Clay County Times-Democrat

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

With the annual Memorial Day just observed, we look back 40 years to the observance held in May of 1986. That year Gold Star Mother Edith Ezell (center) had the honor of placing the memorial wreath at the cemetery in Piggott. She was escorted by local Boy Scouts Jonathan Moody (left) and David Duncan.(file photo)

1986

06/02/2026

Rector First Baptist Kids Ministry, under the direction of Lisa Di**le, recently assisted Rector Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Crystal Williams in planting flowers on Main Street for everyone to enjoy this spring and summer. Blossom & Vine at Three One Nine graciously donated the flowers to the Rector Area Chamber of Commerce for planting.

06/02/2026

Fourth-graders at Piggott Elementary School presented the musical "Movin’ in the Right Direction!" on Tuesday, May 19, for fellow students and the public. The school also recognized Eliana Flowers, daughter of Dennis and April Flowers, as the designer of this year's fourth grade shirt and she also had a solo in the musical.

06/01/2026

A quiet afternoon near Fry Lake quickly turned into an arrest after a Clay County deputy reportedly recognized a man wanted on a felony absconding warrant sitting on a dock fishing.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, deputies went to County Road 43 on Wednesday, May 13 looking for 47-year-old Eric Duane Zacek, of Corning. The deputy spotted two people fishing on the dock and recognized one of them as Zacek before quietly approaching the area.
Officials say once Zacek was taken into custody, deputies searched him and found two bags of a substance that tested positive for m**hamphetamine inside his pocket.
Zacek was transported to the Clay County Detention Center and booked on charges of possession of m**h or co***ne with purpose to deliver greater than two grams but less than 10 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

06/01/2026

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (HPMEC), located in Piggott, will host a writer's retreat from Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26. For more information, one may email Shannon Williams at [email protected].

05/31/2026

Jacob Holmes, a senior in the Department of Industrial Engineering, has been named the 2026 College of Engineering Outstanding Senior at the U of A. The college presents this honor each year to a graduating senior whose dedication to campus and the engineering profession reflect the values of the college.

Jacob Holmes, a senior in the Department of Industrial Engineering, has been named the 2026 College of Engineering Outstanding Senior at the U of A. The college presents this honor each year to a graduating senior whose dedication to campus and the engineering profession reflect the values of the co...

05/31/2026

Belle Lovelace, a student at Piggott High School, placed third in the Rick Crawford Congressional Art Contest on the mixed media category.

05/31/2026

Once again this year, both the Piggott and Rector School Districts are taking part in the USDA Summer Feeding program. Under the federally-funded effort, all children age 18 and younger are provided free meals at local schools. The meals are the same for all children regardless of family income, race, color, national origin, s*x, age or disability. No registration is required for those attending.
The Piggott School District will serve meals at Piggott Elementary beginning June 1 through June 26 and July 8 through July 31. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact Hope Burns at [email protected] or by phone at 870-598-2548.
At Rector they will be serving the meals beginning June 1 through July 31, with the exception of June 29 through July 3. Rector Schools will serve breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday through Friday. Meals this year will be served for pickup only. For more information, contact Mary Sanders at [email protected] or by phone at 870-595-3921.
Both Piggott and Rector School Districts are equal opportunity providers.

05/31/2026

A Year with Frog and Toad- KIDS is a heartwarming musical that follows two best friends through the four seasons, explained director Bridgette Sain. She continued with her comments by saying that these two very different best friends learn patience, kindness, and how to enjoy the simple things in life.
Along with Bridgette Sain, Holly Kirklin served as assistant director. Music director was Caroline Banning and Audio Technician was Jonathon Bevil. Lighting director was Aidan Burns and Stage Managers were Aidan Burns and Tuck Clayton.
A school community effort brought success, achieved with work from parents and families who provided costumes, encouragement, practices at home. The work called for scheduling around rehearsals and giving time and dedication for the students.
The young actors brought true creativity and hard work to bring the show to life. Working together brought a tremendous success. Rector UMC loaned the sound system.
Two main characters, Frog and Toad, were brought to life by Emma Bevil (Frog) and Katherine Graham (Toad). Four birds – Hadlee Hester, Blakely Brewer, Kimbel Banning, and Scarlett Sain. Four snails were portrayed by Kaiadin Rogers, Landry Mabrey, Khloe Dinkins, Lynzie Cato. The Turtle was Abigale Wilson, Mouse was Nash Blount, and Lizard was Jax Bount. Four squirrels were Jadeyn Tanner, Allison Sheets, Christian Merro, Emma Chappell. Moles were Remi Wilburn, Sagan English, and Az**el Hunt