Stories from Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. Kenneth Saunders Sulcer, former state representative and candidate for governor, was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Palestine (St. Francis County) Arkansas.

Mr. J.C. Statum, 70. of Gosnell, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at his home.

Mrs. Naomi Yarbrough Rutherford, 92, of Bassett, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in Osceola.

Keiser Zechariah King, stillborn son of Arnida King and Jessie Hudson Jr., entered into eternity Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Marion M. Erwin, 95, of Pontotoc, Miss., passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Mr. Hollis Lynn Coleman, 83, of Forrest City, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis.

The holiday season literally came crashing in this weekend. I was watching a movie, getting ready to get in bed, when what sounded like an explosion rattled the house.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, December is finally here, and according to my advent calendar, Christmas is just 23 days away (I'm writing this on Monday).

Lights of the Delta held its first ever Twinkling Walk Monday night, allowing visitors to walk or run through the LOTD display.

After an afternoon and evening of competition and entertainment, two new Lights of the Delta Queens were crowned Saturday night in Blytheville.

LEPANTO -- The Gosnell Lady Pirates were eliminated in the first round of Gerald Jennings tournament after an 85-45 loss to conference rival, Valley View, Monday night at East Poinsett County in Lepanto. Brook Hill led the Lady Pirates with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Amanda Wright scored seven and Sarah Wright chipped in six...

The Gosnell Junior Pirates remained perfect on the season Monday and advanced to the championship game of the Harding Academy Tournament with a 53-13 win over McCrory. Gosnell (6-0) is scheduled to play host Harding Academy in the title game Thursday, weather permitting...

STEELE, Mo. -- The Gosnell Pirates picked up their first win of the year with a 58-54 victory over Clarkton, Mo. in the opening round of the SEMO Tournament in Steele, Mo. The Pirates (1-2, 0-1 3-4A) jumped out to a 13-4 lead at the end of one period and led 32-19 at halftime. Clarkton cut the lead to five at 45-40 heading into the fourth period...

Thelma Morrow Tracer, 93, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in Cordova, Tenn. She was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Harviell, Mo., to the late William Thomas Marion Morrow and Sarah Kirkley Morrow. She and her husband were the owners and operators of Tracer's Jewelry Store in Monette for many years. She was a member of the Monette First United Methodist Church and attended Prescott Memorial Baptist the past four years. Mrs. Tracer worked at Dreifus Parks and was top sales person for many years. She enjoyed quilting and traveling. She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. Survivors include two sons, Jacob W. Tracer Jr. and wife Glenda of Keller, Texas, and William M. Tracer of Cordova, Tenn.; and a granddaughter, Sarah E. Tracer of Keller, Texas. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Winfred Tracer Sr.; two sisters, Effie Nobles and Purma Hover; two brothers, George Morrow and William Warren Morrow. A celebration of her life was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Monette with Rev. Jerry Reed officiating. Burial followed in the Macey Cemetery. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Gregg Funeral Home in Monette. Honored to serve as pallbearers were Donald Hover, Steven Adams, Norman Myers, Don Latham, Don Flippin and Alan Dewitt. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Giles, David Jones, Alan Powers and John Myers. Lasting memorials may be sent to Monette First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 95 Monette, Ark. 72447 or St. Jude's Children Hospital at www.stjude.org. Online: www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com

Deborah Jean Ward, 63, of Caraway, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. Mrs. Ward was born on Oct. 19, 1950, in Manila to the late William Luther and Alburta Grable Crews. Mrs. Ward enjoyed singing, music, dancing, laughing and joking. She loved spending time with her grandchildren...

Waunell Walton, 82, of Monticello, formerly of Black Oak, went to be with The Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Little Rock. She lived in Monticello for the last year and a half and was cared for by her younger daughter, Rita Venable and her family. Prior to that, Waunell lived in Black Oak and was cared for by her older daughter, Monda Hutchison, and her family for 40 years. She would have been 83 on Jan. 17, 2014...

Buffalo Island Central stampeded past Midland 69-38 to record their 10th win of the season in senior boys basketball action Tuesday night at Pleasant Plains. Jacob Sanders drained four treys and finished with a game high 19 points to lead the Mustang scoring attack. ...

Riverside traveled to Black Rock and came away with an easy 81-47 win over the Zebras in a shortened week of basketball action due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Caleb Waugh poured in six three pointers and finished with a game high 26 points, all in the first half, to lead the Rebels, who improved to 6-3 on the year. Kollin Stone scored 13 points while Devon Austin added 10...

Manila ran its record to 4-0 on the year with a 74-51 victory over Harrisburg in 3A-3 conference basketball action Tuesday night in the Lions' Den. Manila bolted to an 8-0 lead to begin the game, thanks to a three point play and an inside bucket by Zac Riley, sandwiched around a Scott Eubanks three pointer. ...

The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for this year's holiday season with two community Christmas events at the end of the week -- the community tree lighting in Pocket Park and the annual Christmas parade.