Stories from Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Mrs. Lula Belle Flagg, 96, of Manila, died Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the Manila Nursing Center. Born at Nodena, Ark., she was the daughter of the late R.M. and Vera Blanch Basset Huckaby and had been a Manila resident for most of her life. ...

Nanetta "Pat" Hodges, 88, of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville, widow of Jettie Douglas "J.D." Hodges, Jr., died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Martin Edward and Lela Hipp Staudemeyer and had been a longtime Leachville resident before making her home in Jonesboro several years ago...

Salem, Oregon -- Ray Franklin McGrew passed from this life at the age of 61 on July 28, 2010. He was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1948 to T.H. McGrew and V. Allene Cullens in Manila. Frank, as he was known to answer to, was a very kind, gentle man who cared about everyone. ...

Thomas J.C. Oliver, 71, of Leachville, died Friday, July 30, 2010, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born at Lawton, Ark., he was the son of the late Jewel Clay Oliver and had been a lifelong Leachville area resident. ...

Elbert Dwane Qualls, 79, of Monette passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at his residence. He was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Evening Shade to the late Colonel and Ovella Qualls. Mr. Qualls retired after serving the St. ...

It's time to pull the shotgun out of the gun case and give it a good cleaning. Commissioners from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently approved the early migratory bird seasons for 2010-11...

Buffalo Island Central softball coach Cary Cossey and Karla Marroquin participated in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association (AHSCA) Softball East/West All Star game in Fayetteville at Bogle Park. ...

The Monette City Council held a lengthy meeting on Monday evening, July 22, discussing water and sewer rate increases and equalization of billing. After an extensive water and sewer rate review, the council declared an emergency and passed two ordinances on third readings. These included Ordinance #2010-2, increasing water rates, and Ordinance #2010-3, increasing sewer rates...

Bertha Mae Cleghorn McDoniel celebrated her 100th birthday on July 17 at Thunderbird Community Center in Cherokee Village. Ms. Mac, as she is known, was surrounded by her four children, 12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, relatives and friends from Monette...

A copy of the Town Crier newspaper dated Wednesday, April 17, 1985, made its way back to the Crier's office last week. The newspaper was mailed to the Town Crier from Boyd Estes of Mammoth Spring, a former Manila/Lost Cane area resident...

Peach harvest in Leachville will be coming to an end almost 14 days earlier than usual and will end around Aug. 10 at Swihart Peach Orchard. Leon Swihart said due to the dry weather the peaches were a little slow getting ripe and after the rain, the peaches all ripened at the same time...

Five members of Manila's First Baptist Church recently attended "Praiseworks." Praiseworks is a week-long worship arts camp held annually on the campus of Oauchita Baptist University in Arkadelphia...

Honnoll Elected Commander of Army of the Trans-Mississippi Shaver Camp awarded numerous Awards at Reunion Recently at the National Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp #1655 of Jonesboro won numerous medals and awards. The SCV 115th Reunion took place in Anderson, S.C., this month with over 500 members from across the nation attending...

It's hot enough to fry an egg on a sidewalk. For sure, it's hot out there. Several summers ago, at high noon, I did try frying an egg outside. I found a piece of discarded metal, laid it on a concrete walkway, and proceeded to fry an egg...