Stories from Thursday, December 10, 2009

Norma Idell Huff, 77, of Marked Tree, died Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Huff was a homemaker and a member of the Marked Tree Church of God. She is survived by three sons, Stanley Huff of Texarkana, Texas, Larry Huff of Savannah, Tenn., and Donald Huff of Marked Tree; and seven grandchildren...

Everett E. Jones, 85, of Trumann, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Scranton and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a retired Singer employee, veteran of the U.S. Army and World War II, member of the Ninth Infrantry Cannon Company "Go Devils", was a tech 5 in Arrdens Forest at the Battle of the Bulge, and of the Baptist faith...

William "Sweet Pea" Roark, 64, of Marked Tree, died Dec. 2 at the VA Medical Center in Memphis. Born Aug. 15, 1945, Roark was a farmer and a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam. He was of the Church of God faith...

The Trumann Food Pantry will be a reality at the beginning of 2010, according to director Jeanne Johnson. Johnson said they are waiting federal paper work before officially opening. Johnson believes over 700 people will be served by the food pantry, per Department of Human Services numbers. ...

The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza will be the location of an interpretive marker honoring songwriter John L. Handcox on the new Arkansas Delta Music Trail: Sounds from the Soil & Soul. The marker will be unveiled on the lawn of the museum at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11...

Trumann Mayor Sheila Walters has received word from Jolly Old Saint Nick that a special elf will represent him at Thursday's Christmas Parade. Walters said Paul Wince will be atop a city fire truck as Santa to assist the jolly one this holiday season...

Tyronza was one of 16 communities in Arkansas to receive a portion of over $170,000 handed out in Little Rock last month. Tyronza received a $5,000 Arkansas Rural Fire Protection Grant to purchase new turnout gear. Representatives from the city were on hand to receive the funding from Governor Mike Beebe and Butch Calhoun, Department of Rural Services director, at an awards ceremony held November 10, 2009 in the Governor's Reception Room at the Arkansas State Capitol...

The weather was beautiful Saturday night as the 2009 Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade rolled from downtown Harrisburg. "The total number of entries was down from the previous year," said parade chairman Mark Weston, "but we had some great entries and many new entries."...

The 2009 Marked Tree Christmas parade winners have been selected. This year's winners are as follows: Best of Use of Theme: Barton Ag Center, Best Dressed Child/Children: The Shinnaberry's, Best Recreational Vehicle: Scott's Furniture for "Gold Cart Gift Box," Best Dressed Pet: Polo belonging to Dustin Hood, Best Decorated Automobile: Michael Nowlin's 1925 Ford Model T Roadster...

Christmas Miracles: Holiman thankful for health By MARISSA HOLIMAN (Editor's Note: This is part one of our three part "Christmas Miracle" series.) "There is hope for me yet Because God won't forget All the plans he's made for me...