Stories from Friday, December 14, 2012

(Gayle J. Kirksey was raised at Happy Corner, Northwest of Leachville. She is sharing her memories of the Christmas season.) The sweet summer days faded to autumn, then came December, the expectations of Christmas and the beloved Santa Clause. ...

Shooter's Porch recently opened in Lake City at 119 Cobean Drive. A ribbon cutting and open house was held on Saturday, Dec. 8. Refreshments were served as visitors were welcomed. Blandon Barrett is the owner of the new family owned and operated business. ...

Mrs. Carol Ann Smith, 59, was born July 1, 1953 in Memphis, and passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at her home.

It's so really very sweet and nice that the city of Blytheville and the IRS have agreed on the mechanics through which the IRS will so graciously accept the city's money owed from unpaid back payroll taxes. But there is still the question is, "How much money?"

Former Blytheville High School teacher Ashley Wolfe is scheduled to appear in court again at the end of this month but has not yet been formally charged in the two alleged incidents of illegal relations with students.

Remembering the good old days of radio, the Act 2! community theater group will be presenting, "It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" at 6 p.m. Saturday and again at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Ritz Civic Center in downtown Blytheville.

Blytheville Parks and Recreation director Elroy Brown is hopeful that improvements will be made to the Walker Park pond next year.

After hearing concerns fired from a standing room-only crowd in the Municipal Courtroom Thursday, the Blytheville City Council's Code Enforcement Committee indicated there is more work ahead on the proposed ordinance that puts mandates on landlords.

Gosnell (9-2, 0-2 3-4A) trailed for most of the first two and a half periods before getting the lead late in the third and running away with it with a 24-point fourth period. The Pirates trailed 21-15 at the end of one, 37-32 at halftime before leading, 50-45, heading into the fourth...

OSCEOLA--The Blytheville Chickasaws bounced back from a gut-wrenching overtime loss Tuesday night to Poplar Bluff, Mo. and defeated the Osceola Seminoles away, 55-39, Thursday night. The Chicks swept the season series over their longtime rival, 2-0 -- their only two wins of the season so far...

As the nation reels in shock in the wake of the tragic shooting of multiple school children and employees in Connecticut, local officials and school administrators are pulling together and reviewing contingency plans to ensure the safety of Mississippi County students.

Today, dear friends, is not a day to be funny. It's a day to ask questions. And to be honest, I feel a bit pretentious by even attempting to address this issue with my own feeble and meandering thoughts.