Stories from Wednesday, December 19, 2007

In the true spirit of the season, a group of local volunteers gathered Tuesday and filled a container with items bound for orphanages in the Ukraine. The effort, which was the brainchild of Jerry Max Morgan, was spearheaded by Morgan and Duane Dutka...

Personnel changes are once again underway in Clay County offices. Three offices will be receiving additional staffing, following a decision made during Monday night's Quorum Court meeting in Corning. The treasurer, circuit clerk and collector offices will all see an increase in their allotted employment. ...

1967 A series of meetings were reported 40 years ago this week in which select civic leaders have been discussing the possibility of acquiring a "YMCA type" community center for the youth of Piggott. Several meetings had been held on the subject, though they were not publicized before or afterward...

Cody Franklin Olds, 25, of Piggott, passed away Friday, December 14, 2007. Cody was born October 11, 1982, in Paragould, to Terry and Joe Ann Hitt Olds. He leaves behind his parents, Terry and Joe Ann Olds; two sisters, Jennifer Lowrie and Tara O'Neal; one son, Brody Franklin Olds; his maternal grandmother Geneva Gray; his paternal grandparents, Clifford and Mary Beth Olds; three nieces, Jillian Parker and Carson and Kadence O'Neal; two nephews, Tristan and Tallan Lowrie; two aunts, Terry Smith and Angie Ellis; and one brother-in-law, Brandon O'Neal.. ...

The roller-coaster ride that is this year's boy's basketball season for the Piggott Mohawks continued in the last week, as the Tribe dropped two of three conference games. Last Tuesday night the Mohawks came from behind to post an exciting last second win over Brookland, a team that already had seven wins on the season. ...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks dropped two conference games in the past week, losing to both Manila and league-leading EPC. Meanwhile the junior girls are also still looking for their first win of the year. Last Thursday night the girls traveled to Manila to face former Lady Mohawk head coach Jeff Priest and the Lady Lions and dropped a 79-65 decision...

The Cougars look to be a house afire heading into the holiday break and the NEA Tournament, winning three straight and four of their last five games. The boys from Rector moved to 8-5 overall and 4-3 in 2A-3 conference play Monday night with a convincing 56-31 road win over the Indians of Marked Tree. The game was originally slated for the beginning of the season, but had to be moved back due to Marked Tree's involvement in the state football playoffs...

Guelda J. Valmassoi of Rector died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007. She was born in Boydsville and returned to this area after living several years in Michigan. She most recently resided at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation in Rector. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald (Slim) Taylor of Rector...

Billy Shields, 63, of Tulsa, Okla., formerly of Rector, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa. Born March 27, 1944, in Drain, Ore., he attended Rector High School. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier...

Tina Lyles, 50, of Rector died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock. Born March 11, 1957, to Billy and Francis "Frankie" (Berry) Lyles in Paragould, she was an employee of Wal-Mart, where she was the deli manager...

Velus "Jack" Johnson, 100, died Saturday, Dec. 15. He was born Dec. 17, 1906, in Clay County to the late Edward and Lily (nee) Dortch and was retired from the Terminal Railroad Association. He also was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Beryl (nee Ward) Johnson...

Jeffery Scott Haywood, 44, of Rector died Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Rector. Born July 27, 1963, in Centerville, Ill., to Patricia Haywood of Rector and the late Marion Haywood, he was a retired truck driver and of the Lutheran faith. Also preceding him in death was one brother, Robert Haywood...

Mary Anna Farmer Crain, 92, of Jonesboro died Friday, Dec. 14, at Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born April 19, 1915, in Marmaduke to the late Louis Bozrah Farmer and Vessie Vee Hampton Farmer. She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting and needlework. She was a charter member of White Oak General Baptist Church in Rector, which was organized Aug. 21, 1939. She was listed as the ninth member. She also was a member of New Life Assembly Church of Jonesboro...

Several young students from Rector will be putting a modern twist on the classic tradition of Christmas caroling. A talented group of singers will be bringing holiday cheer to the masses this week, as they perform several favorite Christmas songs on television. Led by the musical direction of Judy Hargrave, a group consisting of Rector fifth, sixth and seventh graders will sing live on the KAIT Midday local news program running from 11 to 11:30 a.m. this Thursday...

Personnel changes are once again underway in Clay County offices. Three offices will be receiving additional staffing, following a decision made during Monday night's Quorum Court meeting in Corning. The treasurer, circuit clerk and collector offices will all see an increase in their allotted employment. ...

Changes are in store for the infants and one-year-old programs at the Rector Preschool. The program, which was started in the spring of 2006, has averaged a financial loss of approximately $100,000 per year. Although it was created to be an asset to the community, a change must be made in order for it to continue to stay in business...

The Lady Cougars were in cruise control Monday night in Rector, imposing their will upon the Cross County Lady Thunderbirds, 65-11. The one-sided campaign was never in much doubt, as the Lady Cougars led the entire game: 21-6; 37-6 and 50-8. "We jumped out early and got a big lead," Lady Cougar coach Matt Rabjohn said. ...