Stories from Thursday, April 3, 2003

Marked Tree mayor Lawrence W. Ashlock announced last week that the city of Marked Tree plans to take steps in the next few weeks to cut expenses and streamline city government. The plan, obtained by the Tribune last week calls for the following steps to occur: (1) there will be no purchases made without a purchase order, approved and signed by the Mayor; (2) all cell telephones are cancelled; (3) some uniform contracts will be cancelled; (4) no nice to have items; (5) emergency repairs only to equipment; (6) curtail utilities, including cutting off the antique lights on Main St. ...

What started as a pitcher's duel quickly changed Monday afternoon, as Bay scored five runs in the final two innings to pick up a 6-2 victory over Marked Tree in high school baseball action. In the 3AA-South district game, played at Marked Tree, the Yellowjackets overcame a slow start and took advantage of several key Marked Tree miscues to pick up the victory. ...

Rickey "Wayne" Elinburg, 55, of Osceola died on Thursday, March 27, 2003 at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Born February 24, 1948 in Union, Miss., Elinburg was a farm worker and a member of the Pentecostal Church of God in Etowah. Survivors include his wife, Patsy Elinburg of Osceola; two sons, Rickey Joe Elinburg and Mark Wayne Elinburg, both of Etowah; three daughters, Melissa Ann Ray of Cherokee Village, Melanie Ray of Osceola and Kimberly Evance of Mountain Grove, Mo.; one sister, Wilma Kirk of Etowah; five brothers, Willie Elinburg of Belk, Ark., Sam Elinburg of Watson, Ark., John Elinburg of Caraway, Ark., Tommy Elinburg of Etowah and Mike Elinburg of West Ridge; and 13 grandchildren.. ...

Eul James "Shorty" Griifin, 84, of Payneway, died on Monday, March 31, 2003 at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. Born on October 1, 1918 in Bethesda, Ark., Griffin was a member of the Broadway Church of Christ and worked for Singer after retiring from farming. He played semi-pro baseball...

Odis Carl Tyler, 87, died on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at the Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree. Tyler was a WWII Army veteran, a member of the American Legion and the First Baptist Church of Lepanto. He was a retired farmer. Survivors include his wife, Irene Powell Tyler; three sons, Harold Tyler, Alton Tyler and Mitchell Tyler; two daughters, Sandra Benton and Darlene House; one sister, Lena Rogers; two brothers, Paul Tyler and Gene Tyler; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, all of Lepanto.. ...

The Mystics Softball Association under the direction of Scott Shankle will host a fundraiser Garage Sale on Saturday, April 5 from 7 a.m. till...in the parking lot of Buck's Grocery. The girls' fastpitch team of 15 area players will travel to Jonesboro to play in the Jonesboro Softball Association league, is a member of the Amateur Softball Association and is registered with the United States Sports Association. Visit us on the web at: www.eteamz.com/Mystics_Softball...

The Cotton Jamboree at the Melody Theatre in Leachville, Ark., presents The Steve Goins Band on Saturday, April 5. Performing will be Brent Long (vocal-bass) from Jonesboro, Mitch Trotter (drums) from Jonesboro, Randy Aden (steel guitar) from Paragould and Steve Goins (guitar-vocals) from Paragould...

The Lepanto Wee Care Learning Center is planning for the summer months. Wee Care teacher Denise McGhee is compiling a cookbook to help raise funds to support the center through the summer. The cookbook, with approximately 300 recipes, will sell for $12. ...

Volunteers from the East Poinsett Girl Scout Service Unit were recently honored at the Girl Scouts of Crowley's Ridge Council Leader Recognition Banquet. Adult Girl Scouts from Northeast Arkansas were singled out for their outstanding dedication and service to the Girl Scout program...

The Arkansas National Guard 1123rd Transportation Company currently stationed at Ft. Polk, La., will leave Thursday, April 10 on a flight to the Middle East, sources told the Tribune earlier this week. The166 soldiers were deployed on February 13 from the Marked Tree National Guard Armory...

It was a tough day on the diamond Monday afternoon, as the Gosnell Pirates defeated the EPC Warriors 18-5 in 3AAA-South action. The Pirates scored five runs in the first and 11 runs in the second inning and picked up 13 of their 15 hits in the first two innings on the way to victory. ...