Stories from Saturday, June 14, 2014

While watching the storms of rain and wind, I noted how scared the children (great-grandchildren) were. We played a game of what to do if a tornado were to come roaring through Mississippi County, as it was suggested by the weather man.

Robert Mitchell Cochrane, 63, of Earle died Friday, June 13, 2014. He was born Sept. 27, 1950 in Orlando, Fla. to the late Robert Cochrane and Aviis Ilene Gillis. He leaves a brother, John Cochrane of Tyronza. Mr. Cochrane is being cremated. Wilson Funeral Home of Tyronza is in charge of arrangements...

Lila Jeannette Saint, 70, of Joiner died Thursday, June 12, 2014 in Joiner. Born April 21, 1944 in Scottsboro, Ala. to Walter and Jimmie Inez Murphy, she was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by her parents; One son, Michael Ray Hunt;...

Vickey Jane Long, 56, of Blytheville, died June 12, 2014 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born Nov. 29, 1957 in Caruthersville, she was an Assistant Manager at Hardee's and a member of the United Pentecostal Church of God in Steele. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas James Grubbs and Bonnie Jane Chaney Grubbs, sisters Carmella Brannon and Melissa Lacey, and brothers Edward Grubbs, Rickey Grubbs, and James Grubbs...

The ASA 8U and 12U District tournaments were held at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex Friday and Saturday. The double elimination tournament featured 20 teams in two age groups including a representative from Blytheville in each group. Here's a wrap up of the action through Saturday afternoon...

The Blytheville Parks and Recreation crew continued preparing the Walker Park pool for the swimming season on Friday afternoon.

As is a KIPP tradition, each grade level at KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory School recently went on an end-of-year field lesson -- a culmination of the year's hard work. In order to earn an invitation to the end-of-year field lesson, students must complete an application and get approval from several teachers. ...

Letters were sent Friday to all of the voters in Mississippi County whose ballots were thrown out in the most recent primary election, from lack of identification or other reasons. The Mississippi County Election Commission met Friday to certify the results of the Republican runoff for Arkansas attorney general. ...

The city of Blytheville will have to pitch in a little on the future Moultrie Drive overlay, but the state is footing most of the bill. The State Aid Fund is paying $250,000 of the $279,728.88, leaving the city's responsibility of $29,728.88 for the 1.2-mile paving from Ruddle Road to 10th Street...

A light agenda awaits the Blytheville City Council on Tuesday night. One of the two items for consideration is an ordinance increasing the wholesale water rate to $2.50 per 1,000 gallons. "Due to the increased expense in providing water to wholesale customers, it has become necessary to modify the rate charged to wholesale customers in order to provide sufficient revenue to continue providing services to wholesale customers," the proposed ordinance reads...

Mr. Billy Keith Vaughn, 54, of Gosnell died Friday, June 13, 2014, in Gosnell.