Stories from Monday, June 15, 2015

Nevada Norma June Berry Merryman of Las Vegas, Nev., formally of Monette, was born to Ola Jeffers Berry and Monroe "Monk" Berry on June 3, 1939, and passed away April 20, 2015. She was raised in Monette and graduated from Monette High School in 1957. She moved to Las Vegas in 1962 and resided there until her death...

The Humane Society Pet of the week is Bengie, male Border Terrier. A Border Terrier is sturdy and easy to groom (doesn't shed too much) but does require exercise and a secure fence. Bengie gets along with other dogs at the shelter and loves people...

I grew up in a town the size of Dell. We had an acre and a half fenced beside and behind our house, and every year my grandmother and I grew a one acre garden for the entire family (and most of the rest of the town). Along the back fence, which was the east side of the yard, my mother had cultivated several mulberry trees. ...

To the Editor: I am writing in response to the misguided people who have been expressing pro Clean Line Energy sentiments lately. Clean Line has hired new lobbyists and they are rehashing old arguments we have heard for three years. Let's review. There are still no contracts to serve one customer in Arkansas, no matter how many Clean Line "could" serve. ...

To the Editor, Jill Ziegler, a native of Blytheville, is a 35 year old who now resides in Jonesboro, Arkansas. At the age of 28 she suddenly went into kidney failure due to an ultra rare, genetic disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. She spent the next 3 years on dialysis. ...

All the titleholders from the Northeast Arkansas area were recognized at the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant held last week in Russellville. 36 young ladies from across Arkansas competed in the four day event. River Delta Outstanding Teen Ellie Stafford, of Jonesboro, was named second alternate to the title. ...

Tracey Ritchey to serve as Treasurer of Arkansas State P.E.O. Members of Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) from across Arkansas met for the organization's 82st annual state convention at the Embassy Suites Little Rock on April 24-25 to celebrate the organization's scholarships for women...

There have been a lot of stories circulating in social media about people parking in handicap spaces when they don't have a disability or even a placard or license plate that allows them to park there. There have also been stories of people appearing to not have a disability but having a placard to park, but being discriminated against because nothing appears to be wrong with them...

The Jeanette Williams Band will perform a concert of bluegrass music on Monday, June 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street, in downtown Paragould, Arkansas. The concert is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM. KASU will literally "pass the hat" to collect money to pay the musicians. The suggested donation is $5 per person...

The Blytheville Fire Department has recently been selected to receive a $2,000 grant through the Wal-Mart Community Grant Program Facility #62. This money will help the Fire Prevention and Public Safety Program, which allows the department to distribute smoke detectors, weather alert radios and fire prevention materials to individuals in need at no charge. Pictured above is Lori Shannon, Blytheville Wal-Mart manager, presenting an award to Blytheville Fire Department personnel...

Blytheville Courier News The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. Friday, June 12 -- Police took a harassment report in the 600 block of Southeast Parkway. -- Officers took a theft report. Rent-A-Center reported theft of rented property, a Samsung Note 2 phone...

Blytheville Courier News While officials say they do not seem to be connected, the Blytheville Fire Department continues to deal with fires which appear to be arson. Sunday night at 7:15 p.m. an officer was dispatched to 1800 West McHaney in reference to a fire. ...

Mr. James LeRoy Gernhart, Jr., 60, of Blytheville, died June 9, 2015 at his home. Born May 21, 1955, in Memphis, Tn to James Gernhart, Sr. and the late Louise Gernhart, he was employed in the automotive parts industry. In addition to his mother, he was also preceded in death by one grandchild, Devon James Equwe...

Blytheville Courier News Due to mounting equipment maintenance and repair/replacement needs at its Luxora facility, the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department will soon be spending the whole remainder of its maintenance budget for the year on repairs and upgrades...

Blytheville Courier News Approximately sixty area children, aged five to thirteen, have been actively participating each week in the hour long "Get Out and Exercise" summer program being hosted by the Mississippi County Library System. Through numerous fun activities, the program is designed to educate children about exercise, their bodies and healthy eating. Activities include tug-of-war, hula hoops, dancing and the process of planting and growing watermelon seeds...

Blytheville Courier News Local legislators have expressed differing opinions regarding recent changes in term limit law and more possible changes on the horizon. Arkansas Term Limits, a self proclaimed citizens group, are attempting to roll back Arkansas legislative term limits. The group submitted a new ballot measure to Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office for language approval on Thursday...