In the News

Three $500 scholarships were awarded to local high school seniors, along with business and volunteer of the year honors during the annual Clinton Chamber of Commerce banquet last week.

Former Clinton Chamber of Commerce president Darrell Moore presented the $500 scholarship certificates to Taylor Huggins from Clinton High School, Benton Barry from Shirley High School, and Madison Thorn from South Side Bee Branch High School.

Steve Goode of Goode’s Cash Saver grocery accepted the Business of the Year award from Clinton Chamber of Commerce vice-president Nathan Morgan. Lori Blagg of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Jessica Crabtree.

Darrell Moore was brought back on stage to receive an award recognizing his service, presented by Matt Stewart, who is the current president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Clinton Fire Department Chief D.L. Webb took off the fire chief helmet and donned auctioneer hat during the banquet’s charity live auction to rename a street. Last year, Jeff and Maria Pistole won the auction and renamed the former First Service Lane, south of Morgan Park, to Danny Pistole Parkway, in memory of his father. The Pistoles won the auction again this year.

There was also a silent auction, where bidders write down their bids for items donated by local area businesses. A sterling silver necklace from Faye’s Diamond Mine was won by Jim Gilliam, who also won the bidding on a decorative log fountain from Davis Cash Lumber.

Two coolers also made it to the auction table that night. One was a “Game Day Cooler” stocked with Arkansas Razorbacks memorabilia donated by First Service Bank, which was won by Maurice Passmore, and a “Cook’s Cooler” festooned with decorative cooking items as donated by First Security Bank, was won by Memory Passmore.

Two birdhouse packages were also auctioned off. Maria Pistole won the bid for the birdhouse gift box from Bank of the Ozarks, and Jason Hayes won the decorative birdhouse feeder provided by Ivy Lane. A lunch and day-pass package from The Greater Good Retreat was won by Jessica Crabtree.

The speaker for the evening was Christina Madsen, who many television news viewers may remember as Christina Muñoz, which was her maiden name used while working as a reporter and news desk anchor at KATV Channel 7. She is currently the associate vice president of communications, public relations and marketing for the University of Central Arkansas.