Stories from Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Tribune News Staff The much anticipated opening of a new Sonic Drive In restaurant in Lepanto occurred last Tuesday, as area residents had the chance to eat items like Toaster Sandwiches, Extra-Long Cheese Coneys, Cream Pie Shakes, Cherry Limeades, as well as traditional side orders like Onion Rings, Tater Tots and French Fries...

Tribune News Staff Area residents headed for cover Sunday night as a strong thunderstorm, with the spotting of one tornado made a Memorial Day weekend interesting for residents and local authorities alike. As heavy winds moved into the Tri-Cities area late Sunday afternoon, the winds brought unstable air into the area, causing problems all afternoon. ...

Tribune News Staff She's done it again. Fans of Carol Dabney's music are excited about the release of her newest CD, "When Miracles Come Our Way." The project, which features Dabney and her family, has been a decade in the making and includes 14 original songs. It is filled with inspirational music in various styles of country, soft rock, cotemporary, Hawaiian and even Latin-style music...

The Marked Tree Police Department announced Tuesday the arrest of a Marked Tree man as a result of a chase and search near Marked Tree last Saturday. According to Det. Mark Robinson of the Marked Tree Police Department, last Saturday at around 11:00 a.m., Sgt. ...

"Thirty-five years is long enough," Robert Wilford, executive director of Crowley's Ridge Development Council, says with a laugh and a smile of satisfaction. His comment came on the heels of the completion of negotiations and the signing of contracts that will enable the agency to sell its present facility, and construct and move into new quarters. ...

On Thursday, May 20, seven students, two teachers, three chaperones and one bus driver left for Searcy. They were headed to the summer Special Olympics. It turned out to be a sunny, dry and just plain hot day. At times there was a brief breeze of wind as if to say it was okay to continue. No one ever complained as his or her goal was to "bring home the gold," a gold medal that is...

Some notes from the world of sports, for the week ending June 1, 2004: Blisters hurt tennis player, at major: Usually, a blister does not play a role in a person not being able to make a living. However, blisters on five fingers played a role in the elimination of Marat Safin in the 2004 French Open tennis tournament. ...

The traditional start of the high school football season is nearly upon us and a top football showcase will give fans in the state of Arkansas an early chance to see top talent. The 5th annual Modern Woodsmen of America/Hooten's.com Classic this year will be different in the amount of games, as well as the number of teams who were successful last year who are playing in the game. ...

Willie Lee Watts, 63, of Harrisburg died Tuesday, May 25, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. A retired truck driver, he was a member of Bono First United Pentecostal Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Tucker Watts of Harrisburg; a son, Jimmy Watts of Fayette, Ala.; a daughter, Michelle Culbertson of Savannah, Ga.; a stepdaughter, Jennifer Davis of Harrisburg; a sister, Marie Kemp of Bono; three brothers, Junior Watts of Casa, Walter Watts of Russellville and J.C. ...

Samuel "Richard" Sipes, 70, of Marked Tree died Saturday, May 29, at St. Bernard's Medical Center at Jonesboro. Born in Tennessee, he was a member of First Pentecostal Church of Marked Tree and was a retired salesman. Survivors include four daughters, Debra Pullen and Olive Diane Westbrooks, both of Lepanto, Shelia Watts of Manila and Linda Pearl Humphrey of Denver City, Texas; three sons, Roger Dale Sipes of Dyess, Samuel R. ...

Carol Lee McFatridge Jones, 44, of Jonesboro died Monday, May 24, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. Born in West Memphis, she was an employee of Columbia Forest Products and was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include two sons, Jordan Jones of Jonesboro and Jared Jones of Nashville, Tenn.; her parents, James and Betty McFatridge of Osceola; one grandmother, Emily Felts of Joiner; two sisters, Becky Fore of Harrisburg and Michelle Grider of Osceola; three brothers, Mark McGuirt of Osceola, Mack McFatridge of Jackson, Mo., and Mike McGuirt of O'Fallon, Ill; and one special brother-in-law, Joe Fore of Harrisburg.. ...

Barbara Jean Morris, 56, of Osceola died Friday, May 21, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Born in Osceola, she worked for American Greetings and was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Osceola. Survivors include a daughter, Shanta Morris of Osceola; two sons, Aaron Vance of West Memphis and Marlon Vance of Osceola; eight sisters, Cadelia Roberts and Mandy West, both of Toledo, Ohio, Helen McClendon, Glenda Kelly and Mary Jacobs, all of Osceola, Hazel Conner of Omaha, Neb., Mary Cole of Memphis and Margie Spencer of Inglewood, Calif.; five brothers, Billy Vance of St. ...

Jeff Smallmon, Arkansas District Four Administrator announced that an important change has taken place in the District "Tournament of Champions". This tournament has been expanded to include regular season teams in Baseball Divisions 7 and 8, 9 and 10 and 11 and12 and Girls softball Divisions 9 and 10,11 and 12 and Junior-Big League...

Coaches at THS held their annual basketball camp. Students in attendance were: Ashley Blagg, Gabby Giddings, Kayla Miller, Sara Halfacre, Jessica McClaughlin, Gabby Santos, Cameron Jones, Noah McClung, Matthew Montgomery, Kyler Strait, Ethan Looney, Keefer Roach, Hunter Daniel, Jordan McKenzie, Justin Stevens, Malcolm Nelson, James Washington, Drew McKay, Lee Forbus, Cody King, Jordan Morgan and Nelson Slinkard...

2004 Trumann Twisters Scott Brown- Coach Tyler Goodwin- Asst. Coach Trumann- Dustin Lampkin, Brent Maurizi, Chase Montgomery, Clint Trigg, Blake Wright Valley View-Hunter Brandon, Matt Hill, Sherman House, Matt Loggins, Daniel Rankin Burke Sanders, Michael Schwarz, Matt Sills...

Violet T. Coke, 83, of Harrisburg died Saturday, May 22, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Poughkeepsie, she was formerly of Harrisburg and had lived in Trumann for the past four years. She was a homemaker and member of the Viva Drive Church of Christ...

Evelyn Rogers has lived in the Arkansas Delta for fifty years. Here she has led a life of farming and family. Evelyn was born in Tuscumbia, Ala. on May 4, 1930. She and her husband, Elmer Rogers, were married on August 12, 1952. They lived in California and Washington during the years of 1952 and 1954 while Elmer was in the Navy...

Air Force Airman Spencer K. Maxwell has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations...

Air Force Airman Curtis E. Norris has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations...

Democrat staff writer Four teachers from Trumann High School are retiring at the spring semester's end. Barbara Lewellen, Janice Hill, Patsy Barrett and Coach Jim Turney accumulated more than 100 years of hands-on teaching in Arkansas and each agreed that their time spent in Trumann was enjoyable...

Christy Nichole Thorn and Kalem Michael Richards are proud to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. The bride-elect is the daughter of Joe Thorn of South Bend, Ind. and Teresa Peifer of Harrisurg. She is the granddaughter of Alfred and Carolyn Thorn of Trumann and Bobby and Martha Peifer of Harrisburg...