Stories from Thursday, May 3, 2007

If you don't have it marked on the calendar yet, time is running out. The 2007 Relay for Life is only three days away, but the participants are already geared up and ready to go. This year's relay will begin at 9 a.m. with the Survivor registration. At 9:45, honorary co-chair Tom Sneed will give a brief introduction and explain to all attendees about the aprons they will see adorning various folks throughout the day...

John R. Fewin, 79, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, April 26, 2007, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Fewin was born Dec. 24, 1927 in Butler County. He had retired as a heavy equipment operator for Midwest Operating Engineers. After retirement, Fewin bought, remodeled, and built homes for resale in Poplar Bluff. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Europe during World War II...

Leslie Ray Parker, 63, of Calico Rock, Ark., formerly of Piggott, died Saturday, April 28, 2007 in Calico Rock. He was born August 13, 1943 in East St. Louis, Ill. and was the son of the late Henry Lester and Berniece Holloway Parker. He was united in marriage to Viola Blue on June 1, 1963 and to this union three children was born...

Dale James Russell, 88, of Mesa, Ariz., died Monday, April 16, 2007. He was born March 19, 1919 in Piggott. He graduated from Roswell High School. Russell served in the U.S Army, Bushmasters from 1943-1946. He received the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Medals among others. After the service he worked in Postal Services and as a Valley Realtor...

William Otis Watson, 87, died on April 28, 2007 at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. He was born on Nov. 6, 1919, in Crockett. He was the son of Bert and Clara Watson. William "Bill" married Isabel Rodriquez on June 25, 1962 in Benghazi, Libya. Bill served in the Navy during WWII, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945...

State lawmakers returned to Little Rock on Monday to officially wrap-up the 86th General Assembly, a session which included historical advances in educational funding and major tax cuts for Arkansans. As he traveled back to the capital city, for this week's session, State Senator Robert Thompson of Paragould outlined the plan. ...

A long-standing concern for Clay County, as well as all areas of Arkansas, is the condition of the state and local transportation system. City officials from throughout the county met Wednesday of last week at the Piggott City Hall to discuss what the future holds in terms of roads and other items of local interest...

1967 In the first week of May came two pivotal announcements: that The Piggott Banner was being purchased, and that a new newspaper called The Piggott Times would be published soon. The Banner was purchased by Clifford Cole, Harold Jinks and former-governor Orval Faubus, with owner Laud Payne citing health issues as the reason for selling. ...

Man how things seem to really be getting busy around here. That's a scary thought considering school isn't even out yet. Little league tee ball, baseball and softball have already started up. Some of our local teams have even already won some preseason trophies! I heard, too, that some of the kids are still playing basketball. March Madness has come and gone, and we've still got kids shooting hoops...

The Civil War is returning to North East Arkansas. On May 5 and 6, reenactors from all over Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri will gather to reenact the Battle of Chalk Bluff. Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park is located just north of Piggott. The Battle of Chalk Bluff is sponsored by The North East Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail Committee, Col. ...

When Piggott High School teacher Kevin Vannada learned about National Young Voter's month he immediately thought it would be a good learning opportunity for his students. On March 6, Vannada took five students to Little Rock and participated in the events there planned by Secretary of State Charlie Daniels...

Jeremi Wicker had no idea he would return to Piggott after being away for four years. But the 1996 PHS graduate found himself lured away from the Blytheville police force to become the latest addition to the already stellar crew of the Piggott PD. After he graduated in '96, Wicker worked with Wise Company until 2003. Wicker's older brother, Jeff, is actually the one who convinced him to move to Blytheville to work in law enforcement...

Linda Edwards was a cancer survivor before she even realized she had cancer. She awoke on the operating table only to be informed by the attending nurse that the doctor had successfully removed a tumor. Edwards will be serving as an honorary co-chair for the Relay for Life, held on May 5. ...

William "Bill" Rooker, 72 of Marmaduke, died Sunday, April 29, 2007, with his family by his side. Bill gave a very courageous battle with cancer for four years. He was born in Delaplaine Nov. 2, 1934. He was a 1953 graduate of Paragould. He moved to Flint, Mich., and soon joined the Air Force, where he spent four years during the Korean War. After returning home for the service, he was a construction worker for Flint Asphalt and Paving...

The bright stars of the Rector High School Drama Department lit up the cafeteria Saturday evening, as members and guests gathered for the 31st annual Academy Choice Awards to recognize the talented young men and women for the parts they play in bringing the world of theatre to their community...

Webster's dictionary defines a hero as "a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability," "a person admired for his/her achievements and qualities" or "one that shows great courage." There are often many heroes in our lives. Some, whom we refer to as "unsung heroes," possibly never realize that, to someone, they are held in very high esteem -- maybe even placed on a pedestal...

With this Saturday's Relay For Life event quickly approaching, work continues as those involved make every effort to help as much as they can. For many, the goal to do their part in finding a cure for cancer is a passion of the highest order. The Rector Relay For Life team, W.R.E.C.K. ...

Specialist Ryan Lawrence of the 875th Engineering Battalion is currently back in Rector on leave. Lawrence returned home April 23 and will be here until May 8. While in Rector, Lawrence visited with Leisa Wesley's fifth grade class. The class has been writing Lawrence as well as sending him packages as part of their adopted soldier project...

S/Sgt. John D. Deluryea Jr., USAF retired, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, at the age of 40. He lived in Laredo, Texas. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lee Deluryea, and his grandmother, Leota A. Deluryea. He is survived by his father and step-mother, M/Sgt. ...

Colette Diahann (Hill) Beck, 40, of Rector, died Wednesday April 25, 2007, at her residence in Rector. Born December 19, 1966 in Kennett to Charlotte (Brewer) Smith and the late Marcus Eddie Hill, she was a waitress, a life long member of the community and of the Methodist faith...

The Lady Cougars faced strong pitching in the semifinals of the 2A East Regional Tournament on Monday, falling to Bay, 4-0. Rector had a hard time getting around on Bay's hard-throwing Laci Staten. Staten allowed just two hits while striking out 15 and walking one in seven innings...