Stories from Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Lake City native Katie Lomax and the rest of her Arkansas Heat teammates will travel to Columbus, Ind., July 26-Aug. 2, gunning for their third consecutive World Series Championship in Fast Pitch Softball. The 11 and Under Paragould based squad has taken home the title the past two seasons...

One-year principal headed to California

The Blytheville Streets and Drainage Committee is working to prioritize a list of the numerous drainage problem areas in the city. Tuesday night, Streets and Drainage Committee chairwoman Carol White said the board needs a task force to develop a comprehensive drainage plan and later post the plan where residents may stay updated on the various projects...

The finishing touches are being placed on the new Welcome Center on Interstate 55 in Blytheville. The project is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, according to Glenn Bolick, a spokesman for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. An official grand opening ceremony, which will include local and state leaders and dignitaries, is being planned for next month at the new Welcome Center...

The finishing touches are being placed on the new Welcome Center on Interstate 55 in Blytheville. The project is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, according to Glenn Bolick, a spokesman for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. An official grand opening ceremony, which will include local and state leaders and dignitaries, is being planned for next month at the new Welcome Center...

GOSNELL -- After much compromise, Gosnell city councilmen approved two ordinances and tabled a third, all brought to the council by the city's code enforcement department. The first ordinance, which was tabled, concerned pets in the city limits. Councilwoman Tammie Fulks first addressed the issue of tethering dogs to stakes and trees several weeks ago. ...

Blytheville Police are investigating several incidents that occurred over the weekend according to reports. Sunday, Jodi Tillman reported to police that the lawn service that mows her rental property at the 100 block of East Hardin, noticed that a window air conditioner was missing from the residence. The air conditioner is valued at $400...

A Blytheville man was arrested over the weekend on drug charges according to the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Mississippi County Unit. Allen D. McDaniel, 41, of Blytheville, was arrested Saturday, when Joiner Police Chief Robert Yerbey received a call at his home in reference to a suspicious vehicle pulling in and out of driveways on Mississippi County Road 239 near Dyess. The vehicle was described as a small white two-door car...

Robert "Bobby" Markin, 71, passed from this life on July 19, 2009, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. He is now absent from the body, but present with his Lord. He attended Calvary Full Gospel Church in Cardwell, Mo...

Jerline Whitehead McDowell, 74, of Manila, died Monday, July 13, 2009, at the South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center in Osceola. Born at Manila, she was the daughter of the late Jim Whitehead and Blanche Vernor Wilkey, and had been a lifelong area resident. She was a homemaker, was retired from J.T. Parson's Cabinet Company in Osceola, and was of the Pentecostal faith...

Frances Louise Payne, 79, of Jonesboro died Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center after having heart problems for several years. Mrs. Payne was born Feb. 25, 1930, in Tupelo, Miss., to the late Mark Brown and Lou (Kirby) Brown. ...

Billy Dale Walker, 69, formerly of Caraway, died Friday, July 10, 2009, in Pontiac, Mich. He leaves his wife Debbie, of the home, along with three sons and one daughter. Siblings include two brothers and one sister. He is the son of Bertha Sparkman, of Monette, and the late Lee Walker...

Manila School Board members unanimously voted at the regular July meeting to name the new building in memory of former school board member Justin Veach. The new elementary building under construction will be named Justin Veach Elementary Building. Veach, 32, died on July 10, 2008, while serving on the Manila School Board...

The Buffalo Island Central School Board met Monday, July 13, and voted to hire Garrett Eoff, of Jonesboro, as head boys basketball and baseball coach, with an 11-month contract of $47,728.94. Eoff has been employed at Weiner High School for the past three years as head boys basketball and baseball coach, girls golf coach, and junior Little League head coach...

The Leachville City Council discussed concerns with accurate meter readings, mandated state retirement withholding and the upcoming Watermelon Festival at the city council meeting held Monday, July 13...

Colby Qualls, an upcoming junior at Buffalo Island Central High School, was recently selected to compete in the 2009 Arkansas Governor's Quiz Bowl Association All-Star Tournament held at Arkansas State University in Beebe...

Kay Ray, retiring CEO of Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, refers to her career with the organization as a wild 30-year ride. The SeMRHI organization did not exist at the time Ray first came to work in January of 1979. ...

Workers are busy renovating buildings on Caraway's main street to complete the future site of Gregg Funeral Home's fourth addition. Since the original funeral service opened in Jonesboro, in 1877, they have established services in Harrisburg and Monette...

Dumetra Pearson, head teller at the Heritage Bank, Caraway Branch, will be retiring after 22 years at the bank. A reception is planned in her honor from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Heritage, Caraway Branch...