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Road signs. They are made to save us from making terrible mistakes in our lives. Yet, you see crashes everyday. Is it because we fail to read the sign? Is it because we refuse to heed the sign? Or is it because the sign was misleading? You would think that as an “intelligent” species that we would have the knowledge to read and make the proper judgment. Yet, many times we see that it doesn’t happen. I see laws passed and set down in the books, and then I see people come along and break those laws. Some get caught and get punished, some don’t. But those that do, here again, would think that after the first time one would never go back and do it again. But that is not the case either. There are all kinds of illustrations I could quote, but I will use this one. Drunk driving kills more people a year than anything else in our country. During the upcoming holidays, police forces all across America will be setting up road blocks and trying to catch those examples of people who choose to do as they wish with no regard to their family, their friends, their neighbors or their fellow citizens. The very interesting part of this phenomena is that we have centuries, nay, we have thousands of years of reference as to what alcohol does to the human brain. Yet when a holiday comes around or many social functions are planned, even small get-togethers, the first question is, “How much and what kind of alcohol do I buy?” By now, you are saying, “Larry, you are no fun, what a party pooper! I wouldn’t want to invite you to my party!” LOL, and that is fine, it is always your choice. I have been to lots of parties in my life. Really lots of parties. It seems they start off alright. People converse and discuss their favorite topics. Then, the more alcohol that is poured in, the less the conversation remains sensible. Oh, to some of those drinking it will seem most profound. But to a sober person, much less so. It does change even a rational person’s thinking. It loosens

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Rethinking Kindergarten

As post-pandemic learning loss strategies continue to be addressed legislatively across the states, it’s hard not to recognize the lowered enrollment numbers in kindergarten as an integral factor. According to Education Week (https:// www.edweek.org/leadership/ kindergarteners- havent-returned-heres- how-that-may-prolong- academic-recovery/ 2023/08), a decline in kindergarten enrollment, even after a post-pandemic surge, sets the stage for a prolonged learning recovery that spans outward into K-12.

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School Notes

The Corning School Board met in special sessions on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 and on Friday, December 1, 2023 with all members present. The purpose of the special called meetings was to discuss funding for the new high school project. During the Tuesday meeting, the board voted to approve a millage increase of 5 mills to be placed on the ballot for the spring 2024 election and send the required information to be included on election documents to be prepared for publication. The board agreed to meet again on Friday, Dec 1, after the documents were prepared to complete all required resolutions and elections documents required by the state.

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Coach Songer achieves 200th win at CHS

Lady Bobcat Head Coach Jerry Songer won his 200th Corning basketball game and 515th total career win on Monday, Dec. 5 with the Lady Bobcat victory over Harrisburg at home. This is Songer’s 12th year at Corning, 32nd year of coaching and his 27th year as a head high school basketball coach. Before coming to Corning, he spent 20 years coaching in Missouri.

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Doll Cochran honored with 90th birthday celebration

Doll Cochran observed her 90th birthday on Saturday, November 18 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church in Corning. The reception was hosted by her daughter, Suzi Parnell and son, Bobby Cochran. The event was attended by approximately150 of Doll’s family and friends. Relatives and friends also arrived from Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri to celebrate her birthday. Many others sent cards, texted or called to wish her well.

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Area students encouraged to compete in 2024 Great A-State Media Fest

Submissions for the upcoming Great A-State Media Fest, which will be held in April, open on Dec. 11. High school and college students can compete in the online competition featuring 22 contests in audio and video production, live television production, print and graphics, photography, and social media. “Last year, we had nearly 300 entries from Arkansas and the Mid-South,” said Dr. Michael Bowman, associate professor of creative media. “The abundance of creativity and talent in each submission is amazing.” The deadline for submission is March 8. Students may enter their work at ASUTV.com/mediafest. The award ceremony for the competition will be held on Friday, April 12, from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. and can be accessed online and on ASU-TV. “Teachers and their students can watch the ceremony live. It is great to see your work recognized with your teachers and classmates,” said Bowman. For more information, one may contact Bowman at mbowman@

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Arkansas winter production meetings scheduled

Agronomy and agricultural economics are among the topics on the agenda for the 2024 winter production meetings in Arkansas for corn, cotton, rice and soybeans. “These are opportunities that give farmers a chance to improve on the previous year’s crop with face-to-face meetings with extension agronomists and agricultural economists and other experts from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture,” said Jerry Clemons, who oversees the 25-county Delta District for the Cooperative Extension Service in the Division of Agriculture. Meetings about peanut production will be scheduled at a later date, Clemons said.

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