Stories from Thursday, January 12, 2006

The first meeting of the Poinsett County Quorum Court for 2006 was longer than the normal court meeting due to a number of scheduled as well as unscheduled items on the agenda. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Constance Grayson opened the new business by clarifying a letter she had sent to the court requesting that the budget for her office be amended by adding $7,500 to allow the office to hire "at least a part time person to help with the case load being generated by the increase in arrests and subsequent filing of new cases in the county.". ...

July Many Gathered from across the Tri-City area to celebrate the nation's heritage on the Fourth of July and to honor WWII veteran and Medal of Honor winner James Hendrix with a monument in his memory. The Penter family was named as the 2005 Poinsett County farm family of the year...

Venesa Mills Burnett, 45, of Harrisburg, formerly of West Memphis, died on Jan. 7 in Marked Tree. Born Jan. 29, 1960 in Newport, Mills is the daughter of Edmond Mills and Catherine Brand Mills. She grew up in West Memphis. On Jan. 15, 1994 Mills married Bill Burnett and they enjoyed 12 years together. She was a homemaker and attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Harrisburg. She enjoyed scrapbooking and taking care of children...

Ruby Mae Green, 71, of Marked Tree died Jan. 1 at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Centerville, Tenn., she was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Survivors include her husband, Billy Green of Joiner; three daughters: Jo Ann Dorris of Tyronza, Sue Ryals of Braggs, Okla. ...

Eddie Lee Hutcheson, 57, of Trumann died Dec. 30, 2005 at his residence of cancer. He was born on July 30, 1948 in Tupelo, Miss. He was a factory worker, a US Marine and a Jehovah Witness. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Stout Hutcheson of Trumann; his parents, Rose Hutcheson of Tupelo and William Hutcheson of Trumann; three daughters, Samantha Moody, Angela Austin and Claudia Hutcheson, all of Trumann; one son, Danny Hutcheson of Florida; two sisters, Jean Jamison of Tupelo and Carolyn Hazzard of Georgia; one brother, Billy Wayne Hutcheson of Venona, Miss. ...

Tribune Sports Staff The last time the Lady Warriors played in 2005, they lost to Marmaduke in the NEA Tuesday, December 27 for their first loss of the season. Tuesday January 3, though, they got back on the winning track as they went to Earle and defeated the lady Bulldogs, 64-40 for their 12th win of the season...

Tribune Sports Staff The Lady Indians evened their season mark at 6-6 Thursday as they hosted Black Rock coming out on top of a two-overtime thriller, 73-68. Marked Tree start quickly, scoring their first basket when Rudy Martin grabbed the tip-off and went the distance to open the game with a 2-0 lead. Martin would go on to lead both teams in points with 39...

Tribune Sports Staff Coming off a very good showing against BIC in the NEA Tournament two weeks ago, Coach Barbara Wilburn was, not doubt, expecting her Indians to continue the hustling, all-out style that kept Marked Tree (2-7) in that game for three-plus quarters. Unfortunately, that team didn't appear to take on Bay last Tuesday in Marked Tree and as a result, the Indians went down to 14-5 Yellowjackets, 73-55...

Hollie Kay Swallers McLaughlin, a 1991 Riverside High School graduate, completed her masters of science in nursing degree at Arkansas State University. She previously received an associate of applied science in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing from ASU. Her research topic for the master's program was entitled, "Reducing Microalbumin with Ace Inhibitors in Patients with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus."...

"We could use about 15 more like him," said Trumann Fire Chief Rick Winkles, about 2005 Trumann Fireman of the Year Anthony "Tony" Blackwood. "Anthony is a great asset to the department," said Chief Winkles. "He goes to all the classes he can get into and does anything asked of him."...

Ruby Mae Mandy Andrews was born on Sept. 27, 1937 and died on Jan. 9, 2006 at 8:10 p.m. at St. Bernard's Medical Center at the age of 68. She was born in Lake City and had lived most of her lifetime in the Brookland area. She was of the Church of Christ belief...

Daniel Harmon, 25102 Johnson Road, was arrested by Trumann Police Department Ptl. Erik Willbanks and Ptl. Jeremy Phillips on Jan. 6. He was charged with attempted commercial burglary, resisting arrest, fleeing on foot and public intoxication. According to police reports, Harmon was seen trying to get into a local business. He then fled on foot from patrolmen and attempted to fight the officers during arrest...

Five Trumann residents were among more than 200 employees recognized for years of service at a special employee recognition dinner at St. Bernards Medical Center this week. The event is held annually to recognize employees who have worked for the medical center for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. Employees receive pins marking their service...

The Poinsettia Club met at the home of Marsha Philips, 1225 First Street, for the January meeting. There were seven ladies in attendance. After the business session the hostess served refreshments of brownies, fruit salad and ice cream.

Orange Marble Fudge 3 cups sugar 1 ½ stick margarine 2/3 cup whipping cream 1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow crème 1 bag (12 oz) white chips 1 T. orange extract 12 drops red food coloring 5 drops yellow food coloring In a heavy pot, mix sugar, margarine and whipping cream. ...

Alex Kimble, Jr., 219 Virginia St. Apts. #4, was arrested on Dec. 28 by Ptl. Erik Willbanks. He was charged with battery second degree, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), second offense disorderly conduce and furnishing prohibited articles in a jail...

The Trumann High School class of 1996 is preparing for their 10 year class reunion. A planning meeting has been set for 6:30 p.m. at Couch's BBQ on Hwy 463 in Trumann on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Any class member who wants to participate in the planning of the class reunion should attend...

Poinsett County Conservation District has entered into a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and the First Delta Bank of Marked Tree and the Bank of Trumann in Trumann to provide the Agriculture Water Quality Loan Program. The Agri-loan program aims to help farmers and landowners implement conservation practices and protect Poinsett County's water resources...

The Delta Symphony Orchestra is sponsoring a final round of its 16th Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. at the ASU Fowler Center. The final audition is open to the public. Musicians under the age of 25 have already been selected for the final audition in piano, strings, brass/percussion and voice. ...

Chief Larry Blagg of the Trumann Police Department would like to remind everyone about ATV's regulations and rules of the road as in statute 27-21-106. The police department has had several complaints about dirt bikes and four wheelers causing disturbances around our town...

(Editors note: This is the third in a four part series reviewing 2005) July 6 The Trumann School Board voted to reduce the number of board members from six to five. The decision came from an act requiring school boards to be composed of an odd number of members...

The first meeting of the Poinsett County Quorum Court for 2006 was longer than the normal court meeting due to a number of scheduled as well as unscheduled items on the agenda. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney opened the new business by clarifying a letter she had sent to the court requesting that the budget for her office be amended by adding $7,500 to allow the office to hire "at least a part time person to help with the case load being generated by the increase in arrests and subsequent filing of new cases in the county.". ...

Poinsett County has been chosen to receive $14,981 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county, according to Robert W. Wilford, executive director of the Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC). CRDC will provide administrative assistance in the distribution of the funds...

The Trumann Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the second year of Leadership Trumann. Leadership Trumann is a program designed to identify, educate and motivate potential leaders to become involved in the future of Trumann. The program will provide tools and resources that can be used by participants in preparing to address the community's future needs...

Former Poinsett County Sheriff Jimmy Carter is the second candidate to throw his hat into the ring for the State Representative seat now held by Wayne Nichols of Marked Tree. Carter served as Sheriff and Collector from 1985 to 1997 and more recently just stepped down as Director of the Consolidated Youth Services Justice Detention Facility in Harrisburg after eight years...

"We are focusing on community oriented policing," said Trumann Police Department Chief Larry Blagg. "The department members are becoming more community involved." He said the department is continuing its zero tolerance drug policy in an effort to rid Trumann of its drug dealers and meth labs...

Jimmie D. Blunk, 66, of Trumann died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born in Corning and had lived in Trumann for the past 20 years. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force, former Trumann Police officer, deputy for the Poinsett County Sheriff's Dept. and of the Baptist faith...