It happened here, years ago

Local attorney Gus Camp was sworn-in as Clay County's first municipal judge 40 years ago last week, and will hold court in Piggott, Rector and Corning. Camp, who has practiced law in Piggott for 16 years, became judge as a result of Act 332 of 1969 and was appointed by Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. In other news, there was a feature story on Clay County Civil Defense in preparation for tornado season.

The Piggott City Council discussed the ongoing battle over extending Eighth Street at their recent meeting, along with the problem of dilapidated buildings, such as the old ice plant. Aldermen also discussed forming a local housing authority and the chances of attracting more Federal Housing units.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the features include--"Bullitt", "The Stalking Moon", "Secret Life of an American Wife" and "If He Hollers--Let Him Go."

This week's paper also included a photo from the sixth grade class skit at PES, featuring Leslie Wood and Timmy Broadway. Meanwhile, Sherry Stinebrook, Faye Scheffler, Euvela Duty, Peggy Cooper and Patsy Causey all attended a hairstyling show in Memphis recently, and "everyone had a good time."

The grand opening of the U-Save-Mart was held recently, some specials included--Liquid Prell at .69 a bottle, Sylvania light bulbs at two for .27 and Foster Grant sunglasses (regular one dollar) just .59. And, Arkansas farmers are expected to plant 1,100,000 acres of cotton in 1969 according to the USDA.

1979

The Piggott City Council voted to ask for an extension to their grant application for money to build a new city park 30 years ago last week. In other news, the quorum court got over $61, 000 more to help re-build roads ravaged by winter weather; the St. Francis City Council approved the application for a grant to pay for a new city park and street improvements and Piggott mayor James Morris offered a letter of explanation concerning the new electric rates due to changes with SWPA.

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature was "Blazing Saddles" while the late show was "Yum Yum Girls." Meanwhile, the PHS junior class staged the play "Rest Assured" in the past week and the Lions Club held a fish fry on April 5.

Foreign Language week was observed at PHS, and members of Sue Smith's French class wore special t-shirts for the occasion..they included--Roger Riney, Lee Ann Reams, Lisa Moore, Patty Davis, Janet Moore, Suzy Winchester, Penny Williams, Shelly Runyon, Angie Mooney and John Dixon.

Girl Scouts and leaders attending the recent Harlem Globetrotter game in Jonesboro included--Chris Crafton, Rose Crafton, Angie Milburn, Annie Winchester, Lorrie Beaver, Lisa Beaver, Jean Dalton, Tammy Donner, Barbara Donner, Jackie Matheney, Latraca Tanner, Jill Donner, Beth Wolff, Candy Williams, Teresa St. Cin and Michelle McLeskey. Meanwhile, Greenway Cub Scouts held a basketball game and honored Cubmaster Donald Hardin. High scorers for the game were Matt Hollis, Jason Schmidt and Mark Morris.

1984

Fire of unknown origin early Sunday, April 8 heavily damaged the upstairs of a building belonging to Jim Davis on the northeast corner of the Piggott court square. Heavy damage was reported to Good Time Charlie's Game Room, though the adjacent buildings fared much better. In other news, the Piggott City Council approved the purchase of 17.7 acres of land three miles east of town, with the plan calling for the construction of a new airport. Mayor Cook also reported that the city's unemployment rate was 19.7-percent..thanks in part to the Brown Shoe layoffs.

The Piggott School board is discussing the sale of bonds to finance their building project, and reviewed plans for replacing the burned-out middle school. And in other news, State Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher will speak to the AARP meeting in Piggott April 16, and Blytheville Air Force Base is planning their annual open house, which will feature "The Golden Knights" and the Air Force "Thunderbirds."

At the Carolyn Theater this week the feature is "Angel" while the late show is "Black Silk Stockings."

Saturday, April 7 the members of the NEARK Rod and Gun club held a note burning, as they have now paid off the $2,700 borrowed to construct the clubhouse. The club started back in 1975 in the National Guard Armory, and charter members included Jim Sutherland, Jim Woods, Jim Harmon, Terry Cox, Tommy Johnson, Paul Ladyman and Kenny Payne.

Finally, 275 more customers are needed before work can begin on the new Central Clay Water Distribution District.

1989

The Piggott School board voted 20 years ago this week to hire Leon Christenberry as superintendent. The Cave City native, and ASU grad, was signed to a two-year contract at $40,000 per year. In other news, city leaders explained the break-down for the proposed one-cent sales tax noting that 60-percent would go to streets and drainage; 20-percent to parks and recreation; 15-percent to police and fire and five percent to the airport. This week's paper also included a feature on Ted Bellers and his "once in a lifetime" trip to China.

In other news, over 150 employees are now on the job at Missouri Research Labs in Piggott, where they make high-volume electronic assemblies. The factory is also working on the new aluminum bleachers for the Independence Park baseball diamond project, which will seat 70 fans when completed. Speaking of baseball, Tucker Myers reports that over 100 kids ages 5-15 have signed-up to play ball through Piggott Little League.

In service news, Airman First Class Steven Tate, son of Linuel and Kathern Tate of Piggott, has graduated basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas.

And farmers are expected to plant more soybeans and sourgham this summer, and cut their cotton and rice production. Beans were to be planted on 3,350,000 acres, and grain sourgham on 410,000. Cotton was to drop to 630,000 acres while rice would fall to 1,200,000. Acres planted in corn was expected to remain steady at around 65,000 in the state of Arkansas.