Stories from Thursday, February 25, 2010

The first reading of a one-cent sales tax ordinance to benefit Piggott Community Hospital was held Monday night at the monthly city council meeting. Aldermen also voted to hold a public hearing, and called meeting, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 8, to address the issue...

Wednesday's opening round of the 2A North Regional Tournament at Midland were not kind for the local community teams, as both the Rector boys and Marmaduke girls were dismissed in the single elimination event. The Cougars ran into a talented Melbourne squad which was fresh off winning the 2A-2 district title. Rector fell short in the meeting, 64-41...

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center hosted a presentation by local astronomer Kenneth Renshaw Wednesday, Feb. 17. The occasion was the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the Paragould Meteorite...

What does the 18-35 generation think of the current economic and lifestyle opportunities in Northeast Arkansas and their prospects for the future? Those were questions posed to a group of younger residents in a special seminar held Tuesday of last week at the Paragould Community Center, an event hosted by the Economic Development Coalition of Northeast Arkansas...

Billy Lee Wikowsky, 63, of Rector, passed away Feb. 12, 2010, at his home. He was born May 1, 1946, in Detroit, Mich., and was the son of the Grant Edwin and Willa Gertrude "Trudy" Wikowsky. Billy was a member of Tyrain Lodge # 500 in Plymouth, Mich., and a dual member of Dannelly Lodge #300 in Rector...

Julius Larue Templeton was born April 26, 1923, the son of William D. and Mabel H. Templeton and died Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at his home in Spanaway, Wash., at the age of 86. His wife, Ruby, passed away Nov. 8, 2009. She has three daughters living in Washington State...

Bobby Jane Darnell, 74, formerly of Piggott, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at her home in Griffithville, Ark., after a bout with cancer. Bobby was born Nov. 23, 1935, in Mississippi County, Ark., the daughter of the late Henry and Inez (Walls) Crawford. She was of the Pentecostal faith, was a homemaker, collected whatnots and ceramic dolls, loved to dance and favored country music...

I missed out on equal rights for women. When I was first married, then gave birth to my two children, I hadn't heard much about women's rights and equality. I was too busy changing diapers, keeping house, cooking meals, and taking care of my kids from birth until they decided to leave home at about age eighteen. ...

1970 The Piggott School Board asked patrons to consider a six-mill increase 40 years ago this month. The additional funding was needed to address acute needs identified by the North Central Association, including--smaller classes, new classes such as speech and journalism and addressing the special education program at the high school. ...

The Piggott Mohawks put up a good fight, but fell to the Hoxie Mustangs by eight points last Tuesday afternoon in the District Tournament at Earle. The final was 60-52 as the Tribe ended this year's campaign...

Weather continues to be a problem for the Williams Baptist College baseball team, as they battle snow, rain and wet field conditions. Among the varsity players on the WBC traveling team this year is former PHS standout Tyler Grubb, son of Shelly and Mark Grubb...