Stories by I.C. Murrell

Watson Chapel wins 5th in a row The year 2022 has been really good to Watson Chapel's boys basketball team.Behind Antwon Emsweller's double-double and two other double-digit scorers, the Wildcats won their fifth straight gam... January 24, 2022

White Hall School Board hires Crossett's Gary Williams as next superintendent Gary Williams will succeed Doug Dorris as White Hall School District superintendent on July 1.Williams, the current Crossett school superintendent, was hired after a very brief executive session of a ... January 22, 2022

Leaders of community discuss local education As a member of the Pine Bluff School District's Community Advisory Committee, Freddie Scott joined forces with Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Nate Todd to bring education and ci... January 22, 2022

Crossett's Gary Williams will take White Hall School District superintendent's post in July Gary Williams will succeed Doug Dorris as White Hall School District superintendent on July 1.Williams, the current Crossett school superintendent, was hired after a very brief executive session of a ... January 21, 2022

3 Pine Bluff slaying suspects held without bail Three men who were arrested in the Jan. 8 death of Calvin Kirklin were ordered Thursday by a Jefferson County District Court judge to remain held without bail in the Dub Brassell Detention Center.Rode... January 21, 2022

Zebras start slow, rev up to defeat Bulldogs Well-rested from game action for 13 days, White Hall High School attacked visiting Pine Bluff from outside the 3-point line and built a 14-3 lead less than 4 minutes into Thursday's rivalry game.&... January 21, 2022

Wildcats push streak to four straight wins Watson Chapel is firmly a contender for the Conference 4A-8 boys basketball championship.The Wildcats made that point clear Tuesday by picking up a 68-36 win at Star City and extending their winning s... January 20, 2022

3 arrests made in January slaying in Pine Bluff Three men have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 8 killing of a man at 2200 W. 10th Ave. in Pine Bluff, police said.Detectives arrested Steven Grady; Roderick Marks, 22; and Rahn Clay, 18, on ... January 20, 2022

Warning sent out on mask 'bulletin' Pine Bluff Police are warning people of a bogus social media post and text message about one or more robbers attacking victims after giving them a face mask with a laced chemical.In a news release fro... January 20, 2022

Zebras step on the gas, overcome Trojans 60-56 Without stepping onto a basketball court for the past eight days, Pine Bluff High School answered any questions about its energy level against Hot Springs High on Tuesday.Pine Bluff led by 20 points w... January 20, 2022

3 arrested in connection with Pine Bluff homicide, police say Three men have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 8 killing of a man at 2200 W. 10th Ave. in Pine Bluff, police said.Detectives arrested Steven Grady; Roderick Marks, 22; and Rahn Clay, 18, on ... January 19, 2022

Pine Bluff police warn of bogus ‘bulletin’ about masks Pine Bluff police are warning people of a bogus social media post and text message about one or more robbers attacking victims after giving them a face mask with a laced chemical.In a news release fro... January 19, 2022

Covid upends games' lineups Pine Bluff High School had been closed to students since last Wednesday, and along with it, the classroom lab that is McFadden Gymnasium.The switch to remote learning because of the impact of the ongo... January 19, 2022

Spike in virus leads to courthouse, school closures, other disruptions Covid-19's latest rise in Jefferson County interrupted normalcy in county business and at least one school district.The Jefferson County Courthouse will remain closed through the end of this week ... January 19, 2022

Lady Lions' Peat takes player-of-week honors Maya Peat has pulled down 10 or more rebounds in her last four games, but it was her back-to-back 21-rebound outings in Texas that caught nationwide attention.The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ... January 19, 2022

Shorthanded Lions get 2nd SWAC win The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men's basketball team survived one mad dash the finish Monday in defeating Bethune-Cookman University.An 18-point lead late in the first half quickly dwind... January 18, 2022

Lady Lions match longest streak of season, top Bethune-Cookman Four University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff players scored in double figures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but defense took center stage at H.O. Clemmons Arena.Sade Hudson collected 5 steals to go with... January 18, 2022

UAPB’s Evans scores Willie Roaf Award UAPB offensive lineman Mark Evans II poses with the Willie Roaf Award as Arkansas’ best collegiate lineman during halftime of the Florida A&M-UAPB men’s basketball game Saturday at H.O... January 17, 2022

Watson Chapel defeats Warren Watson Chapel won its season-best third straight game in boys basketball Friday, routing Warren 71-17 at home.Jalyn Jones scored 13 points and dished out four assists, Hampton Hall continued his stron... January 17, 2022

Missed shots derail Lions No lead the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men's basketball team built was ever safe.Ahead by as many as 12 points in the first half and 7 in the second half, the Golden Lions had no answer ... January 17, 2022

UAPB breaks ground for new sports facility The need for a soccer and track-and-field facility at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was no secret, only a pressing matter.Much to the delight of University of Arkansas System board Chair St... January 16, 2022

UAPB’s Peat stays hot in rout Maya Peat continued her rebounding tear Saturday, and it has fueled the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s winning streak.“I think it’s just because I put all my focus into getti... January 16, 2022

Sheridan School District hires Jerry Guess as its interim superintendent Jerry Guess was hired as Sheridan School District's interim superintendent last week, less than a year after stepping down from a permanent role with the Watson Chapel School District.Guess, 71, w... January 16, 2022

I-beam tops off school's fine arts site White Hall School District leaders witnessed a piece of history Thursday.A crane placed the last I-beam at the Fine Arts Center in ceremonial fashion, topping off the latest addition to White Hall Hig... January 14, 2022

Pine Bluff manufacturer Central Moloney to add Florida location Pine Bluff-based Central Moloney Inc. on Wednesday revealed plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Bay County, Fla.The transformer manufacturing firm will remain headquartered in Pine Bluf... January 13, 2022

White Hall School District expels 5 for web threats Five White Hall School District students connected to social media threats posted in December were expelled from campus for the rest of the school year during Tuesday night's board meeting.Three o... January 13, 2022

Conference opener a victory for Zebras Troy'reon Ramos and Courtney Crutchfield combined for more than half of Pine Bluff High School's offense Tuesday, helping the Zebras open 5A-South Conference play with an 84-65 win at longtime... January 13, 2022

Curry's contract extends by year Andrew Curry's contract as Watson Chapel School District superintendent was extended by a year -- just months into his new role.District board trustees voted unanimously to add a fourth year to Cu... January 12, 2022

Arkansas politicians meet, greet at annual Gillett Coon Supper GILLETT -- The local delicacy of smoked raccoon is enough for some Arkansas politicians to make a stop on their campaign trail to a school gymnasium in this Arkansas County town."The Coon Supper ... January 10, 2022

Bulldogs win conference opener A winless holiday break only seemed to prepare White Hall's boys basketball team well for 5A-South Conference play.Jai'Chaunn Hayes and Kaleb Hargrove each scored 14 points, and the Bulldogs e... January 9, 2022

Pine Bluff chief calls all hands after homicides Interim Pine Bluff Police Chief Lloyd Franklin is asking all officers, regardless of rank, to patrol the streets in the wake of two homicides within hours of each other, the first ones recorded in 202... January 9, 2022

Pine Bluff records first two homicides of 2022 overnight; chief calls for all-out patrol Interim Pine Bluff Police Chief Lloyd Franklin is asking all officers, regardless of rank, to patrol the streets in the wake of two homicides within hours of each other, the first ones recorded in 202... January 8, 2022

$200,000 gift to fund SEARK scholarships An anonymous donor gave Southeast Arkansas College $200,000 to be used for scholarships, President Steven Bloomberg announced Friday.The amount represents the largest scholarship donation in the histo... January 8, 2022

Undermanned Dollarway High boys basketball remains winless Hanging on to a four-point lead with 1:52 left before halftime, Episcopal Collegiate School coach Brandon Friedel challenged his team to give more effort against Dollarway.The Wildcats took Friedel&#3... January 8, 2022

Area colleges require masks; local superintendents defend leaving campuses open Following two straight days of record-breaking increases to the the number of positive covid-19 cases, local K-12 and higher learning officials are staying committed to in-person learning as classes r... January 7, 2022

Jan. 6 wasn’t an insurrection, GOP says The attack on the nation's Capitol one year ago today was not an insurrection, local Republicans say."Donald Trump was not trying to overthrow the government," Michael Adam explained Wed... January 6, 2022

Golden Lions squeeze by Hornets Down by 10 points in the first half, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was never out of Wednesday's game against Alabama State University.Now, the Golden Lions are doing very well in the So... January 6, 2022

White Hall students to mask for 7 days Students in the White Hall School District will be required to wear masks for seven days, starting today.Superintendent Doug Dorris issued the mandate Wednesday evening, citing a rise in the number of... January 6, 2022

Height helps Magnolia in Watson Chapel win Having big men like 6-foot-5 Devonta Walker and 6-4 Derrian Ford who can shoot from outside the arc and inside the paint can make a big difference for Magnolia.But when their shots add up, the Panther... January 5, 2022

UAPB women fall to Alabama A&M The Lady Lions erased a seven-point deficit to take a three-point lead, but the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's basketball team suffered a 1-for-14 shooting clip from the field in the... January 4, 2022

SWAC opener is a loss for Lions A few familiar faces were missing from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball opener and first game since Dec. 18.The absence of Trey Samp... January 4, 2022

SWAC updates its covid policies Southwestern Athletic Conference teams Thursday were informed of updated policies regarding men's and women's basketball games that cannot be played due to the covid-19 pandemic.The conference... December 31, 2021

Sportsboard COLLEGE BASKETBALLLAST THREE GAMESUAPB MEN (2-11)• Dec. 8: vs. Arkansas State, lost 84-73• Dec. 14: at Texas, lost 63-31• Dec. 18: vs. Ecclesia, won 97-56UAPB WOMEN (4-6)• Dec. 6: ... December 31, 2021

Wildcats adapt to edge out Cavaliers The call took Watson Chapel Coach Marcus Adams by surprise late Tuesday.His Wildcats were not going to play crosstown foe Pine Bluff High School on the final afternoon of the King Cotton Holiday Class... December 30, 2021

Schedule shifts in King Cotton all part of rules About the time Tuesday's action at the King Cotton Holiday Classic wrapped up, the schedule for championship on Wednesday was all set.And then it changed.No more was a potential meeting between Pi... December 30, 2021

Smith leads North Little Rock to Cotton title PINE BLUFF -- Nick Smith found a good way to follow up a triple-double game -- score 33 points.The North Little Rock guard and University of Arkansas signee scored one point more than in Tuesday's... December 30, 2021

King Cotton Scoreboard Here are the updated scores and schedules for the King Cotton Holiday Classic at the Pine Bluff Convention Center:Monday, Dec. 27GirlsGame 1A, Shreveport Huntington 58, Watson Chapel 31Game 1B, Sylvan... December 29, 2021

Beaumont United comes step closer to Classic title A 34-21 halftime lead for Beaumont (Texas) United dwindled down to a 52-all tie with 1:36 left in the game against St. Louis Christian Brothers College High School.That's when Wesley Yates stepped... December 29, 2021

Pine Bluff earns county's first King Cotton win, faces Raymond today The effects of a late-night game wore off on the Pine Bluff High School boys basketball team as they played their second game in 12 hours at the King Cotton Holiday Classic on Tuesday.Courtney Crutchf... December 29, 2021

Pine Bluff edged out in King Cotton nightcap Brandon Miller wasn’t looking to be the hero of the game, but the 6-foot-8 Antioch (Tenn.) Cane Ridge senior accepted the role anyway.Miller sank a go-ahead 3-point basket with 54 seconds left i... December 28, 2021