Stories from Thursday, August 23, 2012

Bobby McKeel is remembered by many a prototypical all-around athlete. Standing 6'3", McKeel had size on his side, but he also possessed the grace and quickness of athletes much smaller, making him a true talent on the hardwood, diamond and outdoor court...

Several young players received instruction last week at the annual Rector School Individual Skills Basketball Camp. The event wrapped up Thursday with an awards ceremony at the Rector Gymnasium. Family and friends gathered to see the occasion as many of the talented young players received recognition for their skills. ...

The Piggott Lady Mohawk volleyball teams kicked-off the regular season in dramatic fashion Monday night as they hosted the Westside Warriors. The junior girls got off to a good start and took the first game 25-20, but then fell in two straight (18-25 and 18-25). But, the senior girls made up for it in the late set as they battled back from a 2-1 deficit to beat the perennial 4A powerhouse from Jonesboro...

Sam Morgan, 84, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012. He was born October 14, 1927 in Guy, Ark. to W.A. and Ada Morgan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; five brothers, Vernon, Noel, Elmer, Garlon and W.A. Jr. and two sisters, Elsie Tucker and Ruby Thompson Norris...

Stephen Lowery Spicer, 60, of Rector passed from this life on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was born on Sept. 1, 1951 to the late Willard and Violet (Lowery) Spicer in Paragould, Ark. Mr. Spicer was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Violet Spicer...

The classrooms and hallways of the Rector School District roared to life with the first day of classes for 2012-2013 on Monday. A vibrant energy buzzed throughout the elementary and high school facilities, as returning and first time Rector students began their daily routines...

Taylor Blackwell, a second grader at Piggott Elementary School, arrives for the first day of classes Monday morning and is greeted by her teacher Gina Brewer. Students across Arkansas returned to classes Monday, including those in Rector and Piggott...

Several Clay County agricultural producers gathered Friday, Aug. 17, to take part in the annual field day held by the Clay County Cooperative Extension Service. The field day serves a vital purpose for Clay County agriculture, giving area growers a chance to see the results of different seed varieties grown on local soil. ...

Life takes many unexpected turns and twists. We travel along, the road is straight and smooth. Then we suddenly hit a bump or a big boulder. We didn't see it coming and we may not know how to handle it. Some of those twists leave us shaking in our boots...

The first Neighbor2Neighbor Day in Rector was marked Saturday, Aug. 18. Over 30 citizens, including men, women, teens and children, along with the Cub Scouts and family groups, showed up to proclaim, "I Love Rector!" The event, which began as a simple idea of neighbors helping neighbors, proved hugely successful. The targeted areas of Hwy 49, Main Street, 5th Street, 3rd Street, and others areas in need were attacked by the groups of workers, all single-minded in purpose: clean it up!...

Gerline (Weber) Brummet, 90 of Adamsville, Tenn. formerly of Rector passed from this life on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 at Adamsville Healthcare in Adamsville, Tenn. Ms. Brummet was born on Sept. 9, 1921 to the late John and Stella (Cribbs) Weber in Rector. Married to Leonard Brummet on Oct. 12, 1940 in Kennett, MO and was a member of the Cappadocia General Baptist Church...