Stories from Friday, July 8, 2011

TRUMANN - Mrs. Mary Helen Brock, 84, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born in Savannah, Tenn., and lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. Mrs. Brock co-owned and operated E. Brock New & Used Furniture Company with her husband for many years and later worked in Jonesboro for DuPont Corp. She was a member of the Viva Drive Church of Christ in Trumann. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Brock Sr.; two sisters, Beatrice Luna and Ocene Bonds; her parents, Milton P. and Lola Estella Young Parrish, and one grandson, Michael Shane Hobbs. Survivors include one son, Ernest Lee Curtis Brock Jr. and wife Jennifer of Jacksonville, N.C.; one daughter, Mary Lee Cunningham of Jonesboro; her longtime companion, Elbert J. Stanley of Jonesboro; two grandchildren, Caleb Brock Cunningham of Memphis and Ashley Hancock of Wilmington, N.C., and six great-grandchildren, Noah Brock Cunningham, Coleman Cunningham, Ian Cunningham, Chandler Hancock, Conner Hancock and Cyler Hancock. Flowers, trees and gardening were passions of Mrs. Brock. Passersby could often see her out on her riding mower in her yard making it look neat and beautiful. She also enjoyed visiting and joking with friends like the folks she and Elbert frequently ate with at Main Street Café. Mrs. Brock was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Doing for them" was something that brought her much happiness. Funeral service was Friday morning, July 1, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Chris Harrell officiating. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Pallbearers were Howard Luna, Sonny Bonds, Ron Moss, Jerry McKinney, Oliver Hinds and Don Cole.

TRUMANN - Mr. M. Dale Harvison, 86, of Trumann, died Monday, July 4, 2011, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born in Sulphur Rock, Ark., and had lived in Trumann for the past 58 years. Mr. Harvison was a retired electrician for the Singer Company in Trumann, veteran of the U.S. Army and Korean War, member of the Trumann American Legion, Past Master of the Trumann Masonic Lodge #693, was one of the original members of the Trumann Jaycees in the 1950's and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Trumann. He was preceded in death by four sisters, three brothers and was the son of the late D.M. and Ethel Boling Harvison. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Patricia Massey Harvison of the home; one daughter, Patty DeFord and husband Greg of Trumann; one son, Danny Harvison and wife Karen of Trumann; four sisters, Vera Lewis of Sheridan, Ark., Leona Russell of Jacksonville, Ark., Lillian Phillips of Jonesboro, Ark., and Kathryn Smart of Harrisburg, Ark., and five grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kelsey and Kylie DeFord and Josh and Matt Harvison. Funeral service was Wednesday afternoon, July 6, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Trumann with Rev. Charles Cooper and Rev. Jeff Weaver officiating. Burial followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark., under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann. Nieces and nephews served as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Cook, Al Lindsey, Scot Taylor and Mike Dungan. Visitation was Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 220 Pine Avenue, Trumann, AR 72472. An online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

LEPANTO - Theardis Leroy Tucker, age 31, of Lepanto passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born July 26, 1979, to Lavon Brown and the late Theardis Tucker. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Theardis is survived by his mother, Lavon, of Lepanto; three brothers, Cortney and Daniel of Fayetteville and Lamar of Joiner, and five sisters, Brittany and Wittany, both of Lepanto, Contomile, Chelsea and April, all of West Memphis, and grandfather George Tucker of Birdsong. Services were Saturday, July 2, 2011, at the Lepanto First Baptist Church with Rev. Lethe Whaley, followed by interment in the Pine Rest Cemetery.

Two men were arrested in the case of a bob truck stolen in Poinsett County and sold for scrap metal. Timothy W. Makool, 50, of 420 E. Kim Street in Wynne and Joe Michael Coats, 55, of 151 Lance Street in Cherry Valley were arrested within days of each other -- Makool on June 10 and Coats on June 15 -- both on the charge of felony theft by receiving. According to the police report from the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office, Randy Jones, 53, of Harrisburg reported June 7 that his 1966 Ford bob truck, which had been parked near some grain bins on Highway 1 south of Harrisburg near Reynolds Road, had been stolen. Reportedly, the truck did not run and would have had to have been towed away. On June 8, Jones' son, Hunter, contacted the Sheriff's Office claiming he had found the bob truck at Kool Metal Recycling in Wynne. Through the course of the investigation, investigators found that Coats had allegedly sold 8,760 pounds of scrap tin to Kool Metal Recycling on June 6 for $1,007.40. There were allegedly no photographs of either the seller, the photo ID, or the merchandise. Arkansas State Law requires scrap metal dealers to describe the items they purchase in accordance with the custom of the trade. According to the police report, Coats said a man who identified himself as Lance Coppland allegedly sold him the bob truck for $400 on June 5. Makool and Coats were released on their own recognizance. The court date for both is July 25.

The Marked Tree Board of Education recently rescinded a motion made during the regular May meeting which increased the cost of a student lunch from $2 to $2.50. Superintendent Annesa Thompson noted the school district ended the 2010-2011 year in the black in food service for the first time in the last 14 years. At the board's May meeting, Thompson said the school had received a notice that they either had to increase lunch prices or use money from district funds to balance out free and reduced lunches. She said during the June meeting that $2.50 would be significantly more than other schools in the area are charging and that an extra five cents would be needed per lunch to balance out free and reduced. The board approved keeping the cost of a student lunch at $2 and agreed to allow the district to pay the other five cents required by the state. The board heard and approved requests for school choice and legal transfers for Vedric Amos, Deangelo Griffin, Isabella Miller, Tanna Tacker, Shelby Tacker and Laine Smith. The board also approved the financial statement. End of year carryover funds for the 2010-2011 school year were at $939,603, which is up from last year's $862,443. The board authorized Thompson to move up to $100,000 to the building fund for repairs and improvements. In other business, the board: * Reviewed and approved proposed policy changes for certified and classified personnel, based on new legislation, and other changes recommended by the Arkansas School Board Association. The changes deal with things like anti-bullying, electronic tobacco products and extra training for coaches on health-related issues. * Approved a policy to allow for multi-year contracts. * Granted the district authorization to rent copiers. Thompson said they presently pay $5,000 a month to lease a copier, not counting a fee for copies on top of that. She said renting a copier will save money. The district has two copiers in the offices and needs a new one for the teachers' lounge. * Reviewed and approved ARRA plan revisions and change orders and approved continuing contract with Stuck Architecture. * Authorized Thompson to apply for a school credit card through Iberia Bank with a $10,000 limit. * Considered student insurance bids for 2011-2012. The board voted to stay with Health Special Risk, which submitted a bid of $7,200. * Accepted the resignation of Dana Neal and Sonya Huffmaster. * Voted to hire Elizabeth Smith and Chelsea Doorman as teachers and John Kelly for the summer at $7.79 an hour. * Approved correcting an underpayment of a bonus for Jessica Alderson. * Approved the hire of listed classified staff. * Approved settlement terms with Mary Kid.

Anthony Shane Fore of Harrisburg was arrested Tuesday, June 28, by Assistant Chief Gary Henry and Patrolman Jered Rolland for charges of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance (Xanax) and possession of a controlled substance (Hydrocodone). Henry made a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Fore and was granted consent to search the vehicle and Fore. Henry then located a baggie in Fore's pocket containing three different types of pills, including suspected Hydrocodone, suspected Xanax and suspected Pseudoephedrine pills. Rollands searched the vehicle and discovered a recently purchased can of Coleman camp fuel, as well as lithium batteries. Fore did not have a prescription for the Xanax or Hydrocodone and was charged for possession for each medication. He was then charged with possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine due to his possession of several items commonly used to make meth and his admission of what the evidence was to be used for. District Judge Ron Hunter set Fore's bond at $5,000 and Fore's court date will take place Aug. 29. Also on Tuesday, June 28, Toby D. May of Trumann was arrested by Detective Erik Willbanks and Patrolman Jered Rolland on charges of theft of property of a motor vehicle. On Aug. 21, 2010, Detective Willbanks was called to the scene of a vehicle accident in which the vehicle had been reported stolen only hours earlier. The suspect driving the 1997 Ford Explorer had apparently lost control of the vehicle resulting in the vehicle rolling several times. The suspect had fled the scene prior to officers arrival, but Willbanks was able to seize what was believed to be blood evidence from the steering wheel's deployed air bag and the interior of the driver's door. This evidence was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory and a DNA ample was obtained from that evidence. In June of this year, the Arkansas State Crime Lab was able to match that DNA evidence with that of a former prisoner of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Toby May. Willbanks received an arrest warrant for May and arrested May along with Rolland. District Judge Ron Hunter set May's bond for $3,500 and May's court date will take place Aug. 29.

This summer six cooking day camps, Cooking Up Fun, have been scheduled during July. One project will be completed at each day camp. Youth may participate in one or more of the day camps based on their interest and age. Twelve youth may participate in each day camp. If more than 12 youth wish to participate, an additional camp for that project may be scheduled. To register for the cooking day camps, please complete the registration form and send camp fees to the Poinsett County Cooperative Extension Service at least one week before the camp begins. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Poinsett-Co-4-H-ProgramsU-of-AR-Coop-Extension-Service for registration forms. Cooking day camp dates are: July 7 -- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, ages 5 to 8, Marked Tree Library. July 7 -- 2 to 4:30 p.m., ages 5 to 8, Tyronza Library. July 8 -- 11 a.m. to 12 noon, ages 8 to 19, Weiner Library. July 14 -- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, ages 9 to 12, Marked Tree Library. July 14 -- 2 to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 to 12, Tyronza. July 15 -- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, ages 5 to 8, Harrisburg Community Building. July 22 -- 9 a.m. to 12 noon, ages 9 to 12, Harrisburg Community Building. July 22 -- 2 to 4 p.m., ages 13 to 19, Harrisburg Community Building. Activities for the various age groups are: Ages 5 to 8 -- Cooking Basics, Fruit Rainbow Wraps, Veggie Rainbow Wraps and Orange Fizz Float. Cost: $5. Colorful fruits and veggies list: students can choose a fruit and a vegetable they will eat to bring. (Fruits and vegetables will be washed by the students and an adult will cut them during our lessons); whole wheat wraps, low fat cream cheese, lemon juice, salt, honey, peanut butter, vanilla frozen yogurt, 100 percent orange juice, lemon/lime carbonated beverage provided. Prerequisite: none. Skills learned: basic cooking utensils, basic cooking terminology, food safety. Ages 9 to 12 -ñ Cooking Basics, Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips, Tortilla Pinwheels and Orange Fizz Float. Cost: $5. Frozen strawberries, apples, kiwi, crushed pineapple, wheat tortillas, flour tortillas, cinnamon, peanut butter or refried beans and shredded cheese, vanilla frozen yogurt, 100 percent orange juice, lemon/lime carbonated beverage provided. Prerequisite: none. Skills learned: basic cooking utensils, basic cooking terminology, food safety. For more information on 4-H or the Camp Cooking Up Fun, contact your Poinsett County extension office at 870-578-4490. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.