Stories from Friday, February 11, 2011

Blown out four straight times after they unexpectedly tripped Arkansas, 56-53 back on Jan. 12 in Baton Rouge, La., odds once seemed high the LSU Tigers would get overwhelmed by the Razorbacks in Saturday's SEC West rematch at Walton Arena. That was last season's scenario with Arkansas romping, 87-52 in Fayetteville but losing 65-54 in Baton Rouge.

Mr. Kenneth Wesley Pay, 56, of Gosnell, died Wednesday, Feb. 9., 2011, at the Great River Medical Center.

Mrs. Lovie Hester, 77, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mrs. Bonnie Mae Garrett Cathey, 85 of Jonesboro, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, at her home.

Letroy and Emma Gathen have spent their entire adult life trying to have a positive impact on children and young adults.

Employees of the Mississippi County Road Department are working to replace a bridge in the Victoria area, Road Department Superintendent Don Lasater told justices of the Quorum Court Thursday morning.

Blytheville City Councilman Monte Hodges asked his Parks and Recreation Committee to begin planning how the city will spend the permanent 1/4-cent tax money that is on track to become available in December.

With a population of 15,620, Blytheville now ranks as the 26th biggest city in Arkansas.

The Blytheville-Wynne boys and girls basketball games originally scheduled for tonight, then moved to Saturday, have been postponed again. School officials are still working on a makeup date for the 5A-East games. Wynne is still cleaning up from the snow that fell on Wednesday afternoon...

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department

After another week of near misses from the clutches of the "White Death," the weather forecast for next week is actually quite excellent. Sunny and much warmer would be nice.

The Armorel Tigers split a pair of games with 2A Maynard Tigers Friday night at Armorel.

For local leaders, newly released 2010 Census numbers signal challenges the area continues to face, but they remain optimistic for a bright future for Blytheville and the surrounding communities.

Here are the biggest population gainers and losers, by county, according to 2010 Census data released Thursday.