Stories from Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Middle School Victorious Christian Youth (VCY) sponsored a program on Sept. 11 entitled "We're Proud to Be Americans" in memory of the 9/11 attack. Andrew Fleeman, senior high VCY president, led the group in the "Pledge of Allegiance."...

Blytheville patrons voted down a 2.61 millage hike Tuesday that would have funded several projects in the district, including a new cafeteria at Central Elementary School. The 36.0 millage proposal failed, 657-518 (55.91 percent to 44.09 percent). There were 1,175 total votes cast, a year after a similar millage proposal failed with less than 400 total votes...

City had previously planned to chop mill

The Mississippi County Hospital System Strategic Planning Committee reviewed several options for the county's hospital system during a meeting Monday with members of QHR, the company contracted by the county to operate the hospitals in Blytheville and Osceola, to define key issues facing both hospitals...

The Act 2! community theater group will bring "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" to the stage of the Ritz Theater for performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Audiences will watch as Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregard, Veruca Salt, Mike Teevee, Grandpa Joe, Willy Wonka, the Oompa Loompas and Charlie himself come to life during a delicious -- and somewhat kooky -- tour of Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory. ...

Dennis Carl Kemp, 49, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at Cherokee Village after having health problems for many years. Mr. Kemp was born Sept. 14, 1959, to the late Carl Butler Kemp and Nellie Ruth Pilgrim Kemp in Canal Zone, Panama. ...

Frank Corneilous Miller, 82, of Jonesboro, formerly of Chicago, died Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born at Holland, Mo., the son of the late George and Malinda Miller and was raised in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. ...

Jean Earline Robertson, 75, of Leachville, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. A lifelong Leachville resident, she was the daughter of the late Dick and Mae Robbins Brock and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant General Baptist Church...

Both the Manila boys and girls golf teams qualified for regional tournament play as both squads finished as runner-up in their respective district tournaments held recently. The Lady Lions finished 11 strokes behind host Piggott, who took home the district title on Sept. 3 at Piggott. The Lady Mohawks fired a winning score of 173, led by medalist Allison Gurley who shot a 51...

Special team woes led to four turnovers, helping Westside race to a convincing 47-12 victory over Manila in senior high football action Friday night in Jonesboro. Things started badly on the Lion's first possession, when quarterback Josh Miles was intercepted by Westside's Jordan Doss at the Manila 38 yard line. ...

Chaney McLean, ninth grade student at Riverside Junior High, tied for first place in the high school district golf tournament. The tournament was held on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Sage Meadows in Jonesboro...

There's an old saying in sports that a tie is like kissing your sister, but Thursday night's 8-8 stalemate with Paragould left the Junior Lions feeling as though they lost the game. Manila made things look easy early on. ...

Annette Lippert was crowned Miss 2009 Lakeside on Friday afternoon. Cathy Stout, activity director, welcomed guests and contestants to the annual event. "We appreciate everyone who helped with the pageant and especially the contestants," Stout said. "They all did a wonderful job."...

Lakeside Nursing Center veterans in Lake City were honored on Wednesday, Sept. 9, by representatives of American Legion Pickett Post 21 of Jonesboro. Phil Clairday, commander, and John Reeves, adjutant, thanked the resident veterans for their service to the country and signed them as members of the American Legion...