Stories from Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Democrat News Staff Although the Democrat reported last week that Ronnie Harrison won the race for Trumann Mayor, news that came after the paper went to press indicated that votes coming from oversees could change Harrison's three vote lead over challenger Shelia Walters...

Ruby Harris, 78, of Bay died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born in Sanburg, Tenn. to Ronal and Maggie Rodgers Lynch and had been a homemaker and factory worker who had worked for several factories in the area. She was a member of the Walnut Street Baptist Church and the Caregiver's Sunday School Class...

Troy Ransom Wilson died Monday, Nov. 27 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 83. He was born in Mountain View on August 23, 1923, the son of the late Ellis Newton and Willy Mertyl Wooton Wilson. He had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann and was a retired Singer Company employee and a member of the Providence Baptist Church...

Lou Donald Weems Dudley died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, at the age of 92. Born in Pontotoc, Miss., on Friday, Aug. 21, 1914, she was the daughter of the late L.A. and Ludie McMurray Mathews. She had lived in Trumann from 1938 to 1956 and was formerly of Louisiana and New Mexico. She was a housewife and of the Baptist faith...

Mr. Norman Edward Francis, Sr. 82, of Trumann, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in and a lifetime resident of Trumann he was a well known businessman for over 50 years. He was a member of the Shady Grove School Board, manager of the Shady Grove ball team, chairman of the Trumann Planning & Zoning Commissioner, former member of the Trumann City Council, member of the Trumann Masonic Lodge 693, a 32nd degree mason and a member of the First Baptist Church in Trumann. ...

"I have no doubt that we were playing the best junior high team in the conference," said coach Jason Durham after his Trumann Wildkittens lost at Westside 49-20 last Friday night. "They've got one kid who's 6-6 as an example." Durham said his team seemed to be no where near as ready for the junior Warriors as they were for Gosnell earlier in the week...

The Trumann Wildkittens opened their season last Monday night against Gosnell, dropping the game 63-60 when a last second three-point attempt by Ryan Ragan rimmed out, ending the contest. Even with the loss, however, coach Jason Durham was pleased with his team's effort...

When Marked Tree (0-2) took the home court for their second game of the season against Bay, coach Barbara Wilburn and her charges knew they would have a challenge. Always formidable, the Yellowjackets also had nine games under their belts with a 7-2 record...

Trumann's Lady Wildcats scored the first two points of the game Monday when they played Nettleton in the opening round of the Pre-Holiday Tournament at Bay. Unfortunately, this was one of the few positives for the Lady Cats as they went down to defeat, 69-22...

The Lady Wildcats notched their first win of the season Saturday afternoon 56-32 against Brookland in the consolation game of the Pre-Holiday Tournament at Bay. Instrumental in the win was Morgan McKenzie who hit 20 of 22 free throws on the way to a 32-point performance...

Mr. Jimmy Ray Watkins, 68 of Trumann, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 evening at the family residence. He was born in Trumann and lived most of his life in Trumann after moving back from Michigan City, Ind. He was past member of the Wheeling Eagles Wheelchair Basketball team, previously served as trustee of the First General Baptist Church where he was a member...

James Allen Vail, Sr. died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006 in Lennox, S.D., at the age of 89. He was born in Caledonia, Miss., the son of the Robert Gillian and Eva Green Stevens Vail and had lived in Trumann for most of his lifetime. He had lived and worked in Chicago for 16 years before returning to Trumann after retirement. Mr. Vail was a retired security guard and of the Baptist faith...

"I feel very blessed and honored to have received this award," smiles Carla Stark about receiving the "Rockin' Apple" award. Stark received the award last month after she was nominated by the students in her classroom at Cedar Park Elementary School in Trumann...

Melissa G. Sullivan, 23, of Harrisburg was seriously injured Sunday night when she was accidentally shot in the facial area. According to a report from the Poinsett County Sheriff's Department, a call was received at 2:53 p.m, on Sunday, Dec. 3 from the residence of John L. and Brenda Sullivan, 21673 Morning Sun Road in Harrisburg, advising a girl had been shot in the head at the residence. County Deputy Chris Holt responded to the scene as well as Trumann Ambulance Service...

It is heartbreaking to think some children will go without any gifts at Christmas. Cedar Park Elementary is trying to help lessen the number of children who go without, but it can not be done without the support of the community. In the main entryway of Cedar park Elementary is an Angel Tree. ...

The holidays are in full swing and everywhere one looks there are reminders of the season with touches of holiday decorations. Some go all out with glitter and glitz while others keep they decorations low key. No matter what the style of decorations, there is one common thread that can be found in nearly every home or business, the Christmas tree...

Army National Guard Pfc. Brian J. Daffron has graduated from the Food Service Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. The course is designed to train servicemembers to perform preliminary food preparation procedures according to Army production schedules and recipes; cook, bake and serve food in large and small quantities, field and garrison kitchen operations; and general operation of Army dining facilities, including cleaning and housekeeping, sanitation measures, and storage of subsistence items.. ...

Army National Guard Pfc. Richard B. King has graduated from the Food Service Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. The course is designed to train servicemembers to perform preliminary food preparation procedures according to Army production schedules and recipes; cook, bake and serve food in large and small quantities, field and garrison kitchen operations; and general operation of Army dining facilities, including cleaning and housekeeping, sanitation measures, and storage of subsistence items.. ...

Sheila Williams, 312 Cross, was arrested on Nov. 24 by Ptl. Glen Smith. She was charged with possession of meth with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana second offense, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a communication device, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of distribution near a certain facility...

Charlott Jones, a CPA with Jones & Company, Ltd in Jonesboro, presented a program on tax savings tips to the Trumann Lions Club last Wednesday. She said the first step in filing taxes is to determine how to will file, whether it is single, married filing jointly or married filing separately. She said filing jointly usually results in paying less taxes...

The Trumann Poinsettia Club showcased another successful Christmas Tour of Home last Sunday. Homes featured on the tour were Brent and Sarah Jacobs, 116 Summer Blvd.; John and Christie Dunman, 457 Fox Run; Larry and Mary Lee Loggins, 624 Country Club Terrace and Neal and Camille Turner, 1262 Bermuda Way. ...

The inexperience showed almost immediately when the Lady Wildkittens (0-5) took the court against Rector in the consolation game of the Pre-Holiday Tournament Saturday at Bay. The first quarter turned out to be a 16-2 run on the way to a 45-12 final outcome...