Stories from Wednesday, September 14, 2016

After winning the first two games of the season against Newport and Osceola, Coach Brandon Barbaree and the Gosnell Pirates, 2-0, are set to face off against Mississippi County rival, the Rivercrest Colts, who are 0-2,at J.W. Rea Field on Friday night...

After the, 35-25, defeat coming from the West Memphis Blue Devils Friday night, Coach Ben Fisher and the Blytheville Chickasaws now prepare to host the Marion Patriots,1-1. Last year, the Chicks lost to the Patriots on a last second field goal, 43-40, in Marion...

Mississippi County Employees who donate sick time to the county's catastrophic leave days bank may soon see those days roll over for an additional year, thanks to a recent recommendation by the Quorum Court's personnel committee. The committee met Tuesday afternoon at the request of a committee of county employees, who did not like to see days they'd donated to the bank be deleted at the end of every year, as they currently do...

This weekend, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 pm, the ACT 2! Community theater group will be presenting Beauty and the Beast at the Ritz Theater in Downtown Blytheville. Tickets are $10 for those 12 years of age and up, $5 for children ages 5-11 and under 5 get in free. All of the performers are local children and the production is directed by Candie Groves and JD Harris...

Farmers Bank and Trust's new 600 W. Moultrie branch opened this week with their first Personal Teller Machine (PTM). It is a hybrid between a branch teller and an ATM machine. With the opening of their new branch, Farmers Bank is the first bank to launch a PTM in Northeast Arkansas...

Jonesboro -- Ruby Gordon Fullen Johnson, 98, passed Sept. 9, 2016, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. Mrs. Johnson was born Oct. 12, 1917, to John Eldridge and Mattie Sue Blankenship Fullen in Childress. She worked over 45 years combined as a hairdresser and teacher, and taught Children's Sunday School at Central Baptist Church...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Police took a harassment report in the 1100 block of South Lilly. -- Officers took a shoplifting report at Lowe's. The offender took a tool combo kit valued at $299. -- Police took a criminal mischief report in the 1200 block of South 7th. The offender scratched the victim's vehicle...

According to election coordinator George Hale, only 68 people had cast their vote in the Blytheville school board election as of Wednesday morning, but poll workers say this turnout is average for a school election in the area. In zone six, Keith Griffin is challenging incumbent Tracey Ritchey; and in zone eight, Harold Sudbury, Jr. is challenging incumbent Tobey Johnson...

Texas - Jimmy Don Arant died peacefully in his sleep Sept. 6, 2016. Loved by many, he led a Godly life that was uniquely his. An avid music lover who enjoyed creating things with his hands, Jim loved being with his family and playing with his grandchildren above all...