Stories from Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Our View: City needs to be proactive on repairs By MARK RANDALL, Democrat News Staff Now that the voters of Trumann have given the okay to extend the sales tax and bonds for water, sewer and capital improvements, the city now has a responsibility to use that money wisely to make the promised improvements...

Central Elementary celebrates benchmark progress By RUTH ANN ESTES, Democrat News Staff When the No Child Left Behind program became law, the landscape for local schools changed. Educators quickly became acquainted with terms like Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Benchmark Exams, School Improvement and subgroups...

A Trumann physical education teacher who was struck by a truck Sunday while jogging in Jonesboro remains in critical condition, a St. Bernards Medical Center official said Tuesday. Bobbie Deeann Shoemaker, 44, of 3712 Keely Drive, was jogging with a companion along Highland drive between Harrisburg Road and Rains Street when she was struck by a 1995 Ford Ranger pickup, according to police reports...

The race for the Position 1 seat on the Trumann School Board will be decided in a runoff election Tuesday, Oct. 7. Incumbent Jeff Jones will face Gary Holmes in the election. In the Sept. 16 school board election, Jones received 270 votes and Holmes had 179 votes. ...

Paula Robertson, like many people, had heard about the United Way. But she really had no idea about all different things they do to help make life better for people in Northeast Arkansas. "The United Way was kind of on my radar," Robertson said. "I really didn't put two and two together and frankly, I just never put together all the needs that are out there."...

Teacher of the year runs in the family By RUTH ANN ESTES, Democrat News Staff Trumann teacher Eddie Crain was recently named Teacher of the Year by the local Trumann Wal-Mart Supercenter. Crain is among more than 4,000 teachers being honored nationwide by Wal-Mart...

The Trumann Lions Club has always named their annual barbecue in honor of the memory of one of their deceased members. This year though, club members decided to do something different. The club voted unanimously to name the 2008 barbecue in honor of two volunteers without whose efforts over the years the event most likely wouldn't be possible -- Bill and Mary Teague...

Stephen L. "Steve" Ryan, Jr Mr. Stephen L. "Steve" Ryan, Jr. was born on Sunday, January 8, 1939, son of the late Stephen Leo Ryan Sr., and Clara Christine Heckmann Ryan. Mr. Ryan died Tuesday, Sept. ...

John Thomas "J.T." Allen John Thomas "J.T." Allen, 89, of Trumann died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 at Skilcare Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Mr. Allen was born in Harrisburg and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. ...

This month -- October -- marks the second anniversary of my grandfather's death. He slipped way in the night at the age of 78, and his loss is still deeply felt by my family. I couldn't help but think a lot about Grandpa Schuk this weekend as I spent several hours at the moving "Wall that Heals" in Marked Tree...

It's going to be strange watching the baseball playoffs without the New York Yankees. For the first time in 13 years the lights at Yankees Stadium will be off in October as the team failed to make the playoffs. ...

Democrat Sports Staff The Gosnell Pirates got a taste of the Wildcats' secret weapon this week. His name is Luis Gutierrez. And the rest of the 3-4A conference, if they don't already know his name, had better learn it quick. Luis's extra point kick gave the Wildcats a 35-34 victory before a Homecoming crowd...

Gutierrez kicks lifts Wildcats past Pirates in OT By MARK RANDALL, Democrat Sports Staff When the Wildcats defense stopped Gosnell from converting for two points during overtime, head coach Greg White knew the game wasn't going to go into a second overtime...

Wildkittens lose another heartbreaker The Wildkittens could easily be 3-1. Instead, they're 0-4 with back-to-back losses in the final seconds. Up 20-0 at halftime against Highland, the Kittens appeared to have this one in the bag...

It was a bust week in volleyball for the Lady Wildcats. The Lady Cats fell to Trumann in regular action, but made it to the finals in the ASU Playday Tournament. Paragould knocked off the senior girls 25-18, 25-27, 25-11 and 25-14 in a road match Sept. 29...