Clay County Times-Democrat: News

Communities come together: Recalling the ice storm (02/02/12)
It's not exactly a memory most folks around here look back on fondly, but the ice storm of 2009, which hit this area on Jan. 27 three years ago, did help us to discover much about ourselves and our neighbors -- that we are tougher than we might have thought, more tenacious, able to endure adversity -- and that there are many many kind and selfless people out there willing to sacrifice for others -- for us, and for those we care about...

Dailey & Vincent happy to make a difference (02/02/12)
In two previous visits to Rector, Darrin Vincent and Jamie Dailey, of the immensely popular and successful bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent, have brought many smiles to the faces of those fortunate enough to see and hear the talented musicians. While performing before a packed house and a cheering crowd is something the duo always enjoys, making a difference in the lives of others holds a truly special place in their hearts...

Incumbent county officials announce plans to seek offices (02/02/12)
Clay County Judge Gary Howell has announced his intention to seek re-election, subject to the May 22 Democratic Primary. "I have lived all my life in Clay County and was raised in the Pollard community," Howell noted. "I've been married to Sally Howell for 45 years and we have three children, Jason Howell, Jenifer Cook and Julie Howell. We also have five grandsons, Jackson Howell, Garrett and Levi Cook and Wesley and Wyatt Childers," he added...

ASU chancellor visits Rector (02/02/12)
Arkansas State University interim chancellor Dr. Dan Howard told a large group attending a luncheon Monday in Rector that ASU "is a huge magnet that draws business to our region." Howard's talk was the highlight of the noon event, sponsored by the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, which has awarded numerous scholarships to students, including many attending ASU...

High winds destroy shop, camper (01/26/12)
High winds during a storm Sunday night, Jan. 22, created concern throughout the area, with much of Northeast Arkansas included in a tornado watch. In the case of at least one area family, the concern was justified. Sheila Vaughn was in the kitchen of her home at 5384 Route 139 between Piggott and Holly Island when the storm hit at 8:43 p.m. Sunday...

Grammy winner excited about return to Rector (01/26/12)
As a renowned gospel, country and rhythm-and-blues style performer, Jason Crabb has found appreciative audiences across the globe. His acclaimed voice has resulted in numerous Dove Awards, in addition to a Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album Grammy in 2010 for his self-titled solo debut which featured the crossover hit "Somebody Like Me."...

Piggott hospital designated as Level IV trauma center (01/26/12)
Piggott Community Hospital (PCH) was designated Nov. 10 as a Level IV trauma center. In becoming a Level IV hospital, PCH had to meet rigorous standards set forth by the state in the care of a trauma patient. PCH passed the initial processes to receive a designation and be reviewed every four years to maintain trauma credentials...

Rector home damaged in fire (01/26/12)
A fire possibly caused by an electrical malfunction heavily damaged the Nick Thompson home in Rector on Monday afternoon, Jan. 23. The Rector Fire Department was called to the home at 320 East First Street at 3:50 p.m. Heavy smoke was pouring from the southeast corner of the home and the first firefighter on the scene found heavy fire in a back room, which spread into the walls and attic and into the adjoining kitchen and utility room...

HHF Ambassador program offers training in service, leadership (01/19/12)
The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's new Ambassador program is providing training in leadership skills and opportunities for community service for 35 local students. Launched just a few weeks ago, the program is designed to identify, educate and motivate potential leaders, according the HHF executive director Gail Burns...

Piggott Head Start food drive combines sharing with fun (01/19/12)
The young students of the Piggott Head Start and Early Head Start learned a very important lesson recently as part of the center's annual community project. Students, their families and members of the community worked together to gather all important food items for local families as part of Head Start's food drive...

PFD receives equipment grant (01/19/12)
The Piggott Fire Department recently received a grant which will allow for the purchase of improved equipment. Through a $2,500 Rural Fire Protection Program grant presented to the department on Jan. 10, the department will be able to purchase new hoses, nozzles and gate valves for its fire trucks...

Girl Scout cookie sales underway (01/19/12)
It's Girl Scout cookie time again. Girl Scouts in Clay County and surrounding areas began selling Girl Scout cookies Saturday, Jan. 14. The sales effort concludes Sunday, Jan. 29, however scouts will be able to continue filling cookie orders from the troops' extra cookies through about March 16 or until all of the extra cookies are gone...

Reflecting on 2011, part III (01/12/12)
This is part three of the Times-Democrat's look back at the events of 2011: July Piggott celebrates its 84th annual Fourth of July Picnic with a day of fun which closed with a fireworks display and a drawing for three $5,000 cash prizes...Amber Minton is crowned as the first-ever Mrs. ...

Vaccination essential in protecting animals, human from Rabies (01/12/12)
Rabies outbreaks in central Arkansas over the past month, in addition to outbreaks in Randolph County in recent years, serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for exposure to the deadly illness. Rabies is a viral disease which causes inflammation of the brain in warm-blooded animals, including humans. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted by animals. The most common method of transmitting the virus is through the bite of an infected animal...

Moffitt: a man of many talents (01/12/12)
Verlin Moffitt has been a part of many things in his 85 years of life. Growing up on a farm in Fagus, he was taught the value of hard work at an early age by his parents J.O. and Mabel Moffitt. "I had a good childhood," Moffitt said. "In those days, everybody worked. You didn't question it. You worked with your family and enjoyed what you had."...

Account established to help Rector family after fire (01/12/12)
A special account has been established at Liberty Bank in Rector for Rhonda Lee Jones and Robin Parrish, who lost their home and belongings in a fire Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 460 County Road 406 west of Rector. Parrish and an infant were in the house when the fire began, and Parrish was treated by emergency medical personnel for burns on her arms and head sustained as she escaped from the dwelling. The child was not injured...

Revisiting the memories of 2011 (01/05/12)
This is the second part of the Times-Democrat's look back at the events of 2011: April An area family is surprised to find that an escaped mental patient has been living under their house...Rector's downtown gets new life through the efforts of Greg Downs, who moved to the area from Chicago and purchased several properties...The Clay County Sheriff's Department plans the installation of new cameras to keep a watchful eye on prisoners...L and M Racing near Rector hosts an Arkansas Lawnmower Association group for Test 'n Tune Day...Piggott FCCLA members attend a state leadership meeting to compete and to see the sights in Little Rock...The Rick and Sandra Little family of Piggott hosts a family from Denmark for a taste of smalltown life in America...Rector sixth graders celebrate the completion of the DARE program with a special graduation ceremony...Kayley Dare Bell, 17, of Rector is killed when her car is struck by a Union Pacific train just east of town...Several Clay County leaders gather to discuss ongoing preparation efforts in the event of a large earthquake...The Dixie Melody Boys and Gene McDonald appear at the Rector Community Center in a fundraiser to help pay for renovations at the center...The Piggott School Board agrees to keep a watchful eye on school finances due to a slow economy...Piggott, Rector and Marmaduke high schools all hold their annual proms on Friday, April 15...Piggott High School AP studio art classes visit Gulfport, Miss., during their spring break...A Science, Health and Safety Expo is held at the Piggott Elementary School gymnasium...With prices up, farmers are optimistic about the year...A select team from the Rector High School gifted and talented department completes the online Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge competition...Piggott's Emilee Seegraves is one of only 10 young writers who win a copy of the book "Peak," by Roland Smith, in a contest sponsored by Scholastic's Storyworks magazine...CJ's Garden Center opens at 215 East Sixth Street in Rector...Magician Rocky Clements of Jonesboro thrills a large group of all ages in a show at the Piggott Community Center...The Piggott Mohawks baseball team finishes the season unbeaten in conference play...Piggott fourth grader Louis Lin is recognized as one of the brightest students ever at Piggott Elementary...Fred Ort of Piggott discovers two bald eagles in a tree in front of his home on South 16th Avenue...An all-star lineup including Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Gary Morris, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and many others is announced for the first Johnny Cash Music Festival in Jonesboro set Aug. ...

PES recycling program continues to grow (01/05/12)
Third grade students at Piggott Elementary are learning about responsibility while setting an example for others to follow. The children, alongside third grade teachers Carol Keys, Kathy Coyle, Tammy Cashion, Marilyn Wellman and Karen Seal, volunteer to handle the school's recycling program...

Crittenden retires after 30 years with road dept. (01/05/12)
For the past 30 years, Carlos Crittenden of Greenway has been working to help Clay County residents travel as an employee of the county road department. Now, Crittenden is looking forward to the next stage of his life, having retired from the department on Dec. 19...

Piggott man avoids serious injury in collision with train (01/05/12)
A Piggott man miraculously avoided serious injury after the semi truck he was driving struck a moving train in the early morning hours of Friday, Dec. 30. According to information provided by the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol, Robert Brawner, 57, of Piggott was traveling north along Highway 49. ...

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