Stories from Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The Lady Cougars picked up a pair of conference wins last Wednesday in Rector, topping Buffalo Island Central (BIC) twice during a double-header, 4-1 and 5-0. "We're starting to come around now," Rector coach Matt Rabjohn said. "We're getting more and more comfortable on the field and our confidence is building."...

Plans for remodeling and updating the superintendent's building were discussed at the Rector School Board meeting Monday night, March 19. "Ramson's is looking at around $480,000," superintendent Rob Louder told the board. "There are a lot of safety issues that must be addressed. The electrical wiring must be repaired, the bathrooms need attention and the sidewalk will have to be addressed --- it must be wide enough for wheelchairs."...

Though it may not be a topic many like to focus on, the crime of child abuse is an all too common occurrence in America. Rather than burying their heads in the sand and attempting to wish the problem away, the state and federal governments are attempting to combat the disturbing section of violations by securing trained personnel to handle cases involving children...

As a soldier in the United States Army National Guard, Sergeant Steve Ward of Rector has been trained to hide his presence and operate using the element of surprise. These skills have been taught to Ward to aid him in the service of defending his country and its ideals...

April Lindsey, a woman of many talents and many interests, recently was honored by Beijo Bags for her work as Director of Sales for Arkansas. The award was presented at the company's first international convention in Los Angeles and it lauded her abilities in leadership...

Darlene Sue Brannan, 50, of Rector, died Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Piggott Community Hospital. Born March 2, 1957, in Leonard to Naomi Ruth (Clayton) Brannan and the late R.C. Brannan, she was of the Methodist faith. Also preceding her in death was one brother, Andy Brannan...

Maxine Arrant Holifield, 86, of Rector died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born Nov. 1, 1920, in Savannah, Tenn., to the late Harper Cagle and Mary Shelby Cagle, she was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith...

The Cougars picked up a 3-1 conference victory over Cross County in a rain-shortened week last Thursday in Rector. The boys in blue claimed the lead in bottom of the second. With two outs, Tyler Small reached first base on a throwing error to give the Cougars their first baserunner of the game. ...

The Marmaduke Greyhounds picked up their second win over Corning in two weeks last Thursday, claiming a 13-9 victory on the road and their fourth win in a row. Marmaduke trailed 9-8 heading into the sixth inning. The 'Hounds brought in five runs in a crucial rally, including a two-run shot by Justin Snyder...

Times Sports Staff The Piggott Lady Mohawks hosted the Lady Warriors of East Poinsett County last Thursday afternoon at Independence Park, and swept a pair of games. The first contest went to the Tribe by a final of 8-0, and the Lady Mohawks took the nightcap by a final of 8-1. Piggott's Jessica Ingram worked both games, and picked up both wins...

Times Sports Staff The Piggott Mohawks split a pair of baseball games last week, winning on the road at Harrisburg Thursday, then falling at Corning Friday afternoon. The Tribe traveled to Harrisburg Thursday afternoon, and beat the Hornets by a final of 10-7, as Justin Howell and Daniel Cheshire combined to drive in seven runs. Howell drove in four runs on three hits, while Cheshire had three RBIs on one hit...

Nancy Lois Wade Vancil, 99, of Germantown, Tenn., died Tuesday morning, March 20, in Germantown. She lived most of her life in Muncie, Ind. She was born Feb. 27, 1908 in Piggott and was the daughter of the late Henry Hampton (Hamp) and Hettie Ellen Shelton Wade...

Sharon Kaye Davis Neel, 58, of Piggott, died March 18, 2007, in the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born June 21, 1948, in Arbyrd, Mo., and was the daughter of the late Johnnie and Helen Wilkins Neel. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ronald Neel...

Helen Mae Zidich, 84, formally of Nimmons, died March 20, 2007, in Festus, Mo. She was born July 22, 1922, in Blytheville. She is the daughter of the late John and Donna McClure. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Jeffus of Festus, and her son, John Perdue of Baytown, Texas; five grandchildren, Cheryl Almquist, Karen Bedwell, Daniel Perdue, Brian Perdue, and Allison Perdue; three great-grandchildren, Steven Gray, Candace Bedwell, and David Lee Bedwell; one great-great-grandson, Antonio Garcia; and many other relatives and friends.. ...

Former PHS principal, and Mohawk football coach, Ed Winberry was interviewed by the Piggott Board of Education last week for the position of superintendent. According to board Vice President Shawn Parker no action was taken at that time. The board is seeking a replacement for current Superintendent Bruce Evans, who has resigned effective June 30, 2007...

The Piggott Economic Development Commission had only a few items on the agenda for their last meeting. It was a possible tax proposal that occupied most of the discussion, however. The Commission, which is going through the process of incorporation, hesitantly kicked around the idea of a half cent sales tax with a sunset clause...

The Crusades are generally just a chapter in our history books. But don't tell that to Eric Fuller--he's been at it again. Like heroes of old, Fuller has been crusading. Instead of the Middle East, however, Fuller has been crusading down in the South American country of Guatemala...

Though it may not be a topic many like to focus on, the crime of child abuse is an all too common occurrence in America. Rather than burying their heads in the sand and attempting to wish the problem away, the state and federal governments are attempting to combat the disturbing section of violations by securing trained personnel to handle cases involving children...

For newspapers, hardly an edition goes by where someone does not upset by something in the news. Actually, this is pretty much true for ANY publication read by the public. You gotta think--there are nearly 4,000 people in Piggott. SOMEbody is going to get their dander up nearly every single issue of the paper. Just read the Ark-Gaz and you'll see it happens there, too...

1967 The final contracts were awarded, this week in 1967, for construction at the Sugar Creek Country Club. The contract for the swimming pool went to Baldwin Pool of Little Rock. The new clubhouse and tennis courts are to be built by Cox Lumber Co. of Piggott, and the golf course construction will be handled by Bill Martin of Benton...

Piggott Community Hospital Administrator James Magee said the work done by hospital auxiliaries is hard work and critical to the success of hospitals. Magee, who had been fighting allergies and barely had a voice with which to speak, added the auxiliaries also rarely get the credit for what they do...

Team captains for the 2007 Clay County Relay for Life met Monday, March 19, at the Piggott Community Center to discuss plans for the upcoming ninth annual event. American Cancer Society Community Representative Martha Smith urged everyone to get team members registered at the local Relay's website (http://www.acsevents.org/relay/ar/clay) as soon as possible because the t-shirts need to be ordered soon. ...

Helen Juanita Litzelfelner, age 87, of Bald Knob, died unexpectedly on March 16, 2007, at her home. Mrs. Litzelfelner was born in Bald Knob, Ark., on Jan. 6, 1920, the daughter of Thomas Watt and Helen Francis Leggett. A graduate of Piggott High School, she attended both Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she received her bachelor's degree in music...

Edna B. McKenney Potter, 87, of Piggott died on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 in the home of her daughter. She was born April 3, 1919 at Dexter, Mo., and was the daughter of the late Samuel and Susie Mitchell Roach. Edna married Elbert McKenny on September 2, 1939. He preceded her in death in 1963. One daughter was born of this union...

Shannon Williams is excited about what 2007 holds for the Piggott Community Center. "We are so pleased to have all these services to offer to the community," she said. So pleased, in fact, that she took the editor of The Piggott Times on a grand tour of the complex...