Stories from Thursday, May 25, 2006

Incumbent judge Gary Howell and incumbent sheriff Ronnie Cole easily won re-election in primary balloting Tuesday in Clay County. Neither will face opposition in the November general election. Howell had a total of 2,087 votes to 1,080 for challenger Anthony Linam...

With a week and a half to go, Relay for Life teams across the county are gearing up for the eighth annual Clay County American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Heritage Park on Saturday, June 3. This year's event will have a unifying theme of "Going for the Gold", which plays on the Olympic games...

Marilyn Gallagher King was born on Feb. 17, 1928, to Earl and Edith Gallagher in Butler, Pa., and died on Sunday, May 21, 2006, at the age of 78. She was united in marriage on Nov. 23, 1946, to James W. King in Detroit, Mich. They had three children - Sharon, Kim and Jim...

The Senior Lady Mohawks sponsored a volleyball camp May 17-19 for girls currently in grades fourth through sixth. The camp was held at the Piggott High School gymnasium and the turnout was successful, with 24 campers attending. "We've been teaching the girls the fundamentals of volleyball, such as blocking and serving, and they have all had a good time," coach Melissa Williams said of the camp...

Marmaduke High School standout Justin Ward has signed to play college basketball for the Pioneers of Crowley's Ridge College next fall. Ward, a 6'2" guard, averaged 13.4 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game last season for the Greyhounds. He also handed out two assists per game while shooting 35.7 percent from the three-point line...

The name Tara Shepard has been synonymous with Rector softball and success for the past four years. During her career, the Lady Cougars' ace had an astonishing record of 61-15 on the mound. Add in her 394 strikeouts and Shepard's importance to the program becomes as clear as crystal...

Lindsey Rae Bishop, 16, of Arcadia, Fla., great-granddaughter of the late Rudy and Frances Pruett and the late Ray and Hazel Bishop, all of Rector, died Thursday, May 18, 2006. Born Nov. 6, 1989, in Arcadia to Patrick Kye and Deborah Bishop, she was an honors student at DeSoto High School, where she had just finished her sophomore year and was eagerly awaiting her junior year in August...

Patricia Ann Thorne, 66, of Pontiac, Mich., daughter of Dimple Read of Rector, died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at St. Joseph Hospital in Pontiac. Born Jan. 15, 1940, in Grantiac, Ill., she worked as a waitress. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Sides; her stepfather, Van Read, and one son, Michael Thorne...

Virgil J. Graves, 78, of St. Louis, formerly of Rector, died Wednesday, May 17, 2006, in Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis. Born Aug. 23, 1927, in Paragould to the late Clyde and Alma Graves, he was a former pastor and factory worker for General Electric and was a member of Southside General Baptist Church in St. Louis...

Dora Ovizine Watson, 88, of Rector, died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at UAMS in Little Rock. Born May 31, 1917, in Rector to the late Russell Williams and Luella (Hoil) Williams, she was a housewife and a member of Antioch Baptist Church. She was married to James Ruel Watson in Dunklin County in July 1939...

Charles Aud Malin, 76, of Rector died Sunday, May 21, 2006, at his home. Born July 27, 1929, in Rector, he was the son of the late Clifton Clayton Malin and Lottie Mae (Aud) Malin. He was married to Jessie (Sharp) Malin on Jan. 26, 1950, in Hayti, Mo...

Incumbent judge Gary Howell and incumbent sheriff Ronnie Cole easily won re-election in primary balloting Tuesday in Clay County. Neither will face opposition in the November general election. Howell had a total of 2,087 votes to 1,080 for challenger Anthony Linam...

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary of Post 10480 will again place flags on veterans' graves at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector. Linda Waldron and Jill Wynn will direct their students in placing the flags. Anyone who wishes to help with the effort should be at the cemetery at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 25. The flags will be removed at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 30...

Arkansas Army National Guard Captain Brian Mason, training officer of the Guard's 875th Engineering Battalion, will be the guest speaker for Rector's annual Memorial Day service at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28, at Woodland Heights Cemetery. The program will begin with a welcome by Don Parmenter, adjutant of Rector Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10480. The National Anthem will be sung by Sherry Jennings and Chrissy Pazanowski. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Brittni, Hannah and Emily Huggins...

A boys and girls basketball camp for youth entering ages 2 through nine in the fall will be held Tuesday, May 30, through Friday, June 2, at the Rector High School gymnasium. Times will be 8:30 to 11 a.m. for grades 2 through 6 and from 12:30 to 3 p.m. for grades 7 through 9...