Ridge Writer
Chronicles of life above the DeltaParagould’s South School campus to be demolished in the name of progress
Paragouldians may know it as South School, Cotton Boll Technical Institute, or just that old school on the way to Jonesboro. Whatever you know it as, you won’t be knowing it much longer.
The Greene County Tech School District is building a new high school on that site – but before they can do that, the old South School building has to be demolished.
The official word came down on Thursday from the GCT Board.
As legend has it, that school fell out of favor as an economically struggling Paragould tried to bring in jobs. Caterpillar, Inc., who was long courted by the city for a number of industrial developments that never materialized, saw the old school and its wooden floors and assumed that this dusty delta town wasn’t serious about education.
When Caterpillar announced it didn’t select Paragould as the site for its project, the school soon closed in favor of a unified Greene County Tech School District campus on the west side.
Since the closing of the elementary school, the building has served as a nursing school and a general purpose vo-tech school, but for the past three years or so it has been vacant. Greene County Tech continued to hold the property.
The demolition of the school will be a sad occasion for many who attended it over the years, but having a beautiful new high school on the bustling south side will further bolster Paragould’s ability to attract industry and families.
Rest in Peace, South School.
The fate of Catholic schools in Northeast Arkansas
Arkansas Catholic has a interesting special report on the plight of the Catholic education system in the Natural State.
It notes that of the 31 Catholic schools in Arkansas, only four exist in Northeast Arkansas. St. Mary School in Paragould is cited as a prime example of how a small Catholic school can survive with the support of the community.
The support of parents and parish leadership also is a major factor in a school’s viability, even if it has a small enrollment, Bowen said.
St. Mary School in Paragould is a good example: “The parish wants this school to survive,” she said. In addition to the parish subsidy, both school parents and parishioners support the school’s fundraisers.
Bowen said the goal for a school is to effectively operate with the least amount of financial support from the parish.
The Ridge Writer had siblings and friends who attended St. Mary. Hit the picture above for the complete report from Arkansas Catholic.
Paragould Chamber launches new website
The Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce recently launched a redesigned website at www.paragould.org.
The Ridge Writer thinks that it is odd that, if you go by the titles of the two chambers, Paragould and Jonesboro are different regions.
Perhaps more collaboration should be in order between the twin cities of the delta?
Mo Forte out as UAPB football coach?
Rumors are rampant around southeast Arkansas that Mo Forte, the head coach of the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s Southwest Athletic Conference, will be canned following his final game this season.
Just a year ago, Forte went 8-4 and led the Golden Lions to the SWAC Championship Game for the first time in school history. This season the Lions have struggled, going 3-7 with one game remaining to play.
That 3-7 record this season? It includes four losses of seven points or less, including a three-point loss to New Mexico State of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Give those tight loses to the Lions, and suddenly, Forte is 7-3.
The Ridge Writer thinks firing Forte would be a big mistake.
Will the real non-offensive mascot please stand-up?
The troubles of Arkansas State University in the mascot department have been well chronicled. The Flagship University of the Delta will soon retire the Indian mascot it has used since the 1930s in favor of one of these mostly non-offensive options:
Black Wolves
Red Wolves
Red Dragons
Red Storm
Ridge Raiders
Ridge Runners
A’s
Diamonds
Mallards
Express
Mustangs
Thunderbirds
The Ridge Writer thinks that the obvious choice is Red Wolves, but strong consideration should be given to Black Wolves and Ridge Runners.
Red Storm and Express should only be considered if the University is considering fielding an Arena Football League team.
Red Dragons and A’s are just goofy choices, in the Ridge Writer’s opinion.
With Red Wolves or Black Wolves, you have two options that are easily marketable anywhere and not overused in NCAA Division I or the Football Bowl Subdivision.
With Ridge Runners, you get a very unique option with a regional tie-in (as well as a tie-in to this blog). If the imagery is handled carefully, this could be a very strong option that would truly set Arkansas State apart.
So, since everyone including ASU Athletics Director Dr. Dean Lee was wondering, the Ridge Writer throws his support behind Red Wolves, Black Wolves, or Ridge Runners.
[Hit the picture for related story from Arkansas Sports 360.]
Welcome to the Ridge Writer blog
Crowley’s Ridge is a unique geographic feature in eastern Arkansas. The Ridge, as locals call it, extends more than 150 miles rising high above the otherwise flat, fertile farmland that is the Mississippi River delta.
The Ridge is home to some of the largest cities in the Arkansas delta, including Jonesboro and Paragould, as well as Arkansas State University.
This blog will chronicle some of the unique stories, history, news, and people from this region. Posting might be sporadic for a while, so make sure you stay up to date by grabbing our RSS feed.
If you enjoy what you see here, please let us know by commenting.
Thanks, and enjoy the blog.
