Stories from Saturday, December 11, 2021

Editor’s Note: State Rep. Monte Hodges (D-Blytheville) penned the following article on the Arkansas House passing the largest income tax cut in the history of Arkansas. By REP. MONTE HODGES The Governor called a special session to consider a reduction in income taxes. ...

Gosnell used an 18-2 third-quarter run to take control of its 3A-3 conference matchup with host Piggott, Tuesday night, before beating the Mohawks, 66-54. After the lead changed hands eight times in the first two quarters, Gosnell (2-3, 1-1 3A-3) led narrowly 22-21 at halftime...

From the opening tip, Manila (4-3, 2-0 3A-3) gave their home crowd a lot to cheer about Dec. 7 in a 65-34 win over the Harrisburg Hornets (1-4, 0-2 3A-3). The Lions used a dribble weave set on their first play that led to a slam from junior Brayden Nunnally, energizing the gym. Manila kept their foot on the gas and followed with a triple from freshman Rex Framer and layup form sophomore Luke Kirk, jumping out to 7-0 advantage...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Insurance Committee discussed the need for another meeting with Performance Health concerning both paid and unpaid claims. Mississippi County Judge John Alan Nelson said that payments have been made by the county finance department to the Mississippi County Hospital System and St. Bernards. A number of additional payments have also been made directly to employees for reimbursement on payments they’ve made...

Mississippi County plans to renegotiate the exclusivity agreement with Pafford EMS, while justices of the peace consider whether the county should purchase two ambulances to improve response time in the southern end of the county. During Tuesday’s Police and Fire Committee meeting, county attorney Jake Holmes said the agreement made between Pafford and the county in 2015 was “a federal anti-trust violation,” and justices also expressed concerns of potentially allowing a private ambulance service to use county-funded ambulances, if the quorum court approves buying them with American Rescue Plan funds.. ...

Riverside School Board members accepted the resignation of Kelly Adams, high school secretary, effective Jan. 14, 2022, on Monday. Superintendent Jeff Priest informed the board that the Rebels REACH program provided 250 Thanksgiving meals for families in the Caraway and Lake City communities. ...

A Monette Manor resident perished and five were injured when the nursing home was leveled by a tornado Friday evening. The nursing home was evacuated but officials reported at one point 20 were trapped. In Leachville, a person suffered fatal injuries inside Dollar General as the building sustained extensive damage from the tornado, according to Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook...

After declaring a state of emergency, Saturday morning, Gov. Asa Hutchinson toured Monette Manor where a resident suffered fatal injuries from Friday night’s tornado that ripped through the area. The governor flew over Leachville and Trumann, assessing damage from the air as well...