It happened here, years ago

The Piggott and Corning student councils voted to purchase a trophy to be awarded to the winner of the annual cross-county football game. Since the Mohawks prevailed in the last meeting, the trophy was presented to PHS student council president Joe Cole, vice president Rick Rodery and Bill Threet by Corning High student council president Randy Lillard and vice president Bobby Hester. Sad news out of Kansas, as T. E. "Jack" Schrader of Piggott was seriously injured in a crash on I-70 as the truck that he was riding in struck a car that was left parked on the highway.

Sherry Dunlap, 13, was taken to Piggott Hospital after she was struck by a car driven by a Memphis man while riding her bicycle with Kathy Hughes and Tammy Pounds. And Gary McElrath of Pollard has been charged with attempted murder after shooting Nathan Forrest, 18, at William's Garage following a dispute.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was held over, also featured was "Camelot."

Summer hours will be observed starting Wednesday, May 6 as the most businesses will be closing at noon on Wednesdays. And congratulations are in order, as little Shelly Marie Morris broke a string of 13 straight boys in the D. M. Morris family. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Morris, she was born April 29 at Piggott Hospital and was welcomed home by brothers Keith and Craig.

The PHS band show was a big hit, and included a rendition of "Harper Valley PTA" by Jill Litz accompanied by the Swinging Mohawk jazz band.

1980

Rural postal patrons were reminded that new box numbers are being assigned, and they've been asked to include their name and the new number on their boxes. Meanwhile, Judge Rue C. Mack has announced his candidacy for re-election.

Senior majorettes for the coming year at PHS are Kellie Jones, Tamara Rigdon, Jill Miller, Allison Shanklin, Rhonda McBride, Dana Gossett, Lisa Moon and Tracy Ozbun. And the annual Girl Scout awards night has been set for May 2.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Coal Miner's Daughter" was held over.

Mike Gurley and Faith Conley were named Mr. and Miss Beta at PHS, the Beta scholarship went to Glenda Williams and this year's yearbook is dedicated to Regina Crittenden. Editor Kim Bellers was pictured presenting her with a copy of the annual.

The Red Devils pee wee team finished at 8-0 this year, and were coached by Linda Daffron and managed by Jean Conley. Members were Lori Carstens (top scorer), Sherrie Otte, Deanne Conley, Marty Wallis, Leigh Ann Cude, Kim Grimes, Teresa Hardin and Dana Moore.

Also in sports, the baseball Mohawks are awaiting their first round of district tournament play.

1985

A sad occasion, Friday, May 3, 1985 as the final day of production was run at the Brown Shoe Company factory in Piggott. Sonny Scott was shown punching the time clock for the final time that afternoon. The facility had been in production in Piggott since 1947. The city council also heard from airport commissioner Steve White, about critical changes needed at the local facility.

The petition drive to call for the formation of the Big Slough Watershed District is about 75 percent complete, this week also included a story on Bob Baker of Piggott and his airplanes. Baker both designs and builds airplanes, and was featured for an ultralight that he had conceived and constructed.

At the Carolyn Theater the feature was "Girls Just Want to Have Fun--The Movie."

Mr. and Mrs. Omer Meade celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 21--and in births to report, it's a girl for Mr. and Mrs. Tim Roberts of Piggott. Amanda Jo Roberts was born April 15 at Doctor's Regional in Poplar Bluff.

Winners of the Soil Conservation Service essay contests were, first place Cara Dalton and second place Anne Winchester. Meanwhile, Clay County stood ninth in the state in rice production in 1984, harvesting 2,644,500 hundred-weight from 61,500 acres. Poinsett County was first statewide.

Despite a great pitching performance by Stacey Wade, the Mohawks fell to Grubbs 1-2 in the district baseball tournament at Highland as the Tribe ends their season at 3-10. And the junior Mohawk track team took fifth in the district meet at Walnut Ridge with members Tim Muse, Brad Hartsfield, Darrin Moore, Bryan Sample, Todd Self and Nat Finley placing in their respective events.

1990

The need for affordable housing was addressed by members of the Piggott City Council at their regular meeting. Aldermen also voted to purchase a new paving machine for the street department. This week also included a feature on Marshall Wheeler, and his years of community service. Wheeler was honored by Piggott Lodge #545, F&AM for serving 21 years on the fire department, the past 11 as chief, and over 25 years as a volunteer in Boy Scouting. He had served as manager of Piggott Federal Savings and Loan since 1988.

Births to announce this week in time included a daughter to Steve and Mitzi Baker of Pollard. Mia Gabrielle Baker was born April 24 at Doctor's Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. And Dale and Tammy Parks of Piggott report the birth of their daughter, Disnee Michelle Parks. She was born April 21 at Methodist Hospital in Jonesboro.

At the Kennett Cinema this week the feature is "Driving Miss Daisy."

The Mohawk baseball team posted two stunning upsets to advance to the district tournament championship game at Pocahontas. The Tribe beat Clay County Central 8-7 in 12 innings, then upset Salem 8-4.

The ribbon cutting to officially open Independence Park will be held Friday, May 11 followed by the first-ever Piggott Parks and Recreation Department Invitational Softball Tournament.

The name of Independence Park for the new facility was suggested by Lisa Morrison, who won an essay contest on the subject. Second place was Amber Hickerson with "Grand Play Park" and third was April Baker with the suggested name of "Miracle Park."