Stories from Thursday, July 3, 2014

A war has begun. My family and I, as well as many of you most likely, are now neck deep in this seemingly unwinnable fight against a foe we all fear.

As someone who, among other things, writes headlines for a living, I am kind of hoping Mike Ross defeats Asa Hutchinson in this year's race for Arkansas governor.

Back in 1973, the Blytheville Chickasaws went undefeated in the regular season, under the leadership of former coach Larry Wright.

Paul Robert "Bob" Sandberg, 88, formerly of Winter Park, Fla., passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Melbourne, Fla.

Denso Heat claimed the 16-U softball championship Wednesday night with a 16-7 win over Gosnell Pawn. The Heat rallied for five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-1 lead. They tacked on two more in the second to hold a 7-1 advantage. Gosnell Pawn fought back with a five-run third to close the gap to 7-6. However, Denso plated eight runs in the bottom of the third to retake control. Both teams scored a run in the fourth for the final margin...

The Blytheville 10-year-old All-Stars followed up a 9-year-old District championship in 2013 with another District championship this year.

Charlevoix Chapter DAR recently met to participate in one of the club's national projects, titled "DAR Project Patriot," which supports America's service personnel in conflicts abroad. One of the focuses is on wounded military personnel at three locations: the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Wounded Transition Brigade in Bethesda, Md., and Wounded Warrior and Family Support Center in San Antonio, Texas...

Felicia Jackson, formerly of Blytheville, graduated from Kaplan University with her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA for the last three years, she also graduated with honors. She plans to work in the Memphis School District while pursuing her master's degree...

Monte Hodges, a member of the Blytheville Kiwanis Club, is pictured with Patty Norman (left), executive director of Stonebridge of Blytheville, and Community Relations Director Rhonda Hodges during the club's visit to Stonebridge on June 18. Stonebridge, formerly Elmcroft of Blytheville, grilled for the Kiwanians, and Norman told them during the lunch that Stonebridge is an assisted living care 2 facility. ...

16-year-old Steven Wayne Sheppard of Etowah was killed Tuesday night from cardiac arrest after an apparent lightening strike.

Maurice Tarnell Watson Sr. of Blytheville has accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). "NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement. Membership gives students access to a number of amazing benefits including career and networking resources, scholarships, travel and service projects both on campus and in the community," said Stephen E. Loflin, NSCS founder and chief executive officer...

Rep. Rick Crawford spent Wednesday and Thursday making his way through some of the 1st Congressional District's top tourism sites, including making a stop at the Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash as well as the Johnny Cash Museum in Dyess.

Blytheville Waterworks general manager Gary Phillips has provided the Airport and Utilities Committee with three proposed debt service schedules for the future $7 million water treatment plant expansion. One option for refunding the current revenue bonds has a $50,000 monthly payment ($600,000 per year) and would expire in February 2041. ...