Stories from Saturday, October 15, 2011

Halloween came a bit early this year to the Humane Society.

"It was the same score at half time last year," said Pirate head coach Brian Sims. "We came out last year and we weren't focused. This year, we were focused and we took care of our business." The Pirates (5-2, 2-1) began taking care of business right from the opening kickoff recovering two Highland fumbles on pooch-kicks. Gosnell scored off of both turnovers and led 14-0 before the Rebels (5-1, 2-1) and talented junior quarterback, Sterling Stowers, ran a play from scrimmage...

BEEBE -- Blytheville has endured some tough losses over the years, but one would be hard-pressed to find one that rivals the ending of Friday night's key 5A-East game with Beebe. The Chicks watched a 10-point lead with less than four minutes to go evaporate, then the improbable happen in a 38-32 gut-wrenching loss...

The Gosnell Lady Pirates may have a new basketball coach, but their coach is no stranger to the area. Jenna Weeks returned to the area after spending the 2010-11 school year in the Piggott school district. Prior to that she spent eight years teaching and coaching for the Armorel School District. Weeks' final year at Armorel left her with mixed emotions as she helped lead the Lady Tiger softball team to a 1A state title...

Delta Gateway Museum founding director Leslie Hester and Blytheville parks manager Robert Bailey have submitted proposed budgets for 2012. The museum's projected expenditures add up to $73,854, which represents personnel and daily operating costs. Meanwhile, the city parks/pool proposed expenditures tally $347,411, compared to $95,977 budgeted in 2011...

Former local hairstylist Chris Wamble, who is facing charges in the incident from January in which Blytheville Police Officer Cody Gentry was injured, will be returning to court on Monday, Oct. 17. Wamble is accused of filing a false police report. On Jan. 13, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the Blytheville Police Department received a call from Wamble reporting the alleged armed robbery...

Tuesday night, the Blytheville City Council will consider a resolution authorizing the mayor to take necessary steps for calling a special election on a proposed 1-cent sales tax, which would be used to pay the city's $3.2 million Internal Revenue Service debt...

A young man whose name has not been released was killed Saturday in a car accident which occurred outside of Blytheville on Highway 137. No other vehicles were involved, and State Police say the cause of the accident is still under investigation. sharris@couriernews.net...

A large crowd was on hand Saturday for the annual United Way Chili Cookoff.