Stories from Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Piggott Community Hospital recently received the Press Ganey Compass Award for extraordinary improvements in patient satisfaction. The scores were calculated over a two-year period, from patient satisfaction surveys mailed to patients after their discharge. Piggott is one of only three hospitals in its size category to receive this award. The nationally recognized award is presented by Press Ganey Associates Inc., a leader in healthcare satisfaction measurement and improvement services...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks were downed 53-38 in conference action at Rector this past Monday. Despite an early lead, Piggott trailed at each break in the action: 15-9, 32-16 and 40-31. The Lady Mohawks were hot out of the gates, building a 9-0 advantage in the first three minutes of play. Unfortunately, that hot streak faded, as Rector went on a 24-0 run which lasted until well into the second quarter...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks recently participated in the Naylor Invitational Tournament and brought home a first place trophy. On Monday, Nov. 28, the Lady Mohawks first defeated Scott County Central. "We had a balanced scoring attack tonight," coach Jeff Priest said of the game. "Ashley, Lauren and Kortney all had great games. Kortney was a force on the inside and on the boards tonight. We still need to get better defensively, but I think we are starting to come together."...

The Piggott Mohawks placed second in the Naylor Invitational Tournament, which concluded on Friday, Dec. 2. The Mohawks defeated Couch on Tuesday, Nov. 29, with a final score of 48-39. The game was close during the first half, as evidenced by quarter scores of 10-10 and 18-18, but the Mohawks pulled ahead during the second half, with a third quarter score of 36-24. The Mohawks maintained the lead for the victory...

Elvia L. Permenter, 79, of Piggott died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, in the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born July 23, 1926, in Boydsville, the daughter of the late Luther and Ada Neeley Nettles. She was united in marriage to William "Bill" Permenter on May 5, 1944. They had two children...

Terry L. Vaughn, 53, of Piggott died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005, in the Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born March 9, 1952, the son of the late James Elvis and Frances Alice Kirk Vaughn. He was united in marriage to Karen Braman Smart on Oct. 20, 1984...

John "Jake" Wesley Beecher, 73, of McDougal died on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at his residence. He was born April 16, 1932, in Fisher, the son of Henry Ward Beecher and Cecil Hogan Beecher Malding. He was united in marriage to Arveda Melton on Oct. 29, 1955. They had four children...

Justin Pentecost, 19, of Neelyville, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. He was born Sept. 8, 1986, in Paragould, the son of Greg Baldwin and Theresa Pentecost. He was preceded in death by his mother, Theresa Creameans; grandparents, Johnny and Earlene Pentecost; and great-grandparents, Lee and Lizzie Williams...

Lyndon Turner, 80, of Piggott died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, in the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born March 13, 1925, in Ferris, Texas, the son of the late Iris Claude and Della Mae Cloud Turner. He was united in marriage to Icey Bowling on Dec. 21, 1984...

Ronald Edward Hasty, 66, of Piggott died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005, in the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was born Sept. 25, 1939, in Middle Brooke, Mo., the son of the late Jake Hasty and Gertrude Hasty. He was united in marriage to Margie Kinney on Oct. 28, 1972, in St. Louis...

For the upcoming Dec. 13 special election, the following election workers have been named: Tom Sneed, Una Pollard, Jennie Blake, Verna Lee Blake and Bailiff Lonnie Harmon. All voters from Bennett and Lemmons, Pollard, Chalk Bluff and Liddell, North St. Francis, South St. Francis and Payne and Swain precincts will vote in the Piggott Community Center between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m...

Music by the Delta String Quartet, a holiday fashion show, a delicious dinner and delectable chocolate treats are in store for those attending the Clay County Arts Council's annual Night of Chocolate event from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Rector Community Center...

The Piggott High School Parent Center is currently working on its first annual "Bring Your Grandparent to School Day". The event will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15. Each grandparent may attend one class per student they have in school. Forms have been sent home with PHS students and everyone must pre-register to attend...

With the forecast predicting snow as the week proceeds, at Saturday's annual Christmas Fest, Piggott may remind Santa Claus of his home at the North Pole. The annual event, which is sponsored by the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from from noon to 3 p.m. this Saturday (Dec. 10) on the courtsquare...

Area residents have seen the devastation that Hurricane Katrina and Rita caused to the gulf coast and may wonder what would be the expected results from an earthquake in the central U.S.? From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Piggott Community Center, located at 161 East Pfeiffer Street (Highway 49) in Piggott, a group of distinguished panel members will be on hand for a public discussion of the New Madrid seismic zone, emergency planning efforts, recent earthquakes, and general earthquake preparedness. ...

It's been an eventful year for Danny Ford, owner of Glen Sain automotive dealerships in Rector, Paragould and Kennett, Mo. Ford assumed ownership of Pannell Ford in Paragould in January and has closed out 2005 with the opening of his new facility in Kennett, a full-line General Motors dealership featuring Chevrolet, Cadillac, Pontiac, Buick and GMC trucks. ...

Inside the city limits of Rector is another little world where 81 dedicated staff members give loving care 24 hours a day to one of Rector's most valuable assets -- aging seniors and others who can no longer care for themselves at home. Rector Healthcare opened in December 2000 and quickly became established as a trusted place where loved ones can get the care and attention they need and deserve. ...

Formed in 1995 in response to a need for chamber music at weddings, receptions and other functions, the Delta Chocolate 'Night' in Rector String Quartet has performed throughout the Northeast Arkansas region and also was featured in the Discover the Delta chamber series sponsored by the Delta Symphony Orchestra and the Delta Heritage Initiatives...

Justin Pentecost, 19, of Neelyville, Mo., died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. He was born Sept. 8, 1986, in Paragould, the son of Greg Baldwin and Theresa Pentecost. He was preceded in death by his mother, Theresa Creameans; grandparents, Johnny and Earlene Pentecost; and great-grandparents, Lee and Lizzie Williams...

The Rector Lady Cougars were 53-38 winners over county rival Piggott in their matchup this past Monday. Rector held the advantage at each quarter break: 15-9, 32-16 and 40-31. Piggott got out to a 9-0 start, but were held scoreless for 10 minutes, as the Lady Cougars went on a 24-0 run, setting the home team up for the remainder of the game...

The Rector Cougars brought home their first victory of the season this past Friday with a 64-40 triumph over the Oak Ridge Central Roadrunners in Ravenden Springs. Rector led throughout: 16-13, 37-19 and 56-30. The Cougars were paced by the hot shooting of freshman guard Jackie Graham, 23 points, and senior guard Jake Holcomb, 21 points. ...

The Marmaduke Lady Greyhounds were big winners on the road this past Monday, topping host Bay 60-31. Marmaduke was in control throughout, leading 21-20, 33-15 and 49-23 at the quarter breaks. "I thought we came out with an edge as far as how we played," Marmaduke coach Spencer Hoffman said. ...

The Marmaduke Greyhounds were downed 56-40 by eventual champion Riverside in the semifinals of the Williams Baptist Tournament last week. Marmaduke trailed throughout: 18-10, 25-30 and 46-34. The Hounds fought back early in the second half, cutting it to a one-point game, but Riverside battled back behind Jordan Adcock's 26 points to end Marmaduke's hopes for a victory...