Stories from Thursday, December 26, 2013

The city of Blytheville recently instituted a program to improve the water quality in the 5-acre pond in Walker Park. Part of that effort was stocking tilapia. Tilapia are selective feeders of the type of microscopic plant (blue-green algae) that is at the root of the water quality problems that have caused annual fish kills in the past...

Westminster Village is looking for community support as it applies for a grant that would allow the company to tear down a number of abandoned buildings that are becoming hazardous to those living in the retirement community. In a letter that went out to a number of local businesses and organizations, Westminster Executive Director Linda O'Guin is asking for support as the Village attempts to obtain an EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant that would allow three buildings deemed hazardous to surrounding residents to be demolished.. ...

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders has changed his mind about hiring Alfred L. Barnhart of Star City, formerly of Blytheville, to the city's finance director position, and he has reopened the search. Earlier this week, Sanders said his office is forming a search committee, which will include local folks familiar with financial matters and who have connections that could aid in making the best possible hire...

Mrs. Carolyn Marie Bill, 72, of Manila, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at The Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born Oct. 25, 1941, in Manila to the late George and Grace Hicks Bunch and was a 1960 graduate of Manila High School. Following high school, she worked for an accounting firm in Memphis and had also lived in Nashville. ...