Stories from Thursday, May 23, 2002

Eighteen years ago, in 1983, Mary Helen Holiman was not thinking about any graduation days as she frantically rushed to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, then Baptist Memorial in Blytheville, and then back again to Baptist East. At that time, Mary Helen had a daughter and two daughters-in-law all giving birth to her precious grandchildren in a matter of 6 days...

T-Ball Cates Agri Giants 4-0 First Delta Bank Royals 4-1 Nyal Drug Cardinals 1-2 Ritter Telephone Yankees 0-3 MT Equipment Co. A's 0-3 Minor League MT Bank Cardinals 2-2-1 Chris Tacker Farms D'Backs 2-2-1 John and Frank Mariners 3-2 Bray Gas Yankees 2-3...

Freda Stafford Schuyler, 78, of Memphis, died May 16, 2002, at Methodist North Hospital. She was a housewife, member of Mullins United Methodist Church, graduate of the University of Arkansas, and National Grand Vice-President of Collegians Pi Beta Phi...

Evelyn Bivens, 70, of Williford, Ark. died May 17, 2002 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. A homemaker, Bivens was a member of Ward Street Church of Christ and formerly of Marked Tree. She is survived by her husband, J.W. Bivens of Williford, four daughters, Sue Parker of Cordova, Betty Pickens of Olive Branch, Debbie Powers of Bartlett, Cindy Gourley of Bartlett; two sons, George Bivens of Woodstock, Larry Bivens of Bartlett, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren...

The Garden Point Cemetery, in Etowah, will host a Memorial Day Service at Garden Point Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27. Services will include an Honor Guard conducting a 21 gun salute and Taps, wreath laying on the veterans' monument by Dr. Eldon Fairly, special music by Bro. and Mrs. Huey Meherg and a Memorial Day message by Bro. Willie Warren. The will also be refreshments after the service...

Bethany Chapel, a Pentecostal Church of God, will host a homecoming May 24 through May 26. Friday, May 24 will be a family night with refreshments served starting at 7 p.m. Saturday will be gospel singing starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. Jerry Rushing will lead a service at 11 a.m. A potluck luncheon will be served at noon. The Rev. Gary Andrews, Sr. will lead a service starting at 2 p.m...

The Marked Tree Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. The topic of the hearing will be the proposed plan to reclassify Lot 1, Block 7, St Francis Sub Division, from R2 to C2. Copies of the proposed plans are available for public inspection at Marked Tree City Hall during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m...

The Tyronza Police Department arrested two Jonesboro men, in connection with a chase that eventually stopped near Marion. According to Sgt. Light Roberts of the Tyronza Police Department, on May 15, at around 5:45 p.m., Off. Tony Turner of the TPD was advised by a caller to the TPD that the caller was an agent, trying to stop a vehicle, loaded down with illegal drugs, on U.S. ...

Donna Rae Ballard, a transferring sophomore from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville was selected to receive a $500 academic scholarship provided by the Fund for Rural Education and Development (FRED). Sponsored by Ritter Telephone Company, the award is given based on merit and demonstrated commitment to rural life. Rae will be using this scholarship to attain a degree in Corporate Finance at Arkansas State University and some day contribute to a community in rural America...

During the monthly meeting of the Lepanto City Council Monday night, council members heard and discussed two subjects that are vital to the city: medical care and the court system. The council heard from Rob Fox, owner of the Riverside Ambulance Service. ...

LITTLE ROCK - Free Fishing Days of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission this year will be from noon Friday, June 7, through midnight Sunday, June 9, said Mike Gibson, chief of fisheries. No sport fisherman, resident or non-resident, will need a fishing license or a trout permit to fish anywhere in Arkansas during this time...

At the Trumann School Board Meeting many staff changes were made. Three new kindergarten teachers were hired. They were Samantha Glover, Misty Scroggins and Kimberly Stevens. Amanda Moss was hired as a fifth grade teacher, Jodi Staten was hired to teach eighth grade science, Brian Haynes was hired as the eight grade careers teacher and coach, Sgt. Maj. William Adams was hired to serve as the JROTC's non-commissioned officer and Sue Owens was hired to work in the concession stand...

Bay's commencement ceremony was May 17. Thirty-one seniors graduated. Graduating seniors were: Misty Armstrong, Tyler Bailey, Heather Banks, Gina Bogard, Karri Cope, Jamie Cromwell, Holter Elrod, Stephanie Emerson, Blake Ferguson, Byron Forehand, Laura Gammill, Terra Gibson, Amanda Hicks, Ryan House, Holly Jones, William Kain, Kristy Lashlee, Ambra Lytle-Walker, Tyler McDaniel, Jeremy McFarland, Josh Mink, Chrystal Nelson, Eric Newsom, Michaela Norton, Daniel Pagan, Katie Reece, Daniel Singleton, Joshua Smith, Ashley Strickland, Bridget Travis and Andrew Watkins.. ...

Trumann City Council held it's monthly meeting on May 14. All aldermen were in attendance. Sharron Turman was not able to attend and give her monthly report, but she submitted a written report. Bill Matthews from the Parks Department stated that he had room to hire one full time person and possibly one part time person...

Central Elementary held its first variety show on May 17. The fifth and sixth graders performed for their fellow students, teachers and parents. Winners of the variety show were Kelsey York and Daniel Holt. They performed a duet of It's your love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. ...

Douglas Arthur Sowells, 41, of Harrisburg died Tuesday May 14 at Regional Medical Center of NEA in Jonesboro. He was born in Trumann and was a farm hand for Marty White Farms at Weona and was a member of the Harrisburg Church of God. He is survived by his parents, William and Johnnie Mae Gann Sowells of Harrisburg, his grandparents, Johnny Gann of Jackson, Missouri and Evie Adams of Earle, two brothers, David Sowells and Danny Sowells both of Harrisburg and one sister Wanda Carpenter of Harrisburg.. ...