Stories from Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Tribune News Staff It will be the end of an era in the Tri-Cities area in late July, when a local restaurant known for its great food and excellent service will close its doors. Polly's Café, which opened its door on May 12, 1982 is owned by Tyronza resident Polly Holbrook and was started by her and her late husband, Charles Holbrook. ...

Tribune Sports Staff If the annual football preview books are any indication, both Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas are in for a tough season. Several of the premiere football preview books in the United States state that both ASU and UA face tough schedules in 2004, which could affect their season in conference. ...

The following is a list of sports news for the week, ending June 21, 2004: Arizona ends Arkansas' season: After a tough 13-2 loss against Texas last Friday, the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball faced another perennial power in college baseball Sunday in the Arizona Wildcats. ...

Town Crier News Staff Even though the University of Arkansas' cinderella season came to a disappointing end Sunday afternoon at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., Razorback fans can be proud of the outstanding year the underdog Hogs put together...

For local basketball fans, there was one last chance last Thursday night to see three of the best high school basketball players in the history of Poinsett County, as EPC standouts P.J. Lacy and Marcus Monk, as well as Marked Tree guard Brad Jones participated in their final high school game, in the 2004 Arkansas High School Boys All-Star Game...

Thomas Barton, 25, of Marked Tree died Sunday, June 13, at Cross Ridge Community Hospital in Wynne. Survivors include his parents, Whitney and Bobby Roark of Coldwater; one sister, Erika Hannah of Lepanto; one brother, James Phillip Barton II of Daytona Beach, Fla.; and his grandparents, Joe and Jean Sullivan of Marked Tree, Pearl Roark of Marked Tree and Dorothy Barton of Jonesboro...

The Marked Tree Police Department announced last week the arrest of two area residents in separate cases. According to Det. Mark Robinson of the Marked Tree Police Department, last Wednesday, the MTPD arrested Christopher Cody Welch, 20, of Payneway on a charge of theft by receiving. ...

Tribune News Staff In its regular meeting on Monday night the Marked Tree School Board reviewed its handbooks and made several personnel decisions. The academic impact of first period athletics was also a topic of discussion. After reviewing the existing athletic handbook, the school board voted unanimously to accept it without any changes. ...

Tribune News Staff The Lepanto City Council voted 7-0 Monday night to approve a court ordinance that supporters believe will alleviate needless or frivolous cases from being brought into the Lepanto District Court. Under the ordinance passed Monday night, the city will assess a $75 court cost to any person who files an affidavit for the Lepanto District Court, then requests to have it disregarded before going before the judge. ...

County Clerk, Fonda Condra announced that Wednesday, June 23 is the first day a candidate for school board can circulate and file petitions for the annual school election. Twenty signatures are required on each petition. Petitions can be picked up at the county clerk's office in the Courthouse in Harrisburg...

The Poinsett County Heath Department is reminding homeowners who may require the services of a septic tank pumper to deal with a registered pumper only. Under Act 71 of 1973, anyone engaging in septic tank cleaning operations must have a license from the Department of Health...

Swimming is season here and the Poinsett County Heath Unit wants to urge parents to protect their children from drowning and diving accidents. Since pools and spas are used for family fun and recreation, parents may not realize they can present potential danger...

Funeral services for Helen Culbreath, 77, of Trumann, who died Friday, June 11, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, were Tuesday, June 15 in the chapel of Gregg Funeral Home of Jonesboro, the Rev. Joel McMasters and the Rev. Gene Hogan officiated. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery...

James L. "Boll Weevil" Hamilton, 67, of Bay passed away on June 20 at Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro of natural causes. He was born in Lake City and had lived in Bay for the past 38 years. He was a retired electrician with Craighead Electric Co-op, 20 year retired veteran of the Bay Volunteer Fire Department and member of the Bay Church of Christ...

The Last Juror by John Grisham By JANIE TEAGUE Trumann Public Library Librarian In 1970, one of Mississippi's more colorful weekly newspapers, The Ford County Times, went bankrupt. To the surprise and dismay of many, ownership was assumed by a twenty-three year-old college dropout named Willie Traynor, who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. ...

Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas. Furbearers - Raccoon night hunting season: July 1-Aug. 31. Squirrel - Statewide: May 8 - June 12. Trapping: August 1--March 31. Coyote - Hunting: September 1--February 28 and from opening day of spring turkey season to June 12...

The Crisis Utilities Assistance Program administered by Crowley's Ridge Development Council has been granted additional funding and will continue to accept applications for utility assistance until those funds are depleted, according to a CRDC spokesman...

Dustin Mars was put on time pay for $185 for speeding, 38 mph / 15 mph zone, seat belt in use. Randy Arnold paid $319.98 for violation of Arkansas hot check law. Dennis C. Settlemire paid $185 for public intoxication. Melanie Taber's charge of failure to appear on a written summons was dismissed...

Several resignations were turned in at the monthly meeting of the Trumann School Board on June 7. The following employees will not be returning to the district next school year: Andria Moon -- Instructional Aide for the Dropout Prevention Grant, Dana Austin -- St. High English Teacher, Anita Wicker -- Sr. High Speech and Spanish Teacher, Sue Owents -- Snack Bar Worker, Martha Green -- Custodian and Lynn Greenwell -- High School Principal...

Brianna Bella Norris was born on May 17 in San Antonio, Texas. She weighed six pounds and 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. She is the daughter of Bianca and Bryan Norris. Bryan is a graduate of Trumann High School. He enlisted in the Army and left for basic training in 2002 at Fort Seal, Okla. After graduating there he attended AIT in El Paso, Tex at Fort Bliss...

The Trumann Junior High Cheerleaders recently attended a National Cheerleaders Association Camp at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. The cheerleaders received superior ratings for their home cheer, camp cheers and camp chants. They received a spirit stick for demonstrating outstanding spirit throughout the week and were named most improved squad...

David Earl Delong of Marked Tree passed away on June 13 at the family residence of natural causes. He was born in O'Neill, Nebraska and had lived in Marked Tree for the past three years and was formerly of Harrisburg. He was a general laborer. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl DeLong...