Stories from Thursday, April 12, 2001

A plan of action on ways to bring growth to Rector was tackled Monday night by Rector's new Business and Industrial Committee. After considering since last month the advantages of participating in the Arkansas Department of Economic Development's Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) program, members voted unanimously to formally commit to the project...

The Marmaduke Greyhounds slipped past the Corning Bobcats, 6-5, in high school basball action on Thursday. Tied at 5-all in the seventh, Marmaduke's Brandon Boone scored from second base on a single by Justin Newsom to pull out the win. Boone also fired a three-hitter striking out 12 in the win...

The Rector girls fell in a 9-4 decision to the Manila Lady Lions Monday night. Manila scored three runs in the first inning, one in the second, added two more in the third and fourth, and added an insurance run in the fifth. Hannah Massey, Sara Parmenter and Kocaina Lyles all picked up two hits apiece in the game...

The Piggott Lions Club is once again sponsoring a community benefit golf tournament at Sugar Creek Country Club. The Piggott Lions are this year sponsoring the fourth annual event with proceeds going towards the club's charitable efforts in the community. Various sight conservation projects, local scholarships, clothes and other items for needy children in the area are just a few of the causes that the Lions aid...

Rector pitcher Kyle Pruett continued firing heat Monday night as he tossed a three hit complete game shutout over the visiting Buffalo Island Central Mustangs Monday night in Rector. The Cougars opened up for four runs in the second inning off of Buffalo Island starting pitcher Ryan Wallace as they cruised to a 8-0 win which improved their season record to 10-3-1...

Robert J. Brown, 42, of Phoenix, Ariz., brother of Patricia Inman of Rector, died Saturday, April 7, 2001, in an accident at Phoenix. The son of the late Cecil and Aline (Shubert) Brown, he was a carnival employee and was of the Pentecostal faith. Other survivors include his wife, Patty (Ford) Brown, of Marianna; two daughters, Jessica Brown and Katelyn Brown, of the home; one brother, Steve Brown of Steele, Mo., and a host of aunts and uncles...

Around 300 people attended the 2001 Miss Crowley's Ridge Byway and Miss Teen Crowley's Ridge Byway pageant Saturday evening, March 31, at the Piggott Community Center. Lindsey Toland, 18, of Parkin was crowned as Miss Crowley's Ridge Byway and Katie Smart, 14, of Piggott as Miss Teen Crowley's Ridge Byway...

The emergency plan for the City of Rector was reviewed during a special meeting on Wednesday of last week at city hall. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate current readiness and to address issues of concern for the community. The meeting was called by mayor Ron Kemp and included police chief Tom Baker, fire chief Huston Bowden, city superintendent Todd Barker, administrative assistant Betty Benson and alderman Glenn Leach...

In a brief meeting Monday night, the Rector School Board heard reports from the high school and elementary school principals about the bustle of the last months of school. High school principal Rob Louder reported on the success of the drama department in its latest competition...

An October "Friends of the Community Center" dinner is being planned by the Rector Community Center committee to raise funds for maintenance of the facility and to honor Pauline Crockett, who with her late husband, Robert, gave a major contribution in 1991 to make the center a reality...

The Rector First Baptist Church will present performances Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14, of "To See A Miracle," featuring more than 30 children from the church and throughout the community. The Easter musical tells the story of the final days of Jesus' life and His resurrection through the eyes of several children. The production features eight songs with music by Tom Fettke and lyrics by Linda Rebuck...

There will be a womens fast pitch softball pitching and catching clinic in Kennett on Saturday, April 21 at the Indian Park softball field. The clinic will feature Joe Keene, one of America's most highly regarded softball pitching instructors. Also featured will be Angelia Stevenson, the first string catcher for Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge...