Stories from Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Riverside opened its 2A-3 conference slate with a pair of wins last week, defeating Rector 57-28 Tuesday night at Lake City before closing the week with a convincing 50-32 victory Friday night at Salem. Riverside jumped on Rector in the first quarter and led 21-11 after the first break. The Lady Rebels outscored the Lady Cougars 16-2 in the second stanza and led 37-13 at the half. Riverside increased its advantage to 49-14 after three periods, invoking the mercy rule...

Bay dialed in their long-range shooting and went on to an 80-44 romp over Buffalo Island Central in senior boys basketball action Monday night at Bay. It was the conference opener for both teams as the Mustangs played without head coach Brandon Ballard who was off on bereavement...

Manila opened their 3A-3 conference season Tuesday night at home by thrashing Piggott 82-31 in senior boys action. The Lions clung to a 14-11 lead after the first break but outscored the Mohawks 20-2 in the second quarter to take a 34-13 halftime lead. Manila continued its offensive onslaught in the third period and built a commanding 72-25 advantage after three quarters...

Melbourne showed why it’s one of the top teams in the state in Class 2A by rolling over Buffalo Island Central 58-10 in senior girls basketball action Friday night at Monette. The Lady Bearkatz led 17-4 after the first quarter and held BIC scoreless in the second period while bolting to a 46-4 lead at intermission. Melbourne led 48-10 entering the final frame...

Buffalo Island Central School Board officially gifted the City of Leachville, Arkansas, the old school gymnasium with .44 acres of property during the regular board meeting Thursday, Nov. 29. School attorney Johnny Dunigan was on hand to answer questions about the quit claim deed. ...

Manila City Council members worked through a short agenda at the Monday, Nov. 26, meeting. Mayor Wayne Wagner informed the council Chief of Police James Skinner plans to retire Dec. 28. Mayor Wagner said he has been interviewing to fill the position...

During the Monette City Council meeting held Monday, Nov. 26, city councilman Brandon Decker, relay technician with Entergy, announced the new entrance and exit lights from Drew Avenue to the Highway 18 loop around the city would be up and working by Friday, Nov. 30...

The City of Monette will hold its first Winter Christmas Festival from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Portions of Drew Avenue and Edmonds Street downtown will be blocked off for the festival and will contain food vendors, craft booths, music and blow-up activities for kids. Free hot chocolate, popcorn, water and horse and buggy rides will be available all afternoon. Santa will be at the giant snowman, in front of the Buffalo Island Museum, for photos...

Leachville Christmas parade kicked off the season with the annual parade held Monday, Nov. 26. A large crowd gathered for the event. Richard and Nancy Sills were honored to be selected as the grand marshals for this year's parade. The Leachville tradition continued with a parade followed by cookies and pictures with Santa at the Melody Theater...

Unico Bank has been proudly supporting Riverside School District since opening the Lake City branch in March 2016. This summer, Riverside athletics and Unico Bank partnered to refurbish the court at Rebel Gymnasium. The court was recently dedicated. Representing Unico Bank were Jonathan Mays, president and CEO; his wife Ashley, granddaughter of the late Leon Brinkley; and their children, Jordan and Bentley. Also attending were Allyson Anderson and Jessica Browning from the Lake City branch...

Lula Lee White was born on June 14, 1928 to Eddie and Agnes Williams in Parkin, AR. She entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Regional One in Memphis at the age of 90. Lula was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leon White, a son Calvin White, six sisters, four brothers and two grandchildren, LaSonya Stewart and Marcus White. At an early age Lula Lee White professed her faith in Jesus Christ...

Willie Hewlett III of Blytheville was born June 13, 1961 in Blytheville to the late Willie Hewlett, Jr. and the late Easter Mason Thomas. He was a member of Progressive M.B. Church, was a U.S. Army Veteran and worked as a truck loader and in assembly for a furniture store...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police arrested Tremayne Stancle on charges of driving on revoked license, obstructing governmental operations, refusal to submit to arrest, and failure to appear in the 600 block of Walker. ...

The Gosnell Pirates (3-0) defeated the Riverside Rebels 59-29 Monday night in the opening round of the Gerald Jennings Tournament being hosted by the Marked Tree Indians. GHS led 32 -15 at the half and didn’t let off the gas pedal as they outscored the Rebels 34-14 in the second half. Junior center Jordan Lewis led the way with a game high 17 points, 16 rebounds, two steals and one assist. Senior CaDarius Young chipped in 12 points, one rebound and one assist...

MARKED TREE — The Gosnell Junior Pirates defeated the Armorel Junior Tigers 48-38 in the first round of the Gerald Jennings Invitational Monday night. The Junior Pirates will face the Trumann Junior Wildcats Thursday night in the second round of the Gerald Jennings Tournament...

The city of Gosnell will have its first female mayor. Gosnell City Councilwoman Teresa Walker edged Councilman John Pate in the mayoral runoff, 228 (54.29 percent) to 192 (45.71 percent). Current Gosnell Mayor Don Marshall did not seek re-election. “I’m thankful and humbled that the people of Gosnell have put their confidence and faith in me to move our community forward,” Walker said. “I want to thank my family, friends and supporters for their support during this race.”...

JONESBORO — In a battle of two of the top teams in the state and the new 4A-3 Conference, the Class 4A fourth-ranked Blytheville Chickasaws fell to the 4A top-ranked Westside Warriors, 61-48, Tuesday night. The game was the Chicks’ first conference contest of the season...

GOSNELL — The Gosnell Pirates (4-0) defeated Walnut Ridge, 52-48, in their home opener on Tuesday night. Cory Keene poured in 16 points to lead the Gosnell’s scorers. Jordan Lewis added 13 points, grabbed five rebounds and swiped four steals.