Stories from Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Being chosen may have been the easy part for newly-appointed Marmaduke mayor Steve Dixon. Now the 50-year-old industrial engineer has a daunting task ahead of him as he focuses on cleaning up the still-healing town...

Jane Fennell, who is residing at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell while she recovers from a stroke, had a good time visiting with the many visitors who stopped by to see her or her recent birthday celebration. The room was filled with friends, who warmly greeted her and brought cards and gifts. Cake and punch were served, and at the conclusion of the party, Jane enjoyed spending some time in the park. (Democrat photo/Nancy Kemp)...

It has been one year since the Clay County Humane Society became incorporated. The organization's mission statement is clear -- to make a difference in the lives of animals and in the community...

Clay County is in mourning following the death of one of its leaders. Justice of the Peace Rex Smart, 74, died Saturday, July 18, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Smart had served as a JP for McDougal since 1999, representing the small community as a member of the Clay County Quorum Court. ...

The Marmaduke City Council heard from eight interested candidates in their search for the town's new mayor during Monday night's regular meeting. Joe Horton, Nileane Drope, Walter Whitenton, Steve Dixon, Kathleen Allison, George Manis, Dennis Payne and Jason Farmer attended to make their cases for the position to aldermen Roy Newsom, Bill Muse, Chuck Long, Jerrimy Farmer, Chris Blackshear and Tom Green.. ...

The subject is dogs. The latest addition to the family is my son's pup, Boss Man. He doesn't look like a boss. He's white, small, frisky and energetic. He has a bobbed tail and ears that stand upright...

Ronald Earl Rigdon, 52, of Corning, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009. He was born November 30, 1956, in Piggott, and was the son of the late J.V. and Janice (Robinson) Rigdon. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Jesse and Alice Rigdon and Jewell and Edith Robinson...

Rex Blair Smart, 74, of McDougal, died July 18, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born February 4, 1935, near Crockett to the late Dan and Thronie (Blair) Smart. He was retired from the Delta Asphalt Company and currently serving as a member of the Clay County Quorum Court. He also enjoyed quail hunting and listening to bluegrass gospel music...

Rava Nell White, 77, of Paragould, died Monday, July 13, at her residence. She was born in Hollywood, Mo., on Aug. 4, 1931, and was retired from Emerson Electric Co. in Paragould. She was a member of New Liberty Baptist Church and a member of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Arkansas Methodist Hospital...

W.O. Layer, 82, of Rector passed from this life on July 17, 2009. He was born July 13, 1927, in Rector to the late Floy and Maude (Thomas) Layer. W.O. was a farmer and a lifetime member of the Hopewell Missionary...

There is no question that the letters-to-the-editor section of the newspaper is one of the most widely-read each week. One of the most basic functions of a community newspaper is to provide a forum for its readers to express views on a wide range of topics -- both local and more far-reaching. ...

My readers of this page may remember that my late wife of 32 years of happily married joys passed away just six months ago this week. One does not recover from such a blow to the entire soul that soon, if ever...

Two candidates have filed for position three on the Rector School Board. Incumbent James Turner is being challenged by Jacinda Welch for the position, which has a five-year term. Write-in candidates were required to contact the Clay County Election Committee via letter by today (Wednesday) to announce their intention to run...

The community of St. Francis hosted its 70th annual picnic Saturday with the proceeds to benefit both the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries. The annual event enjoyed mild weather for mid-July, and as a result the crowd was fairly large and the picnic grounds remained active throughout the day...

Rector firemen worked Friday afternoon, July 17, at the scene of a one-vehicle accident near the St. Francis River bridge which took the life of a Clay County man. According to a report by the Arkansas State Police, Ronald Rigdon, 52, of McDougal was traveling south on Highway 90 between the Trammelville curve and the river when the grain truck he was driving left the road at about 1:18 p.m., crashing into a ditch running parallel to the highway. ...

Clay County is in mourning following the death of one of its leaders. Justice of the Peace Rex Smart, 74, died Saturday, July 18, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Smart had served as a JP for McDougal since 1999, representing the small community as a member of the Clay County Quorum Court. ...

The Piggott Lions Club elected new officers for the coming year at a recent meeting of the group.

Rex Blair Smart, 74, of McDougal, died July 18, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born February 4, 1935, near Crockett to the late Dan and Thronie (Blair) Smart. He was retired from the Delta Asphalt Company and currently serving as a member of the Clay County Quorum Court. He also enjoyed quail hunting and listening to bluegrass gospel music...

Ronald Earl Rigdon, 52, of Corning, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009. He was born November 30, 1956, in Piggott, and was the son of the late J.V. and Janice (Robinson) Rigdon. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Jesse and Alice Rigdon and Jewell and Edith Robinson...

The subject is dogs. The latest addition to the family is my son's pup, Boss Man. He doesn't look like a boss. He's white, small, frisky and energetic. He has a bobbed tail and ears that stand upright...

1969 Residents of the Piggott area joined the remainder of the world Sunday, July 20 of 1969 as Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin of Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Armstrong made his famous "first step" around 9:56 p.m. local time..with Aldrin joining him on the lunar surface around 10:30...

Four members of the Piggott Mohawk baseball team were among the starters for the Glen Sain Junior American Legion team from Paragould this season, helping lead the squad to a district championship and a trip to the state tournament. ...

The Piggott Boy's Summer Tennis League will conclude this Thursday, July 23, with their annual tournament. The league, which is under the direction of PHS tennis coach Paul Seegraves, has been going on the past several weeks at the municipal tennis courts in Piggott...

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center will host a healthe fair in the Rector community center from 9am to 12pm Thursday, July 23. The purpose of the fair is to raise awareness on the importance of preventative medicine. Visitors will be able to have various screenings such as blood pressure tests. A number of health care professionals will be on hand to discuss preventive health care, healthy lifestyle management and answer questions. People of all ages are encouraged to attend...