Stories from Thursday, October 24, 2002

The Rector citywide yard sale has been rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 26, and will begin at 8 a.m. Rainy weather this past Saturday put a damper on much of the event. Organizers said there have been some misunderstanding on the specifics. The Parks and Recreation Commission is urging participants to setup at either of the city parks, preferably the Downtown Park, but anyone is welcome to have their yard sale at their home...

Experience is the keyword for the Marmaduke Greyhounds in the upcoming basketball season. The Greyhounds went 28-11 last year and have a number of players coming back including their talented All-State player, Josh Bateman. Coach Steve Richey said, "We have a lot of experienced players who know how to win coming back and with the addition of those coming up, expectations will be high. ...

The Rector Cougars fell to Salem Friday night by a score of 47-7. The Cougars had the ball first but were forced to punt. On their first play of the night from scrimmage tailback Duane Slagley ran the ball to the Cougar 17 yard line. Salem then fumbled and Anthony Stanley tackled the Greyhound back who recovered the ball for a seven yard loss...

He was preceded in death by one son, Byron B. Melrose Jr.; his parents; four brothers; and four sisters. He is survived by his wife, Edna, of the home; two daughters, Jane Hoff and Gloria Lowell of St. Louis; one brother, Gary Melrose of Rector; one sister, Mary Ruth Melrose of Rector; and one grandchild...

Lola Venice Parsons, 91, of Rector died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Jan. 20, 1911, in Knob, the daughter of the late James Dortch and Florence Cribbs Dortch. She was a homemaker and a member of the Rock Springs Methodist Church...

Carl Edward Easton, 79, of Rector died Friday, October 18, 2002, at the Paragould Nursing Center. He was born May 20, 1923, in Greene County, the son of the late Clarence Easton and Vedis (Huffstutler) Easton. He was a farmer, lifelong member of the community and member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church for 55 years...

Democratic and Republican Clay County assessor candidates will go head-to-head in the Nov. 5 General Election as voters choose a new office holder. Democrat Tracy Gurley of 1229 West North Street, Piggott, faces Republican Teressa D. Johnson of 3090 County Road 341, Piggott. Incumbent county assessor Jerry Williams has chosen not to seek re-election...

The incumbent mayor of Marmaduke is being challenged by two individuals in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, city election. Mayor Robert Dowler of 107 Highway 34 East will face alderman Nileane Drope of 11882 Highway 49 North and Jamesy "Carol" Roberts of 605 North Third...

The Justice of the Peace District District 5 race will be decided by voters in the Nov 5 General Election and will pit an incumbent Democrat against a Republican newcomer. Incumbent JP Lavern "Mac" Manchester of 206 North Fordyce, Rector will be facing challenger Allen Deringer of 521 West Eighth Street, Rector. Deringer is also running for election to west ward, position one, on the Rector City Council...

Three candidates are seeking East Ward, Position 1, on the Rector City Council in the Nov. 5 General Election. Shaun "Cam" Cate of 301 East Allen, James "Jamie" Diddle of 311 East Sixth and Jearl Wheat of 621 East Fourth are all campaigning for the council slot being vacated by incumbent alderman Michael Polk, who has chosen not to seek re-election...

An incumbent Rector alderman will square off against a challenger in Tuesday, Nov. 5, city election. Incumbent alderman Steve Ward of 415 East Fifth Street and Alan L. Cavaness of 822 East Eighth are vying for East Ward, Position 2. Steve Ward Ward, 32, is self-employed with Ward Electronics and Affordable Home Furnishings in Rector. He and his wife, Amy Pruett Ward, have a daughter, Shelby, 4...

Because Monday, Oct. 14, was Columbus Day, the Marmaduke City Council's regular monthly meeting was held last Tuesday, with the main topic of interest being how the City of Marmaduke might help defeat Amendment 3. The council approved a resolution in opposition to Amendment 3. Amendment 3 is an being pushed by the Libertarian Party of Arkansas and is designed to cut sales tax statewide...

Longtime Rector community leader Theda Cleffie Miller died Wednesday, Oct. 16, at her home at age 80. Mrs. Miller generously gave of her time as a volunteer at the Rector Community Center and was involved in activities of the Woman's Club of Rector for about 20 years. ...

The Marmaduke Lady Greyhounds find themselves in a position that perhaps no team in Arkansas high school history has ever been in. With two 40 win seasons behind them they stand ready to try and achieve that mark for the third straight season. As incredible an achievement as winning 40 games is, their coach wants it known that is not their main goal for the year...