Stories from Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Valentine's Day had a very special meaning this year for the people of Clay County. A barbecue luncheon buffet was provided and catered by Harold's Barbecue of Corning on Friday at the M.B. Ainley Community Center with Congressman Marion Berry as special guest...

Ballooning compensation and vacation time spurred the Clay County Quorum Court to authorize the hiring of an additional county deputy at the Monday night meeting of the court in Corning. After much discussion of the deputies owed time, Cole said he would be satisfied with either buying out their time or hiring a new deputy. "Another deputy would come in handy, especially if a deputy needs to take time off for sickness or other reasons...

When a company has a name like Wise, it makes a community wonder what does it produce or manufacture? There are quite a few businesses and factories in our county that are well known but citizens are sometimes confused on what it actually does. The Wise Company produces and sells automobile, boat and tractor seats, and several other related components...

The junior boys brought their tumultuous season to a close on Thursday night in tournament action against Highland. Piggott finished third in the district, third in conference and had an overall record, 16-7 for the year. The Mohawks had momentum going into the semifinal game from their win over Hoxie earlier in the week, but they knew it would be tough to beat Highland with home court advantage; they were defeated, 52-40...

The junior girls fell short in their championship bid against Highland on Saturday. Piggott knew they would have a tough game, since they would face a team equal in talent. This game would be tough offensively and defensively for the Mohawks and would prove a true test for them. Piggott would show their talent, skills and heart as they fought to be district champions but they were defeated by four points, 36-32...

Lavada Leona Rainey Cash, 86, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2004. She was born Jan. 1, 1917, in Formosa, Ark., to Thomas Richard and Willie Myrtle Oates Rainey. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Richard and Willie Myrtle Oates Rainey; her husband, Robert James Cash; her daughter, Bette Joan Cash; her brother, Raymond Richard Rainey; and two sisters, Thelma Jean Rainey Gordon and Gwendolyn Ramona Rainey Hilley...

Madeline Helton, 86, of Bay City, Mich., formerly of Piggott, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, in the Carriage House Nursing Home in Bay City. She was born July 11, 1917, in Piggott, the daughter of the late Jesse T. and Hazel Parker Brown. She was united in marriage to Edd Elvin Helton on Oct. 13, 1934. To this union nine children were born...

Dorothy Todd, 65, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, in St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born April 11, 1938, the daughter of the late Louie "Doc" and Mary Bell Grissom Eason. She was united in marriage to Hershal Eddie Todd on Dec. 8, 1996...

Christine Cates, 96, of Farmington, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004, at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington. She was born Feb. 3, 1908, in Pocahontas, the daughter of the late John and Eva Hampton Beard. She was united in marriage to James Frank Cates. He preceded her in death on April 4, 1981...

The Rector Cougars' season came to an end Monday night in the district tournament at Caraway as they fell 52-47 to the Walnut Ridge Bobcats. The game was closely contested to the wire. The Cougars stayed alive until Ryan Belcher hit two free throws at 0:09 to settle the issue...

Rector's Cougars used the occasion of their last regular-season game of the year to post their third victory of the season, 57-55, at home Friday night against Ridgefield Christian. Junior guard Jay Beacham nailed an eight-footer with three seconds left to provide the winning margin for the Cougars...

WALNUT RIDGE -- The junior high district tournament championship of the 3AA-North Conference here Saturday night featured a rematch of last year finalists, the defending champion and unbeaten Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs and the Rector Lady Cougars. Last year it was the Mustangs who came out on top, but this year Rector exacted revenge, with a thrilling 38-37 come-from-behind victory to hand the Lady Mustangs their first loss of the season and give the Lady Cougars the tournament title...

Willow Irene LeGrand, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at Cedar Gate Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff. She was born Feb. 14, 1916, in Conway to the late Marvin and Pearl Gore. She was employed with Busman Fuse Company of St. Louis and was of the Baptist faith...

Felix Jefferson Edwards, also known as Billy Joe Simmons, 71, of Pocahontas, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at the VA Medical Center in Memphis. He was born July 29, 1932, in Rector to the late Desie (Riley) Edwards and Thomas Edwards. He was a welder...

Dorothy Todd, 65, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, in St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born April 11, 1938, the daughter of the late Louie "Doc" and Mary Bell Grissom Eason. She was united in marriage to Hershal Eddie Todd on Dec. 8, 1996...

Myrtle McDaniel, 94, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, at Rector Healthcare in Rector. She was born Dec. 7, 1909, in Antlers, Okla., to the late Euell and Motlney Low. She was a homemaker and a member of Antioch Baptist Church. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie McDaniel...

In a special meeting Monday night, the Rector City Council took under advisement a bid for re-roofing the community library. The only bid submitted was by Jonesboro Roofing, for $37,418. The bid is good for 60 days. Mayor Ron Kemp told the council that he is working with the Clay County Library Board for a plan for the project...

Valentine's Day had a very special meaning this year for the people of Clay County. A barbecue luncheon buffet was provided and catered by Harold's Barbecue of Corning on Friday at the M.B. Ainley Community Center with Congressman Marion Berry as special guest...

Ballooning compensation and vacation time spurred the Clay County Quorum Court to authorize the hiring of an additional county deputy at the Monday night meeting of the court in Corning. After much discussion of the deputies owed time, Cole said he would be satisfied with either buying out their time or hiring a new deputy. "Another deputy would come in handy, especially if a deputy needs to take time off for sickness or other reasons...

At Caraway Monday night, the Rector Lady Cougars were defeated 46-42 by the Lady Mustangs of Buffalo Island Central (BIC) in a first round district tournament game. As the Lady Cougars didn't want their season to come to an end on this night, they gave a noteworthy effort...