Stories from Friday, December 31, 2021

Christopher Perry of Blytheville has been fishing for a long time but his recent catch exceeded his expectations. The 81-0pound Flathead has been cleaned and eaten but he has the pictures and video to prove his fish story. The giant fish measured 49” and was caught on Oct. 31 at the Mississippi River on a rod and reel...

Southworth, Inc.,  in Manila made donations to the Leachville Fire Department and the Monette Fire Department in the amount of $3,000 each and recognized their employees who helped with the storm clean up. The funds can be used  to help replenish any needs the departments may have following their rescue and clean-up efforts during the Dec. 10 tornado...

On Tuesday, the Blytheville City Council held a special meeting via Zoom to accept the resignation of City Clerk/Treasurer Connie Mosley-Brents and to fill the position. The council unanimously voted to hire Melody Lawson as the new City Clerk/Treasurer effective Jan. 1, 2022...

During its final meeting of the year Dec. 28, the Mississippi County Quorum Court approved $700,000 in economic development funds for the proposed $3 billion Big River Steel project. While reporting on the Dec. 15 Planning & Development committee meeting and the Finance Committee meeting held on Dec. 20, Justice of the Peace Michael White said the Big River Steel Project is requesting $2.5 million at the beginning and $2.5 at the end of the $3 billion project...

Monette Mayor Bob Blankenship said clean-up from the Dec. 10 tornado is underway. Monette Manor, along with many homes were destroyed or damaged and one life was lost due to the storm. “It was amazing the response and help we received,” Mayor Blankenship said. “Calls came in, help started arriving and it was obvious, people really care. One day we had 70 workers from Nucor here with chainsaws. We had a chainsaw crew from as far away as Springfield, along with so many others...

Leachville Mayor Rodney Robertson said the city has a lot of clean-up and rebuilding ahead following the Dec. 10 tornado that came through the area. “As fast as we get something cleaned up, there is more,” Mayor Robertson said. “We are probably 30 to 40 percent into the clean-up phase. It will be an ongoing process for some time.”...

The 2021 NEA Town Courier Headliner of the Year recipient is Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle who has played a vital role in the fight against Covid-19 in Mississippi County. Serving as the Mississippi County Health Officer, Pirtle has been on the frontline throughout the pandemic, keeping the public informed through Blytheville Mayor James Sanders’ weekly Covid update, along with other avenues...