Stories from Thursday, January 22, 2009

Keith Hill and his Rector Drug and Medical Supply pharmacy and store have long been at the forefront of working hard to ensure the entire community has access to the necessary medicine and equipment to live healthy lives. ...

The inaugural pageantry and the soaring rhetoric of the inaugural address are now history. We have emerged, along with our new president, from a smooth transition period marked by unusual wisdom in selecting a team...

Since graduating from Rector High School in 2007, 20-year-old Abbe' McCarroll has made good on her desire to see the world. A sophomore at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., McCarroll is remembered by many in the community for her outstanding performances in the classroom and on the basketball court. ...

A very special young lady recently received the gift of a lifetime. Most of the Rector community knows the struggle 14-year-old Ariel Dooley has faced her entire life. The teen, whose infectious smile and good nature can brighten even the darkest room, has had to battle spina bifida her entire life. ...

The Rector Drama Department was able to prepare last week for its performance this week at the state drama festival in Alma while at the same time offering a top-notch show for area students and the Rector community...

Rector Elementary fifth graders Kasen Green and Abraham Christensen have a special task with which they are entrusted. Each day the young students are responsible for putting up and taking down the Arkansas and United States flags which respectfully fly at the elementary building's main entrance...

Barack Obama comes into the White House promising both change and unity. Change was the theme of the campaign, but unity has come to the forefront since that momentous election day last November...

I think I've figured out why there's so much stress in the U.S. It's television commercials. I came to this conclusion after watching a recent championship football game. It took three hours of televised play and 61 minutes of commercials...

Eddie Joe Henderson, 80, of Manila, formerly of Rector, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born Aug. 19, 1928, in Holland, Mo., she was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She was a member of the Purcell Church for many years...

The Lady Cougars dismantled the Marked Tree Lady Indians Monday night in Rector, 60-25. Rector got out to a 15-5 lead following a solid first quarter and built their advantage from there, leading 29-12 at the half and 55-19 going into the fourth...

The Cougars had a busy week, hosting Cross County on Friday and visiting Lepanto for a make-up game with East Poinsett County on Saturday. Against EPC, the Cougars came up just short in an 82-78 loss...

The Piggott Mohawks traveled to Rivercrest Tuesday night, and knocked-off the Colts by a final of 68-63 in 3A-3 conference play. Although they led throughout the game, and were up by as much as 10 points late, the Tribe cemented the game at the free-throw line as they visited the charity stripe 24 times in the pivotal fourth quarter. ...

Last week's long cold spell left area ponds and lakes covered with a layer of ice, such as Hughes Lake west of Piggott. This photo was taken early Saturday, as the morning sun reflected across the frozen surface. (Times photo/Tim Blair)...

Lawmakers were scheduled to reconvene in the Arkansas legislature Wednesday and continue the current session through Friday of this week. According to State Rep. Mike Patterson of Piggott, the session should be interesting. ...

The Clay County Extension Service will host their 2009 Rice and Soybean Production Meeting and Ag Expo beginning at 8 a.m. with sign-in Monday, Feb. 2. The event, which is being held at the M.B. Ainley Community Center in Corning, will include a full program of speakers and booths set up by various agri-businesses...

The Traditional Ladies of Piggott made a visit to Piggott Elementary School last week to drop-off a check from their recent Christmas fundraising campaign. Taking part in the ceremony were, from left: Front--PES principal Leean Mann, Deanna Yount and Mona Scott. Back--Johnna Murray, Paula O. Blackwell and Barbara Carrens. (Times photo/Tim Blair)...

Mrs. Eddie Joe Henderson, 80, of Manila, formerly of Rector, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Aug. 19, 1928, at Holland, Mo., to the late Rufus V. and Lillie Jones. She was a Baptist and was a member of the Purcell Church for many years...

Jerry David Garrison, 71, of Meadows Health and Rehabilitation of Corning, formerly of Pollard, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. He was born Sept. 8, 1937, at Pollard and was the son of the late Asa and Nola Elizabeth (Parker) Garrison...

James Barnes, 74, of Greenway, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at his home. He was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Casey, Ark. He is survived by his sons, Jason Barnes and wife Marsha of Piggott and Leonard Barnes of Jonesboro; three grandsons; a granddaughter; brother, Frank Hammons of Gore, Okla.; sister, Hattie McLemore of Shongaloo, La., and many other relatives and friends...

Alma Arbutis Milde, 81, of Piggott died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born July 23, 1927, in Success and was the daughter of the late Albert and Leeann (Shickles) Francis...

I think I've figured out why there's so much stress in the U.S. It's television commercials. I came to this conclusion after watching a recent championship football game. It took three hours of televised play and 61 minutes of commercials...

1969 An effort got underway 40 years ago this past week to build a veteran's memorial in front of the courthouse in Piggott. The old memorial arch to the veterans of World War I had been removed during construction of the new courthouse in 1967...

The Piggott Mohawks split a pair of conference games in the past week, losing at Corning on Tuesday night and then posting a road win at Manila Friday. Tuesday they were scheduled to visit the Rivercrest Colts...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks traveled down I-55 Monday night, and dropped a pair of conference games to the Lady Colts of Rivercrest. Lady Mohawks vs Colts The Lady Mohawks had two players in double-figures Monday night as they dropped a 38-58 conference loss to Rivercrest. ...