Stories from Wednesday, October 28, 2009

1969 The Piggott Chamber of Commerce elected new officers 40 years ago last week, with Frank Knuckles elected president and Rex Watson vice president..meanwhile Randall Davis was elected to the board. ...

Colorful costumes and decorations added to the festive atmosphere for Rector High School's final Oktoberfest celebration held Monday night at the Community Center. German students (from left) Daniel Blackshare, Kristie Hardin and Cole Thomas were among a large group of teens who entertained parents and friends with the Alphabet Song, a swing dance and the lively Chicken Dance. ...

Rector will welcome hundreds of visitors this weekend as the city hosts the peewee football district playoffs Saturday. According to coaches and local supporters, this is only the second time a Rector team has advanced to the peewee football postseason and the first time the city has been chosen to host the event...

As fall arrives, many people turn their attention toward the holiday season. With the announcement of an auction on a piece of art created especially for the Rector Woman's Club by talented local artist Joel Boyd, it's no wonder anticipation is growing for the season of giving...

Kristie Hayes has been named as a monthly finalist for the KARK Community Service Award for her work with local soldiers and their families. Hayes was interviewed by the Little Rock NBC affiliate Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Rector Armory...

Craig Morris is a talented performer with local ties who is offering his support in strengthening the community by helping those who need it most. In one of his latest projects, Morris has taken to the big screen, performing in the independent film "The River Within."...

The delays continue for local farmers. With a few days free from rain last week, growers were able to get out in their fields to harvest soybeans, rice, corn and, in a few cases, cotton. However, rain has returned to the area, once more slowing down the process...

Carl B. Rogers, 79, of Festus, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at his residence. He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Rector to the late Obe and Thelma (Hickerson) Rogers. He worked in the maintenance department of the Jefferson County Courthouse for 18 years. He also worked at St. Joe Lead and was a farmer...

We will be among the first to acknowledge that very few issues in our society are more complicated and difficult to grasp than our health care system...

It really is getting scary. Saturday is Halloween and you know what that means. It means that Thanksgiving isn't far behind and you know what that means. It means that Christmas is just around the corner and you know what that means...

The Peewee Cougars' sixth grade squad improved to 8-0 on the season and clinched the top seed for the district playoffs slated for this Saturday in Rector with a thrilling 14-8 win over host Gosnell last Saturday...

The Cougars ran into a hungry Bobcat squad Friday night in Walnut Ridge, falling to their hosts, 44-14. The win was critical for Walnut Ridge, who solidified their inclusion in the 2A state playoffs...

Thursday's game at McCrory was a difficult task for the Junior Cougars, as they fell to the 2A-3 conference power 42-0 in a tough matchup made even worse by unyielding rain and muddy conditions...

For the 22nd year in a row, Piggott Elementary School is marking Red Ribbon Week with activities scheduled through Friday. This year's theme is "Peace Out to Drugs! Peace, love and hugs, not drugs!"...

The Piggott Community Center took on the sights and sounds of Christmas Tuesday, Oct. 20, as the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and business meeting. With a theme of "An Old Fashioned Christmas," those taking part in the annual table decorating contest had the opportunity to bring out their holiday finery. ...

The future of the Piggott Armory was discussed at great length at Monday's meeting of the Piggott City Council. The armory, which was deeded to the city after the National Guard pulled out several years ago, has been a matter of much discussion in recent months as the building continues to deteriorate...

Travis Boyd (left) and Larry Holifield inspect the monument that was erected last week on the Northwest corner of the courthouse lawn in Piggott. The monument, a project of the Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society, was spearheaded by Holifield and his wife Carol. ...

A special meeting of the Piggott School Board was held Thursday, Oct. 22, to discuss the threat and evacuation that occurred last Wednesday. With all members on hand, along with Superintendent Ed Winberry, PHS principal Barry DeHart and assistant principal Brock Swann the board reviewed the events that lead up to the evacuation of both Piggott campuses the previous day...

Dena Lou Johnson, 44, of Pollard, passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Nov. 29, 1964, in Poplar Bluff, and was the daughter of the late Carl H. and Sarah Lou (Kelso) McNeal. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Lee, Lonnie Joe and Roy Gene McNeal...

James Paul Johnson, 48, of Holcomb died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, as the result of an auto accident that occurred in Clarkton. He was born June 20, 1961, in South Haven, Mich., and was the son of Robert Lee Johnson and Patsy Johnson-Keating...

Carl B. Rogers, 79, of Festus, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at his residence. He was born Nov. 12, 1929, in Rector to the late Obe and Thelma (Hickerson) Rogers. He worked in the maintenance department of the Jefferson County Courthouse for 18 years. He also worked at St. Joe Lead and was a farmer...

Gilbert R. Hollis, 69, of Champaign, Ill. passed away in his sleep Sunday, October 25, 2009 at his son's residence. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Meadowbrook Community Church, 1902 South Duncan Road in Champaign with Reverend Ron Strack officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 -7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the church...

Myra Aladine Neely, 96, of Fayetteville, Ga. went home to be with the Lord on October 23, 2009 at the Lafayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born April 1, 1913 on a farm near Greenway. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Arvel (Dick) Neely and infant daughter Wanda Lee...

Ronny Oliver, 60, of Corning died Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at the VA Medical Center in Memphis. He was born May 19, 1949 at Cape Girardeau, Mo. to the late Rex and Mildred Oliver. He was also preceded in death by a step-daughter, Jamey Hovis in July, 1991...

It really is getting scary. Saturday is Halloween and you know what that means. It means that Thanksgiving isn't far behind and you know what that means. It means that Christmas is just around the corner and you know what that means...

The Piggott Mohawks made another strong showing at the state 3A tennis tournament Oct. 19 and 20 at Arkansas Tech, with the girls finishing as the fourth ranked team in the state and the boy's earning a ninth place ranking. ...

"We knew they were good going down there," Piggott Mohawk head football coach Dave Hendrix noted of the Tribe's visit the Rivercrest last Friday night, "I think they're the most talented team we've faced this year." And the Colts lived up to that billing, scoring on two of their first three plays from scrimmage as they beat the Mohawks 41-14. ...

The Piggott junior Mohawks extended their season record to 6-2 last Thursday as they beat the Manila Lions 8-0 on a rain and wind-swept night at Parker Field. On the game workhouse running back Cody Mantz finished with over 100 yards rushing, pushing him to over 1,000 yards on the season...