Stories from Thursday, July 7, 2011

The current stalemate in Congress concerning how to deal with our nation's financial and budgetary challenges is not pleasant to observe. In fact, it's downright frustrating. Somewhere along the line, in our political system, the art of compromise was lost. The American people will continue to suffer as a result...

Ray Featherston, 77, died Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at his home in Greenway. He was born in Clay County, Arkansas Dec. 28, 1933, to the late John and Myrtle (Hubble) Featherston. He was married to Wilma Jean Erwin, Feb. 19, 1960, she survives. Ray was a family man. He was a member of the Church of Christ, attending at Greenway. He was a farmer by trade, and enjoyed working as the caretaker for Mitchell Cemetery because of his love for working outside...

Michelle Dunlap, 38, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2011, in Piggott. She was born on July 4, 1972, in St. Louis, Mo., and was the daughter of the late Sonny and Loretta Keating Pool. She was united in marriage to Scottie Dunlap on Sept. 30, 2006...

James Bruce Rowton, Sr., 93 years, of Columbia, Ill., passed away on June 29, 2011, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill. He was born Oct. 23, 1917, in Rector, Ark., son of the late James H. and Maude (Chilcutt) Rowton. He was married to Frances (Goddard) Rowton, who survives him. They were married Sept. 12, 1942, in Miami Beach, Fla...

Dewey William Boyd, 89, passed away July 1, 2011, in the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born on Nov. 7, 1921, in the Gravel Hill Community west of St. Francis, Ark. His parents were Louie Edward and Lovie Polsgrove Boyd. He was united in marriage to Armenda Jaggers on Nov. 15, 1941, and to this union was born one daughter, Bonnie Ellen Boyd...

Johnny Dewayne "Dippy" Bedwell, 63, of Campbell, passed from this life Monday, July 4, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Bedwell was born Dec. 8, 1947, in Campbell, to the late John and Lorene Bedwell. He was of the Baptist faith and lived in Campbell all his life. ...

Sally Fort, 73, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born on July 14, 1937, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Everett and Matalyn Johnston Templeton. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Fort on Feb. 2, 1954, and to this union two sons were born...

Molly Mae Allison, 52, of Rector passed from this life on Friday, July 1, 2011, at UAMS in Little Rock. She was born to Betty (Berry) Lewis and the late J.R. Tracer on Nov. 26, 1958, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Molly was preceded in death by her father, J.R. Tracer; one brother, Daniel Tracer, and grandparents, Lester and Allene Tracer and Willard and Florence Berry...

I start to do something then wind up doing something else. Like this morning. One of the posts on my white poster bed got wobbly and leaned. It wouldn't stay upright. And I couldn't get it to screw back into the grooves. So I decided to fix it somehow...

Crowds of thousands visited Piggott throughout the weekend, as generations of current and former residents, along with visitors and friends, arrived in town to celebrate America's independence during the 84th annual Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming Celebration...

A Rector couple was killed in a one-vehicle crash in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 2. According to the crash summary submitted by the Arkansas State Police, Theresa and Cleveland Burrow of 412 CR 511 in Rector were killed after the 1998 GMC pickup in which they were traveling failed to stop at the intersection of Arkansas Highway 90 and Arkansas Highway 135 in western Clay County, approximately three miles east of Knobel. ...

Marguerite Swift has long been a beloved part of the Piggott community. She and her late husband, James, were longtime fixtures of the administration office at the Piggott School District. James was the superintendent for 38 years and Marguerite worked in the office for 32 years as secretary...

Malorie Tippitt of Rector, one of this year's Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation college scholarship winners, has big plans in her future for a nursing career. Malorie is enrolled in the three-year nursing degree program at Arkansas Northeast College, Paragould branch, and will start classes there in August. ...

The Imperial Dinner Theatre of Pocahontas and Rector Community Center committee are proud to present "Vicki Bishop Sings the Hits of Patsy Cline" on Saturday, July 9, at the Rector Community Center. Reservations are required, and ticket prices are $12 for the show only or $24 for both the show and dinner. The dinner will be served at 6:30 with the performance to begin at 7:30. Please call 870-892-0030 to reserve tickets...