News

2024 Fiscal Session begins

The 2024 Fiscal Session began last week. The House and Senate convened for a Joint Session on Wednesday, April 10 to hear an address from Governor Sanders. The Governor’s proposed budget calls for a 1.76% spending increase and prioritizes education. The governor’s proposed budget also includes additional funding for public safety and human services. By Wednesday afternoon, 79 budget bills had been filed in the House and 63 budget bills had been filed in the Senate.

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Sheriff’s Department makes two drug arrests

On April 7, 2024 at approximately 6:03 P.M., a Clay County deputy was traveling down Main St. in Piggott when he noticed a vehicle with an expired Missouri license plate. The deputy pulled the vehicle over on East Poplar Street. He made contact with the driver and smelled a strong odor of marijuana. The deputy also noticed a clear container of what appeared to be marijuana in the vehicle. A check was run on the vehicle and the driver. The check showed the driver had a revoked driver’s license, and the vehicle license were expired. While the deputy was conducting the check, he saw the driver apparently put something down the front of his shorts. The deputy asked the driver about what he saw, and the driver denied putting anything down his shorts. 46 year old Curtis Wayne Myers of Piggott was placed under arrest, and transported to the Clay County Detention Center. Mr. Myers was asked again, before he was taken into the Detention Center if he had any other illegal items on him. Mr. Myers denied having any other contraband. During the process of being booked in, other illegal contraband was found.

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Vietnam Veterans recognized at Ford Room in Rector

The Ford Room at the Rector Community Museum was filled on Thursday with the U.S. History students from Rector High School, community members and leaders, the Paragould JROTC, Ram Battalion, under the command of Col. Tim Norman, all present to recognize Vietnam Veterans on National Vietnam Veterans Day and say, “Welcome Home”, a sentiment of greeting withheld fifty years ago.

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School Notes

Spring is finally here! As hard as it is to believe, we are on the last stretch of the 202324 school year. This is one of the busiest times of the year and can be very trying on teachers, students, and parents. We are tired and struggling to stay motivated. However, spring is a season of renewal, and as we begin to countdown to summer break, I have a few tips to share with you to help your students stay motivated and enjoy the remaining weeks of school. First, we need to refresh our expectations. We have all faced challenges this year, but we need to let go of our previous performances, set new expectations and finish strong. Second, let’s look to the future with renewed purpose. Think of the remaining weeks as a mini school year. Our yearly standardized tests are upon us and we want our students to do their best. Next, let’s prepare for summer break. Research shows that students regress 2.6 months in math over summer vacation. To help prevent this loss, show students how classroom learning applies to life. Use this summer to explore nature, play brain games, and read! Make sure you support your child by reading with them, taking them to the library, and having them read something every day. Students can enjoy summer vacation and learn at the same time. Lastly, the school year can be hard on everyone, so we will do our best to end on a positive note. We’ve worked hard this year and deserve some fun. The weather is improving; we are getting antsy for summer and ready for the break. After testing is over, we are planning some fun activities and outside learning for our students. We want to leave students with lasting memories, motivate them to learn and be good citizens, and uplift them throughout their lives. As we begin this last quarter of the 23-24 school year, I challenge all teachers, students, and parents to stay the course and finish this year strong!

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