News

The weather was hot and humid with plenty of mosquitoes buzzing, however that didn’t keep the crowds away from the 82nd annual St. Francis picnic. The picnic is held mid-July each year, with the proceeds benefitting both the Hall and Gravel Hill Cemeteries...

Rector School officials and police are investigating allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a substitute teacher and a student. Rebecca Worsham, attorney for the Rector School District, confirmed Tuesday, July 13, the claims were under investigation...

With the nine JPs in attendance the meeting was called to order at the courthouse in Piggott by Judge Mike Patterson. Court members approved Ordinance 2021-20, an ordinance appropriating funds of $7,308.91 to the county road department for fencing for Corning Road Department. ...

Last week the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) released a statement noting they would be replacing a bridge on Highway 1 near the city of Piggott resulting in temporary closure of the highway. Weather permitting, crews will close Highway 1 from Highway 62 (two-mile turn) to County Road 547 while they work to replace the bridge. This closure will remain in place 24 hours a day until work is completed. This work is estimated to be completed in late 2021...

Rector First United Methodist Church will host a dedication service and concert showcasing the Jerry Linnstaedter Memorial Organ at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 25, at the church sanctuary located at 116 West Third Street in Rector. Church organists Jerry Chilcutt and Andrew Caveness will display the capabilities of the three-keyboard organ through a variety of hymns and classical arrangements...

Once again for 2021, members of the Piggott Community Alliance have joined forces to organize “Backpack Bash” for students of Piggott Elementary and Piggott High School. This year’s bash will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 on the grounds of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum of Piggott...

As announced earlier in Show Week via social media, the Band TRIPPP would be joined by Sylamore Special bluegrass band, invited to fill in for Chaz Stafford who would not be able to join brothers JD Stafford and Treyson Stafford for the Ford Room concert Thursday...

A nice breeze and mild temps made the start of the picnic enjoyable for the crowd for the 88th annual Pollard Picnic. A brief rain made for a more hot and humid day as the day wore on but did not dull the crowd’s enthusiasm. The annual picnic is held with the proceeds benefiting the upkeep of the beautiful New Hope Cemetery. ...

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, July 17, 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...

The Rector School Board met Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building in a rescheduled meeting. The conclusion of the 2020-2021 financial and administrative year was June 30 and Superintendent Johnny Fowler filed the final financial report. ...

On Tuesday, July 6, the Piggott Board of Education met in special session in the school’s Administration Building for the purpose of hiring of personnel. All board members were present and after call to order and the waiving of reading the minutes of the previous meeting the board went into executive session...

At the rescheduled July 12 meeting of the Rector City Council, now being held at the Rector Community Center, the council received through a letter addressed to Mayor Teresa Roofe the resignation of Anthony Dowdy. The council accepted Dowdy’s resignation and will entertain names for consideration at the time the council next meets...

An exciting new era for the Rector Area Chamber of Commerce began this month as Crystal (Parmenter) Williams has assumed her new duties as executive director of the organization. Williams will have her office in the Rector Visitor Center, which is in the historic and restored old city water office/jail on Main Street. ...

The opportunity for those who appreciate a wide range of music will present itself with an organ concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, at Rector First United Methodist Church. To hear a pipe organ with “the stops” pulled out is something worth your time. A pipe organ with the capacity of the new Rector First United Methodist’s organ would require a space larger than the sanctuary of the church itself...

Not much feels better on a hot day than enjoying a dip in the pool. Piggott Public Pool is carrying on the tradition of adult swim from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday thru Saturday mornings, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. According to pool manager, Shawna Stone, “Saturday mornings are usually our busiest day. Some days we have up to 15 swimmers, but it varies from day to day”...

The weather was perfect with cooler temps and a light breeze, for the 94th edition of the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming Celebration. After not having the picnic last year for the first time since 1932, the community and surrounding areas were enthusiastic about the return of the picnic this year. ...

Registrations are still being accepted for the Pollard Beauty Contests, being held in conjunction with this week’s annual picnic. The 2021 Pollard Picnic will be held Saturday, July 10, at Pollard and will benefit the continued upkeep of the New Hope Cemetery. In keeping with tradition, fried chicken dinners, music, softball games, games for children and beauty pageants will highlight the picnic. Recently, the organizers announced the following schedule....

Say “TRIPPP” The Band in and around Rector and a wave of appreciative sounds arise from any group that’s been in tune with the country music world lately. The triplet trio first played in Rector in 2019 at Rector Community Museum and were well received, selling CD’s, t-shirts, and posing for photos after signing autographs. Then, they rocked the park as the headliner for Rector Labor Day Picnic where the audience sang along, clapped, and danced...

Central Arkansas Little Britches Rodeo Association (CALBRA) and Heartland Little Britches Association in Fruitland, Missouri offer opportunities for rodeoing for boys and girls living in this area. CALBRA’s mission is to bring a new level of youth rodeo to Arkansas, offering competitors from the ages of five to 18 the opportunity to qualify and compete on a national level at the National Little Britches Rodeo Finals in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the beautiful Lazy E Arena...

In Rector for a visit with family, Michael Randleman walked along memory lane at the Rector Community Museum last week. Randleman and son Max live in Santa Monica, Calif., and have not been back to Rector in several years. Diane Randleman, his mother, and sister Julie Randleman of Memphis, browsed the museum helping Max see it all. Mom Diane said, “There was no way I could see it all at the concert the other night. I think this is such a marvelous thing for our area.”...

Local motorcycle enthusiast, Jack Parrish, has been recognized by the Senior Motorcyclist Club as one of the oldest active riders in the world. The club is for active riders 60 years old and older. Parrish, who turned 91 on July 3, has been riding for 73 years. “I bought my first Harley when I was working for the Detroit Police Department,” said Parrish, “and I currently own five motorcycles.”...

Brande Boyd, of Piggott, has announced she will seek the office of Clay County Treasurer in the 2022 May Primary. Boyd was born and raised in Piggott and has been married to Tim Boyd for 24 years. They have three children, Holly Boyd Parnell, Luke Boyd and Natalie Boyd...

Arkansas growers responded to a global economy beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic with shifting acreage, betting big on corn and pulling back from cotton, according to data from a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Wednesday...

The 94th annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming Celebration kicks-off Friday evening and culminates with a full day of events and activities on Saturday as Independence Day is marked for 2021. In keeping with recent tradition, this year’s festivities will kick-off the evening of July 2, with the first three pageants at the picnic grounds and the Mohawk Baseball Alumni game at Independence Park. ...

The Piggott Municipal Airport condemnation was the focus of Thursday night’s Piggott City Council meeting. Mayor Travis Williams called the meeting to order, with all members in attendance. Minutes were read and approved from the May meeting. Speaking to a standing room only crowd, Steve White, who filled in for the airport board chairman, gave a lengthy report of why lengthening the runway would be good for the city and the citizens. ...

Gossett reigning AHS Rodeo Queen - Riley Jo Gossett, a ninth grade student at Piggott High School, earned the title of Arkansas High School Rodeo Queen and will be traveling with fellow Arkansas qualifiers to Lincoln, Neb., July 15-24 to compete at the 73rd annual National High School Finals Rodeo against approximately forty other girls for the title of National High school Rodeo Queen. ...

Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller reported that at 10:20 p.m. Sunday, June 27, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department was asked for assistance by the Rector Police Department. Rector Police officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant on a subject when the subject ran outside, pointed a gun at the officers, fired a shot in the air and then ran inside the residence where he barricaded himself inside. ...

The thrill of the chase extends into genealogy. Just chat briefly with Bonita Terman, who said, “I’m the only one young enough and healthy enough to do this research. Genealogy is fascinating.” Uncovering proof of what is known and discovering what is unknown can keep a genealogist awake for days. ...

After working for Clay County for 33 years, Carolyn Morrisett has decided to retire. She began working for the Clay County Sherriff’s Office in 1987 and during that time she worked for three different sheriffs, Darvin Stow, Don Poole, and Ronnie Cole. She sought the treasurer position upon the retirement of Betty Haley in 2000...

On June 16, 2021, Agents with Homeland Security and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, partnered with officers from Jonesboro Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriff’s Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Rector Police Department, Marmaduke Police Department, Pocahontas Police Department, and the Paragould Police Department in what started as a controlled delivery of a package of drugs from Mexico, and led into the shutdown of a four year long mushroom and DMT home lab and dispensary.. ...

J.W. Toombs will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2021 Piggott Fourth of July Parade beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 3. Toombs, former caretaker of the Piggott Cemetery, spent nearly 28 years in that position. He began work in December, 1992 and retired in October, 2020. During that time, he noted he had dug between 1600 and 1700 graves...

Exciting and fun new things are going on at the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum. The outside has numerous activities for the kids from windchimes and drums to a new sandbox being added. The Kindness Rock Garden has been a big hit with young and old. ...

Woodland Heights Cemetery Commission is excited to announce the resumption of a long-standing tradition – The Rector Labor Day Picnic – after a one-year COVID hiatus. Stephen Simmons, Commission President, and Cheri Boyd, Commission Secretary, made the official announcement Friday...

With the annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and Homecoming Celebration less than two weeks away last minute plans are complete. The annual Independence Day celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4. The festivities will kick-off Friday evening with the first three pageants at the picnic grounds and the Mohawk Baseball Alumni game at Independence Park. ...

Former Clay County Clerk Charles Pollard died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was 87. Pollard was elected Clerk and Probate Clerk of Clay County in 1989, where some of his duties included being Clerk of the County or "Bookkeeper" of the County, paying all bills, payroll, distributing money received for taxes, etc. ...

The regular meeting of the Clay County Quorum court met at 7 p.m., Monday, June 21 at the Court House in Corning. With eight of the nine JPs in attendance the meeting was called to order by Judge Mike Patterson. Absent from the meeting was Jody Henderson...

A mutual admiration society was formed Thursday night at the Ford Room Entertainment venue inside the Rector Community Museum. Cory Jackson and his band won the hearts of a capacity crowd as the applause and audience response numbers prompted him to comment, “Hey, I really like y’all so much I want to take a selfie with you, so keep on playing and singing.” He turned, holding his cellphone in selfie mode and to the cheers of the smiling and waving crowd, he endeared himself to the concert-goers from Rector and the surrounding area.. ...

Special Olympics Arkansas has announced “Back at it” as the 2021 them for summer games. Spectators, volunteers, and competitors will notice a few changes this year to accommodate safety measures. Activities kicked off with the Law Enforcement Torch Run June 14. Officers from all over the state will carry the Flame of Hope in their cities from which the iconic flame will make its way to Little Rock...

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved and is backing the Piggott Municipal Airport Board in asking for City Council support to comply with FAA standards by extending the current runway to 3,200 feet. With this length, they seek to improve the shortest runway in the state to the standards observed at Corning, Rector, Kennett, Pocahontas, Walnut Ridge, Paragould, Campbell, Clarkton, Malden and Gideon airports...

Whether driving toward Rector from Piggott or Kennett or braking just in time to make Hargrave Corner, ready to take that right curve toward the St. Francis River, drivers should not lose focus. What was on the Graves Gin site for 72 years is gone. What was built as Graves Gin Corporation offices and weighing station in 1949 has been razed. It happened Friday, June 11, with Chase Sain and Scott Anderson taking double duty with the demolition operation...

On Tuesday, June 8, the Piggott Board of Education met in regular session in the school’s Administration Building and addressed a brief agenda. All members of the school board, with the exception of Hope Burns, were present along with several administrators and district secretary Sheila Mayberry. After approving the minutes from the previous minutes, and financial reports, the board turned to the regular business at hand...

After President Jody Simmons declared a quorum present, the Rector School Board met in regular session, welcoming Jamie Vavak to her first meeting as she fills the vacancy in term that became open at the resignation of Kim Isom due to regulations of the State School Board Association. The school board officers for the next year remain the same by unanimous vote. Jody Simmons remains president as does Mike Trail as vice-president and Kirk Ford as secretary...

A pink washing machine purchased from McNiels across Main Street, the red recliner donated by Rev. Jarvis that once belonged to President James K. Polk, the gorgeous Library front door with its key in it, and the newly acquired icebox carry stories worth telling and remembering...

County Extension Agent-Agriculture A huge congratulations goes to Clay County 4H’s, Samual Shipley, for being selected as a 2021-2022 Arkansas 4H Ambassador!! Arkansas 4H Ambassadors assist with 4H promotion at the county and state level, pushing the Arkansas 4H program at every opportunity. ...

Hugh Martin, summer writer in residence for the month of June for Hemingway-Pfieffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, is looking forward to the writer’s retreat being held June 14-18, 2021. He was scheduled for the retreat last year but due to covid it was cancelled. ...

From his national debut on Season 17 of NBC’s The Voice in the fall of 2019 to the Rector’s Ford Theater Room stage, Cory Jackson will headline the Grand Re-opening of the Rector Community Museum with a sell-out crowd on Thursday, June 17. At the RCM Board meeting Monday, President Joey Pruett commended board members on the pork steak fund raiser and noted that but for a few General Admission tickets, the Cory Jackson concert is almost sold out. ...

The Piggott Cemetery Association will host the annual Fourth of July Picnic on July 3 this year, after having to cancel last year due to Covid. The picnic proceeds are to benefit the beautiful and well maintained Piggott Cemetery. The grand marshal for the parade this year is J.W. Toombs, retired cemetery care taker...

A brief agenda was addressed by the Rector City Council on Monday, June 7, at the Rector Community Center. Early discussion of properties that had burned brought the declaration by City Attorney Kimberly Dale that the city may not burn and bury property that belongs to someone else...

Rector Helping Hands Foundation announced the return of the Labor Day 5K Race-Walk to be held Saturday morning, September 4, beginning at Rector High School Gym. Heather Simmons commented that the resumption of what has become a favorite Labor Day Weekend event has given the Foundation committee a boost in energy after the COVID-19 hiatus. ...

RECTOR - On as gorgeous a Memorial Day Sunday as anyone present could remember, the Woodland Heights Cemetery Commission and Rector’s VFW Post 10480, Jon Bradshaw, commander, hosted the annual ceremony in remembrance of those service men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom...