Clay County Democrat: News

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Scheduling changed for Senior Night (02/04/10)
A scheduling change will see the 2010 senior members of the Cougars, Lady Cougars and cheerleading squads honored during the Lady Cougars' meeting with Buffalo Island Central. Action is set to begin with a seventh grade girls' game at 5 p.m. Thursday. The seniors are to be recognized prior to the start of the senior high contest, which will follow a junior high game...

Heavy snow blankets area (02/03/10)
For awhile everyone feared it might be deja vu. A massive winter storm was predicted for all of the northern half of Arkansas at almost exactly the same date when a destructive ice storm hit this area last year -- the last days of January...

Thomas attends National FBLA Conference (02/03/10)
Rector High School senior Cole Thomas attended the National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Conference held Nov. 12-16 in Denver, Colo. Thomas, along with local FBLA adviser Lisa Manchester, departed Rector on Wednesday, Nov. ...

Longtime Marmaduke postmaster retires (02/03/10)
Recent visitors to the U.S. Post Office in Marmaduke likely have noticed the absence of a familiar face. Longtime Marmaduke postmaster Randy Jackson retired last month after working for the postal service for 35 years...

"Dateline NBC" to Feature Arkansas Children's Hospital in hour program (01/27/10)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 27, 2010) -- America will get an inside look at Arkansas' pediatric crown jewel in a one-hour "Dateline NBC" program Sunday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. central time. The New York production team of Arkansas natives Brent and Craig Renaud taped inside Arkansas Children's Hospital for a year-and-a-half, capturing stories of survival, as well as struggle, among several patients and families there. ...

Karson family to represent ACH (01/27/10)
Three-year-old Karson Weitkamp of Pocahontas, great-grandson of Jean McKeel of Rector, has come a long way since two open heart surgeries as an infant, but his future is still filled with uncertainties...

Rector's railroad history recognized (01/27/10)
Recognition of Rector's railroad history was enhanced this week by the placement of a restored old switch engine near the original location of the community's depot. The switch engine was donated by American Railcar Industries, which had been using it at the company's Marmaduke plant...

JP's discuss county's role in regional development effort (01/27/10)
Clay County's involvement in the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority (NARIFA) may not be a foregone conclusion. The organization, founded with the goal of bringing a Fortune 200 industry to the area, has been attempting to develop a location near the Walnut Ridge airport in the hope of attracting a major corporation and bringing new jobs to the area...

Berry to retire (01/27/10)
One of Arkansas' most vocal and memorable political leaders is stepping down. First District Congressman Marion Berry announced Monday he will not seek reelection in 2010. For more than a decade, Berry, 67, has represented the interests of Arkansans in Washington. Now the congressman says it's time to come home...

Souder moving quickly in world of culinary arts (01/21/10)
There is no doubt Kyle Souder was born to be in the kitchen. A 2003 Rector High School graduate, Souder has quickly moved up the ladder of culinary arts through hard work and determination and now is head chef of Rounders Grilling and Gaming Company in Las Vegas...

Thompson looks ahead to historic fiscal session (01/21/10)
"We're breaking new ground," State Sen. Robert Thompson of Paragould noted of the upcoming fiscal session of the Arkansas State Legislature. "The amendment approved by voters in 2008 provides for up to a 30-day fiscal session, which can be extended by 15 days with a two-third vote by both the House and Senate."...

Elementary students participate in Jump Rope For Heart fundraiser (01/21/10)
The students of Rector Elementary have once again shown their dedication to helping fund education and research into one of the biggest threats in America. With their participation in the annual Jump Rope For Heart fundraiser, sponsored by the American Heart Association, the children of Rector Elementary School raised $2,440 for education and research into cardiovascular disease...

Two Rector seniors named Heisman finalists (01/21/10)
Rector High School student Clinton Haley was among 20 Arkansas high school seniors honored Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Wendy's High School Heisman Awards Presentation held at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock...

Ext. Service hosts annual cotton meeting for Clay County producers (01/21/10)
Several Clay County cotton growers gathered Monday at the Rector Community Center to meet with University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension specialists and agents to discuss what lies ahead for the important crop...

Lots going on in Rector (01/21/10)
Rector mayor Ron Kemp submitted this report to the City Council and all the citizens of Rector concerning the State of the City in 2010. Street Improvements The rising cost of asphalt has had an effect on the city's ability to make street repairs and improvements in the last several years. The cost of such work has tripled in the last 10 years, far exceeding the city's revenue for such projects...

Feathered Friend (01/13/10)
An Arctic blast and light snow which moved through the area last week left birds seeking both food and a place to escape the icy winds. His feathers fluffed out to give added warmth, this little bluebird enjoyed food and the company of lots of other feathered friends on the backyard deck at the home of Ron and Nancy Kemp. ...

Bullinger receives medal for heroism (01/13/10)
Chief Warrant Officer Ricky Bullinger, a Rector native and 1982 RHS graduate, was honored along with Major Steven Hall in a special ceremony Sunday at Camp Robinson in Little Rock. Bullinger and Hall were presented the Soldier's Medal for non-combat heroism for their efforts in the August 2008 rescue of swimmers threatened with electrocution at a hotel dock on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs...

Final look back at 2009. (01/13/10)
September The NEAITC is awarded a $10,000 grant from Entergy, with customer sales manager David Burnette personally presenting the check during a special ceremony...Longtime Rector businessman Doyne Webb dies at age 82...A large crowd gathers for the Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame luncheon as the 1992 Clay County Central state champion baseball team, Allan Pruett, Bill Cossey and Lavern "Mac" Manchester are inducted into Hall of Fame...Thousands gather in Rector for the annual Labor Day Picnic and its events including the parade, a special performance by the ASU Sound of the Natural State Marching Band, pageants, rides and reunions...Kristie Hardin is named Miss Rector 2009...Glen Sain GMC wins first place in the parade float contest...Hughey and Mary Linam are recognized as the Oldest Man and Oldest Woman attending the Labor Day Picnic, while Jack and Geneva Bearden are announced as the couple who have been married the longest...Kristie Hayes is named the Arkansas Army National Guard's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year...White Oak General Baptist Church celebrates its 70th anniversary...Colleen Osbourne is chosen as Mrs. ...

Memorial here will pay tribute to selfless service of patriots (01/13/10)
Significant contributions have been made to the Rector Veterans Memorial Park project and additional supporters of veterans and the community are being asked by the organizing committee to join the effort...