Stories from Thursday, May 14, 2009

Training center opens downtown (05/14/09)
The opening Monday of the new Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) in Rector was enthusiastically celebrated by a large number of local folks who attended a mid-day reception and toured the facility. Visitors were greeted by center director Jacinda Welch and by representatives of Greene County Industrial Training Center at Paragould, which helped make possible the facility and is assisting in providing staff members for the many classes and activities now getting underway. Initial services at the center will include adult education and GED classes, a life skills program, basic computer training, fitness programs, martial arts, line dance lessons, piano lessons, guitar lessons and a Kids College set June 29-July 2.

Foundation scholarship helps student follow dream (05/14/09)
The transition from high school student to college student is often a difficult change for many young men and women. By the time one calculates the increased difficulty and workload in the various studies, the additional responsibilities of being a young adult and the high cost of education and student lifestyles, the daunting challenge becomes evident...

Class of 2009 to graduate Friday (05/14/09)
Their class motto is "Ducks fly together," and the Rector High School Class of 2009 will soar into adulthood as one during one of their most emotional and memorable shared events -- graduation from high school at 8 p.m. Friday at the school gymnasium...

Mayfest planned dowtown (05/14/09)
Fun for the entire family in downtown Rector is being planned for Saturday, May 30. That's the date for the annual Mayfest, sponsored by the Rector Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a pet contest, live music, refreshments, games for the children, a May Queen contest and lots of other activities at the historic Rector Downtown Park...

Penrod happy to be part of benefit (05/14/09)
Gospel great Guy Penrod is anxious to be a part of the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's Aug. 4 benefit concert after learning about the work of the organization and all it has done for local students...

Respected teacher retires (05/14/09)
The Rector School District soon will bid farewell to one of the school's most popular teachers. Superintendent Rob Louder read to the school board Monday night a letter from German and social studies teacher Rebecca Simmons announcing her retirement...

Area guardsmen honored at Freedom Salute Ceremony (05/14/09)
Rector area National Guardsmen who have served overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom were among hundreds of Arkansas soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Brigade Combat Team honored Sunday afternoon, May 3, in a Freedom Salute Ceremony held at Benson Auditorium on the campus of Harding University at Searcy...

Cheney picks Rush over Colin (05/14/09)
If the Democratic Party were assigned the task of creating the official "poster boy" for the Republican Party, it's doubtful it could do any better for itself than to pick Rush Limbaugh...

Expect the unexpected (05/14/09)
Gilda Radner wrote a book called "It's Always Something." The book is a recount of her ongoing battle with ovarian cancer. She vowed to live but, of course, she didn't. This column isn't about cancer or survival, unless you consider economic survival...

Lola Mae Rowton (05/14/09)
Lola Mae Rowton of Rockford, Illinois, passed away March 17, 2009, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Ruth Gardner; her husband, Peter Rowton; a son, Peter Rowton, and...

John Earl Price (05/14/09)
John Earl Price (68) born September 11, 1940, to John Willard Price and Avis Laverne (Edwards) Price passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. He was survived by his wife, Marilyn Price; four sons, Michael Price of Paragould, AR., Tim Walker of Paragould, AR., Kenny Walker of Cardwell, MO., and John Eric Price of Lafe, AR., and one daughter, Michelle Triggs of Atlanta, GA.. ...

Don Dillard (05/14/09)
Don Dillard, 76, of McDougal, died Thurs. May 7, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Mr. Dillard was a U.S. Army veteran and enjoyed deer hunting and playing with his grandchildren. He was a farmer and a member of Post Oak Missionary Baptist Church in McDougal...