Stories from Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Caraway Mayor Barry Riley and city council members met in a special called meeting Thursday evening with one item (police vehicles) on the agenda. The council agreed unanimously to purchase two 2017 Ford Explorers from Cavenaugh Ford in Jonesboro. The city will be trading in the following police cars, 2008 Dodge, 2010 Dodge, and a 2012 Dodge...

A public meeting was held in Leachville Monday, July 17, to discuss grants for park improvements. Ruth Ann Keith, city clerk/bookkeeper, informed those in attendance she had become aware of two matching grants. One grant from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism would be used to construct a second pavilion at the city park...

Leachville council approved technology upgrade, heard a report on the Melody Theater renovation progress, hired a police officer, and voted to move forward with grant applications at the regular Monday, July 17, meeting. Police Chief Joni Isebell introduced Jim Bryant with iTech. Bryant made a presentation on the system needed for body camera storage...

Matt Coburn of Benton, an established impressionist oil painter, donated one of his paintings to hang in the Eastern District Courthouse in Lake City. An unveiling ceremony for the 48x60" painting of the American flag was held Wednesday at noon at the courthouse with staff members and guests present...

A motorcyclist faces several charges after leading police on a chase that saw speeds reach more than 100 miles per hour and several near crashes, according to a Blytheville police report. Saturday night, Gregorey Young was arrested on charges of fleeing, driving on suspended license third offense, careless and prohibitive driving, speeding, no proof of insurance and a failure to appear warrant out of Manila...

Hunter and Mandy Young announce the birth of their daughter, Mabry Hollyn. She was born at 8:38 a.m. July 15, 2017, at NEA Baptist Hospital. She weighed eight pounds and four ounces. She is the granddaughter of Don and Becky Young of Carlisle and Merett and Michell Emery of Caraway. Great-grandparents are Melton and Faye Emery and Betty Anderson...

Janie Kate Middleton, daughter of Monte and Kelly Middleton of Manila, was born on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017. Janie Kate weighed seven pounds and 11 ounces, and measured 20 inches. She was welcomed by her older brothers, Carson and Connor.

Early planted cotton in Mississippi County has been flowering for the past few weeks and will soon be approaching cutout. As the crop continues to develop, producers should start thinking about end-of-season management practices. Understanding a little about the physiology of the crop can help producers make better production decisions and avoid expensive mistakes associated with end-of-season crop inputs...

Savanah Layne Stewart, formerly of Monette, graduated from the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry on May 13, in Morgantown, W. Vir. Prior to commencement, Dr. Stewart was inducted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and she received the AmeriStewart graduates WVU...

Brian Reynolds and Tyler Smith, Arkansas Northeastern College students from Manila, recently returned from Japan where they spent two weeks. The program, in its 22nd year, provides for two ANC students an all expense paid trip to Japan. The trip is provided by Hiroyuki Inowe, president of Yamato-Kogyo...

The “God at Work Mission Group" worked Wednesday at the home of Earl and Linda Smith, on Texie Street, in Monette. The group did weeding, trimming and bagging of unwanted materials on the outside of the home, while workers inside replaced the living room ceiling and installed a back storm door...

Mr. William Lewis Kelley, 60, of Blytheville went to be with the Lord on Thursday July 2017 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born September 22, 1956 in Armorel, William was the son of Emmett and Victoria Johnson Kelley. Preceded in death by his parents, he leaves to cherish his memory two sisters, Dorothy (Bishop Theodis) Rucker of Blytheville and Rosie Anderson of Chicago, Ill.; four brothers, Walter Kelley of Victoria, Calif., Robert Earl (Laura) Kelley of Dallas, Texas, John Kelley of Cleveland, Ohio and Ernest Kelley of Lansing, Mich.; many nieces; nephews; cousins and friends.. ...

Mrs. Barbara Jean Jackson-Jennings was born September 16, 1950 to Ms. Freddie L. Smith and Mr. Henry Jackson. Barbara was the sixth child. Barbara attended Harrison High School in Blytheville. Barbara relocated to Chicago, Ill. in 1972. A woman of many professions, she became a homemaker in 1989. Barbara married her longtime mate, Texter R.A. Jennings on June 24, 2010...

Mr. L.V. Campbell of Blytheville, was born February 16, 1961 to Johnny Campbell and Ida Ruth Campbell in Osceola, AR. He departed this life on Thursday July 20, 2017 at his residence in Blytheville at the age of 56. He was preceded in death by his parent; a sister, Alice Campbell and a brother, Robert Earl Campbell...

Mrs. Juanita Allen passed away at her home in Osceola on July 22, 2017 at the age of 69. She was a retired factory worker and a member of and on the Motherboard for the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church in Osceola. Mrs. Allen is survived by her parents, Louis and Nadell Strickland Turner both of Camden; her husband, Robert Allen of Osceola; two sons, Pastor Bryant (Kim) Whitted of Osceola and Philippi Whitted of Hanna, S.C.; three sisters, Bishop Dr. ...

Mr. Sylvester Davis, of Luxora passed away on July 22, 2017 in Memphis, Tenn. at the age of 76. He was a retired factory worker for Delta Products and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, Dorothy Davis of Luxora; one son, Demetrius Jefferson of Jonesboro; four daughters, Sherry Lincoln of Orlando, Fla., Angela Smith of Memphis, Tenn., LaWanda Davis of Bridgeview, Ill. ...

Mrs. Shirley Hawkins Middlebrook was born on March 4, 1949 to Ben Hawkins and Jessie Mae Hawkins. Shirley departed this life on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at St. Clare Medical Center in Fenton, Mo. at the age of 68. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James Middlebrook. She was an Eastern Star.

The Arkansas Aeroplex was buzzing on Tuesday afternoon — literally. After a two-hour delay, a B-52 flew over the old Eaker Air Force Base as part of a ceremony dedicated to the airmen who once served here. Local officials, former airmen and family members participated in dedicating the newly restored flag plaza on Memorial Drive, which includes flags from every state in the union and honors not only the many airmen who served in Blytheville, but also veterans and men and women currently serving in the Armed Rorces.. ...

An A-1 Dry Cleaners employee allegedly stole $1,507 from the company and offered to give up custody rights of her child if the owner didn’t press charges, according to a Blytheville police report. The report said the owner confronted the woman about the missing money, and she initially denied taking the $1,507...