Tree falls in Malta, narrowly missing family home

Record precipitation for October and high winds wreaked havoc on Phillips County last week and in Malta downed a tree with a bit of history.

An old Boxelder near Malta Elementary School toppled near the "Stranton House" early last Thursday morning. The "Stranton House" – which got the nickname from former resident Gladys Stranton, Bessie Mae Waters sister -- was built by the sister's father, Floyd Blevins, in the late 1940's and the tree was planted around that time.

Daisy Hurt, who currently lives at the home with her husband, said the two heard something brush against the residence and...