Stories from Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Piggott area teen was fortunate to escape with his life Thursday, Nov. 19, when he was involved in a spectacular crash along the west edge of the city. Justin Thompkins, 17, of West North Street, sustained moderate injuries in the single vehicle accident that occurred when his GMC Sonoma pickup ran off the highway and struck a utility pole. ...

Clay was one of 10 regional counties that took part in an earthquake response exercise Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Arkansas Shake, Rattle and Roll Earthquake Functional Exercise was designed to focus primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively react to a catastrophic quake. And according to Office of Emergency Services coordinator Travis Boyd, the local effort went well...

"It's a new world every day," Barbie Johnson laughs as she talks about teaching kindergarten the past 37 years. "It's neat -- they begin to start reading and are able to accomplish things they never dreamed they could do."...

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writers' Retreat was held Nov. 2-6 at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott. Born from the event was "The Works Writers Create" a collection of stories and poems by the 12 writers who attended...

James Dudley "Tadpole" Jeffress of Greenway, Ark., was born Oct. 6, 1955, and departed this life on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at the age of 54 years, one month, and 10 days. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Piggott. ...

Linda Cook, 61, of Piggott, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. She was born April 3, 1948, in Greenway, and was the daughter of the late Melvin Lonnie and Irene Jane (Ratcliff) Petty. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Melvin Eugene Petty...

Don Mason Haywood, 84, of Murphy Health and Rehab of Piggott died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Nov. 14, 1925, in Piggott, and was the son of the late Homer and Nora (Rogers) Haywood...

Willard Marvin Langley, 77, of Houston, Texas, was born Sept. 13, 1931, near Piggott. He died Aug. 31, 2009 in Katy, Texas. He graduated Piggott High School in 1948 and attended the University of Arkansas before returning to the family farm and working for Texas Eastern Pipeline. ...

Last week on those nice spring like days, people were getting outside, raking leaves or giving their yards a last time mowing before winter sets in. Some headed for the surrounding resort lakes and more sunshine...

1969 The Piggott Mohawks fell to the Augusta Red Devils 8-49 in their playoff game Nov. 22 at Kays Stadium at ASU. The Tribe's only score came on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Johnson to Gary Wiley, and Rick Rodery added the two-point conversion. ...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks continue to look for consistency as this year's basketball season progresses, as they dropped two games in the past week. Last Thursday the Lady Mohawks traveled to Paragould and fell to CRA, and Monday night the Tuckerman Lady Bulldogs visited PHS and took home a conference win...

The Piggott junior Lady Mohawks got their first win of the season last week at CRA, then dropped a conference game to Tuckerman Monday night at PHS. The girls are currently off for the Thanksgiving break, and return to action in the Pre-Holiday Tournament at Weiner next week...

The Piggott Mohawks took on the Tuckerman Bulldogs for the second time this season last Friday night, and dropped a pair of conference games. Tuesday night the Tribe was scheduled to visit the Corning Bobcats. Next week both the junior and senior boys will take part in the Pre-Holiday Tournament at Weiner, and will visit the Harrisburg Hornets in conference play...

Williams Baptist College volleyball players Laura Jardeen-Rhein and Stephanie Hart-Reynolds have received All-American Midwest Conference honors, and six Lady Eagles were named to the academic all-conference squad...

Four Rector High School graduates are among 100 Arkansas State University alumni recognized this month in an Arkansas State University Alumni Association special publication "100 Years, 100 Voices," presented as part of ASU's centennial celebration...

Making music has always been a part of Clyde Watkins' life. The 61-year-old picker has been playing music on his own since age eight and as part of a band from the time he was 11 years old. He learned to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass, showing not only his love for music, but an outstanding natural ability, as well...

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writers' Retreat was held Nov. 2-6 at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott. "The Works Writers Create" is a collection of stories and poems by the 12 writers who attended the retreat...

Two beautiful songs by the Rector High School choir were a highlight of Rector's ninth annual community Thanksgiving service, held Sunday evening, Nov. 22, at the Community Center. Directed by Judy Hargrave, the choir sang "American Hymn" and "United We Stand," earning a standing ovation from the large crowd. ...

Clay was one of 10 regional counties that took part in an earthquake response exercise Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Arkansas Shake, Rattle and Roll Earthquake Functional Exercise was designed to focus primarily on preparing emergency responders to effectively react to a catastrophic quake. And according to Office of Emergency Services coordinator Travis Boyd, the local effort went well...

Tickets will be available through Sunday, Nov. 29, for the Clay County Arts Council's annual Night of Chocolate, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Rector Community Center. This year's event features The Usual Suspects of Kennett, a popular band which includes Sheryl Crow's dad, Wendell Crow, on the trumpet and rhythm guitar; Jim Baker, vocals and lead guitar; Ken Williams, vocals, harmonica and drums; Daryl Wilcoxson, vocals and keyboards; Gary Wilcoxson, vocals and bass guitar, and Memphis music veteran (and former Kennett resident) Dunk Carter, vocals and lead guitar.. ...

We hear an increasing number of people expressing the view that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday of the year. Of course, it could have something to do with the turkey and dressing, rolls and gravy, pumpkin pie and on and on...

Last week on those nice spring like days, people were getting outside, raking leaves or giving their yards a last time mowing before winter sets in. Some headed for the surrounding resort lakes and more sunshine...

For summer shade, and a roaring hearth when blow the winter's winds, For gifts of gentle rain, a flaming leaf, a drift of virgin snow. The awesome majesty in thunderhead clouds, a bank of moss, For nights illumined by a single star, and high tide running full,...

Raymon Byron Lawrence of Thayer, Mo., formerly of Rector, passed away at the age of 73 on Nov. 17, 2009, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Raymon and his twin brother, Laymon, were born July 19, 1936, to the late Floyd and Nillie (McLeskey) Lawrence in Rector, Ark...

The Cougars picked up their first win of the season Friday night, topping Armorel, 59-44, in Rector. The Cougars started the game off with a 12-0 run that had their foes backing up early. Brandon Stevens started the spree, burying a three-pointer from the top of the arc. ...

The Lady Cougars improved their record to 3-2 overall with a 46-40 win over Trumann Monday night in Rector. Rector led throughout: 7-6; 21-13; and 34-29. While the Lady Cougars struggled offensively early on, they were able to force Trumann into 17 turnovers on the night...