Stories from Friday, January 3, 2003

Tragedy struck in Trumann this past week. Smoke from a tree fire caused the death of Beatrice Ivy, 26, of Trumann and her four children. Ivy lived at 227 Forrest. Her brother, Reggie Ivy, found the family Friday, Dec. 27, at approximately 6 p.m. when he went to the residence to borrow an item...

The Poinsett County Assessor's Office will receive a grant over the next five years that will total $703,570, according to Johnny Rye, Jr., Poinsett County Assessor. "The grant will be a reimbursement, which ultimately will effect every taxing unit in the county, Rye states. "We will apply the grant directly into the operation of the office," he adds. Applying the grant into our local operation will cut our costs to operate locally by 45% on a yearly basis," he continues...

Marion Bearden and Sherry London, both of Tyronza, attended the Arkansas Municipal League Fall Conference in Hot Springs in December, where they were able to network with city officials from across the state and learn about the benefits of Municipal League membership. Bearden was elected as Mayor of Tyronza, and London was elected to a position on the City Council in the November General Election; the two chose to attend the conference at their own expense before they took office...

Bre Shau Anara Maayan Versie, one-day old child of Keith and Betty Adams Versie of Jonesboro, died Friday, December 27, 2002 at Little Rock. Versie is survived by her parents Keith and Betty Adams Versie of Jonesboro; grandparents Michael and Viola Scott of Marked Tree, LaNiesa Kimbrough of Jonesboro and Charles and Rona Armstead of Illinois; great-grandparents James and Betty Holloway of Illinois, Charles and Delores Armstead of Illinois, Johnny and Barbara McClennan of New York and Cleo Adams of Marked Tree; and a great-great grandparent, Earnese Henderson of Illinois. ...

Irven Page Carmichiel, 84, of Dyess, died Dec. 29, 2002, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Osceola. He was born Nov. 16, 1918 in Ripley, Miss. He was of the Presbyterian faith and was employed at American Greetings for 32 years. He was a retired farmer. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Dyess School Board for 12 years. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother...

Services for Jack Johnston, 67, of Vidalia, La., who died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at his residence were held recently at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with the Rev. Kay Moser officiating. Burial followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home...

Due to flooding Dec. 18-19, some Poinsett County residents may be eligible for state disaster assistance. Displaced homeowners/renters that sustained uninsured damages to their primary residence may qualify for temporary housing assistance. Interested persons may contact the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management at 1-877-828-3362...

Amy Caroline Barrett and Justin Matthew Payne were united in marriage on Saturday, Nov. 9 in the candlelit sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Harrison. The Rev. Rex A. Dickey of Forrest City officiated. Parents of the bride are Royce and Edith Barrett of Harrison. The bride is the granddaughter of Mozelle Williams and the late J.P. Williams and Arther and Sue Barrett and the late Elsie Barrett, all of Harrison...

The following is a look at the year 2002, through the pages of the Tri-City Tribune: In January, The "No Child Left Behind" act from President Bush on education reform was discussed by area superintendents. Both Marked Tree Superintendent Gary Masters and EPC Superintendent Gerald Jennings expressed support for most, if not, all of the plan. ...

Lillian Davis King, 91, of Friendswood, Texas, formerly of Marked Tree, died Dec. 16, 2002, at the Clearlake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas. King was a homemaker and had resided in Marked Tree since the 1920s. She was a longtime member of Red Oak Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Marked Tree. ...