Stories from Friday, April 23, 2004

by Larry Elkins OK, I saw "The Passion of the Christ" or "The Movie," as it has been dubbed by many. I liked the movie, but I realize it is a movie, not an exact Biblical record. I loved the imagery of the teardrop from God striking the ground and starting the earthquake...

Expenses of county offices are running slightly less than they were a year ago, according to County Judge Mike Botelho, and the county's hiring freeze is still on. But there is a small light at the end of the tunnel. Botelho told elected county officials early this week that while no new positions can be created, the stipulation is slightly eased with hirings being permitted to replace employees who have left...

Justin Wyas, a star athlete and popular Green Forest High School student, was improving steadily at St. John's Hospital-Springfield, several days after suffering major injuries last Sunday, April 18, in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 412. Wyas, 18, a senior who will graduate this year, was beginning to talk to his parents and relatives Wednesday morning, after a couple of days of communicating by shaking or nodding his head and squeezing his father Kenny's fingers...

The Berryville Bobcat baseball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of the championship game of the 1AAA District Tournament against the Gravette Lions on Monday, but couldn't stop a seven-run sixth inning rally by the Lions and lost, 11-9...

GREEN FOREST ---- Coaches Jay Martin and Jim Goins loaded the bus and took their junior high girls' track team to the Mountain Home Junior Bomber Relays on Monday, and the team responded, scoring 85 points and placing third overall in the big-school field...

The annual Bobcat Relays for seventh-grade and high school teams ran to a smooth finish Tuesday, beating out lightning and thunderstorms by an hour or so. In the senior high division, the Berryville boys romped to 154 points and first place over second-place Gravette's 63.3 points...

Doris Champbell Means, formerly of North Little Rock, died at her home on April 16, 2004, in Eureka Springs. Mrs. Means is survived by her son, Dr. James A. "Jay" Means of Natchitoches, La., a daughter, Noelle Means Brannon of Eureka Springs, and her grandson, Andrew Wade Brannon...

TRACY ANN HAMMOND, a resident of Green Forest, was born Nov. 5, 1966, in Chicago, a daughter of David and Sharon Sue (Asbury) Hammond. She died Friday, April 16, 2004, in her home at the age of 37. Tracy was employed by Tyson Foods in Green Forest. She is survived by her two sons, Brien Clinton and Drew Clinton both of Murphysboro, Ill.; a brother, Patrick Hammond; a sister, Erin McKanday; two nephews; three nieces; several other relatives; and a host of friends...

FRANK A. FANCHER, 77, of Fayetteville, died April 19, 2004, at his home. He was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Conner, Ark., the son of Joseph and Mary Fancher. At an early age, he moved to Berryville, where he lived until moving to Fayetteville in 1967. He married Peggy Newman in February 1954. Frank was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a retired district manager of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church...

LOUIS CLAUD EVANS, a resident of Berryville, was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Eureka Springs, a son of Benjamin and Beulah (Ammons) Evans. He died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, in Berryville at the age of 82. Mr. Evans was a lumber grader. He attended the Assembly of God Church in Eureka Springs. Mr. Evans was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during World War II...

ONLY BERNIECE BENTON, 82, of Shell Knob, Mo., died Sunday, April 18, 2004, in St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield, Mo. She was born Nov. 15, 1921, near Rotan, Texas, on the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River, the daughter of Samuel Patrick and Audie Browning (Hudnall) Murphree. ...

The Total Woman, a seminar ministering to the body, soul and spirit of women, will be held May 8 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Berryville Community Center. The non-denominational conference will begin with vocalist Chandra High, who is described as talented and powerful with a style and spirit sure to win the hearts of those attending...

Harrison-area churches are sponsoring a concert, free of charge, with critically-acclaimed songwriter and artist-worshipper Darrell Evans Friday, May 7, at Faith Assembly of God in Harrison. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m...

The Arkansas state Medical Examiner's Office reported to the sheriff's department Wednesday that a woman who died in a mobile home fire last Friday April 16 apparently succumbed to smoke and soot inhalation. Sheriff's Investigator Ralph Gordon said the autopsy results on 37-year-old Tracy Hammond are preliminary, and the cause of the fire is still not determined. The manner of death is still listed as pending...