Stories from Thursday, September 4, 2008

The wail of sirens was heard throughout downtown Piggott Friday afternoon, as city officials tested the new tornado siren that was installed earlier that day behind city hall. The multi-horn unit, which is mounted on a power pole between city hall and the Clay County Jail, was purchased with grant money applied for earlier this year. ...

The 2008 edition of the annual Clay County Fair will kick off this Saturday, Sept. 6, and this year the members of the Fair Association have dedicated the event to the memory of Jenny Hancock. The long-time 911 coordinator, who passed away this spring, Hancock volunteered her time at the fair for some 30 years and was the first women to serve on the Fair Board...

The city of Piggott's reputation as "The Marrying Town" has made the community well known across portions of the central United States. It's possible for a person to travel to about any city in some parts of Missouri and Illinois and you'll find someone who was married in Piggott or whose parents or grandparents were married here. ...

Pamela Jean Haley, 53, of Piggott, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. She was born March 22, 1955, in Kennett, the daughter of Stanley Clifton "Red" and Juanita Turner Haley...

Keith L. Skaggs, 44, of Campbell, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, in Campbell. He was born Nov. 2, 1963, in Kennett, the son of Ragie and Marie Turner Skaggs. His sister, Amanda Skaggs, preceded him in death...

John Simpson, 88, of Piggott, died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, in the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. He was born Nov. 13, 1919, in Calhoun, Miss., the son of the late Morris and Clara Harrelson Simpson...

Edith Ellis, 87, of Maynard, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, in the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born July 19, 1921, in Hardburly, Ky., the daughter of the late Curtis and Martha (Williams) Gayhart...

Many people are sticking close to home these days because of the high cost of gasoline. They can't afford to tool around just for the fun of it. Many are foregoing cross country trips and staying closer to home...

1968 Last minute plans for the Clay County Fair were underway 40 years ago this coming week as the annual event would be held Sept. 12-14. This year's edition would include two big nights of rodeo action. ...

Friday night the Piggott Mohawks will host the Valley View Blazers in their season-opener at Parker Field. Kickoff for the non-conference game is set for 7:30 p.m. The Tribe begins season three under Coach Dave Hendrix with a good deal of returning talent on both sides of the football, and playoff experience to boot. ...