Stories from Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The future of local basketball worked toward realizing their potential last week, as the Rector Basketball Camp was held at the Cougar Gym. About 50 campers participated in the clinic offered last week. Spread out over four days, the youngsters worked to improve their overall basketball skills under the tutelage of Rector coaches Matt Rabjohn, Mark Manchester and Matt Mills...

Despite mandating Clay County would have to move forward with fewer personnel in order to cut expenses last summer, the Quorum Court was asked to consider adding another position. The county's election committee began the Monday night meeting at the Corning courthouse by recommending the Court approve the hiring of an election coordinator. The committee reasoned a coordinator would help meet the demands in place following the advent of electronic voting machines and the loss of personnel...

Concerned residents are joining with Clay County officials in an effort to promote healthy living choices throughout the county. The group, calling themselves the Clay County Coalition, have banded together in light of reports and statistics which indicate a number of high school and junior high students throughout the entire county have either used or been exposed to drugs and alcohol...

The Rector Preschool has had an extremely successful first year for students and teachers. Financially, however, the school has yet to break even. Because of this, the administration has been forced to raise rates by $1 per day and change the lunch and breakfast policy. ...

All across America, people are fighting a losing battle against high fuel costs. Though initial concerns arose following the United States' military involvement in Middle East and through damage suffered to oil refineries in the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many consumers expected prices to ease back down to previous rates before now...

Work is expected to begin soon on key projects for the city of Rector. Four new sewer lines will be placed within the city limits. Lines will be placed alongside the northern section of Woodland Heights Drive, Pine Street, Ballard Street and Fairview Street...

Frank Ralph Woods, 82, of Columbiana, Ala., died Sunday, June 11, 2007, in a hospital in Birmingham. He was the husband of Ruth Woods, daughter of the late Donald and Doma McCluney of Rector. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. Woods and Berniece Woods McDonald, and his first wife, Ruth...

Bobbie Jean Crum, 74, of Rector, died Thursday, June 14, at Evergreen Healthcare in Rector. Born May 11, 1933, in Beebe to the late Thomas and Myrtle Horn, she was a housewife and member of Antioch Baptist Church. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Fred Crum, and one son, Gerald Crum...

Danny Donaldson, 71, of Palestine, died suddenly and unexpectedly Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at the Forrest City Medical Center in Forrest City. Born May 19, 1936, in Rector to the late Byron and Lola Ahlf Donaldson, he had lived in Forrest City most of his life. He was a retired vice president of operations for G.E.S., Inc., a veteran of the Army and a member of the First Baptist Church in Palestine...

Glenda Lucille Rutledge, 76, of Rector, died Monday, June 11, 2007, at her residence. She was born March 8, 1931, in Peach Orchard to the late Charlie and Eve Vallance. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Earl Rutledge Sr.; a grandson, Andrew Corniel, and a granddaughter, Kai Lei Rutledge...

Kevin Dewayne Warner, Jr., 14, of Rector, died Sunday June, 17, 2007 at Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. Born Sept. 9, 1992 in St. Louis, he was a student at Rector High School and attended The First Baptist Church in Rector. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Carolyn Warner...

Last year's 18-8 season, and a trip to the regional basketball tournament, left the members of the Piggott Mohawk boys basketball team a bit hungry. They're feeding that hunger with a full slate of summer action as Coach Paul Seegraves and the squad look toward next season...

It's the fourth quarter, or fifth game of the set, for our Dream Team nomination process and the pressure is mounting. This week's recap is also a bit melancholy, as it comes with the news that Jeff Priest has stepped down as PHS girls coach. Jeff will be moving on to Manila next year, but leaves us with some great picks...

This year's baseball season, so far, has been a very productive one for the Piggott Junior League team as they've already won over twenty games to just a handful of losses. Last week the squad extended their record to 23-3 with a shutout of the Kennett Indians at Independence Park...

The Piggott City Council discussed a proposed ordinance regulating the use of land for agriculture within the city limits during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 18. Councilmen had not had the opportunity to read the ordinance prior to the meeting and so allowed only the first reading. Discussion followed the reading...

A writer's retreat is an event writers attend in order to "get away" from all the hubbub of the daily grind in an effort to relocate the muse…to recharge the batteries. Writing is certainly a focus of the retreat, but reading work written by others is an integral part of most retreats. Creative ideas are often sparked by other creative ideas--which is why reading is one of the best ways to jumpstart the muse...

Despite mandating Clay County would have to move forward with fewer personnel in order to cut expenses last summer, the Quorum Court was asked to consider adding another position. The county's election committee began the Monday night meeting at the Corning courthouse by recommending the Court approve the hiring of an election coordinator. The committee reasoned a coordinator would help meet the demands in place following the advent of electronic voting machines and the loss of personnel...

Organizers of the annual Piggott Rod Run and SuperCruise have been making the rounds recently, sharing the proceeds from this year's event. Last Friday they presented a check for $2,000 to the Clay County Relay for Life. On hand for the occasion were Judy Parker and Susie Bowman with the RFL, along with Sherry Schulte, Sandy Pace and Yvonne Settlemoir from the Rod Run...

What is a yawn? Probably, you've never given that question a second thought-and many of you may be thinking who cares? I know that I'd never considered it until recently. But if you'll remember, I recently mentioned that my brain works far faster than my hands, this is probably not one of those times...

1967 This week in 1967 brought the sad news of the death of local artist and civic worker Mrs. Tommy Thompson. She passed away at the hospital followed a lengthy illness. It was also reported by Cemetery Board Chairman Vilas Elder that plans are near completion for July the Fourth...

PHS Class of '57 Members of the Piggott High School class of 1957 are reminded that their 50th reunion is set for later this month. The reunion will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, at the Sugar Creek Country Club in Piggott. All members of the Class of '57 are invited to attend, and guests are welcome, especially the member of the classes of 1956 and 1958...

Charles Lawrence Cate, 91, of Salem, Oreg., formerly of Boydsville, Ark., died of congestive heart failure Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Born in Boydsville to Elder T.L. and Nora (Sidebottom) Cate, he married his childhood sweetheart, Hazel Woodard on Aug. ...

Goldie Mae Walker, 98, died Thursday, June 14, 2007, at her daughter's home in Piggott. She was born April 21, 1909, in Hornersville, Mo., and was the daughter of the late Jake and Alice Weeks. She was married to Charlie Walker on Nov. 24, 1924, and to this union four children were born. In June 2000, after being married for seventy-six years, her husband Charlie preceded her in death...

Following a very successful run at PHS, Lady Mohawk head basketball coach Jeff Priest has resigned to accept a position at Manila. Priest, a native and graduate of Marmaduke, will be the new girls basketball and softball coach for the Lions. "It is with regret that I am tendering my resignation as Head Girl's Basketball Coach, and junior high history teacher, effective June 13," Priest's letter of resignation read. ...

Just 24-hours after their regular monthly meeting, the Piggott School board re-convened for a special session last Tuesday, June 12. In attendance were board members, John Rodery, Robert Jackson, Neil Morgan and Jeff Benbrook, along with incoming superintendent Ed Winberry. Board Vice President Shawn Parker was unable to attend...