Stories from Saturday, August 15, 2009

Four local organizations have suggested that Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison ask the Blytheville City Council to call for an annexation election. The Blytheville Planning Commission, the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Blytheville and members of the Great River Economic Development board recommended asking voters to consider annexing Ramblewood, Meadowlawn and what is being called the "Highway 312 area," which includes areas like the Blytheville Municipal Airport, Birchwood, Country Manor, Armorel Estates, etc. ...

Below is a copy of Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce president Becky Hawkins' letter to Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison, asking the city for an annexation election. In the proposal, the city would annex Ramblewood, Meadowlawn and what is being called the "Highway 312 area," which includes areas like the Blytheville Municipal Airport, Birchwood, Country Manor, Armorel Estates, etc. The proposal does not include anything east of Highway 312...

1. What are the biggest challenges facing a high school principal today? At the top of the list, I would have to put having time to get everything done. Societal challenges affect schools as much as anything else -- poverty, drugs, behavioral disorders, etc. Making average yearly progress with all subgroups on every test is also an ongoing challenge...

Occupation: Principal at Rivercrest High School in South Mississippi County since 2002. Previous Jobs: Spent 20 years as teacher at Newport, Steele (Mo.), Gosnell (16 years) and Union City (Tenn.) and also served as a part-time instructor at MCCC (now ANC)...

Blytheville native and longtime Justice of the Peace John Alan Nelson has decided he will run for county judge in 2010. Nelson said he began to consider the possibility last September. The idea was confirmed when he found that current County Judge Steve McGuire does not intend to seek reelection to the seat...

LITTLE ROCK -- Entergy Arkansas, Inc. recently announced a rate reduction effective Sept. 1 as a result of declining fuel costs. The reduction will result in savings of over three percent per month for residential customers. In a filing with the Arkansas Public Service Commission, Entergy Arkansas said it will reduce the fuel-cost portion of customers' monthly electric bills from 1.552 cents per kWh to 1.206 cents per kWh. ...

Gosnell Chief of Police Fred Roberts reminds all motorist that the Gosnell schools will be back in session Wednesday, Aug. 19, and police will be watching for speeders. Chief Roberts reminds all motorist in Gosnell that the speed limits in the school zones are clearly marked at 25 m.p.h. and police will warn motorists who violate the speed limit for the first two days, but then after that, all violators will be ticketed...