The elections of 2010 were chosen as the top local news story of the year by staff members at the Blytheville Courier News.
A Primary Election, a General Election, two Runoff Elections, a School Election and a Special Sales Tax Election kept voters and poll workers busy throughout the year, and led to a historic changing of the guard when it comes to local leadership.
The elections were the unanimous pick as the top story, topping the overpass controversy, a spike in the local murder rate and several economic development news items, to earn the top story designation.
Here's a look at the Top 10 local news stories of 2010:
1. Election year
In a watershed year, local voters elected new mayors for Blytheville and Gosnell, a new Mississippi County judge, a new Arkansas state senator, three new Blytheville City Council members, a new sheriff and several other new leaders.
In Blytheville, Sheriff James Sanders was elected mayor, topping local businessman Tommy Abbott in a runoff election. The two had previously bested City Councilwoman Carol White in the General Election. And half the Blytheville City Council will be new in 2011, with Missy Langston, Stan Parks and John Musgraves all winning seats.
In Gosnell, Don Marshall defeated Tammy Fulks by a mere 7 votes in a Runoff Election to become that city's new mayor. Other candidates for the post had been Fred Roberts, Glen Green, Robert Charles and Willard Moseley.
In total, more than 130 individuals appeared on ballots across the county for the General Election.
In the race for Mississippi County Judge, local businessman Randy Carney beat Justice of the Peace John Alan Nelson in the May Primary, then topped businessman Steve Stallings in the General to win the county's top administrative post.
Also in the May primary, Judge David Burnett beat Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison to become the new state senator representing District 15. And Dale Cook topped Tommy Bennett Jr. and Ed Guthrie to become the new Mississippi County sheriff.
2. Overpass project threatened
A residential historic district designation has threatened the proposed multi-million dollar Highway 18 overpass. While Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison has said there is no opposition to the overpass or any legal reason for it to be derailed, Highway Commissioner John Ed Regenold has said the road is not being built because the application had been revised to request that West Main Street from 10th Street to Highway 61 (Division Street) also be included in a Historic District after the Department received environmental clearance from the Federal Highway Administration on July 1, which basically is the approval to proceed with final design and right-of-way acquisition on the preferred alternative.
Regenold said there had been discussion between Harrison, Frank Vosel, Scott Bennett, Harrison and Regenold.
"It was explained to the mayor by these officials why the project could not be built under the existing conditions," Regenold wrote. "It seems that Mayor Harrison does not agree with highway officials that are much more familiar with these problems than he is. The mayor seems to infer that the hold-up is the Highway Department, stating, 'If they want to build it,' and by stating, 'Why aren't they building the road?' It's very simple, mayor -- because we can't get approval from the Federal Highway Administration and the State Historic Preservation Office. If he is so sure it can be built, then get us the OK from those two agencies."
3. Economic Development
Sales Tax passes
Proving numerous predictions wrong, residents of Mississippi County overwhelmingly approved the extension of a half-cent economic development tax.
Only 1,260 votes were cast, and the results were 888 in favor of the tax and 372 against. The original tax sunsets in 2013 and the extension means the tax will be collected for an addition 10 years, to sunset in 2023.
4. Murder rate rises
Blytheville saw 12 murders in 2010, the latest on Dec. 30. Perhaps the most troubling about that is that several of the victims and those charged were below the age of 21.
Aurelious "Trae" Burdin, 15, was killed in August, and 16-year old Jamardre Foreman has been charged in his murder. Another victim, Wendell Bobo, was only 20 and three of the four charged with his murder are only 20 and 18.
5. County lands more jobs
Beckmann-Volmer, a German-based wind energy company, announced plans this year to open up a large manufacturing facility in Osceola. The company will invest $10 million in the plant's construction and infrastructure and expects to create 300 new jobs, which pay an average of $18 per hour, within the first few years of operation.
6. Hospitals seeks stability
The Mississippi County Hospital System made strides throughout 2010, gaining a full-time administrator and financial director who reside in the area. The county's two hospitals are being reinforced with new personnel, machinery and programs, including a certified nurse midwife, regular visits from various specialists several days a month and recruitment of new physicians for the facilities.
7. Gurley out; Harrison in
Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison was chosen to succeed Joe Gurley as president of the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority. Gurley, who has led the organization since its creation in 1993, is stepping down at the age of 67.
8. Quorum Court loses members
The Mississippi County Quorum Court saw two of its members leave the court unexpectedly in 2010. Justice Tommy Dilldine of District 2 died suddenly in July, and Justice Donnie McDaniel of District 12 died suddenly in September.
Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Dilldine's widow, Karen, to fill his seat through the end of the year. The county's Democratic party had to select a successor to the seat because Dilldine had won another two-year term in May. Robert Earl Davis will take the oath of office on Jan. 1. Beebe has not yet appointed a replacement for McDaniel on the court.
9. KIPP opens doors
The national education movement Knowledge is Power Program came to Blytheville after considering West Memphis and Pine Bluff for its second school in Arkansas. The program uses longer school days and longer school years, along with committed support of parents, teachers, students and community members to provide the best possible education for students.
The KIPP Delta College Preparatory Program in Blytheville began with fifth-grade students with plans to add a grade or two a year until a full K-12 campus is created.
10. Bush, Rice visit Blytheville
Through the "Stardust on Blytheville" series -- a collaborative effort between the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce and That Bookstore in Blytheville, former first lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared in separate events on the stage of the Ritz Civic Center. The events raised money for the Chamber's "Books from Jan" program.
Author Pat Conroy also appeared via the "Stardust" series.