Stories from Thursday, February 2, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. Andrew Crafton "Drew" Blankenship died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro.

This is my first editorial of any kind, although I've considered it many times. One of the perks to living in the "The Greater Blytheville" area is thankfully through my only "real" resource for news, "The Courier News" (no slam to Topix, ha). All the opportunities for readers/citizens to learn of the many reasons that "Greater Blytheville" seems to only get gradually worse...

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the air base closing.
 According to our archives, the last plane left Eaker Air Force Base on March 16, 1992.

Adults who have started, or who plan to start, the GED program have six opportunities to take the test before the next major change takes place Jan. 1, 2014.

Blytheville business owner Effie Collins is running for Arkansas state representative for District 55, and says her platforms are crime reduction, education and healthcare, among other issues.

A central Arkansas town has reached a deal with the Internal Revenue Service that will allow it to repay the payroll taxes it owes.

The Ritz Civic Center will host a public meeting with representatives from Arkansas Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, who will answer questions about the city of Blytheville's 2010 audit.

The city of Osceola has spent more money than it has taken in; and the result has landed it owing $1.7 million to the city's three power suppliers.

International independent theater stage actor and playwright Cedric Liqueur will bring his acclaimed one-man solo performance of "Leroy 'Satchel' Paige: Long Rifle" to the Ritz Civic Center at 7 p.m. Friday.

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