Stories from Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Manila traveled to Highland to participate in the Ronnie Brogdon Christmas Classic and came away with a 73-52 win over Melbourne before falling to 7A Springdale Har-Ber 78-64. In Wednesday’s win over the Bearkatz, Manila had four players register double digits, led by Bradey Woodall’s game high 18 points. ...

Manila rolled over Corning 73-55 in senior boys basketball action Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Lion Gym. The Lions raced to a 14-4 lead after the first period. Corning closed the gap to 35-29 at the half, but Manila pulled away to a 57-42 advantage after three quarters...

Riverside senior Landon Moyer drives to the bucket in first round NEA Tournament action against Tuckerman. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher) Manila's Madison Bibbs looks for an open teammate in NEA Tourney action last week against Cave City.   BIC's Haddyn Hurst is guarded by EPC's Bre Ward in NEA Tournament play last week at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro...

Bay capped off one of the most remarkable endings in Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament history, pulling off an improbable Hail-Mary play as the Lady Yellowjackets shocked Riverside 50-49 in the finals of the girl’s lower division championship game Wednesday night at the First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro...

Two Buffalo Island veterans, Eli Paul Baker of Monette and Johnny McCormick of Caraway, were honored Saturday, Dec. 23. Each received a plaque for their service and a bronze statue provided through the Veterans Helping Veterans organization of Northeast Arkansas...

Friends, family, co-workers and customers were on hand Friday, Dec. 29, to wish Dan Robbins well in his retirement and thank him for his years of service to Manila and the surrounding area. Robbins has served as president of the Manila Southern Bancorp for the last 17 years of his 35 year banking career...

Mrs. Neda Florine Vincent, 83, of West Plains, Missouri passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Mountain Home. She was born on October 9, 1934 to Everett and Myrtle (Richardson) Lucas in Blytheville. She is survived by one son, Ronald Vincent (Diane) of Mountain Home; two daughters, Vickie Vincent of Mountain Home and Valerie Vincent of West Plains, Mo.; four grandchildren, Chad Vincent (Holly) of St. ...

Mr. Nelson Ray Benson, age 78 of Manila, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Blytheville, he was the son of the late Neal and Mittie Crabtree Benson and had lived most of his life in Manila. ...

Mr. Albert "Buddy" Carter, Jr. was born April 15, 1942 in Osceola to Albert and Lillie Edward Carter, Sr. He was a retired factory worker, carpenter and of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. Carter passed away December 29, 2017 at SMC Medical Center in Osceola at the age of 75...

Nelson Ray Benson, 78, of Manila, passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Blytheville, he was the son of the late Neal and Mittie Crabtree Benson and had lived most of his life in Manila. A 1958 graduate of Manila High School, he was a standout basketball player for the Manila Lions and played in the 1958 Arkansas All-Star game. ...

Ms. Clidia B. Brown was born April 16, 1942 in Sledge, Mississippi to Nellie Grayson. She was a retired cook, member of the Bethlehem MB Church in Osceola and a choir member. Ms. Brown passed away December 24, 2017 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 75...

Ms. Mary Louise “Lou Lou” Richardson was born July 1, 1940 in Luxora to Robert and Dorothy Dixon McCarn. She was a retired bookkeeper and cashier for Hays grocery store for over 35 years and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Richardson passed away December 30, 2017 at Belle Meade Nursing Home in Paragould at the age of 77...

Mrs. Ina Louise (Neal) Bryeans of Gosnell, Arkansas, passed away on December 31, 2017, at the SMC Regional Medical Center in Osceola, at the age of 98. For the past two years, Ina had been patient at the Gosnell Therapy and Living Center near her residence there...

Mrs. Mary Emma Gaston Brown, 70 of Blytheville went to be with Lord on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born July 2, 1947 in Madison, Arkansas she was the daughter of Vick Gaston, Sr. and Ernestine Blair Gaston. She was of the Spiritual faith and was a faithful member of Greater Jeremiah Spiritual Church where she served on the Missionary and Usher Boards, and was a former employee of Milwaukee Tool...

Mr. Roger Keith Washington, 54 of Blytheville passed away Thursday December 28, 2017 at NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born November 25, 1962 in West Memphis, Arkansas to Nathaniel and Selma Rogers Washington. Roger was a 1982 graduate of Blytheville High School. Following graduation he enlisted to serve his country in the United States Army and he also spent many years as a law enforcement officer...

Mr. Charles Easter Frazier, Jr. was born June 1, 1942 in Blytheville to the late Charles Frazier, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Brimlett Frazier. He was a retired factory worker and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Frazier passed away on December 28, 2017 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro at the age of 75...