In keeping with their longstanding tradition, a full slate of pageants, food and fun is set for the annual St. Francis Picnic, being held this Saturday, July190, to benefit the Hall and Gravel Hill cemeteries. The popular event is held the third Saturday of each July at the picnic grounds in St. Francis, with events and activities going on throughout the day.
At the Rector City Council meeting held on Thursday, July 10, the Council addressed multiple points of new business to include the annexation ordinance. This ordinance had been under discussion and consultation with City Attorney Kimberly Dale and Clay County Judge Mike Patterson. Council operated with the understanding that three parcels along 9th Street were owned by the City and one parcel was owned by Farren Young who, in previous interactions, indicated he was not opposed to the annexation. Judge Patterson reviewed all paperwork and concluded that the annexation was in good order and issued that ruling July 2, 2025.
96TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION HELD
On Saturday, June 28, the Clay County Fair Association held an open livestock show to raise funds for the Clay County Fair. Over 40 exhibitors were present for the market and breeding shows which included swine, sheep, goats and cattle. Exhibitors from Clay County took home numerous awards, as well as exhibitors from other surrounding counties.
Jeremy Lemmons, a Piggott native and 2005 PHS graduate was recently selected for The Alliance 40 Under 40 Honorees in Organ Donation and Transplantation – a national recognition that honors rising professionals who are making meaningful contributions in this field.
Emma Langley of Piggott along with guitarist Allen Wooldrige of Paragould will be performing at the Ford Room inside the Rector Community Museum on Friday, July 18.
Piggott City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 23 at city hall with council members Jeff Benbrook, Tracy Cole and Jamey Parks present. Councilman Kevin Jones was absent.
On June, 24, Judy Cox Phillips, daughter of the late Doris and Camilla Cox, donated items she had digitized of her mother’s articles to the Piggott Public Library. The articles include three collections of obits from the 1960’s through 2017. There is also a collection of marriages and all the articles Cox had written for the Times-Democrat. Cox wrote the column “Piggott History Relived” for several years for the Clay County Times-Democrat before her passing.
Small groups of Northeast Arkansas’ Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) young leaders chatted as they awaited the judges’ visit for Casey and Jade Simpson Farm Family selection. As they sought just a bit of shade on the especially hot day on that June afternoon, they were overheard, “He’s never met a challenge he’d walk away from,” they said, speaking of Casey Simpson. Several of those in discussion were alumni of Simpson’s Piggott Chapter of FFA, the role he found rewarding and fulfilling after being under the tutelage of Chris Ward, his own FFA adviser when Simpson was at Nettleton High School as a student.
Casey Simpson is deeply committed to quality and sustainability, his operation “rooted in continuous improvement.” Using artificial insemination to enhance herd genetics and providing exceptional quality to consumers, local markets, and commercial buyers through direct sales propel the Simpson farm forward. “We provide freezer beef that is of the utmost quality because of our work with “top tier animal care” and best practices.