Stories from Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Trumann now has a new family restaurant to dine at. The Mexican Taco Express opened its doors to the public nearly one month ago. The restaurant is really family friendly, because it is ran by family members...

The sale of surplus items the City of Trumann owned but wasn't currently using brought $44,200 into the city treasury this weekend as the city held its first surplus auction at the Old WalMart Building on Highway 463...

The Trumann cheerleaders are having a huge rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., rain or shine, Saturday, May 3 in the high school gym. There will be clothing of all sizes, household items, half price new Trumann t-shirts and Wildcat memorabilia, old cheerleader uniforms, cheerleader duffle bags, cheerleader wind suits and much, much more!...

The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Central community invites everyone to join friends and neighbors at the third annual community fish fry. The fish fry will start at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3 at the church, 20510 158, just north of Greenfield...

A parent's night out pajama party is being sponsored by the Trumann First Assembly of God on May 8. The night is for ages three to six. Children will enjoy snacks, games, music, movies, bible stories, coloring and lots of fun at the Assembly of God Fellowship Hall...

County Clerk Fonda Condra reminds everyone early voting will begin begins Monday, May 5 at the Clerk's office in the Courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays...

The Trumann Police Department tactical team, Viper Squad, is having a car wash starting at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 3 on the corner of Hwy 69 and 463. They are having the car was to raise money to buy equipment and gain more training for officers. The city of Trumann will benefit from the team having newer equipment and training, helping them keep Trumann safer...

The Trumann PEP grant is hosting a Family Fitness Night from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 6 on the THS football practice field. The theme is Camp Wildcat and it will show students and parents some of the exciting summer camps to be offered this summer. There will be free hotdogs and chips, and admission is free. Parents or guardians must accompany students and children...

Coloring contest winner Elizabeth Sprinkle was a first place winner in the Stamp Out Smoking contest. (Democrat photo/Carin McClung)

You never know when you might come across some local history. Sometimes you stumble across things when you least expect it. I was going through some of my great-uncle Harry Buechner's belonging a couple of weeks ago. As I sat in the den and thumbed through hundreds of old photos, I hit the mother-lode...

The Trumann Democrat is proud to announce the winners of their annual Stamp Out Smoking coloring contest winners. Winners are, from left: Front - Veronica Raines, Hunter Ragland, Jared Lindsey, Makenzee Woods and Garrett Brooks. ...

When Brinna Crume smashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to put the Lady Wildcats up 2-0 over Westside Saturday at Trumann, it looked and felt as if Trumann was on their way to their first win in the 4A-3 district tournament. ...

All past and present residents of Weona Community are invited to attend a reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 at the National Guard Armory, 912 E. Jackson in Harrisburg. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy lunch and visit with friends from the past. Donations will be accepted to help with the reunion expenses...

Miss Deanna Marie Adams, of Kansas City, Mo., became the bride of John David Neldon, of Fort Sill, Okla., on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Jonesboro. Russell Shewmaker performed the double ring ceremony...

Ira M. Abbott, 90, of Trumann died Friday, April 25, 2008 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Abbott was born in Lepanto and had lived in Trumann for the past 55 years and was formerly of Harrisburg and Lepanto. He was a retired welder for the former Singer Company and member of the Trumann Missionary Baptist Church...

Doyle Ray Holt, 57, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Trumann on Monday, December 18, 1950, son of the late Allie "Cap" and Robbie Mae Pickering Holt...

Lonnie Donald Taber, 30, of Nacogdoches, Tex. died Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. He was the son of Howard and the late Wanda May Williams Taber and was born on December, 9, 1977 in Wichita, Kans...

Miss Mildred Marie Walker, 91, died Sunday, April 27, 2008 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born on Wednesday, May 17, 1916, the daughter of the late Doss E. and Mabel Irene Whaley Walker. Miss Walker...

Annalean Randall, 66, of Trumann died on April 23, 2008 in Payneway. She was a Jehovah Witness. She is survived by one daughter, Judy Ann Stapler of Payneburn; five sons, Ricky Stapler of Wynne, Silas Ray Stapler of McCrory, Melvin Lee Stapler of Payneway, George Golden of Wynne and Gerald Golden of McCrory; six sisters, Janice Fitzgerald of Fayetteville, N.C., Melva Jean Armstrong of Three Rivers, Mich., Brenda Bauemister of Allclaire, Mich., Sandra Stroud of Long Beach, Calif. ...

JD Guthrie of Trumann and Keashia Birdsong of Jonesboro would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Shaelie Addison Guthrie. She was born at 7:30 p.m., April 17, 2008 at St. Bernard's. She weighed eight pounds and 10 ounces and was 21.5 inches long...

Allen Willbanks, 237 Bell, was arrested by Cpl. Shane Blagg and charged with conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance on April 22. According to reports, a citizen called the TPD and said Willbanks just called them, thinking he had called someone else and tried to sell them hydrocodone pills. Blagg then went to the suspect's residence and arrested Willbanks after he admitted to making the call...

When Brinna Crume smashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to put the Lady Wildcats up 2-0 over Westside Saturday at Trumann, it looked and felt as if Trumann was on their way to their first win in the 4A-3 district tournament. ...

Trumann's Wildcats saw their season come to an end under threatening skies at Wilson last Friday as they dropped a hard-fought game to Pocahontas 7-6 in the second round of the 4A-3 district tournament...

Some of my fondest memories in high school happened in a cheerleading uniform. I was lucky enough to cheer for the wildcats for five years, from eighth grade to 12th grade. I remember after I had first made the squad and brought my uniforms home I was so in awe of them. I couldn't wait until our first game to get to cheer in one...

Some four year ago, EPC's Marcus Monk went from wearing Warrior red to Razorback red. Now there's been a complete color switch as he was selected to wear Chicago Bears blue in the seventh round of the NFL draft last Sunday afternoon. Called a "most intriguing seventh-round selection" by the Bears' website, Monk's stock fell last season when the Razorback's all-time TD receptions lead was injured at the beginning of his senior season. ...

Dustin Hood, a 16 year old sophomore at Marked Tree High School, isn't just the average teen. His ambitions paid off this Spring when he was one of only 30 students nation wide selected to participate in the Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution...

Farmers have been raising concerns about future I-555 virtually since the idea first became public knowledge, and last week they met with state highway officials to once again voice their opinions...

A Cash Family homecoming concert will be held in Dyess at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The concert will feature John Carter Cash, Johnny Cash's son, and his wife Laura; Tommy Cash, Johnny Cash's brother; Joanne Cash, Johnny Cash's sister; and Rhonda Ponessa, Johnny Cash's niece...

The Nichols Family reunion is being planned for Saturday, May 25 at East Poinsett County High School cafeteria. It will begin about 11 a.m. with dinner to be served at 12 p.m. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share. All other food will be furnished...

Horse riders are invited to "Saddle Up for St. Jude." The event is a trial ride for horse lovers that benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The ride will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Fires Arena in Rivervale. Riders make a $10 donation to participate in the event which includes lunch...

County Clerk Fonda Condra reminds everyone early voting will begin begins Monday, May 5 at the Clerk's office in the Courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays...

The Marked Tree School Board approved the retirement of a long-time Marked Tree High School teacher and accepted the resignation of three other district teachers last week at its monthly meeting...

Ritter Communications President Paul Waits is pleased to announce the election of the company's Director of Plant Operations, Harold Kinnel, to the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers' (SCTE) Board of Directors...

Ira M. Abbott, 90, of Trumann died Friday, April 25, 2008 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Abbott was born in Lepanto and had lived in Trumann for the past 55 years and was formerly of Harrisburg and Lepanto. He was a retired welder for the former Singer Company and member of the Trumann Missionary Baptist Church...

Goldie Lucille Britt, 75, formerly of Lepanto died Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in Manila. She loved gardening and was a wonderful wife and mother. She was a member of the Assembly of God and was retried from American Greetings...

Stephan "Steve" Wayne Elrod Sr., 35, of Osceola died April 25, 2008 at SMC Regional Hospital in Osceola. Born April 16, 1955, in Bassett, he was a former Gilster Mary Lee Manager, Osceola Municipal Golf Course superintendent and of the Baptist faith...

Paul M. Hardin, 70, of Marked Tree died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He had lived in Marked Tree most of his life and was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness of Marked Tree...

Annalean Randall, 66, of Trumann died on April 23, 2008 in Payneway. She was a Jehovah Witness. She is survived by one daughter, Judy Ann Stapler of Payneburn; five sons, Ricky Stapler of Wynne, Silas Ray Stapler of McCrory, Melvin Lee Stapler of Payneway, George Golden of Wynne and Gerald Golden of McCrory; six sisters, Janice Fitzgerald of Fayetteville, N.C., Melva Jean Armstrong of Three Rivers, Mich., Brenda Bauemister of Allclaire, Mich., Sandra Stroud of Long Beach, Calif. ...

Twenty-two students from ASU Technical Center in Marked Tree competed in the State SkillsUSA competition in Hot Springs April 15 and 16. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force...

Roby Thompson, 10, is proud to announce the birth of his little brother, Hunter Gage Thrasher. Hunter was born April 20, 2008 at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. He weighed eight pounds, three ounces...

Christy Renee Collier was married to Delbert Lee Busby Monday, April 7 at the Tyronza City Hall. The mayor of Tyronza performed the ceremony. Delbert is the son of Hubert and Frances Busby of Tyronza. Christy Collier Busby is the daughter of Cecil Bearden, Jr. and Mary Sue Brean...

The Tri-City Tribune is excited to announce the winners of the 2008 Stamp Out Smoking Coloring Contest. Kindergarten through third graders throughout the Tri-City area competed in the contest with more than 300 entries received. Local businesses who sponsored the contest judged the entries. There were many terrific colorings and poetry entries, but the judges could only pick a few...