It happened here, years ago

Josie Brandon will be promoted to director of the Clay County Welfare Office effective Feb. 1. The current caseworker supervisor is 23 year veteran of the department. She and her husband James are lifelong residents of the area. Also in the news, Chamber of Commerce officers were elected, with Frank Knuckles president and Rex Watson vice president. Other board members were Randall Davis, Charlie Wells, Art Holifield, Walter Schaller, Jr. and C. W. Knauts.

Several deaths to report this week; Fred Winton, 68, local real estate agent and former city recorder and treasurer, died Jan. 26 at Piggott Hospital. Longtime area General Baptist minister, the Rev. S.I. Runyons of Pollard died recently at age 71. And Pollard native Pat Knighten learned that her husband, PFC Jackie Knighten, 20, of Alabama had been killed in action near Saigon while serving in Vietnam.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features included--"This Savage Land" and Rowan and Martin in "The Maltese Bippy."

The state had fewer traffic fatalities in 1969, as 603 people were killed in 489 crashes. That was down from the 707 killed in 1968. The only county without a fatality was Cleburne.

From the ads: H&R Block, 165 South Third Street, offered state and federal tax preparation starting at $5; Hamra's had a big sale on no-iron men's slacks, regular $6.99--now just $3.99, or two pair for $6.99. And Irby Ford's special used car deals included a 1968 Torino GT, power and air with just 26,000 miles.

1985

The Clay County Quorum Court wrestled with a budget shortfall for the road department this week in time, meanwhile, Mrs. Leonard (Bettie) Bell has started a local yellow ribbon campaign in support of the hostages in Iran. Also in the news, Brown Shoe Co. honored Hallene Deniston, Margurette Pruett and Virginia Cate for 25 years of service.

New Health Department regulations were reviewed, as the 1976 laws had been updated. The law set standards for storage and temperature of food and cleanliness for commercial food operations.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Animal House" makes a return engagement.

Gregory's Grocery closed Jan. 26 as Dave and Nora Gregory finally chose to retire, now that both are in their 80's. The couple bought a store between Stallings and D.A. Hill's in 1946 (the parking lot of The Piggott Diner) and later moved to the location they would occupy for 18 years at 320 West Court. (at the rear of what is now Gregory Insurance) The couple had been married for 62 years, and son Charles is now co-owner of Clay County Abstract and Title.

The Mohawks split games with Viola recently, with the junior boys falling despite 10 points from Mike Book. Meanwhile, the senior boys easily took their contest with Todd Watson scoring 18. Later the Tribe was swept by Hoxie, with Joe Mowery and Joe Gregory leading the juniors in scoring, while Watson and Tim Wheat paced the senior effort.

1985

Judge Harry Niewald posed with the newest members of the quorum court, as new JP's Mike Young and Dennis Haines of Corning, Joe Lewis of Success and Paul Tanner of Piggott attended their first meeting. Other members included--Larry Flanigan, Bill Hancock, Melvyn Alstadt, Fred Ort and Dale Smith. Also in the news, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Winton hosted an open house of the new offices of Clay County Abstract on South Second Street and were pictured with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gregory. Gregory had been a partner with Winton in the firm for 20 years.

Mayor George Cook reported that a plan is underway to replace the narrow, and aged, bridge over Big Slough ditch just east of Piggott. He reports that State Senator Tom Watson is supporting the project and will visit the location soon.

At the Carolyn Theater this week--"Breakin2, Electric Boogaloo" while the late show was "Girls USA."

City Cleaners and Laundromat has been sold, and will be operated by Max and Anna Mayberry effective Feb. 1. And an ad for Region 8 News on KAIT invited viewers to tune in for Peter Jennings and World News Tonight, followed by the 6 p.m. news with Jack Hill and Donna Dickson.

In sports, the senior Mohawk boys and girls took Clay County Tournament titles. Ricky Wheat had 21 as the boys beat Corning 58-50; Kim Stewart and Marty Wallis had 18 each as the senior girls downed Clay County Central 67-59. And the junior girls fell by two, 38-40 to the Lady Cougars in that final. Deanna Conley had 11 in the loss, while Lora Midkiff had 15 in the win.

1990

Acting on an anonymous tip, authorities spent two days searching flooded rice fields around Knob for the body of Gina Dawn Brook, 14 of Fredericktown, Mo. Jan. 24 and 25. The girl had been abducted near her home back on Aug. 5. Also in the news, the school board reviewed bids for repairing the fire damage incurred to the home-economics room recently.

Total farm production in Arkansas for 1989 was down 11-percent, at $1.6-billion. That compared to $1.8-billion in production in 1988. Meanwhile, Travis Boyd announced his candidacy for Clay County Judge. And, winners of monthly safety awards at Darling Store Fixtures were Rocky Jenkins and Wendy Magel.

The Pollard 4-H club has been organized, with officers--Chastity Morrow, Brian Dalton, Bryan Ethridge, Logan Morrow, Travis Wright, Joe Dalton and phone committee members Becky Frederick and Fallon Roberts. Meanwhile, members of Judy Cox's second grade class visited Barry Johnson at Piggott Taxidermy.

The Mohawks hosted the top ranked AA team in the state recently, as the Pocahontas Redskins visited PHS and swept a pair. Chris Lewis led the senior team in their loss, while Kyle Seal was top man for the junior boys. The Tribe also lost a pair to the Highland Rebels. Meanwhile, the Lady Mohawks split with Cave City, with the junior girls winning 29-24 and the senior girls falling 22-63. Nikki Pounds paced the junior girls in their win, while Cathy Eubanks had 11 in the senior girl's loss.