Stories from Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Recent reports, according to the Blytheville Police Department:

Mrs. Lavern Warren, 69, of Osceola, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, in Memphis.

Mrs. Irene Dobbins Thompson, 78, of Blytheville passed from this life Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at her home.

Mr. Billy Wayne Langley Sr., 75, lifetime resident of Blytheville, entered "The Father's House" Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Mr. Terry "David" Griffin, 60, of Osceola, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Osceola.

Mrs. Ella Mae Gipson, 79, of Blytheville passed from this life Sept. 30, 2012, at NEA Baptist Center in Jonesboro.

As the days get cooler and shorter, many of the furry critters so common in a rural community are out in force, trying to store up food and fat for the coming winter.

Hunter Vaughn, a first-grader at Blytheville Primary School, works with some colors on a fall project during Monday evening's K-4 Family Night, sponsored by Blytheville Primary School. Vaughn's mother, LaDonna Vaughn, assists him, and also pictured is Vaughn's father, Jason Vaughn. Family Night gave the families of children in pre-kindergarten through the fourth grades an opportunity to play "Fall Into Learning" games at the Multi-Purpose Building...

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders proclaimed the month of October "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in conjunction with The Haven of Mississippi County. Pictured with Mayor Sanders are (from left) Lisa John-Adams, Helen Mitchell, Angelia Cooper, Debbie Smith and Lori Rogers...

The city of Blytheville's temporary 1-cent sales tax generated $218,156.79 in July, and the city cut a check to the IRS for that amount last week as a good-faith, voluntary payment on its multimillion payroll tax debt.

The 2013 budgeting process is under way for the Finance Committee of Mississippi County's Quorum Court, and options are limited for a shrinking amount of available funds.

Larry DeWayne Newton, 50, of Leachville, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born at Manila he was the son of the late Mary Sarrells Robinson and had been a lifelong area resident. ...

Nayrene Sanders passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. She was born in Monette to the late Mack and Mary Willie McEntyre Calvert. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years Henry Dean Sanders; her brothers Grover, Rufus and John Calvert; her...

Velda Jane Sykes Swain, 57, of Manila, Ark., went to heaven Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House after a courageous fight with cancer. She was born Oct. 2, 1954, in Osceola, Ark., to the late Charles and Kathleen Sykes who died when she was five years old. She was raised by her grandparents, the late Frank and Althea Westmorlan...

Earnest Bismark Watkins, 73, of Higden, Ark., formerly of the Half Moon community, passed from this life Tuesday Sept. 25, 2012, at his home in Higden. Born at Luxora he was the son of the late James Walter and Thelma Gillis Watkins and had lived most of his life in the Blytheville area. ...

Harrisburg took advantage of a Manila turnover in the fourth quarter and punched in the winning touchdown with 5:46 left to steal a 14-8 victory away from the Lions Thursday night at Manila...

Jordan Goff is this week's Town Crier Defensive Player of the Week. Goff recorded seven unassisted tackles, including three for lost yardage, in Manila's game Friday night against Corning. "Jordan played a very good ball game for us defensively," said Lion Coach Jerry Castor...

Russell Cox ran the opening kickoff back 85 yards for a touchdown to help spark Corning to a 36-6 victory over Manila in 3A-3 conference football action Friday night at Lion Field...

Buffalo Island Central's Lady Mustangs finished seventh in last week's Class 2A State Golf Tournament at the Chamberlain County Club in Danville. The Lady Mustangs fired a 387, led by Brittany Stockton's 115 total. Rachel Simmons tallied a 130 while Kaylee Greathouse came home with a 142 score...

Area runners and walkers will be able to help the United Way of Greater Blytheville and its 16 area agencies during the fourth annual Blytheville Chili Cookoff 5K Run/Walk, set for Oct. 20 at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex...

The Buffalo Island Central Class of 2015 will be sponsoring a game with the Harlem Wizards at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 in the Mustang Athletic Complex at Monette. The Wizards will be playing the Mustang Magic, a team made up of coaches, teachers, community members and former Mustang athletes such as Michael McFarlin, Jeff Austin, Brandon Ballard, Jessica Shepard, Johnny Dunigan and Sammi Fowler...

The Monette City Council met Monday, Sept. 17, and discussed water meters, salaries, a mobile home ordinance and a beautification project. Charlie Barber and Jason Thomalia with WinNelson of Blytheville addressed the council concerning replacement and updating the city's water meters system with touch or drive-by reading technology. ...

The Manila Lions Club will host the 26th annual Big Lake Chili Cook-Off on Saturday. This year, there is also a Chili Pepper 5K run/walk and a duck calling contest, along with a lineup of entertainment...

The second annual St. Jude Buffalo Island Barbecue and Auction will be held starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Buffalo Island Central West Elementary Cafeteria. Tickets are $10 for food, refreshments and inclusion in the drawing for chance to win several door prizes including a D110 John Deere Lawn Mower, Apple Ipad 3; 42" flat screen television; and a custom butchered pig (freezer ready). ...

The Manila Christmas Parade committee announced the 2012 parade theme will be "A Patriotic Christmas." All veterans will be honored and are encouraged to be special guests at this year's parade. Veterans will walk or ride behind the ROTC marchers. The oldest veteran will serve as the grand marshal...

When doing museum tours at the Buffalo Island Museum in Monette, I am constantly amazed at the everyday items of yesteryear that are completely foreign to children today. One of these items is the butter churn. Most of the children can tell me that butter is from cows and you can buy it at the grocery store, but butter has an amazing history...

The second annual Quilt Show at the Buffalo Island Museum was a complete success. There were over 100 visitors at museum Saturday, Sept. 22, to see the 65 quilts on display. Every person who entered a quilt received a certificate and had their name in for prize drawings. The main prize of $100 was won by Clayton Vernon...

Donna Jackson is encouraging all Manila area veterans and/or family members of veterans to submit names and information to be included in a book honoring veterans. Forms are available at Delta Drug in Manila, or by email at jacksond98@hotmail.com...

Friends, family, and neighbors of the Lost Cane School and Community, Little River, Whistleville, and Roseland, gathered at the Manila Community Center for the 13th annual reunion held Sept. 29...

Irene Dobbins Thompson, 78, of Blytheville passed from this life Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at her home. Born in Pocahontas, Ark., to Austin and Bertha Jones Dobbins, Irene attended Milligan Ridge Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. ...