Stories from Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The 50th anniversary of the release of A Face in the Crowd was marked and remembered on Saturday, and the event proved to be a huge success. Joining in the celebration, and returning to Piggott for the first time since August of 1956, was Patricia Neal...

"It was as if she swept through town and sprinkled stardust all over Piggott." This statement by Shirley Schoettlin sums up the atmosphere in town after Patricia Neal's arrival to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the filming of "A Face in the Crowd," in which she was one of the stars...

The Economic Development Commission set forth a proposal for the trade and industry expansion of Piggott at the City Council meeting Monday night. In the proposal, chairman Van Winton cited a few of the commission's goals as being to diversify Piggott's economy, attract high-quality business, create high-paying jobs, business retention and re-invest capital into the community...

Ann M. Lovelady Dickens, 83, of Mountain View, Arkansas, formerly of Piggott, passed away Saturday, September 15, 2007, at the White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas. She was born April 7, 1924, in Peach Orchard, Arkansas, and was the daughter of the late James Robert and Edna Mae Crabtree Eubanks...

A half dozen different Piggott Mohawks scored touchdowns Friday night, as the Tribe pounded the Rector Cougars 44-0 at Parker Field. With the non-conference win the Mohawks improve to 3-0 on the season, they'll be on the road at EPC this Friday night. ...

Leoma Vangilder, 94, of Marmaduke died Sept. 16, 2007 at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Sept. 14, 1913 to the late Ed and Minnie Wooten. She was married to Jason Vangilder in 1934. Preceding her in death were her husband, Jason; one granddaughter, Pamela Vangilder; one brother, Frank Wooten and one sister, Helen Wooten...

Rickey Lynn Bearden, 49, of Rector, died at his home Sunday, Sept. 16. Born Sept. 7, 1958 to the late Charles Enos Bearden and Mary Lucille Bearden, he was a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Theresa (Cole) Bearden of the home; two sons, Michael Bearden of Marmaduke and Steven and Cassie Bearden of Rector; three brothers, Charles Bearden, Terry Bearden and Robbie Bearden, all of Rector; three sisters, Glenda Pruett of Rector, Margaret Costner of Paragould and Marsha Duty of Greenway; five grandchildren, Erica Nicole Bearden, Nick Hardin, Bailey Bearden, Braxton Bearden and Isaac Bearden; and his mother-in-law, Christine Cole.. ...

Some concerns about the county's tax preparation were laid to rest at Monday night's monthly meeting of the Clay County Quorum Court. Atop the list of concerns was the matter of where responsibility for the final preparation of the taxes fell. With the passage of Ordinance 2007-07, the matter has been made clear. ...

The Rector Memorial Park was filled with laughter and smiles this past Saturday, as local employer American Railcar Industries (ARI) hosted its annual company picnic. The picnic serves as a way for the company to honor its employees in a fun, friendly atmosphere...

Though work is planned for U.S. Highway 67 in Arkansas, at this time, it looks to have little impact on Clay County. In Thursday's meeting of the Highway 67 Coalition at the campus of Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Dan Flowers, director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation singled out the biggest obstacle the project faces...

It was another tough night on the old gridiron for the Cougars this past Friday in Piggott. The boys in blue were downed by their county rival, 44-0, placing Rector at 0-3 thus far into the season. Piggott crossed the goal line on their first two drives in the opening quarter...