Stories from Friday, January 11, 2019

Mike Connealy, 89, of Blytheville passed from this life January 8, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born in Decatur Nebraska on September 28, 1929, the third of six sons to Mark and Leona Ball Connealy. Moving from Nebraska to Baytown Texas he attended Robert E. Lee High School. He was voted “handsomest boy in school.” After high school, he joined the Marines serving with the 3rd Batallion 5th Marine Division for two years. He was a Korean vet...

According to Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department and members of the Blytheville Police Department Special Response Team executed a search warrant at 400 Summit Street in Blytheville, arresting two Blytheville residents on drug and weapon charges...

Wilbert Stone, Sr., 82, of Luxora, passed away Jan. 10, 2019, in Lake City. He was born Sept. 3, 1936, in Lucy, Tenn., to William and Eula Stone. He was a towboat captain for many years. Survivors include his wife, Edna Stone; sons, Billy Stone of Manila, Randell (Hideko) Stallings of Japan, Billy (Julie) Stallings of Savannah, Ga., and Wendell (Jan) Rackley of Keiser; daughters, Brenda Carson of Jacksonville, Terri Hoopingarner of Cave City and Wendy McCamey of Leachville; 20 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a brother, Howard Stone of Rockford, Ill.. ...

Big Lake Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is closed due to the government shutdown. A notice on the front door reads: Due to the lapse in federal appropriations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is unable to fully staff the properties under its management...

James E. Thompson, 68, of Lakewood, Colo., passed away Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. Jim was born Dec. 8, 1950, to George and Jean Thompson in Searcy. In 1962, the family moved to Blytheville and Jim graduated from Blytheville High School in 1969. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years, then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Colorado-Denver. He worked as an auditor in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years...

Scott Ellington, Prosecuting Attorney for the Second Judicial District, announced today the creation of the Second Judicial District Organized Criminal Activity Task Force (OCATF). The OCATF is comprised of law enforcement officials from the Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Jonesboro Police Department, the Blytheville Police Department, the Osceola Police Department, the Craighead County Sheriff’s Department, the Craighead County Juvenile Department, the Mississippi County Juvenile Department, the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Department, the Paragould Police Department, and the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections. ...

GOSNELL — Gosnell recorded its second straight 30-plus point win Friday night when it cruised past Piggott, 84-52. The Pirates (10-6, 7-3 3A-3) jumped out to a 12-3 lead early in the game and led 22-12 going into the second quarter. Gosnell got hot from behind the arc, knocking down four three-pointers in the second quarter...

The Blytheville Chickasaws had no problem defeating 4A-3 Conference opponent the Batesville Southside Southerners as head coach McKenzie Pierce was able to rest his key guys most of the final quarter in 63-31 blowout victory. The Chicks (10-4, 5-2) led 13-6 after the first quarter and pulled away in the second quarter, leading the Southerners 30-16 at the half...