Stories from Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Velma Alburta Crews, 92, of Caraway, widow of Mr. Luther "Luke" Crews, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at the Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City. Born in Keiser, she was the daughter of the late William and Bessie Cater Dewey and had been a longtime Caraway resident. She was retired from American Greetings in Osceola and she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Caraway...

Mr. Gordon Elbert "Jack" Miller, of Leachville, Ark., departed this life Monday morning, Jan. 30, 2012, at his home, at the age of 82. He was born June 4, 1929 in Delfore, the son of Jesse Reeves "Boss" Miller and Mary Edna Barnes Miller. ...

Ernesto Perez, 44, of Valle Hermosa, Mexico, formerly of Manila, died early Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, from injuries received in an accident in Valle Hermosa. Born at Ciudad Mante, Mexico, he had lived much of his life in Manila and was a self-employed electrician. He had lived in Valle Hermosa since 2010...

Riverside watched Walnut Ridge rally from an eight point halftime deficit for a come-from-behind 62-55 victory over the Rebels Thursday night at Lake City in 2A-3 conference basketball action...

Manila traveled to Earle Friday night for a key 3A-3 conference battle in senior boys basketball but the Bulldogs proved poor hosts, claiming a 76-66 victory over the Lions. Autry Allen lead Earle with 21 points while Dalvin Kimble added 18. Daquane Willford recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists...

Buffalo Island Central swept three conference games last week to improve their record to 27-5 overall and a league leading 14-1 in 2A-3 conference action. Brittany Fowler scored 19 points to lead the Mustangs past Walnut Ridge 67-47 Friday night at Monette. ...

Allen Buchanan began Friday night's game at Buffalo Island Central with a thunderous dunk, sparking the Indians to an easy 68-35 victory over the Mustangs in 2A-3 conference basketball action...

My daddy always taught me, "life is not fair," and dear fellow citizens we are finding this out. I know I am the new guy on the block, but I hope I can bring some clarity to the tax issue we all face. First, know this for certain: the IRS will be paid, and the city of Blytheville will pay it one way or another. ...

Toward the end of 2011, with millions of people still unemployed or underemployed, the threat of rising taxes being faced by middle and lower middle income families, and skyrocketing costs on everything from food to medicines to gasoline, our elected officials in Washington used their last weeks before the holiday break to put together two pieces of legislation and try to get them pushed through.

Mrs. Darlene Stubbs, 54, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. Gary Wayne Smullin, 66, of Trumann, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Lake City, he was a factory worker and a member of the Church of Christ faith.

Mr. Joe Riley, 74, of Blytheville, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis

Mr. Gordon Elbert "Jack" Miller, 82, of Leachville departed this life Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at his home.

Richard Pierce "Dick" Koehn II, 71, of Flower Mound, Texas, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at his home.

Mrs. Velma Alburta Crews, 92, of Caraway, widow of Mr. Luther "Luke" Crews, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at the Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City.

Manila FFA Alumni Association is gathering items for the auction and the dinner/auction event will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Manila Airport Center. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m...

Manila school board held an expulsion hearing, discussed a proposed master plan, extended the superintendent's contract, filled a custodian position, and accepted a resignation at the January meeting held Thursday evening...

Peggy Williams of Black Oak recently announced she is seeking Craighead County Quorum Court District 12 position. Peggy Williams of Black Oak recently announced plans to seek Craighead County Quorum Court District 12 postion...

Retired Air Force Charter Chief Master Sergeant Turner J. "T.J." Bazemore, 89, of Blytheville, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at 10:05 a.m. at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro.

Lesia Couch, Craighead County Eastern District deputy clerk, announced plans to seek re-election. Couch is a lifelong resident of Caraway. She graduated from Caraway Central High School in 1979 and worked for Heritage Bank for 16 years prior to running for Eastern District deputy clerk in 1999. She has been unopposed for five terms...

Suzanne Southard, director of the Mississippi County senior activity centers, was in Manila on Thursday to introduce guest speaker Robert Earl Davis, "The Arkansas Comedian." "We are happy to have quorum court member Robert Earl Davis here today as a guest speaker," Southard said. ...

Most farmers are working closely with their crop advisers and lenders to develop budgets for their 2012 crop.

The Gosnell School District, in conjunction with the city of Gosnell, will soon begin construction on a new sidewalk with $36,418 in grant money awarded to them through the Safe Routes to School program.

Focus at the Gosnell School District is turning toward preparation for state benchmark and end-of-course exams, which will begin in the spring.

The Blytheville City Council's Finance and Purchasing Committee chipped $27,088 off departments as it made final tweaks to the proposed 2012 budget Monday night.

Committee and team members of the Buffalo Island Relay for Life met Thursday at the Leachville Community Center. Chairman Brenda Matheny welcomed everyone and kicked off the 2012 plans taking suggestions for upcoming events...

As a renowned gospel, country and rhythm-and-blues style performer, Jason Crabb has found appreciative audiences across the globe. His acclaimed voice has resulted in numerous Dove Awards, in addition to a Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album Grammy in 2010 for his self-titled solo debut which featured the crossover hit "Somebody Like Me."...

It was a grand occasion Sunday afternoon in Corning Therapy and Living Center as many friends and family members paid tribute to Mrs. Letha Rice Veach on her 105th birthday. The matriarch of the Veach family turned 105 Monday, January 23, 2012...