Stories from Saturday, May 18, 2024

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Branches of the Mississippi County Library will begin their summer reading program and activities in June. This year’s theme is Adventure begins at your library. Billie Bowman, assistant director of the Mississippi County Library system, said the summer activities and reading programs will be held at the main branch in Blytheville as well as branches in Manila, Leachville, Osceola, Keiser and Wilson...

By NAN SNIDER Special to the NEA Town Courier Buffalo Island Central School Board of Directors met Thursday evening and completed guidelines for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. “Our revenues are up since last year,” Superintendent Gaylon Taylor said. “Even though the electricity has been up, at least gas expenses are down. This has been our sixth year using solar energy. We hope to eventually buy the solar site and own it outright.”...

Blytheville Library schedule, 200 North 5th Street: June 3 – MCEC Electrical Arcs & Safety at 10 a.m. June 4 – Arkansas Game and Fish Mobile Aquarium will be at Blytheville at 10 a.m. (Arky Scoop will be available to purchase ice cream that day. They will accept cash, cash app or cards.)...

Allen Hurt, country music artist who is performing at The Melody Theater in Leachville on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. has announced that he wants to invite all elected officials in the area, all active or retired police officers in the area, and all paid or volunteer firefighters in the area to attend his concert for free...

Sunday, May 19: –The annual Decoration Day at Bassett Cemetery will be held with the program beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 21: The Mississippi County Library System will hold its regular, bi-monthly board meeting. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the Manila Public Library...

Caraway Mayor Bo James and council members recognized Roger Williams, presenting him with a plaque, for his work and dedication to the city of Caraway. Williams has volunteered for the annual Fourth of July Picnic, Pickin’ on Main Street, the annual toy drive for Santa, and other community activities. He is stepping down from those duties...

“Wilsie Corinne Fondren, 92, of Blytheville, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 11, 2024.  Known by family and friends as “Mamaw” and “Mrs. Fondren”. Born on Sep 9, 1931 in Gibson Wells, Tenn. to the late Carl and Gladys Gipson.   Throughout her life she was a charitable giver earning her picture on the wall at Lifeblood in Blytheville with over 100 gallons given and a faithful member of New Liberty Baptist Church and in later life Mary’s Chapel Baptist Church. ...

The Manila Lions Club met on Wednesday discussing plans for the second annual gun and knife show. The event will be held at the Manila Airport community Center, 855 Airport Road, Friday and Saturday, Jun 14 and 15. Open hours will be 5-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission will be $10 and 14 and under free...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Manila City Council met Tuesday evening discussing fire department bids, progress on the new water well, water tower repairs, hiring new employees and discussing laws pertaining to SXS/ATVs. Mayor Tracey Reinhart informed the council that the city advertised for bids for the plumbing and electrical work at the new fire station but did not receive any bids. ...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The first order of business at the May Manila School Board meeting on Wednesday evening was to elect new officers. Following the nominations, new officers elected include Monte Middleton, president; Casey Wells, vice president; and Dennis Crosskno, secretary...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Sports Connection Saturday morning when the 2024 Gosnell Pirates take the baseball diamond at Estes Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas will mark the Pirates first trip back to a state title game in 34-years. That appearance back in 1990 saw the Gosnell Pirates crowned champions. ...

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will be held May 20. The Torch Run will be in the Blytheville-Gosnell areas. The public is asked to line the route to cheer on the officers running. The route is beginning at 8:30 a.m. will be from Blytheville Police Department to Blytheville Primary School then at 9 a.m. the route will be at Village Avenue/Memorial Drive to Gosnell Schools...

A Blytheville man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty. On May 13, 2024, Blytheville Animal Services, along with Officers of the Blytheville Police Department, responded to the 1100 block of Broadway in reference to two dogs that were found deceased inside of a truck...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Planning and Development Committee met Tuesday afternoon for a brief meeting to hear a proposal, which was successful, from Economic Developer Cliff Chitwood on broadening businesses in Mississippi County to the aerodynamic field...

By Mary Hightower U of A System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Maybe you haven’t seen them, with their dark green hard-shell bodies and large red eyes, but you may be hearing the trademark buzzsaw sound of the cicada. The insects have made headlines for months because of the emergence of two broods — an occurrence two centuries in the making — is expected to bring astronomical numbers of these insects above ground. ...