Stories from Thursday, January 24, 2008

Democrat News Staff A Poinsett County jury took only 90 minutes to deliberate and convict a Marked Tree man of attempted murder of his ex-wife last Wednesday, Jan. 16. Fred Lee Jones, 52, attempted to kill his ex-wife Elizabeth Ann Jones last April 19 when he stabbed her and threw her off a rural Poinsett County bridge, according to testimony in the two-day trial. ...

Tribune Sports Staff One of the more unheralded Lady Warriors topped the scoring list Monday night in EPC's 75-53 victory over Marmaduke at Lepanto. Jocelyn Joplin hit for 21 points to help celebrate coach Bobby Lewallen's 100th victory and also to help the Lady Warriors gain their 21st win against one loss on the season...

Tribune Sports Staff Buffalo Island Central scored early and often, racing to a 31-10 lead en rout to an easy 73-50 victory Friday night at Marked Tree in 2A-3 conference action. "It was an up and down game," said coach Luke Lovins. "We played well at times and not so well at other times."...

Tribune Sports Staff Seniors Jordan Griggs and Trevor Matheny combined for 46 points to lead Buffalo Island Central to a 71-50 thrashing of the Indians of Marked Tree Friday night. Griggs poured in six three pointers as the Mustangs finished with nine treys on the night...

Paul Tucker, 41, of Harrisburg, formerly of Lepanto, died Sunday, Jan. 20 at his residence. Survivors include his mother, Opal Pearl Tucker of Harrisburg; a daughter, Lindsey Renee Tucker of Raleigh, N.C.; four brothers, Jesse Tucker of Paris, Texas, Thomas Tucker and Daniel Tucker of Harrisburg, and Phillip Tucker of Jonesboro; and three sisters, Joyce Miller of Gilmore and Rosetta Watts and Mary Watts of Harrisburg...

The Marked Tree Chamber of Commerce will hold an open meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan 31 to discuss revising the organization's bylaws and electing officers. All chamber members are invited to attend. Copies of the current bylaws are available at city hall. Those with questions may call the chamber office at 358-3000...

Early voting for the Feb. 5 primaries is set to begin Jan. 29. Registered voters may cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the courthouse through Feb. 4. Those interesting in voting absentee may pick up an absentee application at the courthouse as well...

Tribune Editor "I decided to do something about it." Those simple words were all it took for Joyce Barnes to set in motion something that could change a community and people's lives forever. They are the words spoken by a woman who has a vision for change and new ways to help a neighbor in need...

Tribune News Staff The Lepanto City Council discussed bids for the sports complex and heard from an angry merchant at its regular meeting last Tuesday. They also approved an ordinance to raise water bills for Lepanto customers by no more than 30 cents each month...

Tribune Sports Staff Coach Josh Hill was less than pleased with his EPC senior and junior squads efforts at Hoxie last Friday night. In the former, the Warriors dropped a 76-50 decision to the conference leading Mustangs. In the latter, while the Junior Warriors won, 39-24, Hill said that was the only thing positive about the game...