Stories from Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Nettleton used a 12-0 third period run to break open a close game in route to a 54-36 victory over Riverside in senior girls basketball action Monday night at Raider Gymnasium. Nettleton held a slim 31-27 advantage at the half. Briley Douglas opened the third quarter with a 12-foot baseline jumper to slice the Lady Raider lead to two, 31-29. ...

The City of Leachville was presented a plaque in recognition of becoming a Purple Heart City at the Nov. 19 city council meeting. Everett Evans, commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart, Northeast Arkansas Chapter 708 in Jonesboro, was joined by State Senator Dave Wallace, State Representative Johnny Rye, and Post 197 Commander Gregg Roll in presenting the plaque to Mayor Rodney Robertson and city officials...

Jimmy Veach of Manila received a 50 year pin from Masonic Lodge 588 on Monday, Nov. 19. Veach became part of the Masons on Feb. 3, 1966, while living in Corning. After retirement in 2010, he and his wife Janie moved back to Manila. Veach then became part of the Manila Lodge 588, which was chartered in 1905...

Patricia Ann Beverly, 82, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, November 26, 2018 at her home. Patricia was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia to George and Helen Tenney Faris. She previously worked at the Dixie Pig, The Villa and Blytheville Country Club before retiring. Patricia enjoyed coloring and drawing. She was very good at sewing and knitting, and especially making dolls. Patricia was an excellent historian. She loved watching college football and working in her flower gardens...

Clayton Wheeler of Baton Rouge was born September 15, 1990 to Corey Wheeler and Barbara Banieh in Blytheville. He departed this life on Sunday November 18, 2018 in Baton Rouge at the age of 28. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Lucielle Hancock...

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday, ov. 26, at the future site of the Buffalo Island Medical Clinic in Monette. In spite of the cold, windy day, a large crowd gathered for the special event. The new 3,500 square foot clinic will be built at the corner of Highway 18 and Highway 139...

A double book signing was held at the Leachville Library last Monday with local authors Charity A. Lane and Brannah Bibbs. The event was sponsored by Chapter AC PEO members. Lane is wife to Toby, mother to TJ and Toby Jo, and child of the one true God. ...

Marcilee Welch, 86, of Jonesboro, former longtime Leachville resident and widow of Edward Welch, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late E.S. ...

E.D. Bright, 75, of Osceola died November 20, 2018 at his home. He was a retired farmer and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Bright was born April 19, 1943 in Crawfordsville, AR to Willie and Bertha Bright. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Louise Bright, two sisters Frankie Bright and Willie Mae Martin, and his brother Charles Fisher...

Southern Bancorp is collecting gifts for area nursing home residents who do not have visitors during the holidays. The program, Be A Santa To A Senior, is in its third year. “Most nursing home residents have no visitors at all even at the holidays,” Southern Bancorp’s LaRay White said. ...

Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 marked a special day for longtime Blytheville resident Mrs. Annie Bell Barnes as she embraced her 106th birthday with family and friends at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Mayor James Sanders was also in attendance to proclaim Nov. 24 as Annie B. Barnes Day...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Finance Committee met Monday afternoon and approved the 2019 Budget, sending it to the full Quorum Court to consider the next day. A few changes to the budget included taking out Olympus, which was $1.4 million and put back into the economic development fund...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police arrested Geoffrey Spears on criminal mischief and theft charges after he allegedly stole seven air conditioning units — valued at $50,000 — from Cobb Funeral Home on West Main...