Stories from Tuesday, February 16, 2016

My blood boiled as I read a response to Tom Henry's column over the weekend. A couple of columns ago, Tom explained rather well why he believes Blytheville is the best town on earth and how a Jonesboro Sun columnist was off base when quipping, in his words, that "all of the criminals have moved over to Jonesboro because there's nothing left in Blytheville to steal."...

Today is the first day of early voting for the primary elections in Mississippi County. Starting today, you have a full two weeks (weekdays only) to vote at both the Mississippi County Election Centers in Blytheville and in Osceola, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. ...

Riverside outscored Manila 16-0 in the second quarter and went on to stun the Lions 49-34 in senior high boys basketball action Tuesday night at Lion Gym...

Junior high district tournament recap Manila Junior Lady Lions advanced to the finals of the 3A-3 District Tournament Saturday night at Corning, but fell to the host Lady Bobcats 39-25...

Travon Cobb and Trey DePriest's clutch fourth quarter plays helped Buffalo Island Central to a 66-55 victory over Manila, handing Mustang Coach Bill Taylor a victory in his last game at the Mustang Athletic Complex Friday night in Monette...

Riverside School Board members hired Jeff Priest as superintendent at a special called meeting Thursday, Feb. 11. Mr. Priest is currently the high school principal and has been with Riverside since 2013...

Mayor Barry Riley read a resignation letter submitted by Marcia Stevens, administrative assistant/water secretary, at the Feb. 11 Caraway City Council meeting. Following the acceptance of Stevens' resignation the board went into executive session to discuss the hiring and salary for a replacement...

All members of the Buffalo Island Central School Board were present for the Monday, Feb. 8, meeting at the BIC administration building in Monette. Following an executive session concerning personnel, the Board extended the contract for Superintendent Gaylon Taylor to the 2018-19 school year. ...

Lake City Mayor Jon Milligan introduced Jason McDonald, civil engineer, at the Feb. 8 city council meeting. The council heard additional information on a new water tank in the city. McDonald gave the city an estimate for a 150,000 gallon tank. ...

The generosity and caring of Buffalo Island residents once again overflowed as did the crowd at Monette First Baptist Family Life Center on Saturday, Feb. 6. It was standing room only as over 700 people gathered for the fourth St. Jude auction/dinner...

Tammy Walker, Manila animal control officer, is pleased to have three young women from Manila High School volunteer for 30 minutes a day at the pound...

Manila 2015-2016 senior basketball players and cheerleaders were recognized on Tuesday night before the games. Seniors and their parents were introduced. Each senior received a plaque. A tribute table in the lobby was on display with with framed pictures and posters of the seniors with a theme, "You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory" -- Dr. Seuss...

Linda and Doyle Brewer of Manila will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, with a drop-in celebration at the Harvest Fellowship Church in Manila...

Vicki L. Redman, 63, of Bentonville, Ark., passed away, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, surrounded by her family at Mercy Hospital in Rogers. She was born December 29, 1952, in Jonesboro to Morris and Martha Jo Kelly...