Stories from Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Armorel Superintendent Bruce Young, presented the district school board with an official letter of release from the state's Fiscal Distress list Monday night at the district's monthly board meeting.

The Mississippi County Hospital System held its end of-the-year board meeting Monday.

Amid criticism from environmentalists, a power plant developer said Monday it would suspend plans for a new coal-fired unit in northeastern Arkansas for at least five years.

Those with same last names are less likely to be working side-by-side for the city of Blytheville in the future.

Blytheville Public Schools will be spending the next several weeks looking at ways to update and upgrade its technology policies to give students the best educational experience possible.

Raymond Hugh Alger, Jr., 55, of Paragould, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. Born July 14, 1956 in New Hall, Calif., he was the son of the late Raymond and Faye Rolland Alger and had been a long-time area resident. Mr. Alger enjoyed spending time with his sons and grandchildren and working on old cars and Chevy trucks...

Arlie Frances Lucas, 94, widow of Mr. Vernon Lucas, of Jonesboro, formerly of Leachville and St. Louis, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at the Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born at Bakersfield, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Rhoda Virginia Troutt Shanks and had been a longtime Leachville area resident before making her home in St. ...

Vernon L. Roe, 71, passed away Oct. 30, 2011 in Florida. Sonny graduated from Central High School in Caraway, Class of 1960. He retired after 40 years with American Greeting. He was preceded in death by his father, Anis Vernon Roe, and mother, Ruth Elizabeth Peterson Roe. He will be dearly missed by family and friends...

Uldene Evis Washington, 88, former longtime Cardwell, Mo., resident and widow of Chester Mack Washington, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at the Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti, Mo. Born in Clay County, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Coy C. ...

Buffalo Island Central dropped a pair of 2A-3 conference games last week, losing Tuesday night to East Poinsett County 61-27 and Marmaduke Friday night 57-46. The Mustangs fell behind 14-8 to the Warriors in the first quarter and trailed 28-16 at the half. EPC took a 42-20 into the final frame...

Riverside split a pair of 2A-3 conference games last week, defeating Maynard 58-43 Monday night at Caraway before losing a heartbreaking 73-64 defeat in overtime Thursday night at Marked Tree...

JUNIOR REBELS PLACE RUNNER-UP Manila eliminated Riverside from the Gerald Jennings Holiday Tournament Wednesday night 53-48 in senior boys basketball at Armorel while the Rebels turned the tables on Manila in the junior boys bracket with a 58-34 victory...

East Poinsett County led throughout most of the first three and one half quarters before Buffalo Island Central rallied in the final frame to pull out a 53-47 victory over the Lady Warriors Monday night in a key 2A-3 conference battle at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner and council members welcomed comments from guests at a special called meeting Monday, Dec. 5. The informal meeting was called to address possible sites for the swimming pool/water park project...

Caraway City Council met Thursday, Dec. 8, and worked through a short agenda consisting of announcements and reports. Mayor Barry Riley reported Basler Electric has been unable to get an accurate measurement of water samples, due to the current water table level...

Myrna Adams and her daughter, Tina Nomland, and Marti Edwards will be opening their homes for a Christmas tour to benefit the Arkansas Children's Hospital and NEA Baby Basics on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. each day...

Monette Christmas Parade was held Thursday evening with the streets lined with all ages. Kay Staggs, parade director, said she lost some entries due to having to postpone the parade because of Monday night's rain...

Everyone is invited to an open house dedication ceremony from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the West Mississippi County Senior Activity Center located at 855 Airport Road in Manila.

A Group of women who enjoy exercising early in the morning with the founder of The Butterfly House, Danna Deaton, brainstormed about how they could join forces to help The Butterfly House...

Kristen Owens with Legacy Hospice, Inc. serves as the volunteer/bereavement coordinator and is quick to answer questions and correct misinformation about hospice services. Owens works with the Legacy Osceola Office...

Several area organizations have joined forces in supporting the newly formed Buffalo Island Better Living Experience (BIBLE) food bank program spearheaded by the Monette Housing Authority...

CLARKTON, Mo -- The Gosnell Pirates advanced to the semifinals of the Clarkton Invitational Tournament after trouncing the Cooter Wildcats, 69-38, Monday night at Clarkton. The Wildcats held a brief, 3-2, advantage with just over 5:00 to play in the first period. That lead was short-lived as the Pirates ran off 19 in a row and led 21-6 at the end of one. Gosnell forced six turnovers during that stretch which led to easy baskets at the other end...

The Blytheville Police Department is still actively seeking information on the whereabouts of Justin Richardson, a 23-year old black male.

Steve and I are not big partiers. As a matter of fact, we don't stay up until midnight on Dec. 31; we watch fireworks from our own back yard on July 4; and one of our biggest joys is passing out candy on our own porch on Halloween, just us and maybe a grandkid or two.

A dedication service to honor former mayors and the late Bobby Gains Wood was held Saturday afternoon, Dec. 10, at the Lake City Museum. A tribute and dedication was given to the mayors of Lake City and former Adjutant General and State Representative Bobby Wood. ...