It happened, years ago

The Piggott area now has direct dial long distance service thanks to new technology installed by General Telephone. Mayor Ernest "Buck" Thomas was pictured making a call along with aldermen Charlie Bill Smith, Ernie Hampton and W.G. Wolf. Also in the news, First Lt. Alvin Royce Williams of Kennett, (PHS class of '57) is the new commander of the Piggott National Guard Armory, as he took over from First Lt. Davis M. Ellis July 28.

The Piggott City Utility Department took delivery of a new backhoe in the past week, also pictured was the recently-acquired auger/boom truck. Meanwhile, it was reported that State Troopers would be enforcing the new law that prohibits driving with just your parking lights on in the state.

At the Carolyn Theater the features included--"Winning", "The First Time", "Riot"...and coming Aug. 16.."True Grit."

Piggott Video Cable is up and running with 850 customers, and are now showing the live weather conditions from their studio at Dixon TV. Janet Stewart is the secretary, and also hosts the afternoon Record Hour each weekday.

The USDA reports that just four percent of Arkansas' cotton was hand-picked in 1968, down from the estimated seven percent in 1967. There were 503,251 bales of upland cotton in 1967 and that grew to 1,032,525 in 1968.

And the Connie Mack team ended their season at 10-8-2 and in a second-place tie with Corning in the district. The team batting average was .288 as they were led in hitting by Monty Bellers at .481 and Steve Rogers at .443.

1979

Big Mac Construction refused the City of Piggott's offer to settle on the final payment on the new Piggott Community Hospital. The city contends they owe around $111,905 while the company feels the total should be closer to $146,705. Meanwhile, Piggott firemen are taking part in a 60-hour certification program being offered at regional firehouses for the first time.

The annual Greenway Picnic was set for Saturday, Aug. 11 in that community...and the annual Clay County Fair will be held Aug. 21-25 at the fairgrounds in Piggott. And the feature film this month on HBO is "Jaws."

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

Roeder's Ben Franklin had a back-to-school sale with Elmer's Glue at .41 for the four ounce size and .77 for eight ounces; combination locks were $1.97 and the original Trapper Keeper was just $2.67.

In sports, winners of the four ball tournament at Sugar Creek Country Club in Piggott were the team of Scot Sale and C. W. Knauts with a 123. And the Piggott Video Cable girls softball team went 5-1 this year to take the city title. The team was coached by Jean Conley, Sue Jenkins and Joanie Dunlap and members were--Deanna Conley, Kim Grimes, Angela Burns, Rhonda Jenkins, Carrie Riddle, Cammie Copeland, Jill Donner, Melanie Donner, Ambra Wade, Lorna Rogers and Holly Webster.

1984

A report in the Memphis Commercial Appeal in the past week indicated that five Brown Shoe plants would be closing, and that Piggott may be one of those affected. This prompted a company official in St. Louis to downplay the report, though he was also the official quoted in the story. The Piggott plant is one of 24 Brown Shoe facilities, and currently employs 200 people. Also in the news, former Piggott Banner co-publisher Mrs. Laud Payne died Aug. 1 at Piggott Community Hospital.

Jody Statler was crowned Miss Greenway 1984, and her alternates were Lorna Rogers and Maria Pillow. Little Miss was Jennifer Hill and "Frances" Frankie Faulk beat out "Rexanna" Rex Cook in the men's beauty contest at the annual picnic. Meanwhile, the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic netted $5,348.77 based on income around $9,675, expenses of $4,326 and $2,353 in repairs to the stands.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Sixteen Candles" while the late show is "Eat at the Blue Fox."

Bids for the new Clay County Central Regional Water Distribution District will be opened Sept. 11, and currently no lines are earmarked for deletion. And in births to announce, Pam and Alan Morris welcomed their second daughter Aug. 4 at Dunklin County Memorial Hospital..and named the new addition Callie Marie.

Mohawk football practice gets underway Aug. 9, with players meeting at the new fieldhouse. The senior team opens at Westside Aug. 31 while the junior boys open at Highland Sept. 6.

1989

The vote on the one-cent sales tax to fund the building of a new Clay County jail is set for Tuesday, Aug. 15. Meanwhile, the Piggott City Council agreed to blacktop the new 16th Street extension at their recent meeting. Piggott school board members discussed the district salary schedule at their meeting, with several options to meet state-mandated pay increases. One option called for a base of $16,000 for new teachers with those with a Master's degree earning $18,400.

Also in the news, the first 18 utility poles are being set at the new four-baseball diamond complex in Piggott, as work continues on that project. And the local National Guard Armory hosted an open house in the past week.

Jamie Ward was crowned Miss Greenway 1989, with alternates Angel Steuart and Stephanie Staples; meanwhile Patrice Hargrave was crowned Junior Miss and Sarah Moody was named Little Miss at the annual picnic. And the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic netted $12,425 for the cemetery upkeep..based on $20,880 in receipts and around $8,455 in expenses.

This week's paper also included a feature on Rudy Busby, manager of Jones Furniture in Piggott. Busby had been in the furniture business 36 years, first starting as a salesman for Orvil Fitzgerald Aug. 24, 1953. Prior to that he had farmed near Crockett.

Football practice for the Mohawks is underway with the seniors set to host Westside Sept. 1 in their opener. Meanwhile, the Lady Mohawk junior and senior volleyball teams are hosting a volleyball tournament at PHS on Sunday, Aug. 13.