Stories from Saturday, July 21, 2012

I suppose, it's only natural, that when you read an article with the name of the town where you were born and raised, you just automatically read the article.

The Mississippi County Senior Citizen Center is partnering with the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging to offer residents of all ages a new program that will give them the tools and abilities to keep their minds sharp and focused. The evidence-based outreach program is called "Super Noggin," and is a brain fitness program designed to help people stay mentally sharp regardless of what stage of life they are in. ...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won't begin working on cleaning overgrown ditches until next year -- a $1-1.5 million project, according to Blytheville Wastewater superintendent Kenneth Ellis. Vegetation has been clogging ditches and preventing proper drainage, and Corps of Engineers representatives were in the area last month looking at problem ditches...

Sally Bennett is the new superintendent of the Armorel School District. Bennett took over July 1 after former Superintendent Bruce Young retired after two years. Bennett is a graduate of Rivercrest High School and received her undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi and has pursued graduate work at Arkansas State University. ...

The annual sales tax holiday for the state of Arkansas will run this year from Saturday, Aug. 4 at 12:01 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, shoppers will be able to purchase school supplies at any area retailer free of both state and local sales taxes...

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

The Department of Community Education at Arkansas Northeastern College will offer the Chickasaw Basketball Camp for boys and girls entering first through eighth grades. The camp will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, July 30-Thursday, Aug. 2 in the Briggs-Sebaugh Wellness Center at ANC. Coach David Hixson will present the camp. The fee is $55, which includes a t-shirt...

Zach Skelton was the probable pitcher in the 1 p.m. game. A win would advance the Casons to Sunday's zone championship game. A loss to Batesville and Blytheville would have to play Saturday night at 7 p.m. Ty Wagganer is the probable pitcher for the third game for Blytheville...

At first glance, a summer practice session with new Blytheville head coach Vince McCrosky and his players seems like any summer football practice.