Stories from Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Tuesday, Feb. 13, was Miles Gifford Day at the Mustang Athletic Complex. The Buffalo Island Central senior golfer signed a letter of intent to play golf for Williams Baptist College. Family, friends, teammates, coaches and the student body applauded Miles as his dedication and hard work awarded him the chance to continue his golf career at the college level...

Riverside saw its season come to an end Monday night in the 3A-3 District Tournament at Piggott when Corning handed the Rebels a 69-45 defeat. Corning held a 17-10 lead after the first quarter and increased their margin to 33-20 at the half. The Bobcats took a 53-28 advantage into the final frame...

Riverside’s brother-sister duo of Hailey and Hayden Carr finished runner-up in their respective divisions of last week’s 3A-2A-1A East Conference Bowling Championships held Monday in Jonesboro. Hailey Carr rolled a 456 series to finish runner-up to Bay’s Bailey Williams, who fired a 550 series. Lady Rebel Cara Williams rolled a 387 series, good enough for ninth place, as Riverside finished fourth in the team standings...

Corning came out on fire in Tuesday night’s district tournament matchup with Manila and went on to crush the Lady Lions 82-46. The Lady Bobcats smoked Manila, draining a remarkable 18 three pointers on the night. Corning, who never trailed in the game, knocked down five triples in the first quarter, three by Katie Clifton, to take a 23-12 lead into the second stanza. Sydney Adcock kept Manila within striking distance, scoring eight first period points...

Fourth seeded Buffalo Island Central waged a back and forth battle with top seeded Cotter in Monday night’s quarterfinal action of the 2A-2 District Tournament at Lepanto. Senior forward Andrew McFarlin knocked down the game winning free throw with just two ticks left on the clock to send the Mustangs past the Warriors, 48-47. ...

Seniors Joel Burrow and Bradey Woodall came up with big plays late in the fourth quarter, helping Manila to an emotional 56-55 victory over rival Osceola, claiming the 3A-3 District Championship Friday night at Piggott. Down 53-51 with just 58 seconds in the game, Woodall made an acrobatic drive to the hole, finishing off with the bucket while being fouled. ...

Riverside left little doubt who the best team in the 3A-3 District Tournament was with a dominating 59-42 victory over defending state champion Hoxie in Friday night’s finals at Piggott. The win was especially sweet for the Lady Rebels, who suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss in last year’s finals at Osceola...

Veterans Helping Veterans of NEA made another presentation honoring local veteran Billy Wade Barker of the Milligan Ridge Community on Saturday, Feb. 9. Billy Barker was awarded a bronze statue and a framed certificate to commemorate his service in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era...

Members of the Caraway Police Department, Craighead County Sheriff's Department and community volunteers manned the Caraway roadblock for Make A Wish on Friday. Volunteers did not let the lower temperatures and rain interfere. This is the third year for the Make A Wish roadblock in Caraway chaired by Bo James. James expressed his appreciation to all the volunteers and all who gave...

(Editor's note: In conjunction with Heart Month (February) Grace Henderson, 11, and family were special guests at Dell Baptist Church to share her amazing journey through numerous surgeries leading to a heart transplant.) Dell – February being heart month, on Feb. 4 Dell Baptist Church hosted the Henderson family, a family who portrays the meaning of heart month...

Eddie Jean “Peggy” Warrington, 94, of Searcy passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2018. She was born September 28, 1923, in Blytheville, to the late Eddie and Sada Burks. Peggy worked 37 years for Arkansas Missouri Power Company in Blytheville, retiring in 1988. She moved to...

Jeramy Lynn Henderson was born December 16, 1985 in Prescott, Ark. to the late Timmy Henderson and Stephanie Godwin Murphy. He and his two brothers were raised by his special aunt Brenda Sharp of Blytheville. Mr. Henderson was a factory worker. Mr. Henderson passed away on February 15, 2018 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 32. ...

Betty Jean Dixon was born March 7, 1964 in Osceola to Leslie and Rosie Clark Boyce. She was a factory worker and a member of Promiseland C.O.G.I.C. in Osceola. Mrs. Dixon passed away February 16, 2018 at her home in Osceola at the age of 53. She is survived by her husband James A. ...

Claude Zell Williams of Dyersburg was born September 25, 1936 in Blytheville to Pierce Williams and Alberta Green. Claude departed this life on Friday, February 16, 2018, at the age of 81, at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents. Claude leaves wife Dorothy Williams of Dyersburg, one daughter Ruby Jewel Pegler, two granddaughters, Makita Pegler and Kizzy Pegler, one grandson Jerome Miles, all of Oklahoma City, five sisters, Maeree Hackett of Blytheville, Dorothy Williams of Memphis, Christine Johnson of, Houston, Texas, Susie Mae Beasley of Dansville, Ill., and Clara Mae Halls of Alan Town, Pa., two brothers, Clyde Zell Williams of Champaign, Ill. ...

Derick S. Fowler of Blytheville was born August 27, 1979 to Levorn Fowler SR. and Mary Sue Scott, in Blythevilles. Derick departed this life on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 38. Derick was a high school graduate of Blytheville High School...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police chased a suspect in the 100 block of West Vine. The man, who has active warrants, escaped police for the second time in the last month. — Officers arrested Brandee Craine, 39, on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia...

ARMOREL — The Armorel Tigers were crowned the 1A-3 District champions late Friday night in a thrilling, 66-63 double-overtime victory over arch-rival the Bay Yellowjackets. This is the first district title since the Tigers won it in the 2007 campaign...

HARRISBURG-- The Gosnell Pirates defeated the Trumann Wildcats, 80-77, Saturday in the 3-4A District third-fourth place game. Gosnell's Coty Keene found teammate Jordan Lewis under the basket for a Pirates' layup with 3.5 seconds left to give the Pirates a three-point lead...

BATESVILLE — The Blytheville Chickasaws (16-11) narrowly defeated the Paragould Rams, 48-45, Monday in the first round of the 5A-East District Tournament, locking up a spot in the Class 5A State Tournament. The Rams jumped out to 5-0 start before Chickasaws guard Curtis Smith gave the Chicks their first lead, 8-7, with 2:20 left in the first with a three-pointer...