Stories from Thursday, November 5, 2009

After the storm (11/05/09)
Rain, rain, go way. Those words were heard all over Rector last week when downpours Thursday and early Friday dumped about four inches of additional rain on already soggy ground. The moods of most area residents were as gloomy as the heavy clouds which hung overhead for days. ...

Rector boasts state finalists (11/05/09)
Stephanie DeMent and Clinton Haley are easily recognizable as natural leaders. In fact, their ability to shine in both academics and athletics has led to the two seniors being named as state finalists in the 2009 Wendy's High School Heisman Award...

Students celebrate healthy life choices with rally (11/05/09)
Rector Elementary School students gathered Thursday afternoon, Oct. 29, in the school's multi-purpose room for a Red Ribbon Rally to celebrate their efforts during a week of drug awareness and education...

ASU professor presents workshop at RHS (11/05/09)
Rector High School gifted and talented students and drama students had the opportunity Wednesday, Oct. 31, to learn about technical techniques in the theatre from Jeff McLaughlin, professor of theatre arts at Arkansas State University...

City addresses fines, sewer pond issues (11/05/09)
While the City of Rector currently has in excess of $268,000 in unpaid fines for various violations, a discussion in Monday night's city council meeting indicated the city already is going about collecting these funds in the most effective way...

Unique event planned at RHS (11/05/09)
There will be a very special guest this week at Rector High School. Mike Norris, founder of 2nd Fiddle Entertainment and son of film and television star Chuck Norris, will speak at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the RHS gymnasium. Norris will share stories of his life as a teenager and talk of growing up with a famous father. He also will discuss the personal challenges he faced in founding 2nd Fiddle Entertainment...

Sidewalk grant sought to add safety for kids (11/05/09)
Some new sidewalks could be in the future for Rector. The city council met in special session Tuesday night, Oct. 27, to approve the application for a grant to improve walkways to and from the school...

Cougars fall to McCrory (11/05/09)
Friday was a rough night for the Cougars, made no better by the rainy weather and swamp-like terrain of Temerian Field, as Rector played their final home game of the season, Senior Night, against the McCrory Jaguars, who entered the night ranked sixth among all 2A teams in Arkansas. The Cougars were outmatched by their foes, falling 49-6...

Chaos Day is alive (11/05/09)
Monday is my birthday. It's also Chaos Never Dies Day. Yes, it's true. We celebrate dozens of November events, like National Men Make Dinner Day which is today. Pumpkin Chunkin' Days ends this Saturday followed by Area Code Day on Tuesday. ...

Paranoia strikes deep in today's society (11/05/09)
Mixing politics and science is a big mistake. Allowing reason and logic to fly out the window in the face of a political agenda is a sad thing to witness. In many cases it is relatively harmless, but in others it can have devastating consequences...

Pauline Utley (11/05/09)
Pauline Utley Pauline Utley of Berryville, formerly of Rector, was born July 11, 1929, to the late Charles C. and Elodia Lee (Bearden) Robinson. She departed this life on Oct. 28, 2009, in the Carroll County Nursing...

Fred "Doc" Emberton Fred Emberton (11/05/09)
Fred "Doc" Emberton Fred Emberton, also known as "Doc" by all his friends and loved ones, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born March 17, 1922, to the late Fred and Della (Curtis)...

Jack LePreston Burr (11/05/09)
Jack LePreston Burr, age 70, of Auburn, Ky., formerly of Rector, died on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Hospice Center in Bowling Green, Ky. Mr. Burr was born Dec. 4, 1938, in Sharp County to the late Clint and Ruby Burr. Jack was a well-respected man. He farmed for three generations of the Auda Simmons family. He was a policeman, trucker and many more things in between...