Lepanto News

EPC School Board members plan to look in to purchasing video cameras for the Tyronza and Lepanto campuses.

"Service above self" is the motto of the Rotary Club, something the Marked Tree chapter takes very seriously.

The EPC Warriors came into their game with Augusta Friday night at Lepanto knowing that the Red Devils had been one of the favorites to vie for the 2A-3 conference title before the season began.

All church choirs and individuals who sing and would love to honor American war heroes are invited to participate in a special concert for those who will be coming to Marked Tree with the famed Wall of Healing ...

Trumann will host its annual Wild Duck Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Trumann Democrat will feature a special section about the festival, including a schedule of events.

Test scores are in and East Poinsett County administrators are staying positive about both the scores and the future.

Organizers are finalizing the schedule for the moving Vietnam Wall, also known as the "Wall That Heals." The memorial will be coming to Marked Tree Thursday, Sept.

If there is a secret to Ines Morries staying young at 79 it could be dancing. She started dancing as a young girl and has continued dancing all her life.

Kimberly Tyler of Lepanto, daughter of David & Tammy Tyler, has lost 100 plus pounds.

The EPC School Board met in its regular monthly meeting Monday, July 14 at Lepanto.

Four Lepanto residents were arrested Sunday, June 4 when officers raided a shop building located at 31661 North Road in Marked Tree.

Charles Nix of Harrisburg will be the new county judge come January after securing the seat in a runoff held Tuesday, June 10.

The runoff election for Poinsett County Judge will be held Tuesday, June 10. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hut in Lepanto and the National Guard Armory in Marked Tree.

A routine traffic stop quickly became a drug bust on Friday, May 16 when Sgt. Allen Hicks stopped an ATV on Eason Street in Leapnto. Jason Truelove, 26 years old, of 423 Eason Street in Lepanto was the operator of the ATV. According to Sgt. Hicks, Truelove was acting nervously and fumbling with his right front pocket. To ensure officer safety, Sgt. Hicks did a pat down of Truelove and discovered a plastic bag containing what is believed to be methamphetamine in Truelove's right front pocket. Truelove was charged with operating an ATV on the highway and possession of a controlled substance. On May 19, 2008, Truelove was taken before District Judge, Steve Imboden. Bond was set at $100,000 cash. Truelove is in the Poinsett County Detention Center awaiting a June 23, 2008 Court in Poinsett County Circuit Court.

On April 30, Judy's Snack House and the Allure Hair Studio in Lepanto was burglarized. There was money taken from both businesses and the back doors were damaged at both locations. Following an investigation by the Lepanto Police Department, Curtis Pilgrim of 320 Berney St. was arrested on May 9 and charged with two counts of commercial burglary, two counts of theft under $500 and two counts of criminal mischief and destruction of public property. Pilgrim has a prior burglary arrest. On May 12, Pilgrim was taken before District Judge Steve Inboden and bond was set at $100,000 cash. He is awaiting a circuit court date set for May 30, 2008.

Thrilled EPC seniors stepped onto the East Poinsett County High School football field as students for the last time Friday night. The teens officially graduated with ceremonies of pomp and circumstance. Class valedictorian was Matt Smith and salutatorian was Stephanie Steakly. Honor graduates were Sabrina Benton, Ashton Smith, Cara Pilgrim, Candace Dorris, Kimberly Harston, Amber Sides, Brett Hardin, Mark Medina, Jackaa Cypress, Jordan Driver, Meredith Ruiz, Tye Shempert, Keith Chisem and Kelsey Story. The EPC Class of 2008 received total scholarships valued at $276,480. Those receiving scholarships are as follows: Michael Medina - $2,500 two year Crowder College CAMP Scholarship. Ashton Smith - $500 Billy Powell Memorial Local Scholarship, $1,000 Opastco Scholarship and $3,850 MidSouth Community College Academic Scholarship. Total two year value - $5,350. Brett Hardin - $11,750 four year Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Jackaa Cypress - $11,750 four year Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. Kelsey Story - $11,750 four year Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

Several local races were decided at Tuesday's polls with a run off set for the county judge race. In the race for county judge, Charles Nix won the most votes with 1,298 votes. Steve Jernigan received 1,035 votes and incumbent Doyle Hillis received 946 votes. Nix and Jernigan will face off in a run off set for June 10. In the district judge race, Ron Hunter received 1,482 votes against incumbent Steve Inboden who won 1,293 votes. Chet Dunlap received 584 votes. Inboden and Hunter will face each again in the general election this November. In other local races, incumbent Fonda Condra defeated challenger Chris King with 2,806 votes to 456 votes. Tammie Stanford was elected county treasurer with 2,429 votes. Her former challenger Carolyn Wages received 768 votes despite withdrawing from the race earlier this month. For the Justice of the Peace District 10 race, Larry Steakley won the seat with 248 votes against Paul Howard, who received 95 votes. Unopposed Democratic candidates included Mark Pryor, U.S. Senate; Marion Berry, U.S. Congress District 1; Buddy Lovell, State Representative District 56; Larry Mills, sheriff; Claudia Matthews, circuit clerk; Johnny Rye, Jr., assessor; John Davis, coroner; Randy Jones, Justice of the Peace District 1; Elizabeth Schwarz, Justice of the Peace District 2; J.C. Carter, Justice of the Peace District 4; Johnny Johnson, Justice of the Peace District 5; Jerry G. Terry, Justice of the Peace District 6; Brent Henderson, Justice of the Peace District 7; John Salder, Justice of the Peace District 8; Mary Ann Arnold, Justice of the Peace District 9; Harold Blackwood, District of the Peace District 11; Don Horne, Constable of Little River Township; Charles "Bill" Rudd, Constable of Dobson Township. Unopposed Republican candidates include Darrell Rains, Justice of the Peace District 6; Coty Powers, Justice of the Peace District 9; and Jackie Ragan, Constable of Little River Township.

At age 18, Amory MS native Jessi McCormick joined the U.S. Marines to pursue a career in law enforcement as a military police. She was excited but didn't know what to expect. Corporal McCormick's biggest challenge came when she was sent to Iraq for eight months in August 2004 to provide security for the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team (EOD). McCormick is one of a handful of female Marines whose job was to clear bombs. McCormick was in town attending the Garden Point Cemetery Memorial Service where she presented the laying of the wreath in remembrance of veterans. She is the granddaughter of Betty Wilmoth Webb and the great niece of Sally McMechen and Bob Wilmoth.

While many people spent Memorial Day at the lake or by the grill or pool , others were paying tribute to honor those who have died in combat and those that continue to serve by attending grave side services throughout the nation. One such service honoring heroes was held at the Garden Point Cemetery at Etowah. Mayor of Etowah Bo McCollum welcomed everyone and reminded participants why of the day's special meaning. "We have a lot to be thankful for in our great nation," said McCollum. "We are here today to pay tribute to family members and friends who died serving our great nation, and to honor all the veterans buried here, remember their loved ones and to lay the wreath of remembrance of our veterans."

The first automobile Pearl Bounds ever saw like to have scared her to death. "I was in first grade and was walking home from school," said the 103-year-old Bounds.