It happened here, years ago

The last week of January brought an inch-and-a-half snowfall to the Piggott area 40 years ago this week, although some parts of the Central U.S. got much larger amounts. This week in time also brought with it a retirement supper for Piggott Fire Chief Marvin Taylor, as he was recognized for 25 years of volunteer service. In other news, Art Holifield has been elected to complete an un-expired term on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

An elderly Boydsville couple was found dead in a muddy roadway near their home in the past week. Officials believe that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Phillips both had heart attacks after getting their truck stuck along the road. Meanwhile, noted Wisconsin University professor Dr. Clifford Coffee, a native of the region, died Jan. 19 after a brief illness...and Pvt. Johnny Simms, 20, of Holcomb was killed in a car accident that same day in Alabama.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included--"Cool Hand Luke", "The Young Runaways"

and "Battle Beneath theEarth." And an ad for Holcomb's Pharmacy offered Valentine's candy by Pangburns from .79 to $5 a box.

In sports, the Mohawks beat Risco 58-57 and lost to Greenway 66-85. And the "Mighty Warriors" beat the PHS Lettermen 32-28 in what was described as a "hilarious" fundraising basketball game. Teacher Charles Luttrell led the winners in scoring and was named MVP, while Ronnie Payne paced the PHS Lettermen in the loss.

1979

Clay County Judge Rue C. Mack presided over his first Quorum Court meeting Jan. 29, following a two-week weather delay, and discussed a variety of issues. Meanwhile, three candidates have filed for the Piggott School board seat, including Kathy Winberry, Eugene Mann and Carl Pollard. Mike Hill is un-opposed for a seat on the Greenway board and J.D. Campbell is running for re-election to the county school board.

Sheriff and Mrs. Cloyce Pierce hosted the Boy Scout Fund drive kickoff breakfast in the past week at the community center, with a good crowd on hand for the event. Meanwhile, it took three wreckers to pull a Coca-Cola semi truck from the ditch south of Piggott recently after the driver (who was not injured) lost control of the vehicle on the ice-covered highway. The depth of the recent snowfall was also illustrated as Times staffer Vicky Johnson was photographed measuring a 17-inch drift behind the newspaper office.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Force 10 From Navarone" while the late show was "Ready Willing and Able." And in the want ads this week, For Sale, 117 acre hill farm near Pollard for $450 an acre.

In sports, the Mohawks lost "A" and "B" games to the Paragould Bulldogs, with James Wright and Matt Sutfin pacing the "B" squad and Mike Dickerson and Todd Watson leading the "A" team in scoring.

1984

Renovation of the old Gossard building was underway 25 years ago this week, as preparations were being made for Missouri Research Labs to occupy the facility. Meanwhile, Piggott State Bank donated $1,500, and the employees chipped in another $250, toward the library building fund...while United Federal presented a check for $1,000 toward the effort. The total cost of the library construction project has been set at $130,000.

The past week also marked the closing of Roeder's Ben Franklin after 43 years in business. The store belonged to Don Roeder and his mother, Jessie Pinkley, since 1958 and had been in its current location on the northwest corner of the square since 1970. Ella Jean Mack had served as manager for the past 14 years.

Winners of the Piggott Middle School spell-down were Pam Barker, La Rhonda Permenter and Renae Osgood with Chylon Miller as alternate. Meanwhile, fifth and sixth grade students were offered the reward of spending time on a new computer in Deanna Webster's classroom for good grades at PMS.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Christine."

There were three births to announce this week, all boys. James Edward Flanigan Jr. was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Flanigan Jan. 24 at Poplar Bluff; David Keith Gill was born to Keith and Janice Gill Jan. 7, at Fort Jackson, S.C.; and Tyler Heath Scott was born to Mr. and Mrs. Barry Scott Jan. 20, at Arkansas Methodist.

In sports, the Mohawks dropped games to Highland and Westside, while the junior boys split their contests.

1989

State Sen. Jim Holland updated readers on the current legislative session 20 years ago this week, and Peggy Johnson offered a feature on Jerry Holifield and his work in geneaology and documenting area cemeteries.

Peggy Ruhl was named basketball homecoming queen, her court included--Holly Webster, Sandra Tidwell, June Montgomery, Melissa McAllister, Tanya Simpson, Michelle Fry and basketball beau Tim Mills. It was also reported that Mike Patterson had been chosen to represent the First Congressional District on the Arkansas Democratic state executive committee for the next two years. Patterson had been a member of the state committee representing Clay County for eight years.

Piggott junior band members who made the All-Region band recently were--Amanda Poole, Rachel McKenney, Allison Turner, Angie Stewart, Michelle Smart and Jeremy Morrison.

In sports, the junior girls got their first conference win as they downed Cave City 38-19, then later fell to Highland. The senior girls lost both games. The senior boys bid for their first conference win of the year fell short, as they dropped a 51-59 overtime decision to Corning despite 22 from Mark Box. The junior boys won their game with the Bobkittens 39-33 with McCrillis and Beck scoring 10 each.

In births to announce; a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith Cavaness Jan. 19 at Arkansas Methodist, the couple named the new arrival Kyle Nicholas.

And finally, readers were reminded that Knobel-native Barbara Fairchild would be featured in a country music show at the Collins Theatre in Paragould in February.