Stories from Wednesday, September 17, 2003

BY CARIN MCCLUNG, Democrat Editor Trumann Schools is doing all they can to keep students in school, and allow high-risk students to receive their diplomas. The most recent program implemented by the Dropout Prevention Program is the Off Campus Suspension Program...

BY DAVID HICKS, Democrat Sports Staff The Wildkittens tamed the Hoxie Mustangs 42-8, improving to 2-0 in the season. Trumann fans filed the stands Thursday night to cheer on their kittens. Wildkitten Lorenzo Nixon gave the fans their moneys worth with an impressive show. Nixon carried the ball seven times with 126 yards rushing...

Mrs. Reba Sue Hill, age 47, of Jonesboro, died early Tuesday, September 9, at her home. Mrs. Hill was born in Trumann and moved to Jonesboro 25 years ago. She was a homemaker, worked in the cafeteria at the Nettleton School District, and attended the Word of Life Church of God in Trumann. She was preceded in death by her father, Pastly Busby, and by two brothers...

Mr. W.E. "Dub" Qualls, 76, of Trumann passed away on September 8, 2003, at the Regional Medical Center of Northeast Arkansas from natural causes. Mr. Qualls was born in Savannah, Tenn., and had lived in Trumann for the past eleven years and was formerly of Wilmington, Calif. He was longshoreman as well as also a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in WWII...

Mr. Eric Franklin Watts, 38, of Cherokee Village, Ark., passed September 9, due to injuries he received in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Watts was born in Trumann and had lived in Cherokee Village for the past four years. He was a truck driver, 1983 graduate of Huttig High School and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Walter Watts and maternal grandparents, Raymond and Clara Phelps Brown...

James Elmer Coker passed away on Sept. 14, 2003 at the family residence in Trumann. Mr. Coker was born and lived his lifetime in Trumann. He was a truck driver and of the Baptist Faith. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Roy S. Miller. He is survived by four daughters, Jeanie Carr and Debbie Lindsey both of Trumann, Sherry Clere of Paducah, Kentucky and Shelley Perez of Northfold, Va.; three sons, Jimmy Dewayne Coker and Bobby Joe Coker both of Trumann and Randy Joe Coker of Lepanto; his mother, Jennie Mae Miller of Trumann; 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.. ...

The 2003 Miss Mallard Beauty Pageant has been scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at the Trumann High School Auditorium. Boys age 0-14 and girls 0-18 are eligible for the pageant. The entry fee for each contestant is $25. For those wishing to be eligible for the photogenic and best dressed categories, there will be an additional fee of $5 for each. A black and white or color photo of any size should be submitted for the photogenic judging...

LCDR Brent W. Smith, USN a former Trumann resident, retires from the Navy after 25 years of faithful service. Smith is a 1978 graduate of Trumann High School. He is married to Angela Bushong Smith who is a 1980 graduate of THS. They have two children, Brandon and Kristen. He is the son of Wayne and Patsy Smith of Trumann...

The 1st annual Wild Duck Festival Skeet Shoot will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Trumann Sports Complex on Sept. 20, starting at 10 a.m. There will be one shotgun round in which the winner takes home a Benelli shotgun for winning. There will be at least one greenwing round for those age 16 and under...

BY CARIN MCCLUNG, Democrat Editor The Trumann City Council voted against bringing in Vector Mosquito Control for next years mosquito control. The main reason members quoted was the high cost to residents. Each resident in the city of Trumann would have $4 per month added to his or her water bill. The current rate for mosquito control in Trumann is fifty cents...

Poinsett County Circuit Clerk, Claudia Mathews, releases the following names drawn as prospective petit jurors for the September/October 2003 session of Poinsett County Circuit Court Criminal/civil Division. Judge David Goodson of Paragould and Judge David Burnett of Osceola will be presiding...

The Trumann High School will be hosting a parents night on Sept. 23 from 7 p.m. - 8p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. All departments of the school will be represented with booths around the cafeteria. This is being done in hopes to give parents an overview of what their child will be taught and what all types of courses the school has to offer...