Stories from Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The clean-up process is underway in Rector, as residents have likely noticed the presence of work crews and equipment from Crowder Disaster Recovery busy hauling away brush and trimming dangerous hanging limbs from city property...

Dalton Shaw is very good at what he does. In fact, the 18-year-old with a first degree black belt in taekwondo, is number two in the world in his division. Shaw moved from number four in the world up to number two with a first place finish March 14 at a national tournament in Las Vegas...

The seeds of healthy choices have grown into beautiful spring flowers at Rector Elementary. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students in Theresa Gatewood's resource classes planted 100 tulip bulbs during Red Ribbon Week in October as a way to show their commitment to lives free of illegal drugs and their influences. ...

The Cougars have hit a rough patch recently, dropping three straight games. On Monday, the squad played host to the piping-hot Warriors of East Poinsett County. The Cougars were downed 12-2 in six innings, as EPC's headline-grabber Chris Maddox hit for the cycle, capping his offensive outburst with a two-run homerun...

What makes you happy? We learned from an early age that we all have the right "to pursue happiness" in America, but somewhere along the line it seems our priorities may have become off-track...

No more animals for me. In my lifetime, my house has been a zoo. There were many parakeets, and many assorted dogs including pedigree hunting dogs with names like Big Boss Billy's Chief Banjo Joe. In fact there were so many hunting dogs that I lost count. Also there were stray cats, one named Ms. Black who had a litter every time a Tom looked at her, and a male stray named Cringer,...

Arimathea's tomb caught the dawning sun's early rays that morning as the two women hastened to visit the place where they had laid their Lord, who had been executed by crucifixion three days earlier. ...

Coy R. Crosno, age 93 years, one month and nine days, a resident of Charleston, Mo., formerly of Hoxie, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in the Charleston Manor. Born Feb, 28, 1916, in Hayti, Mo., to the late Lander and Ada Howe Crosno, Coy lived most of his life in Arkansas. He was the owner of Crosno & Son Constructuion and was of the Baptist faith...

Nima Jean Bowden of Rector passed away at the age of 81 at the St. Bernards Regional Medical Center on March 31, 2009. Jean was born Sept. 28, 1927, to the late Clyde and Myrtle (Noel) Johnson in Paragould, Ark...

The traditional first dance of the annual PHS junior-senior prom for 2009. This dance is reserved for members of those classes and follows the grand march. (Times photo/Tim Blair)

The annual Clay County Relay For Life is just over two weeks away, and as last minute plans are underway, this year's honored survivors have been named. This year the honor goes to Nancy and Tommy Hardcastle of Piggott. The couple will be formally introduced at the annual Survivor's Dinner, which will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Piggott...

Hundreds of kids took part in the annual Easter egg hunt at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Piggott last year, as evident by this photo of the event. This year the church will be hosting the egg hunt, and other activities, following their 10 a.m. services on Easter Sunday. More details may be found on page 6. (Times file photo)...

Charles Allen Watson, 59, of Pocahontas died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born Feb. 25, 1950, in Piggott. He was preceded in death by his father, Doyle (Ken) Watson. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Watson of the home; two sons, Jeff Watson of Pocahontas and Charlie Ruff and wife Geneva of Fayetteville; one sister, Alleyne Essary of Poplar Bluff; two grandchildren, Savanah and Alyssa Ruff, and his mother, Reba Crawford of Poplar Bluff.. ...

No more animals for me. In my lifetime, my house has been a zoo. There were many parakeets, and many assorted dogs including pedigree hunting dogs with names like Big Boss Billy's Chief Banjo Joe. In fact there were so many hunting dogs that I lost count. Also there were stray cats, one named Ms. Black who had a litter every time a Tom looked at her, and a male stray named Cringer,...

1969 Local attorney Gus Camp was sworn-in as Clay County's first municipal judge 40 years ago last week, and will hold court in Piggott, Rector and Corning. Camp, who has practiced law in Piggott for 16 years, became judge as a result of Act 332 of 1969 and was appointed by Gov. ...

The Piggott Mohawks seem to be peeking at just the right time, as they head into the last few games of the 2009 season. The Tribe notched two big conference wins in the past week, beating both Corning and Brookland at home, and played well in losing a non-conference five inning game to Gosnell Saturday in the Duel on the Diamond in Paragould. ...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks hosted Hoxie in high school softball action Monday afternoon at Independence Park, posting a 10-0 shut-out and coming up just one batter shy of a perfect game. Senior Nichol Foster went the distance in the five-inning conference affair, getting the no-hitter in the process. The only Lady Mustang to reach base was by way of an error, keeping Foster from the perfect game...

It's been eight years since the Piggott Mohawks hosted the district baseball tournament, and this year the Tribe will not only host the annual event--they've got a chance to shine on their home field. The tournament is scheduled for April 17-20 at Independence Park as eight teams compete for a chance to advance to the regional tournament...

The Piggott Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a 50-inning baseball game fundraiser this Saturday at Independence Park. The event, which is being held to raise money for improvements to the ball diamond, will get underway at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day...