Stories from Thursday, April 8, 2010

Easter heralds the beginning of new life. Trees and flowers are blooming and gardens are being planted. Birds are building nests and the warm sun beats down. For, Lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth. Song of Solomon 2:11-12...

Easter heralds the beginning of new life. Trees and flowers are blooming and gardens are being planted. Birds are building nests and the warm sun beats down. For, Lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth. Song of Solomon 2:11-12...

The Emmanuel Baptist Church of Piggott hosted their annual Easter celebration Saturday, with several hundred young-and young at hear-area residents in attendance. The church also held free "store" of clothing items, shoes and sporting equipment and put together 100 food baskets for distribution. ...

A runaway fertilizer spreader did considerable damage to a home on West Main Street in the city Thursday, April 1. The damage was sustained to the residence of Rodney and Kim Rouse, 920 West Main Street, after the spreader came loose from a truck being driven by Jeff Wolfenbarger of Holly Island...

Clifford Franklin Olds, 82, of Piggott, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Oct. 17, 1927, in St. Francis, and was the son of the late Obrey T. and Lettie Ann (Boyd) Olds...

Walter Levi "Bunk" Glass went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 1, 2010. He was converted and baptized May 7, 1972, at Calvary Heights Baptist Temple in Creve Coeur, Mo., at the age of 38. He served as a Trustee, part-time bus driver and assisted in children's church...

1970 Funeral services for noted educator Dr. Ralph McNeil, Dean of Adelphia (N.Y.) College were held March 30 at the First United Methodist Church of Piggott. A native of Rector, McNeil moved to Piggott when his father George was elected sheriff. ...

The Piggott Lady Mohawks continue to struggle with pitching this spring, and dropped a pair of non-conference games in the past week. The Tribe was set to visit the conference leading Corning Bobcats for a double header Tuesday afternoon at CHS...

The Piggott Pee Wee Lady Mohawks recently completed a productive season by bringing home the championship trophy from a tournament at Walnut Ridge. The team, which was coached by Jason Beck and Harold Burnside, ended up with a record of 19-6 on the season...

Democrat News Staff There is both tragedy and triumph in the story of twin brothers Maurice and Don Keller. From their birth at Blue Cane on June 19, 1917, to Jonah and Jewell Keller, the brothers often were inseparable during their youth. ...

Rector alderman David Freeman announced Monday night he will seek the position of Rector mayor. The announcement came at the close of Monday night's monthly city council meeting. Freeman, 62, said his decision came "after a great deal of consideration" over the last few weeks, following current mayor Ron Kemp's announcement he will not seek re-election...

Rector's Relay for Life team, Walking Rectorites Encouraging Cancer Knowledge (WRECK) is sponsoring free PSA testing for local men and hosting a fish fry fundraiser Monday, April 12, at the Community Center...

Tickets are going quickly for the 2010 Rector Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, at the Community Center. Following the theme "Looking to the Future," the banquet promises lots of fun and entertainment for all who attend...

Donald Ray Rogers of Rector passed away on April 3, 2010. Donald was born June 22, 1930, near Rector, Arkansas. He was the son of Willie and Cordie Rogers. His mother preceded him in death when he was very young. His father was remarried to Grace (Morris) Rogers. This marriage joined two families together and they continue to serve and honor the Lord...

Almarita Lock of Rector passed from this life at the age of 89 on April 4, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Almarita came into this world August 2, 1920, to the late Amos and Fannie (Edwards) Harmon in Rector. She served as a cook in the Rector School District for many years. She also was a Worthy Matron for the Eastern Star and was a member of the First Baptist Church...

We all know the many challenges faced in our smaller communities as economic and social trends work against them in so many ways. Job opportunities abound in larger cities and suburbs and, over time, there has been a migration to those locales...

The Cougars picked up a 4-3 win over league opponent East Poinsett County Monday in Rector. The game was not considered a conference win, though, due to scheduling requirements. The Cougars took control in the bottom of the second, plating all four of their runs in the pivotal frame. ...

The Lady Cougars blistered the scorekeeper's thumbs Monday, imposing their will upon host Blytheville 24-0 in a run-shortened three-inning contest. Rector brought out the big sticks in the win, securing 21 hits as a team...