News

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. — On Monday, Nov. 18, Robert Charles Sena, 40, of Bellevue, Neb., was arrested in connection to a fatality wreck that occurred in Mississippi County last year and resulted in the deaths of a woman and an 8-year-old passenger. On Oct. ...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Many of the members of the Rotary Club of Blytheville were rewarded Thursday as they were informed of the possibility of receiving money as State Auditor Dennis Milligan told them of “The Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt”...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor The Lights of the Delta will open for the 24th sea- son on Monday night with Grilling with Santa located at the Aeroplex (formerly known as Eaker Air Force Base). Lights of the Delta Executive Director George Hubbard said there will be 56 major motion displays along the one-and-a-half mile-long drive, which include over six million lights...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor GOSNELL— The Gosnell School Board met Monday night, where they heard from four fifth grade students on their recent trip to Ferndale and showed appreciation to Nucor Arkansas and Nucor-Yamato Steel. School Board members, Gosnell administrators, teachers and parents watched as the Gosnell fifth graders, Baylee Hilburn, Katelyn Read, Vivian Holifield, and Annalee Pate, explained their 4H field trip to Ferndale, which consisted of archery, canoeing, roasting smores, and hikes.. ...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Mark Moseley, owner of the Red Barn, was the Blytheville Lions Club guest speaker Tuesday, where he informed the Lions Club of the negative effects of a world without trees and even gave a tree to new Blytheville Lions member Alicia Rounsavall...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Wednesday night, the Blytheville City Council met for the monthly council committee meetings for the Fire, Police, and Safety (FPS) Committee and the Finance Committee at the Ritz Civic Center. ...

Blytheville —The National Cold War Center in Blytheville and the Woodrow Wilson Center, whose parent company is the Smithsonian Institution, have announced a partnership to help preserve the story and advance learning about the world’s most protracted and expensive war...

Blytheville police have made one arrest in a recent robbery and a second suspect remains at-large. On Nov, 13, officers with the Blytheville Police Department responded to Foster’s Liquor in reference to a possible robbery. Upon arrival, officers were advised the offenders fled the area. Officers were unable to locate the fleeing subjects. After a lengthy investigation and cooperation from the victims, detectives were able to identify possible suspects...

Votes cast in the 2024 General Election in Mississippi County were officially certified Thursday evening. The commission spent five hours Wednesday and seven hours on Thursday recounting early, election day and absentee votes as well as counting the provisional ballots...

Sheila Whitlow with the Arkansas Department of Education will be the guest speaker at the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s November Chamber Luncheon. The luncheon will be held Monday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville...

NEA Baptist Clinic acquired Smith Medical Group at 527 N. 6th street in Blytheville on Monday. “We are extremely excited to welcome Smith Medical Group to our primary care network,” said Melanie Edens, chief operating officer for NEA Baptist. “Dr. Smith has been a staple of health care in Mississippi county for 54 years. This merger will help bolster our primary care footprint and continue to build on Dr. Smith’s legacy...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Last Monday, City of Osceola Fire Chief Peter Hill informed the Mississippi County Police, Fire and Safety Committee of the dangerous fires that were transpiring at the county landfill, which is in the city of Osceola’s fire district, and the need for a pumper tanker...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor WILSON — On Wednesday afternoon, 13 members of the 16-member Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) traveled to Wilson for their fourth quarter business meeting on Thursday; however, they toured the Big River 2 facilities in Osceola and congregated at the Tin House in Wilson before meeting at the Wilson Manor on the campus of the former Delta School in Wilson...

By JOSEPH FONDREN and REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Finance Committee met last Monday as they continued the 2025 budget.  The longest discussion over a budget was for the Great River Economic Development Foundation as the committee spent roughly 46 minutes where Economic Developer Clif Chitwood made the case for the Economic Development budget to stay the same; except for the three—percent salary raises to Mallory Darby and himself...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Veteran’s Day Program “A Salute To Our Veterans” was held Monday at 11 a.m. sharp as roughly 100 people gathered in front of the Mississippi County Courthouse to hear from Blytheville Police Chief and United States Air Force retiree Johnathan Frazier and Ret. Sergeant First Class Jeremy Gillespie, Post Commander of The Dud Cason American Legion Post 24...

On Nov. 6, agents with the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, along with Special Response Teams from the Blytheville Police Department, Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, and Osceola Police Department, successfully executed a search warrant in the 600 block of Parkway...

BLYTHEVILLE— Mississippi County Judge John Alan Nelson was the guest speaker for the Blytheville Lions Club during Tuesday’s weekly meeting at the Blytheville Country Club. Nelson gave a brief update on the renovations of the two Mississippi County Courthouses in Blytheville and Osceola. ...

Former President Donald Trump has won a second term, according to an Associated Press race call at 5:34 a.m. Wednesday. Around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, Trump clinched the 19 electoral votes of Pennsylvania, the biggest of the Blue Wall states, putting him on the path to victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The AP reports that Trump has locked down 277 electoral votes to 224 for Harris so far. In order to win the White House, a candidate must secure 270 votes in the Electoral College...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Edwin Beaty will be laid to rest after almost 75 years of being listed missing in action.Through DNA testing, the remains of Sgt. Beaty was identified and his next of kin, Trent Fletcher, was notified. Sgt. Beaty was a half brother to Trent’s mother...

BLYTHEVILLE—Roughly 220 people gathered at the historic Ritz Civic Center Friday night for a sitdown question and answer between Chamber Director Liz Smith and Gary Powers, Jr. Powers is the son of Francis Gary Powers, the famed U-2 pilot who was shot down over Russia in 1960 and was released during a prison swap on a bridge in 1962, which was dramatized in the 2015 movie Bridge of Spies. ...

BLYTHEVILLE— The Hangar at Eaker Air Force Base was a rocking Saturday night with 500 people in the audience for the National Cold War Center’s annual Cold War Party, where nearly $500,000 was raised.  The Cold War Center is scheduled to open in the late fall of 2027. ...

The Monette High School class of 1964 celebrated its 60th anniversary last Saturday with an all-day reunion at the Wildflower Event Venue in Jonesboro. Twenty classmates were in attendance, out of the original class of 54 students. The celebration began at 10 a.m. with a meet and greet. Classmates were joined by their families, friends and special guests, who visited throughout the day...

Dawgy D-Tails, dog grooming and pet supplies, was welcomed with a ribbon cutting on Thursday. The ribbon-cutting was sponsored by the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Dawgy D-Tails is a family business located at 1409 East Moultrie, Blytheville. Owners are Leon and Dianne Miller...

BLYTHEVILLE— Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan and members throughout the city government spoke Tuesday night to the members of the Blytheville Chickasaws and Junior Chickasaws football programs during a joint team dinner at the Blytheville High School cafeteria. ...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, and other state and local officials announced this week that the State of Arkansas has purchased land in Charleston to build a new prison...

Legal Aid of Arkansas will host two legal clinics in Mississippi County to offer record sealing and estate planning services to individuals who may not otherwise have access to these essential resources.The Record Sealing Clinic will be held on Nov. 13 in Blytheville, and the Estate Planning Clinic will follow on Nov. 14 in Manila...

On the evening of Friday, Oct. 25, officers with the Manila Police Department in cooperation with Arkansas Department of Probation and Parole, Leachville Police Department, Mississippi County Sheriff's Department, Blytheville Police Department and the Arkansas State Police conducted saturation patrols, warrant service as well as probation compliance checks in and around the cities of Manila and Leachville. The operation yielded multiple traffic warnings, citations and several criminal...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Manila firefighters, city, county and state officials and members of the community celebrated the opening of the new addition to the Manila fire station on Friday, Oct. 25, with an open house. “We feel truly blessed to have such a remarkable facility to serve the people of Manila,” Fire Chief Sonny Ray Dill said. ...

The National Cold War Center will present the Cold War Conversation Friday, Nov. 1 at The Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Gary Powers, Jr. will be this year’s guest speaker. Powers is the son of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, author and commentator on Cold War issues. ...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Blytheville School Board members finished the October meeting Thursday night expressing well wishes to Teresa Whatley, administrative assistant to the superintendent. Whatley is retiring after 21 years of service to the Blytheville School District. Friday, Oct. 25, was her final day...

Representatives of the Peacock Group, a consulting firm, and Cranford Company met with Mississippi County Justices on Monday presenting an overview of their work for the county. Mississippi County Judge John A. Nelson commended the companies for their work in boosting the county throughout the country...

Thursday, Oct. 31: –Blytheville Main Street Trick or Treating, 4-6 p.m. Children are invited to come out and trick or treat. Anyone wanting to participate in distributing candy will need to register online. Set up is free but participants must provide their own tent and candy...

The annual Mississippi County coat give–a-way, sponsored by the City and County Youth program, will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Mississippi County Union Mission, 400 East Walnut Street in Blytheville. Coats will be distributed starting at noon until 2 p.m. ...

Young author William Phillips of Dallas, Texas, will be returning to Blytheville to sign his newest book, Cloud Kingdom. The event will take place from 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, at the New York Store downtown Blytheville William’s first book, The Magic Island Chronicles Book 1, Magic Island, was released in 2023. The series will consist of four books. William is looking forward to returning to Blytheville where he has family and friends...

Cherie Corso, a dynamic New York-based artist, socialite, and Fox News commentator, will be in Blytheville during the National Cold War Gala of the weekend Nov. 1-2. One of her paintings will be auctioned and others will be available for sale at the New York Store, located in historic downtown Blytheville...

Artist Amy Carlisle of Memphis will be returning to Blytheville as the New York Store welcomes her during the National Cole War Gala the weekend of Nov. 1-2. Everyone is invited to come see her beautiful work and browse among fall and holiday unique decor, tabletop, fashion and jewelry...

On Oct. 17, the Monette Beautification Committee recognized the Monette Methodist Church for having the most beautiful Fall Decorations in the city. Reba Wimberly and Linda Matthews decorated the festive fall display in front of the church on West Drew Avenue with a bright assortment of fall Mums, artwork, pumpkins, colorful leaves, hay bales, and a wide assortment of other orange and yellow flowers. Large wooden boards displayed the theme “Fall for Jesus, He never leaves.”...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Liz Smith, board member of the National Cold War Center project, was the guest speaker at the Blytheville Lions Club on Tuesday. She gave a history of the project as well as an update announcing upcoming events during Cold War week...

By DAVID PIERCE NEA Town Courier Repair and renovation of the county courthouse in Osceola took a giant step forward Tuesday as the quorum court earmarked funds from a county land sale to the project. A little more than $1.4 million was generated from the sale of county-owned land on South Division in Blytheville. The justices moved to channel those dollars to upgrade the deteriorating courthouse...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Tarsha Smith-Cook of Blytheville held a book signing on Tuesday at the Mississippi County library in Blytheville. Her latest book was written in an effort to help students as they prepare for college. The title is Preparing for College with a Professional Student, The Workbook for College Success...

Members of the Leachville Beautification Committee went to represent Leachville in Little Rock on Thursday as they moved toward becoming an official Main Street Arkansas community and partner. This organization is part of the national Main Street America network. Main Street Arkansas’ mission is “to strengthen and preserve historic downtowns and Main Street districts across the state.”...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Leachville City Council members voted to approve the cost of updating the computer system for the police department at the Monday, October 21, meeting. Chief of Police Steven Pearson addressed the council requesting an updated reporting system, laptops for the trucks, and scanners for the evidence room. He explained that their reporting system is out of date. The total cost for the upgrades was $8995...

Nettleton High School EAST invites all men and women who have served or are presently serving in all branches of the United States Military to “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” program and luncheon. The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m This year’s program will be held at St. Bernards Auditorium, at 505 E. Washington Avenue, Jonesboro. Parking will be available for guests attending...

The Arkansas Wrestling Association Inc. will present a wrestling fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 9 for the Blytheville Emergency Squad. The wrestling event will be held at 600 N. 10th St in Blytheville. A live auction will begin at 5 p.m. with Hillbilly Nate. Wrestling will begin at 6:30 p.m...

The Melody Theater in Leachville will present two live concerts in November. Finley Watkins will return to the stage with his show, “Christmas with Elvis,” at 7 p.m., Nov. 16. Allen Hurt and the Music Showmen will be welcomed to the Melody stage for a live country music concert at 7 p.m., Nov. 30...

Riverside High School will be hosting their third annual chili cook-off during the homecoming game on Friday, Nov. 1. Entries need to be registered at the game by 5:30 p.m. and chili needs to be in a crockpot. Awards will be given for People’s Choice and Best as Judged...

Riverside will kick off their homecoming week on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. with a community bonfire at 1700 CR 813, Lake City. Each day activities are: Monday, Oct. 28 – Spirit Day: PJ Day. Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Spirit Day: Camo Day. Game Theme is pink-our. Rebels basketball begins at 6 p.m...

Riverside High School in Lake City will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat at the high school parking lot on Halloween, Oct. 31. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. There will be hayrides, activities, and a costume contest.