Stories from Wednesday, January 13, 2010

GOSNELL -- Members of the Gosnell City Council approved a resolution Tuesday giving Mayor Dick Reams authority to sign a grant application for new playground equipment for the city's park. Councilwoman Melissa Sellers submitted the information for the grant and worked on obtaining the prices of equipment. She said the spiral slide in the park needs to be replaced because of safety issues. Other equipment, such as the swings, can be refurbished, and other equipment can be repainted...

Gosnell Mayor Dick Reams told the Gosnell City Council Tuesday night that he does not intend to seek another term as mayor. Reams said he had "really enjoyed" his service over the last 20 years as mayor. He also commended the council for being "one of the best groups to represent the city." He also complimented the city...

OSCEOLA -- The Delta Regional Authority will give the city of Osceola $400,000 for the construction of a floating barge at the city's river port. The state's two U.S. senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, made the announcement Tuesday with U.S. Rep. Marion Berry...

Blytheville Fire Chief Ivory Diamond told the Blytheville City Council's Police and Fire Committee Tuesday night he wants to break ground this year on the future West End fire station. "I would really like to start building the station this year," Diamond said. "I would really like to begin the ground breaking this year. Whether I get the grant, the $2.2 million that I'm asking for or not, I would still like to start the project."...

The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce will continue its "Star Dust on Blytheville" series next month with an on-stage interview of Sam Haskell, former head of worldwide television at the prestigious William Morris Agency, a firm that manages careers of stage, film and television celebrities...

Charolette Wagner of Manila has announced she is seeking re-election for her third term as state representative for District 77 in Mississippi County. Currently, Wagner serves on the following House committees: Insurance and Commerce, Education, K-12 and Vocational-Technical Institutions Subcommittee, and Joint Adequacy Evaluation Oversight Subcommittee...

Agnes Elizabeth Crittendon, 85, of Leachville, widow of Woodrow Wilson Crittendon, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at her home. Born at Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Mary Olive Bishoff Mathis. Mrs. Crittendon had lived in St. Louis and Hot Springs, but returned to her Leachville home in 1997 following the death of her husband...

Mary "Pill" Dudley died at the age of 78 in Haughton, La., on Jan. 1, 2010, due to coronary artery disease. She had been a resident of Manila most of her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Mae Wadley; father, Huck Wadley; and a son, Roy Lee Lamb, Jr...

Ruby Pearl Kelton, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at her residence. She was born at Swifton on Aug. 12, 1927, to the late Everett and Flossie Riley. She was a homemaker and a member of the Buffalo Chapel Baptist Church. She loved watching the news, farming, cooking, meeting people, outdoors and fishing. No one was a stranger in her home and she was always eager to help those in need...

Ricky Taylor, 61, of Manila, was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, after a hard but short battle with cancer. As an avid outdoor adventurer, his years spent in Manila were active; from building and flying his ultra-light airplane and other various experiments of duck blind and boat building. ...

Gadoy Lee Shrable, Jr., 69, of Manila, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at his home. Born near Manila, he was the son of the late Lee and Ruth Stark Shrable, a 1957 graduate of Manila High School, and a lifelong area resident. ...

Jerry W. Underwood, 78, of Manila, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at his residence in Manila. Mr. Underwood was born on Aug. 26, 1932, to the late Homer Byron Underwood and Macie Lee Jackson Underwood in Leachville. Mr. Underwood was an Army Korean combat veteran, long time Manila resident, truck driver and Manila High School graduate...

Members of Manila School Board met in special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5, to discuss participating in the Race to the Top program, personnel matters, and a handbook policy issue. Present were Board members Tony Crowell, president, Johnny McCain, Brandon Veach, Danny Robbins, and Tracey Reinhart. Not present were Jackie Hill and Steve Matheny...

Buffalo Island Central School Board members voted unanimously to extend Superintendent George Edd Holland's contract by one year (2012-13) at the Thursday, Jan. 7, meeting. In other business the board voted to participate in the State of Arkansas grant application for Race to the Top funding...

Coach Bill Taylor was surprised with a plaque following a Monday morning assembly at Manila High School. Principal Pam Chipman presented Coach Taylor a plaque in recognition of his 600th victory. Chipman said Coach Taylor has coached since 1985 and now has 604 wins in his 25 year career...

Woodrow Henry of Manila was honored Monday evening, Jan. 4, for 50 years of service to the Manila Masonic Lodge 588. Henry serves as chaplain for the Lodge. Henry was presented a 50 year pin and card by Worshipful Master Carl Brooks...

Charolette Wagner of Manila has announced she is seeking re-election for her third term as State Representative for District 77 in Mississippi County. Currently Wagner serves on these House committees: Insurance and Commerce, Education, K-12 and Vocational-Technical Institutions Subcommittee, and Joint Adequacy Evaluation Oversight Subcommittee. ...

Two Manila residents were arrested Friday morning, Jan. 8, following the discovery of a suspected meth lab at 202 Haywood Street in Manila. According to Manila Chief of Police Jackie Hill, Sgt. Delbert Carter attempted to make a traffic stop when the driver, Gabriel Wilson, fled the vehicle on foot. Wilson was caught by Chief Hill about one block from where the vehicle was stopped...

Manila's senior boys continued their winning ways with a 66-36 trouncing of Corning Tuesday night, Jan. 5, at Manila in 3A-3 conference play. Manila (16-2, 8-0 3A-3) jumped to a 20-3 first period lead and held a 39-16 advantage at the half. The Lions took a 59-26 lead into the fourth quarter...