Stories from Wednesday, April 18, 2007

In the aftermath of personnel cuts at the Clay County Courthouses in Piggott and Corning, the offices have had to make necessary adjustments in compensation for the reduced staff. However, the continuing struggle has prompted many department leaders to ask the Quorum Court to re-evaluate the downsizing...

At a special meeting of the Piggott board of education Monday night the resignation of elementary principal Kevin Reddick was accepted. Reddick is leaving the district to become the new high school principal at Armorel. Later in the meeting the board rescinded a vote taken last Monday, which eliminated the position of academic advisor to the district. ...

For Ed Winberry, returning to the Piggott School District as superintendent is like coming home. In fact, it is a homecoming for the 1969 PHS grad, who also served as head football coach and high school principal during his tenure with the Piggott District...

Adhering to the principle of "strength in numbers," community and business leaders in the region have banded together to form the Economic Development Coalition of Northeast Arkansas. The group, consisting of leaders from Clay, Greene and Craighead counties, formed under the acknowledgement of "what benefits one community has the potential to benefit us all," has been meeting regularly in an effort to strengthen the region's economic base...

Members of the Arkansas General Assembly have returned to the four-corners of the Natural State, now that the current session stands in recess. Lawmakers are expected to return to Little Rock on May 1 to take care of any last minute items, and consider any vetoes by Governor Mike Beebe...

I think that every student should be required to learn to play the game Diplomacy as part of the required school curriculum. Not only would it be fun, but it would help prepare students to play the games of politics in life and in their chosen careers...

The Lady Mohawks basketball team will have an outstanding representative in the Jonesboro Sun Senior Classic this weekend. The second annual tournament features the top seniors from the area in a game which promises to delight based upon the amount of sheer talent...

The Piggott Mohawk baseball squad wrapped up the regular season Monday afternoon, losing a 17-2 decision at Marmaduke. Last week the Tribe completed the home portion of their schedule, losing a 15-0 game at Independence Park to conference-leading EPC...

This weekend the Piggott Lady Mohawk's softball squad will take part in their district tournament at Brookland, though their first round game time and opponent was still uncertain as of Tuesday afternoon. Thursday afternoon the girls have a non-conference tune-up game scheduled against Westside at Independence Park. They were expected to play that contest if the weather permitted...

Helen Kramer Smothers, 88, of Woodstock, Ill., died Monday April 9, 2007, at the Florence Nursing Home in Marengo, Ill. She was born in Steele, Mo. on Feb. 25, 1919 to Robert Harvey and Martha Jane (Dildine) White. She was the oldest of thirteen children...

Alma Faye McNeely, 78, of Pollard, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. McNeely was born Oct. 25, 1928, in Boydsville. She was the daughter of the late James and Flora (Cox) McKenney. She was united in marriage Feb. ...

Herbert Truman Malin, 92, of Campbell, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. He was born April 13, 1914 in Nimmons, the son of the late William Walter Malin and Margaret Elmeda (Crawford) Malin. He married Althea May McElyea on July 12, 1931 in Piggott. She preceded him in death Feb. 21, 2004...

Edith Gurley, 93, of Piggott, died April 8, 2007 at the Alma Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Alma, Ark. She was born May 18, 1913, in Crockett, the daughter of the late William Harrison and Sarah Ellen Holifield Crockett. She was united in marriage to Lester T. Gurley on March 5, 1939. He preceded her in death in 1956. She was also preceded in death by one step daughter, Wanda Hanna and four brothers; Denver, John, Cecil and Taylor, one sister; Ester...

Ted Bellers, who's spent thirty-four years with the city of Piggott, said good-bye at the last meeting of the Piggott City Council held on Monday, April 16. Bellers, who recently retired but returned in a part time capacity, will be the new Director of Public Utilities for Malden...

1967 This week in 1967 the public was reminded that the annual "half-holiday" season would begin May 3. It was the custom of closing most offices, and some businesses, around mid-day on Wednesdays from the first of May, through the month of August...

Rector native Bill Carter recounted his childhood growing up here and explained how that background forms his own continued interest in the well-being of the community as the guest speaker Thursday night at the annual Rector Area Chamber of Commerce banquet...

Adhering to the principle of "strength in numbers," community and business leaders in the region have banded together to form the Economic Development Coalition of Northeast Arkansas. The group, consisting of leaders from Clay, Greene and Craighead counties, formed under the acknowledgement of "what benefits one community has the potential to benefit us all," has been meeting regularly in an effort to strengthen the region's economic base...

by Ryan Rogers, Democrat Sports Staff The Lady Cougars picked up a pair of conference wins on Monday, topping Crowley's Ridge Academy in both games of a doubleheader. Rector jumped out early in the first game, putting up four runs in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead...

Harold L. Medley, 70, of Rector, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 17, 1937, in Senath to the late Ez Medley and Kate Halter Medley, he was a cotton ginner. He is survived by one sister, Wilma Brooks of Kennett...

Alma Faye McNeely, 78, of Pollard, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Mrs. McNeely was born October 25, 1928, in Boydsville. She was the daughter of the late James and Flora (Cox) McKenney. She was united in marriage February 5, 1948 to James Don McNeely in Piggott. ...

Rector students will once again be offered a safe environment to gather together for fun following prom. Project Aftershock will be hosting an after-prom party from midnight to 6 a.m. at the Rector Community Center on Friday, May 4 immediately following the RHS prom. This event, entitled "Playing It Safe", is sponsored by the Rector ACE Youth Leadership Committee as a fun and safe environment for teens to share one of the most memorable evenings in their lives...

Longtime Rector Fire Department chief Henry Ford Kennedy died Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at his home at age 85. Born Oct. 16, 1921, in Macon, Ga., to the late Enoch Boyd and Vesta Ann Boyd (Jackson), he also was retired as a journeyman electrician with Entergy Corp. He was married March 3, 1943, to Arena Charlene Kennedy, who preceded him in death...

The Cougars were downed by Buffalo Island Central in 2A-3 play Monday in Monette, 9-2. BIC got out of the gates quickly, going up 2-0 in the first inning. Instead of getting down, however, the Cougars stood firm behind junior hurler Tyler Small, limiting the damage further during the next two innings...