It happened here, years ago

A total of 30 cars of a southbound Cotton Belt freight train derailed near Halliday June 7, 1970, though no one was injured. Also in the news, the special election to authorize the issuance of Act 9 bonds to finance construction of the new Gossard plant was explained to local voters.

Piggott Police Chief Alfred Smith reminded residents that Ordinance 246, which dealt with dogs running loose, was now in effect. And W. E. "Dink" Hitt, III, announced he was dropping out of the race for tax assessor due to health issues.

The Farmer's Home Administration reported $240,230 in loans in Clay County, helping 30 families get new homes. Examples of residences shown included the home of Mary Gilbert at 520 North Thornton, and the home of Billy Purdom at 640 North Thornton.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "The Molly Maguires" and "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice."

Workers were listed for the upcoming Crockett picnic to benefit the Mars Hill Cemetery. Elmer Cooper would be the MC, and for information on the Little Miss contest contact Narene Bradberry or Barbara Harris.

Early Census numbers show Clay County fell from 21,258 people in 1960 to 18,866 in this year's count.

Births to report include a son to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Parris May 30 at Piggott Hospital, and they've named the new arrival Neil Allan Parrish. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Miller of Osceola had a new son May 31 in that city; they've named their new arrival Jeffrey Thomas Miller.

And Jimmy Johnson will play in the state All-Star football game August 8. As the Mohawk quarterback he had a record of 31-5 in four seasons.

1980

It was announced that the city of Piggott was joining three Missouri towns, Thayer, Lamar and Fulton, in suing the Southwestern Power Administration over the cost of electric. And Wilson Copeland beat Charlie Bill Smith 184-122 in the only contested JP race in the Democratic Primary.

Boy's and Girl's State selections from Piggott this year included--Janna Kegley, Lisa Moore, Jeff Smart and Robbie Johnson.

Local resident Stella Bennett told of her experiences as she was visiting her son in Spokane, Wash. when Mt. St. Helens erupted some 270 miles away. Bennett even brought back some of the volcanic ash.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Kramer vs Kramer" was held over.

PHS grad Sherman Cullum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cullum, has been named to the Arkansas State Plant Board. And the Piggott Little League and softball shampoo sale was a big hit..with Michael Lewis selling a total of 56 bottles to take top salesman honors.

The Piggott High Marching Mohawk band has gotten new uniforms, and they were modeled in the newspaper by band members Shelly Gibson, Karen Cox, Tara Cox and Jon Conley.

And the Catfish C.B. Club was planning their annual jamboree for June 14, and interested parties should contact Super Suds,10-4.

1985

Mayor George Cook and Chamber of Commerce president Larry Holcomb took part in a ribbon cutting for the new Magee Company industrial production site in the former Prier Brass building. The company is expected to be in full operation by mid-July. Meanwhile, United Federal Savings and Loan celebrated 10 years in their building with an open house. Patsy Dickson and Brenda Yount were shown manning the refreshment table. And Don Montgomery, recently of Beedeville in Jackson County, is the new superintendent of Piggott schools. Montgomery also served at Floral and Forrest City, and was an assistant football coach at Piggott from 1979-1983.

The Chamber of Commerce elected new board members Don Roeder, Jim Poole, Jim Seal and Paul Hoggard at their meeting. And there was a feature on Davey Winberry and his hobby of building windmills. Winberry had been preaching since 1948, and was ordained in 1950, but at the time hadn't worked as pastor at a church since 1975.

At the Carolyn Theater this week "Moving Violations."

Memorial trees were planted recently remembering PHS student Shelly McKenney, who was killed in a traffic accident April 23. Other memorials included a large globe in the middle school library and a trophy case in the band room.

Piggott Girl Scouts earned a number of awards at their recent ceremony. And Sam Book, of Gideon Sign Company, was shown painting a mountain man on the side of the Clay County Sports Center building.

Loveless Department Store had men's Arrow shirts for Father's Day, priced at $15 to $17 each--or $20 for short sleeves.

1990

The Cotton Belt Star, a steam locomotive with 10 vintage passenger cars, passed through Piggott this week in time as it made its way to St. Louis and the National Rail Historical Society festival. Also in the news, the city of Piggott has decided to enter into an agreement to purchase and manage power through the Southwestern Power Administration.

The school board accepted the resignation of longtime district treasurer Frances Finder at their meeting, and then voted to hire Sheila Mayberry as her replacement. Robbie Moseley of Gosnell was also hired as an assistant football coach.

Dirt work is near complete on the new Park Place Apartment complex, at the crest of the hill on Houston Street. And a couple of milestones are coming up. Sadie Thomas will celebrate her 100th birthday June 17 at the First Baptist Church and Lawrence and Berneda Dees will mark their 50th wedding anniversary July 1 at the community center.

Work is also underway on the new St. Francis Post Office building. The 20x30 building is being constructed by Cox Lumber Company. Meanwhile, Randy Lemmons is the new district conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service.

Diana Davis of KAIT appeared at the Piggott Public Library "A Beary Special Summer" event and showed a tape of day-to-day activities at the television station.

Top oral readers in Kristi Fuller's first grade class were Alex Baldwin, Phil Pollard, Chris Thompson, Ashley Poole and Rebecca Whitley.

And C.W. Knauts and Jack Evans advertised that Lakewood, formerly Hughes Lake, was now privately owned and there was NO SWIMMING!