Stories from Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Charlene Rogers Effinger, 80, of Lake City, passed away at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. She was born in Caraway to Aubrey and Lillian Hollis Rogers on April 17, 1929. She was a hairdresser and of the baptist belief...

Joanne Kathren Johnson, 59, of Paragould, formerly of Manila, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at UMAS in Little Rock. Born at Patton, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Marvin Martin and had been a Paragould resident for the past 12 years. ...

Norma Jean Veach, 75, of Manila, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, she was the daughter of the late Aven and Ellen Poe Hodges and had lived most of her life in the Manila area. Mrs. Veach was a member of Manila First Baptist Church...

Joann Rich, 67, of Manila, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. She was the daughter of the late Claude Luther and Effie Mae Lott Atkinson, had been a Manila resident most of her life and was a retired licensed practical nurse...

Jackie Wayne Timms, 60, of Peru, Ind., formerly of Lake City, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Peru. Born at Monette, he was the son of the late Nolen John and Myrtle Eaton Timms. He was a 1968 graduate of Lake City High School and a member of Betharbra Baptist Church in Lake City. ...

Buffalo Island Central finished the 2A-3 conference season taking two of three games last week to complete an 8-6 league mark. The Mustangs began the week with a 58-44 victory over Cross County Tuesday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex before rolling past Marked Tree 63-50 Wednesday night on the road. BIC lost a heartbreaking 38-37 decision Friday night at Rector...

Kam Ashabranner's driving lay-up with 39 seconds left in overtime broke a 62-62 tie and the Lions hung on to post a crucial 66-62 3A-3 conference victory over Rivercrest Saturday night at Manila. The two teams battled to a 60-60 tie through four quarters before the Lions outscored the Colts 6-2 in the overtime period to gain their 22nd victory of the year while improving to 14-1 in conference play. ...

Manila split a pair of 3A-3 conference contests last week, defeating Piggott 65-41 Thursday night at Piggott before dropping a tough 62-58 decision Saturday night to Rivercrest at home. The Lady Lions drilled 12 three pointers in their 24 point victory at Piggott. ...

Riverside got back on the winning track Friday night at Lake City with a 57-35 romp over hapless Cross County in 2A-3 conference action. Jake Love pumped in 19 points while Josh Anderson added 10 more to lead the Rebels, who improved to 9-17 overall and 5-9 in conference play...

Senior basketball players and cheerleaders, along with their parents, were recognized on Tuesday, Feb. 2, during the last Buffalo Island Central home game of the 2009-10 season. Emcee Eddie Dunigan recognized the players and their parents expressing his appreciation for all their dedication and hard work...

Dalton, 10, and Madison, 4, children of Brad and Paige Hitchcock, had a great 2009 riding season and are ready to kick off the new year. Both Dalton and Madison ride in the Northeast Arkansas Horseshow Association. Dalton has participated for three years and Madison for two...

The Manila Future Farmers of America Alumni Association will host the 12th annual dinner/auction on Saturday evening at the Manila Community Center. A fish and chicken dinner, catered by Big Butts of Leachville, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the meal will be sold at the door. There will be no carry-outs. The auction will begin at 7 p.m...

Richard Bowden, one of five college and career coaches, working throughout high schools in Mississippi County, will be serving Manila High School and Buffalo Island Central High School. Sherry Bennett with Arkansas Northeastern College is serving as the coordinator for the college and career coaches. Bowden will be working for Arkansas Northeastern College...

Winter weather left local schools closed for the second straight day today, as cold air followed a winter storm across Arkansas, bringing further hazard to roads already clogged with snow and slush in the northern half of the state. There were scattered reports of accidents on area roadways this morning, as commuters made their way to work in slick conditions...

ARMOREL -- Armorel Elementary School's new principal will be a familiar face. The Armorel School Board voted Monday night to hire 16-year district veteran Joey Carr to replace Rick Gore, who will be resigning at the end of the school year. The hiring came on the recommendation of Tom Bennett, who will be taking over as district superintendent this summer, but is currently acting as a consultant in the district's search for new elementary and high school principals...

A nearly four-hour standoff ended Sunday when Blytheville police deployed a chemical agent that led to a Blytheville man surrendering, Blytheville assistant police chief Marvin Crawford said. Scott Davis, 30, faces charges of aggravated assault on a family member (two counts)...

A fifth suspect has been charged in the shooting death of Wendell Bobo II, 20 of Blytheville. Martavious Colley, 20, of Blytheville was arraigned Monday in Blytheville District Court on charges of first degree murder, criminal attempt to purchase a controlled substance and two counts of criminal mischief...

'RD' Newbern was found in his barbecue stand

In recognition of Black History Month, the Courier News is shining the spotlight on some of the many African-Americans who have played a leading role in our community. A different individual will be featured in each edition of the newspaper during the month of February...

Monette Masonic Lodge 558 elected officers for the coming year last month. The new lodge officers wore lambskin aprons denoting their new positions of leadership, as they took their oath of office. Officers include Clyde Watson-Worshipful Master; Tom Carroll-Senior Warden; Bear Harrell-Junior Warden; Robin Ashley-treasurer; Larry Bibb-secretary; Bill Hetler-Senior Deacon; Tommy Dunigan-Junior Deacon; Gene Gathright-chapleon; Jim Fraser-Tyler; and M.C. ...