Budget increased for restoration project

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved Thursday a budget increase for the Coal Pile Habitat Restoration project in Desha County.

The $70,000 increase for the backwater fishing area located along the Arkansas River comes from a Fish Passage Grant issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The project includes dredging a passage into the backwater and restoration of fish habitat. A contractor for the AGFC will begin work on the project later this year. The Arkansas River has lost an estimated 9,000 acres of backwater habitat because of sedimentation since 1970. The backwater areas are critical for spawning, rearing and growth of fish populations.

Commissioners also heard an update on the state’s deer and turkey hunter surveys.

Highlights of the deer survey included that 75 percent of those surveyed said the management of Arkansas’s deer herd was excellent or good and 87 percent of hunters surveyed are satisfied with the state’s deer regulations.

The survey said 51 percent of turkey hunters rated the state’s turkey management as excellent or good and 67 percent are satisfied with the state’s turkey regulations.

An update on the state’s turkey brood survey also suggested that the turkey reproduction in 2014 was lower than in 2013.

UA-Fort Smith handles Southern Nazarene

Arkansas-Fort Smith defeated Southern Nazarene 25-19, 25-21, 25-13 on Thursday night at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith.

UAFS (17-4) was led by Katarina Krstonosic’s 11 kills and Bailey Katzfey’s 34 assists. Abbey Bell had 23 digs.

Harding sweeps Lyon

Harding swept Lyon College 25-14, 25-17, 27-25 on Thursday in Batesville.

Harding (14-6) was led by Molly Howard, who finished with 10 kills. Anna Leigh had 17 digs.

Lyon (8-14) was led by Katarina Frickelton, who finished with 10 kills, and Carson Ward’s seven digs.

— Democrat-Gazette Press Services