NEWS FROM HOME...

I was raised in, and live now in an urban area. But twice in my life I have lived in small towns. One about 15,000 population, and another about 3,000 (if you add up all the people in the 3 communities).

I was at my mother-in-laws house last weekend, and she had a copy of the "Ozark Spectator" newspaper. It is a weekly newspaper based in Franklin Co., Arkansas. The Mrs.' daddy grew up in the Cecil Community, in the country outside of the metropolis of Ozark, Arkansas. Even after moving to a city, he continued to subscribe to the "Spectator." I guess Mother-in-law kept taking the "Spectator" after my Father-in-law passed on a few years back.

I had a really good time reading all the news from Franklin County, AR. It brought back good memories of small-town life. There was good stuff in there.

Rosie Wilson was prevented from going to her grandsons' high school play way over in Ft. Smith by the unexpected snow and ice storm. Fortunately for Rosie, the play was canceled, and will be rescheduled at a later time. I guess it was iced up in Ft. Smith, too.

Billy Green was fixing a gap in his fence on Oak Bend Church Road when several of his cows got out. They had been spooked by some motorcycle riders, and it took him a good part of the day to round them up.

Police blotter: Marvin Buxton of Altus got drunk again, and Sheriff deputies were called to settle a domestic dispute. The situation was diffused without an arrest. Deputies took the keys to Marvins' truck, and promised to return them in the morning.

One of the "Letters To The Editor" went something like:

I am enclosing my check to renew my subscription. I lived in Ozark from 1954 to 71, and appreciate the good work you do informing the public. It was signed by some lady from California.

And on and on it went. What was interesting to me is that inside the "The Spectator" they have a column titled "75 years ago this week." I read what was happening in Franklin Co. 75 years ago, and I'll swear you couldn't tell much difference.

It was alot of fun. It brought back good memories of the "Pine River Valley Times," which was almost a carbon copy (but not as thick). News from home is always good to hear. Even if it's bad news, it's good to know what's happening.

I got this from The Spectator computer page...yep, they have a computer page. I thought it was kinda funny.

Altus votes certified upon order by judge

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Written by Jacob Stone

Thursday, 27 March 2008

The Franklin County Election Commission met briefly at 2 p.m. Tuesday to certify the votes in the 2006 Altus mayoral election, as directed in an order by Circuit Judge James Kennedy filed Monday in the Circuit Clerk's Office. The vote was 136 for Gary Zolliecoffer to 123 for incumbent Veronia Post, who attorneys had said following the ruling on March 11 that they will be appealing the judge's order.

It was just funny to me. 2 years after an election to decide the mayor of a wide spot in the road, Altus, AR, judges are still ruling on who won, and who didn't. And this Veronica Post gal has attorneys appealing rulings trying to get the election results overturned! I'll bet the job doesn't pay $100 a month...it's probably "personal."

They also had a story about the "Egg Hunt Winners," and a serious story about a fellow that died in a Semi wreck on I-40.

God bless the small-town newspaper. The urban papers stink like an elephant shed. But I see great value in keeping the little guys around.