Stories from Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Well, we just came in from planting two new and already flowering grape vines in the garden. They were actually replacements for the one we lost last summer. Of all the more or less permanent features of my garden, I really did not expect to lose a grape vine to drought.

Betty Jo "Wilson" Grimes, 63, of Paragould, AR. passed away at St. Vincent's in Little Rock Saturday, April 16, 2011 of natural causes. She was born September 3, 1947 in Leachville, AR to W.O and Winnie Fay Wilson...

Mrs. Margie Evelyn Hudson, 84, of Paragould died Monday, April 11, 2011, at her home. Mrs. Hudson was born Dec. 12, 1926, in Caruthersville, Mo., to the late Robert and Lily Queen Hudson. She was of the Pentecostal faith, a long time resident of Keiser, enjoyed watching soap operas, cooking, collecting angels and dolls, and spending time with her family and friends...

Thomas Daniel Yearry, 52, of Paragould, died Tuesday April 12, 2011 at his home. Born June 12, 1958 at Paris, Tenn., he was the son of Jesse and Bobby Jones Yearry and had been a longtime Paragould resident. He enjoyed working on cars and was of the Pentecostal faith...

Tommy Dean Roach, 49, of Clarkton, Mo., formerly of Manila, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Southaven, Miss. Born at Helena, he was the son of the late Betty June Deason Brown and had lived most of his life in this area. He was a 1980 graduate of Manila High School and was a loan officer for A&A Finance Company in Kennett. He was a member of Stanfield Missionary Baptist Church...

NEA Aftershock 7s took first place in the Big Nasty Tournament at Joe Mack Campbell Park in Jonesboro. The Big Nasty was a World Series Qualifying Tournament. The team will now play in the State Tournament in North Little Rock on June 16-18 and then the World Series July 8-13 in Edmonds, Okla. The team consists of players from Caraway, Leachville, Manila, and Monette...

Mark Stone's three run homer in the top of the fifth inning, his eighth of the year, snapped a 9-9 tie, propelling Buffalo Island Central to a 12-9 victory over Crowley's Ridge Academy at the Bay Playday Saturday afternoon in Bay. ...

Buffalo Island Central school board approved bonuses for employees at the regular board meeting held Monday, April 11. The board voted unanimously to approve a $500 bonus for each certified and classified employee. ...

The annual Caraway Volunteer Ambulance Service auction raised over $9,000 Saturday, April 23, as townspeople and area donors came out to support their local ambulance service. "As usual our people came out in force for us, making donations and bidding on items," Ambulance Service Director Roger Adcock said. "We had good weather and an excellent attendance."...

Etowah Baptist Church recently welcomed new pastor Danny Helms Jr. Brother Danny started his ministry at Etowah on March 20. Bro. Danny is currently from Lepanto where he was born and raised and graduated from East Poinsett County High School...

The 1981 graduating class of Monette High School is inviting anyone who was ever a part of the class to gather for a reunion Saturday, June 11, at the Buffalo Island Central West elementary campus (in Monette)...

Two Scouts from Leachville's Boy Scout Troop 42 attended Order of the Arrow ordeal activities at the Gus Blass campgrounds near Damascus April 1-3. Star Scout Shannon Sparkman and Star Scout Evan Long had been nominated to the Order of The Arrow by their fellow Boy Scouts in February. The Order of the Arrow is the equivalent to scouting as the National Honor Society is to high school academics...

JoAnn Bennett and Donna Jackson, members of the Depot Museum Committee, were pleased to add the almost 60-year- old Army uniform of Earl Williams, Jr. to the collection of uniforms on display at the Manila Depot Museum...

The Adams Estate was the setting on Saturday for the second annual Easter Egg hunt. The weather was chilly and windy but over 300 children of all ages enjoyed finding the 4,000 eggs. The children were divided into four age groups with plenty of eggs for everyone...

Lake City held its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 16 with lots of eggs, prizes, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. "It was a little cool but it was not raining and everyone seemed to have a great time," Linda Simpson, city clerk said. "We had a good turn out. We appreciate everyone who took part."...

Addiction touches lives and too many times it destroys individuals and families. Danna Scott Deaton of Manila and Laura Imler-Oldham of Leachville are on a mission to reach out and help women overcome the bondage of addiction. They are establishing Butterfly House, Inc., a nonprofit, faith-based recovery center for women...

Charles Edward Thompson Jr., 54, of Osceola, died Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Tommy Dean Roach, 49, of Clarkton, Mo., formerly of Manila, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Southaven, Miss.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Fire Department.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department.

Blytheville Police are still looking a Blytheville man reported missing last Tuesday, Capt. Ricky Jefferson said Monday afternoon.

There may be some significant changes in scheduling at Gosnell High School, according to a report made to the Gosnell School Board Monday by High School Principal Brian Carter.

The new general surgeon for Mississippi County Hospital Systems, Dr. Egbert Reberio, is beginning his third week in Mississippi County, and has already performed nine surgeries, ranging from simple and routine to complicated procedures.

David Wildy was the guest speaker at Monday's monthly luncheon of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

BAY -- Jason Lawrence went 3-for-3 with a home run and Jonathan Baker smacked a two-run blast to power Armorel over host Bay, 12-3, Monday night in a 1A-3 East contest. The Tigers (9-9, 5-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the second inning, but Bay answered with a three-run homer from John Stevens in the home half to tie it a 3-3...

The Blytheville Chickasaws took advantage of the dry weather on Monday to get in a non-conference game against 2A powerhouse Piggott. The Mohawks showed why they are at the top of their conference with a 16-8 win over the Chicks in seven innings. Alek Samples got the Mohawks offense going with a solo shot to lead off the game in the top of the first inning off of Blytheville starting pitcher, Jay Bullard. Samples picked up four hits on the afternoon and accounted for three of their runs...

MAJOR LEAGUE Lions 8, 1st Assembly 4 Zac Kibler accounted for five of Lions eight runs and Parker Yates struck out 13 as they defeated First Assembly, 8-4, Monday night. Lions scored two in the first, four in the fourth and two in the fifth to pick up the win...

Arkansas State University will host the first annual Johnny Cash Musical Festival on Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Convocation Center, as a fundraiser to benefit ongoing renovation projects in Cash's hometown of Dyess...