Stories from Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Mr. Alvin Leroy Warren, 61, of Little Rock, died Thursdya, May 19, 2011, in Little Rock.

Mrs. Annie Mae Smith, 95, of Osceola, died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at NEA Baptist in Jonesboro.

Mr. Franklin Ladon Rice, 69 of Manila, passed from this life Sunday May 22, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mrs. Martha Kate Tarpley Griffin, 54, of Jonesboro, died Monday, May 23, 2011, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Billie Jo Clowers, 82, of Luxora, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, at Osceola Healthcare Center.

Charlyne Buckner, 70, of Lepanto, died of respiratory failure Monday, May 23, 2011, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro.

The following is a roundup of several ongoing court cases in the Caruthersville area

Gosnell's school board approved plans Monday night to fund next year's teacher professional development programs, including continued services from JBHM.

Blytheville Middle School may soon have a decorative fence on one side to help deter students from running across the street before and after school.

The Mississippi County Quorum Court will meet at 7 tonight in the courtroom of the Blytheville Courthouse, and justices are expected to appropriate $250,000 in economic development funds to bring another industry to the Arkansas Aeroplex.

Herschel "Cooter" Brown, 65, of Walnut Ridge, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 4, 1945 at Rivervale, he was the son of Howard and Violet (Jones) Brown. He was a farmer and of the Baptist belief...

Jimmy R. Hathcock of Burleson, Texas, formerly of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Blackwater Church of God, CR 474, Manila...

Franklin Ladon Rice, 69, of Manila, passed from this life Sunday May 22, 2011 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Ancil and LaNell Cossey Rice and had been a lifelong Manila area resident. ...

Mr. Olibia Woodward, 70, of Paragould, our Dad and our Mother's first love, went to be with our Lord on May 19, 2011, at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Woodward was born Feb. 18, 1941, in Memphis, Tenn., to the late John and Violet Woodward. ...

Arkansas Badboyz won the Sultans of Swat tournament, 13 year old division, in Jonesboro on May 15. The Badboyz defeated the Jonesboro Rebels in the Championship game 9 to 1 for the win. The Arkansas Badboyz are a 12AAA team and played up in the 13 year old division in this tournament...

On Wednesday, May 18th thirty-one Riverside Jr. High gifted/talented students along with their teacher, Brenda Hutcheson traveled to Piggott to tour the Hemingway Pfeiffer Museum. While there the students enjoyed listening to tour guides provide insight into the life of Ernest Hemingway and his time of living and writing in Piggott...

Buffalo Island Central School Board voted on several staff reassignments for the 2001-12 school year at the regular meeting held May 16. Reassignments included Sharon Sullivan (special needs aide) from high school to east elementary; Terry Cobb from leave of absence to second grade -- west elementary; Brooke Whitley from kindergarten west elementary to fifth grade west elementary; April Finch from second grade west elementary to kindergarten west elementary.. ...

The Caraway Council worked through a short agenda consisting of reports and recommendations at the Thursday, May 12, meeting. Mayor Barry Riley gave the council updates on several ongoing city projects, which consisted of the new city hall roof being installed and near completion; water and sewer generators have arrived and the concrete pad for placement has been poured; roof repairs will be made to the Fire Department building; and Work-Force has been contacted for possible hiring of city workers.. ...

The Monette City Council discussed upgrading water meters for 100 percent accuracy and prevention of water revenue loss at the council meeting held Monday, May 16. Mayor Chub Qualls introduced Winwater Works representative Charlie Barber and product specialist Doug Ford for a presentation about potential and cost of Master Meter system installation...

Lake City Council voted unanimously in favor of a purchase of a 1979 Ford pumper fire truck for $5,000 from the Manila Fire Department and a 1989 GMC flat bed truck from Williams Auto Sales for $1,800 which could be converted to a tanker with the parts from the existing 1968 model it now has...

Prior to the Monday, May 16, Manila City Council meeting, a dedication of the new sign "In God We Trust" was held with Brother Jared Russell presiding at the ceremony. Council members had voted unanimously to display the words "In God We Trust" in the meeting area at the January meeting. The words were placed above the doors of the meeting room...

Manila School board approved the transfer of elementary and high school choir directors at the Thursday, May 19, meeting. Following an executive session, the board voted unanimously to allow the exchange of the elementary and high school choir directors. ...

Karen Wallace, math teacher at Buffalo Island Central West 4-6 grade, will be retiring at the end of the school year with 29 years in the classroom. She did her practice teaching at Monette but there was not an opening her first year. She went to Blytheville for a year and returned to Monette/BIC where she spent 28 years...

Lynn Smith is excited and apprehensive about starting a new phase in his life as a retired educator. Mr. Smith has arrived at Buffalo Island Central High School at 7:30 a.m. for 45 years. Smith has remained in the same school district but has managed to wear different hats through the years keeping his career fresh. ...

An earthquake preparedness drill brought the National Guardsmen to Monette by helicopter last Wednesday with water and food supplies. The helicopter was met by city and county officials, emergency agencies, members of Craighead County road department, David Moore, Craighead county E911 director and other community members including the firefighters and police officers...

Grammy Award winning musician Rodney Crowell will be one of the featured artists at the Johnny Cash Music Festival at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro on Aug. 4 to benefit the ongoing Dyess memorial project...

Recent reports, according to the Blytheville Police Department.

Nathan and Linda Shields were united in marriage on May 27, 1961, in Blytheville.