Stories from Thursday, August 31, 2006

Long-time Piggott resident Otis Book has compiled his memoirs about his early life growing up near Call's Chapel, as well as his time in the army during World War II. "It's something that's been on my mind for a number of years," Book, 82, said of his personal tale through history. "I kept putting it off, but I finally decided I was just going to do it."...

Two Corning residents were arrested on drug charges Monday afternoon, Aug. 28, after the Clay County Sheriff's Department executed a search at their home at 104 S.W. Second Street in Corning. Scott Taylor, 36, and Shannon Taylor, 32, were taken into custody. Both currently are incarcerated at the Clay County Jail pending a probable cause hearing...

A host of additions and improvements have been made to Heritage Park this year, as the Piggott Parks and Recreation department continues its goal of providing residents with the best, most up-to-date facilities available. At the moment, the newest addition to the park is the playground equipment currently being installed. ...

Mary Jane McKeel, 77, of Kennett died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born June 26, 1929, in Russellville, Ark., and was the daughter of the late Silas T. and Charles Earle Pennington Redmond. She was united in marriage to William H. McKeel on May 30, 1952. The couple had two children...

The stands at Parker Field were alive again with activity and fans on Thursday, Aug. 24. The Senior Mohawks football team was about to take the field for the first time during the 2006 season. The reason was a scrimmage game against the Cavemen of Cave City...

The Piggott High School tennis teams began their 2006 season on Tuesday, Aug. 22, by facing Westside in Jonesboro. Westside was the 3AAA District Champions and the AAA State Runnerup in the 2005 season, so the Mohawks knew the team would be hard to handle...

The Piggott Mohawks peewee football teams traveled to the home of the Trumann Wildcats to participate in the jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 25. The fourth/fifth grade team took to the field first. This was the first time on the field for a game for many of the young athletes. ...

The old Rector gymnasium is completely gone now, a bare gravel lot in its place, but for thousands of Rector students, coaches, teachers, parents, friends and rivals, memories of the building, and all that took place within its walls, will live on forever...

Rector is buzzing with activity this week as volunteers make final preparations for the community's big event of the year, the 2006 Labor Day Picnic. The widely-proclaimed celebration brings back to Rector each year thousands of former residents who look forward to grand reunions and lots of time for laughter and visiting, and while hundreds of local folks are busy working at various picnic jobs, they, too, enjoy the unique opportunity for seeing old friends and sharing a day of community fellowship.. ...

Jewell Doyne Hayes lost his battle with cancer Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at the age of 62. He was born Sept. 2, 1943, in Rector to the late Ira and Mozell Smith Hayes. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1964. In addition to his basic training, he also completed Airborn School, Officer Candidate School and Army Flight School...

Jay Cletis Bounds, 64, of Paragould died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katrinka (Story) Bounds; his parents, Shirl and Wilma Bounds; brothers, Doyle and Clifford, and a sister, Pauline (Penny) Oglesby. He was of the Pentecostal faith...

Enos Oscar Pollard, 86, of Rector, died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at Piggott Community Hospital. Born Jan. 29, 1920, in Carryville to the late Ray and Lee Pollard, he was a farmer and of the Church of Christ faith. Also preceding him in death were his wife, Flossie Pollard; five brothers, Joe, Sylvester, Duward, Floyd and Hulen Pollard; one sister, Mary Bell Pelts, and one grandchild...

The Junior Cougars were in action at Temarian Field last Tuesday, as the young team took on teams from Jonesboro Westside and Manila in a jamboree. Each contest consisted of two 12 minute periods. First up, the Junior Cougars faced Jonesboro Westside. The young boys from Rector refused to be intimidated by the larger team, fighting to a 0-0 stalemate through the opening period...

The Cougar football teams of today and years past met on Temarian Field this past Saturday in the first Young vs. Old game. The contest was played by flag football rules. In accordance with the rules, each team's offense began play at the opposing 45-yard-line and required 15 yards for a first down. Both sides used the same end zone. A player was ruled down when their belt, adorned with colorful flags, was removed during play...