Stories from Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Marked Tree Rotary Club honored two of its members as well as two outstanding community members Wednesday, May 6 with a special Paul Harris Fellowship award. Rotary Club President Donna Henry and past president Gary Masters received the award along with museum director Soozi Williams and Marked Tree High School JROTC commander Lt. Colonel (Retired) C.H. Overbay III...

Superintendent Joe Waleszonia couldn't help but get a little emotional as he stood and faced the crowd of students, educators, administrators, state dignitaries and more importantly the residents of Trumann...

There's so much going on it's time to cherry pick through the news and take some quick shots at what comes up. Now, as a rule I don't normally consider myself to be a whole lot smarter than anybody else, and I've got the math grades to prove it. Then again, when I find out that a majority of conservatives don't realize the Colbert Report is mocking them, what other conclusion can I come to?...

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" -- Dr. Seuss. With high school graduation approaching, I know most of you seniors are ready to graduate. ...

The days are growing longer, the weather is getting warmer and hopefully the rain has ended. That's because summer is just around the corner! The first official day of summer isn't until June 21, but tell that to the children who are anxiously crossing off the days on their calendars until summer break begins...

AJ Blaylock, 79, loving husband and father passed away May 7, 2009 at his home in Payneway. Born May 27, 1929 in Blytheville, he was a veteran of the Korean War and was retired from the Arkansas Highway Department...

Helen Laverne Vinson, 66, of Trumann died May 7, at the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born March 16, 1943, in Tyronza. Vinson was a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal Faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Gann and Martha Mae Davis and her husband, Dan Vinson...

After starting off with a 3-6 record, no one was expecting the Marked Tree Indians to do anything in the district tournament much less the regional tournament. And it would have been beyond imagination to think that they could get to the state tournament for a fifth time...

Lando Bass is a winner. Even if he loses a game or a match or doesn't come close to getting an ace or a pickoff at second or a yard in rushing, he's still a winner. When one watches the EPC senior play, it's obvious this is the case as his playing level never changes regardless of how the particular contest is going. He always plays at full speed...

East Poinsett County High School graduation will be at 8 p.m. Friday, May 15 on the high school football field. The class of 2009 includes 54 graduates, 18 of which are honor graduates. Valedictorians are Aaron Cato, Aaron Edward Hattle and Jessica Ashley Thomas. ...

It's time once again for the Tyronza Stars and Stripes Jubilee. The event is set for Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 in downtown Tyronza. Things will kick off Friday night at 6 p.m. with the Green River Band followed by karoke at 7 p.m. There will be a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m...

The city council gave Mayor Dixon Chandler the go ahead to pursue a state airport grant to help build new hangars at the city's airport. Chandler went to State Aviation Committee in Little Rock last week and was told there is money available for the project...

Marked Tree officials expect to hear back today whether they have a buyer for the former Midsouth Manufacturing building. Mayor Dixon Chandler informed the city council Monday that a wind power parts manufacturer is interested in coming to Marked Tree...

Helen Laverne Vinson, 66, of Trumann died May 7, at the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born March 16, 1943, in Tyronza. Vinson was a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal Faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Gann and Martha Mae Davis and her husband, Dan Vinson...

With school ending in just a few weeks, a lot of teens will be looking for something to do during the summer months. Those looking for part-time jobs, though, may find slim pickings...

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" -- Dr. Seuss. With high school graduation approaching, I know most of you seniors are ready to graduate. ...

The days are growing longer, the weather is getting warmer and hopefully the rain has ended. That's because summer is just around the corner! The first official day of summer isn't until June 21, but tell that to the children who are anxiously crossing off the days on their calendars until summer break begins...

Brewer earns volleyball scholarship to Williams Baptist College By MARK RANDALL, Democrat Sports Staff Eric Newell couldn't believe it when Trumann senior Haley Brewer stuffed his two time all conference middle blocker Stephanie Hart at the net...

Trumann schools will be offering a number of activities this summer which will help students in the first through twelfth grades to improve their learning experiences in the 2009-10 school year. In these programs which, will begin as early as June 1, will include instruction in sports, fun and games, swimming, gymnastics, martial art and other activities to promote academic improvement, social skills , and personal wellness.. ...

Area residents in Poinsett County gathered Thursday in Trumann to observe the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer. Trumann joined with more than 30 other communities in Arkansas and thousands more all across the United States to reflect on the importance of honoring God and the country's religious foundations and to pray for the well being of the nation and its leaders...

The new maple tree adorning front of the Trumann Police Department is a lot like the man to whose memory it is dedicated. Trumann celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree in front of the Trumann Police Department as a lasting memorial to former police chief Larry Blagg...

Carol Sexton was on her way back from St. Louis when Cedar Park Elementary School principal Cynthia Wright called her with some exciting news. Wright informed her that the school had been named by Intel as one of its three U.S. Intel Schools of Distinction for its math program...

An early morning fire Thursday destroyed Long's, a popular donut shop in Trumann, and kept firefighters busy throughout the day when the blaze continued to flare up. Fire Chief Rick Winkles said the fire started in the kitchen at around 5:30 a.m...