Stories from Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The Cougars faced a tough task last Friday, as they journeyed to Marked Tree to face the conference-leading Indians. Overmatched and outnumbered, the boys from Rector were decimated, 61-6. The Indians got things started in a hurry, scoring three touchdowns in just over three minutes. ...

The city of Rector will be the focal point for several emergency crews at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, as the city will host a disaster drill. The drill, which will take place on the western end of town to make use of the school, will simulate emergency response in a time of need...

Six candidates are vying for the position of mayor in Marmaduke. As the November 7 election approaches, the highly contested race takes center stage in the small town's political landscape. Incumbent mayor Nileane Drope is being challenged by Byron Phillips, Robert Dowler, Melissa Carter Vinson, Charlotte Vangilder and Kathryn Eddington...

Financial concerns surrounding the County General budget were raised once more at Monday's Quorum Court meeting in Corning. According to county treasurer Carolyn Morrissett, there is approximately $228,000 in County General at the moment. Much of the addition has come from the payment of taxes in the county...

James William (Bill) Thomas, 50, of West Plains, Mo., died Sunday Sept. 24, 2006 in his home. He was born June 22, 1956 in St. Louis, to Virginia (Evers) Smith and Jim Thomas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Thomas; and grandparents, James Leo and Blanche Evers and Bob and Gladys Thomas, all of Rector...

The Junior Cougars took another step toward claiming class AA conference 3 champions with a convincing 26-6 victory over Turrell Thursday night at Temerian Field in Rector. Rector took a 6-0 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. The young Cougars put together a 14 play drive, which came to its conclusion with a two yard carry up the gut by John Smith. The try for two was denied...

With so many similes already out there about sports, it makes me feel like an unoriginal hack to use one here, but that's not enough to stop me. An athletic program is like a recipe in that different ingredients are prepared over time to create the finished product. (I know that's corny, but I promise it goes along with the main point of this week's column.)...

The past week has been a roller coaster for the Piggott senior volleyball squad as they begin to prep for the upcoming state tournament in Harrison. Last Tuesday the girls avenged an earlier season loss by beating Crowley's Ridge Academy 25-21, 23-25, 25-10 and 25-14 at Paragould. ...

They've done it again! Thanks to their performances at last week's district tournament at Jonesboro both Piggott High tennis squads are taking part in the state tournament. The Piggott girls claimed the district championship by beating Harrisburg 11-0, Corning 11-7, EPC 11-7 and Cave City 11-8. ...

If you take Highway 1 south out of Piggott and stay on it for about 145 miles you come to Walnut Corners, in the community of Barton. At that intersection is Barton High and their historic football field. The teams that have played there over the years are the stuff legends are made of; 111 regular-season wins in a row, five years without a loss from 1986 thru 1990, and seven state championships in the single A division over an eleven year period...

Elbert Ray Farmer, 85, of Ponca City, Okla., formerly of Hobbs, died Oct. 9, 2006 in the home of his daughter, Marsha Rae Nichols in Ponca City. Funeral services were Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at Prairie Haven Memorial Park Chapel with Dr. Dean Mathis officiating. Farmer will be buried next to his wife, Mildred Bernice Linzy Farmer...

The American Cancer Society estimates that 212,920 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. ACS estimates that 40,970 will die from the disease. They also suggest that women over the age of 70 have twice the chance of developing the disease as women aged 50. 80% of the women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease...

Financial concerns surrounding the County General budget were raised once more at Monday's Quorum Court meeting in Corning. According to county treasurer Carolyn Morrissett, there is approximately $228,000 in County General at the moment. Much of the addition has come from the payment of taxes in the county...

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Piggott City Council gave residents a chance to voice their complaints about cable and internet provider Cebridge/Suddenlink…and voice them they did. After a quick approval of last month's minutes, Mayor Gerald Morris introduced Steve Bell and Jim Robinson, both of Cebridge Cable Company. ...

When David Brown's pastor encouraged his congregation to make missions something to actively take part in, Brown responded. From September 23-29, Brown was part of a 15 person mission team that went to Pascagoula, MS. "He challenged us to put our money where our mouth is," said Brown of Lee Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church. "He encouraged us to make missions more than simply putting money in a plate as it passes by."...

Moving is never really easy on anyone. And I'm not talking about moving from East Piggott to West Piggott. I'm talking about a complete relocation. Not just a new home, but a new school, new doctors, new church, etc. Moving is especially hard on kids. ...

Betty Lewis, 79, of Piggott, died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Nov. 4, 1926, in Piggott to Ott W. and Amy Pearl (Looney) McDowell. She was united in marriage to Adrian D. Lewis on Dec. 18, 1948 and to this union three children were born...

Faye Seal, 91, of Piggott, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006 at Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree, Ark. She was born Nov. 26, 1914, in Everton, Ark. to James Richard and Alice (Ramsey) Arnold. She was preceded in death by parents and a son, Ronnie Seal...

Vernetta Holifield, 61, of Corning, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006. She was born Feb. 19, 1945, in McDougal to Cletus Doyle Tinsley and Nettie Laverne (Miller) Tinsley. Miss. Holifield was a CNA and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, a daughter, Kimberly Nixon and a brother, Dale Tinsley...

Homecoming activities have been going on throughout the week at Piggott High School, all leading up to Friday night's football game against Hughes at Parker Field. This year's homecoming queen is Jessica Ingram, daughter of Chris and Janice Ingram...