Stories from Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Earnest Ray Clifton, 54, of Paragould, formerly of Leachville, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center. Survivors include his wife, Maedene Austin Clifton of the home; a stepson, Richard Goss of Paragould; a stepdaughter, Angela Goss of Paragould; a brother, William Cash of Jonesboro; and a sister, Donna McCollum of Jonesboro...

William "Bill" Fleetwood, 81, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009, at his residence. He was born July 23, 1927 in Monette to the late Jess and Lew Crowell Fleetwood. Bill retired from Boilermaker, Local 27 in St. ...

"It would be difficult to require everyone in the city to take it to a drop-off point." -- Mayor Barrett Harrison

The Fourth of July holiday is often about family reunions, barbecues and spending time with family and friends. But in the city limits of Blytheville, it is against the law for the celebration to include fireworks. Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson wishes to remind everyone that discharging fireworks in the city limits is in violation of a city ordinance...

New Blytheville City Councilwoman Carol White has begun a weekly meeting at the Blytheville branch of the Mississippi County Library system in an effort of find solutions to community issues. The meetings, which are open to the public, will be at 6:30 p.m. each Thursday...

GOSNELL -- In its regular meeting Monday night, the Gosnell School Board approved a budget of funds to be received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the stimulus money. The district is expected to receive $1,435,145 in funding, if the budget of expenditures is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, said Superintendent Stan Williams...

Herbert Vernon Wilson, 83, of Leachville died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at his home. Born at Leachville, he was the son of the late Robert and Lomay Wilson and was a lifelong Leachville resident. He was a retired carpenter and was the first hired to construct the Brown Shoe Factory in Leachville. ...

Caraway will host its 63rd Fourth of July picnic with activities starting June 30 continuing through July 4. The Bluff City Carnival will arrive in Caraway Tuesday, June 30. Arm band nights will be Wednesday and Friday...

Monette Manor residents and staff, along with family members, celebrated two 70th wedding anniversaries on Monday, June 22. Couples honored were Roy and Birtha Clowers and Floyd and Frankie Henry. The party was a surprise to honorees. ...

Leachville 12 and under Mustangs won Conference Champs and NEA League Tournament Champs. Pictured are, from left: -- front -- Evan Sanders, Dylan Hurst, Evan Long, Ryan Stuck, Jaime Alvizu, Dylan Mitchell. Middle - Coach Chris Stuck, Johnathon Mondragon, Eric Navarro, Austin Pike, Jerry Cazares, Coach Scott Ballard, Bryan Hurst. Back -- Tim Long. Not pictured - Hunter Costner. (photo provided)...

NEA Rangers competed in the May Mayhem 8 and Under Machine Pitch Baseball Tournament on May 23-24 in Trumann where they took home first place. Pictured are, from left: front -- Brock Birmingham, Miles Gifford, Joel Burrow, Alex Walsh, Hunter Swaim, Dalton Brumley, Layne Sims, Jacob Tarver, and Gavin Gathright. Back -- Coaches Darrell Birmingham, Don Brumely, and Scott Gifford. (photo provided)...

The NEA Titans won the 9AA USSSA State Tournament recently at Bland Park in Paragould. The Titans became back-to-back State Champs due to their win in the 8 and under Little League State Tournament last year at Pine Bluff. ...

Brenda Bunch Flagg of Manila had no idea a search of her family heritage would result in finding relatives she would never have known existed if not for her research. She and her husband, Larry Flagg, opened their home on May 23 with 39 descendants from the Hector, Gardner and Bunch family attending. ...

The first Buffalo Island cotton bloom was found on Dennis and Justin Gathright farms, near Black Oak, on Sunday, June 28. The Stoneville 5458 cotton was planted April 27. Pictured are Graham Blankenship, Presley Gathright, Gracelyn Blankenship, Madalyn Gathright and Chandler Gathright...

Marlon Ray Davis, 69, of Leachville died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Powe, Mo., he was the son of the late John C. and Rosa Mae Jackson Davis and had been a Leachville area resident for over 50 years. He was a well known brick mason and faithful member of the People of Praise United Pentecostal Church in Leachville...