The Governor’s Scholastic Honors Day was held Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. Scholastic Honors Day recognizes Arkansas’ best and brightest students. Schools are encouraged to select two students in the senior class who best represent excellent academic achievement.
Marmaduke High School will host graduation ceremonies for the class of 2024 beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11.
The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program has honored agricultural families across the state for 77 years. This year, the program has selected a farm family that is familiar with the program. Jeremy Wiedeman Farms of Corning is the recipient of the 2024 Clay County Farm Family of the Year award. Clay County soil runs deep in the bloodstream of the Wiedeman family as Jeremy’s parents, Larry and Mary Wiedeman were the 1984 Clay County Farm Family of the Year, exactly 40 years ago.
Jose Avila, a junior at Piggott High School, was nominated to represent his community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2024, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
In May of 1993, I lived in Memphis. The television news reports that led on May 6 announced horror stories about three missing West Memphis boys found dead in a wooded area near their homes. As details were released to the public, I was overwhelmed with terror, disgust, and an unrealistic fear for the lives of my own sons and the lives of any youngsters out of the range of vision of their parents. Until the three perpetrators of the horrible crime were arrested, innocent bicycle rides were put on hold. Playing in the area around the creek in our neighborhood took on a sinister aura. What happened in West Memphis, what happened to the boys who played in the woods near their neighborhood, scared reasonable moms into making safety decisions based on broadcast details of the deaths of three 8-year-old boys. Add a hint of occult, witchcraft, and Goth-looking, grungy teenage boys, and the 1968 horror film Rosemary’s Baby and the 1973 The Exorcist played on all mental screens becoming a crazy reality, though both films were horror-fiction.
United Auto Workers retirees will meet at 11: 30 a. m.
The City of Piggott recently announced that starting May 13, 2024, on the second Monday of every month at 2 p.m., the Piggott Police Department will be testing the tornado siren. In the event of inclement weather, the testing will be postponed until the following month.
The Arkansas State Police has reported the identities of the six victims who perished in a crash at the Corning Y between a tractor-trailer and a Buick SUV on Monday, April 15. Killed in the crash were the driver of the Buick, Sonter Andon, 37 and passengers, Santos Andon, 62; Rekinna Alanso, 65; Jessica Inek, 34; Nisdy Inek, 36; and one minor, all of Paragould.
Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced they are accepting nominations for two board positions due to the expiration of terms for Heather Tarno and Dave Blackmon, The position is for a three year commitment and nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, May 15. Those needing more information may contact the chamber at 870- 598- 3167.