Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Rector and the surrounding areas were drenched by torrential rains Monday, as a storm with the potential to produce tornados came through the area. In fact, spotters from the Rector Fire Department witnessed a funnel cloud form near the city limits...

Rector's Tom Wagster celebrated the 25th anniversary of his 1984 heart transplant Saturday, appropriately wearing a t-shirt which read, "The beat goes on." Joining in the big celebration was longtime friend Ceann McGowan of Springfield, Mo., who will mark 25 years with a new heart in November. ...

The role of teacher is among the most vital and influential in a community. A talented teacher not only imparts knowledge of a subject to students, but also creates a desire to do one's best in every situation throughout the entirety of life...

While a whirlwind of rumors continue to swirl around the recent resignation of former Marmaduke mayor Byron Phillips, there is little in the way of new, concrete information. An article last week in the Paragould Daily Press said Phillips was told by the Arkansas State Police the first week of June that he was under investigation...

These are a few spaces left for Rector's first Kids College, to be held Monday through Thursday, June 29 through July 2, at the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) on Main Street in Rector...

Organizers hope the Marmaduke Picnic makes its return in grand fashion. This year marks the first the event has been held since the small town was hit hard by a devastating tornado in 2006...

Local soldiers may once again be called on to perform duties overseas. Members of the 875th Engineer Battalion were told Saturday during the first day of their regularly scheduled annual training at the Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center near Fort Smith to prepare for the possibility of being called to support overseas operations. ...

The City of Rector has received notification of the receipt of a major grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for the continued development of the community's new educational training center...

The Rector Commercial Historic District has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an announcement this week from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage...

Former Marmaduke school superintendent Jerry Don McIntosh pled guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court at Little Rock to a single felony count of wire fraud conspiracy relating to an attempt to defraud the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)...

No longer can I say that I'm getting older. For several years I've used that phase, often as an excuse for some faux pas, but now I'm not getting older. I have arrived. I knew it when the waitress called me honey and sweetie, in a condescending way, "thanks, sweetie," she said when I paid my bill. She didn't call me that when I was in my mid forties. She waited until I grew old...

June comes softly and gently, bringing a sense of style and grace, as if she would like to be your fair lady. She reigns over her domain from a high-sky sun at its zenith come solstice. Her short nights are brought to an abrupt end by raucous dawns welcoming the day sounds to us participants in the celebration of summer at last. Her rains are gentle...

Most of us immediately think negative when the word "regulation" is mentioned, particularly as it applies to the government. We envision "red tape" or "paper work" or similar unpleasant images...

Tony Wayne Jones was born September 2, 1943, to the late Euvene and Zeffie (Marsh) Jones. He departed this life on June 3, 2009, at the age of sixty-five years, nine months and one day. Mr. Jones had served in the Navy and was a member of Smith's Chapel...

Strong storms swept across portions of Northeast Arkansas Monday afternoon, dumping several inches of rainfall on the already-wet region and causing some wind damage. The heaviest damage was reported at the residence of Ricky and Sheila Vaughn, at 5384 Route 139 between Piggott and Holly Island. ...

The prospect of USDA grant and loan money for improvements was discussed by members of the Piggott City Council at a special meeting Monday. During the noon-hour gathering, aldermen agreed to resolutions allowing the city to apply for grants to help pay for a new police cruiser and fire truck, but tabled an effort to secure funding for sewer and water improvements...

The official ribbon-cutting and dedication for Piggott Community Hospital was held 30 years ago today, June 17, 1979. Over the years the facility has grown, and expanded, and continues to serve the community with services and staff that rivals much larger cities. (Times photo/Tim Blair)...

A full day of activities is in store for visitors to the 82nd annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic. The picnic, which benefits the upkeep of the Piggott Cemetery, will be held Saturday, July 4, and with the event falling on a weekend, organizers expect a big crowd...

A full schedule of youth pageants will be held in conjunction with this year's Piggott Fourth of July Picnic, with the first set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. All of the youth pageants will feature patriotic or casual wear, and no pageant wear will be accepted. Pageant wear will only be worn for the Miss Piggott pageant, which is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, July 4...

Jim Watson, 61, of Corning died Monday, June 15, 2009, at his home. He was born November 27, 1947, in Piggott, the son of Pete and Roberta Watson. He was preceded in death by his mother and a brother, David Watson...

Walter C. Brewer was born July 12, 1929, in McNairy County, Tenn., the son of the late Walter Carl and Lundya Ann (Milford) Brewer. He was a General Superintendent for 35 years at Brown Shoe Company, serving at both the Piggott and Selmer, Tenn., factories, and later worked for Wolverine Shoe Company for five years. He was of the Baptist belief...

Kenneth G. Parrish, 81, a resident of Clay County, died June 15, 2009, at his home in McDougal after a three month bout with cancer. He was born March 22, 1928, in McDougal, to the late Furman Estle Parrish and Elsie Mae (Morrow) Parrish...

Larry Dale King of San Diego, Calif., passed away June 7, 2009 --- he was 53. He is survived by his wife Sheila (Webb) King, whom he married at Piggott, Jan. 25, 1975. Larry's "love at first sight" experience blossomed into 34 years of true commitment and hard work through life's ups and downs with Shelia, ever faithful, by his side. ...

1969 It was reported 40 years ago this week that 1,743 families in Clay County, or just over 30-percent, now live below the poverty level. This compares to 22.6-percent nationwide and 32.4-percent statewide, but is well below the 46.1-percent that was recorded back in 1960. The poverty level was set at $1,085 per year for a single person up to $5,090 for a non-farm family of seven people...

No longer can I say that I'm getting older. For several years I've used that phase, often as an excuse for some faux pas, but now I'm not getting older. I have arrived. I knew it when the waitress called me honey and sweetie, in a condescending way, "thanks, sweetie," she said when I paid my bill. She didn't call me that when I was in my mid forties. She waited until I grew old...

One way for a high school coach to insure a steady stream of athletes for their program is to cultivate the young talent in their district. So far this year there have been volleyball and basketball camps at PHS, and earlier this month longtime Mohawk tennis coach Paul Seegraves conducted a PeeWee tennis clinic...