News
Killing Clayton
Part 9: And Death Came in at the Window. Killing Clayton is a limited weekly column about a corrupt election, the assassination of possible Clay County namesake John Clayton, and the shadow it cast on Arkansas history.
New at the library
The following materials are now available at the Piggott Public Library. ADULT FICTION
Powhatan State Park to host Band Box Workshop
Powhatan Historic State Park will host a Band Box Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join park staff and learn the Victorian art of making a decorative hat box, glasses case, or tea box. Band boxes are a perfect way to make a hand-made organizing box. Participants will leave with their own boxes. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration fee is $15. To register for the workshop, please call the park at 870-878-6765.
Rocky Hill Cemetery seeking volunteers
Volunteers in the Campbell area are seeking support for the maintenance of Dunklin County’s oldest cemetery. Rocky Hill Cemetery, located west of Campbell on Crowley’s Ridge, has graves dating back to 1858. Located in the path of the Chalk Bluff Trail, this route between Old Four Mile and the St. Francis River was an Indian Trail, and later a primitive road taken by troops in the War Between the States. The historic graveyard is located about a mile from the site of where a ferry once crossed the river. Many Boy Scout troops used to hike through and camp on this trail and at the battle sites, located on the Missouri and Arkansas sides of the “chalky bluffs.”
Trial by Jury scheduled at Powhatan State Park
Powhatan Historic State Park will host a Trial by Jury on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Join park staff and become the judge, part of the jury, a lawyer, or maybe even the accused as they bring a court case from Powhatan’s history to life. No acting experience is needed, but participants should come ready to dive in and interact with each other. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration fee is $25. To register for the workshop, please call the park at 870878-6765.
Large crowd gathers for St. Francis Picnic
Extreme heat greeted visitors to the annual St. Francis Picnic, held Saturday, July 19, to benefit the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries. In response, good crowds gathered for the popular mid-summer event.
QC hears update on county roads, bridges
Clay County Quorum Court met in regular session on Monday, July 21 at the Piggott courthouse with Justices Dennis Haines, Patrick Patterson, David Hatcher, Brad Green, Randy Kingston and Jody Henderson present. Justices David Cagle, George Lowe and Neal Smith were absent.
Greenway Picnic set Saturday
The 95th edition of the annual Greenway Picnic, held each year to fund the continued upkeep of the beautiful Mitchell Cemetery, is set for this Saturday, Aug. 2, at the community’s picnic grounds. As usual, the 2025 picnic will officially kick off at 9 a.m. with the opening ceremonies on the grandstand, and activities will continue throughout the day. In keeping with tradition, there will be food stands, games, bingo, novelties and rides for the kids. A corn hole tournament with beginners and advance brackets is set for 11 a.m. east of the grandstand. There will be live entertainment throughout the day by JR Rogers and the All-Star Band.
Back-to-School with Love Day planned at Rector
Organizers with the Fifth and Pine Church of Christ in Rector will host their annual “Back to School with Love Day” from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3.