Stories from Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Tribune News Staff In its meeting Monday night, the East Poinsett County Board of Education voted 7-0 to extend the contract of Supt. Mickey Pierce for a two-year term. In the meeting, held on the Lepanto campus, the board discussed the contract, which will run until the 2005-2006 school year, mostly in executive session (which is standard for personnel issues.) After reconvening, the board accepted a motion by board member Harold Tyler to give Pierce the two-year contract, with salary issues set at a later date. ...

Tribune News Staff Going into last Tuesday night's boys basketball game between Marked Tree and Buffalo Island Central, many area fans were looking forward to seeing two good teams, with two good coaches in a preview of a possible regional matchup later this year...

The Marked Tree Senior Girls basketball team had three players in double figures, but free throws down the stretch were the difference as East Poinsett County defeated Marked Tree 60-50 in senior girls basketball action last Tuesday night. In the game, played at Warrior Gym in Lepanto, both teams battled back and forth for most of three quarters with EPC building a big lead, only to see Marked Tree fight back. ...

The East Poinsett County senior boys basketball team overcame two strong challenges last week, as they defeated two conference foes in games last week. Last Friday, the Warriors traveled to the Poinsett County seat of Harrisburg to face the Hornets in a key 3AAA-South game. ...

Born in West Virginia, he was of the Catholic belief. Mr. Thomas had no immediate survivors. Graveside services were held Thursday, Jan 8 at 2 p.m. Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Burdette. Reverend Gary Andrews officiated the service.

Rena L. Terrell, 94, of Payneway died Tuesday, Jan. 6, at her residence. She was a retired cafeteria worker for Lepanto High School and was a member of Corner Chapel Baptist Church and the Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, Alvin Terrell of the home; two sons, Alvin B. Terrell Jr. of Rockford, Ill., and Ronnie Shempert of the home; one daughter, Teresa Shempert of Jonesboro; and one granddaughter...

Poinsett County Assessor Johnny Rye, Jr. spoke at the Marked Tree Rotary Club on Wednesday, Jan. 7, to inform members about an upcoming property tax increase of 3 mills for county residents. The increase is due to the enforcement of Amendment 74 of Act 1185 in 1999. The amendment requires each school district within Arkansas to allot a minimum of 25 local mills for maintenance and operation by Jan. 1, 2004...

BY CARIN MCCLUNG Democrat News Staff The Trumann Wal-Mart Super Center is finally underway. After months of waiting, ground has been broken on the building. Keith Morris, a representative of Wal-Mart, said that the center is projected to be finished this summer. After completion of the building, it will take four to six weeks to stock the merchandise inside. It could possibly be late summer before the doors open for customers...

The Marked Tree Police Department recently announced the arrest of a Marked Tree man on a drug-related charge Sunday night. According to Det. Mark Robinson of the MTPD, on Jan. 11, 2004, at around 1:30 a.m., Officers Jason Fagan and Jerry Lung of the MTPD were on patrol on Carson St., when they spotted Jermaine "Bird" Morris, 25, of Marked Tree throw four rocks of crack cocaine on the ground. ...

Everyone who knows Carol Crum knows she is a generous, caring woman. Crum, 49, is the director of the Marked Tree Senior Life Center and has been the wife of Marked Tree Police Chief Jim Crum for 31 years. The Crums have one son, Eric James, 32, of Batesville and one daughter, Shannon Marie, 28, of Marked Tree. Their two grandchildren are Dannielle, 8, and Emerald, 4...

The Marked Tree City Council met Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. It was business as usual for the council with no major items on the agenda. The previous minutes were read and approved, and Pamela Wright, city clerk/treasurer, gave the financial reports for the city and water department...

Senior Boys Tuesday, Jan. 6 Brookland 61, Rector 55 (OT) EPC 74, Manila 37 Gosnell 61, Trumann 38 Osceola 78, Harrisburg 44 Rivercrest 74, Valley View 63 MT/BIC, cancelled with 10.9 seconds left in second quarter, due to fight Senior Girls EPC 60, Marked Tree 50...