Stories from Thursday, October 12, 2006

The Marked Tree City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a $500 reward for anyone having information about recent vandalism at the Carter Center Gym in Marked Tree. Mayor Lawrence Ashlock told the council that two sections of fence had been cut away from the posts and pulled down at the center. He showed the council photos of the vandalism, noting that two windows had also been broken out at the police substation nearby...

With the Zone 1 position left vacant after a five year term by Ricky Cox, the East Poinsett County School Board in their regular meeting Monday night was faced not only with filling the empty seat, but also electing officers and hearing updates about the ACSIP plan and the G/T program...

"Cotton is part of our history. It's part of a story that needs to be told," said Marion Bearden, mayor of Tyronza. "This museum can be used as a tool to reach out to visitors and youth so that the story is told and never forgotten." Bearden's comments came as part of the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum (STFM) in Tyronza. The ceremony was held on the museum's grounds last Friday afternoon...

Often a team will let down the week after a huge win such as the Marked Tree Indians (5-1, 2-0) had against Cross County last week. More than once, such a let-down has caused a "pretender" to look like a "contender" by beating a high-flying team like the Tribe...

There were brief moments Friday night when glimpses of past glories (and possibly future glories) could be seen on the field at Hoxie. But there were far to few of these moments for EPC to pull a victory out of what has turned out to be a miserable season, losing their sixth game of the season, 42-12...

William Everett Tucker, Sr., 82, of Payneway died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at his home after a lengthy illness. Tucker was born March 15, 1924, in Fulton, Miss. to Esker Wilce and Ivy Casiday Tucker. His parents were two of the pioneering families to settle in the Payneway community, formerly known as Harrisburg Corner. ...

Nell Gray Ross, 94, of Tyronza died Oct. 2, 2006 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was a homemaker and had 21 years of perfect attendance at Tyronza First Baptist Church where she was a member of Wessie Word Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her husband, Craig Ross, and three sons, J.C. Ross, Horice Ross and Buddy Ross...

Teresa Ann Peifer, 46, of Trumann, formerly of Harrisburg, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at her home in Trumann. She was born April 12, 1960 in Harrisburg the daughter of Bobby Peifer and Martha Ann Peifer. She is a former employee of Woodbriar Nursing Home in Harrisburg and was of the Baptist faith. She loved spending time with her grandchildren...

Mildred Vaughn Holt Bolick, 88, of Keiser died Oct. 4, 2006, in Osceola. She was a cafeteria worker at Keiser School and a member of the Church of Christ in Keiser. Bolick was preceded in death by her husbands Raymond Holt and Troy Bolick; one daughter, Wanda Jean Scissell; one sister, Lucille Menton; and two brothers, Robert Vaughn and Charles Vaughn...

A gospel singing will be held at the Dyess Community Center (old Dyess Elementary School) from 3 -- 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. There will be free admission at the door, but donations will be accepted and appreciated. All proceeds will go toward completion of the Johnny Cash Memorial...

The city of Marked Tree is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for tearing down the fence and other vandalism at the Carver Gym and the Marked Tree Police substation. Those with information should call city hall at 358-3216 or the police department at 358-2024...

Lepanto officials wish to remind all citizens of Lepanto that the city has an ordinance that requires dogs to be on a leash when outside. The city receives numerous complaints daily about dogs running loose. Owners whose dogs are found in violation of the ordinance will be required to pay a $25 fee at the police department before the dog will be released. There will be no exceptions...

The Quorum Court had a quick meeting Monday night with nothing new on the agenda. After approval of the previous minutes and the financial reports, Poinsett County Judge Doyle Hillis apologized for the lack of any business on the agenda. "I don't know whether that's good or bad," Hillis said. "But everything's going pretty good at the moment."...

In a game which was not originally scheduled at the beginning of the season, Manila (2-4) came to Marked Tree (1-5) last Thursday night and used a strong running game to defeat the junior Indians 22-8. The junior Lions took the ball to start the game and their quarterback broke free on the opening play for a 44 yard gain to the Marked Tree 13. ...

"For two consecutive weeks, the defense stepped up for us," junior Warriors coach Brian Weathers said after last Thursday night's 36-0 win at Hughes. "We held them to 109 yards for the game and most of that came on the opening possession." The opening possession which Weathers was referring to, in essence gave EPC an extra charge as the junior Warriors held the junior Blue Devils at the goal line and never let them get that close to scoring again...

Billy Jack Taber, Sr., 54, of Flippin died Monday, Oct. 2, 2006 at the Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home. He was born March 27, 1952 at Bay. He was the son of Howard Taber and the late Wanda Williams Taber. He worked for Cessna Manufacturing Company before moving to Flippin, He was an US Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War...

Johnny Rye, Jr., Assessor of Poinsett County, is informing all homeowners, in Poinsett County, that tax relief for persons, who will become 65 or older or disabled by December 31st, 2006, will be available through the Assessor's Office in Poinsett County...

Another Trumann political candidate has been the victim of campaign sign theft and vandalism. Tammy Slinkard, who is seeking the position of city clerk/treasurer, has had many signs either stolen or written on. Slinkard said the signs were very costly and would like to have them back...

Sept. 1 -- Raymond Guthrie, Jr. of Bay, hazardous driving. Tyler K. Howard of Bay, minor in possession of alcohol. Sept. 2 -- Joshua McLaughlin of Walnut Ridge, hazardous driving. Sharon Vann of Trumann, hazardous driving. Sept. 5 -- Randy Allen of Jonesboro, failure to appear...

Winners in the Wild Duck Festival Stuff your Mutt contest were: Winner -- 16 year old Craig Criss with 66 pound, two year old Bizzare Dungan a Boxer of Trumann. 1st place -- 5 year old Baileigh Schmidt with seven pound, eight month old Kolby, a shiatsu of Jonesboro...

The Poinsett County Retired Teachers Association held their first meeting of the 2006-07 year at the Family Life Center of Trumann First Baptist Church. A total of 25 members representing three of the county school districts attended. Program presenter of this meeting was Dr. ...

The Trumann Poinsettia Club met at the home of Debby Norman, Oct. 2. There were six members and one visitor present. After minutes and finance reports were read and approved the was a discussion about the Wild Duck Festival. All the ladies were glad it was over and comes but once a year...

The Trumann Housing Authority is proud to announce the winners of the Yard of the Month contest for the month of August. They appreciate all those participating and wish to encourage everyone to continue in their efforts throughout the year. First place winner is Alice Moreland at 307 Melody; second place winner is Rosie Harris at 202 Cherry Drive; and third place winner is Lavell Tippitt at 710 Mildred Ave. ...

Cecil Passmore is asking for your vote for to re-elect him as alderman in ward four position 1. Passmore has been a member of the American Legion for 40 years and has lived in Trumann for the past 32 years. He has worked to build Trumann up and make it a better place to live...

Herb Maxwell the incumbent councilman for ward 5 position 2 announced recently he intents to seek re-election for that position. "Thank you for the opportunity of representing ward 5 on the city council of Trumann for the past two years," said Maxwell. "With Trumann expanding west toward the bypass and development of a new high school ward 5 promised to be one of the most dynamic growth areas of the city over the next few years."...

Brenda Blagg has been a resident for most of her life. She and her husband, Luther, have been married for almost 39 years. They have five children and eight grandchildren, who all live in Trumann. She is very community minded and has participated in many various community volunteer projects such as the American Cancer Society, the Police Boosters Association, Wild Duck Festival, Chamber of Commerce, Cops for Kids, Trumann Fine Arts and other events when called upon. ...

Trumann Chief of Police Larry Blagg is serious when he says the department is going to put a stop to drug use and trafficking in Trumann. As part of the departments ongoing campaign to rid the town of drugs the department did a "bust out" last Wednesday afternoon. ...

Teresa Ann Peifer, 46, of Trumann, formerly of Harrisburg died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 at her home in Trumann. She was born April 12, 1960 in Harrisburg, the daughter of Bobby Peifer and Martha Ann Peifer. She is a former employee of Woodbriar Nursing Home in Harrisburg and was of the Baptist faith. She loved spending time with her grandchildren...