Stories from Thursday, June 9, 2005

Local children enjoyed the rides at the carnival in Marked Tree last week. (Tribune photo/Desha Smith)

FAYETTEVILLE - John McDonnell comparing great Razorback track teams seems on par if the late John Wayne could be asked to recollect great movie cowboy fights. Just too many to discuss. So when McDonnell likens the talent anddepth of this team to some of his past 40 Arkansas nationalchampionship teams, you can assume here is a special contingent representing the Razorbacks Wednesday through Saturday at the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif...

WEST MEMPHIS - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Family and Community Fishing Program is adding West Memphis's Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex as a new program location. The pond that is located within the sports complex is currently being stocked regularly with hundreds of channel catfish every month...

MARKED TREE -- Clarence Deverl Simmons, 82, of Marked Tree died Monday, June 6, at St. Bernard's Medical Center of Jonesboro. A farmer, he was a Jehovah's Witness. Survivors include five sons, Bruce Simmons and Jerrell Simmons, both of Marked Tree, Chris Simmons of Trumann, Dennis Simmons of Colbert, Ga., and Steve Simmons of Henderson, Tenn.; one sister, Virginia Meeks of Parkin; two brothers, Eugene Simmons of Lepanto and Jimmy Simmons of Marked Tree; and four grandchildren, Dawn Simmons, Ben Simmons, Lana Simmons and Tyler Simmons.. ...

The Black Oak Community Crime Watch volunteers would like to thank Deputy Lisa Gean and Deputy Chris Holt for coming to the last meeting. They would also like to thank everyone attending the meeting. The next meeting be at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 20 in the fellowship hall of Black Oak Baptist Church. For more information call Madelene Dunham at 852-2034...

Staff and volunteers of the Lepanto Museum are in the process of compiling information for a book entitled "Stories of old……and some I've been told." According to a press release from the museum, the book is a collection of tales--both fact and the way things were remembered...

Poinsett county farmers are being driven to costly measures to help get the current growing season off the ground. A record low rain fall in May has caused many to begin irrigation earlier to ensure a strong yield in September. The national weather bureau reported only .23 inches of rain fell in May, beating the record set in 1911 when only .45 inches fell...

More than two years after the charges were filed, the case against Rob Jennings has finally come to an end. Jennings, former Marked Tree High School baseball coach, teacher and dean of students, was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections last Friday after he pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree violation of a minor...

Jerry Bishop, 46, of Bay died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at the family residence in Bay of natural causes. He was born in Trumann and had lived in pay for the past 19 years, and was formerly of Trumann. He was employed as a welder at Bilco and of the Baptist faith...

Chester John Juhas, 82, of Dearborn Heights, Mich. Died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at Dearborn Heights Nursing Home of natural causes. He was born in Detroit, Mich. and had lived in Dearborn Heights for the past 56 years. He was an electrical contractor and of the Baptist faith...

Beginning January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug plans will be available to recipients who receive Medicare benefits. These plans are different from the Medicare-approved drug discount cards in use now that will phase-out by May 15, 2006. The new Medicare prescription drug plans provide insurance coverage for necessary drugs and will have a monthly premium. The estimated premium will be approximately $37.00 in 2006...

The Trumann High School class of 1968 is planning a 40th class reunion for June 24. The following classmate's whereabouts are unknown to the class and information is being sought about them -- Jim Huckabee, Carolyn Hall, Linda Holden, Donna Rogers, Connie Wells, Diane Rutherford and Allen Pyle...

Kids, get ready for art class! The Trumann Area Fine Arts Council is sponsoring a Children's Art Workshop for students who have completed grades first second and third. The class is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday June 20 -- Friday June 24...

Air Force Cadet Joshua A. Payne has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The graduate received a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The academy offers a four-year educational program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for air and space leaders, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. ...

Bay Chief of Police Kenneth Walker released the following report for May. Misdemeanor charges May 4 -- Karl S. Nordin, III of Jonesboro was charged with non payment of fine. Christopher Ballard of Jonesboro was charged with two counts of failure to appear...

Paula Watson, 133 S. Magnolia, was arrested on May 30 by PFC Gary Henry, Ptl. Gary Swift and Capt. Jerry Foster. She was charged with the following felonies, attempted murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threatening and felon in possession of a firearm...

Paul McAnally has been promoted to Assistant Vice President at Bank of Trumann. Paul joined the Bank of Trumann in 2000. He will continue to serve the lending needs of his commercial and consumer loan clients. Paul is a graduate of Trumann High School and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture with emphasis in Marketing and Management from Arkansas State University...

Karleen Sheets, district administrator for curriculum and instruction, recently spoke at the Trumann Lions Club. She gave the club an update and overview for the Trumann School District. Teachers in the district have been honored with awards in recent years. ...

Olzie Louise Wright, 84, of Trumann died Monday, June 6, 2005 at her residence in Trumann. She was born on January 8, 1921 in Oakman, Ala. She was a homemaker and former owner / operator of Hep Ur Self Filling Station in Trumann. She attended the Lankmark Worship Center in Trumann. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning and working in the garden...