Stories from Thursday, January 15, 2015

Well, it looks like this year's first threat of nasty winter weather came and went Sunday, with not much more than a glancing blow, if that. Surely it won't be our last brush with snow and ice and sleet, as there is still a lot of winter left. But for now, a sigh of relief.

With the new legislative session already underway --and a massive shift to a republican majority -- freshman representative Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, is looking to be a big part of the state's new direction, particularly in education. Wallace, who won the District 54 spot over the incumbent representative Wes Wagner, said one of the biggest moves he anticipates is education reform under the state's new Governor Asa Hutchison. ...

Mrs. Joyce Ioakimedes, 75, of Gosnell, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Earnest "Tacker" Baker, 84, of Blytheville, formerly of Cherokee Village, passed from this life Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at his home.

Two local schools were successful in their bids to host state tournaments this spring. Thursday night, the Arkansas Activities Association awarded the Gosnell School District with the Class 4A State Baseball Tournament, which will be held in May at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex...