Stories from Friday, March 25, 2005

The Lepanto City Council met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of the police department obtaining tazers. Chief of Police Raymond Oakes was on hand at the meeting to address the issue. "It would be for the safety of the officers and the citizens as well," said Oakes when talking about the advantages of the tazers. Oakes suggested that the city could get one tazer and see how it works out...

Marked Tree (0-3) went to Rector last Monday afternoon looking for their first win of the season, but instead, became victims of a nearly perfect game as the Lady Cougars shut out the Lady Indians, 9-0. "I know from the score it doesn't look that way, but we played well defensively," coach Waylon Dunn said after the game. "Obviously, Rector had some really good pitching."...

After being frozen out of their first game of the week last Tuesday at Marked Tree, the EPC Warriors (4-5) hosted the Manila Lions Wednesday and came away with their third win in a row. "I don't know how long exactly, but it's been a while," coach Brian Weathers said when asked when was the last time EPC's baseball team was on a winning streak...

Marked Tree's Indians entered the week looking for their second win of the season, but by Friday still hadn't found it as they went 0-3 on the week to bring their season record to 1-9. On Monday, the Indians traveled to Trumann to take on the 4-3 Wildcats and managed only two hits as the Indians used three pitchers to hammer out a 7-2 victory...

Lawanda Towns, 70, of Beebe died Tuesday, March 8 at White County Memorial Hospital in Searcy. She died of complications from a kidney infection. Towns was born August 4, 1936 and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two daughters: Beverly Isaccs of Lepanto and Carol Reavis of Beebe; four sisters: Jean Hayes of Osceola, Elissa Underwood of Pekin, Ill., Doris Wright of Lepanto and Martha Gibson of Van Burean; three grandchildren: Jayme Isaacs of Lepanto, Holly Reavis and Holly Reavis, both of Lepanto; and one great-grandchild: Hailee Reavis Tarno of Beebe.. ...

James F. Booth, 85, of Smyrna died March 16 at his home. A native resident of Poinsett County, he was the son of the late James B. and Alpha Stewart Booth. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 18 at Woodfin Chapel in Smyrna. Burial followed in Mapelview Cemetery with Dr. Ross Maroney, Sr. officiating...

J. B. Evans, 80, of Caraway died Sunday, March 20 in Lake City. He was born October 15, 1924 at Parkin, the son of James and Hester (Boudy) Evans. He married Neoma Mae Poff on August 3, 1946. Evans was retired from the Arkansas Highway Department and a member of the Church of God in Lepanto. He was a United States Navy WWII veteran. Evans enjoyed gardening, fishing and spending time with family and friends...

Carl H. Bass, Jr., of Little Rock died Monday, March 21, 2005. Carl's life was dedicated to his faith, family, profession and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Joanne, of 44 years, his five children and one grandson: Sandi Dale and husband, Mike, of Kailua, Hawaii; Susan Hedberg and son, Chase of Plano, Texas; Sharon Bass of Little Rock, Arkansas; Stephen Bass of Irving, Texas; Stephanie Racop and husband, Russ, of Little Rock, Arkansas; one sister, Mary Lou Norman, of Port Arthur, Texas; two nephews and six nieces. ...

Mrs. Irene Oldham, 85, of Zachary, La, died Sunday, March 20 at the Lane Memorial Hospital in Zachary, La. Oldham was a native of Tyronza, a resident of Zachary, La. for the past 11 years and a former resident of Portland and Marked Tree for many years. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of God of Marked Tree...

The time for the St. Jude Bike-A-Thon is just around the corner. This year's fundraiser is set for 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at the Tyronza Fire Department. This year's goal is $5,000 and everyone's help is needed to make this year's event the best ever...

Small towns are becoming a popular place to settle down and Tyronza is no exception to the rule. Only six months ago, Ron Smiley, 27, of the KAIT 8 News team and his wife, Michelle, decided that Tyronza was the place for them. The couple purchased their first home and is thrilled to be a part of the community...

Alternative learning environment, in school suspension policies, and athletic field conditions were major topics of discussion at the East Poinsett County School Board Meeting held Monday, March 14. The board also hired Sharon Coburn as principal for the elementary school campus at Tyronza...

Sometimes a break can come at just the right time. This may very well be the case with the EPC Lady Warriors as they went on their spring break this week after a discouraging five days on the mound last week where they lost two games to bring their season record to 1-3...