Stories from Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Many areas of Clay County are breathing a sigh of relief today, as flood waters have begun to recede across the region. The bad news is that those waters are continuing to make their way south and there are still areas facing record flood stages. "Things are looking good today," Clay County Office of Emergency Services coordinator Travis Boyd noted Tuesday morning. "Water levels are dropping out drastically. We've been extremely fortunate."...

For more than 50 years, "Jumpin' Joe," or his likeness, was the mascot of Arkansas State University. Though many are aware of this figurehead and his legacy with the school, over the course of time, his origins have been lost to later generations...

1968 Political announcements 40 years ago this past week included Vernon Call for Clay County judge, Boyce McLeskey for re-election as county clerk and Vernon Morgan filed for another term as tax assessor. Cotton producers and civic leaders from eight counties met in Paragould in an effort to further promote the use of the crop. ...

Some things I don't understand. I've thought about those things over the years. What purpose, I thought, is the death of an innocent baby? What purpose is there in the brutal killing of a college coed who has such potential? Why do heartbreaking things happen to good people, and bad?...

Agnes Margaret Bradberry, 92, of Piggott died Friday, March 21, 2008, in the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Jan. 17, 1916, in Parma, Mo., the daughter of the late William Samuel and Hallie Jane Maxwell Romine. She was united in marriage to Otho Bradberry on July 14, 1932. The couple had two children...

Fred Gross, 82, of Pollard died Sunday, March 23, 2008, in the V. A. Hospital at Poplar Bluff. He was born Sept. 14, 1925, in Pollard, the son of the late George and Bessie Acord Gross. He was united in marriage to Alma Permenter on March 20, 1945, and the couple had one son...

Timmy Ray Smart, 48, of Clay County died Sunday, March 23, 2008. Born March 28, 1959, he was a farmer and a member of Union Home General Baptist Church. He had served in the National Guard. Survivors include his father and step-mother, Ivan and Judy Smart of Greenway; his mother, Sue Lindsey of Rector; a brother, Shannon Smart of Piggott; a sister, Mindy Smart Carter of Lake City, and a host of other relatives and friends...

As spring rolls around, many people in the area are busy with yard and garden work. Whether a hobby or a residential beautification project, the numerous additions of flowers, shrubs and trees, along with those individuals in possession of an acute case of "green thumb," can be seen at several area residences...

Many areas of Clay County are breathing a sigh of relief today, as flood waters have begun to recede across the region. The bad news is that those waters are continuing to make their way south and there are still areas facing record flood stages. "Things are looking good today," Clay County Office of Emergency Services coordinator Travis Boyd noted Tuesday morning. "Water levels are dropping out drastically. We've been extremely fortunate."...

Volunteers already are hard at work to raise money for cancer research with the Clay County Relay For Life event just a month away. According to committee chairperson Susie Bowman, seven teams already have formed for this year's Relay fundraiser. Though that number is down from years past, Bowman said time remains for additional teams to form...

Good day everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. It was a beautiful day here in Rector even if it was a little cool. There was evidence that a rather large white rabbit had been hopping around town early on Easter morning. He littered the entire town with colored eggs. Thank goodness my trusty guard dogs kept him out of our yard. You know, I seem to remember the same phenomenon happening about this time last year. Does anyone know anything about this?...

John Marshall Liddell, 92, of Bradenton, Fla., died Saturday, March 8, 2008, in Bradenton. He was born March 23, 1915, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Finis and Lois Liddell, both natives of Rector. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Irene, and his sister, Mildred Turek. He was a 1932 graduate of Rector High School...

Theresa Susan McDaniel, 73, of Rector died Monday, March 17, 2008, at The Med in Memphis following an automobile accident. Born Jan. 8, 1935, in Bayonne, N.J., she was a homemaker and of the Catholic faith. Survivors include her husband, A.J. McDaniel of Rector; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Ana McDaniel of San Diego, Calif., and Curtis and Lissa McDaniel of Chandler, Ariz.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Gail and Robert Grossi of Manahawkin, N.J., and Maribeth McDaniel of Rector; one sister, Marie Meksel of Bayonne, N.J., and seven grandchildren, Briana, Angelica and Ava McDaniel and Jack, Aidan, Kimberley and Nicholas Grossi.. ...

Timmy Ray Smart, 48, of Clay County died Sunday, March 23, 2008. Born March 28, 1959, he was a farmer and a member of Union Home General Baptist Church. He had served in the National Guard. Survivors include his father and step-mother, Ivan and Judy Smart of Greenway; his mother, Sue Lindsey of Rector; a brother, Shannon Smart of Piggott; a sister, Mindy Smart Carter of Lake City, and a host of other relatives and friends...

Four area basketball players were selected as All-State competitors following standout individual season performances. Rector's Hannah Parsley and Jackie Graham joined Trent Smith and Chris Foresythe of Marmaduke as being recognized among the very best players in Arkansas...