Stories from Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Leachville Mayor Ralph Wells, 80, died late Thursday, May 25, after an eight week battle with pneumonia. Mayor Wells had served the city of Leachville for over 28 years. He served on the city council for two years then as mayor for 24 consecutive years. He took a break for several years and was elected mayor in 2014 and had served two and a half years of his term...

Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook addressed the Leachville City Council on Monday, May 22, assuring the council his department is available to assist the police department during the transition period. Leachville's chief of police recently resigned and one officer is on suspension...

Manila Chief of Police James Skinner addressed the city council at the May 29 meeting commending his department. Chief Skinner said Sgt. James Littlefield was attending drills and when he was questioned about being off, he informed instructors he had no problems getting off and other officers stepped up to fill in for him...

Alma Ruth Middleton, 95, of Leachville, the widow of Mr. Thomas Middleton, passed from this life Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at her home. Born in Hollywood, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Arnold and Savannah Belle Culp Langley and had been a lifelong area resident. ...

Ralph D. Wells, 80, of Leachville, passed from this life Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, he was the son of the late John Wesley and Sarah Loretta McClure Wells and was a 1956 graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Does anyone really receive a grand prize? The answer is yes! Shelby Atkinson, a kindergarten student at Riverside West Elementary, is the grand prize winner of the School Mall drawing. Principal LeAnn Harrell made the announcement at an assembly May 19. When Shelby heard the news she had won the $5,000 Disney World trip she was excited as were her friends and teachers...

Manila Business Women will host a Farmers Market from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Depot Center. Vendors are welcome to set up booths for a fee of $20. Vendors can sell items such as produce, crafts, ready to eat foods, tee shirts, plants, flowers, honey, eggs, books, make up, candles, or have a booth to promote a business or church/group fundraisers...

Leachville City Council members met in a special called meeting Thursday evening appointing Councilwoman Lisa Baldridge as pro-temp mayor. Baldridge stepped into the position previously held by Councilwoman Ethel Hetler who requested the change due to her health...

Gavin Stone, Riverside senior athlete, is the recipient of the first Don Ellison Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is open to all NEA senior basketball players. Stone is an outstanding athlete and participated in basketball, baseball, tennis, bowling and golf...

The fifth annual Buckin' of the Bulls for St. Jude Children's Hospital was held May 19 at Caraway. Roger Bell, organizer of the event, brought in rodeo fans to watch over 30 professional bull riders compete. An added attraction for this year's event was the appearance of Lecile Harris, Rodeo Clown of the Year for four years...

Carolyn Banks Arnold was born September 15, 1956 to Robert Banks and Alberta Banks in Blytheville, Arkansas. Carolyn departed this life on Sunday May 28, 2017, at the age of 60 at her home in Blytheville. She was preceded in death by her parents. She leaves to cherish her memories a daughter, Tamara Lewis of Blytheville; a stepson, Keith Brooks of Osceola; three sisters, Bobbie Banks, Joyce Banks, both of Blytheville, and Mary Banks, of Paducah, Kentucky; four brothers, James Banks, Robert Banks, Hubert Banks and Tommy Lee Banks, all Blytheville; three grandchildren and host of other family members and friends.. ...

Mr. James Ray Kendrick, 85, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017 at St. Bernard Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Jim was born in Marked Tree, to James Lacy and Versie Gertrude (Jones) Kendrick. He was a retired blacksmith fabricator with Osceola Machine Works. ...

Mr. Cortez "Kurt" Kennedy was born on August 23, 1968 in Osceola. Kurt gave his life to Christ at an early age and was a member of Wilson Chapel Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Waldo Campbell. He attended the Rivercrest School District, graduating from Rivercrest High School in 1986. ...

A Blytheville man lost his life when his vehicle collided with an 18-wheeler around 8:35 p.m. Monday at Franklin and Sycamore streets. Kenderick Finwick, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson. Thompson said Finwick struck a portion of the semi at a high rate of speed...

Mr. James David Brown, 65, passed away on May 28, 2017 at his home in Osceola. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a retired factory worker for Viskase. He is survived by his wife, Maudie Fay Street Brown of Osceola; one son, Stephen Brown of Osceola; one daughter, Sterling Ashabreener; three sisters, Josephine Smith of Lepanto, Ann Rudd and Connie Raymond both of Newark, Ark. and five grandchildren, Kalyn Weeks, Kennedy Woodall, Bradey Woodall, Jasmine Weeks and Kennedy Weeks...

All three suspects in the murder of 28-year-old Richard Wilkins, Jr. have surrendered to police, according to Police Chief Ross Thompson and Capt. Scott Adams.