Stories from Wednesday, July 11, 2001

A business spawned by the closure of the Singer Manufacturing Plant in Trumann and a source of hope for former employees in the early '80s has closed its doors after 15 years as an industrial mainstay in the community. Delta Wood Products on Highway 463 in Trumann fell prey to a sagging economy and foreign competition and was closed on Tuesday, July 3. It will not reopen...

Rick Winkles is understandably proud of his 14-15 year olds, all 12 of them. Winkles, head coach of the Trumann baseball team sponsored by Samuel's Auto Sales, praised the youngsters for their 8-4 league play record in baseball this year. "They're a really good group of kids," Winkles said. "They showed a lot of determination on the field this year."...

The Trumann Machine Works Majors concluded their season with a 20-2 mark and a bundle of trophies last weekend. The Majors, said head coach Shane Moye, put their talent on the line at the NEA tournament and came out on top. Moye said his crew downed Lake City, 7-6, and then beat Bay, 8-7, to move into the finals against their neighbors to the north...

Baseball fanatics will have plenty to keep them occupied beginning this weekend when the Cal Ripken State Tournament for 11 year olds comes to Trumann for a four (maybe five) day stand. Shane Moye, tournament director and an official of the Trumann Youth Commission, reported this week that teams from throughout Arkansas will be coming to Trumann to vie for top honors in this state competition...

Spurgeon Spud' Watkins, 69, of Ann Arbor, Michigan died July 4 following a battle with heart disease. Mr. Watkins was born December 26, 1931 in Leachville and was educated in the Trumann Public Schools. He received his bachelor of science from Arkasnas State University and his master of arts from Eastern Michigan University...

Lula Bell Carroll, 69, of Earle, died Thursday, June 28 at the family residence in Earle of natural causes. Carroll was born in Dyersburg, Tenn., and had lived in Earle for the past 33 years. She was formerly of Marked Tree. She was a housewife and a member of the First Assembly of God in Earle. Carroll was preceded in death by one granddaughter, September DeKoe Carroll; one brother, Donald Williams and her father, Waymon Williams...

Wayne Spilllman, 56, of Harrisburg, died Tuesday, July 3, in Gilmore. He was born on December 19, 1944, at Searcy, the son of the late Carl Spillman and Aline(Holladay) Spillman. He was a Master Electrician. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by onebrother, Rickey Spillman and one grandson, Timothy Morgan, Jr...

Ruby Fay Preston, 66, of Bay, died Monday, July 2, at her residence. Born near Trumann, she had lived most of her life at Bay. She was retired from Sears and the former Salant and Salant facility at Trumann and was a member of the Bay Church of Christ...

Flying Jenny? Tommy Rowlett, a good friend of my brother and one of those vague memories in my mind of people I've met but didn't really know in my childhood, sent an e-mail last week that stirred up some very vivid scenes from my past. Tommy said he was sitting back reminiscing (as some of the "older" people like my brother tend to do), when he recalled some moments from his youth that involved a cousin whose part in this will go unprinted to preserve a bit of his dignity...

Garrett Brooks Cynthia Giesman and Michael Brooks are proud to announce the birth of their son, Garrett Michael Brooks. Garrett was born on June 27 at Regional Women's Center in Jonesboro and weighed nine pounds and two ounces. His grandparents are George Giesman and Patricia Giesman of Trumann and Terry and Charolet Brooks of Wichita Falls, Texas...

Deborah Haner and Matthew Allen are pleased to announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage. Haner is the daughter of Gene Hunter and Shirley Long of Trumann. She is the granddaughter of Imogene and Mike Baxter and the late Florence and Alvin Haner...

Fire Department Chief Gary Anderson recently released the fire report for the month of June 2001. On June 1, at 5:45 p.m. the Police Department requested First Responders to go to the corner of Betty Street and North Ozark. Upon arrival first responders found a subject that had been shot. Trumann Paramedics responded. The time of service was 30 minutes...

The following is a list of property stolen in the Trumann area during the week of July 1, 2001: Terry Holman - Push lawnmower, blue in color, 110 a/c Emerson. Mickie's Quickies - $5.01 in gas. Cody Anderson - Blue silver bike. Patty Williams - 3'x2 1/2' shelf w/hearts cut out in the doors (wood), picture of a deer w/clock in the corner, several angel figurines & wine glasses...

Temperatures in the area are already hovering near the 100 degree mark as residents steel themselves in anticipation of dramatically higher electrical bills next month. Add to that an anticipated increase in water rates for Trumann users and already inflated natural gas charges and it's easy to see why local residents are expressing heightened concern...

James Conatser, superintendent of the Trumann Water and Sewer operations, got mixed signals from members of the City Council Monday night at a public hearing to receive comments regarding a requested increase in wastewater treatment rates placed before the council. The council passed the rate increase ordinance in regular session...

The Trumann City Council passed an ordinance increasing wastewater treatment rates for Trumann Water and Sewer customers, and also took under advisement changes to the ordinance governing fireworks sales and use in the city during the regular meeting of the council Monday evening at the Police and Courts Building...

Kyle Barker, 11, of Trumann was recently named Best All Around Player at the Bill Bethea Baseball School 2001 at Arkansas State University. Barker participated with over 35 players ranging in age from eight to 12 during the June 18-21 camp. He played on the Trumann Machine Works Majors squad this summer...