Stories from Friday, January 9, 2015

Approximately 500 employees of Tenaris have been laid off, impacting the plant in Blytheville as well as one in Conroe, Texas.

The greatest challenge first generation college student Raheem Morris of Helena-West Helena faced was understanding the differences between high school and college.

Employees of the Kinder Morgan terminals located in Blytheville held a Christmas food drive titled "Spirit of Christmas." The employees, along with help from a few venders, donated well over 2,000 pounds of food and $2,400. The Blytheville food pantry, Manila First Baptist church and the "Haven" all benefited from this food drive. ...

Autumn Green and Kevioneon Whitfield announce the arrival of Ky'asia Michelle Whitfield, born on Nov. 5, 2014, in Blytheville. She weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Audrey Poston and the late Ronnie Green, both of Blytheville, Deborah Atkinson of Blytheville, and Kim Smith and Kevin Whitfield of Blytheville...

Shifting oil prices are continuing to cause uncertainty in local industry, even in places where layoffs have not been announced.

A large crowd was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon as ownership changed hands at Day's Men's Store on Main Street in Blytheville. The store is now under the ownership of Greg and Beverly Rogers.

Blytheville community and business leaders joined with employees Friday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Blytheville's new Tractor Supply Company. The store is located on East Highway 18, next to Lowe's.

The Blytheville/Gosnell Regional Airport Authority will be heading into 2015 with a surplus of nearly $1 million in its budget, a welcome turnaround from previous years, according to board chairman Don Houseworth.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration has agreed to eliminate $588,429.88 in penalties and interest on the city of Blytheville's excise tax debt.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders appointed the Blytheville City Council committees on Thursday, with the one of the most notable changes coming on the Finance and Purchasing Committee.

Robin Lynne Murphy, 53, of Dyess, died of heart failure on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

B.J. Anderson was born in Gravelly, Arkansas, April 14, 1919, and died in Conway, Arkansas, on Jan. 4, 2015.

Elvis Presley Robinson, 58, formerly of Blytheville, died Jan. 7, 2015, at Methodist Hospice in Memphis.

HARRISBURG -- The Gosnell Pirates picked up their first 3-4A win of the season, beating host Harrisburg, 63-48, Friday night. With the win, Gosnell improves to 7-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Lady Pirates (1-13, 0-3 3-4A) fell to Brookland, 68-38, Friday at home. Details were unavailable at press time...

Friday night was the opening night of conference play in the 5A-East. The matchup between Blytheville and Valley View featured two teams that have very little experience against one another and two head coaches coaching their very first games in the conference...