Stories from Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Tim Huffman didn't realize as a youngster that his love for fishing would turn into six published books. But the 1970 graduate of Piggott High School has just authored and published Crappie Fishing Tactics, his sixth book about fishing. Huffman, who graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with a Biomedical Engineering Technology degree in 1977, is a biomedical engineering technician at the Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center. ...

Josh and Jennifer Jackson have taken a huge step in their newly married life. Not married a year, the couple has taken that big plunge: no, it's not a baby--the Jackson's have opened their own business. Jackson's Auto Service and Detail opened for business on Wednesday, March 7. Josh is from the Leechville, Manila area where his family owns two service stations; one in Manila and one in Monett...

Police officer Randy Dennis has been with the Piggott police force for 16 years. But now he's saying goodbye and moving to Florida. Dennis spoke briefly to the Piggott City Council in their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 19. "I just want to take this opportunity to thank the city," said Dennis. ...

The fifth grade boys team had a terrific year of basketball. After losing all starters and only one returning player with very limited playing time, these Mohawks earned their way. After an intensive preseason conditioning and learning program, the Mohawks began the season with medium expectations. ...

The young Piggott Mohawk baseball squad continues to fine-tune as the spring season progresses. And despite a 1-6 mark, the team is showing improvement in practice. Recent non-conference games against Gosnell and Pocahontas were called-off, so coaches Brock Swann and Shawn Hearn have been drilling the team on the field and in the batting cage...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks have had a busy week on the softball diamond, playing seven games since last Thursday, all at Independence Park. Tuesday afternoon they were scheduled to visit Hoxie, weather permitting, and this Thursday EPC comes to town for a twin-bill...

Lewis A. Toombs, 98, of Piggott, died Monday, March 19, 2007, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born May 24, 1908, in Pollard, and was the son of the late W.O. and Diana Melton Toombs. Lewis was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church since 1929...

Leonard Steward, 47, of Piggott, died Friday, March 16, 2007, at his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1959, in Aurora, Ill., and was the son of Winard and Gearldean Tankersley Steward. He was married to Mary Collins on Jan. 5, 1999. He was preceded in death by his father, Winard and one brother, Rickie...

Philip Benjamin Bridgeman, 76, of Piggott, died Sunday, March 18, 2007, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was a Southern Baptist, a twenty-two year Air Force Veteran, a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Bridgeman bought a pecan orchard before entering into the military in 1951 with plans to operate the business when he ended his time in service. ...

William Arthanel Brandon, 87, of Piggott, died Saturday, March 10, 2007, at his home in Piggott. He was born March 30, 1919, in Leachville, Ark., the son of the late Sylvester and Eva Davis Brandon. He was united in marriage to Lola Thomas on April 4, 1992...

Martha T. Pruett Frederick, 87, of Paragould, formerly of Kennett, died Monday, March 12, 2007 at Green Acres Nursing Home in Paragould. She was born Nov. 10, 1919 in Remal, AR., to the late Edward Amick and Josephine "Mertz" Amick. Also preceding her in death was one sister, Ruth Flechell, and her husband, James Pruett...

For all the purple martin lovers, it's time clean out the houses and get out the sparrow traps. Purplemartins.org reports that adult purple martins have been reported in our area. Martins are well known for their love of insects, and many people try to attract them to help cut down on the mosquito population. However, they may not be the great devourers of mosquitoes that many think they are...

1967 This week in 1967 brought the news of Clay County's first casualty in Vietnam; Lonnie Edward Parker, 20, of Success. The Army reported that he died March 13. Over sixty people attended a meeting at Greenway High School March 17 to discuss the district's "ways and means for entering into the mainstream of the knowledge explosion that is part of the education revolution sweeping the U.S." Also on hand were education and economic development officials from Little Rock, along with the school leaders from Piggott and Rector.. ...

Marvel Comics, my former employers, announced this week that Steve Rogers, the man behind the mask of Captain America is dead. -Yawn- If you're ready to believe that, I've got an oil well in Clay County that I'll sell ya. While on the surface, it sounds like a major, once in a lifetime event, it's simply another marketing ploy by the big comic companies to generate interest and increase sales of a failing comic book...

State Representative Mike Patterson, of Piggott, reports that things are becoming very hectic as the current legislative session begins to wind down. "It's been a little crazy down here," said Patterson, "with everything that's gong on. As for me, I've got legislation pending to fix a loophole in the laws on the wiring of homes."...

The Clay County Quorum Court approved the purchase of a building in Corning during Monday night's regular meeting at the Clay County Courthouse in Piggott. The county had been renting the property, which housed its juvenile office. The purchase was first mentioned in discussion during February's meeting...

Rector residents will soon have another dining option, as work continues on the new restaurant, 2 Guys' Grill and Buffet. The restaurant, which will occupy the Highway 49 location previously held by the Los Compadres Mexican restaurant, is nearing completion...

The Clay County Quorum Court approved the purchase of a building in Corning during Monday night's regular meeting at the Clay County Courthouse in Piggott. The county had been renting the property, which housed its juvenile office. The purchase was first mentioned in discussion during February's meeting...

Rector native Bill Carter was both surprised and pleased at the huge number of people who crowded into the Rector Community Museum over Labor Day weekend 2006 for a special signing of his book "Get Carter: Backstage in History from JFK's Assassination to the Rolling Stones."...

The certified and classified personnel of the Marmaduke School District were re-hired during last Monday's school board meeting. The staff, which includes teachers, aides and other employees, was broken up into four groups for certified staff and two groups of classified personnel. ...

Martha T. Pruett Frederick, 87, of Paragould, formerly of Kennett, died Monday, March 12, 2007 at Green Acres Nursing Home in Paragould. She was born Nov. 10, 1919 in Remal, Ark., to the late Edward Amick and Josephine "Mertz" Amick. Also preceding her in death was one sister, Ruth Flechell, and her husband, James Pruett...

Gloria Jean Samford, 49, of Leachville died Monday, March 12, 2007, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born on June 22, 1957, in Victoria, to the late David Stone and Velma Foster Stone, Mrs. Samford was a lifelong area resident of Mississippi County and a homemaker...

Thomas Riley Faucett, 85, of Rector, died Monday March 19, 2007 at his residence. Born June 4, 1921 in Adkins to the late Wiley Faucett and Florence (Oats) Faucett. He was a Navy veteran, a farmer and of the Church of Christ faith. Also preceding him in death was his wife, Verna Chilcutt Faucett on Oct. 6, 2005; three brothers, Ben, Bob and Bud Faucett; and one sister, Lucille Abbott. Survived by longtime caregivers Melvin and Brenda Mills...

The Cougars struggled on the diamond Monday, as they played host to conference foe Marked Tree. Rector was downed by their guest, 6-0. The Cougars looked to be locked in early, as starting pitcher Tony Loveless had a 1-2-3 first inning, throwing just eight pitches. In fact, Loveless gave a strong effort through six and one-third innings of work, but the Rector defense was unable to offer strong support in the field...

The Lady Cougars were narrowly edged out on the road Monday, falling to Cross County 3-2 in Cherry Valley. The lack of offense hurt the Lady Cougars, as the team managed just one hit in the contest. Jordan Cornelison accounted for the lone hit, bringing home Abbe' McCarroll with an RBI double...

The Marmaduke Greyhounds picked up and 8-6 win on the road against conference foe Hoxie on Monday, improving to 5-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Trent Smith picked up the win for the 'Hounds, allowing six runs on seven hits while fanning seven through seven and one-thirds innings...