Stories from Thursday, September 11, 2003

Irma Lee Owens, 69, of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., died at 11 p.m. Sept. 2, 2003, in Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Ark. She was born Oct. 5, 1933, at Ennis, Texas, the daughter of the late Thomas Leroy and Etta Mae Deail Greenhaw Wilson. In June of 1952, she was married in Tijuana, Mexico, to Jack Owens...

Billy Bevil, 75, of Hardy, died Sept. 2, 2003, in Ash Flat, Ark. Born Feb. 18, 1928, in Thaxton, Miss., he was the son of Clyde William and Mary Opal Taylor Bevil. He was a retired truck driver and of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his wife, Jean Bevil of Maumelle; a son, Randy Bevil of Horn Lake, Miss.; four daughters and sons-in-law -- Betty and Jimmy Brotherton of Horn Lake, Miss.; Amy and Jim Hussung of Hardy, Ark.; Kelly and John Bryant of Maumelle, Becky and John Black of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Jimmy Dale Bevill of Pearl, Miss.; five grandchildren -- Bridget Brotherton, Bethany Brotherton, Bryant Hussung, Chase Hussung and Morgan Black.. ...

Zane Lyle Sanders, son of the late Owen E. and Zelma Garner Sanders, was born Sept. 21, 1924, in Calico Rock, Ark. He died Aug. 30, 2003, in Mountain Home, Ark. at the age of 78. Zane was married to Reba Garner Sept. 15, 1942, in Calico Rock. To this union, a son was born. ...

Wilma Fern Cherry, daughter of the late Van Buren and Martha Priscilla Cozort Armstrong, was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Morriston, Ark., and died Aug. 25, 2003, at Mountain Home, Ark., at the age of 74 years. She was united in marriage July 30, 1945 in St. Louis, Mo., to James Lee Cherry...

Lawrence Swetnam, 89, of Ash Flat, Ark., died Sept. 2, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. Born Jan. 9, 1914, near Williford, he was the son of Oscar Benjamin Swetnam and Mary Belle Hill Swetnam. He grew up and attended school in the Little Barn community, then went school in Hardy where he finished his education. He married Bernice Marie Clayatt Dec. 29, 1946, in Childress, Ark...

Elsie T. Neely, of Salem, daughter of the late John Kinchen Estes and Ada Melinda Heath Estes, was born Dec. 4, 1910, in Agnos, Ark., and died Sept. 1, 2003, at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville, N.C., at the age of 92. She was united in marriage to Roy W; Neely Feb. 21, 1949, in Agnos, Ark., and to this union one son was born. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ...

Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced Sept. 3 that voters at the Missouri State Fair selected the Kansas City Royals over the St. Louis Cardinals for the title of best professional baseball team in Missouri. The balloting was very close, Blunt said, with the Royals garnering 2,071 votes and the Cardinals 1,975, a difference of just 96 votes...

As another baseball season draws to a close, there have been quite a few surprises this year, but nothing like what the Chicago Cubs have accomplished. The Cubs went into their Sept. 9 game at San Juan, Puerto Rico, against the Montreal Expos in first place with a record of 76-67...

Once while in the throes of madness I determined to my sadness that my life would never be complete without a dog. Thus I looked in papers newsy for I wanted to be choosy. I even called the vet but she was busy with a hog. "With a hog?" you ask. Yes, truly she was busy with a hog...

In the world of sports, sticking to what you do best and doing it until the other team stops you is usually a good formula for success. Such was the case Sept. 4 as the Salem junior Greyhounds played host to the Marked Tree junior Indians in the first game, and conference opener, for both squads...

Part of the good news for the Salem Greyhounds going into their Sept. 5 season opener at Thayer revolved around a pair of players that were available for the contest after they had basically been counted out of action. Senior linebacker Brian Crow, who suffered a severe knee sprain the previous week in a scrimmage against Highland, was cleared to play, helping Salem's depth on the defensive side of the ball...

Jeffrey Lee Parson, a high school senior from Hopkins, Minn., has recently earned his 15 minutes of fame by generating a copycat version of the Blaster Internet worm, also known as LovSan, infecting over 500,000 computers around the world and causing millions of dollars worth of damage. ...

April Garrett and Randall Holloway of Horseshoe Bend have announced the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Briana Neicole Holloway, Sept. 2, 2003, at White River Medical Center in Batesville. She weighed 7 pounds, 6-1/2 ounces. Grandparents are Jerry and Cindy Holloway and Roscoe and Sheila Garrett...

Emily Charbauski, 7-month-old daughter of Steve and Amy Charbauski of Ash Flat, was crowned Queen Baby Miss Crystal Heart Aug. 30 in Melbourne. She also received a crown and sash for Best Dressed Baby.

Amy Gayle Truitt and Stephen Adam Bates were united in marriage Sept. 6. The Honorable Judge Harold E. Crawford officiated the ceremony at the home of Cleffie Bates on the Bates Family Farm near Myron. Cleffie Bates is the groom's great-grandmother...

Stan and Nadine Sublett of Calico Rock will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 20 at Calico Rock Assembly of God Church at 2 p.m. All who have shared in their lives by friendship and love are invited to join in the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary...

Mr. and Mrs. Van Garrison and Mr. and Mrs. Darroll Selfors have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Annie and Charlie. The couple will exchange vows at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Garrison home located at 141 North Tenth Street in Thayer...

Mr. and Mrs. John Borden of Jonesboro, Ark., have announced the engagement and forthcoming marriage of her daughter, Amber Christine Manning, to Matthew Wayne King, son of Mrs. Neal King of Hot Springs, Ark., and the late Donald King, The bride-elect is also the daughter of Vincent Manning of Biggers, Ark. She is the granddaughter of Norma Manning of Madisonville, Texas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Leo Gearhart...

Richard and Nancy Brinkley of Cherokee Village will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 12. They were married in Jonesboro on Sept. 12, 1953. They are the parents of three sons -- James David Brinkley of Memphis, Tenn., Mark Edward Brinkley of Marietta, Ga., and the late Steven Brinkley, deceased. They have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren...

A Cherokee Village man is dead after his motorcycle rear ended a small truck in a fiery crash Sept. 9 on Highway 62/412 in Highland. The accident occurred shortly after noon just west of the south entrance to Cherokee Village near St. Michael's Catholic Church when the Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Eric Watts, 38, rear ended a small truck that was stopped in the road attempting to turn into Route 62 Auto Sales, said Cpl. Wendall Jines with the Arkansas State Police...

OREGON COUNTY -- A horse in Oregon County has tested positive for the West Nile virus. According to Oregon County Health Department Director Shiela Russell, the horse was ill and was tested by a local veterinarian although she would not name the owner or the veterinarian...

Crafters, painters, organizations, concessionaires and any others with something to sell or share within a family atmosphere are welcome to participate in the Ozark Black and Gold Walnut Festival. The festival, sponsored by the Alton Chamber of Commerce, is slated for Oct. 4 on and around the court square...

COUCH SCHOOL -- Five members of the Couch FFA Chapter attended the Washington Leadership Conference in the nation's capitol this summer. Attending the conference were Couch FFA members Tonya Combs, Tricia Murdock, Lisa Leroux, Jennifer Wrenfrow and Donnie Ogden. According to Couch FFA advisor Pam Proffitt, the members participated in sessions on persuasive communication, character leadership, building relationships and service learning...

James L. Howell, son of the late Paul Howell and Cora McCameron Howell, was born Feb. 21, 1912, in Koshkonong, Mo., and died Aug. 29, 2003, in Mammoth Spring, Ark., at the age of 91 years. He was a truck driver for Fessenden and Company for 17 years in Richmond, Calif., and was a member of the Teamster Union. He worked in the CC Camp and received his army discharge papers...

Florence Lee Dodge, daughter of the late George Washington Denton and Sarah Anne Longley Denton, was born Feb. 11, 1912, in Oregon County, Mo., and died Aug. 27, 2003,in West Plains, Mo., at the age of 91 years. She was united in marriage Sept. 5, 1931, to Cecil Clifford McHugh who preceded her in death May 4, 1962. She was united in marriage March 5, 1963, in Fulton County, Ark., to Clarence Dodge, who preceded her in death July 2, 1983...

Nobia Sellars Bookout, of Wiseman, Ark., daughter of the late John and Betty Mathis Sellars, was born April 24, 1915, in the Johnson View community, north of Violet Hill. She died Aug. 30, 2003, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, at the age of 88 years...

Andy and Jennifer Oakes, originally of Hardy, have announced the birth of their daughter, Hailey Marie Oakes, born Aug. 27, 2003, at 7:46 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 19-1/2 ounces long. Grandparents are Pete Reilly of Highland, Brenda Horn Grimmett of Hardy, and Ronnie and Becky Oakes of Hardy...

James and Julee Hodges, and Jefferson, 2, have announced the birth of twin sons, Anderson and Bryson Hodges, Sept. 2, 2003, at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. Anderson weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and was 18 inches long. Bryson weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long...

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lancaster of Viola and Mr. and Mrs. Evert Ellison of Salem and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hill of Salem have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Nicole Ashley Ellison and Brach Dahl Hill. The couple will exchange vows at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Salem Church of Christ...

Charles Glenn, employed by Hydco of Little Rock, cuts a metal stud for the addition at First National Banking Company in Salem. Superintendent Scott Frances said Hydco began construction Aug. 1 on the 977-square-foot addition. An additional driving lane is also under construction. Work should be complete around the end of November, Frances estimated. Photo/Ariola...

THAYER -- Area residents who would like to participate in the Sept. 20 Fun and Friends Miles for Meals Walk-A-Thon may pick up a pledge form at the senior center located on Chestnut Street in Thayer. The walk this year has been moved from Bobcat football field to First Baptist Church Christian Activity Center at 420 Chestnut Street in Thayer. All proceeds from the walk will go toward the meal program at the senior center...

ALTON -- An Alton man has been charged with sex crimes against a child. William E. Champlin, 37, was arrested Sept. 3 by officers with Alton police on felony warrants of child molestation and statutory sodomy. According to a report from the Oregon County Sheriff's Office, in September 2002 Champlin molested a girl under age 14. He is in Oregon County jail with a bond set at $35,000...

A Brockwell teen-ager was returned to a sex offenders' treatment center Aug. 27 after he escaped with another juvenile from Piney Ridge Center in Fayetteville two days earlier. Dale Falk, 16, of Brockwell and Willie James, 16, from El Dorado were committed to the state Division of Youth Services in October of 2002 on one count of rape each, said Julie Munsell, from the Arkansas Department of Human Services who oversees the Youth Services Division...

TROOP G -- Accident totals for the first seven months of 2003 compared to 2002 have dropped in the nine-county Troop G area. During the first seven months of 2002, 1,040 accidents were investigated in the area compared to 927 in the same time period in 2003. According to Capt. B.E. Chadwick, commanding officer with Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, this is down by 113 accidents...

~Died 9-5-2003 Pauline Rogers, 86, of Ash Flat, died Sept. 5, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. Arrangements are incomplete but will be announced by Higginbotham Funeral Service Inc. of Hardy.

The Bill Miller family of Izard County was one of eight district farm families selected in the annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program. The Miller family represents the North Central District which includes Baxter, Cleburne, Izard, Fulton, Independence, Marion, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren counties...

Incumbent Julia Burns of Wiseman will square off against Rick Womack of Franklin in the race for Position 5 on the Izard County Consolidated School District Board of Education Sept. 16. Burns has two children, Justin, an 11-grader, and Jeremy, an 8th-grader, both students at ICC High School...

A Sturkie man arrested for fleeing from authorities and handcuffed to a gurney attacked a paramedic while being transported to Fulton County Hospital Sept. 6. Officers received a tip that a motorist was driving erratically in a Ford Escort on Highway 62/412 heading west toward Salem. Arkansas State Police Cpl. Buck Foley requested assistance from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to locate the suspect identified as Glenn Galbraith, 41...

COUCH SCHOOL -- Five members of the Couch FFA Chapter attended the Washington Leadership Conference in the nation's capitol this summer. Attending the conference were Couch FFA members Tonya Combs, Tricia Murdock, Lisa Leroux, Jennifer Wrenfrow and Donnie Ogden. According to Couch FFA advisor Pam Proffitt, the members participated in sessions on persuasive communication, character leadership, building relationships and service learning...

OREGON COUNTY -- Seeking exposure for Oregon County, local economic developer Edd Hatten came up with a unique idea recently when he invited the director of the Missouri Film Commission to the county to take a look around. The Missouri Film Commission is an office within the Department of Economic Development...

James Calvin Watson, 78, of Cherokee Village, formerly of Lakeland, Fla., died Sept. 4, 2003, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born April 8, 1925, in Chillicothe, Texas, the son of Albert and Loal Parl Osburn Watson. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Air Force in post World War II in Japan...

Paul F. Ream, 82, of Cherokee Village, formerly of Kendallville, died on Aug. 27, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. He was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Fawn River, Mich., to Frank and Claris Slack Ream. He married Ruth Runnestrand Oct.. 31, 1942, in Churubusco, Ind., and she preceded him in death June 8, 1993...

Charles Wesley Sample, 83, of Horse-shoe Bend, died at his residence Sept. 2, 2003. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was retired from the Horseshoe Bend Police Department as a Dispatcher and police officer. ...

Patricia Thompson Madden, 61, of Oak Park, Ill., died Aug. 31, 2003, in Oak Park. She is survived by a son and his wife, Robert and Alice Baren of Oak Park; her father, Robert Thompson of Cherokee Village, Ark.; a sister, Elizabeth Thompson Hewins; and a brother, Lawrence Robert Thompson...

Samuel Herman Sayers, 95, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Sept. 1, 2003, at White River Medical Center in Batesville. Born May 9, 1908, in Mount Clements, Mich., he was the son of Samuel Sayers and Hilda Herman Sayers. He worked for many years as a concessionaire at a stand for the Lions Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a member of the Broward County Association for The Blind in Fort Lauderdale...

June Marvie Redburn, 70, of Alton, Mo., was born June 1, 1933, near Myrtle, and died Sept. 1, 2003, at her home. Survivors are her husband, Herschel "Pete" Redburn of the home; two sons -- James Melton and wife, Deloris, of Jonesboro, Ark., and Winfred Melton and wife, Ann, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; one brother, R.L. ...

OREGON COUNTY -- Tourists trying to find Greer Spring, Falling Spring or many other Eleven Point River area landmarks in the Mark Twain National Forest have probably experienced a difficult time these days. K.C. Olsen, recreational forester for the area said someone, or a small group, is maliciously destroying signs and property and "we're going to get them," he said. ...

Nobia Sellars Bookout, of Wiseman, Ark., daughter of the late John and Betty Mathis Sellars, was born April 24, 1915, in the Johnson View community, north of Violet Hill. She died Aug. 30, 2003, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, at the age of 88 years...

~Died 9-5-2003 Pauline Rogers, 86, of Ash Flat, died Sept. 5, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. Arrangements are incomplete but will be announced by Higginbotham Funeral Service Inc. of Hardy.

The Bill Miller family of Izard County was one of eight district farm families selected in the annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program. The Miller family represents the North Central District which includes Baxter, Cleburne, Izard, Fulton, Independence, Marion, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren counties...

Incumbent Julia Burns of Wiseman will square off against Rick Womack of Franklin in the race for Position 5 on the Izard County Consolidated School District Board of Education Sept. 16. Burns has two children, Justin, an 11-grader, and Jeremy, an 8th-grader, both students at ICC High School...

A Sturkie man arrested for fleeing from authorities and handcuffed to a gurney attacked a paramedic while being transported to Fulton County Hospital Sept. 6. Officers received a tip that a motorist was driving erratically in a Ford Escort on Highway 62/412 heading west toward Salem. Arkansas State Police Cpl. Buck Foley requested assistance from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to locate the suspect identified as Glenn Galbraith, 41...

COUCH SCHOOL -- Five members of the Couch FFA Chapter attended the Washington Leadership Conference in the nation's capitol this summer. Attending the conference were Couch FFA members Tonya Combs, Tricia Murdock, Lisa Leroux, Jennifer Wrenfrow and Donnie Ogden. According to Couch FFA advisor Pam Proffitt, the members participated in sessions on persuasive communication, character leadership, building relationships and service learning...

Florence Lee Dodge, daughter of the late George Washington Denton and Sarah Anne Longley Denton, was born Feb. 11, 1912, in Oregon County, Mo., and died Aug. 27, 2003,in West Plains, Mo., at the age of 91 years. She was united in marriage Sept. 5, 1931, to Cecil Clifford McHugh who preceded her in death May 4, 1962. She was united in marriage March 5, 1963, in Fulton County, Ark., to Clarence Dodge, who preceded her in death July 2, 1983...

James L. Howell, son of the late Paul Howell and Cora McCameron Howell, was born Feb. 21, 1912, in Koshkonong, Mo., and died Aug. 29, 2003, in Mammoth Spring, Ark., at the age of 91 years. He was a truck driver for Fessenden and Company for 17 years in Richmond, Calif., and was a member of the Teamster Union. He worked in the CC Camp and received his army discharge papers...

In the world of sports, sticking to what you do best and doing it until the other team stops you is usually a good formula for success. Such was the case Sept. 4 as the Salem junior Greyhounds played host to the Marked Tree junior Indians in the first game, and conference opener, for both squads...

Part of the good news for the Salem Greyhounds going into their Sept. 5 season opener at Thayer revolved around a pair of players that were available for the contest after they had basically been counted out of action. Senior linebacker Brian Crow, who suffered a severe knee sprain the previous week in a scrimmage against Highland, was cleared to play, helping Salem's depth on the defensive side of the ball...

Jeffrey Lee Parson, a high school senior from Hopkins, Minn., has recently earned his 15 minutes of fame by generating a copycat version of the Blaster Internet worm, also known as LovSan, infecting over 500,000 computers around the world and causing millions of dollars worth of damage. ...

April Garrett and Randall Holloway of Horseshoe Bend have announced the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Briana Neicole Holloway, Sept. 2, 2003, at White River Medical Center in Batesville. She weighed 7 pounds, 6-1/2 ounces. Grandparents are Jerry and Cindy Holloway and Roscoe and Sheila Garrett...

Emily Charbauski, 7-month-old daughter of Steve and Amy Charbauski of Ash Flat, was crowned Queen Baby Miss Crystal Heart Aug. 30 in Melbourne. She also received a crown and sash for Best Dressed Baby.

Amy Gayle Truitt and Stephen Adam Bates were united in marriage Sept. 6. The Honorable Judge Harold E. Crawford officiated the ceremony at the home of Cleffie Bates on the Bates Family Farm near Myron. Cleffie Bates is the groom's great-grandmother...

Stan and Nadine Sublett of Calico Rock will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 20 at Calico Rock Assembly of God Church at 2 p.m. All who have shared in their lives by friendship and love are invited to join in the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary...

OREGON COUNTY -- Seeking exposure for Oregon County, local economic developer Edd Hatten came up with a unique idea recently when he invited the director of the Missouri Film Commission to the county to take a look around. The Missouri Film Commission is an office within the Department of Economic Development...

TROOP G -- Accident totals for the first seven months of 2003 compared to 2002 have dropped in the nine-county Troop G area. During the first seven months of 2002, 1,040 accidents were investigated in the area compared to 927 in the same time period in 2003. According to Capt. B.E. Chadwick, commanding officer with Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, this is down by 113 accidents...

A Brockwell teen-ager was returned to a sex offenders' treatment center Aug. 27 after he escaped with another juvenile from Piney Ridge Center in Fayetteville two days earlier. Dale Falk, 16, of Brockwell and Willie James, 16, from El Dorado were committed to the state Division of Youth Services in October of 2002 on one count of rape each, said Julie Munsell, from the Arkansas Department of Human Services who oversees the Youth Services Division...

Irma Lee Owens, 69, of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., died at 11 p.m. Sept. 2, 2003, in Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Ark. She was born Oct. 5, 1933, at Ennis, Texas, the daughter of the late Thomas Leroy and Etta Mae Deail Greenhaw Wilson. In June of 1952, she was married in Tijuana, Mexico, to Jack Owens...

Billy Bevil, 75, of Hardy, died Sept. 2, 2003, in Ash Flat, Ark. Born Feb. 18, 1928, in Thaxton, Miss., he was the son of Clyde William and Mary Opal Taylor Bevil. He was a retired truck driver and of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his wife, Jean Bevil of Maumelle; a son, Randy Bevil of Horn Lake, Miss.; four daughters and sons-in-law -- Betty and Jimmy Brotherton of Horn Lake, Miss.; Amy and Jim Hussung of Hardy, Ark.; Kelly and John Bryant of Maumelle, Becky and John Black of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Jimmy Dale Bevill of Pearl, Miss.; five grandchildren -- Bridget Brotherton, Bethany Brotherton, Bryant Hussung, Chase Hussung and Morgan Black.. ...

Zane Lyle Sanders, son of the late Owen E. and Zelma Garner Sanders, was born Sept. 21, 1924, in Calico Rock, Ark. He died Aug. 30, 2003, in Mountain Home, Ark. at the age of 78. Zane was married to Reba Garner Sept. 15, 1942, in Calico Rock. To this union, a son was born. ...

Wilma Fern Cherry, daughter of the late Van Buren and Martha Priscilla Cozort Armstrong, was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Morriston, Ark., and died Aug. 25, 2003, at Mountain Home, Ark., at the age of 74 years. She was united in marriage July 30, 1945 in St. Louis, Mo., to James Lee Cherry...

Lawrence Swetnam, 89, of Ash Flat, Ark., died Sept. 2, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. Born Jan. 9, 1914, near Williford, he was the son of Oscar Benjamin Swetnam and Mary Belle Hill Swetnam. He grew up and attended school in the Little Barn community, then went school in Hardy where he finished his education. He married Bernice Marie Clayatt Dec. 29, 1946, in Childress, Ark...

Elsie T. Neely, of Salem, daughter of the late John Kinchen Estes and Ada Melinda Heath Estes, was born Dec. 4, 1910, in Agnos, Ark., and died Sept. 1, 2003, at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville, N.C., at the age of 92. She was united in marriage to Roy W; Neely Feb. 21, 1949, in Agnos, Ark., and to this union one son was born. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ...

Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced Sept. 3 that voters at the Missouri State Fair selected the Kansas City Royals over the St. Louis Cardinals for the title of best professional baseball team in Missouri. The balloting was very close, Blunt said, with the Royals garnering 2,071 votes and the Cardinals 1,975, a difference of just 96 votes...

As another baseball season draws to a close, there have been quite a few surprises this year, but nothing like what the Chicago Cubs have accomplished. The Cubs went into their Sept. 9 game at San Juan, Puerto Rico, against the Montreal Expos in first place with a record of 76-67...

Once while in the throes of madness I determined to my sadness that my life would never be complete without a dog. Thus I looked in papers newsy for I wanted to be choosy. I even called the vet but she was busy with a hog. "With a hog?" you ask. Yes, truly she was busy with a hog...

ALTON -- An Alton man has been charged with sex crimes against a child. William E. Champlin, 37, was arrested Sept. 3 by officers with Alton police on felony warrants of child molestation and statutory sodomy. According to a report from the Oregon County Sheriff's Office, in September 2002 Champlin molested a girl under age 14. He is in Oregon County jail with a bond set at $35,000...

THAYER -- Area residents who would like to participate in the Sept. 20 Fun and Friends Miles for Meals Walk-A-Thon may pick up a pledge form at the senior center located on Chestnut Street in Thayer. The walk this year has been moved from Bobcat football field to First Baptist Church Christian Activity Center at 420 Chestnut Street in Thayer. All proceeds from the walk will go toward the meal program at the senior center...

Charles Glenn, employed by Hydco of Little Rock, cuts a metal stud for the addition at First National Banking Company in Salem. Superintendent Scott Frances said Hydco began construction Aug. 1 on the 977-square-foot addition. An additional driving lane is also under construction. Work should be complete around the end of November, Frances estimated. Photo/Ariola...

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lancaster of Viola and Mr. and Mrs. Evert Ellison of Salem and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hill of Salem have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Nicole Ashley Ellison and Brach Dahl Hill. The couple will exchange vows at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at Salem Church of Christ...

James and Julee Hodges, and Jefferson, 2, have announced the birth of twin sons, Anderson and Bryson Hodges, Sept. 2, 2003, at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. Anderson weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and was 18 inches long. Bryson weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long...

Andy and Jennifer Oakes, originally of Hardy, have announced the birth of their daughter, Hailey Marie Oakes, born Aug. 27, 2003, at 7:46 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 19-1/2 ounces long. Grandparents are Pete Reilly of Highland, Brenda Horn Grimmett of Hardy, and Ronnie and Becky Oakes of Hardy...

OREGON COUNTY -- Tourists trying to find Greer Spring, Falling Spring or many other Eleven Point River area landmarks in the Mark Twain National Forest have probably experienced a difficult time these days. K.C. Olsen, recreational forester for the area said someone, or a small group, is maliciously destroying signs and property and "we're going to get them," he said. ...

COUCH SCHOOL -- Five members of the Couch FFA Chapter attended the Washington Leadership Conference in the nation's capitol this summer. Attending the conference were Couch FFA members Tonya Combs, Tricia Murdock, Lisa Leroux, Jennifer Wrenfrow and Donnie Ogden. According to Couch FFA advisor Pam Proffitt, the members participated in sessions on persuasive communication, character leadership, building relationships and service learning...

Crafters, painters, organizations, concessionaires and any others with something to sell or share within a family atmosphere are welcome to participate in the Ozark Black and Gold Walnut Festival. The festival, sponsored by the Alton Chamber of Commerce, is slated for Oct. 4 on and around the court square...

OREGON COUNTY -- A horse in Oregon County has tested positive for the West Nile virus. According to Oregon County Health Department Director Shiela Russell, the horse was ill and was tested by a local veterinarian although she would not name the owner or the veterinarian...

A Cherokee Village man is dead after his motorcycle rear ended a small truck in a fiery crash Sept. 9 on Highway 62/412 in Highland. The accident occurred shortly after noon just west of the south entrance to Cherokee Village near St. Michael's Catholic Church when the Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Eric Watts, 38, rear ended a small truck that was stopped in the road attempting to turn into Route 62 Auto Sales, said Cpl. Wendall Jines with the Arkansas State Police...

Richard and Nancy Brinkley of Cherokee Village will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 12. They were married in Jonesboro on Sept. 12, 1953. They are the parents of three sons -- James David Brinkley of Memphis, Tenn., Mark Edward Brinkley of Marietta, Ga., and the late Steven Brinkley, deceased. They have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren...

Mr. and Mrs. John Borden of Jonesboro, Ark., have announced the engagement and forthcoming marriage of her daughter, Amber Christine Manning, to Matthew Wayne King, son of Mrs. Neal King of Hot Springs, Ark., and the late Donald King, The bride-elect is also the daughter of Vincent Manning of Biggers, Ark. She is the granddaughter of Norma Manning of Madisonville, Texas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Leo Gearhart...

Mr. and Mrs. Van Garrison and Mr. and Mrs. Darroll Selfors have announced the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children, Annie and Charlie. The couple will exchange vows at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Garrison home located at 141 North Tenth Street in Thayer...

Paul F. Ream, 82, of Cherokee Village, formerly of Kendallville, died on Aug. 27, 2003, at Eastern Ozarks Regional Health System in Cherokee Village. He was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Fawn River, Mich., to Frank and Claris Slack Ream. He married Ruth Runnestrand Oct.. 31, 1942, in Churubusco, Ind., and she preceded him in death June 8, 1993...

Charles Wesley Sample, 83, of Horse-shoe Bend, died at his residence Sept. 2, 2003. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was retired from the Horseshoe Bend Police Department as a Dispatcher and police officer. ...

Patricia Thompson Madden, 61, of Oak Park, Ill., died Aug. 31, 2003, in Oak Park. She is survived by a son and his wife, Robert and Alice Baren of Oak Park; her father, Robert Thompson of Cherokee Village, Ark.; a sister, Elizabeth Thompson Hewins; and a brother, Lawrence Robert Thompson...

Samuel Herman Sayers, 95, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Sept. 1, 2003, at White River Medical Center in Batesville. Born May 9, 1908, in Mount Clements, Mich., he was the son of Samuel Sayers and Hilda Herman Sayers. He worked for many years as a concessionaire at a stand for the Lions Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a member of the Broward County Association for The Blind in Fort Lauderdale...

June Marvie Redburn, 70, of Alton, Mo., was born June 1, 1933, near Myrtle, and died Sept. 1, 2003, at her home. Survivors are her husband, Herschel "Pete" Redburn of the home; two sons -- James Melton and wife, Deloris, of Jonesboro, Ark., and Winfred Melton and wife, Ann, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; one brother, R.L. ...

James Calvin Watson, 78, of Cherokee Village, formerly of Lakeland, Fla., died Sept. 4, 2003, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born April 8, 1925, in Chillicothe, Texas, the son of Albert and Loal Parl Osburn Watson. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Air Force in post World War II in Japan...