It happened here, years ago

Three days of heavy snow fell across the region 40 years ago this past weekend. The snowfall was so heavy that the awning in front of Smith's Shoe Store and President's News Stand collapsed early Sunday afternoon.

Piggott School Superintendent James B. Swift reports that 1963 PHS grad, and recent ASU graduate, Arliss Dickerson has been hired as a speech teacher at the high school. Also hired as a first grade assistant was the former Brenda Slayton, now Mrs. Harry C. Gambill, a 1964 graduate of Piggott High.

Swift also reported that the new piano for the junior high music class has been delivered and is set-up in the cafeteria where the class is held.

Clay County's 3,700 Social Security recipients will be getting an increase in benefits on their next check. The minimum monthly payment for a person retiring at age 65 would increase from $44 to $55 a month while the maximum would be raised from $86 to $98. Maximum benefits for a couple would climb from $145 a month to $165, and the maximum for a family would be raised from $309 to $322.40 a month.

Members of the Piggott Mohawk boy's basketball team were honored as their season was completed. Seniors included Sammy Jewell, David Polsgrove, Joe Johnson, Ricky Pounds and Junior Webster. Juniors on the team included Gaylan Alexander, Eddie Flannigan, Eddie Harris, Joe Litz, Barry Hester, Teddy Bellers, Kent Greene, Rex Smart, Steve Rogers and Ricky Haley. Rounding out the roster were sophomores Lewis Wright and Freddie Ort.

1978

Thirty years ago this past week Local No. 58 derailed while setting a tank car for Crockett Oil Company in Piggott. The derailment resulted in the closure of the Main Street crossing for quite some time while the car was returned to the tracks.

Over 30 local farmers made the trip to Washington D.C. in the past week, as support continues to grow for the American Agriculture Movement.

Heavy snowfall resulted in the collapse of the awning in front of the Piggott City Hall in the past week. Two people narrowly avoided being injured in the collapse as they had just come out of the "light office".

Clay County Judge Boyce McLeskey reports that the county should start planning for a new jail in the coming year. The judge indicated that a new facility would cost the county somewhere between 400-500-thousand dollars.

Mr. and Mrs. James Flanigan of Pollard are proud to announce the birth of their first child. Heather Ann Flanigan was born Wed. Jan. 11 at Doctor's Hospital in Poplar Bluff, she weighed in at six-pounds even and was 19-inches long.

At the Carolyn Theater this week it's "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" while the late show feature was "Ready, Willing and Able".

From the Want Ads, For Sale 1970 VW camper. New engine, ice box and sink, fold-out bed and plenty of storage. Owner must sell, $1,200. Call 598-****, NOT A HIPPIE WAGON!

1983

James Magee, President of Piggott State Bank, announced three major promotions 25 years ago this past week. Paula Blackwell was promoted to Executive Vice President while Vern Blake and Gail Henderson were named Assistant Cashiers.

As of Jan. 15, 1983 Piggott Community Hospital will be taking over operations of the local ambulance service. The cost of an ambulance run within the city limits would be $60.

The Piggott Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting in the past week, and heard updates on the city's industries. At the time Brown Shoe Company was averaging 399 employees, while Roger's Produce provided 43 jobs for the area.

Basketball homecoming was held at PHS with Kim Parton as this year's queen. Her court included Michelle McIntosh, Nancy Miller, Dana Gossett, Deborah Thornton, Regina Thompson and Angie Haywood. Joe Smith was this year's Basketball Beau.

In sports, Bobby Seal paced the Tribe with 16 as they beat Walnut Ridge for homecoming, but the Mohawk winning streak ended at four as they fell to the Paragould Bulldogs 57-59 despite 20 points from Joe Jordan.

At the Carolyn Theater this week it was "One Dark Night" while the late show feature was "Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle".

1988

Candidates drew ballot spots for the upcoming primary election 20 years ago this past week. Contested races include incumbent Harry Niewald, Oral Moore and Freddie Hartsfield for country judge. Willard Hughes and Charles Pollard are running for country clerk, Jerry Williams and Steve Latta are running for assessor and Bob Martin and Paul Wayne Hoggard are running for county coroner. The preferential primary was set for March 8.

State Representative Jim Holland was on hand for the draw, and informed those present that State Senator Tom Watson of Monette was critically ill and asked that everyone keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

The Clay County Quorum Court held their regular monthly meeting, and heard from three members of the Greenway Fire Department. The three; W.F. McHaffey, David Goodman and Richard Noble, were on hand to request $1,000 to help pay for beepers for the department's volunteer firemen.

In sports, Mark Box had 31 points as the junior boys beat CRA in the first round of the Clay County Tournament. The senior boys are set to play Clay County Central in their first round game. Meanwhile the senior girls fell to Corning in the semi-finals despite 17 points each from Kim Grimes and Deanna Conley. The junior girls dropped their game to CCC despite 23 points from Tammy Belote.