Stories from Thursday, June 30, 2005

HELENA, Ark. -- Twenty-four people from First Baptist Church of Trumnan, Ark., spent a week volunteering with Partners in Hope, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's rural poverty initiative, in Helena. The church participated in the All Church Challenge, a two-week concentrated volunteer event that involved nearly 270 volunteers from 21 churches in a variety of community projects including construction and children's activities. ...

Trumann Police Chief Larry Blagg and Trumann Fire Chief Rick Winkles recently graduated from Arkansas State University's Regional Leaders program on June 16 at the Fowler Center on the campus of ASU. Les Wyatt, ASU president, presented the graduates with plaques and diplomas. Participants had to attend at least 54 hours of classes to receive a diploma. All participants received a plaque. The class director was Jerry Smith with the Delta Economic Division at ASU...

Justin Hooton, a Trumann native, will soon begin work patrolling the streets of Trumann as a member of the Trumann Police Department. Hooton has one daughter, Payton. He is a graduate of Trumann High School He attended the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2004 at Black River Technical College in Pocahontas...

Trumann Police Chief Larry Blagg announced that the Trumann Police Department will soon be opening the cities third sub-station. The newest location will be in the office of Holden's apartments, formerly Char-Mar Apartments. Chief Blagg said that Tommie Holden donated the space to the department. Officer's will use the sub-station to fill out reports and have a place to park and foot patrol that area of town...

On May 29,2005, Mr. Jack Ballard, former music teacher and choral director at THS, was given a surprise retirement reception and program by his current and former students, faculty, and friends. The reception was held at Shawnee Mission High School NW in Kansas City, KS where Jack spent the last 34 years. Over 700 people jammed the auditorium for the festivities, which included testimonials, song, and thanks from many students, both old and new...

The 2005 Poinsett County Farm Family of the year is the Penters. The Penter family is made up of Dennis Sr. and Doris and their two sons, Dennis, Jr., his wife, Julienne and their two children, Jess and Annaleigh and Zach and his wife, DeAnn. The farm field day is scheduled for July 13. Keep reading the Democrat for a special section devoted to the Penter and their achievements in farming...

After many hours of volunteer work and community support the City of Bay is pleased to announce the opening of the Bay Public Library at 11 a.m. on July 5. Everyone is invited to come out and see the progress that made. The library is located at 113 Central St...

Melba Quinell Henderson, 70, of Little Rock died June 24, 2005 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock of natural causes. She was born in Caraway and had lived most of her life in Trumann before moving to Little Rock in 1991. She was a retired nurse, employee of the Baptist Health School of Nursing and of the Baptist faith...