Stories from Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Thelma Jean Hilburn Hacker, 84, of Portia, Ark., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at the Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, Ark. Born Jan. 10, 1927 at Black Rock, Ark., she was the daughter of the late James Homer and Dora Swindle Hilburn and had been a long-time area resident. ...

Roy Glenn Harrell, Sr., a good and faithful servant, passed from this life Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at age 79 in St. Louis, Mo. He was the beloved husband for 50 years of Kate Handley Harrell, beloved father of R. ...

Mr. Herman Utah McDaniel, 85, of Lake City, Ark., left this world to go to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the Lakeside Nursing Home. Mr. McDaniel was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Big Creek, Ark., to the late John and Hattie Mae Sea Perry. ...

Bryan Sickels, 35, of Manila, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis. Born at Creve Coeur, Mo., near St. Louis, he had been a Manila resident since 1982. He was a carpenter and loved all types of woodwork. Bryan was an avid hunter and fisherman...

Kinley Faith Wilbanks, infant daughter of John and Kathryn Simpson Wilbanks of Manila, was born and died Dec. 18, 2011, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Riley Wilbanks of the home; grandparents, Larry Wilbanks of Althelstan, Ark., Janet Field of Manila, Ark., and Josh and Jennifer Simpson of Manila, Ark...

Buffalo Island Central's senior girls broke their four game losing streak in a big way, with a 64-21 thrashing over Tuckerman Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

After a slow start, Manila pulled out the long-range artillery and roared past Buffalo Island Central to claim a 73-46 victory in the first round of the 65th annual Northeast Arkansas Invitational Basketball Tournament Wednesday night at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Manila rode the hot shooting hand of sophomore Kirsten Adcock and held off a determined Highland Lady Rebel team to post a 44-41 victory in the first round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Wednesday morning at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Members of the Manila senior high basketball team, Brady Jones, Scott Eubanks and Zack Day, were recognized as Players of the Game at the first annual Mississippi County games. Manila played Blytheville High School at Osceola...

Eleventh seeded Riverside went into the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament as a decided underdog to sixth seeded Valley View Friday afternoon, but the Lady Rebels put a scare into the favored Blazers before finally succumbing 66-50 in first round action...

Marmaduke rolled past conference rival Riverside 51-31 in the opening round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Thursday night at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Manila Fire Chief Keith Bennett and Assistant Chief Woody Nunnally addressed the Manila City Council at the Dec. 19 meeting giving a report for the 2011 year. Chief Bennett said the fire department had 119 runs with 80 fire calls as of Dec. 14...

The Monette Beautification Committee announced selections of 2011 Christmas lighting winners last week. Business winners were: first place, Greenway Equipment Co., 301 W. Drew Avenue; second place, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, 300 W. Drew Avenue; and third place, Johnny Dunigan, Attorney at Law, 219 W. Drew Avenue...

Lake City Christmas lighting winners were recently announced. Winners included: First place $100 - Cameron Tate; Second place $75 - Curtis Timms; Third place $50 - Russell Hall.

Manila Lions Club members and volunteers gathered on Friday evening to fill Christmas boxes with food and toys to be delivered on Christmas Eve. Over 100 boxes were filled and delivered this year. The Lions collect food, ring the bell, and host the pancake supper in their Goodfellow project to make the holidays better for families in the area. ...

Manila Postmaster Don Nunnally, who will be retiring Jan. 2, and Wilma Adams, who retired in November, 2009, were honored on Wednesday, Dec. 21, with a reception for their years of service to the Manila Post Office...

The Buffalo Island Museum in Monette was the recipient of a $2,500 operational grant for small museums from the Arkansas Humanities Council, American Association of Museums and the Department of Arkansas Heritage...

JONESBORO -- Both the Armorel Tiger boys and girls teams were ousted in the first round of the NEA Tournament. The boys lost a 68-46 decision to Izard County Consolidated on Friday night and the girls lost to 1A-3 East foe, Crowley's Ridge Academy, 59-37, Monday morning...

Mrs. Patricia Green Butler, 87, of Osceola, passed away at her home Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. She was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Blytheville, to the late Carl and Iva Jarbou Green. Patty was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She attended the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She continued to cheer for the Razorbacks until her final days...

Mrs. Jewell "Dink" Kirk, 95, of Osceola, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at Osceola Healthcare. Born Aug. 2, 1916, in Murray, she was a homemaker and a member of Westside Baptist Church in Osceola. She was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Jewell Hale; her husband, Woodrow Kirk; her sister Irene Holt; and her brothers Carlie Hale, Emmett Hale, and Bobby Hale...

Mr. Bennie Williams, 90, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born June 16, 1921, to the late Willie Williams and Lillie Williams, he was a member at New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Williams leaves his wife, Augusta Williams of Blytheville;...

The annual cotton/corn production meeting conducted by the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Mississippi County Cooperative Extension Service is set for Monday, Jan. 9, beginning at 8:30 am. It will be held at the Northeast Research and Extension Center in Keiser...

Regarding the approach of New Year's Eve this weekend, Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson would like to remind the public that the city of Blytheville has an ordinance against discharging a firearm within the city limits. This includes firing a gun in the air on New Years Eve...

Retired and current employees of the Blytheville Fire Department will soon have the chance to share memories at the first ever Blytheville Fire Department Reunion. Former firefighter Bob Edwards, who is helping organize the event, says that they are working towards a three-day event in the spring, with dates yet to be announced...

Shopping reaches a high point during the Christmas season, traditionally starting on Black Friday, and remains steady through Christmas as people wrap up their holiday shopping. With Christmas day falling on a Sunday this year sales weren't as high for some as they had hoped, while others saw a spike in activity and customer traffic...