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 then heard a loud "thud." The tree – which had power lines running through it – fell but missed hitting the house. Hurt, the owner of the D&D Quacker Box in Malta, said the family is feeling very lucky the tree did not fall on the home.