Stories from Friday, February 18, 2011

A Blytheville business owner pleaded no contest to operating a funeral home without a license Thursday in Blytheville District Court.

The 3.2 magnitude quake was recorded at 1:13 a.m. Friday about 3 miles northwest of Keiser, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A 40-year-old Hayti woman is dead and the Dunklin County Coroner is ruling it a suicide after she apparently freed herself from hand and feet restraints and jumped out of a moving transport vehicle.

For 30 years, Barbara Mitchell has dedicated herself to helping people. "It's not a job, it's a calling," Mitchell said.

FAYETTEVILLE -- There are only two teams left that the Arkansas Razorbacks could possibly sweep home and home in the SEC West. Arkansas plays one of them Saturday night.

Mrs. Shirley Travis, 61, of Greenbriar, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway.

Expect Arkansas pitching to change as abruptly as the Arkansas weather in the Razorbacks' season-opening series with Delaware State.

5A-East teams have one more week to jockey for state tournament positions, which could be key to making a run in the 5A State Tournament at Alma.

Shirley Coleman, age 55, of Jonesboro, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday Feb. 14, 2011, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro.

Students and families of KIPP Blytheville gathered for the first KIPP Blytheville College Night to learn about college admissions and to set up college savings accounts.

"Whispers of Lincoln: 26 days, Two Rivers, One Photographer and a Flatboat" is a photographic exhibit opening at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28 in The Galley of The Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville.

Higher fuel and fertilizer costs may prompt producers to skip rice and corn in favor of soybeans and cotton in 2011.

The Blytheville Baseball/Softball Boosters will hold baseball and softball registration on Feb. 19, 22 and 24 at the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce building. To register for a team, bring your child's birth certificate and registration fee on Saturday, Feb. 19 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Tuesday, Feb. 22 (5-8 p.m.) or Thursday, Feb. 24 (5-8 p.m.).

Jim Edmonds drove a pitch over the right-field wall late last season and began home run trot No. 393.

I used to think no easy problems come by the way of animal sheltering. That's what I used to think! Now comes a whole new season of wonderful young people full of great ideas to get things done.

The Plain and Fancy Quilters Club met recently at the Blytheville Public Library for their monthly meeting.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department.

The Blytheville Chickasaws took a huge step toward a 5A- East championship with an impressive, 67-42, victory over the Forrest City Mustangs Friday night.