Stories from Tuesday, March 26, 2013

So, have your NCAA brackets been busted? If you said, "No," I have a hard time believing you. I saw some folks on Twitter over the weekend mention they picked Florida Gulf Coast to go to the "Sweet 16" but I'm not buying. My brackets have not busted. Why? I never filled one out...

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

MARION--The Blytheville Lady Chickasaws dropped a 7-4 decision to Marion Monday night on a blistering cold afternoon. Marion built a 7-0 lead after two innings before Blytheville (1-4, 0-2 5A-East) scored two in the third and two in the seventh. Taylor Tiffany struck out 12 in the loss and Hannah Cathey went 2-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs...

Mr. Jim Allen Talley, 78, of Osceola, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Barbara Ann Foreman, 48, of Steele, formerly of Blytheville, died Friday, March 22, 2013, at Great River Medical Center, after an extended illness.

OK, everyone. Mark this day down in your diaries, because I'm about to say something I don't believe I've ever said: Winter has officially outstayed its welcome.

Holy Week has started, with Palm Sunday this past Sunday, and I hope your family's celebration is an uplifting and inspirational one.

Motorists traveling to and from St. Louis and Little Rock along Interstates 55 and 40 are facing road closures as crews continue construction projects.

New technology and intervention for at-risk students were the main topics of discussion at Monday night's meeting of the Gosnell School Board.

The Blytheville School District's pre-school program was hit with a random audit just before spring break and passed with flying colors.

The monthly Local Police and Fire Retirement System payment was late, but it has been paid, according to Blytheville Mayor James Sanders.

A pair of outside consultants on Monday offered mixed reviews of Gov. Mike Beebe's proposal to provide a company with $125 million in state financing to build a steel mill in the northeast part of the state.

Area officials who spoke to the Courier News this morning (Tuesday) said the results of Monday's hearing on the proposed Big River Steel mill to be built near Osceola appeared to be mostly favorable.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals placed third baseman David Freese on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. Infielder Ryan Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday to replace Freese, who hopes to return in time for the home opener April 8 against Cincinnati. Left-hander Sam Freeman was optioned to Triple-A...

The Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville will be filled with shrieks of delight on Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 PM when The Arts Council of Mississippi County presents Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre with their giant puppet musical, Aesop's Dinosaur Fable...

March 27 -- Manila Food Pantry for seniors Manila Food Pantry, located in the Community/Senior Center, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 27. Participants are asked to enter the building at the front main entrance...

Farm Bureau board members welcomed guest speaker Gabe Munoz, project manager, PMP, Entergy, who spoke on ways to reduce irrigation well energy costs at the Wednesday, March 20, meeting...

During Holy Week, several events will take place at the Caraway United Methodist Church, in Caraway. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, the youth will celebrate the Salvation Story and then have an egg hunt, games and refreshments...

Lake City got an early start hosting the 2013 Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 16, at the city park. The park was divided into four age groups with eggs and prizes for all. Hundreds of children participated...

Lake City was recognized for preservation of the communities landscape, recycling limbs, etc. The city will receive a gold maple leaf to add on the additional plaque for next year. Pictured are Tom Lindsey, County Ranger; Mark Graveel, County Forester; Jon Milligan, Lake City Mayor; Chris Pfeifer, Ranger I for AFC District 3...

Manila heard an update on the trash can project at the March meeting with Mayor Wayne Wagner expressing his appreciate to the citizens for stepping up and purchasing the large trash cans...

Every morning and most afternoons, J.D. Wells of Manila can be seen walking around town, just for the sake of walking. Wells said he doesn't have a set pattern. When he starts out each morning, he just walks where his feet take him. He presently averages 13 miles a day...

JONESBORO - Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers and Joanne Cash Yates will join show host Tommy Cash for the third annual Johnny Cash Music Festival, according to an announcement Monday by concert producer and festival founder Bill Carter...

Mr. Donald Clyde Jones, 69, of Gosnell, died Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Gosnell.