Stories from Thursday, July 16, 2009

In the movie "A Beautiful Mind," the character of John Nash vividly describes what became known as the Nash Equilibrium theory. In a nut shell, the theory, which won him a Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994, states that all members of a group will benefit more as individuals and as a group if they all knowingly work toward their goals together with a common mind, and not with the desire to outdo one another.. ...

Harold Wayne Wood was born February 16, 1970 in Osceola to Kenneth and Effie Wood. He was a farm worker, a lifetime resident of Poinsett County and of the Pentecostal Faith. Wood passed away June 23 in Marked Tree at the age of 39...

Hazel Juanita Madden, 85, of Trumann, Ark., died Monday, July 6, 2009 at the home of her daughter in Festus, Missouri. She was born in Tuckerman and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a homemaker and a member of the Providence Baptist Church. ...

William Edward Criswell, Jr., 18 of Tyronza, died Saturday, July 11, 2009, at UAMS in Little Rock.He was a senior at Marked Tree High School. He was a member of ROTC, ROTC Cadet Challenge, band, and a member of Black Oak Baptist Church. Survivors include his father, William E. ...

Dessie Irene Baine, 89, of Trumann, AR, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Trumann Health and Rehab. She was born in Caledonia, Miss., and had lived in the Harrisburg area her lifetime. Baine was a homemaker and a member of the Burch Street Church of God. ...

The Trumann 14s got some major league advice and encouragement from a guy who knows what it's like to play in the "big leagues."...

Not long ago I claimed that I didn't know enough about the health care issue to have an intelligent opinion on it. Since Congress has been debating the issue, I've learned a lot. I'm beginning to think differently about it. I have realized that the solution is not that complicated. In fact, It's a no brainer, which should make it congress' specialty...

Those of you familiar with me and my articles know that I am an attorney, but also know that I am privileged to serve on the MT school board. I feel it is important for the public, especially the stakeholders who pay the real property taxes, and those that have students in the MT school system, to know their teachers and get involved as much as work and other family responsibilities will allow in your student's education. ...

There are a lot of dumb laws on the books. In Arkansas, for example, the Arkansas River can rise no higher than to the Main Street bridge in Little Rock. What are they going to do? Write Mother Nature a ticket?...

I came across an email from a friend the other day. The title of it was 'Do You Know Everything?' I found this to be quite fascinating and filled with some funny useless facts. Did you know that the liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma?...

I get teased occasionally by my friends and family about my avid use of the internet to look up medical information. If I become ill enough to need to see the doctor, I like to be informed about the possible causes of my symptoms and what kind of treatment I might expect the doctor to prescribe. Now before you label me a hypochondriac, let me tell you a story...

Well, it's still early and things can happen to change the look of a team between now and Sept. 5, but as I did last year, I'm going to make my uneducated picks for the Hogs and Wolves...

The Harrisburg School Board met in regular session Monday night with a relatively long agenda. After approving the minutes and financials from the June meeting, the board approved the commodity bid list for the 2008-09 school year...

Questions about whether the lighting installation at the Recreational Sports Complex was what the city ordered resurfaced again during the Marked Tree City Council meeting Monday night...

In a move which they no doubt hoped would help attract other industry to the county, the Poinsett County Quorum Court Monday night approved a measure to allow Rusken Packaging to be refunded sales and use taxes they may accrue once they are in operation in the county...

William Criswell was looking forward to starting his senior year at Marked Tree High School this fall where he was an active member of the JROTC. Instead, his friends and family are preparing to salute him one last time...

No matter where George Haner goes in northeast Arkansas, he's not far from some of his handiwork. From the fence at the Pocahontas County Courthouse to the fencing around many of the houses at Sage Meadows in Jonesboro, to cemetery entrances such as Memorial Park at Harrisburg, Haner's iron and metal working skills are easily seen...

There is an old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats. And everyone in Poinsett County is in the same boat when it comes to jobs. What's good for Trumann is good for Marked Tree and Fisher and Harrisburg and Weiner. And vice versa...