Stories from Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Mr. Johnny Hensley Martindale passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Mr. Thomas "Tommy" Neely Curtis, 76, of Blytheville died late Sunday night, Nov. 17, 2013, at Gosnell HealthCare.

Mr. Billy Gene Cooper, 77, of Blytheville, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Noah Andrew Cook, 16, of Leachville, passed from this life Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis.

Angel Star Brister, 49, of Osceola, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, in Osceola.

It's been 40 years since I left Blytheville. Having lived most of my life in the West, my sojourn in Blytheville was very brief. I graduated from Blytheville High School in 1973 and left shortly thereafter. Yet my time there has left a lasting impression on me. ...

What in the world is going on or not going on in dear old Blytheville? I cannot imagine that the city government officials would even dream that they would permit a half-way house approval to house 35 to 40 convicted criminals on a street, which is the main entrance to Walker Park. There are "no smoking" signs located in the park, so as to protect the health of visitors in the park, while approval was given to permit 35 to 40 criminals to live within three blocks of the park...

So we've had a few really big, memorable weekends lately for our little family, and it's been pretty great.

As is becoming my custom, my book review for this month is also my recommendation as a Christmas gift for the reader on you list.

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce President Randy Zook talked about the importance of future jobs during Monday's monthly luncheon of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Daddy's Diamonds, a mentoring program for girls, has recently begun in conjunction with Healing in the Hood.

Several changes are ahead for the Mississippi County Hospital System, according to Chief Operations Officer Chris Raymer's report to the system's Board of Governors at its Monday meeting.

Next summer, a group of 30 Blytheville High School students will give flight to a new project that is designed to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers after graduation.

The release of chlorine gas which sent multiple employees of Nucor-Yamato Steel to the emergency room for treatment on Sunday morning is being cleared up and reviewed, according to Nucor officials.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders is asking the City Council to confirm his appointment of Alfred L. Barnhart as the city's new finance director.

Noah Andrew Cook, 16, of Leachville, passed from this life Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Born July 2, 1997, in Jonesboro, Noah was a lifelong Leachville area resident and a student at Buffalo Island Central High School. ...

The CN received confirmation Tuesday afternoon that an injury was suffered at Nucor-Yamato Steel, to one individual.

John and Holly McKnight of Jonesboro announce the arrival of their daughter, Elliott Rose. She was born at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital at 7:57 a.m. Nov. 11, 2013. She weighed seven pounds and 14 ounces and measured 20-1/2 inches. She has an older sister, Salie...

Jase Darrell Hudson, son of Jeremy and Jennifer Hudson of Manila, was born Nov. 1, 2013, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. Jase weighed seven pounds and 10 ounces. He has an older brother, 3. Jace is the grandson of Jimmy and Annette Yancey of Manila, Tammy Thomas of Keiser and Jerry and Becky Hudson of Keiser...

Area Christmas parade dates are: Leachville - 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Lineup is 5 p.m. Forms are available at City Hall, water office, or by calling (870)539-6604 Monette -- 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. Line-up starts at 5:30 p.m. Judging 6-6:30 p.m. Call (870) 664-0196 for more information...

Ridgefield Christian surprised Riverside 59-51, handing the Rebels their first loss of the season Tuesday night in Jonesboro. Andy Newman led the Warriors with 19 points while Dylan Green and Taylor Davidson added 14 and 11 points respectively...

Brookland spoiled Manila's season opener, dealing the Lions a 49-34 defeat Tuesday night on the Bearcats' home floor. The two teams battled to an 8-8 tie after the opening quarter, before Brookland pulled ahead 21-16 at the half. The Bearcats stretched their lead to 36-25 after three quarters of play...

Buffalo Island Central pulled off the trifecta in senior boys basketball, defeating Earle 60-45 Tuesday night at Monette, followed up by a pair of close road victories Friday and Saturday. ...

Cali Milligan's driving one-handed floater with two seconds left lifted Brookland to a stunning 58-56 victory over the Lady Lions in senior girls action Thursday night at Manila...

ARMOREL--At the beginning of the season, Armorel head coach Justin Ward said a new person could step up every night for the Tigers. Monday night, a host of Tigers stepped up as Armorel defeated 2A Rector, 56-45, and picked up their second win in a row...

Thomas Davis canned eight three pointers as the Manila Lions buried Riverside 73-44 in senior boys basketball action Friday night at Lake City. Davis caught fire early, hitting four three pointers in the opening quarter, while teammate Scott Eubanks drilled two more, giving the Lions a 25-19 lead. ...

Farmers Bank & Trust President Randy Scott has announced the bank's newly constructed Manila Office, located at 3644 West Highway 18, will open for full service banking on Monday, Dec. 2. In making the announcement, Scott commented, "As we stated several months ago when announcing we would be building an office in Manila to better serve this vibrant market, we see great things happening in Manila, and we want to be an even closer part of that. ...

Circulation and financial reports top The Mississippi County Library System Board of Trustees agenda at its regular meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Adams Estate in Leachville. "I feel optimistic about the circulation," Jay Ziolko, director of the Mississippi County Library System, said. "I feel like it is going to rebound considerably this year. Osceola's circulation is up 12 percent."...

FEMA funds are now available to residents of Eastern Craighead County only for the following needs and as long as funds are available: 1. shut-off notices on utilities (electric, gas, water, propane); 2. eviction notices/foreclosure mortgage notices...

Riverside High School senior Daniel Willis was honored to be chosen as part of the National FFA Band performing at the 2013 National Convention held in Louisville, Ky. The convention was held Oct. 30 -- Nov. 2...

The Arts Council of Mississippi County in conjunction with the United States Navy presents the Navy Band Mid-South in a special concert of favorite and familiar holiday melodies on stage at The Ritz, 306 W. ...

A new donation to the Buffalo Island Museum caught my attention as I have never seen one before. It is a Dazey Glass Churn donated by Joe Ann Moyer. It had originally belonged to her grandmother, Annie (Ross) Thomas who had used this churn many times making butter in her home in Magazine Mountain, Ark...

The Caraway City Council reviewed a proposed 2014 budget at its regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 14. Caraway Mayor Barry Riley went through the proposed budget saying everything will basically stay the same. ...

John and Pat Ellis donated 15 Manila Lion Echo yearbooks, ranging from 1952 until 1990, to the Manila Public Library. Branch librarian Mary Alice Ketchum expressed her appreciation for the donation. The yearbooks are in very good condition. The 1952 yearbook is the second one published by the Manila High School annual staff...

Manila Middle School Robotic teams have been working and had their robot projects ready for the Saturday, Nov. 16, First Lego League (FLL) Qualifier competition held at Harding Academy in Searcy...

f Riverside High School teacher Jamie Long received the Rockin Apple Award from 101.7 KISS FM. Ms. Long and her junior English class enjoyed a Rockin Apple party on Wednesday. The group from 101.7 KISS, Brandon Baxter, Lori Bryant, Austin Copenhaver and Grover Nell Grisham, brought the party to Ms. ...

Arkansas State Police worked an accident on Highway 239 near Half Moon in front of Lone Oak Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon.