Stories from Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Tribune News Staff Arkansas' top lawman was in the Tri-Cities area last Wednesday, appearing at two meetings and talking to residents about issues in Arkansas. In the meeting, held at the EPC-Tyronza Gymnasium, Attorney General Mike Beebe spoke with area residents about a series of issues, including healthcare, I-555, illegal drugs, education reform and the growth of Northeast Arkansas in the future...

Tribune Sports Staff In the wake of winning the 2003-2004 Class AAA State Boys Basketball Tournament, the East Poinsett County boys basketball team have had a busy off season, with players attending camps and playing summer basketball. At least three members of last year's team, guards Spencer Harston, Keundre Joplin and Ked Madden have been selected to either play AAU basketball or attend camps this summer. ...

The following student athletes were honored last Tuesday night, at the 2003-2004 EPC Junior High Athletic Banquet: Junior High Football 3rd Year: Cody Brown, Ross Harston, Dee Hendrix, Jordan Jennings, Bruce McGuire, Dustin Moore, Joseph Peridore; 2nd Year: Chris Davis, Jordan Driver, Chad Hall, Brett Hardin, Jeremy Kimbrell, Preston Lee, T.J. McCain, Jay Meeks and Justin Parnell...

A strong third and fourth inning by the BIC Mustangs was the difference last week as BIC advanced to the Class AA state baseball tournament with an 11-3 victory over Marked Tree in the semifinals of the tournament at Monette. In the game, where the winner was guaranteed at least a number two seed from the region to advance to the state tournament, BIC overcame a slow start to get the win. ...

Myrtle Lee Voyles, 80, of Sardis, Miss. died Sunday, May 2 at her residence. She was born in Marked Tree on July 6, 1923 to Thomas and Minnie Holbrook. Voyles also resided in Memphis, Tenn. Mrs. Voyles was retired from the Southern Central Paper Company of Memphis and was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Marked Tree...

Mildred C. Morgan, 81, of Memphis died Sunday, May 2 at St. Bernard's hospital in Jonesboro. Formerly a resident of Marked Tree, Morgan was a homemaker. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven, Miss. where she sang in the senior choir...

Jessie Mae Corley, 90, of Osceola died Monday, April 26, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Osceola. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Blytheville. Survivors include a son, Gene King of Fayetteville, N.C.; a sister, Annie Mae Goodman of Blytheville; 16 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren...

James Thomas Young died April 29 in San Francisco, California. Young was born and raised in Marked Tree. Survivors include one sister: Kathryn Albonetti of Bartlett, Tenn.; one nephew: Christopher Albonetti of Atlanta, Ga. and one niece: Haley Carson of South Haven, Miss...

Carol June Stricklin Hillis, 59, of Harrisburg died Sunday, May 1 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Hillis was born in Marked Tree and was the daughter of St. Elmo Stricklin and Laverne Stephen Stricklin. She was a cosmetology teacher and homemaker...

Tribune News Staff Service. Honor. Duty. Criswell. These words have become synonymous in the tri-city area since a father, brother, and son gave up a year of their lives to serve their country. The Criswell's were part of the 1123rd National Guard Transport Unit that spent a year of deployment in Iraq...

Tribune News Staff The Marked Tree Historical Society held its 11th annual Spring Luncheon last Saturday. The luncheon, which was held at First United Methodist Church, honored Elmer Lee Shinabery for his contributions to the community. Shinabery, or "Shinny" as everyone calls him, arrived at the event without knowing he was the guest of honor. ...

Tribune News Staff In a special meeting last Thursday night, the Marked Tree Board of Education voted 3-0 to approve an 8.5 percent raise for all classified employees in the district, which include cafeteria workers, custodial staff and teacher's aides in the district...

Tribune News Staff Education was the topic of conversation last Wednesday, April 28 when Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe stopped by to speak at a joint meeting of the Marked Tree Rotary and Lions Clubs. Beebe began his talk by praising the work of Senator Steve Bryles (D-Blytheville) and State Representative Wayne Nichols (D-Marked Tree) for their hard work in the 84th General Assembly session that began last December. The special legislative session focused on reforming education...

Tribune News Staff A Tyronza man is happy to be home this week after returning home after serving almost one year in the Arkansas National Guard in Iraq. 1st Sgt. Mike Branch of Tyronza is a member of the 1123rd Transportation Company, made up of many Tri-Cities residents who helped to provide a vital role in helping to topple the Saddam regime and helping to free 25 million people. ...

Tribune News Staff Yellow ribbons were on display throughout the tri-city area last week as families gratefully welcomed home their loved ones from Iraq earlier. Many of the soldiers arrived in Fort Polk, La. last Tuesday and then traveled home to reunite with friends and relatives...

Monday, April 26 Baseball Class AAA Region 2 at Newport Cave City 3, Pocahontas 2 Highland 8, Osceola 5 Rivercrest 10, Heber Springs 3 Westside 8, Manila 0 Class AA Region 3 at Brockwell Calico Rock 11, Tuckerman 9 Sloan Hendrix defeated White County Central...