Stories from Thursday, January 21, 2010

The top official from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department visited Northeast Arkansas Friday. At the urging of regional lawmakers, Dan Flowers first spoke at Corning concerning the future plans for U.S. ...

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) recently released to members of the Arkansas General Assembly a report on grade inflation. That report identified 58 high schools in the state with a 20 percent or more inflation of grades...

There is no doubt Kyle Souder was born to be in the kitchen. A 2003 Rector High School graduate, Souder has quickly moved up the ladder of culinary arts through hard work and determination and now is head chef of Rounders Grilling and Gaming Company in Las Vegas...

"We're breaking new ground," State Sen. Robert Thompson of Paragould noted of the upcoming fiscal session of the Arkansas State Legislature. "The amendment approved by voters in 2008 provides for up to a 30-day fiscal session, which can be extended by 15 days with a two-third vote by both the House and Senate."...

The students of Rector Elementary have once again shown their dedication to helping fund education and research into one of the biggest threats in America. With their participation in the annual Jump Rope For Heart fundraiser, sponsored by the American Heart Association, the children of Rector Elementary School raised $2,440 for education and research into cardiovascular disease...

Rector High School student Clinton Haley was among 20 Arkansas high school seniors honored Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Wendy's High School Heisman Awards Presentation held at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock...

Several Clay County cotton growers gathered Monday at the Rector Community Center to meet with University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension specialists and agents to discuss what lies ahead for the important crop...

Rector mayor Ron Kemp submitted this report to the City Council and all the citizens of Rector concerning the State of the City in 2010. Street Improvements The rising cost of asphalt has had an effect on the city's ability to make street repairs and improvements in the last several years. The cost of such work has tripled in the last 10 years, far exceeding the city's revenue for such projects...

William Leo Prince also known as "Hoss," age 73, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away Dec. 19 at his residence. Funeral services were held Dec. 26. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne K. Heaton; a brother, Eugene Prince, and his parents, Charley and Terece Prince...

Imonell Jenkins, 80, of Paragould passed away January 16, 2010, at her residence. She was born August 26, 1929, to the late Wimberley and Gladys (Stallings) Lyles in Rector. She was a member of the Griffin Memorial United Methodist Church...

Some of my best friends are those who make me laugh. They have a good sense of humor and laugh easily. I've also noticed that most of my friends are younger than I am. I think they keep me young by keeping me in touch with a younger way of thinking. They aren't stodgy and they like to go and do. So I tag along shopping or dining out or running around with them...

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. ...

The Cougars broke free from their holiday slump in front of their home crowd, topping the visiting Cross County Thunderbirds, 54-30. Rector led 12-7 after the first quarter, then really took over to start the second frame, rattling off 12 unanswered to move ahead 24-7 midway through the period. ...

The Lady Cougars capped off an abbreviated week of action Friday, routing the visiting Cross County Lady Thunderbirds, 65-18, in their only contest. Rector got off to a quick start, using the full-court press to create havoc for their guests and cause a plethora of turnovers. ...

"We're breaking new ground," State Sen. Robert Thompson of Paragould noted of the upcoming fiscal session of the Arkansas State Legislature. "The amendment approved by voters in 2008 provides for up to a 30-day fiscal session, which can be extended by 15 days with a two-third vote by both the House and Senate."...

Several Clay County cotton growers gathered Monday at the Rector Community Center to meet with University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension specialists and agents to discuss what lies ahead for the important crop...

Anne M. Pendergraph, 76, a resident of Piggott for two years, passed away Jan. 12, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Maxwell and Florance Morton and was born July 29, 1933, in Jacksonville, N.C...

Aaron Earl Garis, 83, of Piggott, passed away Friday, January 15, 2010 at the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born April 1, 1926 the son of the late John Franklin and Freddie May (Lincon) Garis...

Chester Clifford Risener, lovingly known as "Cliff", 97, of Piggott, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. Cliff was born in Waveland, Ark., July 18, 1912, to Solomon Porter and Lula (Hood) Risener. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mildred (Eubanks) Risener; his parents; two sisters, Erma Ralaford and Lula Frye; three brothers, Herman, Outher and Joe Risener; three children, Doris Jean, Barbara and Jimmy; three granddaughters, Laurie, Shawna and Kellye, along with a host of friends.. ...

Some of my best friends are those who make me laugh. They have a good sense of humor and laugh easily. I've also noticed that most of my friends are younger than I am. I think they keep me young by keeping me in touch with a younger way of thinking. They aren't stodgy and they like to go and do. So I tag along shopping or dining out or running around with them...

1970 Kindergarten Headstart graduation for the first session was held in the past week, with speaker Virginia Adkinson of Corning. Meanwhile, the Clay County Farm Bureau board of directors met with vice president Lloyd Vangilder presiding and secretary G.C. Flanigan presenting the budget...

The Piggott Mohawks continued their recent domination of the Corning Bobcats last Tuesday night, beating their cross-county conference rivals 71-65 in boys basketball action. Friday night the Tribe visited the tough Manila Lions and dropped a conference decision by a final of 57-79...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks are finally back to full strength these days, and have been playing better basketball as the season progresses. In the past week the Tribe split three games, with a win over Tuckerman and losses to Corning and Rivercrest...

The Piggott Elementary Lady Mohawk fourth and fifth grade traveling team has been enjoying a productive season, and is coached this year by Paul Seegraves. Last Saturday, Jan. 16 the team took third place in a tournament at Walnut Ridge by defeating the local girls team. ...