Stories from Wednesday, December 1, 2004

Tribune News Staff Officials from a Blue Ribbon Commission on School Facilities released the price tag for new school improvements in the state of Arkansas Tuesday, stating that the cost of correcting problems with school buildings in the state at $2.28 billion...

Tribune Sports Staff In a game that appeared more like an episode of WWE's Monday Night Raw, it was two free throws by EPC guard Holly Hinton with 4.6 seconds left in the game that sealed a 63-59 victory over Palestine-Wheatley Monday night in senior girls basketball action...

Vera Lou Hall Ray, 59, of Lake City died Saturday, Nov. 27, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. Born at Lake City, she was a graduate of Bay High School and an employee of J.C. Penney at Jonesboro for 31 years. She was of the Baptist belief. Survivors include her husband, William T. ...

Irene Mattix Ghant, 84, of Marked Tree died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro of natural causes. She was born in Bay and had lived in Marked Tree for the past 12 years and was formerly of Harrisburg. She was a housewife and member of the Central Baptist Church in Marked Tree...

Jewell Faye Courtney, 94, of Lepanto died Friday, Nov. 26, at her residence. She was a member of West Ridge Baptist Church. Survivors include four sons: Charles Baker of Lepanto, Freddie Courtney of Oakland, Tenn., Gerald Baker of Buckeye and Bill Courtney of Pocahontas; two daughters: Ruby Rice and Nancy Myers, both of Lepanto; one stepdaughter, Billie Jean Greer of Byhalia, Miss.; 28 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren...

James Ray Bogard Sr., 48, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, Nov. 23, in Harrisburg. Born at Weona, he was a farmer and a member of Lighthouse Gospel Church of Trumann. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Bogard of Jonesboro; four sons: James Ray Bogard Jr. ...

Troy Adams, 77, of Marked Tree died Monday, Nov. 29, at his home. He attended the Sneed Street Baptist Church, served in the Arkansas National Guard for more than 16 years and was a heavy equipment operator for Ritter Telephone Co. Survivors include five sons: Gale Adams of Trumann, Danny Adams, Dennis Adams, Mike Adams and Glynn Adams, all of Marked Tree; two sisters: Angie Hutcheson of Sulligent, Ala., and Juanita Rogers of Coal Valley, Ill.; one brother, Gene Adams of Sulligent; eight grandchildren: Scott Adams, Tim Adams, Chris Baker, Brandi McGuire, Clara Adams, Greg Adams, Jake Adams and Sarah Adams; and six great-grandchildren.. ...

The Order of the Evening Star, St. Matthew's Chapter #351, will give its annual benefit Christmas banquet at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the elementary cafeteria on Normandy Street. Tickets are $10 each. The banquet will feature Ms. Sue Smith, a poetess from Little Rock, and the N.B.C. Drill Team of St. John's Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to come support the organization's scholarship fund and Christmas giving to the needy...

Many residents of Marked Tree would agree that the community has an element of small town charm. New Chamber of Commerce president Stacy Caplinger hopes to capitalize on that charm to help Marked Tree prosper in new and exciting ways. Caplinger took over the presidency of the chamber board in October after attending just one meeting. She said she was looking forward to the job because it was an opportunity to help grow a town in which she has invested much of her life...

Tribune News Staff In a Marion courtroom Monday morning, Crittenden County Circuit Judge David Burnett accepted a not guilty plea from Jo Ann Buchanan on capital murder charges in the case of seven-year old Patricia Ann Miles. Buchanan, 37, of Gilmore was charged Monday with one count of capital murder in the case, which started as a kidnapping case in the community, seven miles east of Tyronza. ...

Tribune Sports Staff After a sluggish first quarter, it was a strong second quarter that provided the difference last Tuesday night in the 62-49 EPC victory over Rivercrest in senior boys basketball action. In the non-conference game in Lepanto, EPC (2-0) outscored Rivercrest 22-6 in the second quarter to turn a 12-11 Rivercrest lead into a 32-18 EPC lead at halftime. ...

Mon., Nov. 22 Senior Boys Biggers-Reyno 67, Brookland 65 Cross County 67, Cotton Plant 38 Delaplaine 46, CRA 44 EPC 84, Gosnell 81 Marmaduke 76, Weiner 54 P-W 62, Marked Tree 60 Piggott 72, Rector 46 Westside 60, Trumann 38 Senior Girls Bay 73, Maynard 72...

Trumann High School will sponsor a financial aid / scholarship presentation for seniors and their parents at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the high school library. The program will focus on the college financial aid process with additional information about scholarships, loans and work study...

Irene Mattix Ghant, 84, of Marked Tree passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro of natural causes. She was born in Bay and had lived in Marked Tree for the past 12 years and was formerly of Harrisburg. She was a housewife and member of the Central Baptist Church in Marked Tree...

James Ray Bogard Sr., 48, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 in Harrisburg. Born at Weona, he was a farmer and a member of Lighthouse Gospel Church of Trumann. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Bogard of Jonesboro; four sons, James Ray Bogard Jr. ...

James W. Buckley, 33, of Harrisburg passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2004 at his residence. He was a welder and of the Baptist faith. He graduated from Trumann High School in 1989 and was a US Army Gulf War Veteran. He loved to hunt and fish and had spent several years training Saddle Bred Horses...

Willard Lowell Glasgow, 81, of Jonesboro passed away Nov. 18. He was born in Lake City and had lived in the Valley View Community for 45 years and was formerly of the Bay and Lunsford areas. He was a Baptist and retired from General Electric, a veteran of the US Army World War II, a graduate of Trumann High School, former Boy Scout Leader and charter member of the Valley View Ruitan Club...

LITTLE ROCK - They're the best this country has to offer and they're in far away lands protecting the United States. Today, Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission tried to repay them for their commitment to the country's safety...

The Judd Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc is presenting, "Gospel Fest" from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. The concert will take place at the Trumann Sports Complex on Pecan Grove Road. General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $2.50 for children ages 12 -- 18 and children under 12 get in free...

The Trumann Masonic Lodge is selecting lodge officers at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 Lodge officials said this was an important meeting and all members need to make sure and attend.

Burlington Northern Sante Fe reported to the Trumann Police Department that between Nov. 25 and 26 that while in route to West Memphis several cars were broke into. The railroad system has narrowed the break in to either the Trumann or Marion stop. Several containers were opened and Durabrand dual screen DVD players, Wilson batting helmets and HP printers were stolen...

Archie D. Cooper was put on time pay for $260 for driving on suspended or revoked driver's license and $260 for failure to appear on a written summons and a charge of failure to appear on a written summons was nolle prossed. Brandi M. Bell was put on time pay for $185 for public intoxication and $285 for possession by minor...

Attention all kids, the Trumann Democrat will be accepting letter to Santa to publish in the Wednesday, Dec. 22 Christmas edition of the Trumann Democrat. The last day the Democrat will be accepting letters is Monday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. Bring letters to the Trumann Democrat office at 405 Hwy 463 North in Trumann or mail it to Trumann Democrat, PO Box 5, Trumann, AR 72472...

An awards ceremony was Nov. 6 at the U.S. Army Reserve Armory at Conway. Trumann native Sgt. Jonathan R. Watson received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for brave actions in Iraq. Sgt. Watson provided cover fire during an ambush on the convoy he was part of on Sept. 11, 2003. Providing cover fire prevented the loss of life to his fellow soldiers during the attack by insurgents at a crossroad...

Trumann Police Department detective Jerry Foster offered the following tips for keeping your presents, home and vehicle safe during the holidays. - Keep all doors and window locked on your home. - Don't keep presents in view from doors and windows...

Diane Dickson has killed two deer this season. She killed a nine point buck in Sharp County on Oct. 24, the last day of muzzle loading season. She killed an eight point first day of gun season in Sharp County on Nov. 13.