Stories from Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Buffalo Island Central School Board opened its monthly meeting Feb. 20 with two presentations concerning program and grants receipts. Monette Farmers Market Manager Buford Hufford and Assistant Manager Connie Walker presented the BIC School District a check for $1,249.44 as part of the Partners in Education program, which helps foster relationships between businesses and schools. ...

Leachville Council members heard the State of the City address from Mayor Rodney Robertson, made plans to move forward with a sewer expansion and waste treatment plant, hired a full time police officer and conducted other business at the Monday, Feb. 19, meeting...

In a board meeting held Monday, Feb. 19, the Manila School board renewed principals' contracts for the 2018-2019 school year. In addition, with a 7-0 vote, interim head football coach, Lorin Morgan, was hired as head football coach. Jonna Dodd was also hired as assistant softball coach with the board voting 7-0...

The Mississippi County Library System and the Manila Depot Museum have collaborated to sponsor the planting of a World War I Memorial Tree in Herman Davis State Park in Manila. A planting ceremony will be held in the Park at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4. The World War I Memorial Tree Project is the result of a partnership between the Arkansas World War I Centennial Commission Commemoration Committee and the Arkansas Forestry Commission. ...

Connor Jackson, a freshman at Manila High School, was recognized for being named All State in Cross Country. Connor had no idea when he arrived at school on Tuesday morning he was going to be the honoree at an assembly. The auditorium was filled with students and teachers as Connor received a framed certificate and a state ring...

Clarendon brought an end to Buffalo Island Central’s season Thursday night at the 2A Regional Tournament in Marked Tree. The Lions jumped on the Mustangs early and cruised to a 59-41 victory. Clarendon (26-4) bolted to a 10-2 start and led 16-7 after the first period. ...

Manila earned their second consecutive state tournament berth Wednesday night at Melbourne with a 65-48 victory over Marshall in the first round of the 3A regional basketball tournament. Bradey Woodall and Brock Birmingham combined for 46 points to power the Lions past the Bobcats, who defeated Manila in the 2016 regionals...

Rivals Manila and Rivercrest met for the third time in Friday night’s regional semifinals at Melbourne. In the rubber match, it was the Colts who came out on top, canning 14-19 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 63-58 victory over the Lions...

Riverside earned a trip to this year’s 3A State Tournament with a hard fought 53-43 victory over Bergman Wednesday night at Melbourne. The Lady Rebels fell behind early, 10-3, as Bergman came out hot from beyond the three-point arc, getting back to back bombs from Sydney Savage and Courtney Menke to begin the game. ...

Haven Robertson scored 12 of her game high 16 points in the second half to help Riverside rally to a 44-36 victory over host Melbourne in the semifinals of the 3A Regional Tournament Friday night. Riverside trailed 28-23 at the half. Danni Hardaway dropped in a free throw to begin the third quarter, upping Melbourne’s lead to 29-23. ...

In a battle of the top two 3A teams, Riverside and Mountain View squared off in Saturday night’s regional championship at Melbourne. When the dust had settled, the second ranked Lady Yellowjackets upended the top ranked Lady Rebels, 48-43, to capture the tournament title...

Vickie Marie Chandler was born April 8, 1965 in Osceola to Joseph and Mary Louise Hudson Chandler. She was a homemaker and accepted Christ as a child. Vickie passed away February 25, 2018 at her home in Jacksonville, Ark. at the age of 52. She is survived by her fiancee Nathaniel Bufford, Jr. ...

Arthur Jordan, Jr. was born July 17, 1936 in Joiner to Arthur and Rosie Moore Jordan, Sr. He was a retired factory worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Jordan passed away February 21, 2018 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 81. ...

Gaden “ Gabe” Porter Donald, 88 of Blytheville went to be with the Lord on Saturday February 24, 2018 at his home surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Goodman, Miss. on June 12, 1929, Gaden was the son of John and Anderson Donald. He was known as a great mechanic and drove the school bus for the Blytheville School District. Gaden confessed his hope in Christ and was a member of Nehemiah Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Superintendent David Corn...

Renee Izmerian, 78, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018 in Denver. She was born on November 7, 1939 in Nazareth, Palestine. In 1973 she left her homeland and moved to Blytheville where she resided until her move to Denver in 1985. She was a retired teacher and also taught private French lessons in her home. She was “Tante Renee” to her 9 nieces and nephews...

Jerry Brown, Sr., 81, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, February 26, 2018 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Jerry was born in Blytheville to Carmac and Ruby (Gibson) Brown and was a machine operator for Chicago Lock Company. Jerry loved to play the lottery, watch wrestling, and spend time with his family...

ARMOREL — The Armorel Tigers (19-16) lost 62-55 in the 1A Region 2 championship game Saturday to their archrival, the Bay Yellowjackets. This was the Tigers’ first Regional championship game appearance since losing in 2007. The Tigers’ last regional championship was in 1996...

Saturday night, much of Mississippi County and the surrounding areas were struck with severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds and in some places tornadoes. While Blytheville mostly suffered only minor damages, notably the large McDonald's sign tilting to the point it was removed Monday, the southern end of the county suffered higher amounts of damage — Keiser and Osceola, specifically...