Stories from Wednesday, July 21, 2004

A Shelby County, Tenn. judge formally arraigned three Lepanto individuals last Wednesday, accused in the kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of a woman at a nightclub in Memphis. According to an official in the General Sessions Court Clerk's Office, Corey Harbin, 21, Ricky Richards, 25 and William Tolliver, 20, of Lepanto were arraigned in Shelby County General Sessions Court in Memphis, on charges of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Rape and Attempted First Degree Murder in a case involving a 34-year old woman on July 4. ...

James Gilbert Seaton, 71, of Luxora died Friday, July 16 at Saint Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. He was a retired mechanic for Luxora Schools and of the Baptist faith. Seaton was also a member of the Luxora Fire Department and the CB club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Cordiec Seaton; his son, Thomas Franklin Seaton; and his brother, Gerald Seaton...

Frances Ritchie Miller, 69, of West Memphis died Saturday, July 17. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was also involved with the Women's VFW auxiliary of West Mephis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Scott Miller. Survivors include one daughter: Patricia Fowlers of Union City, Tenn.; one son: Mike Miller of West Memphis; one sister: Joyce Berry of Caraway; two step sons: Scotty Miller of Mississippi and Tony Millar of Texas; and one grandchild...

Billy Don Combs, 64, of Newport died Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Harris Hospital. He was born November 4, 1939 at Pennington, the son of H.G. "Blue" and Derothle (Majors) Combs. Combs was a 1957 graduate of Newport High School. He attended Journalism College at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He established and was the publisher of the Jackson Countian newspaper. He was a member of the Midway Church of Christ and was a Church of Christ preacher for many years...

Leah Rene Portenga Carmichiel, 39, of Dyess died Wednesday, July 14 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Joel Carmichiel of Dyess; her parents, Richard and Patricia Portenga of Florida; one daughter: Jessica Brusler of Waterford, Mich.; one brother: Matt Portenga and wife Michelle of Commerce, Mich...

County Clerk Fonda Condra announces that the filing period opened July 15 for municipal candidates to file nominating petitions for the November general election. Candidates must file their petitions along with a political practice pledge with the county clerk by noon on August 4. Petitions are also available for each city clerk's office...

The American Red Cross will be at the Industrial Street Church of Christ collecting blood donations from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 24. Those willing to donate are welcome to come by the church during those hours. The church is located at 306 Industrial Street in Marked Tree...

The Lepanto Museum, located on Main Street, has recently added an important document, "Instrument of Surrender," to its military display in the World War II exhibit. A few months after the war in Europe had ceased hostilities, and after the atomic bomb on Japan, the Japanese agreed to an unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers...

Summer is a perfect time to visit TRNC. Naturally when the weather is pleasant everyone feels good, especially those who enjoy sitting outdoors. Those residents who relax on our front porch are the first to see all the coming and going. They will see the mail being delivered, the doctor making his visits, and families dropping by. ...

Finances and contracts were the topics of discussion Monday night as the Marked Tree school board met in regular session. Superintendent Gary Masters presented a financial report to the board, stating that the school's ending balance was $531,000, slightly above the $500,000 mark for which the board had been hoping...

Tribune News Staff The United States Attorney's Office in Little Rock announced last Tuesday that former Marked Tree High School coach and teacher Rob Jennings has been indicted on one count of taking a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity...

The Modern News Final steps for a one-cent sales tax were taken Monday evening at the Poinsett County Quorum Court. The sales tax, if approved by voters, would fund the county jail and emergency 911 system. An ordinance that would allow the measure to be put forward on the Aug. 31 special election was approved by all except Justice Harold Blackwood of Tyronza...

If there is something that Lepanto United Methodist Church lacks, it is definitely not history. The church is rich with stories of the past and a legacy left behind by heroes of the faith. One such legacy is a hand made quilt. The quilt, which was hung in the church during its centennial celebration last October, was made by the Women's Missionary Society. It features the names of many Lepanto residents hand embroidered on purple and yellow squares...

The Marked Tree Police Department announced Monday the arrest of a Marked Tree man on felony charges, stemming from an incident at a local park. According to Det. Mark Robinson of the Marked Tree Police Department, last Sunday at around 8:30 p.m., Off. ...

Tribune News Staff Members of the Lepanto City Council, along with Lepanto Mayor Dale Dunlap were in near total opposition to bring a sales tax before voters later this year. In the meeting, held at the Lepanto District Courtroom, members of the council stated that based on talking with residents in Lepanto, a sales tax increase for the city would not pass this year, with the Poinsett County Quorum Court asking for a sales tax increase to pay for county services based on a shortfall. ...

Veda Mae Qualls, 84, of Trumann passed away on July 14 at Central Arkansas Hospital in Searcy of natural causes. She was born in Savannah, Tenn. and lived in Trumann for the past 70 years. She was a retired factory worker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by six brothers; one sister and her parents, Henry Clarence and Ethel Pearl Shephard Qualls...

Marie Davidson Young, 83, of Jonesboro passed away Friday, July 16 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Imboden and had lived at Payneway for many years before moving to Jonesboro in the early 1990's. She worked at Singer for several years and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Jonesboro...

Ethel Brewer Faulkenberry, 93, of Bay died Sunday, July 18, at Rose Care Center of Trumann. Born in Tennessee, she had been the owner and operator of Jewell's Service Station and Cafe at Bowman. She was a member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church...

Barbara Ann Guin, 60, of Trumann passed away July 19 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro of natural causes. She was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo and had lived in Trumann since 1975 and was formerly of St. Louis, Mo. She was retired from Parker Hannifin and a member of the First Assembly of God in Trumann...

The family of the late Ruth and Charlie Rouse is having a family reunion at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24 at Craighead Forest Park at Pavilion 5. All family and friends of the family are invited to attend.

The last soccer sign-ups for ages 4 and up will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, at the Trumann Recreational Complex Pavilion. Players must be 4 by July 31 to get to play soccer. Sign-up fee is $40 for youth sizes and $45 for adult sizes and will include shirt, shorts, socks, and more games than last year. There will be a late sign-up fee after this date...

The July 12 meeting of the Trumann School Board saw several changes in personnel. Wesley Miller's, high school art teacher, resignation was accepted and Karla Richardson was hired in his position; Eddie Crain was hired as Jr. High science and history teacher; Lynn Greenwell was hired as Sr. High assistant football coach; Gary McClung was appointed to Dean of Students for grades 10 -- 12; Ricky Timbs will be the driver's education instructor and Junior Jackson was employed as custodian...

The Maple Grove EHC met Monday, July 12, in the fellowship hall of the church with six members present and one guest, the county EHC agent Debbie DeRossitte. Vice president, Wylma Parrish called the meeting to order. The thought of the month, "Many people today eat from the three basic food groups -- canned, frozen and take out." was read by Mary Johnson...

The Trumann Lions Club recently inducted its officers for 2004 - 2005. Officers are president Carin McClung, 1st vice president Matt Wood, 2nd vice president, Jan Brune, 3rd vice president Johnny Rye, sec / treas Sharron Turman, asst. sec / treas Matt Moon, tail twister Jerry Halsell, asst. ...

Final steps for a one-cent sales tax were taken Monday evening at the Poinsett County Quorum Court. The sales tax, if approved by voters, would fund the county jail and emergency 911 system. An ordinance that would allow the measure to be put forward on the Aug. 31 special election was approved by all except Justice Harold Blackwood of Tyronza...

Poinsett County Circuit Clerk, Claudia Mathews, releases the following names drawn as prospective petit jurors for the July 2004 session of Poinsett County Circuit Court Criminal Division, Judge David Laser will be presiding. Jurors are instructed to report to the courthouse in Harrisburg on Monday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. ...

Trumann School District announced the opening of A Better Chance for School Success preschool program on Monday. The preschool will be located at 144 North Magnolia across from Cedar Park Elementary and will be accepting up to 80 students on a first come first served basis...

All employees and elected officials for the city have received a 5% raise. Alderman Larry Henderson told the council that after the finance committee met and reviewed the finances of the city, the committee recommended the pay increase. Many of the alderman voiced concerns about alcohol signs that have been placed at service stations at the entrance to the city on Hwy 69...

Billy Don Combs, 64, of Newport died Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Harris Hospital. He was born November 4, 1939 at Pennington, the son of H.G. "Blue" and Derothle (Majors) Combs. Combs was a 1957 graduate of Newport High School. He attended Journalism College at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He established and was the publisher of the Jackson Countian newspaper. He was a member of the Midway Church of Christ and was a Church of Christ preacher for many years...