Stories from Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Mrs. Laura Emma Shinault, 95, of Blytheville, passed away on June 30, 2014, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house in Jonesboro.

As a thank you for its help during April's barge-sinking incident, and to assist with future rescue operations, Kinder Morgan has gifted the Blytheville Emergency Squad with new cold water survival gear.

Rebecca Sue "Becky" Denton, 46, of Manila, died of cancer on June 30, 2014, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Danna Mattingly, one of the instructors at the Arkansas Excellence Afterschool Program, sponsored by Tenaris, is pictured with a few of the students while they eat breakfast during the second day of the summer program at Blytheville Primary School's Multi-Purpose Building. Approximately 150 students participated in breakfast before attending their morning classes...

Ty Coleton Minton of Manila High School and Joshua D. Lammers of Gosnell High School each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Mississippi County Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation. This is the first year for Farm Bureau to present scholarships from the foundation, and they were given by Bill Sullivan (center) at a recent board meeting in Osceola...

Buddy Harris (right) was named Lion of the Year during the recent annual awards banquet of the Blytheville Lions Club. He is pictured with Lions President Tommy Abbott. The club celebrated 88 years of serves during the event. Rick (left) and Connie (center) Ash were named Citizens of the Year during the recent annual awards banquet of the Blytheville Lions Club. They are pictured with Lions President Tommy Abbott. The banquet was held at Blytheville Primary School...

I am hoping to find the address of this home in Blytheville from 1914, and if it still exists. It was the home of my great aunt Anna Laura Hendricks Collins and her husband JT Collins. One of the children sitting on the porch is Fred Miller, whose picture is included...

Mr. Steven Wayne Sheppard, 16, of Etowah, died Tuesday at South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center.

If you're looking for something to add to your enjoyment on the Fourth of July, the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex is playing host to the 9-year-old 2014 Cal Ripken North Arkansas State Tournament beginning Friday. Twelve teams from around the state, including host Blytheville, will take part in the three-day tournament with Pool Play beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday. The Blytheville 9-year-olds play Batesville at 1 p.m. on Field 1 to open the tournament...

The Fourth of July is Friday, and with the celebration of the nation's independence comes cookouts, family reunions and fun.

With the first phase of the new public walking track in Gosnell completed, the city is now looking at applying for further grant funding to finish out the project according to Mayor Don Marshall.

There will be no charges against Blytheville City Councilman John Musgraves, who was accused by Councilman R.L. Jones of threatening him.

According to project founder and CEO John Correnti, Big River Steel is all set to begin construction during the month of July, following the full approval of financing which took place Monday.

Mr. Antwann C. Newbern, 31, of Blytheville, died Saturday, June 28, 2014.