1968

The re-vamped Piggott Swimming Pool re-opened 40 years ago this past week. The Jaycees have re-painted the building and the Jaycettes made new curtains for the dressing rooms. This year's lifeguards are Mike Faucett and Link Fuller.

In other news, the Piggott City Council has voted to form a utility commission and has instructed city attorney Hugh Trantham to draw up the necessary paperwork. Aldermen were also told that another cable TV company is interested in surveying the city to see if there is enough interest to warrant coming here..and the meeting was interrupted for about an hour after Alderman Irvin Morris was called away after his son was injured at the municipal swimming pool.

A meeting was held recently to discuss plans for the upcoming 40th annual Piggott Fourth of July Picnic and included--Jim Mowery, O.L. Mowery, Jack Ballard, Dallas Patterson and Vilas Elder. Meanwhile, the entertainment at this year's Memorial Day Service was provided by seven young men who sang, they included--Mark Cate, Steve Ozbun, Kim Eskew, Keith Morris, Mike Mouton, Randy Baker and Greg Harris.

Smith's Shoe Store was holding a big Father's Day shoe sale with golf shoes for just $12.95 and selected other men's shoes for half price.

And in sports, the Piggott Connie Mack team beat Rector 5-3 as they came from behind on Eddie Winberry's long homerun in the seventh inning. Teddy Bellers pitched the first six innings and Steve Rogers came on to close things out.

1978

The run-off for the Democratic Primary has been set for June 13. Rue Mack and Troy Graddy are contending for judge, Buster Griggs and Audie Niewald for treasurer and Berlyss Holifield and Joe Litz for assessor. In other news, Susan Wallis and Liz Dehls will be attending Girl's State on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University this summer.

Dallas George Burdin, 22, of Rector was reported missing from a barge on the Mississippi River on Saturday, June 3 while working as a deckhand. His body was found near Sikeston the following Monday. And it was reported that a new UHF television station was going on the air in Memphis as WPTY-TV 24 had received their license from the FCC.

1978 PHS grad Shaun Cameron "Cam" Cate has joined the U.S. Navy and departed for basic training in Orlando June 2. While at PHS Cam was an All-District football player and was named Mr. PHS his senior year.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" while the late show feature was "Liz".

At the grocery store this week, Taylor's Grocery had Miracle Whip for $1.09 a quart..while Greene's Market featured Roger's Grade A large eggs for .55 a dozen.

1983

An order signed by Judge David Burnett officially marked the beginning of the East Clay Regional Water District 25 years ago this week. The papers were filed on June 6. Meanwhile, the Piggott Chamber of Commerce elected new board members Jim Watson, Larry Holcomb, Joe Cole and Dr. Dent Burks at their recent meeting.

The fundraising effort continues to raise money to build the new Piggott Public Library, and the Piggott Fire Department helped with over $435 raised during their recent barbecue chicken sale. In a related story, new library cards are being issued and will go into effect on July 5. All library patrons must have one of the new cards to borrow books after that date.

Three members of the Piggott FFA attended the state convention at Camp Couchdale recently; they were Phillip Wagster, Troy Hogue and Lee Holifield. Meanwhile, heavy storms rolled through the region last Friday afternoon causing damage in Piggott, Pollard, Fagus and McDougal.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "The Outsiders" (remember PonyBoy?) and the late show feature was "Blue Jeans".

And this week's paper contained a history of the Piggott water and sewage system, which first began in 1912 with ten land owners. By 1915 a water district was set-up and well #1 was started in 1936. Other wells included #2 in 1949 and #3 in 1954 (it's located inside the power plant) and #4 in 1955. In Feb. of 1959 44.72 acres of land were purchased from Olen McFarlin for the sewage treatment pond..and in Dec. of that year the city approved the construction of a 500-thousand gallon standpipe near the cemetery. The cost of the structure at the time was $37,650.

1988

The city of Rector was still reeling from an un-provoked shooting 20 years ago this past week. The incident occurred as J.W. Herren, 36, of Rector walked into the Shell Station and shot manager Gary Dewight Fowler, also 36, as he worked. Herren surrendered at the Rector Police Station a short time later, but not before authorities had searched the city. No motive was given at the time.

Damage was moderate from an electrical fire at the Sew and Save Shop on the Piggott Square in the past week. Owners Rose and Charles Crafton reported little damage, though smoke damage was reported to Smith's Shoe Store, Greene's Market and Flowers, Sunshine and Lace.

An expansion project is expected to get underway soon for Aerial Bouquets. The company has been deeded just over three acres in the industrial park and will be building a new 80x120 foot building to house their business. Aerial Bouquets began in Jan. of 1987 and has since grown to 31 employees, owners Cord and Matt Sutfin estimated that they'd add some 20-25 more jobs when the project is complete.

The cotton harvest in Clay County for 1987 came in at 19-thousand bales with an average yield of 748 pounds per acre on the 12,200 acres farmed. Mississippi County was by-far the state's leader with 146,800 bales raised on over 88-thousand acres.

Finally, the PHS senior flag line for 1988-89 has been announced, they are--Ashley Parker, Any Farris, Jennifer Holifield and Tammy Smith.