It happened here, years ago

Snow extended Christmas vacation for Piggott students 40 years ago, as five snow days were added to the holiday break. Pictured with his sled on grade school hill was Boyce Cate, while Tom Janes, Howard Johnson and Otto Payne were pictured removing snow from sidewalks in front of businesses downtown. Also in the news, recently decorated soldier SP/5 Arliss Dickerson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Dickerson of Piggott, is home on leave after a year's tour of duty as a chaplain's assistant in Vietnam.

It was reported that Promenade, the second book of poetry by Lourine White of Piggott, has been published. The 84-page compilation is $3.95, and local folks could easily obtain an autographed copy.

At the Carolyn Theater this week-"Ace High" along with "Run Angel, Run" and "The Desperate Ones."

Bill Alexander reported on his first year as a member of the U.S. Congress, and it was announced that Earl and Janice Kegley had purchased Piggott Milk Co. (distributor of Sealtest products) from Dwain Moss. This week also marked the end of the first term of kindergarten, with the second term set to begin Jan. 19 at the First Baptist Church. And Mr. and Mrs. John Grigsby of Nimmons were set to mark their 50th anniversary, with a celebration set for Jan. 12 at the War Memorial Building in Piggott.

1980

Funeral services were held Jan. 13 for Piggott's oldest resident as Rosa Hughes, 103, was laid to rest. The Illinois native had spent 25 years with the St. Francis School system before moving to Piggott in 1953. She'd been a resident of the local nursing home for 10 years. Also in the news, a burglary was reported at Loveless Department store as someone entered the building through the roof. Manager Al Easterwood reported that a number of items were taken, including two leather jackets. The break-in was discovered by Larry Holcomb, who noted that someone tried to pry open the door to his pharmacy next door, but failed.

The first baby of 1980 at PCH was Farrell L. Shipman, Jr., of Qulin who was born Jan. 8 and delivered by Drs. Gordon Duckworth and Jerry Muse. It was also announced that Larry Featherston was running for Piggott School Board.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "101 Dalmatians."

Also included was a feature on local photographer Everett Dickerson and his wife Earline. Dickerson, who was beginning to wind down his career at the time, started in the field as an assistant to W.J. Phillips of Rector.

In sports, the Mohawks notched a huge win Friday, Jan. 11 as they upset the Highland Rebels and their star Jay Hansen at PHS. The Tribe took the win over the Rebels, who were ranked #3 in the state in AA at the time, by a final of 41-38. Kenny Wright, who led the Mohawks with 17, and Kevin Morris were credited with shutting down Hansen, who was limited to a high school career low 13 points-well below his 25-plus per game average.

1985

PHS marked basketball homecoming this week in time, with Teresa Howell as queen. Her escorts were Mohawks Jeff Benbrook and Jim Whitehorn and her court included-Regina Thompson, Jennifer Causey, Paula Blume, Tammy Donner, Tonya Swann and Joy Haley. Girl's basketball beau was Dane Coomer, and he was escorted by Lady Mohawks Sabrina Tate and Kim Stewart. The Mohawks went on to lose the game to Paragould.

Members of the Piggott School Board toured the new middle school building at the conclusion of their recent meeting, as work is near complete. The board also reviewed the performance of Superintendent Fletcher Chasteen, and gave him a favorable report. PHS grads named to Dean's lists recently include-Karen Cook of Pollard at Crowley's Ridge College and Kerry Dale Smith of Piggott at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Sacred Ground" while the late show is "Taxi Girl."

Sue Cole was recognized by Texaco for 30 years of doing business with the company with Cole Oil Company. She and her husband Clifford, who was retiring at the time, had first bought the local distributorship from Bennett Sheek of Corning Jan. 1, 1954. (this reporters' father drove the semi truck that delivered fuel for Cole Oil from 1959 to 1969)

The first baby of 1985 at Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould was Jeremy Allen Edwards, born to Robin and Charles Edwards of Piggott. And an open house was held at the new offices of Clay County Abstract at 146 South Second, hosted by owners Jim and Lucy Winton.

1990

The Army Corp of Engineers notified local officials that they would not approve the plan to build a lake at Chalk Bluff 20 years ago this week. A shortage of LP gas was also in the news, as prices have risen from an average of 51-cents a gallon to well over a dollar. Meanwhile, the Piggott City Council met and voted to raise the deductible for employee insurance from $100 to $300-a move that will save the city some $18,000 per year.

Monty Sanders of the Piggott P.D. investigated a traffic mishap on West Jackson in the past week. Apparently a 1978 Chrysler driven by Norman Muse was struck by a black cow that ran into the side of the vehicle. The report indicated that the animal belonged to Junior Scheffler, and no citations were issued.

Births to report include a daughter to Rick and Donna Haywood of Piggott back on Nov. 16 at Arkansas Methodist in Paragould. They've named the new arrival Kalee Richae Haywood.

All region band members from PHS this year include-Eric Simpson, Cindy Armitage, Elizabeth Sale, Heather Sneed, Allison Turner, Amanda Poole, Tanya Simpson, Traci Veal, Gary Swift, Tim Mowery and Jereme Morrison.

In sports, the Mohawks won a couple of nail-biters in the past days. Scott McCrillis hit a buzzer beater to propel the Tribe over Walnut Ridge. Then, in the Clay County Tournament, Chris Lewis hit the game winning free-throws with just seconds to play--after tying the game with a big field goal-in a win over CRA.