Stories from Wednesday, December 5, 2001

BY: MICHAEL WILKEY Parishioners of the Trumann First Baptist Church gathered at their church last Wednesday to honor the missing and lost of war: America's POW and MIAs. Pastor Tad Rogers of the First Baptist Church told the Democrat that one Wednesday a month, during the Wednesday night service, the First Baptist Church selects a different emphasis of prayer (prayer for schools, prayer for individuals with cancer, and other related services). ...

Democrat Editor BAY- There was only one item on the Bay City Council agenda Monday night -- the budget. One concern council members will tackle is the water and sewer budget, which was dealt a severe blow earlier in the year when the city was forced to replace two Media filters...

Democrat Editor Not many people can say they've been at a company since its opening. Benny Cruz, a longtime civic leader in Trumann, is one of those few. Cruz, who has been with Columbia Forest since 1985, put in his last day Friday. The retiring plant manager hangs up his hat after nearly 40 years of working...

Democrat Editor Northeast Arkansas was rated first in train accidents over a four-year period, according to Skip Rogers, guest speaker at the Trumann Rotary Club weekly meeting on Thursday. Rogers, a certified presenter of the Operation Lifesaver program, said of the 57 collisions that occurred last year, 27 resulted in fatalities...

Area residents gathered Sunday to celebrate the Christmas spirit, in the annual Trumann Christmas Parade. The crowd, which parade organizers estimate at about 2,000 to 3,000, saw the nearly half-mile procession travel through the streets of Trumann. ...

Mrs. Lalia M. Brown, 89,of McDougal, Ark. died Monday, Nov. 26, 2001 at Clay Healthcare in Corning, Ark. She was born April 4, 1912 in Sitka, Ark., and was a homemaker, and was affiliated with Community Christian Church in McDougal, Ark. She is preceded in death by her husband Marion "Jim" Brown and a son, Billy Jewel Brown. ...

Larry Denzil Smith, 69,died Dec. 3, 2001 at the Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN., of heart failure. Mr. Smith was born May 22, 1932 in Marked Tree. He was an army veteran retired diesel mechanic and attended the Avondale Baptist Church in West Memphis, Ark. Preceding him in death is his father Denzil Smith and one brother Bob Smith...

Democrat Editor Trumann knocked down just enough free throws Monday to hold off Westside and advance to the second round of the Pre-Holiday Tournament. The tourney host shot a dismal 23-of-40 from the line, but drained 5-of-8 in the last minute to take a 52-44 win...

Democrat Editor After using its press to build a 31-16 lead at halftime, Trumann held off a late Westside rally Thursday to top the Lady Warriors 49-43 in senior girls action. "The first half was really good, I was pleased with the way they played in the first half," Trumann head coach Cynthia Wright said. ...