Stories from Saturday, August 24, 2019

SEARCY— The Blytheville Chickasaws traveled to Harding Academy Tuesday night, playing a quarter scrimmage against the Harding Academy Wildcats and a quarter scrimmage afterwards against the Batesville Southside Southerners. The Chicks squared off against the Wildcats first and the 12-minute quarter ended in a 21-21 tie...

PARAGOULD—First-year Gosnell Pirates head coach Lewis Earnest watched his team play an opponent for the first time Thursday night in their Arkansas Athletic Association benefit game, with the Pirates prevailing against the Paragould Rams, 32-14. The Pirates received the ball to start the game and on the first play Earnest’s stepson and junior quarterback Cooper Pieri connected with senior Amarion “Mookie” Partee for a passing play that went 57 yards before Ram defenders dragged Partee down. ...

Just for your information – National Dog Day 2019 is Monday, Aug. 26. National Dog Day is recognized every year on Aug. 26. The day started in 2004. I am sure the unofficial national holiday was founded by a dog lover as a way to promote good care for dogs and to encourage adoption of rescue canines...

This week had me going back and forth in my thoughts, especially since the recent trauma hit a lot of people and myself really close to home. Life is so much shorter than we all think and we spend a lot of time taking it for granted, including myself...

Members of the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees gathered for their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, where they heard plans regarding the establishment of a Blytheville Youth Development Initiative. ANC has requested a $217,000 water credit from the city of Blytheville for a fire suppression well built for the new Center for Allied Technologies building — money that could be used for the program...

The Gosnell City Council tabled a discussion to allow chickens in the city limits during Thursday night’s monthly meeting. Gosnell Mayor Teresa Walker said several citizens have asked the city to revisit an ordinance that prohibits chickens. “Me, personally, I don’t have a problem with chickens,” Walker said. ...

The Gosnell City Council is considering raising sewer rates by $4 a month to cover shortfalls in the Sewer Fund and pay for upgrades to the wastewater system. Through July, year-to-date, the Sewer Fund is in the red $51,897, with $97,953 in revenues versus $149,850 in expenses. Gosnell is facing another significant expense with the recent sewer collapse on Moody Street...

The Blytheville City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening where the reappointment of two members of the Historic District Commission — chairperson Marcia McClain and Andrew Carrington — failed to pass through the council. A 3-3 split vote between councilmembers came about when Councilman R.L. Jones proposed to table the resolutions in order for the council to meet with McClain and Carrington before passing their reappointment...

Shortly after Tuesday night’s Blytheville City Council meeting, Councilman Matt Perrin penned an email to Blytheville Mayor James Sanders expressing his concern over the stalemate regarding reappointments of Andrew Carrington and chairperson Marcia McClain to the Blytheville Historic District Commission...

Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner and members of the city council will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Airport/Community Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the upcoming vote to extend a sales tax which will allow the city to make major improvements in several departments including the water, drainage, park/recreation, streets, fire department, building repairs and police equipment...

Manila City Council met for a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the bond issue to extend a sales tax and accept the resignation of Henry Ford, water/sewer superintendent. Council members Wendell Poteet, Jason Baltimore, Dale Murphy, Donnie Wagner and Steven Milligan were present to share information with the public on the upcoming vote to extend a sales tax to finance projects throughout the city...