Stories from Wednesday, October 10, 2007

In the 29 years it's been in existence Piggott's Parker Field has seem some sights, but they all pale in comparison to last Thursday's rally for the returning members of the 875th Engineer Battalion of the Arkansas Army National Guard. Hundreds of students, teachers, family members, and well-wishers gathered for the occasion as 17 members of the Battalion were welcomed home and honored by the entire community...

For Mohawk football fans the next two weeks presents an odd situation, no game on Friday night. Oh, it's not the first time we've had bye weeks in a season, but to have two weeks off in October is very odd. So what does one do with two extra Friday nights that had been allocated to a Mohawk football game? Well here are a few suggestions to help fill your time until Oct. 26 when the Tribe will host Hoxie for homecoming and senior night...

For the coaching staff of the Piggott Mohawks last week's loss at Harrisburg was of the worst kind. In the early going the Tribe demonstrated that they had the ability hang with the talented Hornets, but a handful of mistakes and poor tackling eventually added up to a 39-14 Piggott loss. Along the way Harrisburg quarterback Will Bornhoft would run for over 175 yards and four touchdowns...

Nettie "Josie" Todd, 97, of the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell and formerly of Clarkton, died Sept. 16 at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born January 27, 1910 to the late Andrew and Minnie "Waller" Masterson and was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Todd and a granddaughter, Donna Kay Todd...

Everett P. Nixon, 90, of Rector, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, at his home. He was a World War II veteran and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Walter and Minnie Lou "Landrum" Nixon, two brothers, Floyd and Roy Nixon and one sister, Zell Parrish Nixon...

William Charles Miller, 82, of Greenway died Sept. 30 at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born July 6, 1925 in Detroit, Mich. the sons of the late John David and Julia "Gallus" Miller. He was a WWII veteran enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, a retired Detroit mounted police officer, a retired bailiff for St. Petersburg, Fla. Court system, a member of the local VFW and was of the Catholic faith...

1967 This week brought the tragic news of a car crash at Hargrave Corner that claimed seven lives, including those of 16 year old Adrian Kirk Renard of Piggott and 18 year old Mark Edward Todd of Pollard. The crash also killed two Rector girls, a young man from Illinois and a couple from Kennett. Two other young men sustained minor to moderate injuries, and a third Rector girl was transported to Memphis in critical condition...

Sherrell Hoggard, 49, a lifelong Piggott resident and long-time local funeral director, died Monday following a battle with cancer. He had worked as a funeral director with the family business, Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home, for 28 years but had been involved with the business his entire life...

The Arkansas State Police report that a 38-year-old Piggott man was shot to death late Sunday evening, after he reportedly aimed a rifle at Piggott police officers who had responded to a domestic incident in Shady Acres. According to Lt. Rick Dickinson of the ASP Troop in Jonesboro, local officers were called to the corner of Heritage Park Road and Ann Street around 9:45 Sunday evening. ...

The late Cecil Kemp, father of Democrat publisher Ron Kemp, is being inducted into the Ouachita Baptist University Athletic Hall of Fame this Friday night. The recipients will be honored with a banquet that night and then will be recognized during the OBU-Southern Arkansas football game Saturday afternoon in Arkadelphia...

Marvin Dale Travelstead, 74, of Rector, formerly of Creal Springs, Ill., lost his battle with cancer and went home to be with his Lord on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. Born Sept. 10, 1933, in Creal Springs to the late Walter and Bessie (Sims) Travelstead, he was a veteran of the Korean War and had worked through his career as an orchard worker, a factory worker and was employed at Norge/Maytag in Herrin, Ill., and Darling Fixtures in Paragould, where he retired...

Everett P. Nixon, 90, of Rector, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, at his home. He was a World War II veteran and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Walter and Minnie Lou "Landrum" Nixon; two brothers, Floyd and Roy Nixon, and one sister, Zell Parrish Nixon...

Sue (Crews) Doshier, 54, daughter of Rector natives Jim and Mary (McCluney) Crews of Maumelle, was killed Sunday, Oct. 7, in a Montana plane crash, along with her husband, John R. Doshier, 51, to whom she was married Sept. 29. The two were on their honeymoon and were traveling in Mr. Doshier's plane...

A young Rector boy has been given a very adult responsibility. Nine-year-old Benjamin Small attended a recent show by popular gospel singing group The Gaithers at Jonesboro. Benjamin was one of three ticket holders awarded $200 in a special drawing...

In just one year's time, the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation has had an impact on the lives of numerous students. In its goal of providing assistance to students in financial need, the organization has had to rely solely on donations and fundraisers...

After their first week home, many of the returned soldiers in the 875th are becoming re-acquainted with the loved ones from whom they've been separated for the last year. One such local hero is Spc. Wes Harmon. Harmon, 24, has been away from his wife, Dana, and young daughter, Alexis, for an extended period. ...

The Cougars came away disappointed after their visit to McCrory last Friday, falling to the Jaguars, 16-7. Rector fell behind 7-0 after the first quarter, before trailing 10-0 going into the half. The second half began with a battle on the ground, as both teams looked to firmly establish the run. However, both squads held fast on the defensive side, as neither team was able to make much noise on their initial drives of the third...