Stories from Thursday, March 23, 2006

Fred E. Ashcraft, 79, a native of Marked Tree and former owner of the Marked Tree Tribune, died March 15th in Huntsville, Alabama, where he had lived since moving there some 15 years ago. He is survived by his wife, the former Marjorie Fields of Lepanto; three children by a previous marriage, Susan Self of Fort Worth, Anne Vaught of Bloomington, Ind. and Sarah Gillis of Jonesboro...

Tribune Editor Decreasing revenue was a major topic of discussion at the Marked Tree School Board meeting held last Monday night. Superintendent Gary Masters said the school expects to end lower financially this year than last year. Masters attributed the financial decline to several factors including the loss of students and increased expenses. Last year the school lost 10 students, costing the district more than $50,000 in funding...

Tyronza Mayor Marion Bearden reported this week that the city park has been the target of vandalism. Since the park's construction last year, its tables have sustained damage. The picnic tables under the pavilion have been damaged with a knife, and the tables with a plastic coating have been cut down to the metal in some places...

Tribune News Staff The Tennessee Three, Johnny Cash's band for almost four decades, made Dyess the last stop Saturday, in their international tour to promote their new album "The Sound Must Go On." Even though the "Man in Black" is gone, the two remaining members of the band who helped create his unique sound continue to pay tribute to him. ...

Christine Parker Hicks, 92, of Palestine, Texas died Thursday, March 16 at Cartwell home for the aged in Palestine. She was a seamstress and of the Church of Christ faith. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl S. Parker; her second husband, Ricahrd Hicks; her parents, Andrea and Lula Mae Harbin; one daughter, Margaret Ann Greer; and one son, Billy Carl Parker...

Tribune Sports Staff The Indians took the field three times last week and by sundown Friday, had won all three games, including a startling victory over rival EPC, to go 7-2 on the year. Marked Tree-5, Rector-4 Even though Marked Tree opened the week with a 5-4 win at Rector Tuesday, coach Matt Wright was not the least pleased with the Indians effort...

Tribune Sports Staff Injuries and academics played a large roll for EPC last week as an ankle sprain by Cameron Gean kept him out of the week's games while a number of key players were deemed ineligible due to their grades. Regardless of the handicaps, however, the Warriors nevertheless took the field for three games suffering two losses and a called game to go 3-7 on the season...

Tribune Sports Staff The Lady Indians seemed to be at the top of their game after they opened the week with a win at home to even their record at 3-3. But by the end of a rainy, cold week, they were looking at a 3-9 record after dropping six games in the last four days of the week...