Stories from Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Sgt. Erich Smallwood was honored by his alma mater last Friday when Trumann High School retired his football jersey in a moving halftime ceremony. A 2002 graduate of THS, Smallwood died in Iraq on May 26 from injuries suffered in an IED blast. At THS, he wore number 20 and played running back for the Wildcats. He also ran track and played baseball as a high school student...

I am proud to say I am an Indian and a Wildcat. Admittedly I am more Wildcat than Indian, but both mascots are part of me and my history. When ASU changes their mascot, will alumni still be Indians or will they be the fighting Mosquitoes or whatever ASU chooses?...

Central Missionary Baptist Church, 610 W. Speedway, is hosting a revival Oct. 21 -- 24. Service times will be 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21 and 7 p.m., Oct. 22 -- 24. Evangelist will be Bro. David Spurlin, church pastor is Bro. Bill Maxwell. Everyone is welcome to attend...

The Trumann First General Baptist Church is hosting a children's Fall Festival from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Oct. 24 in the church gym. All children ages pre-school -- sixth grade are welcome to attend. There will be food, games, a moonwalk and candy prizes. The church is located one mile west of Trumann, just south of Hwy 69. Bus transportation is available by calling 483-2343...

Civil War authority Dr. David W. Blight will be the featured speaker in the fourth event of Arkansas State University's 2007-2008 Lecture-Concert Series. Blight will present a lecture, "A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom," on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Reng Student Services Center/Student Union Auditorium...

Every once in a while we all have one of those days where it seems like everything that can go wrong goes wrong. Sunday was one of those days for me. I had stayed up very late the night before working on some around the house projects. Staying up late meant less sleep, and of course I overslept more than I should have...

I never met Erich Smallwood. However, I have a deep respect for the young man. I've listened to people recount the circumstances of his life. He overcame hardship and family difficulties at a young age. He persevered to become a young man any family would be proud to call their own...

If you've been looking for something to do around the house during the recent cool snap. Then consider planting bulbs for the winter. If you pay careful attention when selecting, your bulbs may begin to flower as early as February. According to Janet Carson, horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, bulbs are one of the easiest blooms to produce in the garden. In Arkansas, the most common bulbs grown are crocus, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips...

The crisp fall air, stadium lights shining on the football field, reminiscing with high school classmates and teachers, sitting with family and friends and singing the National Anthem followed by our high school Alma Mater. This is what I had the privilege of experiencing when I came home to Trumann on Friday, Oct. 12...

Dear Trumann voters, I just want to thank all of the people who came out and voted. I think it is says a lot about the people in this city, when they come out and vote, especially those who don't have children in the school. It will be a great honor to serve the community on the Trumann School Board...

Rick Thompson, County Extension Agent -- Staff Chair 4-H may be reaching the century mark in Arkansas, but nationally this youth education movement based on learning by doing has its roots in pre-Civil War America. Franklin Reck's 1951 book "The 4-H Story," sees the origins in the club work and sponsored crop contests conducted as early as the 1820s...

Cleve Naomi Brown, 89, died Wednesday, Oct. l0, 2007 at the family residence in Trumann. She was born was born on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1917, the daughter of the late Elex and Effie Gatlin Elrod. Born in Decatur, Ala. she had lived in Trumann the past 50 years moving from Alabama...

"Our goal in the beginning of the year was to get above .500," said Wildkitten coach Nick Richardson after Trumann traveled to and defeated Highland 22-14 to go 3-4 on the season. "Now our goal is to win out so we can get to 5-4 and have a winning season."...

Help is on the way for Trumann parents who want to help their children improve their school performance. A special parents meeting titled "Help Your Children Do Better In School" will be held Thursday, Oct. 18 in the Trumann High School Library. This meeting is designed for parents with children in grades sixth-12th. Child care is available for children (kindergarten through 9th grade) if parents register for the class in advance...

The Poinsett County Election Committee will meet Wednesday, Oct. 17 to recount the two Trumann School Board runoff race ballots. Voting on the two runoff races was held Tuesday, Oct. 9. Poinsett County Clerk Fonda Condra announced Friday that the recount would take place. Condra said the recount was necessary because a talley sheet and a final certification sheet did not match. She said it was possible that a number was transposed on the sheet...

The equivalent of a classroom of teens dies each day. State Farm and its partners support Congress' action to reverse this trend by enacting the first-ever National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 15-19, 2007. The week encourages parents, young drivers, lawmakers and schools to work together to change risky driving behaviors and help save lives...

The extended Penter family had their first family reunion in years. The family was so exited to get together and visit. They celebration was at the home of Damon and Tammie Slinkard of Trumann. Family members came from Trumann and other area Arkansas towns and many out of state family members traveled in from Missouri, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Illinois...

The Maple Grove EHC met Oct. 8 in the church fellowship center with 11 members present. A pot luck lunch was enjoyed before the president, Mary L. Johnson called the meeting to order. Willie Jo McGirr, read the thought of the month, "The men who try to do something and fail, are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed."...

Those interested in genealogy should make plans to hear a presentation by Steve Whiznant, Arkansas Vital Records, "Using Vital Records in Genealogy." The presentation is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum's Educational Center...

Brandi and Clay Hamilton of Trumann are proud to announce the birth of Emily Rose Hamilton. She was born at 3:59 a.m., Oct. 6, 2007 at the NEA Women's Medical Center in Jonesboro. She has an older brother, Trevor Hamilton. Her grandparents are Joy Carmon and Houston Hamilton and is the great-granddaughter of Beulah Steen...

Letter to the Editor: Thank you Trumann for allowing me to use your skate park for the competition during the Duck Festival. There were over 300 people in attendance for the event. There were skaters from Trumann, Jonesboro, Paragould, Marion, Pocahontas, Leachville, Gosnell, Biggers Reyno and Germantown Tenn. ...

Discussion of a tax resolution and the passage of an annual millage resolution were the only business when the Trumann City Council held a brief meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9. All 10 aldermen were present for the regular meeting with only three items of new business on the agenda...

The City of Trumann threw a party last Saturday for several of its hometown heroes. Twenty-nine soldiers were honored with certificates from the city honoring them for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event was held at the Trumann Recreation Building at the Trumann Sports Complex...

The Trumann School Board listened to concerns from an elementary student's parents and approved bids for the new Trumann High School complex under construction in its regular meeting last week. Jim and Deanna Reed addressed the board about their concern for the safety of their child who attends Cedar Park Elementary. ...

Poinsett County Veterans Service Officer Terry Long says the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle has a number of specialty license plates available for veterans. "Many people are familiar with or have probably seen the Disabled Veteran plates or the Purple Heart plates," said Long. "But there are also license plates available for veterans who have served in a number of military campaigns or who have retired from the service."...

Chief Larry Blagg is excited to announce the retiring of one K9 and the addition of a new one. K9 Canton had been with the department for nearly ten years before Chief Blagg decided it was time for her to lead a life of retirement. The black lab now lives with the Chief and his family...

Amber Elrod, 1277 AR Hwy 175, Hardy, was arrested by Det. Capt. Jerry Foster, Ptl. Tony Postell and Ptl. Erik Willbanks. She was charged with theft by receiving. According to reports, Elrod sold a television that was stolen. She was released on her own recognizance and given a Nov. 20 circuit court appearance date...

Penalties, turnovers and bad decisions marred Friday night's game between Osceola and Trumann, but when the dust had settled the Seminoles stole a 31-16 victory, dealing the Wildcats a severe blow for their conference title hopes. The two teams combined for over 200 yards in penalties. Both teams suffered roughing the punter penalties and both were flagged for personal foul and pass interference calls as well...