Stories from Thursday, February 10, 2005

Tribune News Staff Local residents were awakened Thursday morning with the sounds of the earth, as a 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit areas in Northeast Arkansas, West Tennessee and Southeast Missouri. At around 8:00 a.m. Thursday, the earthquake, which was centered four miles east of Caraway rattled windows and caused problems throughout Northeast Arkansas. ...

In addition to the annoyance caused by the ever increasing blackbird roosting problem, the birds also pose a health hazard. Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus, histoplsma capsulatum, that grows in bird droppings. The spores from the fungus can grow in any mucus membrane on a person...

Focus, Inc., a local disability service provider, will be having a Valentine's Day ball from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on February 11th at the Trumann Sports Complex, 16179 Pecan Grove Lane in Trumann, behind the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. The Second Annual Focus and Families Fancy Dress Ball will honor the families of Focus people with developmental disabilities this year. ...

Week of Feb. 14 - 18 Monday - Mini honey bar-b-que ribs, French fries, corn, cole slaw, pudding and fruit and milk. Tuesday - Chicken nuggets, potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, mixed fruit and milk. Wednesday - Burrito's with chili, refried beans, chips and dip, lettuce and tomatoe, peaches and milk...

Those looking for a new church home or just wishing to hear a dynamic sermon should head to Providence Baptist Church in Trumann. Church pastor Bobby Brooks and his wife, Regina Brooks are both 1984 Trumann High School graduates. Pastor Brooks, keeps his members enthralled with his vibrant sermons and lessons. Sunday schools starts at 9:45 a.m., Sunday morning worship at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. is discipleship training and 6 p.m. is the start of Sunday night worship...

Former Trumann Chief of Police Charles Earnest Meridith passed away on Feb. 4, 2005 at the Randolph County Medical Center in Pocahontas of natural causes. He was 69 years old. He was born in Trumann and had lived in Pocahontas since 1975. He was involved in law enforcement for over 35 years, serving as TPD Chief for almost seven years, served as Pocahontas Chief twice and worked for the Arkansas Driver Control Department. He was a veteran of the US Army and of the Church of God faith...

Ramon "Ray" Zapata, 65, of Trumann passed away on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro of natural causes. He was born in Devine, Tex. and lived in Trumann since 1972. He was a retired painter and of the Pentecostal faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fransisco and Gregoria Campas Zapata...

Bonnie Lee Jacobs, age 63, passed away on Feb. 4, 2005 at her Wilmer, Tex. residence. She was born in Trumann to Henry and Pauline (England) Carter. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Red Oak, Tex. She is survived by her husband, Jim Jacobs of Wilmer; her mother, Pauline Carter of Trumann; one son, Tim Jacobs of Richardson; one daughter, Laura Jacobs of Ft. ...