Stories from Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The Trumann City Council annexed the Pecan Grove area last week over the objections of the residents who live there. Mayor Sheila Walters cast the deciding vote in a 4-4 tie vote. Voting for the annexation were William Thomas, James Baker, Jimmy Williams and Cecil Passmore. Casting no votes were Rick Atkins, Carmack Johnson, Herman Maxwell and Edward "Shorty" Hargrove...

June 1 -- 6:05 p.m., car fire, Hwy 69 and Commerce Drive, seven men, 20 minutes. June 4 -- 10:40 p.m., medical call, 521 Smith, six men, 35 minutes. June 5 -- 7:35 p.m., medical call, 129 Seaton, seven men, 15 minutes. June 6 -- 10:-05 a.m., roll over at Shady Grove, five men, and three Central men, 55 minutes...

Crowley's Ridge Development Council, Inc (CRDC) is conducting a workshop to educate First Time Homebuyers on the experience of purchasing their first home. In conjunction to this program, the participant can obtain anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance This is available to income qualified families from local participating lenders...

Traditionally Christmas only comes in December but this year Christmas is coming in July. The children of Trumann must have been exceptionally good to receive such a treat. The event is sponsored by area churches and is set for 6 p.m., Friday, July 27 at Couch's BBQ in Trumann...

The Trumann Housing Authority is proud to announce the winners of the Yard of the Month contest for the months of May and June. The winners for the month of May are first place Mrs. Wilma Reeves, 138 Campbell Avenue, second place Mrs. Sharon Woods at 220 Birch Avenue and third place Mrs. Ovada Phillips at 204 Cherry Drive...

With giggles, cheers and lots of smiles, children at the Child and Youth Pediatric Day Clinic will be learning about the disabilities while helping, "Jerry's Kids," in the Muscular Dystrophy Associations fun filled Hop-A-Thon set for July 27 at the local Trumann Clinic...

The Maple grove Extension Homemakers Club met in the church fellowship center on July 9 with nine members present. A pot luck lunch was shared before the newly elected president, Mary Johnson, called the meeting to order. The thought for the month, "find the good and celebrate it," was read by Wylma Parris. The inspirational thought, "a beacon of love," was taken from Psalm:25.5 was read by Lorene Sadler...

Mayor Sheila Walters announced aerial mosquito spraying will take place Thursday, July 19, good weather pending. The alternate date for spraying is Friday, July 20.

In a longer than usual agenda, the Poinsett County Quorum Court addressed issues of property reappraisals, crystal meth class action litigation and salaries for the District Judge and the various city's District Court clerks. Causing the most discussion was the latter...

LITTLE ROCK- Governor Mike Beebe announced Friday June 29 that the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has awarded $2,115,901. in grants including one in Poinsett County through its County Courthouse Restoration Sub Grant and other programs. The county will receive $93,528.00 for the restoration of the roof and entrance to the courthouse which was built in 1917 in Harrisburg...

Lion and Poinsett County Tax Assessor along with Hardie Reynolds, Jr. CAE informed the Trumann Lions on the reasons for re-appraisals in Poinsett County. Rye said re-appraisals were necessary because change affects the value of property. The reappraisal is mandated by the Arkansas General Assembly...

The City of Trumann parks and recreation department and the Central Fire Department will receive $500 and $250 thanks to the Volunteer Always Pays program and the dedication of an associate from the local City Field 3, Wal-Mart Supercenter. The dollars will go to help the running of the local organizations...

The Chaffin family of Trumann received devastating news recently when Jamie Chaffin, 35, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Doctors also informed the family Chaffin was only born with one kidney making the illness more complicated. Chaffin has already begun seeing doctors in Little Rock and surgery to remove the cancer has been set. ...

Danny Harvison resigned as chairman of the Trumann Parks and Recreation Commission last week. He was the last remaining original member of the Trumann Parks and Recreation Planning and Advisory Committee on the commission. His resignation came after weeks of controversy started when Mayor Sheila Walters fired Parks and Recreation Director Sharron Turman, a move that Harvison insists was wrong since he says Turrman was fired not for her job performance, but for her husband acting as a volunteer during tournaments at the Trumann Sports Complex.. ...

A new flag is flying over Trumann in honor of SPC Erich Smallwood. Sent from Iraq by another Trumann soldier and his unit, the flag was carried on combat missions in Balad and Baghdad, Iraq and now flies over the Trumann American Legion Memorial Park...

Trumann American Legion Post Commander Ron Taylor has a special appreciation for local Police Chief Larry Blagg. He appreciates Blagg's efforts to stop drugs in Trumann, and he was impressed when Blagg erected a sign at the police department for residents to leave message of encouragement for soldiers...

Jim Parker, 39, of Trumann died Thursday at NEA Medical Center in Jonesboro. Parker was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo. and had lived in Trumann his lifetime. He was a 1986 graduate of Trumann High School and owned and operated Jonesboro Auto Body Shop in Jonesboro and was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Tulot...

Raymond Edward Sweat, 78, of Cherokee Village died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at his daughters residence in Trophy Club, Texas. Sweat was born July 17, 1928 in Harrisburg and had lived in Cherokee Village for the past eight years. He was formerly of Cabot and Webbers Falls, Okla. He was retired from the Remington Arms Mfg. in Lonoke, was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and spent many a days filming the kids and grandkids. He enjoyed old time country music and was an avid collector...