Stories from Wednesday, June 14, 2006

It was a softball fan's dream in Rector this past Friday and Saturday, as teams from all over the area gathered in Rector to take part in the ninth annual Dr Pepper/Pepsi Bash. Teams were broken up into four divisions: 14 and under; 12 and under; 10 and under and eight and under...

The Clay County Arts Council's annual Celebration of the Arts this year will feature the national award winning show "Greater Tuna," a two-act comedy sure to tickle the funny bone. The deadline for ordering tickets for the reserved-seat only event will be Friday, June 16. Those who wish to reserve tickets may call (870) 595-1444 or (870) 522-3377 in Rector or (870) 598-3303 in Piggott...

The question of Clay County's budget situation was the focus of a special Quorum Court financial committee meeting held at the Piggott Courthouse Monday night. Committee members James Jeffress, David Cagle and Dennis Haynes addressed and heard from a group of elected officials and county employees which included Judge Gary Howell and Sheriff Ronnie Cole...

A "Salute To Our Soldiers" will be sponsored Monday, June 26, by the Rector City Council. The event will honor local soldiers who have served, currently are serving or will serve in Iraq. A fish fry will begin at 5:30 at the Rector Community Center and serving will continue until 7 p.m., when a brief program will recognize the soldiers. Ken Roden, minister of the Fifth and Pine Church of Christ, will speak and offer a prayer for the soldiers. His son Kyle currently is serving in Iraq...

In a very brief meeting Monday night, Rector School superintendent Rob Louder informed school board members that construction of the new athletic facility is still on schedule. "Of course, there are lots of factors that can cause a delay," he cautioned. "but as of right now, things are still good."...

A little over 1,200 Clay County voters went to the polls in Tuesday's runoff election, and in the end voters across the state chose to disagree with them in one of the three races. Senator Tim Wooldridge won Clay County with a total of 1,024 votes to opponent Bill Halter's 229 votes in the runoff for the position of lieutenant governor; however, Halter went on to win the state. ...

Colonel Pat B. Gray (retired), USAF Medical Service Corps, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at age 79. Col. Gray was born March 17, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arch and Inez Gray; his wife, Joan Twitty Gray, and son, Pat B. Gray II. He is survived by his son, Gary and wife Arlene of LaVernia, Texas; one daughter, LeeAnn, of Warner Robins, Ga.; one sister, Carolyn Johnson of White Bear Lake, Minn.; nephew, Leland Blackshare of Rector, and cousin, Rosie Akers of Rector...

The 2006 Piggott Softball League has four teams slated for the 11-14 year-olds. The Settlemoir Construction team is coached by Dedra Settlemoir and Sharon Osburn. Members of the team include Sheleen Johnson, Heather Smith, Mollie Osburn, Paige Lockard, Brittany Johnson, Meagan Massey, Amber Beck, Taylor McGuire and Kaela Cox...

The 2006 Piggott Softball League has four teams for 7-10 year-old players. The Razorback Tire team is coached by Tammy Crossfield. Members of the team include Colby Crossfield, Anna McMillon, Colby Lynch, Kacey Crossfield, Michelle Haley, Sydney Tarno, Ally Taylor, Holly Boyd and Miranda Ermert...

Lady Mohawk basketball standout Lauren Hickson will be taking her tough, consistent play to the next level at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill. Hickson signed a letter of intent at the Piggott High School gymnasium on Thursday, officially becoming a member of the Lady Saints basketball team...

James Harold Lankford, age 65, of Searcy, a native of Rector, died Saturday, June 3, 2006. He was born Nov. 13, 1940, in Rector to James Howard and Ivalene Vangilder Lankford. He was retired from the United States Navy. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Glenda Faye Sullivan, and one niece, Kristi Sullivan Small...

Summer has clearly arrived and the Piggott Public Pool is helping area residents cool off by taking a dip at the facility. The sounds of laughter and children splashing in the water began heralding the arrival of summer when the pool opened at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 26...

The Piggott School Board accepted the resignation of head football and track coach Ken Shumate during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening in the Piggott High School Library. Superintendent Bruce Evans, board members Cliff Winberry, John Rodery, Shawn Parker, Neil Morgan and Robert Jackson and district academic advisor Joan Gossett were in attendance...

A set of shells from the Battle of Chalk Bluff were donated to the Civil War Re-enactors recently after being purchased at an estate sale. Jim Poole said he and Clay County Judge Gary Howell purchased the shells were purchased from the Tennie Johnson estate to keep them in Clay County. They then donated the five shells to the Chalk Bluff Civil War Re-enactors...

The question of Clay County's budget situation was the focus of a special Quorum Court financial committee meeting held at the Piggott Courthouse Monday night. Committee members James Jeffress, David Cagle and Dennis Haynes addressed and heard from a group of elected officials and county employees which included Judge Gary Howell and Sheriff Ronnie Cole...

The second planned benefit for the Clay County Future Farmers of America chapters will also help the victims of the tornado in Marmaduke on April 2. The concert will feature Wade Hayes on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, at the Clay County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena...

Ewell Edgar Baker, 83, of Piggott died Sunday, June 4, 2006, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born on Oct. 16, 1922, in Lawrence County, the son of the late Oscar and Alberta Herring Baker. He was united in marriage to Lois Rowland on June 17, 1940. They had four sons...

Raymond Chadwell, 76, of Piggott died Sunday, June 11, 2006, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born March 11, 1930, in Flint, Mich., the son of the late Raymond and Mildred Lane Chadwell. He was united in marriage to Claudine Rimmer in 1948 and they had five children. She preceded him in death in 2003. He was then united in marriage to Marie Roark on May 14, 2005...

Olive Piland, 94, of Piggott died June 10, 2006, in the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born July 31, 1911, in Piggott, the daughter of the late Samuel and Isadora Ellis Haley. She was united in marriage to Boman Ralph Piland on Dec. 25, 1932. They had two children...

A little over 1,200 Clay County voters went to the polls in Tuesday's runoff election, and in the end voters across the state chose to disagree with them in one of the three races. Senator Tim Wooldridge won Clay County with a total of 1,024 votes to opponent Bill Halter's 229 votes in the runoff for the position of lieutenant governor; however, Halter went on to win the state. ...