Stories from Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The annual Trumann Lions BBQ is this Saturday, and Lions are working overtime to prepare for the big event. For Trumann residents the first weekend in November means one thing, barbeque. The Trumann Lions Club has held their annual barbeque for over three decades...

With Youth Modern Firearm Season starting next weekend and firearm deer and duck season on the horizon, I felt compelled to write about hunting safety to hopefully raise awareness and possibly avoid a fatal accident this year in the woods, duck blind or in the home...

Halloween is a time of great fun for children, but it can be a little scary for parents and drivers. Children are often out after dark, crossing busy streets and perhaps going to unfamiliar homes. "This year Halloween falls on a school day. With excited kids excitedly going from neighbor to neighbor, drivers need to be particularly cautious," said Ray Palermo, director of public information for Teachers' Insurance Plan. ...

The Church of God, 911 Balcom Lane in Trumann, is having a Revival Nov. 2-4 with Evangelist Johnny Furlong from Oklahoma. Service times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 and at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Sunday services will be at 10 a.m. and at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4...

The annual Trumann Community Christmas meal will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Day at the Old Community House in Trumann. A free lunch will be served. Tamara Jones has organized this event since it began, she will be leaving this area after this year and the event is in need of a new organizer. Anyone interested should call Jones at 926-0136...

Kenny Allen "Kenny" Coffey, 35 of Trumann died Sunday in Trumann. Born in Harrisburg, he had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a engineer for Hytrol in Jonesboro and of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by a brother, Randall "Randy" Don Ford...

Hayden Alexander Crites, infant son of Alex and Marla Lindsey Crites, was born on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 in Jonesboro and died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Tommy L. Crites Sr., and his great-grandfather, Bill Campbell...

Herman Edward Gairhan, 85, of Trumann, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 at the family residence. He was a lifetime resident of Trumann. He was a retired farmer and supervisor for General Electric in Jonesboro, was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II and Korean war, member of the American Legion, VFW and of the Church of Christ faith...

James William Karnes, 77, of Trumann, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 at the family residence. He was born in Dover, and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a mechanic for Melton Brothers John Deer, veteran of the U.S. Army and Korean War and a member of the Viva Drive Church of Christ...

William Jerry Byrd, 74, was born on Tuesday, May 2, 1933, the son of William "Bill" and Vivian McGowan Byrd. Byrd died Sunday, Oct. 2l, 2007 at the Heritage Square Nursing Center in Blytheville. Byrd was born in Bay and had lived in Blytheville the past 20 years. He was disabled. Mr. Byrd was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Patsy Ruth Moon, Susie Mae Byrd and Juanita Penter and two brothers, Russell Ward and Robert Byrd...

Noma Pauline Brock, 94, died Saturday, October 27, 2007 at the Spring Creek Living Center in Cabot. She was born on Monday, May 5, 1913, daughter of the late Robert "R. A." and Lucy Ryan Adams in Walcott. She had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann before moving to Cabot in 2005. ...

Injuries are a part of football, but the Trumann Wildcats seem to have had more than their share this season. Running back James Dixon went down with a neck injury late in the first half of a close game Friday night at Pocahontas, and the Wildcats never seemed to recover as the Redskins went on to post a 36-12 4A-3 conference victory on homecoming night at Schoonover Field...

Sometimes columns are easy to write. Other times they are a struggle to compose. Some days the subject comes to you easily. Some days you look at the blank page and can't come up with anything to write. There are days when your fingers fly across the keys of the computer. And there are days when creativity takes a leave of absence. This may be one of those days...

When I think of Halloween, I always think about my dad. I think he loved Halloween just as much as we did as kids, maybe even more. Halloween festivities always started around our house the first week of October. Dad would get down in the floor with my little brother and me to make homemade Halloween decorations for the windows. We drew pictures of jack-o-lanterns and witches using colors and construction paper. I always thought it was sweet that my big, tough daddy would color with me...

Angela McIllwain, 431 West Main Apt. #6, was arrested on Oct. 20 by Trumann Police Department officer Ptl. Anthony Dale Parker. She was charged with forgery and theft of property. According to police reports, she was arrested after Ptl. Parker viewed a surveillance video from her place of employment. ...

The Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble will give its first concert of the 2007-2008 season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Riceland Hall, Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. The Wind Ensemble is a group of woodwind, brasswind, and percussion musicians who are among the finest instrumentalists at ASU. ...

Poinsett County Seasonal flu season is near, and it's also time to get a flu shot. On Friday, Nov. 16, the Poinsett County Health Unit will be providing flu shots from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Trumann Health Clinic, 1204 W. Main. Anyone six months and older is encouraged to participate in this one day flu clinic...

Raoul Albert Simpson, Sr., 1440 CR 168 Bay, was arrested on Oct. 28 by Det. Jerry Foster and Det. Jonathan Skaggs. He was charged with two counts of residential burglary, two counts of attempted murder and battery in the third degree. According to police reports, Scott Miles and Tracy Cook, both of 509 Harrison, went to the Trumann Police Department and reported Simpson came into their residence uninvited and poured gasoline all over their bodies while they were sleeping...

Pete Willoughby has fond memories of growing up in Trumann. He hasn't lived here in over 60 years, but one can be sure to meet up with him at every Trumann Schools Alumni Association reunion weekend. He may be 83 years old, but he's not slowing down. And he never misses a chance to reminisce with his old friends and classmates...

Halloween has always been a holiday that kids enjoy. Today, it seems that some adults enjoy it as much as kids do. Throughout the years in Trumann, the holiday has been celebrated with events for kids, fundraisers and beauty pageants. Costumes and candy, spaghetti suppers, carnivals, spook houses, Halloween programs and games have been a staple in this town since the 1940's...

One of the most important decisions in a kid's life is what to be for Halloween. There are just too many choices, and you want to choose one that is cooler than all of your friends. I remember most of my costumes ended up being covered by my coat because it was cold or raining and my mother made me wear it...

'Tis the season--the FLU season, that is. Crittenden Regional Hospital wants you to prepare and stay healthy! The Nursing Staff and other healthcare professionals at Crittenden Regional Hospital will offer drive-through flu shots from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. Shots will be available on the circle in front of the Women's Center...

One of Trumann's most anticipated beauty pageants, Miss Poinsettia, is set for 5:30 p.m., Saturday Nov. 17. Winners of this pageant are invited to participate in the annual Trumann Christmas Parade. The pageant is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. ...

The Poinsett County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 for its regular monthly meeting. The meeting will be held at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Trumann. Guest speaker will be Mary Alice Hughes, insurance specialist, who will give updates on the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, Part D...

Army National Guard Pfc. Jackie L. Sanders has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Ky. During the nine-week training period, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values...

Injuries and fumbles helped to defeat the Wildkittens 28-0 in their final game of the year last Thursday against Gosnell. "Three of our top guys were injured," coach Nick Richardson said later. "That's not an excuse, we still could have won, but it didn't help."...