1972 Christmas is over and attention this week in time turns to a possible shortage of natural gas in the coming months, that according to the Ark-Mo Power Commission. Hopes are that temperatures will remain mild. Meanwhile, Ledrew Mosby was honored as he retires as manager of Piggott Light and Water. ...

1972 Mail delivery for the 1972 Christmas season has peaked, and workers at the Piggott Post Office posed for a photo on the loading dock this week in time. The group included Postmaster Jerry Sales, city carriers Ed Howard and Junior Blake and rural carrier Ermal Crossfield...

1972 Larry Jones, Rector High School class of 1965, has been named the new city engineer for the city of Piggott. Meanwhile, Teddy Bellers, PHS class of 1969, was named light office manager at the recent meeting of the city council. Also in the news, the Piggott Jaycees will host donkey basketball Dec. 18 in the old gym...

1972 An apparent gas explosion at the Carryville Co-Op gin in Piggott heavily damaged the building in the past week, blowing the roof off in one area and severely damaging several pieces of equipment. In other news, a crash north of Rector claimed the life of Elizabeth Robinson of Boydsville, and injured three Rector women riding in her vehicle...

1972 City workers were pictured putting up Christmas decorations this week, and everyone was reminded of the Belle and Beau contest. The PHS class of 1946 held their first reunion Nov.25 at Cavaness’ Café with 23 of the 45 members present. Meanwhile, little Rodney Crossfield marked his sixth birthday Thanksgiving Day with a party...

1972 A crash on Highway 90 north of Rector claimed the life of Jimmy Dewayne Beaton, 30, of that city. Beaton was killed when his vehicle went left of center and struck a car driven by Jerry Horton. He was injured along with his wife Anne and daughter Jodi while son Michael escaped injury. Also in the news, federal aid has been requested due to the heavy rains that hampered the harvest on 156,500 acres. Crop losses were estimated at just under $7.45 million...

1972 PHS held Beta Club induction this week in time. Meanwhile, the girl’s P.E. program will be discussed at the PTA meeting. The organization will also host their annual chili and stew supper at the PHS cafeteria Nov. 30. And don’t forget the Belle and Beau contest, the entry pictured this week was six year old Cynthia Jetton...

1972 The region was drenched with nearly nine inches of rainfall in the past week, effectively killing the harvest. Meanwhile, Bill Pond beat Ed Smith and Troy Howell in the race for Clay County Sheriff. During the recent city council meeting Don Newton approached the aldermen with a plan for easing traffic around the Post Office. ...

1972 Piggott leaders report they’re seeking a $250,000 grant to run water and sewer to the new industrial park, located on the Dees property. Also in the news, Piggott State Bank president T. W. Leggett has been named to the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce board of directors...

1972 Regena Langley was crowned homecoming queen at PHS this week in time, and her court included Faith Renard, Holly Litz, Debbie Pollard and Mona Conley. Meanwhile, Josie Brandon was recognized for 25 years of service by the state Social Services Department. On a sad note, Bill Jones of Kennett, brother of local businessman Claude Jones, died in an accidental shooting at his home...

1972 The annual Piggott Lions Club TV auction will be held Nov. 4 in the vacant lot between Dixon Radio and TV and city hall. Congrats to Mr. and Miss PHS for 1972, Phil Starling and Holly Litzelfelner. And Friday, Oct. 13 was unlucky for Piggott State Bank employee Barry Hester, as he wrecked his motorcycle along U.S. 62 West resulting in “painful” injuries...

1972 Tommy Hardcastle, of Hardcastle Chevrolet, handed over the keys to two new vans to Piggott Postmaster Gerald Sale 40 years ago this week. The vans would be used by Ed Howard and Sam Blake for the “Park and Loop” services—and would replace the relay boxes used in the past. (olive drab green if I’m not mistaken) Meanwhile, the Piggott PTA will meet in the new cafeteria at PES and will host an open house of the new facility (which replaced the big pink lunchroom)...

1972 This week in time…the Piggott City Council was informed that $35,000 in federal revenue sharing was on its way. It was also noted that utilities manager Ledrew Mosbey was retiring at the end of the year, and will be training his replacement. That would be Teddy Bellers, 22, the current bookkeeper of Piggott Cotton and Grain. Aldermen were also told that work on the new tennis courts is underway...

1972 Piggott homeowners are encouraged by the city to tap-into the new sewer lines being run throughout town, saving future costs and damage to the streets. Meanwhile, an Oklahoma man died when his small plane crashed north of Peach Orchard in the past week, although the wreckage was not discovered until the following day...

1972 Danny Brown was named Arkansas State Trooper of the Year recently. The Leachville native had been credited with saving two lives in the past year, including the victim of a traffic crash south of Greenway and a Piggott man who had a heart attack in his yard. A former Blytheville patrolman, he had been a member of the ASP since Aug. 1969 and had spent his entire career in Piggott. Also in the news, Virginia Glasgow, 45, of Rector was killed in a two-vehicle crash west of Kennett...

1972 Quick action by rodeo clown Lee Shane is credited with saving the life of Lane Hinkle of Piggott during the 4-H Horse and Pony Show. Shane, a 24 year old Milwaukee, Wis. native, rushed to Hinkle’s aid after he fell during a flag race and swallowed his tongue. He was assisted in the rescue by Jim Crittenden and Clifford Latimer. In a related note, Ira Maddux of McDougal won the new Ford pickup given away at the fair...

1972 The Clay County Fair was in full swing this week, and one of the featured entertainment acts was the Arkansas State Prison Band from Tucker State Prison. Meanwhile, 125 Clay County residents attended the Salute to Arkansas Agriculture event in Hot Springs, with keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz. (No comment on his future as a public speaker for those of you who remember Mr. Butz.)...

1972 For a number of months this column was on hiatus, and during that time dozens of stories that fell within the time-frame of our weekly review went without comment. The nature of this column does not allow us to go back in time, but rather report on later developments as they occurred. But, from time to time a story comes along that requires background and this week we have such an instance...

1972 The Otasco Store is now under new ownership, with assistant manager Gayle Garver and serviceman Keith Causey. Special sale items included a Zebco 202 reel for $1.74, a 50-count box of .22 shells for fifty-seven cents, portable phonograph (you know, a record player) for $35.97 or an eight-track player for your car for $37.88. ...

1972 Sad news this week, as it was reported that Mary Ellen Eskew passed away Aug. 11 in Springfield, Mo. Eskew had been in a coma since a car crash July 1 near West Plains, Mo., which also resulted in serious injuries to her husband, Vaval. And, Dr. Billy Wayne Hoggard, brother of Gerald Hoggard of Piggott, died from injuries he sustained in a farming accident. A dentist, he was only 41 years old...