Stories from Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Buffalo Island Central directors ended the past week on a high note, Wednesday, Dec. 19, as Library Media Center students demonstrated ways that the school’s new technology lab equipment can be used. The BIC school administration has worked through a stressful week dealing with inquiries from television and news media representatives, as well as student parents and school patrons, concerning the arrest of basketball coach Brandon Ballard on Tuesday, Dec. ...

Manila Herman Davis American Legion Post 197 celebrated a red letter day Sunday, Dec. 16, as it became the first post in Arkansas to become a Purple Heart Post. “I want to thank each and every one who had a part in this recognition,” Post 197 Commander Gregg Roll said. “I want to especially thank the Purple Heart recipients. Those who went to serve and were wounded. Being the first post in the state is a great honor.”...

Lake City Council approved an annexation ordinance, gave end of year bonuses, recognized City Clerk Linda Simpson and reviewed Intergovernmental Agreement with the Craighead County (jail bill) at the Dec. 17 meeting. The council approved Ordinance 301-29 approving annexation of certain contiguous lands to the city limits...

Leachville Council worked through a busy agenda at the Dec. 17 meeting hiring a new police chief. Following a discussion of the police department's needs with Officer Kasey Shepard, the council went into executive session. Mayor Rodney Robertson said he had been in contact with Allen Austin about the position. Council members voted to offer Austin the position of chief of police with a salary of $43,000. Councilwoman Teresa Johnson made the motion adding he be hired with a six month probation...

Manila Wayne Wagner welcomed members of the Mississippi County Election Commission to the Monday, Dec. 17, council meeting. Members included Melisa Logan, election coordinator, Tom Wiktorek, chair, and Anthony Thomas, commissioner. Wiktorek spoke to the council requesting a new voting site. ...

Monette City Council approved the $710,700 budget for 2019 during the Dec. 17 meeting at the Buffalo Island Museum. The council passed Ordinance 2018-5 to approve the 2019 budget. Individual department budgets include: General Fund $710,700; Water $306,000; Sewer $273,500; Sanitation $131,000; Street $161,750; Park $34,550; Memorial Cemetery $30,100; Beautification $10,050; Buffalo Island Museum $5,155; Fire Department $35,100; and Veteran’s Park $3,100...

Top seeded Riverside flexed its muscle in Thursday night’s first round NEA Tournament matchup against Newport, crushing the Lady Greyhounds 67-38 at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro. The Lady Rebels put together a balanced scoring attack while forcing the Lady Greyhounds into 20 turnovers...

Manila posted its sixth straight victory Tuesday night at Walnut Ridge, dealing the Bobcats a 57-46 defeat in 3A-3 senior boys conference action. The victory upped Manila’s overall mark on the season to 10-2 and pushed their conference slate to a perfect 6-0...

Walnut Ridge invaded Lion Gymnasium Monday night and came away with a 48-38 victory in 3A-3 senior girls basketball action. The Lady Bobcats trailed 20-16 at the half and remained four points down, 33-29, entering the fourth quarter. Bailey Augustine pumped in 11 fourth period points as Walnut Ridge outscored Manila 19-5 in the final frame to pull out the win. Augustine finished with a game high 25 points for the Lady Bobcats...

Top seeded Tuckerman broke open a tight game with a strong second half as the Bulldogs cruised to a 61-42 victory over Buffalo Island Central in the quarterfinals of the 72nd NEA Tournament Thursday night at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro. Both teams struggled with turnovers in the first quarter, as the Mustangs committed seven miscues while Tuckerman handed the ball over six times. ...

Riverside and Buffalo Island Central resumed their longtime rivalry Tuesday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette. Both squads had trouble finding the basket as each suffered through a cold shooting night, but when the dust settled, the Mustangs came away with a 43-31 victory over the Rebels in the first meeting of the season between the two old nemeses...