Stories from Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Blytheville Police Department is investigating a wave of shootings late Sunday night that left several people shot and others injured.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mrs. Loise Lorene Hill, 90, of Manila, widow of Mr. James Byron Hill, passed from this life Sunday April 1, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila she was the daughter of the late William and Willie Simmons Murphy and had been a lifelong Manila resident...

Arthur Ray Smith, 78, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born January 27, 1934, in Lead Hill to late W.A. and Frankie Smith. Ray retired after 47 years with Colson Castors as a quality control inspector. ...

Cody Webb fired a five inning no-hitter, fanning 12, to lead Riverside to an 11-0 victory over Maynard Tuesday afternoon at Lake City. Webb (1-0) also banged out three hits to help his own cause. Ryan Mason drove in three runs for the Rebels while Dylan Wright added two RBIs...

Wes Colbert banged out four hits, including a triple, while picking up the pitching victory, leading Buffalo Island Central to an 18-3 thrashing of Cross County Tuesday afternoon at Monette...

Manila swept a twin bill over Piggott Thursday afternoon at Manila, winning the opener 11-10 before taking the nightcap 10-6. Kailen Shelton hit a two-run single, giving the Lady Lions a come from behind victory in the opener. ...

Lake City council members tabled an ordinance and approved ordinances at the March 19 council meeting. The council voted to table Ordinance No. 259-12, an ordinance for the purpose of adopting the city of Lake City tree ordinance, until the next regular council meeting scheduled for April 16. ...

Blytheville Lions Club will host a golf tournament at Blytheville Country Club on Saturday, April 14. The Lions Club in Blytheville and around the world has the goal of supporting the organizations that aid the blind and sight impaired. ...

The Buffalo Island Central Junior High 2A Quiz Bowl team, under the leadership of Frankie Turner, won third place in the state competition held in Batesville on Saturday, Feb. 25. The team also won third place in the regional competition held at Riverside...

It was Marla Layne Day at Monette Manor on Tuesday as she was recognized in conjunction with Long-time Care Administrator's Week. Staff surprised Layne with a cake, framed picture, balloons, punch, and money tree...

Hufford's Lumber and Hardware held an open house and ribbon cutting Saturday, March 31. The new business is located at 201 South Main Street in Leachville. Owners Greg and Shannon Hufford welcomed guests, served hot dogs and hamburgers, and gave tee-shirts, hats and held drawings for prizes. The LIDC members provided coffee and cookies for the event...

LITTLE ROCK -- Paulette Hodges of Blytheville claimed a $1,000,000 prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Jonesboro Claim Center. She won the prize in last Friday's Mega Millions draw, which matched all five of her ticket's white ball numbers...

The decision of one grandmother saved the life of a little boy. Unfortunately, just a few weeks later, another decision to drink and drive cost that grandmother her life and the life of her husband...

Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner welcomed Mississippi County mayors, County Judge Randy Carney and other guests to the Mississippi County Mayors' meeting held at the Manila Depot on Thursday, March 29. Guest speaker was Shirley Connealy, animal advocate...

Mr. Hollis D. Medford, 84, of Blytheville, passed from this life Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Great River Medical Center.

Mrs. Loise Lorene Hill, 90, of Manila, widow of Mr. James Byron Hill, passed from this life Sunday April 1, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mrs. Bettye Taylor Dexter, 78, passed from this life Sunday, April 1, 2012, after a brief illness.

Mr. James L. "Jim" Branscum, 81, of North Little Rock, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Friday, March 30, 2012, at John H. McClellan VA Hospital in Little Rock.

Katie Fowler and Jon Mark Hamilton, both of Jonesboro are planning a June 16 wedding at Temple Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

Are ya bored? Well, are ya? Then have I got just the thing for you, to rid yourself of those springtime doldrums and let you do something important for your community.

A five-month long investigation into $150,000 worth of property damage and theft at a vacant industrial building located on Industrial Drive in Caruthersville has ended in the arrest of three Blytheville residents.

Water damage in the main voting room at the Moore Center has resulted in the necessity for the Mississippi County Election Commission to make other plans for the upcoming primary election in May.

Traffic was reduced to a crawl near McHaney Monuments Monday afternoon after a three-car accident blocked the intersection at McHaney and South Division.

The United Way of Greater Blytheville is beginning its allocation process for 2012-13, and applications for funds are now being accepted, according to United Way director Mary Helen Moody.

The four Blytheville School District teams who competed Saturday in the Odyssey of the Mind's state competition all performed very well, but only one squad -- the Central Elementary School team coached by Curtis Walker -- earned a state championship.

There will be a special Blytheville City Council meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Municipal Courtroom to discuss the proposed Dollar General on Sixth and Highland.

Mr. Jeffery Scott Humble, 49, of Blytheville, died Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.