Stories from Friday, December 3, 2010

Revenues from sales taxes in Mississippi County are continuing to rise, according to the Mississippi County judge's office, as county residents become more comfortable spending money. Sales tax income for the county was up by 21 percent in October, compared to October of 2009, which is a strong indicator of a recovering economy...

The Blytheville City Council's Finance Committee spent about two hours reviewing the proposed Blytheville Police Department, Animal Control and Corrections budgets line-by-line, Thursday afternoon. The proposed BPD budget totals $2,929,128 in expenditures, while Animal Control's is $68,366 and Corrections' is $438,144, $250,000 of which is the controversial jail fees...

It's time again for Ignite's Annual Boxes of Love program. A new chairman this year brings a new method to the operation. With the retirement of Pastor James Decanter, Pastor Danny Rigney of Pathway Church of God has taken over the project, which aims to provide food and toys for 800 families in the Blytheville area this year...

Ruth Taylor puts ornaments on a Christmas tree Friday morning in preparation for Saturday's "Christmas at the Kress" event. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Booths will feature baked goods, arts and crafts, holiday and promotional items, books and photographs and a wide variety of other goods...

After Fred Scales missed a flying putback attempt at the buzzer Thursday night, Blytheville fans poured onto the Chickasaw Gym floor to celebrate the Chicks overcoming a 15-point second half deficit against undefeated county rival Osceola. But a foul call on KeAndre Diamond sent them back to their seats, temporarily, and allowed Scales another opportunity to force overtime...

One of the highlights (I use that term loosely) of my Thanksgiving weekend trip to middle son Kit's house up at Columbia, Mo., where granddaughters Alexandra and Leah-Bo are in residence, was a Friday night trip to a skating rink -- that's a roller skating rink, not an ice skating rink -- with Kit, the two girls, and my Dear Sweet Sainted Wife...

To the editor: In 1961 I moved to Blytheville to teach World and American History at Blytheville Senior High School. I married a Blytheville girl in 1966. In the 1960s I did not see an area directly west of Walker Park falling down and blighted. It was not necessarily the most prosperous-looking neighborhood, but the houses were taken care of and yards well-kept. ...

Mr. Bayless Sharon Carpenter, 73, of Manila, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at his home. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Bill and Ethel Green Carpenter and had been a lifelong Manila resident. After retiring from the Crompton Company in Osceola, he was the owner/operator of DJ Hardware in Manila...

Mrs. Mildred N. Dawson, 71, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010. She leaves two daughters, Ruby Dawson and Mildred "Bruce" Dawson; One son, Donald Dawson; Eight grandchildren, Tierra Clark, Sherrica Dawson, Chquita Meadows, Isaiyshia Meadows, Terrence Dawson, Tremaine Dawson, Kondrick Dawson and John Smith; and...

Mrs. Clara Stella Walker, 92, of Osceola, entered into rest Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, in Jackson, Tenn. Born March 6, 1918, to the late Dick and Cora Lamb of Cotton Plant, she was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Four daughters, Clara Street, Virginia Vance and Pat Bickerstaff, all of Jackson, Tenn., and Darlene Arnold of Osceola; and...

Early in the morning of Oct. 15, a group of 22 travelers boarded a motorcoach for a three-day fall foliage tour of the Indiana Amish Country, and on to French Lick, West Baden, and Santa Claus, Ind. The tour was directed by Jack and Tommie Lou Brooks of Steele, and the motorcoach driver was Tony Robinson of Centralia, Ill...

Come out to view the newly added Safari Game Room at Tony and Christie Kennedy's home located at 5033 E. County Road 130 in the Birchwood Subdivision near Armorel during the 2010 Farmers in the Dell Tour of Homes from 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday. More than 50 wildlife mounts are displayed alongside beautiful sconces made of polished kudu horns adorned with illuminated ostrich eggs. ...