Stories from Wednesday, June 12, 2002

State Rep. George French of Monticello, a native of Clay County, carried the county in Tuesday's Democratic run-off for state commissioner of lands, according to unofficial election results. But statewide French reportedly lost to opponent Mark Wilcox of Greenbrier, who is currently serving as Faulkner County tax collector. Wilcox will face Republic Dennis Wohlford of Bentonville in the November General Election...

A proposal to improve the road to Chalk Bluff will provide an all-weather access to the park near St. Francis. The roadway slated for improvements extends from the crossroads on County Road 341, west of St. Francis, north to the park drive. Randy Lemmons, district conservationist with the Clay Conservation District, said the proposal's tentative draft contains provisions for drainage, site preparation, road bed construction, utility relocation and an asphalt overlay...

After compiling an overall record of 59-33 during his three years as Piggott Mohawk head boys basketball coach, Steve Wilson is calling it quits in Piggott. Wilson recently turned in his resignation after leading the Mohawks to the regional tournament three years in a row...

Richard Lillyroot, 67, of Rock Ledge, Fla., died Monday, June 3, 2002, at his home. He was born April 29, 1935, in Appleton, Wisc., the son of the late Harvey and Hycnith VanAbel Lillyroot. He was united in marriage to Rose Haywood on July 28, 1977...

Lelon Estes, 71, of St. Charles, Mo., died May 28, 2002, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Jan. 28, 1931, in Marion County, Ala., the son of the late John and Cannie (Hannie) Estes. He was also preceded in death by four brothers and one sister...

Marguerite Grider, 97, formerly of Jonesboro, died Sunday, May 26, 2002, at Intergrated Health Services in Raleigh, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie B. Grider, and one grandson. Graveside services were held at Piggott Cemetery on May 30, with Grider Thrasher officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home of Jonesboro...

Bessie Ervin, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Corning, died on June 5, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare South in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born on October 14, 1916, in Corning, the daughter of the late John William Hefner and Freda Irene Emmons...

Donald Ray Reeves, 74, lost his battle with lung and bone cancer on June 2, 2002. He was born on April 29, 1928, in Melbourne, Ark., to Cleo and Grace Reeves who preceded him in death. He lived in Piggott until moving to Michigan with his family as a young man. He has resided in Dearborn Heights, Mich., for over 40 years. He worked for General Motors-Chevrolet Division with the Creative Services Department before his retirement...

O'Connell "Nell" Embry, 74, of St. Charles, Mo., died June 4, 2002, at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. He was born on Aug. 28, 1927, in Blodgett, Mo., to the late O'Connell Bradley Embry and Doris Keith Embry. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy...

The Piggott District School Board passed a motion Monday night to reject all bank bids on district accounts from Piggott State Bank and Regions Bank. In a motion made by Robert Jackson and seconded by David Moody, the board agreed to rebid the accounts taking item 2 out of the bid contract that stated that all interest bearing accounts would not fall below 3 percent at any given time...

The Piggott City Council tabled items on the agenda after discussion during regular session Monday evening. Aldermen reviewed an ordinance to annex property owned by Todd Watson. City Attorney John Lingle said the ordinance, which was prepared by Watson's attorney, could not be approved in its current form, citing problems with descriptions of court proceedings, typographical errors and wording...

Almost 50 booths will be displayed and almost 70 door prizes will be given away during the first annual East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging health fair on Friday. The health fair will open to the public at 10 a.m. at the Piggott Community Center. Several health care providers from Piggott, Rector, Paragould, Corning, Jonesboro and Pocahontas will be participating...

McDonald's of Paragould were crowned as champions late Saturday afternoon in the 10-and-under bracket at the Dr. Pepper Bash girls softball tournament in Rector. LA Darling of Paragould placed third with Marmaduke's Arkansas Bail Bonds finishing second...

For Johhny and Susie McCarroll, being directors of the 5th Annual Dr. Pepper Bash meant more than just overseeing a weekend of girls softball games. The husband and wife duo, along with their children, Abbe' and Blake, made the Saturday and Sunday tournament more than just a day at the ballpark they made it a family and community-wide learning experience...

Several local teams made a good showing at the fifth annual Dr. Pepper Bash girls softball tournament held at Rector over the weekend. Twenty one teams representing three age groups and playing two styles of softball would battle each other and some very diversified weather. ...

Tantalizing aromas drift from the kitchen of the Parkside Restaurant, where husband and wife team Alan and Lori Cavaness work together to supply residents of the Rector area with a delicious menu of breakfasts, dinners and desserts. The couple purchased and reopened the restaurant in January, and have been enjoying their busy life as restaurateurs ever since. Although they had never owned a restaurant before, they said they felt confident that they could "make a go of it."...

A new antique car show will be a highlight of Marmaduke's 2002 Fourth of July Picnic, to be held this year on Saturday, June 29. As always, the event also will feature a big parade, beauty contests, talent, great food and lots of other fun for the entire family...

Toys of all kinds will be featured when the Rector Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Toy Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Rector Community Center. Final details of the event were discussed by Chamber members in a meeting Wednesday, June 5, at the Community Center conference room...

Early signs are that the war to eradicate boll weevils in Arkansas' cotton crop is making significant progress in all active eradication areas, and Michael Wilson, ABWEP district supervisor for the Rector office, says he is pleased with the area's progress...

State Rep. George French of Monticello, a native of Clay County, carried the county in Tuesday's Democratic run-off for state commissioner of lands, according to unofficial election results. But statewide French reportedly lost to opponent Mark Wilcox of Greenbrier, who is currently serving as Faulkner County tax collector. Wilcox will face Republic Dennis Wohlford of Bentonville in the November General Election...

On Tuesday June 4, in Junior Little League play, Smoots defeated Banning's 14-7. Dylan Vangilder and C. J. Isom each had 3 hits for Smoots while Collin Carr hit a homerun. In Little League play Action One Realty beat American State Bank 4-3. Andrew Mitchell was the winning pitcher and John Thompson had 2 hits for Action One. Trent Smith homered for Action One...