Stories from Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Area schools have received preliminary figures on funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), better known as stimulus funding. School superintendents, Pam Castor, Manila; Tommy Knight, Riverside; and George Edd Holland, Buffalo Island Central; have attended several meetings receiving information on guidelines...

Even the wet weather couldn't dampen the spirits of folks who attended Springtime on the Mall last Saturday, said Anita Parrett, executive director of Main Street Blytheville, which sponsors the event each year. "It went really well considering the weather," Parrett said Monday. "We had a good crowd despite the weather."...

Even the wet weather couldn't dampen the spirits of folks who attended Springtime on the Mall last Saturday, said Anita Parrett, executive director of Main Street Blytheville, which sponsors the event each year. "It went really well considering the weather," Parrett said Monday. "We had a good crowd despite the weather."...

Council expected to go into executive session

Mississippi County has been chosen to receive $17,502 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. These funds have been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The selection was made by a national board that is charged by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from America Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in USA, The Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities and United Way of America.. ...

Despite rain showers, more than 300 participated Saturday morning in the annual Kiwanis Fishing Rodeo, according to organizer Jack Goodman. He noted there was the largest turnout in the last 10 years. No one caught "Big Bubba," the tagged fish worth $200, however...

"(The ) Blytheville (Courier News) felt like a good reflection and partner with the community."

Verma Hortense Alexander, 89, of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at St. Elizabeth's Place Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born near Monette, she was the daughter of Arthur and Josephine Barlow Finch and had been a longtime Leachville resident before making her home in Jonesboro in 1971, and had been a resident at St. ...

Brenda Joyce Raines, 65, of West Helena passed away Saturday, April 25, 2009. Brenda was born March 2, 1944, in Leachville to the late Kenneth Garrison and Mary Ann Beavers Garrison. She worked for over thirty years as a teacher's aid in Helena-West Helena. Brenda will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother an aunt and a dear friend to many...

Charles Russell Caery, 85, of DeKalb, Texas, died at his home Saturday, May 2, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Mr. Caery was born May 28, 1923, at Manila. He was the oldest of the eight children of W.W. ...

Louise Blankenship Chrisco, 93, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at her residence. She was born Jan. 7, 1916, in Monette to the late John and Lilly Blankenship. She had been a resident of Black Oak for more than 65 years and was an active member of the Black Oak Church of Christ...

Billy F. Farrow, 66, of Manila died Monday, April 27, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Etowah, he was the son of Mary Sarter Farrow and the late William H. Farrow and had lived most of his life in Manila. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was a retired farmer. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manila...

Services for Michael Joe Lambert were 3 p.m. Tuesday April 28, 2009 at Wadley's Funeral Service under the direction of Wadley's Funeral Service. Lambert was born Aug. 5, 1949, to William and Jessie Ventress in Floydada, Texas. ...

Everett Harold Mitchell, 74, of Leachville died Friday, April 24, 2009, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center in Monette. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late James and Loretta Lewis Mitchell and had been a longtime Florida resident before returning to Leachville 15 years ago...

Marvin Odell Robins, 68, of Leachville died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. A lifelong Leachville resident, he was the son of the late Odell and Versal Pilgrim Robins and was a 1959 graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Jimmy Roush, 54, of Trumann, died on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at his residence. Mr. Roush was born in Paragould, to the late Harvey Roush and Virble (Spencer). He was a lifelong resident of Trumann and Lake City area and of the Baptist faith. He was retired from the Singer Plant in Trumann, farmed, an avid Nascar fan, very well known in the community and a very giving person...

Effie Mae Talley, 91, of Manila died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Manila Nursing Center in Manila. Born at Dell, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Rosie Brown Lott and had been a longtime Manila resident. ...

Manila was its own worst enemy in Friday night's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Magnet Cove in the first round of the Class 3A State Tournament at Parkers Chapel High School in El Dorado. The Lions left the bases loaded on two different occasions without scoring a run, and stranded 11 runners on the night. Manila also committed three crucial errors that led directly to Magnet Cove runs...

Manila City Council members were updated on the city clean-up from the ice storm and annexation progress at the regular April meeting held on Monday evening, April 21. Mayor Clifford Veach said the clean-up from the ice storm is almost complete...

Students were treated to a special history lesson they all enjoyed on Friday afternoon. Yarnell's Ice Cream was served to students, teachers and staff at Manila High School. History teacher Leann Helms wrote a grant through the Arkansas Economics Grant Foundation on entrepreneurs of Arkansas...

Lake City Aldermen accepted certified fireman Brad Vaughn as a new member on the Lake City Fire Department by a unanimous vote at the regular meeting held April 20. Aldermen present were Ann Davis, Jon Milligan, Brenda Hutcheson, Tommy Eakins, Harold Barker and Kenneth Winford...

Jeff Herren with Brackett Krennerich Architects opened 13 demolition bids at the regular Manila School Board meeting on Monday, April 20. All school board members were present. The bids are for demolition work to remove the lower elementary buildings to make way for a new facility...

The Monette City Council finalized plans for open house at the newly renovated Buffalo Island Museum downtown when the council met Monday, April 27. Mayor Chub Qualls detailed plans for the museum, located at 207 W. ...

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is in the process of recruiting for its summer Youth Employment Program. This work experience program seeks to assist eligible participants, ages 16-24, in developing job skills to enable them to be independent and self supporting...

Salem knocked off Riverside 6-2, ending the Lady Rebel's hopes of a state tournament trip in Saturday's 2A Regional Softball Tournament at Melbourne. Salem scored first on a two out two run RBI single by Ashley Brankel in the bottom of the first inning. ...

Buffalo Island Central saw their season come to an end, losing to host Melbourne 9-1 in Saturday afternoon's 2A Regional Softball Tournament at Melbourne. The Lady Mustangs, who finished the season 13-9, were their own worst enemy, committing six errors on the day...

Manila used the long ball and a strong pitching performance from Tray Malone to pound out an 11-1 victory over Mountain View in Saturday afternoon's first round action of the Class 3A Regional Tournament at Tuckerman...