Stories from Thursday, January 6, 2011

We live in a world of intense communication, in essence besieged by our cell phones, laptops, text messages and on and on. There is a tremendous amount of informational input involved and we are indeed influenced by societal and perhaps political pressure to conform to certain modes of thinking or acting...

Okay. Here's the deal. I don't make a lot of New Year's resolutions....maybe a couple each year. The first one I made last January, I broke in January. Actually, I have a bad habit. No, not smoking. I've never smoked. I bite my nails. Now that I've said it, maybe I can break it...

Bobby Joe Burns, 74, of Rector passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at his home in Rector. He was born Aug. 13, 1936, in Knob and was the son of the late Talbert Columbus and Blanche (Pierce) Burns. He was also preceded in death by two children: Joe Bob Burns and Tina Irene Burns...

Maxine Eunice Wadley, 80, of Manila died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, at her home in Manila. Born in Blytheville, she was the daughter of the late Sarah Elizabeth Kisner and had been a lifelong Manila area resident. She is survived by her husband, Louie Wadley of the home; three daughters, Linda Walker of Knob, Sarah Wadley of Manila, and Regina Riley of Rector; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren...

Students in Rector have come together to show their concern for others during the holiday season by making the annual Student Council food drive a success. Prior to the holiday break, students in kindergarten all the way through high school brought in non-perishable food items to assist local families who have been hurt by the struggling economy and could benefit from a little assistance...

An amazing donation has been made to Woodland Heights Cemetery. In late December, the cemetery received a check in the amount of $40,000 from the estate of the late Patricia Joyce Lynch of Dallas. "It was just such a surprise," cemetery association member Teresa Roofe said. "We didn't expect anything like this. It's such a blessing."...

A new mayor welcomed the Rector City Council during Monday night's meeting. Prior to the start of the regular meeting, mayor David Freeman was officially sworn in by justice of the peace David Cagle. Newly-elected alderman David Romine also joined incumbent Council members Lavern "Mac" Manchester and Teresa Roofe in being sworn in by Cagle...

The Lady Cougars faced tough competition Monday night at Monette, falling to host Buffalo Island Central, 58-35, in 2A-3 conference action. A big second quarter by the Lady Mustangs spelled the difference in the contest, as BIC blasted Rector 24-7 in the pivotal frame, taking a 32-10 halftime advantage. The hosts were out in front, 40-22, through three quarters...

Okay. Here's the deal. I don't make a lot of New Year's resolutions....maybe a couple each year. The first one I made last January, I broke in January. Actually, I have a bad habit. No, not smoking. I've never smoked. I bite my nails. Now that I've said it, maybe I can break it...

The following is the second part of the Times look back at the memories of 2010: May PHS track team members Jorge Bautista and J.T. Wilson take part in the state competition at Prescott...The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Education Center is recognized by the Arkansas Museum Association for its timeline exhibition "The Piggott Connection"...Kenneth Renshaw receives special NASA certification allowing him to make use of moon rocks from the Apollo collection...Young at Art show highlights talented local students at HPMEC...The Mohawk baseball team crowned regional champs and earn a berth at the state tournament at Harrison...PHS grad Tanasha Householder receives the Academic Excellence Award for Forestry from TRCC...The PHS Class of 2010 graduates during a memorable ceremony which includes speeches from valedictorian Taylor Coomer and salutatorian Allison Lambert...A special plaque is presented to the family of the late justice of the peace James Jeffress by the Clay County Quorum Court in recognition of his years of service...The 2010 Piggott Heritage Park Car Show and Supercruise welcomes large crowds and hot rides...Former justice of the peace, city clerk and civic leader Triply Muse dies at 85...Area law enforcement officers take part in the Special Olympics torch run, carrying the symbolic torch locally in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics...At the Special Olympic Summer Games at Harding University in Searcy, PHS student Aaron DeSherlia is named Athlete of the Year and Piggott coaches Theresa and Mike Book are named Parents of the Year...The annual Heritage Park Fishing Rodeo offers an afternoon of fun for its luck participants...Persons gather at Piggott Cemetery to honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day...Area craftsmanship is displayed during the HPMEC "Celebration of Quilting"...Third graders Louis Lin, Brennon Nelson and Brielle Burkman are recognized for having the highest Advanced Reading scores...Piggott Municipal Airport receives over $60,000 in grant funds to install perimeter fencing and new runway lighting...Sixth graders Holly Boyd and Jason Simpson are recognized as the top students in sixth grade, receiving the Outstanding Student awards.. ...

Clay County has begun the process of adopting a signature seal, as agreed upon by the Quorum Court during a special state-required meeting Monday night, the first official night of business for 2011, at the county courthouse in Piggott. After viewing several designs created by art students in Corning, Rector and Piggott, the Court decided upon an unsigned design from the Rector High School art department. ...

The new addition to the Black River Area Development (BRAD) Piggott Head Start opened Monday, allowing the center to include a new Early Head Start program for infants and toddlers ages six weeks to three years. The center wasted no time in making use of the 5,340 square foot expansion, caring for 16 children, the current maximum capacity, in its new program on the very first day it was offered...

Clifton "Gene" Treat, son of the late Troy C. Treat and Emma E. (Neeley) Treat, was born June 21, 1956 in Gideon, Mo. and departed this life on Dec. 30, 2010 at the age of 54 years, six months and nine days. Survivors include two daughters, Shawna Davis and husband Will of Puxico, Mo. ...

Dr. William Dixon Robertson, 83, a prominent Poplar Bluff physician died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 at his residence. Dr. Robertson was born in Marshalltown, IA and grew up in Piggott. He attended Tulane University on a football scholarship; and graduated from Henderson University with a BA and BS in chemistry and biology. He received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock in 1955...

Dr. William Delaine Johnson, 75, of Jonesboro, died Monday at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born in Qulin, Missouri, he lived primarily in Little Rock and Jonesboro. He had lived many other places, including Japan, during his career in the Navy and as an educator...