Stories from Wednesday, May 14, 2008

An apparent murder rocked the community of Trumann as residents woke Monday to the news of an early-morning incident at Columbia Forest Products, a local factory. Trumann police chief Larry Blagg has released details of the event...

The Trumann Police Department tactical team, the Viper Squad, is having a car was Saturday, May 17 on the corner of Hwy 69 and 463. All proceeds will go towards purchasing equipment and sending officers for training. All efforts by the police department for fundraising is for the betterment of the department so they can serve the citizens of Trumann better...

Democratic voters will vote in four contested races when they head to the polls Tuesday, May 20. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Incumbent Doyle Hillis will face Charles Nix of Harrisburg and Steve Jernigan of Lepanto in the race for Poinsett County Judge. In the race for county clerk, incumbent Fonda Condra is challenged by Chris King...

Work on the new Trumann High School is progressing quickly these days with the look at the site changing almost daily. The new complex is being built on West Main Street Extended where the Trumann School District owns 62 acres of land...

Matthew Mangrum, 501 Joy Lane, Jonesboro, was arrested on April 29 by Capt. Jerry Foster and charged with violation of Arkansas hot check law. After appearing in a probable cause hearing in front of Judge Steve Inboden he was given a bond of $1,500...

Four Trumann High School seniors sit at the top of their class academically as they prepare for graduation. Some people in town may have been surprised that the Class of 2008 has three valedictorians and one salutatorian. But Colton Everart, Jordan Hendrix, Daniel Holt and Brittany Marshall weren't surprised. ...

Beginning this month, the Lepanto Police Department will sound tornado sirens when a tornado warning is issued for Poinsett County. Capt. David Layman stated that with new Doppler radar innovations, a storm can be "tracked" to a specific area...

Two years of hard work has finally paid off for the city of Marked Tree. The city has completed the requirements for certification as an Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE). Marked Tree's certification came as part of the "Our Plan" program, a pilot program developed through Arkansas State University which an outline of the process and a guide for the city to follow through the steps in becoming ACE certified.. ...

Members of the Johnny Cash family were out in force Saturday night, May 3, to take part in the "Cash Welcome Home Concert," at the Dyess Community Center. John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter Cash, rented a large tour bus to bring the cousins, aunts and grandkids from the Hendersonville, Tenn. area to his father's hometown of Dyess for a unique fundraiser...

Friday, April 4, 2008 Greg Terrell and Greg Rogers of Lepanto were arrested by Arkansas State Police Rocky Rapert on highway 135 south of Lepanto after a routine traffic stop was made. Trooper Rapert initiated the traffic stop and shortly afterward contacted the Lepanto Police Department for assistance...

On April 29, Katherine Renfroe, 20, of Marion was arrested by the Marked Tree Police Department. She was stopped by Detective Jeremy Bond for defective equipment. Marked Tree's K-9 "Tess" conducted a search of the vehicle resulting in the discovery of drug paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine along with a small quantity of methamphetamine. ...

On April 29, Katherine Renfroe, 20, of Marion was arrested by the Marked Tree Police Department. She was stopped by Detective Jeremy Bond for defective equipment. Marked Tree's K-9 "Tess" conducted a search of the vehicle resulting in the discovery of drug paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine along with a small quantity of methamphetamine. ...

For most, the cost of medicine is a burden. But according to Ruth Ann Terry of the Crowley's Ridge Rural Health Coalition, it doesn't have to be that way. "We have a program that helps anyone that is uninsured or has no medicine coverage," said Terry...

Dorman Ray Cooper, 26, of Marked Tree died May 12, 2008 in Trumann. Born August 8, 1981 in Memphis, Cooper was a security guard and a member of West Ridge Baptist Church in West Ridge. He was employed with Securitas in Trumann as was working at the Columbia Forrest plant at the time of his death...

Gerald Wayne Harris, Sr., 60, of Osceola died May 8, 2008. He was born April 11, 1948 in Hernando, Miss. He was a factory worker, a member of the Army, and a member of the Baptist Faith. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, Charles Henry Harris and Maudie Knight, one daughter, Tracy Lynn Harris, one brother, Charles Ricky Harris and one sister, Margaret Harris...

Joney Dale Ivy, 54, of Turrell died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He attended the Church of God. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kristie Sue Ivy and a brother, John Ivy...

Gene Tyler, 87, of Lepanto, died May 6, 2008, at Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree. He was born July 27, 1920, to Jess and Deenie Tyler. He was retired from Singer Manufacturing Co. in Trumann. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Otis Tyler and two sisters, Lena Rogers and Arkie Boyer...

Ashton Smith, a senior at East Poinsett County High School was selected to receive a $1,000 academic scholarship by the Fund for Rural Education and Development (FRED). The award is given based on merit and demonstrated commitment to rural life. Sponsored by Ritter Communications, Smith will be using this scholarship to attend Mid-South Community College and plans to pursue a nursing major...

The annual Brad Godwin Memorial Fish Fry was held last Friday. The proceeds of the fish fry will be going to the Brad Godwin Memorial Scholarship. It was held at the Marked Tree Elementary Cafeteria. Every attendee was greeted by Brad's parents, JT and Sharon Godwin of Batesville...

East Poinsett County High School and Marked Tree High School seniors are anxiously awaiting their graduations. EPC graduation will be at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8 on the football field. Class valedictorian is Matt Smith and salutatorian is Stephanie Steakly. ...

Democratic voters will vote in four contested races when they head to the polls Tuesday, May 20. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Incumbent Doyle Hillis will face Charles Nix of Harrisburg and Steve Jernigan of Lepanto in the race for Poinsett County Judge. In the race for county clerk, incumbent Fonda Condra is challenged by Chris King...

The fourth annual "Saddle Up for St. Jude" trail ride was held Saturday, May 10 at the Fires Horse Arena in Rivervale. Over 30 people participated with 28 horse riders and two wagons. A large crowd of over 150 also filled the arena to watch the ride...

In April 2007, the Lepanto Police Department hired a new police officer. That officer was Rocca, a Golden Retriever drug detection dog. Rocca's handler is Officer Nick Radick. Since the two have been partnered together they have accomplished a lot of what they set out to do...