Stories from Thursday, April 15, 2021

With the statewide mask mandate lifted by Governor Asa Hutchinson on March 30, the Arkansas Department of Education left the decision to require masks up to each school board. On April 5, Rector Superintendent Johnny Fowler said that the district would continue with the mask mandate until the school board meeting. On Monday, April 12, the Rector School Board voted for masks to be optional unless the district sees an outbreak of cases...

Rector School Board met Monday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration building. Notices from each building principal reflected the end of the year schedule. The high school Honor Day will be held May 13, with summative Aspire testing being concluded this week. ...

The Piggott Cemetery Board met on April 6 to discuss plans for a July 4th Picnic in 2021. The overall consensus was to proceed. With the Fourth of July falling on a Sunday this year, it was decided to schedule the picnic fundraiser on Saturday, July 3. Plans are in place to return to the annual event with the same format as in the past, barring any health concerns issued by the state...

Peggy Lucille Johnson, a former Times-Democrat writer whose career at the paper spanned for more than three decades, has died. She was 89. Johnson, who retired from the paper in 2015, had most recently lived at Campbell General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, Missouri. ...

In 2019, Noah Gregory of Piggott wanted to find a way to give back to his hometown community. He had received help with his video production and wanted to pay it back.“I knew there were individuals in the community who needed a helping hand who might not have the means to get that helping hand.” And with that motto in mind, Gregory built his first blessing box...

On April 8, Destini Chase inks a tennis scholarship to Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi. The signing ceremony was held in the Piggott High School Library. Chase compiled a 52-22 combined record in singles and doubles. She was a 3-time All-District performer and a 3-time State Tournament qualifier...