Stories from Friday, January 11, 2013

The first Arkansas Century Farm Awards were presented at the Independence County Courthouse, in Batesville, on December 18. Eighty-five farms in Ark. qualified for the century farm family award, presented by Butch Calhoun, Ark. ...

New office space well received By REVIS BLAYLOCK Town Crier News Staff Eastern District Craighead County Deputy Sheriff Garland Tipton and his staff started the new year out in their new offices next to the Eastern District Courthouse in Lake City...

The Blytheville Chickasaws make the long and windy trip to Batesville Friday night to take on the Pioneers. Blytheville (3-12, 0-2 5A-East) is coming off another tough loss that came down to the final minute. The Chicks' 48-43 loss at Paragould Tuesday night was their fourth loss in their last five games as they are still looking for that first win the 5A-East...

TRUMANN--The Gosnell Pirates are still perfect in the new year after an 89-70 road victory over the Trumann Wildcats Thursday night. Gosnell (14-3, 4-3 3-4A) has won three road games to begin 2013, all in the 3-4A, as they try to get back into contention for a conference title...

I completed the "great storm door installation project" Wednesday afternoon (and only hung it backwards once). It was too drizzly and cool to get out on the golf course anyway, and I'd put off doing it long enough as it was, so I finished it up. My Christmas present to My Dear Sweet Sainted Wife this year (we've been married long enough that gifts of practicality are, well, practical) was a fairly high-dollar storm door that sported a large "dog door" in the bottom third of it, a big enough hole and flap that our half-Lab, half-Shepherd dog "Bosley" (who weighs in the neighborhood of 100 pounds) could get in and out with ease.. ...

The Mississippi County Farm Bureau is looking at added support from state legislators as they prepare to enter this year's General Assembly. On Thursday Farm Bureau members met with State Senator David Burnett and State Representative Wes Wagner with hopes of gaining support as they presented a list of priorities and concerns for the state's agricultural climate moving into this year's legislative session...

At the end of 2012, due to an unusually dry summer season, water levels on the Mississippi river were extremely low and causing concern to shipping companies, but representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers say that the waters are rising and forecasts look positive...

City of Blytheville department heads are being asked to trim 7 percent off their budget requests for 2013. With all six Blytheville City Council members present for the Finance and Purchasing Committee's first discussion of Mayor James Sanders' proposed budget, Thursday's preliminary budget meeting touched on the 7 percent cut and several other topics, including jail fees, eliminating funding to nonprofits, moving the Ritz to the parks and recreation budget, lowering personnel by attrition and whether the mayor's office requires two secretaries and an answering service.. ...

Mrs. Helen Brown, 94, of Morrilton, passed from this life Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at Brookridge Cove Nursing Home in Morrilton. Born in Blytheville to Author and Annie Powell Ashbranner, she was retired from Osceola Shoe Factory and was a farmer's wife. Helen enjoyed quilting, gardening and canning her own vegetables. She was of the Church of Christ faith...

Mr. Robert Kenneth "Kenny" French, 58, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Leachville, died Wednesda,y Jan. 9, 2013, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Tulare, Calif., he was the son of the late Franklin Edward French and was raised in Leachville...

Emma Gene (Sanders) Gibson, 64, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. She was a retired food service supervisor and a member of New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, L.C. Sanders...

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department: Jan. 8 Officers responded to the former Wal-Mart building, located at 301 South Service Road, after noticing plywood missing from a door and broken glass. The offenders stripped copper from the building. An estimated $80,000 in stolen copper and damages was reported...