Stories from Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Marmaduke Fire Department recently unveiled a very special addition to its team of emergency responders in the form of a new ladder truck. While the large rescue vehicle will likely prove vital in the department's efforts to help protect residents of Marmaduke and the surrounding communities, the truck has an even greater meaning to firefighters for reasons far more personal. The new truck has been dedicated in memory of captain John Healy...

Issues regarding property were a recurring topic of discussion for the Rector City Council in a meeting Monday night at City Hall. One of the requests was made by David Cagle on behalf of his mother, Wilma. Cagle said his mother's yard often is flooded following heavy rain due to drainage issues from a clogged ditch which forces water across Angela Street. ...

With more activities, the 2010 Rector Downtown Central Mayfest is shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrations of the year. "This will probably be the biggest Mayfest we've had in Rector," said assistant community development director Tom Diddle. ...

The amazing art of Rector native Joel Boyd will be displayed for the public when the Clay County Arts Council presents a Joel Boyd: Artist exhibition Monday, May 17, through Thursday, May 20, at the Crockett Gallery on Main Street in Rector. An opening reception will be held on the evening of May 17 at the Crockett Gallery...

Adele Hardin, age 89, of Rector, Ark., went home to be with her Lord on April 26, 2010, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. Mrs. Hardin was born March 15, 1921, in Paragould, Ark., to the late Harvey and Maggie Sammons. She was married on Dec. 22, 1940, to W.T.A. Hardin. They were married for 60 years...

Sadie May Lam Cox (Mrs. Jack Cox), 103, of Paragould, was called home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Jan. 5, 1907, and was raised in Greene County and was a resident of Sunshine Manor Retirement Home...

The Cougars punched their tickets to the 2A North Regional Tournament last Thursday, picking up the two necessary wins in the same day. After stumbling against host Marked Tree in the semifinals, the Cougars earned the third seed in 2A-3, topping Buffalo Island Central in Tuesday's consolation game...

The Lady Cougars are on their way to the 2A North Regional Softball Tournament after a strong showing in the 2A-3 District Tournament at Marked Tree. Rector earned the number three seed from 2A-3 after outlasting Marmaduke 9-6 Tuesday. The Lady Cougars scored five runs total in the first two innings, added three more in fourth and one in the seventh. Rebecca Dodd hit a two-run homer in the first inning, while Rachel Dowdy cleared the bases with a triple in the fourth to spark the Rector surges...