichet is confident players will step up and fill each spot.
Hunter “Grizzly” Humphries brings the most experience to the line at right tackle. Expect to see Hunter Davis running behind Grizzly a lot on Friday night. Blake Collum will line up at right guard. Wuichet stated that Collum could be the strongest lineman this year.
Connor Sigman and Silas Love will share time at left guard. Sigman is the smaller player, but knows the playbook inside and out. Love looks more like a lineman, but will need to grow into the position.
Nate Sommerkorn and Silas Love will share time at center. Wuichet stated that both can handle a snap well. Need at guard and tackle will dictate who snaps the ball.
Seth Breashears, Gavin Summitt and Ian McDowell will all see time at tight end. McDowell will also be used as a split end.
Merlin Vande Weyer, an exchange student from Belguim, will take over kicking duties. A background in rugby gives him a toughness that Wuichet hopes to use on offense as the season progresses.
“He’s our secret weapon if I can talk myself into putting our kicker in harm’s way.” Wuichet said.
Defensively, Hunter Humphries and Bryce Ragsdale will start at tackle. Each should be able to plug two or three holes which will force teams to double team them. This will open up the middle for Hunter Davis and John Hoeksema who will start at inside linebacker.
Bour and Blake Collum are probable starters at defensive end. Wuichet stated that each lacks experience but brings long bodies to the edge of the defense with great eyes for getting to the ball. Mason Ballard returns after a couple years focusing on basketball to play at defensive end as well.
Sigman Connor and Baylor Bates line up at outside linebacker.
The secondary continues to develop with Gavin Summitt looking to be a cornerback, along with Austin Cooper. Landon Scrimshire will also see time there. AJ Perez looks to start at safety. Wuichet explained that his speed allows him to cover well from the middle of the field.
Seth Breashears will handle punting for the Lions. While he doesn’t punt for great distance, he provides amazing hang time. Wuichet expects him to be able to flip the field when needed. Breashears will also see time at defensive end.
Deputy found
DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY
LAKE OUACHITA – The remains of Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy Keith Wright have been recovered from Lake Ouachita according to Montgomery County Sheriff David White.
According to a statement released by the sheriffs office, a report came in Friday, August 23, of a body floating in Lake Ouachita in the area Wright was last seen Friday, July 19. The body was recovered and identified as Deputy Keith Wright.
The sheriff’s office contacted Montgomery County Coroner Jeff Blansett and Grant County Sheriff Ray Vance. Wright’s body has been sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab to determine cause and manner of death.
Wright had been missing for just over a month. He was reported missing Friday, July 19. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that dispatch received a call at approximately 9:49 p.m.
Wright had gone missing while diving in the lake with a friend. The other diver reported that their boat had floated off while they were underwater. Wright went missing while they were trying to swim to the boat as it floated away from them. The other diver was able to swim to shore and was later rescued by another boat.
The caller reported that he and a friend had been boating on Lake Ouachita. He stated that they both dove off the barge while near a cove just north of Mountain Harbor Resort.
The caller stated that when they resurfaced the boat was drifting north away from their position in the water. The report states that the caller told them that both men began to swim toward the boat. It was at this time the caller stated he lost track of his friend in the water. He then swam to the shoreline and began to call for help. After being discovered by another boat he called the sheriff’s office to report the incident.
The missing individual was later identified as Grant County Deputy Keith Wright. Wright had worked for the Pine Bluff Police Department and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office before working with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. He had filled many roles in his law enforcement career, including work as a SWAT officer. Wright was also a veteran diver who taught diving lessons during his off time.
A massive search effort was launched that weekend, but had been scaled back in recent days.
Montgomery County Sheriff David White and Grant County Sheriff Ray Vance would like to thank everyone throughout the state who assisted in the search for Deputy Wright. Their thoughts and prayers go to the family and the whole law enforcement community.
