News

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Mississippi County finance committee discussed training funding at the Monday afternoon meeting. Justice Michael White, chair, opened the meeting welcoming Clif Chitwood, county economic developer. Chitwood and committee members discussed the importance and success of the career training in both north and south ANC campuses...

HOT SPRINGS — Heath Donner of Manila is the 2024 recipient of the Stanley E. Reed Leadership Award from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation. Donner accepted the award Dec. 4 during the organization’s 90th annual conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Little Rock. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright and Nathan Reed, son of ArFB’s late president, presented the award...

Buffalo Island Central School will hold its first alumni/classmate reunion on Dec. 14 to celebrate a 40-year homecoming. Monette High School and Leachville High School consolidated in the spring of 1984 and started school together for the first time in August of 1984. The first BIC graduating class was in 1985...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Manila City Council discussed a bond issue, water/sewer projects, and raised sanitation fees at the Thursday, Dec. 5, meeting. Mayor Tracey Reinhart discussed renewing the bond issue that had been presented by Michael McBride with Stephens Investments at the November meeting. ...

Samsung named 300 public schools State Finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition – and six schools in Arkansas were selected. Each state finalist will win a $2,500 technology prize pack for their school. The Arkansas State Finalists are:...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— On Tuesday afternoon, local business owners Glenn and Karen Ellis, owners of Delta and Foster’s Liquor, presented a $2,500 check to the Blytheville Police Department. “We just appreciate everything the Blytheville Police Department does,” explained Glenn. “We wanted to do something that would be both beneficial to them and the community during the holidays with events like their annual banquet and Shop with a Cop.”...

By Revis Blaylock NEA Town Courier Holding on to precious memories is a way to honor loved ones that have passed away. Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville has sponsored the Tree of Memories for 26 years giving family and friends the opportunity to share with others a time of remembrance...

The former Hoods building in Blytheville has been destroyed by fire and a suspect has been charged with arson. Blytheville firefighters responded to a fire call at 6:09 a.m. Friday to the building which has been vacant for several years. It once housed K-Mart and later Hoods...

By STEVE KNOX Sports Connection Team BISMARCK - During its first two post-season victories over Centerpoint and Charleston, the Osceola Seminoles had gotten off to tremendous opening quarter leads in winning both games in convincing fashion. Friday night, the shoe would be on the other foot as the Seminoles watched the homestanding Lions score three first half touchdowns, while holding Osceola to a single first half field goal...

There is nothing more exciting than waiting all year for my Kansas City Chiefs to hit the field... knowing without a doubt they will be making a Super Bowl appearance. Well, at least, that has been the case in the past few years. This year, however, I think I was actually more excited about the debut of the new Hallmark Christmas movie, Holiday Touchdown, A Chiefs Love Story. Yep, you read right! This past weekend Hallmark combined two of my favorite things... just in time for Christmas...

The Blytheville Police Department recently announced several recent promotions. Lt. Robert Ephlin was promoted to the rank of Captain, and will command the Criminal Investigations Division; Sgt. John David Nelson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division; Det. ...

LITTLE ROCK — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced an additional $204 million in financial assistance for water and wastewater projects for 45 entities. The projects serve more than 198,627 Arkansans in 28 counties.  “My administration has prioritized investments in Arkansas’ water system and today’s announcement adds another $204 million to that effort,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m proud to work with our local communities and the Department of Agriculture to ensure every Arkansan has access to safe drinking water.”. ...

One of Northeast Arkansas’ longtime traditions - the dramatic musical of the First Baptist Church Keiser Singing Christmas Tree will be presented Friday-Sunday, Dec. 13-15. There will be four performances of “The Ornament” Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday and at 3 p.m. Sunday...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Gosnell School Board accepted fencing bids, heard an academic report, approved the November minutes and reviewed the financials before going into executive session at the Dec. 2 meeting. Superintendent Len Whitehead gave the academic report informing the board that all assessments for grades 3-10 had been completed...

A tractor-trailer over-turned on the curve entering the City of Gosnell Wednesday morning causing quite a disturbance. According to County Emergency Management Director John Willard, the truck, which was hauling cotton seed to 9th Street, lost its load and also spilt approximately 75 gallons of diesel. ...

Alisha Williams, human resource director for the city of Blytheville, was among the 25 women completing the inaugural class of the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy, hosted by Arkansas State University. The women have spent the last 11 months working toward a goal of becoming better leaders in the communities they serve...

The City of Keiser recently announced the receipt of a $3,264,947 grant and a $1,088,316 loan from the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC) to address one of the community's pressing infrastructure needs—its aging sewer system. According to Mayor Rick Creecy, this funding represents a major milestone for Keiser, providing the resources necessary to overhaul and modernize the system, ensuring it meets the needs of our residents today and for decades to come...

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas-based Lexicon, Inc. has announced its advancement in Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) prestigious 2024 Top 600 Specialty Contractors rankings. Lexicon rose from No. 34 in 2023 to No. 33 nationally in 2024, demonstrating its continued growth and influence in the construction industry. In the Steel category, Lexicon rose from No. 4 in 2023 to No. 3 this year. ...

Manila City Council heard a presentation from Michael McBride with Stephens Investments at the Monday, Nov. 18, meeting. McBride provided the council with information on Sales & Use Tax Bonds. The 1.00 percent sales & use tax collected by the city has generated more totals in the past years which will pay off the bond sooner. McBridge explained the city can redeem more bonds in 2025 to help with infrastructure throughout the city. It will have to be approved in the May or November election...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Thursday’s Rotarians’ guest program was informative and helpful for Rotarians and Mississippi County Crisis Coalition president Katie Sparrow and vice-president Robin Haught-Angel. According to Sparrow, the Mississippi County Crisis Coalition’s mission is to help people going through crises reach the appropriate resources and, after reaching the appropriate resources, ensure their stability...

Riverside students took one day of their Thanksgiving vacation to return to the school for the community. Students, staff and volunteers prepared and delivered 400 meals on Tuesday. Ashley Ziegler organized the event. Butterball donated the turkeys and the food backpack funds and the high school library paid for the food...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier A little rain did not dampen the opening of the Lights of the Delta Grilling with Santa on Monday, Nov. 25. A large crowd gathered on the first night, filling guests with Christmas spirit as toys, non perishable food items, and money were accepted for admission and given to a local food pantry and the Ignite program, non-profit groups helping the community...

By COSMO COSSEY Sports Connection Team Dee Buchanan rushed for 109 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns to help lead EPC (9-3) to a 36-12 win over Bigelow (7-5) this past Friday at Warrior Field in Lepanto. The win moves EPC to semi-final round where they will host Mount Ida (9-3) who beat Murfreesboro 48-16...

Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan stopped by the Girl Scout house in honor of Veterans Day to speak to the troops. Her special message to the girls was to always honor your pledge. She took time to dissect each line of the Girl Scout Promise and made it relatable in life and service to others...

By Nan Snider NEA Town Courier Contributor The City of Monette completed preparations this week for the upcoming Christmas season by decorating the city from top to bottom in time to host the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 and the Christmas Parade on Dec. 14...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Mississippi County Union Mission Executive Director Lisa Willard and Board of Directors President Willie D. Williams addressed the Quorum Court’s Finance Committee last Thursday to help with upgrades to the Mission, where the council agreed to use the remainder of the American Rescue Plan Act money in the amount of $79,872.12...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Mayor Melisa Logan and members of the Blytheville City Council heard from local citizen Scott Edwards Tuesday night as he commended Blytheville Police officers Sgt. Cade Liles and Lt. Branton Hall, concerning a September wrecker call which nearly turned fatal due to fentanyl expo-sure...

By DAVID PIERCE NEA Town Courier Describing the 2025 Mississippi County budget “friendly and usable”, Justice Michael White presented the financials to the quorum court Tuesday and it passed unanimously. The county projects $37 million in revenue next year and that coupled with a carryover of $33 million easily eclipses the estimated $47 million in expenses...

The annual Manila Veterans Day ceremony was held on Veterans Day at 11 a.m. with veteran Roger Ferrell serving as guest speaker. Veterans and guests gathered at the Herman Davis Monument. The opening ceremony was conducted by the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Honor Guard presenting the Colors. Joe Chipman served as emcee and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier “All gave some and some gave all…..” Sgt. Charles Edwin Beaty of Lake City is among those who gave all. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, 82 years to the day of his enlistment in the U.S. Army, Sgt. Beaty was laid to rest at the Lake City Cemetery with a large crowd of family members and friends paying their respect to a fallen soldier. Sgt. Beaty was 26 years old when he was listed as missing on Dec. 3, 1950, in North Korea...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Manila School Board of Directors approved a professional learning grant expenditure at the November meeting held Thursday night. Superintendent Jason Evers informed the board that the district had been approved for a learning grant for $35,423. ...

By DAVID PIERCE NEA Town Courier At its Thursday meeting, the Blytheville School Board selected three candidates to interview for an interim position as the district’s superintendent. Choosing from 12 applicants, the board narrowed the list to five who it deemed qualified for the position. After nearly an hour in executive session, the members settled on three applicants...

BLYTHEVILLE — On Monday, Nov. 18, Robert Charles Sena, 40, of Bellevue, Neb., was arrested in connection to a fatality wreck that occurred in Mississippi County last year and resulted in the deaths of a woman and an 8-year-old passenger. On Oct. ...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Many of the members of the Rotary Club of Blytheville were rewarded Thursday as they were informed of the possibility of receiving money as State Auditor Dennis Milligan told them of “The Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt”...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor The Lights of the Delta will open for the 24th sea- son on Monday night with Grilling with Santa located at the Aeroplex (formerly known as Eaker Air Force Base). Lights of the Delta Executive Director George Hubbard said there will be 56 major motion displays along the one-and-a-half mile-long drive, which include over six million lights...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor GOSNELL— The Gosnell School Board met Monday night, where they heard from four fifth grade students on their recent trip to Ferndale and showed appreciation to Nucor Arkansas and Nucor-Yamato Steel. School Board members, Gosnell administrators, teachers and parents watched as the Gosnell fifth graders, Baylee Hilburn, Katelyn Read, Vivian Holifield, and Annalee Pate, explained their 4H field trip to Ferndale, which consisted of archery, canoeing, roasting smores, and hikes.. ...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Mark Moseley, owner of the Red Barn, was the Blytheville Lions Club guest speaker Tuesday, where he informed the Lions Club of the negative effects of a world without trees and even gave a tree to new Blytheville Lions member Alicia Rounsavall...

By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Wednesday night, the Blytheville City Council met for the monthly council committee meetings for the Fire, Police, and Safety (FPS) Committee and the Finance Committee at the Ritz Civic Center. ...

Blytheville —The National Cold War Center in Blytheville and the Woodrow Wilson Center, whose parent company is the Smithsonian Institution, have announced a partnership to help preserve the story and advance learning about the world’s most protracted and expensive war...

Blytheville police have made one arrest in a recent robbery and a second suspect remains at-large. On Nov, 13, officers with the Blytheville Police Department responded to Foster’s Liquor in reference to a possible robbery. Upon arrival, officers were advised the offenders fled the area. Officers were unable to locate the fleeing subjects. After a lengthy investigation and cooperation from the victims, detectives were able to identify possible suspects...

Votes cast in the 2024 General Election in Mississippi County were officially certified Thursday evening. The commission spent five hours Wednesday and seven hours on Thursday recounting early, election day and absentee votes as well as counting the provisional ballots...

Sheila Whitlow with the Arkansas Department of Education will be the guest speaker at the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s November Chamber Luncheon. The luncheon will be held Monday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville...

NEA Baptist Clinic acquired Smith Medical Group at 527 N. 6th street in Blytheville on Monday. “We are extremely excited to welcome Smith Medical Group to our primary care network,” said Melanie Edens, chief operating officer for NEA Baptist. “Dr. Smith has been a staple of health care in Mississippi county for 54 years. This merger will help bolster our primary care footprint and continue to build on Dr. Smith’s legacy...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Last Monday, City of Osceola Fire Chief Peter Hill informed the Mississippi County Police, Fire and Safety Committee of the dangerous fires that were transpiring at the county landfill, which is in the city of Osceola’s fire district, and the need for a pumper tanker...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor WILSON — On Wednesday afternoon, 13 members of the 16-member Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) traveled to Wilson for their fourth quarter business meeting on Thursday; however, they toured the Big River 2 facilities in Osceola and congregated at the Tin House in Wilson before meeting at the Wilson Manor on the campus of the former Delta School in Wilson...

By JOSEPH FONDREN and REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Finance Committee met last Monday as they continued the 2025 budget.  The longest discussion over a budget was for the Great River Economic Development Foundation as the committee spent roughly 46 minutes where Economic Developer Clif Chitwood made the case for the Economic Development budget to stay the same; except for the three—percent salary raises to Mallory Darby and himself...

By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Veteran’s Day Program “A Salute To Our Veterans” was held Monday at 11 a.m. sharp as roughly 100 people gathered in front of the Mississippi County Courthouse to hear from Blytheville Police Chief and United States Air Force retiree Johnathan Frazier and Ret. Sergeant First Class Jeremy Gillespie, Post Commander of The Dud Cason American Legion Post 24...

On Nov. 6, agents with the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, along with Special Response Teams from the Blytheville Police Department, Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, and Osceola Police Department, successfully executed a search warrant in the 600 block of Parkway...

BLYTHEVILLE— Mississippi County Judge John Alan Nelson was the guest speaker for the Blytheville Lions Club during Tuesday’s weekly meeting at the Blytheville Country Club. Nelson gave a brief update on the renovations of the two Mississippi County Courthouses in Blytheville and Osceola. ...