Stories from Friday, October 3, 2003

State, county and local law enforcement arrested two individuals Sunday night, as a result of a high-speed chase through two counties. According to law enforcement officials, on Sept. 28, 2003, at around 6:30 p.m., Officer Tony Turner of the Tyronza Police Department was on patrol near U.S. 63 when he noticed a 1991 Chevrolet Camaro traveling north at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was traveling north at around 90 mph in a 55 mph zone...

In a game this week that could decide seeding in the state football playoffs in the 3AA district next month, the Marked Tree faces another tough team this Friday night, with a home game against the Cross County Thunderbirds. Both Cross County and Marked Tree have identical 2-2, 2-1 records and each have the same strengths and weaknesses...

In what could be one of the tougher games of the year for EPC, it was their defense that stood up in a 12-9 victory over the Rivercrest Jr. Colts last Thursday night, in 3AAA action. In the game, played at Wilson, EPC held Rivercrest to one offensive touchdown, picking up its first junior high win ever against the Colts...

The East Poinsett County tennis team continued their dominance of area teams this past week, with wins over Marked Tree and Valley View. Last Tuesday, EPC defeated Marked Tree 3-0 in boys action and 2-0 in girls action in matches played in Lepanto. The scores for the Marked Tree match were:...

The Marked Tree Junior High Indians continued their dominance in the 3AA district this year with a 38-6 victory over the Cross County Junior Thunderbirds last Thursday night. In the game, held at Cherry Valley, the Jr. Indians rushed for 296 yards and had two players rush for over 100 yards in the decisive victory. ...

The Gosnell Pirates proved last Friday night why they are one of the toughest teams in Northeast Arkansas, with a 42-6 victory over East Poinsett County, in 3AAA action. Gosnell (3-1, 1-0 in the 3AAA) controlled every aspect of the game, with EPC still reeling from a 28-22 loss to Marion in week three. ...

In a game where the Marked Tree defense picked up the pace, the Marked Tree Indians used that defense to pick up a 42-0 victory over Parkin last Friday night The team, coming off a loss last week to Earle controlled the momentum early with quick offensive strikes and tough play on defense. ...

Charlie Walker, 49 of Southaven, Miss. died on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 at his home. A purchasing agent for Rayloc in Memphis, Tenn., Walker was a Christian. Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Donna Walker of Southaven, Miss.; one daughter, Christa Clay of Lepanto; one son, Wayne Walker of Lepanto; one stepson, Jonathan Gardner of Southaven, Miss.; his father, Harry Walker of Port Townsend, Wash.; one sister, Rita Barnett of Memphis; one brother, Mike Walker of Marianna, Ark.; and four grandchildren.. ...

Lillian Phillips, 83, of Osceola died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as an usher and was on the mother board. Survivors include one daughter, Shirley D. Phillips of Osceola; one sister, Lillie M. Willis of Chicago; one brother, Richard Clay of Chicago; and one grandchild...

Willie D. Nelson, 74, of Lepanto died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 at his home. An Army veteran, he was a member of Lepanto First Baptist Church and a member of American Legion Post No. 26 of Lepanto. Survivors include his wife, Geneva Milam Nelson of Lepanto; one son, Steven Ray Nelson of Jacksonville, Fla.; three daughters, Janice Mae Benson of Memphis, Shannon Ray Nelson of Brighton, Tenn., and Donna Key Nelson of Beedeville; two sisters, Katherine Britt of Lepanto and Joanie Phillips of Rivervale; and five grandchildren, Amy Horton, Shane Benson, Britni Benson, Callie Nelson and Caitlin Forbus.. ...

Henry Garfield Jackson Sr., 93, of Burdette, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Osceola. Born March 3, 1910, in Clarksdale, Miss., he had been a retired mechanic and was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Burdette. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Rogers Jackson, and his parents, James Jackson and Alice Brown Jackson...

Harold Lee Ford, 44, of Trumann died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003 in St. Bernard's Medical Center. He was of the Pentecostal belief. Survivors include three sisters, Dianne Burnes of St. Louis, Connie Brown of Dyess and Sharon Brooks of Trumann; four brothers, David Ford of Trumann, John Ford of Harrisburg and Dennis Ford and Mike Ford, both of Lexa; his stepfather, Bobby Joe Garrison of Dyess; and his paternal grandfather, George Luther Ford of Trumann...

Several residents of the Tri-Cities area recently received training that will help area police and fire departments in dealing with natural disasters and possible terrorist attacks. In ceremonies, held earlier this month, the Poinsett County CERT program graduated 15 students from throughout Poinsett and Mississippi counties, who spent six weeks studying various aspects of medical training, search and rescue techniques and how to work at natural disaster areas. ...

Marked Tree- First Community Bank will host an open house on Wednesday, October 8 for customers and the public. As the Triple FM Radio Group, The Fox 104.9, broadcasts live from the bank, customers will enjoy hot hamburgers, cold refreshments, and door prizes. The open house is in celebration of the recent merger between The Bank of Marked Tree and First Community Bank, and will kick-off the welcoming ceremonies of the newest addition to the Bank...

LITTLE ROCK (9-26) -- The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will hold a Public Hearing and a Public Involvement Session in Tyronza to discuss proposed plans for new interchanges on Highway 63, according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers...

After two consecutive losses on the road, the East Poinsett County Warriors return home this week to face the Rivercrest Colts in a key 3AAA district battle. Both EPC and Rivercrest have been picked in the top echelon of the 3AAA, with Gosnell and Osceola also near the top. ...