Stories from Thursday, October 17, 2002

Marked Tree Patrolman Jason Fagan responded to a shooting call at the Curtis and Betty Kent residence at 305 Hwy 140 East Marked Tree approximately 1:05 a.m. Tuesday morning. Officer Fagan was met at the door by Curtis Kent, 73, who announced that he thought that he had shot someone in his house that had been choking him. ...

Shirley Smith has touched the lives of over 100 families in her 19 years as site manager of the Maxia Apartments in Tyronza. Smith retired from the position on Sept. 30. Her niece, Patricia Barton, was hired to take her place beginning Oct. 1. Smith told the Tribune, "I told the Board, when I gave my resignation that it was only after much deliberation that I decided it was time." Smith has worked at the apartments since before they opened in 1983. ...

The EPC Jr. Football team racked up almost 300 total yards last Thursday, as they defeated the Westside Jr. Warriors 22-12 in junior high action at Warrior Field. EPC (2-2-1, 2-1-1) had a great night rushing the football, picking up 254 yards rushing on the sloppy Warrior Field grass. The Jr. Warriors were led by the rushing prowess of quarterback Ked Madden and running back Barrett Kelly, who combined for all of EPC's touchdowns...

Marked Tree junior high quarterback William Ruthven provided the scoring Thursday night, as the Marked Tree Jr. Indians defeated the Walnut Ridge Jr. Bobcats 12-6 in junior high action. Ruthven, an eighth grader, rushed for a touchdown and threw for a touchdown in the victory, which improves Marked Tree's record to 6-0 and 6-0 in the 3AA District. ...

In one of the most underrated games this week, EPC travels to Jonesboro Westside for a key matchup this Friday night. The game is big because of several factors that could affect who will represent the 3AAA District this year in the state playoffs. First, with a win Friday night, EPC sits in control of its own destiny with three games to play, with home games versus Osceola and Piggott and a road game at nearby Trumann. ...

After being on the road for the last couple of weeks, the Marked Tree Sr. Indians return home this week to face the Walnut Ridge Bobcats, in a key home game. Marked Tree Head Coach Tim Branum told Delta Life that while he has seen Walnut Ridge on film, he knows them by reputation. ...

EPC senior quarterback Bobo Fortenberry threw for three touchdowns and five EPC players scored touchdowns last Friday night in a 45-7 rout of Harrisburg in senior high action at Warrior Field. Fortenberry led the EPC quick strike offense to three touchdowns passing and leading EPC to a 26-0 lead after one quarter. ...

John H. Wimpy, 78, of Tyronza, died Oct. 12, 2002 at his home. Wimpy worked for Pinkerton Security and Investigation Services for 26 years, three months and 20 days. Pinkerton is a leading provider of security solutions, including security officer services, investigations, consulting, business intelligence, security systems integration and employee selection services. ...

Cecil "Buster" Lunsford, 93, of Etowah, died Monday, October 14, 2002 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Osceola. A farmer and a long-time resident of Etowah, Lunsford was a member of the Brotherhood of Teamsters, #705, based in Chicago. Lunsford is survived by his wife, Anna Lunsford of Etowah, a daughter, Bernice McMillin of Florence, Ala., a son, David Lunsford of Salt Lake City, Utah and a sister, Martha Serat of Payneway. ...

Colleen V. Irby, 73, of Dyess, died at her residence Friday, Oct. 11, 2002. A homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ, Irby is survived by her spouse, Donald Cusey of Dyess, two sons, Gary McCrory of Dyess and Andrew McCrory of Lepanto and one brother, Glen McClain of Dyess. ...

Poinsett County Clerk Fonda Condra announced that early voting begins Monday, Oct. 21 and will continue through Nov. 4 at the county clerk's office from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Early voting is available to all registered voters who choose to cast their vote before the regular Election Day...

The Marked Tree City Council met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 14, and unanimously passed a resolution opposing Amendment 3, which would eliminate the tax on food and medicine, and urged all of the citizens of Marked Tree to work to defeat this Amendment in the Nov. 5 election...

In its meeting Monday night, the East Poinsett County Board of Education discussed the issue of students who live in the EPC district, but go to other districts and their transportation to and from the other district. In the meeting, held on the Lepanto campus, the EPC School Board agreed to inform the Marked Tree School District, in particular, to not run a school bus into the EPC district to pick up students. ...

Capt. Larry Blagg of the Trumann Police Department reported that on Thursday, Oct. 10 at a location 26 feet from Cedar Park Elementary, Trumann officers seized a partial meth lab and an entire meth lab from 408 Willow Rd the residence of Angie Vincent Eldridge...

Poinsett County Circuit Clerk, Claudia Matthews, released the following names drawn as prosepective petit jurors for the Oct. / Nov. 2002 session of Poinsett County Circuit Court Criminal Division. Judge David Laser of Jonesboro and Judge David Goodson of Paragould will be presiding...

BLYTHEVILLE - Entergy Corporation is awarding $53,500 in Community Partnership Grants to schools and non-profit organizations in Arkansas in 2002. The money will help pay for a wide variety of programs to benefit Arkansas communities, schools and youth...

At the monthly meeting of the Trumann City Council on Oct. 8 the council voted to adopt a resolution opposing the passage of the proposed Amendment 3 that would take away the sales tax on groceries and medications. Mayor Jack Coggins explained to the alderman and attendees that if adopted by voters, "the city would lose approximately 30 percent of its revenue." This loss of revenue would mean that the city would not be able to operate as it is now. ...

At its meeting on Monday, the Bay School Board opened six bids to re-roof the high school gym. The lowest bid opened was for $91,600 with an estimation of 90 calendar days to complete the work The board tabled a decision on the bids until the next meeting on Nov. 11. The board felt it needed more information on warranties before making a decision...

GOSNELL - The Trumann Wildkittens defeated the Gosnell Junior Pirates 20-14 here in junior high football action this past Thursday. With 3:19 left in the first quarter, Perry Heavener powered in from six yards out putting Trumann on the board. He then added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead...

The senior high Bay volleyball team defeated Marianna 10-15, 15-4 and 15-4 this week. For Bay Lee Davis had four kills, six assists, seven aces and went 13 for 13 serving. Kim Bradford had eight kills and went eight for nine serving. Angela Farmer had three kills. Sarah Scott dished out seven assists and went eight for nine serving. Taffy Rogers made two kills, had three aces, one block and went 12 for 12 serving. Lindsey Wileman made a kill...