News

At the regular monthly meeting of Rector School Board on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration building, the board, Kirk Ford being absent, unanimously extended Superintendent Johnny Fowler’s contract to fulfill the customary threeyear appointment. Superintendent Fowler presented the district financial report during the early portion of the meeting. He noted that two CDs related to the building fund, one the District CD and one the Construction bond CD, are included in the building fund total of $4,512,852,46. The Operating fund balance is $1,353,522.19. The total fund balance when adding the cafeteria fund and Federal fund accounts totaled $5,9974,462.32 for December, 2023.

Arkansas Foodbank, the largest food bank in the state, is celebrating its 40th year of service with a reinvigorated mission to tackle food insecurity and hunger stereotypes in Arkansas. As the state leads the nation in food insecurity, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Foodbank is intensifying its efforts to educate Arkansans about hunger and provide access to nutritious food for Arkan-sans in need.

The Clay County Extension Service is offering its annual pesticide applicator training at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Clay County Electric located on Hwy. 67 near Corning and at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Extension office located at 148 East Main in Piggott. The training is required for agriculture producers to qualify for license to purchase restricted pesticides.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host the annual corn and cotton production meeting beginning at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. The meeting will be held at the Rector Community Center on highway 49 in Rector.

Clay County NRCS (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) is hosting an informational meeting for new funding opportunities for seasonal high tunnels, soil health, and on-farm energy. This meet-ing will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at the Piggott Community Center (if Piggott School is closed, the meeting will be postponed). Gardeners, farmers, and the public are welcome. If you are unsure if your small operation or plan will qualify or if you have questions or concerns you may call the Clay County NRCS office at 870-598-2287. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Rector City Council met at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, at the Rector Community Center and in early business heard from two candidates for the declared vacancy on the Council, the seat left open at David Romine’s resignation as he was required to live in the City of Paragould in his new capacity with the utility there. At Council member Lark Sigsby’s request, both Brandon Blount and James (Jamie) Diddle addressed the Council. Council noted how gratified the members felt that two such wonderful younger citizens stepped forward to serve the City. Council elected Jamie Diddle to fill the remainder of the East Ward vacated position. He will fulfill the obligations, take care of official steps, and be ready to serve at the February council meeting. Blount is currently serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The following materials are now available at the Piggott Public Library ADULT FICTION Plain Jane by Schledia Benefield The Star’s Don’t Lie by Boo Walker Tom Lake by Ann Patchett The Wonder of it All by Barbara Taylor Bradford Manner of Death by Robin Cook The Ball at Versailles by Danielle Steel Inheritance by Nora Roberts The Exchange: After The Firm by John Grisham A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry The Cameo Clue by Shirley Raye Redmond Christmas in Painted Pony Creek by Linda Lael Miller Wyoming Proud by Diana Palmer Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich The Chosen and I will Give You Rest by Jerry B. Jenkins Knowing You by Tracie Peterson Touched by Walter Mosley Condor’s Fury by Graham Brown and Clive Cussler The Watchmaker’s Hand by Jeffery Deaver Slay by Laurell K.