Siloam Springs Herald-Leader

News

2021 Pioneer Citizen -- Craig Taylor Whether it's through his career as an insurance agent or through his volunteer work for the Chamber of Commerce or Kiwanis Club, Craig Taylor has spent his life helping others. by Janelle Jessen

2021 Pioneer Citizens -- John and Kathy Turner John and Kathy Turner share a passion for Siloam Springs and have spent most of their lives giving back to the city they love by serving in city government and performing small acts of kindness throughout Siloam Springs. by Marc Hayot

Wiggins' contract extended School board members extended Superintendent Jody Wiggins' contract through the 2023-2024 school year and gave him a raise during this past Thursday's meeting. by Janelle Jessen

Four Chaplains memorial planned for Feb. 7 American Legion Siloam Post 29 will host a Four Chaplains Memorial Service on Sunday, Feb. 7.

LOOKING BACK:Cash first SS 2011 baby 50 Years Ago by Jackie Brooks

State covid cases rise by 1,331; governor updates on vaccine accessibility Arkansas' count of coronavirus cases rose Tuesday by 1,331, a larger increase than the day before but less than half the size of the one the previous Tuesday. by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

First-grader needs heart, liver transplant after covid-19 SILOAM SPRINGS -- Covid-19 left a first-grader from Allen Elementary School in need of a heart and liver transplant. by Janelle Jessen

Covid-19 infections in Siloam Springs top 2,000 The cumulative number of covid-19 infections in Siloam Springs topped 2,000 this week, according information from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. by Janelle Jessen

Sports

OPINION: We need more like Drew Brees I've never really been a big fan of the New Orleans Saints. by Graham Thomas

Harper's return gives JBU spark Luke Harper's return to the lineup gave the John Brown men's basketball team a much-needed shot in the arm. by Graham Thomas

SSHS basketball travels to Russellville 5A-West Conference basketball standings by Graham Thomas

On Tap ON TAP by Graham Thomas

Siloam Springs to host state soccer tournament The Siloam Springs soccer programs will host the 5A state soccer tournaments for 2021, the Arkansas Activities Association announced Thursday afternoon. by Graham Thomas

Ninth-grade girls win against Rogers Heritage The Siloam Springs ninth-grade girls picked up their third win of the year with a 33-31 victory against Rogers Heritage on Thursday night.

Alma shoots down Panthers Alma wasn't intimated by Siloam Springs' 3-2 zone defense. by Graham Thomas

Texas Wesleyan runs by short-handed Golden Eagles John Brown's long-awaited home debut didn't go as the Golden Eagles hoped. by Graham Thomas

Opinion

OPINION: Unity too much to ask for? Now that Donald J. Trump, the worst president in United States history, no longer holds the office, attention turns to how we move on from here. Republicans are anxious to turn the page, forget the last four years, let bygones be bygones, and get on with obstructing the Biden agenda. Democrats are demanding that Trump receive some penalty for his role in the mob insurrection, other than a second impeachment vote stamped onto his permanent record. by Devin Houston

OPINION: Notes on the 93rd Legislature kicking off in Little Rock Despite all the many plex-a-glass barriers, gallon bottles of hand sanitizer everywhere and masks galore, the Arkansas General Assembly got started last week, but without many of the usual opening day crowds, pageantry and ceremony. by Maylon Rice

OPINION: Their world of war -- and ours It's the rare combat veteran who will say that war is anything but terrible, but some also say they miss it. They don't miss the maiming and death of battle, but some do miss its simplicity and intensity. One Vietnam veteran dying of diseases caused by the defoliant Agent Orange told me that the conflict in Southeast Asia had destroyed his life, and yet it was also the most awesome thing he ever experienced. A Korean War veteran told me in a Zoom conversation that combat was horrific, yet he spoke from a basement filled with war relics he had collected and possessed with fondness. by Preston Jones

OPINION: Freedom at risk Twitter has banned the President of the United States from sending tweets. Then, Parler, an alternative social media platform that does not censor speech, was de-platformed by Amazon, Google, and Apple. What is Big Tech afraid of? These big companies have more power over the ability of people to speak freely than any nation or company in the history of the world. With TV news media all being monopolies, the public now only gets one side of the story. by Ron Wood

HEALTHY LIVING: No bones about it: Osteoporosis affects men, too Men build more bone than women, but that doesn't make them immune to osteoporosis. That's why it's important for both genders to adopt bone-healthy habits as they age. Men and women typically reach peak bone mass around the same time, ages 25 to 30, though men achieve a higher peak mass. Around age 40, both sexes begin losing bone mass, with the process accelerating for women after menopause. By age 65 or 70, however, men catch up, and they lose bone mass at the same rate as women, according to the National Institutes of Health. That can put them at risk for osteoporosis, a condition that makes the bones weak and more likely to fracture.

OPINION: Orange MAGA cult They stood by him time after time, ignoring the warning signs. The video exposing him as a sexual predator didn't hinder their support. He was still elected to the highest office in the land. The "fine people on both sides" statement after the "Unite the Right" rally caused some consternation. Still, his supporters carried on, convinced it was a misunderstanding. His background as a wealthy reality television star enhanced his charisma and charm. He said he cared about them, was one of them, and they rewarded him with the adulation and attention he so desperately craved. by Devin Houston

OPINION: Shocking day in D.C., locals decry 'actions' Most of the frequent readers of this space should know, today, how upset I still am over the actions of Jan. 6, 2021, in our nation's capital -- Washington D.C.

Letter to the Editor Truth or consequences by Graham Thomas

Religion

RELIGION: Storm clouds Will we ever stop fighting and become the nation God wants us to be?

RELIGION: God calls us to repent of abortion evil "You brought my inner parts into being; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw me unformed, yet in Your book all my days were written, before any of them came into being." Psalm 139:13-16 by Randy Moll

RELIGION: Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? "Woe to you that desire the day of the LORD! Why do you want the day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light, as if someone fled away from a lion, but a bear attacked him, or got into the house and rested his hand on the wall, but a snake bit him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? Will it not be deep darkness, with no brightness in it? I hate, I despise your festivals, and I am not pleased by your solemn assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings or your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard the offerings of your fattened animals. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." Amos 5:18-24 by Randy Moll

Beautiful Dreamer I was 5 years old when I experienced one of the three saddest days of my life. We lived in El Cajon, Calif., and I was walking to school. My kindergarten was less than a half-mile away, but it seemed like a mile to my little legs. It was a few minutes after 8 a.m., when I heard the patter of doggy feet behind me. I turned to see Dreamer dutifully following me. by Graham Thomas