November 2023

Speaking French

The older I get, or maybe it’s “as years pass,” holidays seem to be less and less of an event or time for celebration across the US. I know growing up, Thanksgiving was a big deal. As I got older and learned the art of the purchase, I enjoyed and looked forward to Thanksgiving for one reason and one reason only—Black Friday sales. I mean, come on, I remember people throwing elbows at the local Walmart over $199 eMachine brand laptops, which came without a charger (sold separately, of course). Then, after I had Presley, Thanksgiving was spent planning my Black Friday shopping route to ensure she received everything I wanted her to get. Who cared about the turkey and dressing? I was after those $5 Barbie dolls and $15 Play-Doh gift sets for my kid.

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MFA Oil Foundation awards grant to Randolph County Fair

The MFA Oil Foundation has awarded a grant to the Randolph County Fair to assist with purchasing plastic, fold-up picnic tables. The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than three million dollars in grants.

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JPs approve motion for audit of county’s finances

In an unusual motion, the Randolph County Quorum Court, in its regular monthly meeting Nov. 9, voted not to approve the treasurer’s monthly report and requested Randolph County Judge Ben Wicker secure an audit of the county’s financials. After Treasurer Dennis Calaway presented the report, there was no discussion among the Justices, except Justice Doris Sharp asked Calaway if he had received the October tax collections. He replied that he had not but had contacted Jennifer (Zitzelberger) and she told him the taxes would be in the neighborhood of $4 million.

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Randolph County Jail Log

Brandi Mullins, age 34, of Pocahontas; possession of a controlled substance sch I, II, possession of drug paraphernalia Colton Robinson, age 23, of Corning; possession of a controlled substance sch I, II, possession of drug paraphernalia- methamphetamine/ cocaine John Beijok, age 30, of Pocahontas; driving while intoxicated-third offense (M), driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked- Class U (M), improper use of evidences of registration-Class U (M) Thomas Bryant, age 20, of Pocahontas; disorderly conduct (M), warrant FTA Franklin Elledge, age 18, of Warm Springs; possession of a controlled substance sch IV, V, battery in the third degree-Class C (M) Ryne Ellis, age 31, of Pocahontas; assault on a family or household member Alfonzo Hernandez, age 37, of Paragould; warrant FTA Jordan Stewart, age 34, of Paragould; hold for Greene County Jullianna Ungerank, age 50, of Ravenden Springs; possession of a controlled substance sch IV, V Lucas Webb, age 19, of Pocahontas; battery in the third degree-Class C (M) Steven Folkerts, age 37, of Pocahontas; driving on suspended license Eric Martin, age 36, of Paragould; absconding (F) Dorothy Videgain, age 30, of Pocahontas; no data Michael Richey, age 28, of Smithville; failure to appear (for misdemeanor offense) (M) Daniel Yancey, age 42, of Pocahontas; violation of no contact order Samuel Mathews, age 40, of Corning; driving while license suspended or revoked pursuant to omnibus dwi act (M) Jason Thaddeus, age 29, of Pocahontas; driving while intoxicated-first offense (M) Cory Morgan, age 36, of Walnut Ridge; driving while intoxicated-first offense (M), careless and prohibited driving

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Hibbard Announces Candidacy for Justice of the Peace District 1

Mistina Hibbard, a 43-year-old cosmetologist and business owner from Pocahontas, has officially filed as a Republican candidate for the position of Justice of the Peace for District 1 in Randolph County. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Maine, Mistina has called the Pocahontas community home since 2007. In addition to her role as a business owner, Mistina is deeply involved in the community and has been a dedicated member of the Pocahontas First United Methodist Church alongside her 14-year-old son, Abe. Abe, an eighth-grader at Pocahontas Junior High School, shares his mother’s commitment to community involvement and is very active in various activites.

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Around the Kitchen Table with Nanny

I have been sharing recipes for different dishes for Thanksgiving, and probably you all have your meals planned by now. So, I thought it’s time to move on. Since Winter is coming soon, those cold dreary days when nothing tastes better than a big pot of delicious soup to warm our souls, this week let’s make a good beef stew and some chili and soups. I hope you try them all this coming winter and enjoy them.

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Life is a Journey

It all happened a very long time ago; I believe it was before my sisters were born. It’s like a “Once Upon A Time” story. We were all headed to my Grandma’s brother’s house, and Mama had a deep affection for this uncle, Uncle Ollie. He was a kind and patient man who had retired with a gold pocket watch from the railroad. Uncle Ollie and my Grandma shared a striking resemblance— dark skin, dark hair, strange brown eyes, straight long noses. However, Ollie was much quieter and more reserved than his sister Ethel. They lived in the small town of Taswell in a modest one-and-ahalf- story white frame house.

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The holidays have arrived

Ready or not, it’s November and Thanksgiving! My, how the year has flown by. The old saying “slow as Christmas” just doesn’t apply any more. We’re living in the fast lane and barely one holiday is over before another approaches.

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