Stories from Thursday, December 24, 2009

The annual HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) program held their annual Christmas party for Clay County students last week at the Piggott Community Center with special guest Santa Claus. ...

The holidays tend to be the most magical time of the year, bringing together families, friends and even entire communities. At 93 years old, Bernie Whitaker has been a part of many holiday celebrations. Proving that one is never too old to enjoy this season, Whitaker not only retains many fond memories of holidays past, he looks forward to adding more each year...

A talented local artist is sharing her gift with appreciative Rector fans. Gail Ford has taken her love of art to new heights, expanding her interest in painting into a thriving new direction. Ford's style and sensibility has found a welcoming niche in the hearts of animal lovers through her popular "pet portraits" series of paintings based on the beloved furry members of families who request her work.. ...

Speculation continues to surround the outlook for the Rector Armory following reports of the site's inclusion on a list of potential closings and reassignments. There is, however, no concrete evidence the armory will be closing. ...

Daniel White RHS Freshman What does Christmas mean to me? Well there are a few things that I can think of off the top of my head! The definition of Christmas for me is: Families being together all having a huge birthday party for Jesus! Jesus who is the Lord and Savior of the entire world -- who came down to Earth and lived a perfect life for 33 years and -- who died on the cross of Calvary for all the people living then and for all of the ones who have been born since and for all who are yet to be born!. ...

For the second time in 2009, the Clay County Quorum Court has had to recommend a successor to perform the duties of a deceased justice of the peace. During Monday night's meeting at the Clay County Road Department shop in Corning, the court approved a recommendation in support of appointing Mike Hill of Greenway to the district 3 position vacated by the passing of long-serving justice James Jeffress.. ...

Charles Woodrow Jackson of Paragould died December 18,2009. Born October 28, 1928, in Marmaduke, he was a retired diesel mechanic and was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by Debra Reed, of the home; five sons, Gary Jackson of Holland, Michigan, Roy Jackson of St. ...

Christmas is a mix. It's a wondrous celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Luke, Chapter 2, is the greatest story ever told. Yet for some. the Christmas season brings sadness; a meloncholy. It's a reflective time.as we remember Christmases past and loved ones who are no longer with us...

As expected, Rector's Lady Cougars came through with a solid performance to dispatch Marked Tree, 61-39, in first round action Monday night in the annual NEA Invitational Tournament at Jonesboro. After a somewhat sluggish start, Rector rolled off 17 straight points to move ahead 20-4 late in the first quarter. ...

Kirk Horton's driving layup with 1.5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner for the Rector Cougars in a 47-45 victory Monday afternoon over Riverside in the first round of the annual NEA Invitational Tournament at Jonesboro...

The Lady Cougars hung on for a 64-61 win over the Lady Rockets of Turrell last Thursday night in Rector. The Lady Cougars looked to be in command early, rattling off 14 unanswered to close out the first quarter with a strong 20-6 lead. Chelsea Drope spurred the charge in the frame, connecting on back-to-back-to-back three-pointers...

For three quarters, the Cougars hung right with 2A-3 powerhouse Turrell Thursday night in Rector. Unfortunately, it was a difficult fourth quarter in which the 70-41 loss was determined. The Cougars began the night by giving the visiting Rockets, the number two ranked team in the conference, all they wanted in the opening frame. ...

Times News Staff After 25 years, it seems that Christmas isn't Christmas in the Piggott area without the annual live nativity at Hitts Chapel General Baptist Church. This past weekend the effort, which first began with a single manger scene in 1985, came to life once again as the church members and volunteers presented "Journey to Bethlehem."...

The annual joint meeting of the Piggott City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission was held Monday, Dec. 14, at the Piggott Community Center. The meeting is held each year to allow the commission to present its annual budget to the council, which is done as a courtesy to the mayor and aldermen...

For the second time in 2009, the Clay County Quorum Court has had to recommend a successor to perform the duties of a deceased justice of the peace. During Monday night's meeting at the Clay County Road Department shop in Corning, the court approved a recommendation in support of appointing Mike Hill of Greenway to the district 3 position vacated by the passing of long-serving justice James Jeffress.. ...

Howard Crowson, 89, of Greenway, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 9, 1920, in Greenway, and was the son of the late Joseph Hightower and Ida (Moore) Crowson...

Aline Goodwin Jackson, age 61, of Arkadelphia, formerly of Piggott, died Monday, Dec. 14, peacefully at her home following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). She was born May 3, 1948, in Congo, Arkansas, to Edgar Allen and Allie (Jewell) Goodwin. ...

Christmas is a mix. It's a wondrous celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Luke, Chapter 2, is the greatest story ever told. Yet for some. the Christmas season brings sadness; a meloncholy. It's a reflective time.as we remember Christmases past and loved ones who are no longer with us...

1969 With the Christmas mailing season in full swing, the staff of the Piggott Post Office was pictured on the front page this week in time. They included Jim Mowery, Jerry Sale, Junior Blake, John Ed Lingle, Lyman Sneed, Ed Causey, Bob Johnson, John Robert Brown, Frank Seal and D.H. ...

The Lady Mohawks dropped their set at Manila last Thursday night, with the seniors losing 36-49 and the junior girls falling 18-43 to the Lions. Friday night the Mohawks fell in both their games to the Earle Bulldogs at PHS, with the seniors losing 50-81 and the junior boys were edged 44-57...

The Piggott High School Special Olympics bowling team recently qualified to compete in the state bowling tournament at Little Rock. The athletes made the trip to the Capital City Wednesday, Dec. 9, with three teams competing...