Stories from Wednesday, October 17, 2007

It was a tough homecoming for the Cougars last Friday night, as the squad lined up across from a talented Marked Tree Indian team. Rector fell 47-0 to their conference foe. Early indications put the element of surprise on the Cougars' side, as the team completed the very first play of the game, a halfback pass from Daniel Hester to Dalton Shaw for a 32 yard gain which brought the boys in blue all the way down to the Manila 24-yard-line. ...

Berda Geneva Walker, 89, of Benton, formerly of Rector, died Friday, Oct. 12. She was born Dec. 13, 1917, to the late E.C. and Annie Hardin Walker. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Chester Walker; her second husband, Henry Payne; a daughter, Freeda Faye Moseley Tinkle; three brothers, W.T. Hardin, Briney Parmenter and Bennie Parmenter...

Neva Little, 89, of Rector died Sunday, Oct. 14, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Oct. 26, 1917, in the Leonard community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley and Mary Ellis; her husbands, Lawrence Little and John Raney; one son, Gary Raney, and three daughters, JoAnn Raney, Nelda Raney...

After consulting with ministers of Rector churches, mayor Ron Kemp announced this week that trick-or-treating will be held in the community on Wednesday, Oct. 31. There was some concern with the date of Halloween this year, falling on a Wednesday, but the consensus of the ministers was to ask parents to take their children trick-or-treating in late afternoon or early evening, prior to church services...

A group of Rector high school students are working to make a difference in the lives of their fellow classmates. The members of Cougars Are BAD (Banding Against Drugs) have united together to promote a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. One of the group's creators and most diligent adult volunteers, Michelle Thomas, says the group is not just focused on having an immediate impact, but determined to make a difference further on down the line...

More county schools are preparing to implement programs to utilize funds established for educational purposes through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Act 799. This fund, which was introduced to many officials last week following a request for money to construct an outdoor classroom by Rector Elementary fifth grade teachers Leisa Wesley and Barbara Robertson, utilizes money collected from Arkansas Game and Fish fines inside the county...

The Piggott Lady Mohawk volleyball team, who have become regulars at the state tournament, go into this week's district tournament at Brookland as the number-three seeded team. At week's end the top four will be planning their trips to Harrison for the state volleyball tournament at the end of this month...

The Piggott junior Mohawks ran over the Hughes Blue Devils last Thursday night at Parker Field, notching a 30-0 conference win as they stayed unbeaten on the season. On the night the talented backfield duo of Corbin Chase and Alek Samples combined for over 300 yards rushing and three of the Tribe's four touchdowns...

Both Piggott Mohawk tennis teams swept district titles last Wednesday at Jonesboro's Allen Park, marking the ninth district title for the tennis program. The girls repeated as district champs by defeating Harrisburg 13-0, Corning 13-2, Cave City 13-8 and East Poinsett County 13-9. This extended the girl's record to 14-5-1 on the season...

William Charles Miller, 82, of Greenway died Sept. 30 at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born July 6, 1925 in Detroit, Mich. the sons of the late John David and Julia "Gallus" Miller. He was a WWII veteran enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, a retired Detroit mounted police officer, a retired bailiff for St. Petersburg, Fla. Court system, a member of the local VFW and was of the Catholic faith...

Neva Little, 89, of Rector died Sunday, Oct. 14, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Oct. 26, 1917, in the Leonard community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley and Mary Ellis; her husbands, Lawrence Little and John Raney; one son, Gary Raney, and three daughters, JoAnn Raney, Nelda Raney...

1967 It was 40 years ago this week that it was reported that a team from the University of Arkansas had recently visited Piggott schools, and have now released a report on the district. The document called for a number of changes, some of which were already in the works...

More county schools are preparing to implement programs to utilize funds established for educational purposes through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Act 799. This fund, which was introduced to many officials last week following a request for money to construct an outdoor classroom by Rector Elementary fifth grade teachers Leisa Wesley and Barbara Robertson, utilizes money collected from Arkansas Game and Fish fines inside the county...

For the 20th time Piggott Elementary School will be observing "Red Ribbon Week" beginning Monday. This year's theme is "High on Life, Not Drugs", and the activities will be going on all week Oct. 21-27. Red Ribbon week first originated in the mid 1980's as a way for people and communities to unite and make a visible stand against drugs. ...

Wartime is hard on everyone. There is not much good to be said about the experience. It changes the lives of everyone involved, from the soldier to their families and friends. Chaos is the norm, loneliness is accepted, fear is a close associate and growing up is done quickly...