Stories from Friday, September 25, 2015

The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce has gone on record in opposition to the City of Blytheville proposed sales tax increase, to be voted on at a special election Tuesday, Oct. 20. In a memo to Mayor James Sanders, executive director Liz Smith said that the Chamber board had several overriding concerns, most notably that the tax would exacerbate the challenge for small-town merchants who already face stiff competition from out-of-town venues and online shopping...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Officers took a criminal mischief report in the 2900 block of North 6th. Two tires were cut. -- Police reported that James Crawford, a Level 3 sex offender, failed to register his address. His last known address was in the 500 block of Northwest Parkway...

Walnut Ridge -- Lorena Hall Jacobs, 96, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. She was born June 1, 1919, in Black Oak to the late J.W. and Tennie Carlisle Hall. She was a homemaker, a longtime resident of Egypt and a member of the Egypt Baptist Church...

Kenneth Seratt, a resident of Trout Creek, Mt., died Aug. 25, 2015, in Coeur d'Alene, ID. He spent his winters in Rowlett, Texas. Kenneth was born Oct. 20, 1934, in Blytheville to James and Effie Veach Seratt...

Chris Alton Hardy, 51, of Blytheville, Ark., was born on Feb. 18, 1964, and passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. In his final days, he was surrounded by many family members and friends...

Chris Alton Hardy, 51, of Blytheville, AR was born on February 18, 1964 and passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN. In his final days, he was surrounded by many family members and friends. Chris is survived by his wife and soul-mate, Annette Hardy, of Blytheville.;...

Prudence W. Teale, age 89, passed away July 31, 2015 at her home in Ocala, Flo. She was born July 24, 1926 in Jersey City, N.J. to Chester McNally and Margret McKenzie. She resided in Blytheville, Arkansas for many years, working alongside her husband, George W. Teale at Blytheville Country Club. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Nancy and four husbands, George W. Teale, James Manahan, Alf Olson and Leo Goodman...

Friday afternoon, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Nucor CEO John Ferriola, Nucor Vice President and General Manager at Nucor Yamato Steel (NYS) Leon Topalian, with a host of dignitaries announced a $75 million "quench and tempering process" investment to be made in the Nucor-Yamato Steel facility...

GOSNELL -- It didn't take Gosnell long to break in the end zone on its brand new artificial turf. The Pirates had 35 on the board before the start of the second quarter and cruised to a 55-13 win over Brookland in their home opener and first 3-4A conference game of the season...

Friday's Scores The Associated Press Alma 27, LR Catholic 16 Ashdown 26, Mena 7 Bald Knob 42, Perryville 12 Batesville 31, Nettleton 10 Benton 30, LR Parkview 17 Bentonville 42, FS Southside 14 Brinkley 52, Clarendon 14 Bryant 27, Russellville 24 Cabot 34, North Little Rock 3...

WYNNE -- The Blytheville Chickasaws opened the 5A-East season with a heartbreaking, 28-20, loss on the road against the Wynne Yellowjackets Friday night at Yellowjacket Stadium. Coming into the game, the Yellowjackets had shutout the Chickasaws over the past three seasons. Blytheville showed just how far they've come over the past three years taking the seasoned Yellowjackets to the wire on their home field but came up just short of another huge win this season...