Stories from Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Dr. Floyd Arnold Smith, Jr., 81, of Trumann died Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at the family residence in Trumann. Born in Dunlap, Tenn., he had lived in Trumann for the past 54 years. He was a retired physician, veteran of the U.S. Navy where he fought in World War II, member of the Trumann Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the Trumann Lions Club, member of the Trumann Masonic Lodge #693, member of the Trumann Men's Supper Club, former president of the Trumann School Board and a member of the American Medical Assoc. ...

The death of Dr. Floyd Smith on Monday was bittersweet for me. I knew his health had been failing. Evidence of the decline of his health was apparent when I saw him at church on Sundays. I had been planning for the past few weeks to call him and schedule an interview for a feature article. ...

According to a survey of pet owners by the American Animal Hospital Association, AAHA, more then fifty three percent of dog and cats will travel with their owners. With the upcoming busy travel season, what are the best ways of traveling with your best friend?...

It's time for Fire Prevention Week, and from October 7-13 Bay Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to 'Practice Your Escape Plan.' During this year's fire safety campaign, firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs...

A Caregivers Support Group meeting is set for 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10 at Bay United Methodist Church, 300 Central in Bay. The group will meet at 6 p.m., the second Monday of each month at this location. For more information call 870-781-3262.

The community is invited to attend a Phase II: Construction Celebration at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 7 at the new high school construction site on West Main Street. This will allow a chance for residents to get an up close look at foundation work, visit with school board members, architects and construction managers and hear the most recent information about the project...

Parkin Archeological State Park is hosting an artifact identification day from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 9. This is a chance to obtain a professional opinion of a prized artifact or questionable found object. Archeologists will be on hand to answer questions and identify artifacts brought in. There is no charge for this service and appraisals will not be given on objects...

Carolyn Walker Ritter, 54, of Olive Branch, Miss. died Wednesday, Aug. 29 at Methodist Germantown Health Center in Germantown, Tenn. Ritter was born in Jonesboro, had lived for the past six years in Olive Branch and was formerly of Dallas, Tex. and Trumann. She was a ticket agent for American Airlines and a member of The Pentecostal Church in Memphis...

Jackie Ray Aker, 72, was born on Wednesday, May 1, 1935, son of the late William Clark and Thelma Francis Key Aker. He died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 at the family residence in Trumann. He was born in Jonesboro and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a welder helper, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and serving in the Korean War and of the Methodist faith...

Lizzie Mae reeves Smith, 76, of Trumann died Aug. 30, 2007 at her home from cancer. She was born Oct. 6, 1930 in Hollytree, Ala. She was a factory worker and member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Trumann. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Reeves and Rosa Moon and her husband, William Samp Smith...

Norman Joseph "Whitehawk" Thebeau, 62 of Trumann died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in St. Louis, Mo., he had lived in Trumann since 1977. He was a veteran of U. S. Army and Vietnam War a member of the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Trumann...

The Grind the Ridge skate park competition will be held at Cedar Park in Trumann beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. All entrants must be registered and checked in by 9:45 the day of the event. Registration forms are available at the Trumann Chamber of Commerce, the municipal building in Trumann, Jonesboro Parks and Recreation, the Earl Bell Center in Jonesboro, Gearhead Outfitters, Turtle Creek Mall and at Paragould Community Center...

I may not devote a lot of my column space to political issues, but this week I just have to express something that always makes me curious. Can someone please explain to me why most southerners are typically democrat? This thought occurs to me every time I think about the major differences between the Republican and Democrat parties. Just for fun, let's break down a few of them...

Teen Girl Scouts in grades seven - 12 are invited to participate in an event being hosted by the Parkin Archeological State Park from 10 a.m. 5o 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. Through experienced park interpreters, the girls will learn about primitive weapons and tools used by Native Americans, take a guided tour of the Park, play games Pioneer girls would have played and create Native crafts...

There is great news for the Northeast Craighead County communities. White River Rural Health Center, Inc. will be able to provide access to affordable comprehensive primary healthcare. This clinic site was eligible in helping Arkansas meet the President's Community Health Center Initiative in receiving a "New Access Point Grant"...

Cedar Park is excited to announce a visit from author Darcy Pattison. Pattison has written 19 Girls and Me, The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman, Searching for Oliver K. Woodman and The Wayfinder. There will be two assemblies; the first one is set for 9 a.m., for third and fourth grades and 10 a.m. for kindergarten, first and second grades...

"We expected a little smaller crowd than usual with the weather like it is and more corn being planted," said Matt Moon, chairman of the Judd Hill Cotton Technology Field Day last Thursday, Aug. 30 when he welcomed everyone in attendance. "But it looks like we have just about the same amount of people as last year."...

Trumann Lions Club member Joe Waleszonia was recently recognized by the club with the highest honor given out by Lions Club organizations, the Melvin Jones Fellow honor. The honor is in the namesake of club founder, Melvin Jones. Jones Lion Waleszonia represents the club motto of, "We Serve." He serves as superintendent of the Trumann School System, where he has been a fixture for over 30 years. ...

Molly Halsey is announcing her candidacy for Position 1 on the Trumann School Board. Halsey, whose maiden name is Tippitt, has lived in Trumann for over 40 years. She is a Trumann High School graduate. "My children attended Trumann schools," Halsey said. "I have a granddaughter who attends Central School. She is a sixth grader."...

Michael Campbell, 517 Riverbend Lane #16, was arrested on Aug. 28 by Det. Jonathan Skaggs, of the Trumann Police Department. Campbell was charged with breaking or entering, theft of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm. According to reports, Campbell was arrested by Det. ...

Last Thursday, Aug. 30 the Trumann Police Department utilized its tactical team, the Viper Squad, and executed a warrant bust out. The department has recently made several controlled drug buys and received warrants from these buys. On Thursday nine people were arrested in the bust out with more arrests pending...

The 25th Annual Wild Duck Festival, sponsored by the Trumann Area Chamber of Commerce ,will be held Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Trumann Sports Complex, according to Jackie Ross, manager of the Trumann chamber. The festival, which is a fund raising event for the local chamber, features free admission and a full carnival midway...

A source of pride for Trumann Chief of Police Larry Blagg is the Trumann Police Department Firearms and Training Facility. The facility is named in honor of Chief Corky Richardson who passed away in 2004 just weeks before his retirement. The police department began work on the facility in the late fall of 2003...

MOUNTAIN HOME -- The levels of Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes have been normal or slightly above normal throughout the summer. Although with the recent extreme heat and lack of rainfall, the lake levels have dropped several feet in the last few weeks...

Some years I am lucky enough my birthday falls on the Labor Day weekend, just as it did this weekend. Since my father-in-law Randy's birthday is on the same day, we celebrate his one day and mine another day. Then James took me out on the day of my birthday, then my grandmother and mother had a party, so James is so sick of my birthday by the time we celebrate everywhere...

Johnny and Tarera Barnes of Trumann are proud to announce the birth of their twin sons, Joseph Hunter Barnes and Noah Gunner Barnes. The twins were born on Aug. 18 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. They have five older siblings: Johnny Barnes III, eight; Shytara Barnes, six; Ozzy Barnes, five; Sonia Barnes, two; and Tonia Barnes, two...

"We played pretty well," coach Nick Richardson said about his Wildkittens first effort of the season, a 16-14 loss to Paragould last Thursday. "We had the first game jitters, but we've already made some corrections and will be ready to go to Nettleton Thursday."...