Stories from Thursday, April 14, 2011

Okay, guys. It's time to get started on your Christmas shopping. There are only 255 days until Christmas. No, I'm not kidding. You always fool around until Christmas Eve before you even think about buying gifts. By then, things are picked over, and there's little on the shelves. You hastily grab a box of candy or something that doesn't fit, have the store clerk gift wrap it, and you're done...

Right along with the April showers, the happy departure from winter and a gladdening of our collective spirits comes the stern command to play ball -- the true American sport of baseball. We go forth to find where on our TVs our favorite Major League is playing, complete with play-by-play comments form the announcers, many of whom were ex-players themselves. ...

A warm, sunny day greeted a large crowd for a day of thrills at the Boydsville track Saturday afternoon. Dozens of area racers took part in the first annual Test 'n Tune Day hosted by the Arkansas Lawn Mower Racing Association and its affiliate group, the Southern Outlaws Lawn Mower Racing Association...

County leaders and officials were encouraged to take part in drills and other training exercises to prepare for the event of an earthquake, as recommended by Clay County Office of Emergency Management deputy coordinator Travis Boyd during the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting held Thursday, April 7, at The Piggott Diner conference room...

Preparations are well underway for this year's crop season in Clay County, according to Extension agent Andy Vangilder. The primary activities for early April, Vangilder said, include ground preparation and weed control to prepare for crop plantings. Farmers are shaping their grounds and spraying with burned down herbicides...

Roger Ballard, 62, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Monday, April 4, 2011, at his home. He was born on Sept. 15, 1948, in Clay County, Ark., and was the son of the late James Vernon and Cynthia Inez (Hawkins) Ballard. Survivors include his two daughters, Cheri Ballard Turner of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Lisa Ballard of Troy, Mich.; five grandchildren, Tanner, Tyler, Dean, Kaitlyn and Milo; brothers, Jesse Ballard of Holly, Mich., Jim Ballard of Piggott, Ark., Rick Ballard of Piggott, Ark., and Frank Ballard of Georgia; two sisters, Phyllis Maynard of Jonesboro, Ark., and Cindy Smith of Piggott, Ark., and many other relatives and friends.. ...

Wallice Gookin, age 77, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Thursday, April 7, 2011, at his home. Wallice was born Sept. 21, 1933, in Rosa, Ark., to the late Virgil and Pauline Gookin. He was united in marriage to Martha Jane Petty on Feb. 25, 1954. Wallice was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and upon his return, began a 55-year career as a carpenter. He served as a deacon and taught Sunday school for many years...

Kayley Dare Bell, 17, of Rector passed away Thursday, April 6, 2011, at Rector. She was born Sept. 16, 1993, to Shawn Bell and Robin Bell at Paragould, Ark. Preceding Kayley in death was her grandfather, Darrell Holifield. She is survived by her mother, Robin (Holifield) Bell of Rector; her...

Clarence Eugene Trantham, 81, of Kennett, Mo., died Sunday, April 10, 2011, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. Mr. Trantham was born July 10, 1929, in Clay County, Ark. He was a retired tool and die maker and of the Methodist faith...

Floyd James (Frank) Scott, 71, of Rector passed from this life on April 8, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. He was born Sept. 21, 1939, to the late Jim (Bill) and Carolina (Householder) Scott at Rector, Ark. Preceding Frank in death were his parents and his sister, Anna Adams...

William "Bill" Roberts, 85, of Marmaduke passed from this life on April 9, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. He was born Sept. 1, 1925, to the late Charles and Edith (Wamble) Roberts in Idalia, Mo. Mr. Roberts was a member of the Marmaduke First Baptist Church. He spent 45 years with the Cotton Belt railroad company and also worked as a plumber...