Stories from Tuesday, November 20, 2018

The Lion’s Cross Country teams competed in the state championship meet on Nov. 2 on the infield at Oaklawn in Hot Springs. Girls: Manila's Sadie McDonald, freshman, finished in 6th place, garnering all-state honors. Boys: Manila's Connor Jackson, sophomore, finished in 4th place, grabbing all-state honors for the 2nd straight season...

Connor Jackson, Manila High School, runner, was invited to run on the Arkansas All-Star team, based on his finish time in the state meet. He was among the collection of the top 25 runners from across the state. They competed against the Oklahoma All-Star team on Nov. 10 in Rogers...

Buffalo Island Central rode the strong play of Morgan James to rally past Manila 50-38 in senior girls basketball action Monday night at Lion Gymnasium. The Lady Lions grabbed an 11-7 lead after the first period and pulled ahead 16-7 two minutes into the second stanza. BIC responded, outscoring Manila 11-4 over the final six minutes of the half to close to within 20-18 at intermission...

Manila got off to a fast start in the Honda of Jonesboro Brookland Invitational Tournament Thursday at Bearcat Gymnasium. The Lions defeated Class 4A Monticello 58-51 in first round action. Brock Birmingham pumped in a game high 29 points to propel the Lions past the Billies. Trenton Thomas also hit double figures for Manila, scoring 11 points. Ty Wagner finished with eight, Daley Belew tallied six while Brian Gonzalez chipped in four points...

Riverside suffered a pair of excruciating one-point losses in senior boys basketball action last week. The Rebels fell to Ridgefield Christian 50-49 Tuesday night in Jonesboro before losing a heartbreaker Friday night at Crowley’s Ridge Academy 54-53...

Riverside swept past three opponents last week in senior girls basketball action. The Lady Rebels rolled over Tuckerman 38-23 Monday night at Lake City. Riverside traveled to Marked Tree Tuesday night and hammered the Lady Indians 66-37 before completing the three-game sweep with a 64-24 victory Thursday night over East Poinsett County at Lepanto...

Linda Donovan, former Manila City Council woman, and Donnie Wagner, city council member, worked as co-chairs for the new West Mississippi County Senior Center in Manila project. They both agree it was well worth it as they look at the new building and view the newly placed plaque...

David Keys with the Big Lake Clay Breakers addressed Manila Superintendent Jason Evers and school board members asking them to not start a school trap shoot program. Keys said he and his wife have worked with area youth for six years building up the Big Lake Clay Breakers, which is open to all area youth. He said starting a school program will take away from the existing program...

As the holiday season begins to sweep across the country, one thing can always be counted on in Mississippi County -- the opening of the treasured holiday lights display, Lights of the Delta. LOTD executive director George Hubbard revealed this year will feature four brand new displays, three of which will include motion effects...

Leachville Christmas Parade and pictures with Santa Nov. 27 Leachville Christmas parade will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26. Rain date will be Tuesday, Nov. 27. Prizes will be $150 for first place; $100 for second place and $50 for third place. Ribbons also will be awarded...

Arthur William Norris, 53, of Luxora passed away Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Bernard Medical Center in Jonesboro. Arthur was born May 14, 1965 at Osceola to Eloise Rogers Norris and A.W. Norris, Sr. Preceding Arthur in death were his father, AW Norris, Sr., his daughter, Nicole Norris, grandparents, A.W. Norris and Elnora Norris, Elder John Moore, and Linzell Miller...

Thomas Stanley Gonyer, age 69, of Blytheville passed away Friday, November 16, 2018 at his home in Blytheville. He was born March 13, 1949 in Exeter, NH to Henry and Flora Gonyer. Mr. Gonyer was a retired carpenter, US Marine veteran and a resident of Mississippi County for 16 years...

Janice Regina Ransom Facon, age 52, of Osceola passed away November 12, 2018 at SMC in Osceola. She was born September 23, 1966 in Osceola to Melvin and Jessie Ransom. Mrs. Facon worked in factories and in the food service industries. She was also a member of St. John Full Gospel Church in Osceola...

James McLemore (Mac) Williams, Jr., 89, died Monday November 19, 2018. Mac was born in Memphis, TN, the son of Carrie Causey Williams and James McLemore Williams, Sr. The family, along with Mac’s brother, Dick, moved to Blytheville in 1937. A graduate of Blytheville High School, he was a two-year letterman on the Chickasaw football team. After graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity...

The captain of a Branson duck boat which capsized July 19 claiming 17 lives including Steve Smith and his son, Lance, of Osceola, has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Kenneth Scott McKee, 51, will now face 17 counts of “acts of misconduct, negligence or inattention to duty.” If convicted, McKee could face up to 10 years in prison for each count and a fine of up to $250,000...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police took a theft of water services report in the 1200 block of South 9th. — Officers took a breaking or entering and theft report (lawn care equipment) in the 100 block of South Crescent...

On Monday, Lights of The Delta opened its gates for what executive director George Hubbard says was the biggest opening night in around five years. Blytheville’s annual holiday light attraction is well known both locally and nationally and Hubbard stated that he believes that the kick-off night was visited by around 500 people...