Stories from Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Centurion Opal Fortner Given was guest of honor Friday at a special birthday party held in her honor at the Lakeside Nursing Center, in Lake City. Mrs. Given was born at Pocahontas, on April 13, 1909. She grew up at Red Onion Community, north of Monette. Her family moved to Lake City just before the flood of 1937, and she has remained there ever since...

MANILA -- Jerry T. Sims, chairman and chief executive officer of First Delta Bankshares, Inc., the parent company of First National Bank Manila, and Phillip N. Baldwin, president and CEO of Southern Bancorp, recently announced a merger agreement has been reached combining the two Arkansas-based banks...

The Caraway City Council discussed the use of part time and auxiliary policemen to work with two full-time officers, and the future purchase of a police car at the council meeting held Thursday, April 9...

Anna Mae Chapin, 94, of Manila, died Monday, April 6, 2009, at Monette Manor Nursing Center in Monette. Born Nov. 17, 1914, at Hornersville, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Gilbert William "Gib" and Rosie Leah Dial Singleton, who died shortly after Anna's birth. Anna was a longtime resident of Northeast Arkansas and a graduate of Tyronza High School. She was the widow of Harry Chapin...

Earl Dean Sparkman, 68, went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, April 1, 2009. He was born Jan. 9, 1941, in Monette to the late William and Delila Sparkman. He was a retired farmer. Mr. Sparkman was a deacon and trustee of the Monette Assembly of God Church and was a loving father, grandfather, brother. ...

Beatrice Woods Ward, 99, of Caraway went to be with her Savior on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City. Mrs. Ward was born on March 16, 1910 in Malden, Mo., and was a resident of Leachville for many years before moving to Caraway in 1950 where she and her husband, Ode, were longtime farmers...

Manila picked up a 9-2 win over Brookland in the nightcap of Monday 3A-3 conference doubleheader at Brookland. Leigha Woody went 3-3 and drove in three runs while Kristen Painter also had three hits with a pair of RBIs and two stolen bases to lead the Lady Lion attack. ...

Proving to be a woman and man of their words, Manila Middle School Principal Diane Wagner kissed a pig and science teacher Steven Milligan dressed as a cheerleader on Wednesday, April 8. Middle School librarian Melissa Dawson said the events are the results of a successful book fair held March 9-19...

It was an emotional time for Marvin Browning of Caraway as he entered the Riverside gymnasium in Caraway to a standing ovation from hundreds of people attending the Marvin Browning Appreciation Day on Saturday evening...

Riverside swept past Buffalo Island Central 12-0 and 8-7 in 2A-3 baseball action Wednesday afternoon at Monette. The Rebels jumped on the Mustangs in game one, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by Cody Stallings' two-run single. Riverside got two more runs in the second inning, added three in the third and picked up four more runs in the fourth inning to round out the scoring...

The Buffalo Island Central West elementary basketball teams and coaches recently collected money to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis. Coaches and team members delivered the donations of food and money...

Manila senior basketball player Colleen Kemp signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play basketball at Shawnee Community College, in Ullin, Ill. The 5'6" point guard Lady Lion has played basketball at Manila since she was in the fourth grade...

Manila gained revenge over Rivercrest with a thrilling 10-9 victory Tuesday afternoon at Manila, a day after losing a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to the Colts Monday afternoon at Rivercrest. Senior third baseman Michael Shedd gave the Lions the win with a bases loaded RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning after the Colts had rallied from a five run deficit to take the lead...