Stories from Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Bonnie Manning has been an integral part of the lives of Rector students for generations. For 45 years, Manning has been introducing her classes to the wonders of learning through the use of her own enthusiasm and passion for reaching young minds...

William Bracken, grandfather of Rector Elementary student Jada Bracken, visited Mrs. Rita Dortch's class Sept. 24. Bracken drives a large tractor trailer and has been delivering supplies to Texas victims of recent Hurricane Ike...

A young Rector woman is sharing her talents with the world. Danielle Maltbie, a 2006 graduate of Rector High School, has published her first book, "Just Another Starlit Night" through Publish America, one of the most prolific publishers in the world...

A Marmaduke woman currently is being held at the Greene County jail following an investigation into whether she attempted to have her husband killed. In a press release, the Marmaduke Police Department said they first received information Melissa Ann Gregory, 23, had solicited an individual to murder her estranged spouse, Jay Gregory, on Sunday, Sept. 21...

Alma Arneda (Easton) Smith of Paragould, formerly of Rector, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Greene Acres Nursing Home in Paragould. She was born May 15, 1925, in Rector to the late Clarence and Vedis (Huffstutler) Easton. ...

Robalene Virginia Lankford, 85, of Rector died Wednesday, Sept. 24. Born May 22, 1923, in Marmaduke to the late Robert and Sarah Allen, she was a homemaker, a member of Blooming Grove Missionary Baptist Church and was saved in 1938. Also preceding her in death were two sisters, Virginia Imogene Allen and Beulah Mae Amason, and one nephew, Robert Ervin Graves...

Bernell Young, 87, of Marmaduke died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, in Greene County. He was born July 19, 1921, to the late Edward and Elizabeth (Stone) Young in Mississippi County. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marmaduke, a Mason and served in the Navy during World War II...

The weeks leading up to the presidential debate in Oxford, Miss., were certainly filled with drama and suspense. Right up to curtain time, we wondered if Senator McCain would even show up, after what appeared to be an act of political chicanery of postponing or canceling of the event by McCain "for the country's sake." Apparently, the candidate had overvalued his own influence in solving the financial crisis which had beset us as a nation of worried people. ...

Something mysterious is going on here. My favorite white comb has disappeared. I've searched for it for two weeks but it hasn't turned up. Also, I can't find a diskette that has stored computer information. It was on my desk yesterday, but now it isn't. I spent an hour looking for it last night. I even pulled the desk out from the wall to see if the diskette had fallen behind it. No luck...

Political and financial observers were shocked Monday with the news that the House of Representatives failed to pass the so-called "bailout" of financial institutions that has been in the national focus for the past week...

To the Editor: The Cotton insert in last week's paper brought back some fond memories of cotton pickin in Clay County. As a child growing up in the 60's, I only picked cotton for a few years, but the sight of that old cotton scale hanging from the rear of the cotton wagon! It took me back to the smell of open cotton...

To The Editor, I noticed that somebody has bought and torn down the old motel here in Rector. This is a great improvement for the town by having such an eye-sore removed from everyday sight, but my question is -- are the other residents not concerned about some of the other eye-sores located on such a heavy traveled road such as Highway 49 just sitting there?...

The Cougars won their second straight football game last Friday, as the boys in blue imposed their will upon host Palestine-Wheatley, 36-6. Things looked to be more complicated for Rector in the game's early going. ...

A large crowd filled the dining room of Sugar Creek Country Club in Piggott on Saturday, Sept. 27, as the community honored a long-time leader on his 100th birthday. Lloyd Russell, former owner of Russell Mortuary and the Russell Burial Association, marked the occasion with family, friends and well-wishers. ...

This is homecoming week at PHS, with the activities scheduled to culminate with the annual homecoming game Friday night against the Earle Bulldogs. Prior to the contest, at 7 p.m. this year's homecoming queen, Elise Watson, and her court will be introduced. ...

Lillian Prince Crass, 85, of Conway died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008. She was born Nov. 22, 1922, in McDougal to John and Mae Garis. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Conway. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, W.D. Prince of McDougal; son, Joe Prince of McDougal; granddaughter Brandee Hartsfield of Piggott, and grandson Wesley Hartsfield of Porter, Okla...

Gary Thompson, 46, a life-long resident of Piggott, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008, at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He was born Dec. 4, 1961, in Kennett, the son of Billy and Betty (Greer) Thompson...

Something mysterious is going on here. My favorite white comb has disappeared. I've searched for it for two weeks but it hasn't turned up. Also, I can't find a diskette that has stored computer information. It was on my desk yesterday, but now it isn't. I spent an hour looking for it last night. I even pulled the desk out from the wall to see if the diskette had fallen behind it. No luck...

1968 Pocahontas Mayor Adrian White was the speaker at the monthly Piggott Chamber of Commerce meeting 40 years ago this past week. In other news, former teacher Marshall Eugene Hoggard has filed suit against the Piggott district after his contract was not renewed for the current term...

The Piggott Mohawks notched their first conference win of the year Friday night, holding off the Cave City Cavemen by a final of 22-18 at Parker Field. The win also extends the Tribe's season record to 3-1 overall...

The Piggott Lady Mohawk volleyball team has played into a pretty good position as the regular season begins to wind down. Following the recent win over Brookland, and despite last week's loss to Crowley's Ridge Academy, the Tribe has an excellent chance to finish the conference schedule either as co-leaders or in second place. ...