A Nelson Publication accepting news from: GURDON, MALVERN, Arkadelphia, Prescott, Hot Springs, Bismarck, Fountain Lake, Haskell,

Glen Rose, Magnet Cove, Bryant and Benton. We are a magazine covering community progress, Christian testimonies and sports highlights. Online “Current issue”

every Friday on dash. Check out our archives since going digital in April of 2012. See “Oldies” on dash. PDFS, past and present, free to copy. Enjoy the read.

YEAR 14: 2020 ISSUE: WEEKENDER FOR AUGUST 21, 2020 VOL. 455 12 Pages

FirstIssue:May

2007

The Southern Arkansas

TAILGATE NEWS

FREE

Poetry: Living in a huge hospital for Corona; P-4

Gurdon coach

announces football

ticket sales; P-11

GATE INDEXMaking a DifferenceIN GOD WE TRUST

Backing studentsas they return

to traditional or virtual

classrooms

JOHN’S SERMONThe old question;

service or family,

which is first?

Page 3

Gurdon hosts

football scrimmageGurdon Go-Devils win 28-

14 over Magnolia Panthers

Page 5

Mayor hopes for

Census successGurdon Mayor Sherry

Kelley allows Census workers

to use business center

Page 6

Tailgater says

Corona can also

tap attitudesTailgater looks forward to

football competition, encour-

agement for students

Page 7

Prescott Council

asked to help youth; P-8

Obituaries: A. Kelly,

Martin, Wingfield, K. Kelly,

Harberson, Finney, Parker

Classifieds; Page 11

Ph: (870) 353-8201;

Leave Voice Mail! Email:

tailgatenewskid77@gmail.com;

Address: John Nelson, editor:

216 N. 16th Street, Arkadelphia,

AR 71923

(Continued on Page 8)

First day of school Monday to end with purple and gold game

APPROVED GPS TEXTBOOKS - Gurdon Primary School

Principal Mike Spraggins, right, explains his selection of textbooks

for the primary school to School Board members, who approved the

purchase. Amplify CKLA books go into the hands of each student,

with teachers also getting a copy. The digitally connected books, for

grades K-6, include “home town America and really good material,”

he said. The total for the books is $48,259.16. (John Nelson photo)

By JOHN NELSON

Tailgate News Editor

Monday, August 24 will be the first day of the 2020 school year forthe Gurdon School District, with the superintendent reporting to SchoolBoard members Tuesday that latest enrollment figures indicate 65 per-cent will attend face to face classes and the rest are currently signed infor homebound virtual learning.

All are invited to get to know the Go-Devils that evening at 7 p.m.when the Gold will play the Purple so fans can see what football talent toexpect this season.

Prescott Police Chief Beavers retires;

Assistant Chief Jordan gets promotionBy JOHN NELSON

Tailgate News Editor

Prescott City Council met Monday evening and Mayor Terry Olivernamed Prescott Assistant Police Chief Ann Jordan to the police chief’sjob, as Chief Joey Beavers has retired.

Mayor Oliver said Chief Beavers started is career in 1989 as a mili-tary police officer for the U.S. Army, was a patrolman with the Fort SmithPolice Department, became affiliated with the Prescott Police Departmentin 1996, worked with the State Police on narcotics in 2000 and then tookover as Prescott Police Chief.

While at Prescott, Beavers applied for and received $150,00 in grantmoney to improve PPD, got officers on salary to slow down attrition fromthose leaving due to low hourly wages and worked beside the NevadaCounty Sheriff’s Department on drug task force cases.

As to the new police chief, Mayor Oliver said she joined PPD inFebruary of 1999, worked up to a sergeant, served as a school resource

NEW PRESCOTT

POLICE CHIEF - The for-

mer Prescott Assistant Police

Chief Ann Jordan has been

promoted to Police Chief for

the City of Prescott, as long-

time Police Chief Joey

Beavers has retired. Prescott

Mayor Terry Oliver said

Jordan has always had a pas-

sion for law enforcement and

“I have confidence she will

do a fine job.” (John Nelson

photo)

By JOHN NELSON

Tailgate News Editor

A 30-year-old Gurdon resident was killed by a train in downtownGurdon just after midnight (12:14 a.m.) early Saturday morning, August15.

According to the Arkansas State Police report, Josten Trevino, 30,driving a 2014 Toyota, was going east across the Main Street railwaycrossing when the vehicle was struck by a northbound train.

The driver was pronounced dead by Dr. Allegra Fierro at theUniversity of Arkansas Medical Service (UAMS) Hospital in Little Rock.

State Trooper Kendrick D. Davis reported that Trevino was taken toBaptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia and the body is being heldat UAMS in Little Rock. The Arkansas State Police report said theweather conditions were clear and the road was dry.

(Continued on Page 2)

Gurdon man killed by train