Stories from Saturday, June 12, 2021

Moving forward, the Blytheville football program will be under the direction of a hometown leader, Gregory Ruffin. As a 1992 graduate of Blytheville High School, Ruffin went on to attain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Lane College as well as a Master's of Science Degree in Sport Administration from Jackson State University...

The Blytheville Men’s Group started out 12 years ago with a few guys who grew up friends in Blytheville and wanted to get together and see each other. The group met and went on a fishing trip for a few days. As their other friends heard about this more wanted to go on this trip to see everyone...

Tuesday night, the Gosnell City Council approved a $9,846 repair to the city hall roof. The board also agreed to participate in the Building Resilient Communities grant from the Center for Disease Control. Jennifer Reaves of the Arkansas Department of Health told the council that Mississippi County was one of five counties selected, and the grant amount will be between $15,000-$50,000...

The Gosnell Planning Commission has begun a program that identifies abandoned septic tanks that pose a hazard. Planning Commission co-chairs Randy Henderson and Joey Crawford both addressed the Gosnell City Council on Tuesday evening to announce the initiative...

Suggestions of a citizens review board were presented at the monthly Blytheville Police and Fire Committee meeting on June 8. Councilman John Mayberry introduced the draft ordinance to the council, intending to establish and sustain trust between the Blytheville Police Department and the public. The possible board members would be required to attend the Blytheville Citizens Police Academy, as well as participate in a four hour ride-along with an officer...

Following a short executive session to discuss personnel, Manila City Council hired a new water/sewer employee and approved several raises at a special meeting Tuesday, June 8. Mayor Wayne Wagner said water and sewer superintendent Danny Davis recommended the hiring of Don Skaggs at $16 an hour...

Tuesday night, the Blytheville Planning Commission approved the draft of a proposed food truck ordinance and set a public hearing for July on the issue. Citizens will have the opportunity to speak on the matter at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 13. The tentative location is the old Blytheville District Courtroom at Second and Walnut streets...

A vision became a reality as Blytheville has two new houses and two new homeowners thanks to the foresight of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Foundation project started in 2018 with the idea of cleaning up the city by purchasing and removing dilapidated houses...

The Blytheville Police Department responded to several reports of shots fired Friday night and early Saturday morning, according to Blytheville police chief Ross Thompson. At: 10:26 p.m., police responded to the 1300 block of Hearn, then at 11:37 p.m. were called to the 1000 block of Holly. At 11:52 p.m. Friday, they responded to the 800 block of Howard and then raced to the 300 block of Scott at 12:56 a.m. and the 1000 block of Holly at 4:06 a.m. Saturday...