Stories from Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The war in Iraq has spread tragedy across the nation for families who have lost loved ones. That tragedy struck home Saturday when friends and family learned that Spc. Erich S. Smallwood of Trumann has been killed in action near Balada, Iraq. Smallwood, 23, died from injuries he sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle...

April 2 -- 1:26 p.m., 115 E. Main Street, medical call, five men, 24 minutes. April 2 -- 2 p.m., 215 W. Speedway, good intent call, three men, 20 minutes. April 2 -- 8 p.m., 117 Bell, medical call, three men, 40 minutes. April 3 -- 8:55 a.m., 307 Melody, medical call, four men, 20 minutes...

Marilyn Pitts, 501 Ash, was arrested by Ptl. Jonathan Schmidt and Det. Jonathan Skaggs on May 24. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone) without a prescription, possession of a controlled substance (oxycontin) without a prescription and possession of a controlled substance (xanax) without a prescription...

With School getting out and the lake and pool scene kicking into full swing, as well as working in the yard and farmers tending to their crops, we are faced with the fact that sunny weather draws many Arkansans outside for work and recreation, but you may get more than you bargain for if you're not careful...

Candace Marie Chandler of Wilson and Matthew Wright of Marked Tree are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. The bride-elect is the daughter of Randy and Linda Chandler of Wilson. Her grandparents are Joel and the Late Ava Joyce Lindley and the late Curtis and Ruth Chandler...

Jason Gould of Aurora, Colo., formerly of Trumann, was awarded outstanding teacher of the Year for 2006-2007. The award came from Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, which has a faculty of 300, where he teaches AP calculus BA, AP statistics and math essentials, calculus 3 and differential equations as adjunct faculty at University of Colorado at Denver...

Members of the Marked Tree High School Class of 1957 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation June 15 and 16, 2007. At 7 p.m. Friday the group will gather in the Crowley's Ridge Conference Room of the Caraway Road Holiday Inn in Jonesboro for an informal "meet and greet" session. All MTHS alumni and others who have a special connection to the class are invited to attend...

Three Rivers Baptist Church in Marked Tree is excited to announce an upcoming "moto-vational experience" for residents of Poinsett County and beyond. Brad Bennett, a former motocross professional, will be in Marked Tree June 7 -- 10. He will perform several stutn riding shows along with giving motivational speeches...

Wayne and Erica King of Trumann are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Zoey Payten King. She was born May 16, 2007 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She weighed seven pounds and two ounces. She has one big brother, Rian, who is three years old...

The Trumann High School class of 1997 is planning their ten year class reunion and is unable to locate a number of students. Contact information is needed for the following students: Danny Adams, Latonya Anthony, Andrea Balcom, Misty Bishop, Terri Coleman, Randy Crawford, Jay Deford, Jeff Field, Julie Glidewell, Breanna Harris, Amanda Harrison, Allen Jet, Jamie Jones, Kevin Mott, Jonathan Murry, Jake Qualls, Cassie Richardson, Angela Sandfur, Christina Short, Kasondra Thompson, Priscilla Weaks, Jamie White and April Winters.. ...

Infant Lucas Aaron Bruner of Batesville died Monday, May 21, 2007 at Batesville. He was preceded in death by one sister, Faith Dale Bruner; his grandfather, Gary Dale Bruner, Sr.; great-grandparents, Bebe and Bill Greenwood, Edgar and Lucille Bruner, Charles Evans and Thomas E. and Pauline Cox...

James B. Holbrook, 73, of Lake City died Saturday, May 19, 2007 at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Kentucky, he had lived in Lake City for three and a half years and was a retired steel mill worker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tilsman and Audrey Holbrook, six sisters and two brothers...

Edward H. Roach has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard. Roach is a team leader with 19 years of military service. He is the son of Willie H. Roach of Lepanto and Mary Elizabeth Roach of Monette. His wife, Brenda, is the daughter of J.P. and Batsy A. Bishop of Red Oak Road, Marked Tree...

Seventeen top farm supply retail businesses have been selected as Environmental Respect Award state winners in the United States for 2007. Winners were selected May 3 in Willoughby, Ohio. Ritter Crop Service, Inc., based in Marked Tree, was named as the Arkansas winner...

The deadline is rapidly approaching for Arkansas high school seniors to apply for the Academic Challenge Scholarship. All applications must be submitted by June 1. Recipients may earn up to $12,000 over four years toward their education at any Arkansas college or university if they meet the requirements...

JONESBORO -- The Chancellor's and Dean's Lists for the spring semester at Arkansas State University have been released by the Registrar's Office. The two lists recognize undergraduate students who achieved the highest grade point averages while carrying 12 or more credit hours of study. The Chancellor's List includes 1,044 students who earned a grade point average of 3.80 to 4.0. The Dean's List includes 488 students with a grade point of 3.6 to 3.79...

Arkansas State University's Student Support Services (SSS) is announcing the "Bridging the Gap" Summer Bridge Program, a comprehensive program that allows students to become better prepared for their higher education experiences at ASU. "Bridging the Gap" is designed to introduce incoming or nontraditional students to the resources required for success in college and to provide them with an individualized introduction to ASU. ...

Stephen Baney of Marked Tree, a senior at East Poinsett County High School, has accepted a Dean's Scholarship to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro next fall. During high school, his achievements and activities included National Honor Society, gifted and talented, Future Farmers of America, honor graduate, and band. He plans to major in mechanical engineering...

An exciting new Summer Remediation school will be from 8 a.m. until noon, June 4 - Monday through Fridays at Trumann High School. Students entering the seventh grade this fall at THS have only one elective class to select. However, many students are required to attend remediation classes, which take away from 7th grade students their only elective class...

Whitney Kirk of Trumann, daughter of Dale Kirk and Viola Kirk, has been accepted at Harding University for the fall 2007 semester. Kirk attended Trumann High School where she was involved in National Honor Society, FBLA, cheerleading, FFA and ROTC. She will be welcomed to campus, Aug. 16 for student impact, an orientation program designed to help freshmen and new students make the adjustment to college life...

Sarah Whitton of Trumann, a senior at Trumann High School, has accepted a University Honors Scholarship to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro next fall. During high school, her achievements and activities include being valedictorian of her class and being the annual staff editor...

Williams Baptist College has released the names of students on the President's and Dean's Lists for the spring 2007 semester. The President's List includes those full-time students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average, while the Dean's List is comprised of those with at least a 3.5 GPA...

The anticipation of a heated meeting brought a larger gallery then usual to the Poinsett County courthouse Monday night for the monthly Poinsett County Quorum Court meeting. Those looking for some fireworks were not disappointed as a there were a number of exchanges between county Judge Doyle Hillis and former OEM director Merle Williams...

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for improvements to a roadway in Poinsett County, according to Commissioner John Ed Regenold of Armorel and Poinsett County Judge Doyle Hillis. The purpose of the project is to construct a bridge on County Road 48 over Ditch #10, near Trumann. J.W. Githens Company of Poplar Bluff, Mo. was the apparent low bidder on the project at $484,010.79...

Army Reserve Pvt. Crystal M. Richter has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.. ...

With a new head coach, two new assistant coaches, a new offense and a new defense, the Wildcats were something of a mystery before they held their annual spring game last Monday night at Trumann. Now, after the scrimmage, according to new head coach Greg White, things seem to be a bit more solidified...