Stories from Wednesday, May 7, 2003

Four valedictorians, who all have 4.0 grade point averages, will be honored at the Piggott High School Class of 2003 graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. this Friday in the high school gymnasium. The valedictorians are Amanda Johnson, James Cox, Chris Johnson and Amanda Bagwell...

Arkansas lawmakers are back in Little Rock this week, attempting to put a state budget into place before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. On Tuesday the House approved House Bill 1039, which will raise the general revenue needed for the new budget, according to State Rep. Travis Boyd...

Hundreds turned out to see the special Civil War reenactments this weekend at Chalk Bluff Park that were held commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Chalk Bluff. Danny Honnoll of Jonesboro said the 10 cannons at the park was the largest period gathering in Northeast Arkansas in the past 10 years...

A benefit basketball game featuring the Rector High School faculty versus the Piggott High School faculty is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the RHS gymnasium. Proceeds of the game will be divided between the two schools' athletic departments. Admission is $1...

The Piggott boys and girls tennis teams both won district championships this past week at the district meet held April 28 at Pocahontas. In the boys division, Piggott took first place with 10 points followed by Highland with six, Pocahontas with five, Newport one and Corning zero. The boy's team finished the season with a 15-2 record -- the best in PHS history...

The boys have been working hard on the weights in the off season and now it is time to get an early run-through on the field. Next week begins spring football practices across the state and Piggott head football coach Scott Morgan is eager to get the Mohawks ready for the 2003 season...

This year's Piggott track and field team has been unusually busy compared to other Piggott track teams of the past several years. This is due to PHS head track and field coach Scott Morgan's aggressive scheduling and track interests. "We're just trying to get faster. ...

Mayzell Permenter, 82, of Piggott died Thursday, May 1, 2003, in the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born June 5, 1920, in Pollard, the daughter of the late Dennis T. and Piny Elizabeth Mayo Green. She was united in marriage to Jesse H. Permenter on January 12, 1937. To this union three daughters were born...

Peggy Rushing, 35, of Senath died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in Senath. She was born Nov. 15, 1967, the daughter of Mary Sproal Burgess and the late Thomas Harland Isbell. She was united in marriage to Bobby Rushing on August 27, 2002. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Rushing of Senath; two children, Berry Andrew Turner of Kennett and Brandee Renee Rushing of Senath; two step-daughters, Bobbie Brooks and husband, Chris, of Senath and Jennie Hunter and husband, Michael, of Senath; two step-sons, Robbie Rushing and wife, Vonda, of St. ...

Delores Lydia Ellen Johnson, 68, of Pollard died Saturday, May 3, 2003 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born June 19, 1934, in Clay County, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Van Buren Rodery, Sr., and Della Mable Smith Rodery...

Lucy E. Healey, 82, of Rockford, Ill., died April 24, 2003, at Alden Nelson Debes Sub-acute Facility. She was born May 20, 1920, in Piggott to Druey and Tennie Edwards. She married Herbert C. Healey, Jr., April 15, 1950. To this union one son was born. She was the loving mother of Herbert C. Healey, III...

David Pierce, 46, of Corning died May 3, 2003, at Three Rivers North in Poplar Bluff. He was born Nov. 2, 1956, in St. Louis to Ruth Mae (Cooper) Cavitt and Donald Pierce. Mr. Pierce was a land surveyor and truck driver. He served the McDougal community as a member of the volunteer fire department...

Garry Lynn Mollencup, 53, of Pocahontas died Monday, May 5, 2003. He was born January 28, 1950, in Pocahontas to Inell Molencupp and Clead Molencupp. He was preceded in death by his father, Clead Molencupp. He is survived by his mother, Inell Molencupp of Maynard; his wife, Ruth Molencupp of Pocahontas; two sons, Jeremy and Joshua Molencupp of Pocahontas; one daughter, Jamie Bell of Pocahontas; one grandson, Dustin Shorts of Rockford, Ill.; one twin brother, Jerry Molencupp of Piggott; two sisters, Peggy Amann of Pocahontas and Gina Sisson of Piggott.. ...

Vonda Lee Hinkle, 77, of Piggott died May 3, 2003, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Feb. 5, 1926, in Greenway to John and Lela (Bradford) Davis. She was united in marriage to Bill Hinkle. Mrs. Hinkle retired from the Brown Shoe Factory. She was a member of the South Thornton Church of Christ...

Clyde H. Bolton, 96, of Puxico, Mo., formerly of Rector, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, at his home. He was born March 20, 1907, in Rector, the son of the late John and Ella Bolton. Mr. Bolton was a mechanic at Glen Sain Motors in Rector and attended the First Church of God in Piggott...

An estimated 2,700 bills were introduced during the 84th General Assembly on topics ranging from tort and education reform to various forms of new taxes. State Rep. Travis Boyd introduced around 15 bills, most of which were passed into law. Among them were House Joint Resolution 1006 that will amend state term limits if approved by Arkansas' voters in the November 2004 General Election...

Arkansas lawmakers are back in Little Rock this week, attempting to put a state budget into place before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. On Tuesday the House approved House Bill 1039, which will raise the general revenue needed for the new budget, according to State Rep. Travis Boyd...

A photograph has been located of the old veterans monument that once stood in Rector Downtown Park. Irma Hardin loaned the photo to project coordinator Glenn Leach. Leach said he believes the monument was made of wood and contained the names of local World War II veterans...

Two valedictorians will be honored at the Rector High School Class of 2003 graduation ceremony at 8 p.m. this Friday in the high school gymnasium. The valedictorians are Sara Parmenter and Kay Hall. Other top graduates of the RHS Class of 2003 will be recognized and scholarships will be presented during the commencement exercises...

An estimated 2,700 bills were introduced during the 84th General Assembly on topics ranging from tort and education reform to various forms of new taxes. State Rep. Travis Boyd introduced around 15 bills, most of which were passed into law. Among them were House Joint Resolution 1006 that will amend state term limits if approved by Arkansas' voters in the November 2004 General Election...

Carl William Eaton, 81, of El Paso, Texas, formerly of Rector, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003. Mr. Eaton was a 37-year resident of El Paso following his retirement from the military. He served his country honorably as a 22-year veteran in the U.S. Army, serving in both World War II and the Korean War as well as tours in Germany and France. During his career, he was honored as Soldier of the Year and Father of the Year...

Clyde H. Bolton, 96, of Puxico, Mo., formerly of Rector, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, at his home. He was born March 20, 1907, in Rector, the son of the late John and Ella Bolton. Mr. Bolton was a mechanic at Glen Sain Motors in Rector and attended the First Church of God in Piggott...

Orvil Trammell, 53, of Corning died April 21, 2003, at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock. He was born Oct. 15, 1949, in McDougal, the son of the late Fred Les Trammell and Ruby (Weaks) Trammel. He married Sharon Kay Schefer on March 10, 1969. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Willie Trammell and Dub Trammel, and three sisters, Fronte Bopp, Pauline Tyson and Velma Marie Carpenter...

PARAGOULD -- The Rector High School track team traveled south to Greene County Tech last Thursday to participate in the 2AA-South district track meet. The senior girls did extremely well as they won the event for the second year in a row. The senior boys performed well in the two mile relay qualifying for state in the event...

in regionals By RONNIE HARDIN Democrat Sports Staff The Marmaduke Lady Greyhounds season came to an end Saturday as they fell 15-0 to a powerful Gillette team at the Class AA Region 4 Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament at Walnut Ridge. Jona Howell, the Gillett pitcher, struck out 10 Lady Hounds as she only allowed two hits and one walk. Brooke Grigsby and Lauren Wright both hit singles for the Lady Hounds...

5-6 Year Old Underwood's Coaches: Ragena Hardin, David Robinson Players: Nicklous Hardin, Seth McAfee, Brittni Huggins, Hannah Huggins, Emily Huggins, Clayton Henderson, Kasen Green and Macey Barnum. Irby's Coaches: Stephen Crancer, Kirk Ford Players: Landen Crancer, Grayson Crancer, Marla Crancer, Brittany Fair, Kristopher Retherford, Lawson Ford, Kade Scott, Nikolus McCormick and Kaitlynn Chapin...

A benefit basketball game featuring the Rector High School faculty versus the Piggott High School faculty is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the RHS gymnasium. Proceeds of the game will be divided between the two schools' athletic departments. Admission is $1...