Stories from Friday, April 11, 2003

The Tyronza City Council discussed contracting the city's garbage service, new plans for I-555 and mosquito control plans during the April 15 meeting. With two of the city's three garbage trucks needing expensive repairs, the Council addressed the possibility of contracting garbage service with B and B, the company that provides trash service for Lepanto and Marked Tree. ...

The East Poinsett County tennis team completed its sweep of area competition Monday, as the Warriors defeated Riverside in tennis action in Lepanto. The EPC boys defeated Riverside 7-1, while the Lady Warriors won 8-1. In boys singles action, Adam Robertson of EPC defeated Lee Blake of Riverside 7-5, Daniel Collins (EPC) def. ...

In a doubleheader where fans saw both a pitcher's duel and a hitting display, it was the fundamentals that held out as both Marked Tree and Riverside split an afternoon doubleheader Saturday, in high school baseball action. In the first game, played at Indian Park, Marked Tree battled back from a 3-2 deficit after two innings to pick up an 8-4 victory over Riverside. ...

Nearing the home stretch of the season, the East Poinsett County baseball team recently split two games against tough competition. After wins against Osceola earlier in the week, EPC turned its attention to one of the toughest teams in Northeast Arkansas: the Trumann Wildcats...

Ottie Willis Smith, 76, of Tyronza, died on Friday, April 4, 2003, at his home. Smith was a member of the Tyronza First United Methodist Church, a retired volunteer fireman for the Tyronza Fire Department and a WWII Army veteran. He was a retired truck driver for Home Oil Co...

Fred M. Shackelford, Jr., 73, of Memphis, died on April 3, 2003 at his home. Born on September 5, 1929 in Osceola, Shackelford was formerly of Marked Tree. He was a member and deacon of Ridgeway Baptist Church and a sales executive of MDR and Transcon Lines...

Becky Ann Jones, 47, of Trumann, died on April 8, 2003 on Hwy. 69 near Trumann. Jones was born February 26, 1956. She was a homemaker of the Pentecostal faith. Survivors include two sons, Greg Jones of Harrisburg and James Jones of Virginia Beach, Va.; one daughter, Beckie Duncan of Lepanto; two sisters, Ruby Lee Gaddis of Tyronza and Nannie Sue Tillotson of Fair Born, Ohio; five brothers, Gordon Gaddis of Michigan City, Ind., Lee Gaddis of Tyronza, Eugene and Lowell Gaddis of Marked Tree and John Troy Gaddis of Harrison; and four grandchildren.. ...

Mary Ann Jacobs, 45, of Osceola, died on Thursday, April 3 at Baptist East in Memphis. Jacobs was born on May 25, 1957 in St. Louis to Oscar Reynolds, Sr. and Marie Simpson. She was a secretary at South Miss. Co. School District and a member of Promiseland Church of God in Christ in Osceola...

John Robert Balek, 73, of Wilson, died on Friday, April 4, 2003 at the Baptist Hospital in Osceola. Balek was born on November 30, 1929 in Chicago. He was a business owner and retired salesman. He was of the Catholic faith and was owner of Marie Grocery for 11 years...

The Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC) Board of Directors will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the CRDC Head Start Complex, 213 N. Fisher St. in Jonesboro. Board members from the eight-county CRDC service area will gather at that time to act on matters affecting the numerous community service programs supported by the agency...

Elvis is alive and well in Marked Tree. At least he will be on Saturday, April 12 at the Marked Tree High School Auditorium. The Marked Tree Senior Band will be hosting two champion "Elvis" impersonators as a fund raiser for the band's education trip to San Antonio, Texas. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last two hours...

Tan and Tone celebrated their one-year anniversary on Tuesday, April 8. Owners Terrie and Don Barrier held an open house, with special sales, refreshments and drawings for great prizes. Barbara Easton won 10 20-minute tanning visits, Definitely Dark Tanning Lotion, tanning goggles, moisturizer, sunglasses, and tan enhancer. Other winners included John Dabney, Connie Vinson, Wendy Hamilton, Mallory Woods, Ashley Rollins and Kristi Houchin...

For the past two years, Marked Tree Schools have provided adult computer classes through a 21st Century grant. Approximately 40 adults have been learning about the Internet, email, word processing and other computer applications. LouAnn Blagg is the Technology Coordinator for Marked Tree Schools. The course has no set curriculum and is intended to meet the needs of the adults, who range in age from 20 - 70 years...

In a short meeting on Monday night, the Marked Tree Board of Education tabled discussion about the technology plan and millage increase and tentatively scheduled a meeting for Monday, April 14. The board approved the school calendar for the 2003-2004 school year. Highlights of the calendar include the first day of school, Aug. 18, Christmas break, Dec. 19 -- Jan. 5, Spring Break, March 15-19, and the last day of school, May 25, 2004...

With a new coach and good numbers, the Marked Tree senior girls softball team are participating this season in a rarity in Arkansas high school sports: slow-pitch softball. The Indians are one of only 21 teams in the state that participate in the traditional form of softball. ...