Stories from Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Cheryl Darlene Shepperson, 67, of Luxora died December 16, 2018 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a retired factory worker, retired babysitter and of the Baptist faith. Ms. Shepperson was born September 16, 1951 in Rosedale, MS to James and Virgie Chapman Cook. ...

Less than a week after learning of the arrest and suspension of head coach Brandon Ballard, Buffalo Island Central, under the direction of Superintendent and interim coach Gaylon Taylor, rebounded with a hard fought 56-49 victory over Marmaduke in the opening round of the NEA Tournament Saturday at the First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro...

Connor Jackson of Manila has had a very successful four weeks competing in three half marathons (13.1 miles) in three states, Arkansas, Tennessee and Florida. He ran the White River 1/2 marathon in Cotter, Ark., on Nov. 17, finishing with a personal best 1 hour, 16 minutes to take the overall champion crown. In perspective, that finishing time correlates to an average pace of 5 minutes, 48 seconds per mile...

Six Manila Lion football players received post season honors for their superlative play during the 2018 season. Quarterback/cornerback Layne Sims was named All-State and All-Conference. Wide receiver/defensive back Michael Parker joined Sims on the first team 3A-3 All-Conference squad...

Haddyn Hurst poured in 21 points to help lead Buffalo Island Central to a 39-30 victory over Armorel in first round action of the NEA Tournament Saturday in Jonesboro. Ayrielle Appleton gave the Lady Tigers an early 4-0 lead, but a pair of Hurst three pointers had the Lady Mustangs on top 8-4. Two Jealynn Cates foul shots capped off a 10-0 BIC run. Mayson Carr scored the last three points of the first quarter as Armorel closed to within 10-7 at the break...

Riverside raced to a 30-8 halftime lead and went on to hammer Buffalo Island Central 60-17 in senior girls 2A-3 conference basketball action Tuesday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette. The Lady Rebels took a 13-5 lead after the first break behind the offensive punch of Grace Puckett, who dropped in eight first period points. ...

Manila put together a strong defensive effort and went on to defeat East Poinsett County 39-28 in the first round of the NEA Tournament Saturday at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro. Both teams had trouble putting the ball in the hole in the opening quarter. ...

Riverside picked up its first 2A-3 conference victory of the season with a 52-48 victory over Sloan Hendrix Tuesday night at Lake City. The Rebels (3-12, 1-3) led 14-8 after the first quarter before taking a 22-16 lead into the dressing room at the half. Sloan Hendrix fought back in the third period and sliced the Riverside lead to 32-30 entering the final frame...

Manila traveled to Trumann Tuesday night and picked up its second critical road victory in a week by knocking off the Wildcats 52-39 in 3A-3 league play. Manila used balanced scoring to take an 11-8 edge after the first period. Junior point guard Daly Belew took over in the second quarter, scoring 11 points as the Lions pulled out to a 25-19 lead at intermission. ...

Manila administrators and coaches offered their appreciation to Farmers Bank & Trust for their generous donation of two large scoreboards in the high school gymnasium. The gymnasium/physical education complex is located in the new high school facility...

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, The Town Crier and Blytheville Courier News will merge to become the NEA Town Courier, according to The Town Crier office manager Kaye Farrow. "The Town Crier subscribers will continue to receive all of the local news as well as have an opportunity to be informed of what is happening in our expanded coverage area, including the Blytheville area," said Farrow, who will serve as office manager of the NEA Town Courier...

Caraway Mayor Barry Riley read a letter from Rick Stevens, city recorder, at the December city council meeting held Thursday. Stevens thanked the council for including him in the end of the year bonuses but after discussing it with representatives of the municipal league, he is returning the check. Stevens is an elected official...

Last week Buffalo Island Central High School’s boys basketball coach Brandon Ballard was arrested for accusations of computer child pornography. In a statement issued by the district it was stated that Ballard “has been placed on administrative leave with pay based upon this development and in order to investigate the matter further.”...

The sixth annual Community Christmas program to benefit the Butterfly House in Manila was held Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Manila Airport Community Center. In spite of bad weather, a record crowd came together for a great Christmas show to benefit a good cause...

Manila Chief of Police James Skinner was honored with a retirement luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 13. City employees, city officials and fellow officers gathered at the Airport Center to wish him well. Chief Skinner will retire at the end of the year with a 29 year career in law enforcement...

Linda Simpson was honored with a surprise reception at city hall in Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 16. Simpson has served as Lake City clerk/treasurer for 12 years. She decided not to seek re-election due to health issues. Simpson spent 25 years in finance working seven years for Lenders Title Company. ...

Jimmy Lee Brown, 52, of Joiner died December 7, 2018 in Joiner. He was a farm laborer and a member of First Baptist Church in Frenchman Bayou, AR. Mr. Brown was born January 6, 1966 in Wilson to Jimmy Earl and Verla Brown. He is survived by his parents Jimmy Earl Brown of Bassett and Verla Brown of Joiner, one son Jimmy Lee Brown, Jr. ...

A contractor doing work at Nucor Steel Arkansas was injured Monday and operations in the cold mill have been suspended. “Today, a workplace injury involving an employee of one of our contractors occurred in the cold mill at Nucor Steel Arkansas,” Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Arkansas Mary Emily Slate said in a statement Monday evening. “Operations in the cold mill have been temporarily suspended while the accident is being investigated.”...

The C-130s buzzing over Blytheville Monday were part of what will be monthly training exercises at the old Eaker Air Force Base, according Colonel Gerald “Gyro” Donohue, commander of the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base. Crews were in Blytheville this week for tactical airdrop and air land training at the Arkansas Aeroplex...

JONESBORO — The Gosnell Pirates dropped a non-conference matchup at Nettleton, 87-56, Tuesday night. Jordan Lewis led the Pirates with 16 points and he grabbed three rebounds. Fred Debose added eight points and five rebounds in the loss. JyDarian Young chipped in seven points; Coty Keene six points and three assists and Brandon Barbaree six points...

JONESBORO — The Armorel Tigers were defeated in the opening round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Saturday night at First National Bank Arena by the Salem Greyhounds, 69-54. The Tigers trailed 29-25 at the half. The Greyhounds led by 10 heading into the final quarter and finished off the Tigers by outscoring them 22-17 in the fourth quarter...

JONESBORO —Outscored 26-6 in the fourth quarter, the Blytheville Chickasaws (7-3, 2-2 4A-3) dropped their 4A-3 conference battle with host Valley View, 55-44, Tuesday night. Valley View (6-5, 2-2 4A-3) led 12-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Blytheville took a 26-21 lead into halftime...