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Blytheville Fire and Police Committee discuss community safety (3/16/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Blytheville Fire and Police Committee and finance committee met at the Ritz on Tuesday with committee members Barbara McAdoo-Brothers, Linda Moore, Matt Perrin, Shirley Marshall and Jacquin Benson, Jr. present. A representative of Pafford Ambulance Service gave a monthly update for March with 325 transports, 59 refusals, and 140 canceled enroute. ...
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Clean-up announced (3/16/24)The Spring County-wide Clean-up will be Saturday, April 27. This is a time where each city/town that would like to participate can rally together and encourage residents to do some “spring clean-up". The how’s are left up to each municipality. The county Landfill is free that day to individuals. Any municipality will receive a 50 percent discount. Landfill hours will be from 7 a.m. until noon on that Saturday...
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Election Commission certifies Primary votes (3/16/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Election Commission met Tuesday afternoon to discuss provisional and military ballots, as well as certifying the 2024 Primary election. The Primary election for the state of Arkansas was held on March 5...
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“Blytheville Ministerial Alliance organizes Holy Week services (3/16/24)The Blytheville Ministerial Alliance will conduct Holy Week Services from March 25-29. Services will be held from 12-12:30 p.m. followed by lunch at the following locations: Monday, March 25 – Pathway Church, 4541 East Main. The host pastor is Rev. Dany Rigney. The speaker will be Rev. Ronnie Hayse, Grace Life Church...
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Blazin’ BBQ Festival slated for April 20 (3/15/24)It is time to mark your calendar for the fifth annual Blazin’ BBQ Festival returning to Manila on Saturday, April 20. Manila Fire Chief Sonny Ray Dill said the BBQ smokers will start rolling and the competition will begin at the 2024 event for a great festival...
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White gives update on Mississippi County finances (3/15/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Mississippi County Justice of the Peace Michael White was the guest speaker for the Blytheville Lions Club at the Blytheville Country Club Tuesday afternoon where he gave an update on the county finances and “hot topics” that have been discussed at the recent Quorum Court meetings...
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Planning Commission approves use permit (3/15/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town CourierEight members of the Blytheville Planning Commission met for a public hearing, followed by a meeting on Tuesday afternoon at the Municipal Courtroom. Members present were Elaine Goff, chair, Christie Patterson, Ben Hubbard, Marty Orr, Vivian Harrison, Sharon Stringer, Tyler Swanson and Dewayne Culp. Code enforcement officer Rick Ash was also present...
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Thrilla II in Manila is coming April 5 (3/13/24)Outta Control Wrestling, Thrilla II, in Manila, will be held Friday, April 5. The event will take place at the Manila High School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with belltime 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; students $5; and children 4 and under free...
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EAFHC is topic at Blytheville Lions Club (3/13/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Blytheville Lions Club welcomed guest speaker Loretta Hodge, community outreach worker for the East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc., on Tuesday, March 5. Hodge gave an informative talk on the health services provided through the EAFHC to communities throughout the area. Offices are located in West Memphis, Earle, Lepanto, Trumann, Blytheville, Marvell and Helena...
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Students chosen as ambassadors to Japan (3/13/24)Taylor Wiggins of Caruthersville, MO, and Zyranee Carter of Blytheville have been chosen as the 2024 ANC Student Ambassadors to Japan. This prestigious program offers two ANC students the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture during a two-week stay in Japan...
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ANC to host Eclipse party (3/13/24)On April 8, residents in many areas across Arkansas will have the opportunity to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event, a total solar eclipse. The shadow of the moon will plunge a narrow strip of land into darkness in the middle of the day. While Mississippi County is not expected to experience a total eclipse, the closest will be seen in Leachville. In anticipation, ANC will host an eclipse party at the ANC Leachville Center from 11 a.m.-4 p.m...
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Three killed in Jonesboro mass shooting (3/12/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff JONESBORO - A domestic argument at an after hours party in Jonesboro early Sunday led to the shooting death of two party goers and the shooter. The Jonesboro Police Department have identified the deceased, all of whom were Jonesboro residents, as being 20-year-old Amari Giles, 24-year-old Dwight Starks and 32-year-old Tarail Moody. Moody has been identified as the shooter...
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Paint the town blue (3/12/24)Mississippi County Cancer Council is painting the town blue during the month of March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Each year more than 1,400 Arkansans are diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer. Screening can save your life by removing precancerous polyps before they become cancerous. Screenings can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective...
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Sierra Group named No. 69 by Inc. magazine (3/9/24)Inc. magazine recently announced Sierra Group Roofing & Solar, of Blytheville, is No. 69 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Southeast list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Southeast private companies, based in South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico...
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Two arrested in Thursday drug bust (3/9/24)Two Blytheville residents have been arrested on drug charges and will appear in court Monday. According to the Blytheville Police Department, a search warrant was executed on a residence March 7 in the 1600 block of Charlene in Blytheville. Jeremy Reed, 36, of Blytheville, and Barbara Mitchell, 56, of Blytheville, were arrested during this investigation...
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JPs ban tire collection centers/ processing facilities (3/9/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town CourierMississippi County Quorum Court passed an Ordinance banning used tire collection centers and processing facilities and approved a Resolution to hire an architect and a consulting firm to construct a new scale house at a special called meeting on Tuesday afternoon...
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Lions Club welcomes District Governor (3/8/24)Manila Lions Club met on Wednesday with Lion Christie Patterson, vice president, opening the meeting. She introduced guests Lion Roy Patterson, District Governor, and Lion Pat Snodgrass, past District Governor. Lion Roy Patterson challenged members to participate in the Mission 1.5 drive to reach 1.5 million members and increase the capacity to serve. ...
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University of Arkansas - Applications accepted for MASH camps (3/8/24)The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is accepting applications for two summer enrichment programs that introduce high school students to career opportunities in health care. The Medical Applications of Science for Health (MASH) program is a statewide summer day camp for students entering grades 11 and 12. Participants gain exposure to health careers through hands-on activities, tours of health care facilities and interaction with medical professionals...
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BIC/Trumann partner with the PEER (3/8/24)LITTLE ROCK- More than 40 schools across Central and Northeastern Arkansas are taking additional steps to provide support to teachers and school leaders at a time when teacher shortages persist. The PEER Network is a partnership between the Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRO) and the Crowley's Ridge Educational Service Cooperative (CRESC) designed to help partner schools recruit, develop, and retain diverse and highly qualified staff using distributed leadership. ...
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Blytheville to provide dumpsters for public use (3/8/24)The City of Blytheville’s Public Works Department will place dumpsters out for the community use for free. The dumpsters will be placed out March 15-17 and March 28-31. Dumpsters will be located at corner of 17th and W. Main, next to old Sav-A-Lot building; 708 N. 6th Street, next to Walgreens; 114 S. Lockard, across from mid South Health and 1300 S. Division, corner of David Lane and South Division...
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Miss. Co. voters go to the polls (3/8/24)Voters across Arkansas went to the polls Tuesday to have their voices heard. The following totals are from votes cast only by Mississippi County patrons. Republican U.S. President Ryan L. Binkley............................................................11...
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I-55 bridge to close (3/6/24)The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced the I-55 Mississippi River Bridge will be closed March 10-24. The closure will begin at 8 p.m. For the next two weeks traffic will be detoured to I-40.
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Blytheville school employees to receive compensation (3/6/24)Blytheville School Board met on Thursday, Feb. 29, approving the community service board; Yondr buyout and refresh; Microsoft campus agreements; teacher computers for spares; Chromebook carts for BMS; Chromebook refresh for third and sixth grades; and recruitment and retention payment for 2024-2025...
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Mississippi County EOC to distribute commodities (3/6/24)Mississippi County Arkansas EOC will distribute CSFP 60 Plus Commodity to people who are already receiving the food. Everyone is asked to remain in their vehicle and show identification. The food will be placed in the vehicle. Wilson: Friday, March 8, Pick-up from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Wilson Square, 9 North Jefferson...
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Water aerobics gains popularity (3/6/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Meagan Bailey, water aerobics instructor at the Manila Waterpark, has been conducting classes for almost a year and it continues to grow in popularity. There is a waiting list. Classes are for women 18 and over with a maximum number of 15...
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JPs discuss banning tire collection centers (3/6/24)By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee met Friday afternoon to discuss building a new scale house at the Landfill as well as discussion on banning used tire collection and processing centers inside Mississippi County...
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BIC FFA Alumni Auction raises $65,600 (3/6/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK - NEA Town CourierThe annual Buffalo Island Central FFA Alumni Auction held on Saturday, March 2, raised $65,600. The funds go for scholarships, barn payment and upkeep, FFA trips, premium money for students that have livestock projects, and other programs that allow students to be a part of the BIC FFA Chapter...
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Let’s Play Ball! (3/6/24)Superintendent Dr. Veronica Perkins, pictured with Chickasaw sophomore Johnny Moore, was one of two school administrators to throw out ceremonial first pitches Thursday as Blytheville opened their 2024 baseball season. (Photos By Steve Knox)
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Leachville HA resident council hosts Valentine celebration (3/2/24)The Leachville Housing Authority resident council held a chili and hot dog supper along with a Valentine Day celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Residents, along with citizens of the community and the surrounding area, enjoyed the fundraising dinner and Valentine celebration...
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Blytheville OM teams advance to state (3/2/24)Blytheville Odyssey of the Mind teams competed in regional competition Saturday, Feb. 24. Division I - Elementary with Emma Salazar, Bentleigh Swafford, Karson Johnson, Micah Haley, Da’Shawn Jones, Mase Rand, and Makayla Kennedy, coached by Curtis Walker Sr., won first place in Problem 4- Structure holding 930 pounds. ...
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Armorel Tigers honor Charlie Brown (3/2/24)By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier ContributorARMOREL— The Armorel Tigers honored longtime head coach Charlie Brown Tuesday afternoon before the Tigers season opener matchup against the Piggott Mohawks. The Armorel School District and Brown also honored the late Hugh Don Ashmore, who passed away Sunday, February 18...
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Cullom questions commitment to Osceola courthouse repair (3/2/24)By DAVID PIERCE NEA Town Courier Mississippi County Justice Reggie Cullom continues to challenge County Judge John Alan Nelson and his fellow justices to do something about the deteriorating condition of the Osceola Courthouse. Already he has detailed issues with the 111-year-old building, provided a list of needs from each of the county office administrators housed there and cited fire code violations which nearly caused the building to close...
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Manila HOSA to host blood drive (3/1/24)Manila HOSA organization will host a blood drive at the Manila High School volleyball gymnasium, 600 Olympia Ave., in Manila, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7. The theme is Hope begins with you and the students encourage everyone to come and donate blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: MANILAHS to schedule an appointment...
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Monette Council overviews upcoming projects (3/1/24)By NAN SNIDER Special to the NEA Town Courier Monette City Council met Monday and gave an overview of plans for upcoming city projects. “Tomorrow the city will close on the bond sale to pay for construction of new fire department, community center and ballpark improvements,” Mayor Bob Blankenship said. ...
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Manila School Board accepts resignations (2/28/24)The Manila School Board accepted several resignations and adopted the 2024-2025 calendar at the Feb. 19 meeting. All board members, Jeremy Jackson, Monte Middleton, Brooke Chipman, Dennis Crosskno, Jackie Hill, Casey Wells and Tracey Reinhart, were present...
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Author of Runnin’ Redbirds signs at Blytheville Book Company (2/28/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Author Eric Vickrey was in Blytheville on Thursday for a book signing event at Blytheville Book Company. The book titled Runnin’ Redbirds is a must read for St. Louis Cardinal fans. It is a play-by-play recap of The World Champion 1982 St. Louis Cardinals...
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Library announces fitness class (2/28/24)Beginning March 7 a weekly fitness class will be held at the Blytheville Public Library. The class, Get Active, will be led by Rhoda Yost. Every Thursday from 6-7 p.m. participants will be doing aerobics and yoga in the multi-purpose room. Some materials will be provided...
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BIC Drama Department to present Anne of Green Gables March 7-9 (2/28/24)Buffalo Island Central Drama Department is back again with another breathtaking show, capturing the charm and emotions of the enduring classic Anne of Green Gables. The play begins with two elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert (Emery Green and Vylan Walls) who are looking to adopt a boy from an orphanage in Nova Scotia. ...
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– 32 years of service – Police Chief Ross Thompson hangs up his badge (2/28/24)By JOSEPH FONDREN NEW Town Courier ContributorBLYTHEVILLE— Friday night, the Holiday Inn Ballroom was the center of remembering Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson’s retirement after 32 years of service to the citizens of Blytheville with more than 50 people in attendance. Thompson became the interim chief of Police in 2006 and gained the full title in 2007. ...
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– Colonel Jacqueline K. Taylor – Blytheville native makes history (2/28/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Blytheville native Lieutenant Colonel Jacqueline K. Taylor made groundbreaking history in her military career as the first African American woman to become a commander in the Arkansas Air National Guard. She assumed command of the Air Force Detachment for the National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit in 2020...
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– Celebrating Black History Month – Lifelong Blytheville resident remains “old school” (2/28/24)By SANDRA BRAND NEA Town Courier Editor The son of a sharecropper, the Rev. Johnny Lee Williams was destined to be a preacher from a young age. Born on Feb. 7, 1955 at 3:30 in the morning, Williams was assisted into the world by great-grandmother Jossie Hughes, the local midwife...
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Miss. County reportly has 30,000 acres of solar panels (2/28/24)By Joseph Fondren NEW Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Planning and Development Committee met Thursday afternoon in the Annex Building where several topics were discussed in the lengthy hour and near 40 minute long meeting...
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Family Dollar pleads guilty (2/28/24)WASHINGTON – Family Dollar Stores LLC pleaded guilty Tuesday to holding food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics under insanitary conditions, related to a rodent infestation at the company’s West Memphis, Arkansas, distribution center. A criminal information unsealed today in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas, charged Family Dollar with one misdemeanor count of causing FDA-regulated products to become adulterated while being held under insanitary conditions. ...
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ANC sees promising enrollment growth (2/24/24)Blytheville, AR – February 21, 2024 – The Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) Board of Trustees convened today for their regular meeting, heralding positive updates on enrollment and significant administrative decisions. Under the guidance of ANC Vice President for Student Affairs, Mindy Walker, board members were presented with an encouraging enrollment report. ...
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BIC School Board looks to begin classes early (2/24/24)By NAN SNIDER Special to the NEA Town Courier Buffalo Island Central School Board met Thursday to approve a waiver request for the Department of Education in order to start school earlier for the fall term. Superintendent Gaylon Taylor presented a waiver resolution stating that the Aug. ...
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Mississippi County Finance Committee - JPs review budget reports (2/24/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Mississippi County finance committee reviewed budget reports at the Tuesday afternoon meeting. Justice Michael White, finance chair, opened the meeting looking at the figures for the end of the 2023 budget and the 2024 budget standings...
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Blytheville City Council approves seven ordinances (2/24/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Blytheville council approved seven ordinances, one resolution and received the mayor’s state of the city address at the Tuesday, Feb. 20, meeting held at the Ritz. Mayor Melisa Logan presided with all council members, Barbara McAdoo-Brothers, Linda Moore, R.L. Jones, Shirley Marshall, Jacquin Benson, Jr., and Matt Perrin present...
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Black leaders to be honored (2/24/24)Members of the South Mississippi County Black History Coalition will hold its 2024 Black History program Sunday, Feb. 25. The program will be held at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church - Frenchman’s Bayou. The keynote speaker will be Renae Ford Hudson. Hudson is the director of Trial Advocacy at the Arkansas Attorney General’s office...
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Upcoming Events - (2/24/24)Saturday, Feb. 24: –Rocking the Night Away the Paragould High School Band will perform at the Collins Theater in Paragould starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 Members of the South Mississippi County Black History Coalition will host its 2024 Black History program Sunday. The program will be held at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church - Frenchman’s Bayou. The keynote speaker will be Renae Ford Hudson. Hudson is the director of Trial Advocacy at the Arkansas Attorney General’s office...
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Hope Concert planned for March 1 (2/24/24)The Mississippi County Electric Cooperative and MCEC Fiber will present the 11th annual Southern Bancorp Hope Concert on March 1. The concert will be held at the Holiday Inn ballroom in Blytheville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m...