Stories from Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Five hundred of the finest Soldiers from Arkansas, Indiana and Vermont stand ready to take on their mission in Iraq. On Saturday, September 23, the 875th Engineer Battalion stood in formation on the Fort McCoy, Wis., parade field and belted out the unit motto, "ready and willing," during a deployment ceremony marking the end of their training...

…is the rally cry of the Iraq Paks volunteer group. The kick-off pep rally, held Monday Sept. 25 was a tremendous success. Many people from the community attended to show support for the 875th Engineer Battalion and other U.S. troops. "They will need continued support for the next 12 to 18 months," said Renee Hicks, one of the five member volunteer committee put together to organize efforts...

Automobiles are one of the most unique objects in the world. Though the basic design may tend to follow a certain uniformity, the emotions a vehicle brings forth from its owner allows the non-living metal frame to nearly have a personality of its own...

Here's a question for you Mohawk sports fans. What Piggott High teams have posted six district championships and nine second place finishes in the past 13 years? If you said the girl's and boy's tennis programs you get a gold star. Since head coach Paul Seegraves started the program back in 1993 the girls have never finished lower than third in the district, while the boys have never finished lower than fourth. Plus he has placed at least one player on the "all district" team each year...

Friday night the Piggott Mohawks visited the Corning Bobcats with first place in conference on the line. In the end, the young Mohawks ran out of time, and a battered Bobcat team prevailed 18-14. To say there were a lot of interesting side stories to the game would be a gross understatement. ...

Mabel Earlean Patterson passed away at the age of 92, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, at the Murphy Health and Rehabilitation Center in Piggott. She was born on Dec. 13, 1913, the daughter of the late Shirley and Millie (Gage) Wilson. Mrs. Patterson attended the First Methodist Church in Piggott until she was no longer able. She worked at the Brown Shoe Company in Piggott for many years...

Last week I talked about my football-playing-near Phd.-wife, but any parent worth their salt enjoys talking a bit about their kids when you mention family. My parents say it becomes a whole new ballgame, though, when you introduce grandkids. I don't know about that yet. ...

Thanks to the Gates Grant, the Piggott public library has added five public access computers. The grant comes from funds originating from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Started in 1994, the Foundation has given more than 11 billion dollars for a variety of causes, primarily technology. ...

The Piggott Chamber of Commerce is excited about this year's annual Fall Banquet. Be careful, though, if you ask them about it, they'll be happy to tell you. So to save you an exciting conversation with them, all the details are presented here. The banquet, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, at the Piggott Community Center, has a full slate of activities planned...

Like a small ship in the middle of a squall, the Cougars found themselves in rough seas this past Friday as they journeyed to Walnut Ridge to meet the Bobcats on the gridiron. The hosts brought a high energy level to the game, which was their Homecoming celebration. In the end, Rector was downed 31-8...

Lottie Eva Householder, 89, of Trumann, formerly of Rector, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, at Trumann Health Rehab. She was born Sept. 19, 1917, in Hunter, Mo., to the late T.L. Lowe and Nettie Swigert. She was a homemaker and of the Methodist faith...

Gwendolyn Bucy, 83, of Rector died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, at her home. She was born July 15, 1923, in Greenway to the late Fred Dixon Jowell and Flossie Alcorn Jowell. She also was preceded in death by her first husband, Everett Bucy, on Dec. 26, 2000, her second husband, Matthew Hauck, on Feb. 10, 2005, and a grandson, Jason Bucy...

As the rebuilding process at Marmaduke nears its completion, the local school district can now turn its eyes to the future. On Monday, the district's preschool students were able to move to their new classrooms. The rooms, located in the elementary building, were damaged during April's destructive tornado. ...

An accident Monday night near Marmaduke involving an overturned tractor claimed the life of a four-year-old boy and left his father injured. According to Capt. Bruce Drope of the Greene County Sheriff's Department, an emergency 911 call came through at approximately 7:10 p.m. ...

The City of Rector continues its preparation of a new website. Sandra Roussel, who has been working on the construction of the site, addressed mayor Ron Kemp and aldermen Mac Manchester, David Freeman, Glenn Leach and Cam Cate concerning the issue. Roussel said at Monday's monthly city council meeting that she submitted a six page proposal to Leach which contained many of her ideas for the site...

The Junior Cougars picked up a crucial victory at Marked Tree last Thursday in impressive fashion, winning 24-8. All cylinders were firing on both ends of the field for the boys from Rector, as the young squad looked sharp on both offense and defense...