Stories from Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Recent reports from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force:

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

With a record of 2-5 at the halfway point in 5A-East play, the Blytheville Chickasaws knew they had to beat a lot of teams in the second half of the season that have already beaten them if they want to make it to the state tournament.

Mr. Charlie Wayne Purcell, 75, of Leachville, passed from this life, Sunday Feb. 5, 2012, at his home.

Reginald Conley, 56, of Blytheville, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

Mr. Benjamin J. Brooks, 48, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, in Memphis.

Blytheville has a number of wonderful nonprofit and community service organizations, and all of them depend on their dedicated volunteers to do the good work of this area. This week, we lost one of the best.

Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson has a message for citizens who may be uninformed regarding the law governing school and construction zones and traffic tickets.

Councilman Stan Parks announced at Monday's Streets and Sanitation meeting that the city is hoping to start asphalt repair around town beginning in March.

Beginning immediately and running through Valentine's Day, the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross will be offering "singing Valentines."

KIPP Blytheville's fifth-grade students visited Delta Gateway Museum on Wednesday to learn about the Great Depression.

After waiting an entire year for the budget to allow it, the Blytheville City Council's Personnel Committee is creating a new technology position for the police department.

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the great earthquake of 1812, one of the largest earthquake to ever hit North America and the last in a series of three earthquakes starting in December 1811.

GOSNELL -- The 7th seeded Gosnell Junior Pirates knocked off the 2nd seeded Westside Warriors in the 3-4A Junior High District Tournament, 45-41, Monday night at Gosnell Gym. Gosnell held off a 20-point performance from Westside's Zac Preston to advance to the semifinal round against Osceola Thursday night who defeated Trumann...

The Blytheville Chickasaws head to Paragould tonight to take on the Rams in another big 5A-East game. At 3-5 (11-11 overall), and currently in fifth place, in the conference, every game is a big game from here on out for the Chicks. "The kids know what's at stake," said Blytheville head coach David Hixson. "They know that we've got to win tonight."...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Two members of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Officials said Monday that former New Orleans Saints lineman Willie Roaf and ex-Seattle Seahawks tackle Cortez Kennedy were selected for the pro football honor over the weekend. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame officials say it's the first time that two of its members will be inducted into the pro hall as part of the same class...

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders indicated he is against delaying the 15-month, 1-cent special election, as proposed by the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, but he said today the decision belongs to the Blytheville City Council.

Andrew Crafton "Drew" Blankenship died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. He was born to Koehler and Pam Blankenship of Dell, Ark., on Oct. 22, 1968, and lived his entire life there...

Willie Lawrence Davis, 85, of Leachville, died Thursday evening, Feb. 2, 2012, at the Greene Acres Nursing Home in Paragould. Born at Corinth, Miss., he was the son of the late Oscar and Lillie McMinn Davis and had been a lifelong area resident. ...

Ernest Edgin, 86, of Leachville, passed from this life, Friday Feb. 3, 2012, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born at Leachville, he was the son of the late Robert and Jessie Edgin and had been a lifelong area resident. He was the former owner and operator of Edgin's Auto Body Shop in Leachville and was a longtime member of the First Assembly of God...

Charlie Wayne Purcell, 75, of Leachville, passed from this life, Sunday Feb. 5, 2012, at his home. Born in the Happy Corner Community near Leachville, he was the son of the late Francis E. ...

Mary Helen Hamilton, 85, passed from this earth to be with her heavenly Father on Feb. 1, 2012. She was at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born March 26, 1926, to the late James Earl and Mary Leslie in Monette. ...

Buffalo Island Central's Lady Mustangs closed out the 2A-3 conference season with a convincing 67-36 victory over Rector Thursday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Manila swept a pair of 3A-3 conference games last week, defeating Rivercrest 60-35 Tuesday night at Manila before downing Piggott 55-36 Friday night on the road. The Lions held a slim five point lead over the Colts at the half before building their advantage to 39-29 heading into the fourth quarter. ...

Riverside used a 22-2 fourth quarter explosion to roll past Cross County 68-38 in 2A-3 conference action Tuesday night at Cherry Valley. Logan Meurer poured in 28 points to lead the Rebels, who also got 10 points apiece from Morgan Fletcher and Jacob Jordan. Brock Adams added eight points and 10 rebounds...

Rector drilled eight three pointers, including seven in the first half, and went on to post a 58-41 victory over Buffalo Island Central, spoiling the Mustang's senior night Friday at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Manila School counselors, Angie Gipson, high school; Trena Shedd, middle school; and Teresa Eastin, elementary school, met with Superintendent Pam Castor as she signed a proclamation Monday morning proclaiming National School Counseling Week Feb. 6-10...

Terry Couch is seeking re-election for Craighead County District 12 justice of the peace. He is a republican seeking a third term on the Craighead County Quorum Court. "I have served the Eastern District and Craighead County for the last three years," Couch said. ...

Manila FFA Alumni Association gathered over 100 items for the 14th FFA auction and dinner. The event will be held Saturday at the Manila Airport Center. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7 p.m...

State Representative Charolette Wagner recently announced the recipients of this year's GIF Funding - Community Enhancement Grants. Among the Mississippi County cities and towns receiving $3,000 each were Blytheville, Dell, Dyess, Etowah, Gosnell, Keiser, Leachville, Manila, and Osceola. ...

The Cherokee Scouting District held its annual banquet Jan. 28 in St Bernard's Auditorium in Jonesboro. During the recognition and awards portion of the banquet, District Executive Kathy Thompson awarded a plaque to Troop 42 in recognition of its selection as Troop of The Year...

Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner recently completed his first year in office and considers 2011 successful. It has been a busy year with a lot of emphasis put on revitalization and clean-up efforts making it easier for homeowners and contractors to renovate and build in Manila...

Manila City Council members expressed their agreement with Mayor Wayne Wagner's recommendation for a pool site at a special called meeting Monday evening, Jan. 30. Following a lengthy discussion the council voted unanimously to go forward with the proposed site on the corner of Davis and Lake Streets, across from the city park, north of the tennis courts...