18 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK - From the files of the August 14, 2002 Dumas Clarion:
The possibility that the West Nile virus has crossed into Arkansas from Louisiana has been grabbing headlines lately, but another potentially-deadly disease has already been discovered in the area.
A rabies alert has been issued for Desha County after a bat killed east of Mitchellville several weeks ago tested positive for the highly-contagious disease.
Good news outweighed the bad at the August City Council meeting Tuesday night with Councilmember Dwayne Snyder echoing what budget committee chairman Robert Milner had said at the meeting earlier in the day: A balanced budget, with money left over to start the next year, is a real possibility by the end of 2002.
It may seem that classes ended just a few weeks ago, but school starts Monday, August 19, and Dumas School District employees are looking forward to a good year.
Arkansans love catfish and the Grady Lions Club wants to accommodate as many catfish-lovers as they can at the 47th annual Lions Fish Fry set for Thursday, August 15.
Last Saturday’s 2002 Turtle Derby started off early with horseshoes and snacks for kids, as well as some “down time” for grown-ups in the shade. The new Turtle Derby shirts - with a colorful patriotic design - sold well. Derby goers enjoyed bingo, music, turtle races (son by Sommer Kirtley) and the annual beauty pageants.
