Stories from Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Recent reports from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force:

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mrs. Jane Medlin Lane, 87, of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City.

Brenda Denise Freeman, 54, of Gosnell, passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Tuesday Raben Tire hosted its annual customer appreciation pancake breakfast. The breakfast was catered by Chris Cakes Inc. out of Kansas City. Raben Tire general manger Herman Lintner thanked all of the customers saying, "We couldn't do this without all of you."...

Members of the Blytheville Ballroom Dance Team entertained the audience at halftime of the Blytheville Chickasaws' game against Nettleton Tuesday night at Chickasaw Gym.

Gosnell Mayor Don Marshall called 2011 a "learning experience" in his State of the City address, given Tuesday night at the Gosnell City Council meeting.

Blytheville may be getting another shot at 4G cellular service after Tuesday's Airport and Utilities meeting.

Unlike some who attended, Mississippi County NAACP president Tracey Marshall and legal redress chairman Tony Hollis don't blame Mayor James Sanders and members of the Blytheville City Council for missing a community meeting Saturday at the Blytheville Public Library.

JONESBORO -- The Gosnell Lady Pirates season ended Tuesday night after a 51-44 loss to the Trumann Lady Wildcats in the opening round of the 3-4A district tournament at Westside's Warrior Gym. Trumann led 14-6 after the first period and 19-17 at halftime before Gosnell outscored them, 22-14, in the third to take a 39-33 lead heading into the fourth. Trumann outscored the Lady Pirates, 19-7 in the final frame to take get the win...

PARAGOULD -- The Armorel Lady Tigers advanced to the second round of the 1A-3 East district tournament after a 73-61 win over the Black Rock Lady Zebras Tuesday night at Crowley's Ridge Academy. Armorel led 20-15 after one period, 28-24 at halftime and 51-24 heading into the fourth...

The Blytheville Chickasaws kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a just as slim, 49-47, win over the Nettleton Raiders Tuesday night at Chickasaw Gym. Ahead by two with under 20 seconds to play, Blytheville's Greg McKillion came up with two huge defensive plays to keep Nettleton from tying or taking the lead...

Matthew Driver, 37, of Blytheville, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, in Blytheville. He was a lawn care worker.

Effie Y. Gonzales, 74, of Blytheville, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Manila Nursing Center.

A 4.8-mill tax increase was approved by South Mississippi County School District voters Tuesday, with 53.9 percent of voters in favor of the project.

Events of earlier this week offer further evidence that something I've been saying needs to happen, indeed, needs to happen.

Lillie Lee Janie Salmons, 86, of Van Buren, Ark., died Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, while living at the home of two of her daughters.

The Annual Black History Program sponsored by the Mississippi County Black Cultural Association will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Frontline Family Outreach Ministries, located at 121 E. Walnnut, Blytheville.