Stories from Wednesday, December 21, 2005

(Editor's note: The Trumann Democrat is excited to share letters to Santa from area children) Dear Santa, I love you. I hope you come to my house first and bring me all the presents I want. And dear Santa, I hope you have a fun time riding in your sleigh and is there a real Rudolph? I am five years old now nor four...

The Wildcats (0-9) traveled to Osceola looking for their first win of the season, last Tusday night and came away from the game with the high-powered Seminoles. And even though Trumann held them close for a little over a quarter, Osceola proved too powerful winning the 3AAA contest, 77-54...

Jordan Looney, age 17, is the rider of the number 121 Kawasaki, 250cc and Ethan Looney, age 12, is the rider of the number 4 Kawasaki, 85cc. Jordan and Ethan participated in the King of The Hill motocross series this year and each finished the season winning first place in their respective classes...

Robert Gene Williams, 58, of marked Tree died Dec. 15 at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. He worked as a foreman for Ritter in the farm shop and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Williams and Elsie Brush. Survivors include his wife, Connie Williams of Marked Tree; two daughters: Kim Perkins of Naples, Fla. ...

Woodrow Marshall "Woody" Upchurch, 53, of Trumann died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at Regional Medical Center of NEA in Jonesboro. He was born in California and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a general laborer and of the Baptist faith...

Linda Ann Rusher, 56, of Waterford, Mich., died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. She was born in Arkansas and had worked for H & R Block for 25 years. Survivors include her husband, Rondal Rusher of the home; dear mother of Penny (Allan) White, Sherry Rusher and Kathy (Scott) Carlson. Daughter of Willamae Kimberland. Sister of Thomas Daniel Gates and James Edward Gates. Also survived by 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter...

Norma Lee Cantrell, 80, of Payneway died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and member of the Corners Chapel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Edward Cantrell. She is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Cantrell of Payneway, Brinda Swan of Coldwater, Miss. ...

Johnny Ray Stephenson, 53, of Sacramento, Calif. died Oct. 19, 2005. He was born n Trumann on Oct. 27, 1952 and had served in the military. He was survived by one daughter, Tisha Louella Christian of Kokomo, Ind.; three grandsons, Gabriel Christian, Bryceton Christian and Robbo Christian, all of Kokomo, Ins.; one brother, Buster Stephenson of Harrisburg and two sisters, Anna Meurer and Reba Carter of Jonesboro...

High-definition televisions, digital cameras, MP3 players and flash media will be filling Santa's sleigh as thousands of Arkansas families add new electronic gadgets to their homes this Christmas. So what happens to the stuff of Christmases past - all those outdated electronic items? They become e-waste - electronic items that are at or nearing the end of their useful lives...

First Delta Bank has joined forces with the Poinsett County Conservation District and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to improve and maintain overall water quality in Poinsett County and other participating counties. Jerry Rushing, vice president of First Delta Bank, said the bank is excited about offering new opportunities to farmers. ...

Two Trumann Scouters make record breaking 79 mile hike to Williford Wells Dungan, Jr., Charles Bettis and Scout leader Jack Gammon undertook to set some sort of hiking record last Friday afternoon when they started out on a 79 mile jaunt to Williford...

The ninth annual Trumann Community Christmas Dinner is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day at the Old Community House. Delivery is available within the Trumann area. Those wishing to contribute a ham or turkey to the dinner can drop off their donation at Couch's Bar-B-Q in Trumann...

The Trumann City Council voted unanimously to approve the city's 2006 budget during the council meeting on Dec. 13. The council also condemned structures located at 439 Harrison and 713 N. Pine. Both locations were given stipulations that the condemnation status could be amended if the owners cleaned up the property within a certain time limit established by city inspector Gary Anderson...

After nearly eight years serving the City of Trumann in the position of mayor's secretary, Patricia Powell is retiring. She began her last day in the office with a retirement breakfast with her fellow co-workers. "I plan to enjoy time with my husband and grandkids and get stuff done around my house," Powell about her plans for retirement...

Southern Pioneer Insurance, owned by Ben and Hal Hyneman, once again sponsored the Underprivileged Children's Christmas Fund. This program is well into its second decade of providing toys, clothes and shoes for needy children. Packages were distributed earlier this week from the Trumann Police Department. Families were asked to fill out application forms that were available at Bill Teague's Grocery in order to benefit from the program...

"We've done quite well this year in Trumann," said Jackie Ross, director of the Trumann Area Chamber of Commerce. Ross and Trumann officials are excited about the growth they saw in Trumann last year and are anticipating even greater development in the coming year...

The Wildkittens (1-9) didn't have much better luck against their opponents last week than their senior counterparts did. First last Tuesday night, Osceola built a 24-2 first quarter lead then coasted to a 53-15 win. Then on Friday it was almost a case of déjà vu as Gosnell came to Trumann and opened with an 18-2 first quarter on the way to a 50-32 win. ...