Stories from Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Basketball has returned to Marmaduke, exciting legions of die-hard Greyhound fans. Head coach Steve Richey and assistants Shane Robinson and Bill Muse have been preparing their squad for life in a new conference. The squad has moved up to the larger 3A-3 conference this year following an increase in the number of students...

The Marmaduke Lady Greyhounds have gotten off to a hot start, streaking to a 5-0 beginning with wins over Riverside, Sloan-Hendrix, Kirby and Bay before topping Delaplaine 50-29 on Monday. Not a bad way to start the season for a squad entering their first year in the 3A-3 conference...

A cold, rainy night greeted fans and players at Temerian field on Friday, as the Cougars played host to the Augusta Red Devils in their final home game of the season. The home finale was a tough one for Rector, as the squad was downed 40-0. Rector started the game with the ball at their own 19-yard-line. ...

Thelma Birdwell, 69, of Kennett, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett. Born July 5, 1937, in Harrisburg to the late J.W. Settlemire and Rosie Morris Settlemire, she was a retired waitress. Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Alma Joyce Rowland; brothers, Joe, William and Cecil Settlemire, and two sisters, Cordelia Ledbetter and Beatrice Duckworth...

Five Rector Elementary School gifted and talented students won first place Monday for their business plan at the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (YES) Expo at McCain Mall in North Little Rock. Each of the team members, Madison Cate, Lindsey Ford, Lenae Haley, Anna Blackshare and Haven Cagle, received a $100 cash prize. Their teacher, Gail Burns, received $500...

Twelve-year-old Ariel Dooley of Rector received the surprise of a lifetime Tuesday, Oct. 10, when she got to meet and visit personally with several of the nation's top gospel artists. As a special guest of Rector native Bill Carter, who produces the Gaither Homecoming videos in Nashville, Ariel, along with her parents, Bill and Letecia Dooley and her great-uncle and aunt, Joey and Janice Pruett of Rector, received the VIP treatment after arriving early in the day at Lebanon, Tenn., where a special Gaither Picnic was planned.. ...

The threat of contamination, either terroristic or naturally-occurring, involving chemical agents was the focus of a disaster drill held Tuesday of last week in Rector. The drill brought together several emergency personnel and agencies from the city of Rector, as well as Clay County...

The final volleyball match played in the current Piggott High School gym will go down in history as a great representation of the program over the past 20 years. The Lady Mohawks ended their regular season last week with an exciting win over a much bigger school as the team prepped for yet another trip to the state volleyball tournament...

In a game that had strong playoff implications the Piggott Mohawks visited Hoxie Friday night and came out on the short end of a 27-18 decision. Despite the loss the Mohawks are still in contention for a playoff spot as the fourth seed from 3-AAA, but several things must happen before that dream can be realized...

Lavelle Eugene Gettings, 59, of Quinton, OK., passed away Oct. 15, 2006, in Quinton. He was born Feb. 12, 1947 in Pollard to John and Clara (Vaughn) Gettings. He is survived by his wife, Sandra of the home, five sisters, Narene Howard of Festus, MO., Christine Clifford of St. Louis, Alice Island, of Arnold, MO., June Neeley of McDougal, Maggie Jones, of Perry, KS., tow brothers, Wilburn Gettings of Piggott, J.D. Gettings of LaPorte, TX., and many nieces, nephews, and friends...

Myrl Rae O'Neal, 73, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006, in Kansas City, Mo. Born Aug. 21, 1933, in Kennett, Myrl was a daughter of the late James A. and Effie L. Trobaugh Lynn. She lived in Wichita, Kans., from 1972 to 2003, where she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for the Wichita Vocational Techical School until 1981 and as a licensed real estate agent until the late 1980s...

Billie J. (Bess) Russell, 82, of Hardy passed away October 15, 2006, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home. She was born in Piggott, the daughter of the late John. H. Bess, a veterinarian, and Sarah Ella (Long) Bess, a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Theron E. ...

Paul James "Jim" Cory, 44, of O'Fallon, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, at his home. He was born April 15, 1962, in St. Louis and was the son of James Allen Cory and Stella L. Williams. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ben Williams and his stepfather, Robert Rockwell...

Charles Thomas Kemper, 76, of Piggott, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, at Piggott Community Hospital. He was united in marriage to Ida Imogene Aliston on July 10, 1979. He was a retired employee of the American Can Company in St. Louis. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church and a member of the Moose Lodge...

Thomas Robert West, 67, of Piggott died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, in the St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Nov. 20, 1938 in Doniphan, Mo. to the late Luther and Rosie Belcher West. He was united in marriage to Zettie Dean Reed on June 8, 1957 To this union two children were born...

Regardless of the time that passes, moving isn't an easy thing. Sure, I'll admit there's always that little bit of excitement about getting to a new place, but there also is nervousness. The wife and kids have finally joined me here--much to my relief. Remember, I've been here two months already. Our dog arrived just a few days before them when I brought him back with me from Tennessee...

The Piggott Junior Band hosted their annual fall concert Monday night at the PHS gym, giving family and friends an opportunity to see the progress they've made since last spring. The Junior Band is under the direction of Brian Pearson who came to the district after serving as the assistant director at Rivercrest last year. Pearson takes care of the Junior Band and is conducting the "Swingin' Mohawks jazz band this school year, in addition to working with band department head Jon Fulkerson...

Hand quilting is slowly becoming a lost art. Sewing machines have nearly replaced all the work that was once done by hand. But to the ladies of First General Baptist Ladies Aid, it is a part of their weekly schedule and is not forgotten. Last Monday was no different as six were present and busy quilting...

November 7 is election day, and as good citizens, everyone should exercise their right to vote. It's equally important that voters know who and what they will be voting for or against. There are several state positions on the ballot as well as some local issues...