Stories from Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Lake City Council met Dec. 27, 2012, with Aldermen Harold Barker, Tommy Eakins, Ann Davis, Jeffery Wisham, Danny Dunigan and Brenda Hutcheson present. Also present was City Clerk, Linda Simpson. Following the approval of the minutes, Mayor Jon Milligan and the council thanked Alderman Davis for her years of service on the Lake City City Council...

The Monette City Beautification Committee announced commercial and residential Christmas Lighting Winners on December 20, 2012. Commercial winners included: Monette Discount Drug, first place; Liberty Bank of Arkansas, second place, Greenway Equipment Company, third place; and Honorable Mention, Johnny Dunigan Office and Monette Manor...

Shari Doty says goodbye to MNC By REVIS BLAYLOCK Town Crier News Staff Shari Doty, administrator at Manila Nursing Center, said goodbye to the staff, residents, and friends on Friday afternoon. She will be assuming the duties of administrator at Twin Oaks Health & Rehab in Jonesboro...

Members of the Manila School Facilities Committee, Danny Robbins, school board president; Tommy Wagner and Tracey Reinhart, school board members; and Pam Castor, school superintendent; met Wednesday evening with Cliff Chitwood, Mississippi County Economic Developer. Chitwood was invited to discuss opportunities for projected growth in the county...

PARAGOULD--The Blytheville Chickasaws have had some tough losses this season. Outside of two or three games, most of them have come down to the wire where the scales could have easily tipped in Blytheville's favor. Tuesday night's game against the upstart Paragould Rams was no exception...

There is a three-way tie atop 5A-East standings in both the boys and girls divisions.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. Harry Turner, 50, of Jonesboro, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Jonesboro.

Mr. Douglas Ursey Stallings, 77, of Red Bay, Ala., formerly of Blytheville, died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Bull Shoals, Ala.

Mr. Jesse James Smith, 72, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, in his home surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Ray Morris, of Blytheville, passed from this earlier today at his home.

With the new year still in its infancy, it's not too late to think about what 2013 will bring. Here are a few of my predictions:

Blytheville native Johnny Tolley is once again bringing his "ole time" variety show to the Ritz Civic Center, a venue of choice for the country-western artist for the last 13 years. The show is slated for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

Chad Tillman of Armorel was arrested again Monday, this time on charges unrelated to the severe beating of an Osceola man in October of 2012, for which he is currently scheduled to be tried.

The Blytheville City Council is expected to hear terminated Blytheville Police officer Rodney Richardson's appeal later this week, according to an official with the mayor's office.

Gosnell Police Chief Bobby Trump was reinstated to his position during Tuesday night's city council meeting, but will be pursuing retirement.

That Bookstore In Blytheville is now under new ownership, and that owner is looking to put his passion for the book world to work in making the shop a "destination" spot in the community.

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Arkansas State senior wide receiver Josh Jarboe has been named to the inaugural Raycom College Football All-Star Classic roster, and he will compete for the "Stripes" team in the game scheduled for Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala...

Mrs. Martha Brooks, 76, of Harrisburg, formerly of Luxora, passed from this life Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.