A southbound Cotton Belt freight train struck a car that was stuck on the tracks in the city this past Saturday evening. Luckily the driver, Clyde Busby, 71, of Piggott got out before the train arrived. The mishap occurred at the Castleberry crossing and the vehicle was dragged about a quarter of a mile. In other news, enrollment for new first graders at Piggott schools is set for Aug. 30.

Donna Tindall was named Miss Greenway 40 years ago this past week, first alternate was Gail Smart and second was Sheila Gardner. And a 50th wedding anniversary celebration is planned for Mr. and Mrs. James Conley of Piggott.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Planet of the Apes" and Walt Disney's "Family Band".

In sports, Rick Batey played in the state All-Star football game Aug. 10 in Little Rock and made a big impact. Batey not only did well at linebacker, but also blocked the PAT that gave the East a 21-20 win over the west.

Also in sports, Piggott State Bank is sponsoring a new ladies softball team. Members are Willa Dean Speer, Junell Johnson, Paula Gossett, Dottie Poole, Jean Moore, Agnes Moore, Evanell Beaver, Fayeon Pounds, "Peddie" Mobley, Linda Hampton, Sue Hinkle, Celia Snow, Millicent Hinkle and Carolyn Copeland… Langdon Hunter is manager.

And finally in sports, the Piggott Little League All-Star team has been announced, managed by Clyde Lampp. The roster includes, Steve Hendon, Donald Winton, Gary Luff, Scott Sale, Steve Rodery, Steve Daffron, Dale Harmon, Kim Eskew, Johnny Moody, Steve Piland, Joe Cox, Garry Harris, Mark Mann and Robert Duckworth…Phil Daffron was bat boy.

1978

The first classes were held in the new Piggott High School building (now elementary) on Monday, Aug. 21, 1978 with 407 students enrolled. Meanwhile, Greenway will resume classes Aug. 25.

The annual Clay County Fair is at hand, and will include a concert by Sonny James. It was also reported that Bill Clinton would crown the new Miss Clay County.

In other news, James Morris has announced his candidacy for mayor of Piggott, the local National Guard unit is conducting a recruitment drive…and Carroll Duckworth of Greenway brought in the first open cotton boll of the year, which he found Sunday, Aug. 20. The cotton, which was from D&PL 61 seed, was planted April 27.

The Piggott picnic netted over $11,770 this year…based on gross receipts of just over $30,400. And at the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "The End" with Burt Reynolds while the late show was "Naked Rider".

In sports, the Brown Shoe softball team took third in their district, and had three players chosen to the all-district squad. The team, managed by Clyde Lampp and Jimmy Reagan, included--Randy Jackson, Larry Massey, Kenny Payne, Gary Pollard, Robert Shaw, Richard Nash, Rex Smart, Robert England, Freddie Herren, Leon Malone, James Eason, Billy Seal and Mark Tanner. The all-district players were Payne, Shaw and Pollard.

And there were several births to announce..a daughter, Latisha Jene' was born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jetton on July 28. A son, Charles Lee was born to Mr. and Mrs. Elvis Noles Aug. 14. A daughter, Amanda Lee, was born to Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Cook on Aug. 15. A son, Johnny Ross, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fry Jr. on Aug. 6. And a son, Benjamin Craig, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Larry Winberry on Aug. 16.

1983

The annual Clay County Fair was set for Aug. 25-27, and will include one night of tractor pulls and two nights of rodeo action. In other news, Piggott Police Chief Kenny Parker assisted Deputy Sheriff Jerry Williams in finding and pulling-up 25 marijuana plants near Piggott in the past week.

In what was described as an industrial accident, Elvis O. Siesser, 25, of Rector was killed in a mishap at the Emerson Electric plant in Paragould. Also in the news, well-wishers braved 100-degree heat to attend an open house at Dr. Stephen White's new dental office in Piggott.

At the Carolyn Theater the feature was James Bond in "Octopussy" while the late show was "Debbie Does Las Vegas". It was also reported this week that donations continue to come in for the Piggott Library building fund.

The annual Old Timer's Day and Homecoming at Nimmons is set for Sept. 4…and in births to announce; a son, Brian Neil, was born to Timmy and Dianne Stahl of Piggott on Aug. 19, at Doctor's Regional in Poplar Bluff. Also in the news, recipients of safety awards at Brown Shoe included--Carolyn Edwards, Melba Jean Foster, Alice Wilkes, Larry Massey and Jeanne Brannon.

Finally, in sports, the Mohawks will play their annual "Soap and Towel" game Aug. 26 at Parker Field, and will open their season at home against Westside Sept. 2.

1988

Classes resume Monday, Aug. 29 for Piggott students. New teachers at the three campuses include--Sandra Burge and Karen Coomer at PHS, Carol Beasley, Mark Book, Kim Mann and Phyllis Meier at PMS and Janet Burnham at PES. In other news, Gladys Watson was the leading vote getter in the special election for state senate, but will be in a runoff with Jerry Shipman.

The annual Clay County Fair is underway, and runs through Saturday. Meanwhile, a four-inch rainfall the previous Friday left many areas in downtown Piggott flooded.

In sports, the junior Mohawks will kick-off their season on Tuesday, Aug. 30 against Gosnell. There are 31 players out this year for Jim McGrew, and they've set their sights on the district title. Offensive starters are expected to be--Joey Staples QB, Craig Beck RB, Larry Jones FB and Phillip Davis RB , who will share playing time with Chad Taylor..linemen and ends will feature Scott Redmon, Bert Wagster, Matthew Self, Shawn Morris, Michael Wilburn, Clay Gossett and Eric Hires. Meanwhile, the senior Mohawks, with 26 players on Ed Winberry's roster, will kick-off Thursday, Sept. 1 at Westside.

And finally, an ad for Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center announced that they had purchased televisions for all their patient rooms, and that they would now be providing them free as a complimentary service.