Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Trailer destroyed by storm winds (06/17/09)
Strong storms swept across portions of Northeast Arkansas Monday afternoon, dumping several inches of rainfall on the already-wet region and causing some wind damage. The heaviest damage was reported at the residence of Ricky and Sheila Vaughn, at 5384 Route 139 between Piggott and Holly Island. ...

City Council considers loan offer from USDA (06/17/09)
The prospect of USDA grant and loan money for improvements was discussed by members of the Piggott City Council at a special meeting Monday. During the noon-hour gathering, aldermen agreed to resolutions allowing the city to apply for grants to help pay for a new police cruiser and fire truck, but tabled an effort to secure funding for sewer and water improvements...

Happy Birthday Piggott Community Hospital (06/17/09)
The official ribbon-cutting and dedication for Piggott Community Hospital was held 30 years ago today, June 17, 1979. Over the years the facility has grown, and expanded, and continues to serve the community with services and staff that rivals much larger cities. (Times photo/Tim Blair)...

Variety of entertainment planned for annual picnic (06/17/09)
A full day of activities is in store for visitors to the 82nd annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic. The picnic, which benefits the upkeep of the Piggott Cemetery, will be held Saturday, July 4, and with the event falling on a weekend, organizers expect a big crowd...

Pageant schedule set for Fourth of July picnic (06/17/09)
A full schedule of youth pageants will be held in conjunction with this year's Piggott Fourth of July Picnic, with the first set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. All of the youth pageants will feature patriotic or casual wear, and no pageant wear will be accepted. Pageant wear will only be worn for the Miss Piggott pageant, which is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, July 4...

Young players hit the court during Mohawk tennis clinic (06/17/09)
One way for a high school coach to insure a steady stream of athletes for their program is to cultivate the young talent in their district. So far this year there have been volleyball and basketball camps at PHS, and earlier this month longtime Mohawk tennis coach Paul Seegraves conducted a PeeWee tennis clinic...

It happened, years ago (06/17/09)
1969 It was reported 40 years ago this week that 1,743 families in Clay County, or just over 30-percent, now live below the poverty level. This compares to 22.6-percent nationwide and 32.4-percent statewide, but is well below the 46.1-percent that was recorded back in 1960. The poverty level was set at $1,085 per year for a single person up to $5,090 for a non-farm family of seven people...

Just call me Maxine (06/17/09)
No longer can I say that I'm getting older. For several years I've used that phase, often as an excuse for some faux pas, but now I'm not getting older. I have arrived. I knew it when the waitress called me honey and sweetie, in a condescending way, "thanks, sweetie," she said when I paid my bill. She didn't call me that when I was in my mid forties. She waited until I grew old...

Jim Watson (06/17/09)
Jim Watson, 61, of Corning died Monday, June 15, 2009, at his home. He was born November 27, 1947, in Piggott, the son of Pete and Roberta Watson. He was preceded in death by his mother and a brother, David Watson...

Walter C. Brewer (06/17/09)
Walter C. Brewer was born July 12, 1929, in McNairy County, Tenn., the son of the late Walter Carl and Lundya Ann (Milford) Brewer. He was a General Superintendent for 35 years at Brown Shoe Company, serving at both the Piggott and Selmer, Tenn., factories, and later worked for Wolverine Shoe Company for five years. He was of the Baptist belief...

Kenneth G. Parrish (06/17/09)
Kenneth G. Parrish, 81, a resident of Clay County, died June 15, 2009, at his home in McDougal after a three month bout with cancer. He was born March 22, 1928, in McDougal, to the late Furman Estle Parrish and Elsie Mae (Morrow) Parrish...

Larry Dale King (06/17/09)
Larry Dale King of San Diego, Calif., passed away June 7, 2009 --- he was 53. He is survived by his wife Sheila (Webb) King, whom he married at Piggott, Jan. 25, 1975. Larry's "love at first sight" experience blossomed into 34 years of true commitment and hard work through life's ups and downs with Shelia, ever faithful, by his side. ...