Stories from Wednesday, April 14, 2021

In their April 12 committee meetings, the Blytheville City Council discussed purchasing a Pro-Patch truck to help improve the city’s streets by permanently fixing potholes. Through HD Industries, the truck is described to transport and heat pre-mix materials needed for the asphalt and make permanent repairs to the street in all weather conditions...

Senator David Wallace, R-Leachville, said he was pleased with the Senate vote of 32-1 on Thursday to send Senate  Bill 543  to the House. Sen. Wallace said the bill is tied to an expansion at Big River Steel. The bill extends an income tax credit for steel manufacturers that purchase certain waste reduction, reuse and recycling equipment...

Caraway Council voted to discontinue uniform service, reviewed cemetery mowing bids, upgrade the phone and camera systems and continue searching for a full time police officer at the Thursday, April 8, meeting. Mayor Bo James called the meeting to order with all council members present. Following the approval of the minutes and the financial review, Mayor James pointed out the upward scale one cent sales tax is showing. He said the turnback money is also increasing...

During a special meeting Monday night, the Blytheville School Board voted unanimously to continue the mask mandate. Blytheville superintendent Bobby Ashley told the board because Gov. Asa Hutchinson lifted the mask mandate, it had three choices: continue the policy, eliminate it or modify it...

A 5-2 vote by the Gosnell School Board confirmed the district’s following of CDC and ADH guidelines concerning masks for the remainder of the school year. The board did confirm that there has not been a positive case in the district for 8 weeks. Additionally however, no students have received any vaccination...

Artie Mae Presley Collins, 96, of Marked Tree departed this life on April 12, 2021. She was born on June 27, 1924 in Selmer, Tenn., to Odus and Willie Ethel Brown Presley. Ms. Collins worked as a retail clerk and was very devoted to her children and grandchildren...

Kyleigh Malia Dutton, 6, of Bono, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Lawrence County. She was born Aug. 12, 2014 in Jonesboro. Kyleigh was a kindergarten student at Westside Elementary School. She is survived by her mother and stepdad, Kama Strickland and Tyler Gibson of Bono; father, Travis Dutton of Walnut Ridge; sisters, Madalynn and Bella; brothers, Xander and Payton, all of the home; grandparents, Suzanne Jones and Mark Haines of Bono, Danny and Sallie Scott of Weiner, Scotty Gibson of Cash, Doug and Jennifer Strickland of Paragould and Robert and Rhonda Tribble of Walnut Ridge; great-grandmother, Sharon George of Paragould; aunts, Alyssa Jones of Bono, Jennifer Pugh, Holli Strickland, Zoie Simpson and Katlind Simpson, all of Paragould, Robin Smith of Augusta; uncles, Taylor Strickland (Kelsey), Garett Chandler (Megan), Derek Dutton (Chelsie), all of Paragould, and Preston Dutton (Angel) of Mississippi; best friend, Rosa Llanes; and many other family and friends.. ...

Kenneth Paul Flowers, 76, of Mountain Home passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Mountain Home. He was born April 4, 1945, in Blytheville to the late Dennis and Burlon (Owens) Flowers. Kenneth was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the Twin Lakes area. He also loved his animals and Mexican food. Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents...

Robin “Candy” Pippin Kackley, 65, of Rives, Mo., passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. On Feb. 22, 1956, she was born in Kennett, Mo., to the late Martha Winnie Joyce Frederick and Joe Laverne Pippin...

Three of the suspects in the fatal shooting on Walls Street April 7 were arraigned in Blytheville District Court Wednesday on charges of murder, terroristic act, and engaging in criminal/violent gang activity. Tyree Johnson, 22, Joel Williams, Jr., 25, and Willavonte D. Westmorland, 26, are accused in the death of 26-year-old Jamion Sims who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, according to the court synopsis...

Donald Don Davenport, 55, of Joiner, died April 2, 2021, in Wilson. He was a maintenance worker. Mr. Davenport was born April 5, 1966, in Jonesboro to Donald Eugene and Shirley Ann Rice Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry Davenport and grandchild, Frankie Stanley Davenport...