Stories from Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Restoration nears completion for Entergy customers (02/11/09)
Entergy's power restoration efforts could soon be complete for many in northeast Arkansas. According to Entergy representative David Burnett, the company has restored electricity to most of its customers in the area. Burnett said the construction on the damaged poles and lines has been completed...

Minnesota trucker has heart for helping others (02/11/09)
The people of Rector, embattled with difficult conditions due to extended power outages following the recent ice storm, received a helping hand from a thoughtful individual most in the area have never had the opportunity to meet...

Birthday gift leads to flower shop (02/11/09)
A trip to the flower shop for a birthday gift led to much more for Allen and Melanie Haywood. When Allen went into Rector Flowers to purchase flowers and a balloon for wife Melanie's birthday, more than just a bouquet and card was delivered. Former owner Pamela Sain asked the thoughtful husband if he would be interested in buying the shop...

Lady Cougars notch two wins in return to conference play (02/11/09)
The Lady Cougars mounted a spirited comeback Monday night in 2A-3 conference play, but fell just short of a win, losing to Riverside 59-57 in Caraway. Riverside jumped out to an 18-7 first quarter advantage, but Rector clawed their way to trail by a mere four points, 28-24, going into the half. The Lady Cougars were behind 45-38 going into the fourth...

Tough league streak slows Cougar effort (02/11/09)
It was a tough night for the Cougars at home Friday, as they were downed by their guest Turrell, 64-47. Rector trailed throughout: 16-12; 30-19 and 45-31. Coty Banning had a big night for the Cougars, scoring 20 points and tearing down 13 rebounds. ...

Ice storm revisited (02/11/09)
It's Sunday night, February 1. I sit here in the darkness writing this column. A flashlight and a candle light the page. A kerosene lamp glows from the old sideboard in the dining room. A battery operated radio softly plays country music, sometimes interrupted with announcements of school closings. There are many closings in Northeast Arkansas and surrounding Missouri towns...

Claude Fielder (02/11/09)
Longtime Rector fire chief Claude Fielder, 91, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Fielder served as Rector fire chief from 1942 to 1964 and was the owner of Brewer Lumber Company in Rector from 1971 to 1977, when he retired...

Norma Faye Whitaker (02/11/09)
Norma Faye Whitaker, 90, of Rector died Friday, Feb. 6, at the Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation in Rector. She was born July 28, 1918, in Leonard to the late Norman and Calva (Randleman) Whitaker...

Reginald "Reggie" Holman (02/11/09)
Funeral services for Reginald "Reggie" Holman of Rector, who died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Irby Funeral Home chapel in Rector...

Larry Earl Carter (02/11/09)
Larry Earl Carter, 64, of Gibson, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at John J. Pershing V.A. Hospital in Poplar Bluff. He was born June 8, 1944, in Arkansas to the late Eugene and Opal Ward. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired truck driver...