Stories from Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Rector School District took additional steps to make its preschool facility financially viable during Monday night's regular meeting. The school board approved a plan to make changes to the district's preschool...

Rector's own Todd Watson is earning recognition as one of the most talented shooters in the world. For the past few years, Watson, along with his wife, Sandra, son, Tyler, and father, James, has been actively involved in horse mounted shooting events. The level of involvement has grown from area demonstrations to earning the right to compete at the national level...

Veda Bell Smith, 93, of Piggott, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, in Piggott. She was born July 14, 1915, in Piggott, the daughter of the late William Harrison and Sarah Ellen (Holifield) Crockett. She was united in marriage to Chester E. ...

Zenith Vivian (McCluney) Shannon, 97, of Kennett died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. She was born Nov. 4, 1911, in Rector to the late Isaac and Ether (Sides) Bain McCluney. She was married to Edgar "Pete" Shannon Aug. 5, 1933. He preceded her in death in October 1986. Also preceding her in death were one brother, Glen McCluney, and four sisters, Cecil Laughlin, Flora Patrick, Eloyea McDonald and Edith Bain...

It is over, at last, and we have a new Chief Executive getting settled into his formidable job. We are trusting that he will select an administration attuned to the realities of the country and the world which will help us get well again as Americans...

Residents of the city of Piggott will see lower rates for trash collection in the coming year, thanks to action Monday night by the city council. Members of the body met in special session Monday and voted to accept the low bid from Delta Environmental for trash collection...

The Department of Human Services has kicked off its 24th annual Christmas project, but according to Duane Dutka, DHS county administrator, there will be a major cut in this year's project. Due to the economic slowdown, donations have been down by around 80 percent and, after meeting with project leaders in Corning and Piggott, Dutka determined that after all the children from abused and neglected families are helped, the only ones that will receive help this year are the ones that are ?adopted? for Christmas.. ...

Veda Bell Smith, 93, of Piggott, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, in Piggott. She was born July 14, 1915, in Piggott, the daughter of the late William Harrison and Sarah Ellen (Holifield) Crockett. She was united in marriage to Chester E. ...

David S. Whitfield, 88, of Steele, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin, Tenn. Born Dec. 6, 1920 in Steele, he was the son of the late Thomas W. Whitfield and Liza Bell (Hatley) Whitfield. ...

Billy Roger Hardin, 56, of McDougal, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born June 13, 1952, in Detroit, Mich., the son of Homer and Freda Williams Hardin...

James (Dr. Jim) Herbert Turner, M.D., died Nov. 4, 2008. He was born in Arkansas City, Ark. Dr. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Wylie and Cora Moore Turner, along with three brothers and three sisters...

Gregory L. Pollard, 44, of Powell, Tenn., formerly of Pollard, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, at St. Mary?s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. He was born Feb. 10, 1964, in Poplar Bluff, the son of James R. and Mary (Ballard) Pollard...

Francis Lorene Binkley, the daughter of the late Robert Albert and Lula Duty Johnson, was born April 10, 1922, and left to be with her Heavenly Father in her daughters home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a long term illness at the age of 86, November 8, 2008, at 10:50 p.m...

1968 A strong earthquake shook Piggott, and portions of 22 states around 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8. The quake, centered 130 miles northwest of New Madrid, Mo., registered 5.5 on the Richter scale. Damage was minor and the only injury was a boy hit on the head by a falling brick in St. Louis...

The Piggott Mohawks ended their season on a high note last Friday night, as they traveled to Corning and shut out the Bobcats 21-0. Although they find themselves out of the playoffs, just for the want of a handful of extra points, the victory improves the Tribe's record to 5-5 and insures bragging rights for the coming year. ...