Stories from Wednesday, May 11, 2022

A 4.2-mile surface overlay of Interstate 55 will cause lane closures on the Interstate throughout May and June. Weather permitting, crews will close the I-55 northbound and southbound inside lanes between Burdette (Exit 57) and Blytheville (Exit 63) beginning 8 a.m., Thursday, May 12, and continuing through 5 p.m. Friday, June 24...

By Marcus McClain NEA Town Courier The Blytheville Public Works Committee heard an additional update on the Elm Street repair during their May 9 meeting. Director Mark Key stated engineers will be in town this week to meet with the mayor and finalize plans. Once this is complete, the city can begin bidding out the project. However, finance director John Callens pointed out an additional problem could be solved during the Elm Street repairs...

By SANDRA BRAND NEA Town Courier Editor An Blytheville man has been arrested by Osceola police and charged with battery in connection with the August shooting of two people. Marques D. Price, 29, has been charged with two counts of battery in the first degree, three counts of terroristic act, and felon in possession of firearm...

By STEVE KNOX Osceola Times The Armorel School District Board of Directors voted to approve all of Superintendent Tiffany Morgan’s recommendations during their meeting Monday at the administration building. Board members heard reports on the building level improvement plans and Literacy plans for the 2022-2023 term from Morgan, who was pinch hitting for Elementary Principal Joey Carr and High School Principal Tony Crowell...

The 75th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has named the 2022 County Farm Families of the Year. Mississippi County’s Farm Family is Carl Edward Cissell and Family of Sandridge. The Poinsett County Farm Family is Dustin Faulkner, 26 Ditch Farms; Craighead County Farm Family, Brian Kelly, Quality Gladiolus Gardens; and Crittenden County, Matt Rogers & Family...

Billy Wayne Maupin, 64, of Joiner, departed this life Monday, May 9, 2022, at his home. He was born on Sept. 6, 1957 in Blytheville to Richard and Mary Lou Riddle Maupin. Billy attended Bethel Church in Osceola. He enjoyed working on anything, farming, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family...

Vera Alberta Kirby, 84, of Manila, widow of T.R. "Mule" Kirby, passed from this life Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Manila to the late Edward and Elsie Vera McWilliams Burrow, she had attended Manila Public Schools and had lived most of her life in the Manila and Leachville areas. ...

Representatives from Nucor-Yamato Steel (NYS) and Nucor Steel Arkansas (NSAR) in Blytheville presented the Blytheville Public Schools Odyssey of the Mind Program with a check for $28,305 on May 4 to fund travel and housing expenses for three teams to attend World Finals in Ames, IA from May 24-29.