Stories from Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Members of the local VFW and American Legion gathered Monday morning, along with local officials, to mark the observance of Veterans Day for 2007. In keeping with tradition, a wreath was placed to honor all of Clay County's veterans. Offering the keynote address was Bobby Hoggard of Piggott, VA state hospital chairman. Also speaking were State Rep. Mike Patterson, who also passed along comments from Congressman Marion Berry, Clay County judge Gary Howell and county sheriff Ronnie Cole...

At the end of last season's 2-7 campaign, Piggott junior football coach Michael Harrell wrote that record on the dry erase board above his desk. Throughout the off-season it served as a daily reminder, and helped kept the team's goal in focus for this year...

The first round of this year's high school football playoffs are now complete, and the Piggott Mohawks were among the teams eliminated last Friday night. This Friday night the field will be cut in half, with the winners set to play the day after Thanksgiving...

The coaching reign of Lady Mohawk head man Josh Robins got off to a shaky start Monday night, as the Tribe was swept by Corning in their season opener. Robins, who is assisted by Natalie Stricklin, took over for fellow-Marmaduke grad Jeff Priest in the off-season and inherits a program in the midst of growing pains...

Standing on the manicured turf of Cummin's Stadium last Friday night, following the Piggott Mohawk's 41-8 first-round playoff loss to the Prescott Curley Wolves, coach Dave Hendrix spoke to his battered team. "When we came down here we knew what they were all about..and I really hate it for you seniors. But I want to thank you guys, I want to thank all of you, especially you seniors who have helped take this program to the next level."...

Robert Lee Urton, 66, of Piggott died Nov. 2 at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Nov. 15, 1940, in Indain Hills, Ohio, and was the son of Merlin Urton and Mona B. Brady Julian. He is survived by a son, Robert Urton, Jr., of Pocahontas; his mother, Mona Julian of Valparaiso, Ind.; two brothers, two sisters and many other relatives and friends...

Mrs. Eleanor Emmaline Lacy Underwood of Piggott died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, at the age of 100 years, one month, and 27 days. Her death resulted from complications of a fall on Sept. 11, one day after her 100th birthday, in which she broke her right femur in four places...

Bessie Ridgeway, 86, formerly of Piggott, died Nov. 8, 2007, in Clearwater, Fla. She was born Dec. 20, 1921, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Curtis and Mary Gossett Brady. She and her husband, Earl P. Ridgeway, returned to their Piggott roots, from Detroit, Mich., after their retirement in 1980. They were active members of Calvary Baptist Church in Piggott...

Ernestine L. Dees, 88, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., formerly of Piggott, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, at her residence. She was born Nov. 2, 1919, in Kennett, to the late John Edwards and Nora Jane "Brannon" Shepard. She was united in marriage to the late James Shirley in 1942. The couple had two children. She was married to Herbert Dees in 1952 and had a very happy marriage until his death in 1982...

1967 Homecoming was marked at PHS in the past week, with Cathy Morgan selected as this year's queen. The football game turned out to be a muddy 13-7 Piggott win over Portageville, as the Tribe improved to 10-1. The two Mohawk touchdowns were scored by Mike Faucett and Kent Greene...

This year's Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, held Tuesday night of last week at the community center, had a regional theme, "Piggott, the Marrying Town". The theme was based on the post-World War II years in which more than 20,000 people came to town to be married after the local judge waived the three-day waiting period...

Monday night's meeting of the Piggott School board featured the annual election of officers, but also included a heated discussion between members. At issue, once again, was the gymnasium-classroom building project and last month's special board meeting in which the board took possession of the new facility...

The Cougars were downed at home Friday night, as the basketball season starts to pick up steam. Rector fell to the visiting Bay Yellowjackets, 49-31. Both teams struggled out of the gate, as Bay clung to a football-like 8-7 advantage after the opening frame. The guests maintained the lead throughout the game's remainder, pacing Rector 25-12 at the half and 32-20 after three quarters...

A memorial visitation for Sue Crews Redyke Doshier, daughter of Rector natives Jim and Mary Crews of Maumelle, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Fifth and Pine Church of Christ in Rector. The family will receive friends and relatives at that time. A private family interment will follow at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector. The family will be at 400 Woodland Heights in Rector until noon Friday, Nov. 23...

Tina Marie Bishop, 81, of Rector died Sunday, Nov. 11, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Pablo, Colo., to the late Adonias and Elica Manzanares. She was retired from Rector Sportswear and of the Methodist faith...

Rector High School band member Logan Wesley has attracted a number of fans with his outstanding drums. The junior, who is featured in a solo during the band's performance of Arkansas-originated rock band Evanescence's song "My Immortal," consistently attracted a crowd of fellow students with his play during halftime performances at Cougar home football games, as well as other school events...

Like many young adults, Rector's Kyle Souder had dreams of making a name for himself in the big city. Now, he's doing just that. Souder, 22, is a chef at the renowned five star FIX restaurant in the famous Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. He is the son of Renae and Quentin Shavalia of Rector...

Local soldiers who are part of the 875th Engineer Battalion, which recently returned home after a year of duty in Iraq, received special recognition and thanks during Rector High School's third annual Veterans Day program held Monday, Nov. 12, at the school gymnasium...

The Lady Cougars were downed in conference play on the road Monday night, falling to host Riverside, 56-46. An 11-11 tie after the first quarter became a 28-18 halftime deficit for the girls from Rector. Riverside held a 42-36 lead through three quarters...