Stories from Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Piggott junior Lady Mohawks took second place at the 3A-3 district tournament at Crowley's Ridge Academy on Saturday; losing to the hosts in three games in the final. The Tribe had come into the tournament as the regular season district champions, and number one seeds, based on play between CRA and Brookland the final week of the season. ...

The Piggott Mohawks, coming off a couple of lopsided losses to Earle and Harrisburg, rebounded last Friday night as they visited Hoxie and took the talented Mustangs down to the wire before dropping a 13-12 decision. ...

1968 Nicky Moody was named "Outstanding Jaycee of the Year" 40 years ago this past week. In other news, the Mohawk majorette line did well in state competition, garnering 10 blue ribbons and two red. Members were--Teresa Edwards, Melinda Hampton, Paula Ballard, Sandy McElvoy, Pam Camp and Pelicia Graddy...

When my two children were young, growing up, they were taught the magic words. Those words are please and thank you. Now grown, they visited with me this past weekend and I noticed they are still practicing those magic words. I was pleased those lessons took root. The grandchildren, too, are using those words taught to them by their own parents...

Students, parents, teachers and other personnel of the Piggott School District have a new communication tool at their disposal, as the SchoolReach system is implemented at both local campuses. ...

The importance of improving state infrastructure and roadways was noted during Monday night's meeting of the Clay County Quorum Court at the county courthouse in Corning. Special visitor Johnnie Bolin, executive director of the Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council, gave a presentation to the Court, detailing the importance of large, well-maintained roadways in the growth of small counties such as Clay.. ...

Early voting is currently underway for the upcoming general election, and according to election officials the turnout has been brisk. Clay County Clerk Sharon Williams reports that a total of 171 votes were cast at the Eastern District courthouse in Piggott the first two days of the early voting period. ...

A large crowd gathered under clear blue skies Saturday as the official groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of a $4.1 million assisted living facility adjacent to Piggott Community Hospital...

The major development this weekend as the presidential race winds down was the endorsement of Barack Obama by Gen. Colin Powell, widely-admired military leader and former Sec. of State for President George W. Bush...

In politics, especially at election time, a fortnight can be an eternity -- or a blink of the eye -- depending upon how far up or down the polls are going. We have certainly become somewhat less than enchanted when we hear again and again from the four major players in this one. ...

When my two children were young, growing up, they were taught the magic words. Those words are please and thank you. Now grown, they visited with me this past weekend and I noticed they are still practicing those magic words. I was pleased those lessons took root. The grandchildren, too, are using those words taught to them by their own parents...

Clayborn Dean "Hoot" French, 88, of Rector died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Mr. French was born Dec. 9, 1919, in Clay County to the late Ernest B. and Anna (Sides) French. He was of the Methodist faith, a World War II Army veteran and a farmer...

Daniel Thomas Reid, 72, of Rector died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock. Born May 10, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Daniel and Eleanor Reid, he was retired from the Air Force and a retired Jacksonville police officer. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a Shriner and was proud to be the first generation American. His parents were from Ireland...

Ozalene Washington, 79, of Marmaduke died Thursday, Oct. 16, at her home. Born March 25, 1929, in Lafe to the late Enos and Laura Beliew, she was an employee of Thompson's Variety Store in Rector for 20 years and then worked at Brown Shoe Company until she retired. She was of the Baptist faith...

It's been a tough two weeks for the Cougars. After winning three straight games to surprise both fans and critics alike, Rector has now fallen in two straight contests, the last of which came Friday night at home against conference foe EPC, 41-6...

The Clay County Arts Council has kicked off a project to buy 152 padded chairs for the Rector Community Center and is challenging local organizations, businesses and individuals to help reach the goal...

Early voting is currently underway for the upcoming general election, and according to election officials the turnout has been brisk. Clay County Clerk Sharon Williams reports that a total of 171 votes were cast at the Eastern District courthouse in Piggott the first two days of the early voting period. ...

Marmaduke residents now have doorways to entirely different worlds readily available. The city has opened its own library in the Marmaduke Community Center. Utilizing space already available at the center, the library offers a selection of books made available by local donations. ...

Main Street Arkansas staff members Mark Miller, small business consultant, and Susan Shaddox, interior design consultant, came to Rector last week to visit with several business owners who had expressed an interest in learning about different economic strategies relating to their location in town and how to improve the design and visual appeal of their business structures...