Stories from Friday, September 17, 2021

Sheila Gail Stokes of Blytheville was born April 20, 1961, in Deering, Mo., to Randall Caraway and Mary Ward Caraway. She was a homemaker and was of the Pentecostal faith. Mrs. Stokes passed away Sept. 14, 2021, at her home in Blytheville at the age of 60...

Larry Williams, Sr. was born Sept. 8, 1952, in Blytheville, the son of Burnell and Virgie Jackson Williams. He was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School. Following graduation, Larry enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. For many years, Larry worked at Nucor Steel Mill...

Deborah Kay "Debbie" Helms, 64, of Leachville, widow of Mr. Virgil Lee Helms, passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville, she was the daughter of the late Benny Ray James and Barbara Sevier Stirling and lived in DeSoto, Mo., before returning to Leachville in 1973. ...

On Thursday, a Mississippi County jury found Rakeem Harris guilty of first-degree murder in the March 2019 slaying of 20-year-old Malik Holliman on South 21st Street. Harris was sentenced to life on the murder charge, plus seven years for the presence of a child and another 10 years for firearm enhancement...

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) made a visit to Blytheville Thursday for a renovation tour of the Mississippi County Courthouse. Mississippi County Judge John Nelson said the courthouse was built approximately 100 years ago. With this project, the county looked to retain the historical value throughout the renovations while also making new, modernized additions to the building’s structure...

James Willard French, known to his friends and family as Will, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 11, 2021. He was surrounded by his wife, Diane and his two daughters, Patricia (Trish) and Cynthia and their husbands. Will was born on July 7, 1925, in Yarbro, Arkansas to Sterling and Clemmie French. ...

First quarter fumbles plagued the Chickasaws (0-3) in a 21-6 loss to the Riverview Raiders (3-1) Sept.17 at Haley Field. A deep kick return from Tyquon Love set up Blytheville near midfield on their first possession. However, the Chicks’ ball security issues started soon after. A snap sailed over quarterback Omarion Russell's head to push the offense back and forced an early three and out...