Stories from Friday, March 15, 2002

Tribune News Staff Poinsett County's top taxman is asking for support from county residents on several key issues that legislators will face in the 2003 Arkansas General Assembly. In a visit to the Tri-City Tribune Monday morning, Tax Assessor Johnny Rye, Jr. told the news staff of the Tribune about efforts to recoup monies for the Poinsett County Jail, reforming certain aspects of county government, and discussed the county budget in general...

Poinsett County Judge Bill Craft of Marked Tree announced this week that he will seek re-election to his current position in the May Democratic Primary. Craft, 59, is now in his eighth year as the county's chief executive officer. Alluding to the horrific events of September 11, Craft emphasized that county and local governments are already experiencing a loss of tax revenue because of the economic impact created by the acts of terrorism. ...

David Lee Kelly, Trumann Police Department Criminal Investigator and Patrol Sgt., has announced his candidacy for Poinsett County Sheriff. Kelly, 34, who has 10 years experience in law enforcement said he plans to make changes in the county's law enforcement, while strengthening the bond between Poinsett County residents and law enforcement officials...

Peers Rewarded In Delivering Excellence By AMMI LUNG Tribune Staff Many of the world's most famous musicians have been mastering their art since childhood. Genuine musical talent isn't something that happens overnight. The same goes for Trey Adams...

Wona Mae Smith, 77, of Payneway, died March 7, 2002 at the Methodist Hospital (Central) in Memphis. She was born on May 7, 1924 in Sulpher Springs, Tenn. She was a member of the Centerview Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Nelson "Pete" Smith, and one son, Scott Smith. ...

Lucille Minton Bennett, 79, of Marion died March 12 at Johnson-Hobson Care Home in Marion. She was born Feb. 23, 1923, in Mississippi, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lepanto, and a retired quality control checker for American Greetings...

Gerald Pulley, 72 of Memphis died March 12, 2002 at his residence. He was a retired farmer and a member of Hites Chapel Assembly of God Church in Parkin. He is survived by his wife, Virgie May (Turpin) Pulley of the home, three daughters Virginia Ann Gaddis of Munford, Tenn., Susan Holland of Arlington, Tenn., and Sandra Pulley of Memphis; one son, Jerry Pulley of Philadelphia, Miss.; one sister, Helen Whitley of Memphis, five grand-children and three great-grandchildren...

Herschel Glenn Collins, Jr., 41 of Marion died March 12, 2002 at Methodist Health Care Central in Memphis. He was a construction superintendent for S. Webster Painting Co. and was a member of Vanderbilt Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Sharon of Marion, a daughter Stacy and son Glenn, both of Marion, three sisters, Brenda Brewer of Etowah, Jeri Robison of Payneway and Barbara Roark of Marked Tree and two brothers Billy of Little Rock and Terry of Lepanto...

Colburn M. Anderson, 80 died in Omaha, Neb. January 31, 2002. He is survived by his wife Inez Pittman Anderson, formerly of Marked Tree, now residing in Tumbling Shoals, Ark., a daughter, Barbara and husband Roger Fisher, a son, Cole Anderson, Jr. and wife Lein of Moscow, Tenn., a son, Jeff and his wife Lawanna Anderson of Omaha, Neb., 11 grandchildren and 15 great grand children. ...

Two softball events have been scheduled for the Trumann Sports Complex located on Pecan Grove Road in Trumann. On March 16, the BAMS-JAM 2002 Mens Division Softball Tournament is scheduled. USSSA rules will apply. The entry fee is $125. On March 23, the Newberry's Body Shop Crash-N-Bash Mens Softball Invitational will be played. USSSA rules will apply. Entry fee is $125...

The seventh annual COPS for Kids Easter Egg Hunt will be March 23 at the Sports Complex/Recreational facility. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the hunt starts at noon. All kids sixth grade and under are welcome. Two bicycles will be given away. The hunt is canceled if raining...

The current Baldwin employees are very pleased with the new management of their company. Many of the group expressed their appreciation of the way the new company is handling their future and feel sure success will be a part of the picture. It's been a long time coming. ...

The Bay School Board went into executive session to discuss teacher contracts at its regular meeting March 11th. After returning and re-opening the meeting to the public, the board accepted the resignation of Bobby Hutchison as boys' basketball coach. The board then approved Hutchison as Director/Teacher of the Alternate Learning School and also approved him as supervisor of maintenance...

Watch out Orlando, here comes the Wildcats! The Trumann Sr. High boys baseball team will be traveling during spring break to the Sun'Sational Baseball Tournament in Orlando, FL. They baseball team will play at least four games. The tournament is one of many held in Florida that is open to any team that is available to attend...

David Lee Kelly, Trumann Police Department Criminal Investigator and Patrol Sgt., has announced his candidacy for Poinsett County Sheriff. Kelly, 34, who has 10 years experience in law enforcement said he plane to make changes in the county's law enforcement, while strengthening the bond between Poinsett County residents and law enforcement officials...

Friday March 8, just before seventh period at Trumann High School a phone call came in warning that there was a bomb in one of the lockers. Immediately all students were evacuated. A call for a fire drill came over the intercom and the students all filed out of the school, unaware of the threat...