Stories from Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Defending 5A-East champion Blytheville notched its first league win of the young conference season Friday night, defeating Batesville, 53-51. Now the Chicks (9-1, 1-1 5A-East) will try to make it back-to-back victories tonight when they host Paragould, which limps into the game with a 2-9 overall and 0-2 conference mark...

Mrs. Jodie Marie Kummer Robinson, 37, of Forrest City, formerly of Bald Knob, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012.

Mrs. Dorothy Bell Parnell, 91, of Osceola, entered into rest Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Osceola.

Mr. Damon Laffoon, 73, of Dover, formerly of Leachvillle, died early Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home.

Thelma Jackson, 84, longtime Leachville resident, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at the Gosnell Nursing Center.

Billy Don Garner had been fighting lung cancer for over a year and on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, the cancer won. He was 71 years old.

Mrs. Donna Day Duggan, born Aug. 1, 1945, in Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at the age of 66.

Mr. John H. Brooks, 83, of Osceola, entered into rest Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Memphis.

On the morning of Nov. 2, 2010, James Gregory, now 45, was arrested for not providing identification but was charged by Cody Gentry with obstruction of governmental operations. Gregory at the time was a candidate for Blytheville city treasurer and getting his last few signs placed into position. ...

Do you know who this wonderful group of women are? (www.goldstarmoms.com) They are the strong and proud mothers of America's sons and daughters that have lost their life during service to our country. Have you ever seen, posted in some one's window, a red-bordered rectangle with a blue star in it? Maybe two or three? Every star represents a child that family has in the war. When the star is gold they have lost their life...

I am not a big tax person. I am very conservative politically, just a little to the right of Rush Limbaugh. And I realize that sales taxes can drive local sales elsewhere. I don't like the thought of encouraging shoppers to go somewhere else to shop (like Jonesboro). But what I do like are good clean safe streets, nice parks, youth sports complexes and all the things that make a community a good place to live...

Everybody always talks about depression rates climbing during the holidays. However, it is this time of the year when I find myself, at times, literally bored out of my mind.

The Blytheville Police Department will continue its series of public seminars on crime prevention this week, with a session devoted to the prevention of identity theft.

Tonight, the Blytheville City Council will consider new rules of order and procedure in Council meetings.

The Board of Governors for the Mississippi County Hospital System expressed its pleasure Monday at the system's most recent financial reports, which show significant gains over last year.

Congregation members say a prayer in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday as Bible Way Church in Blytheville hosted its 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Education Program.

The Blytheville Ministerial Alliance paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday night during its annual community service at Nehemiah Temple COGIC.

John H. Brooks, 83, of Osceola entered into rest Jan. 13, 2012 in Memphis. Born Nov. 12, 1928 in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Harvey and Zelfa Brooks, he was a member of First Christian Church in Osceola, a United States Army veteran, serving in the Korean War and was an HR manager, working at Mid-South Manufacturing, Crompton and Nibco for many years, and was presently employed at Roller-Swift Funeral Home as a funeral assistant.. ...

Larry Lynn Dildy, 65, of Manila, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Sid and Beulah Briggins Dildy and had lived most of his life in Manila. Larry was a self-employed carpet layer, member of the First Assembly of God in Manila, and was U.S. Army veteran...

Damon Laffoon, 73, of Dover, formerly of Leachvillle, died early Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home. Born at Dermott, Ark., he was the son of the late Duford and Norvell Mason Laffoon. Damon's family moved to Leachville in the late 1940s and he was a 1956 graduate of Leachville High School. ...

Charles Lee Phillips, 81, of Paragould, passed from this life, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born at Manila, he was the son of the late Raymond and Gennie Mae Boyd Phillips. ...

Wayne Martin, 68, of Hoxie passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1943, in Manila to Earnest and Beulah Gould Martin. He had lived in Lawrence County the past 30 years and was self-employed as a used automobile dealer. He also served in the United States Navy...

Buffalo Island Central jumped to a 24 point halftime lead and then outscored Riverside 14-0 in the third period to take a commanding 53-15 advantage into the final quarter en route to a 55-26 victory Monday night at Lake City...

Piggott spoiled Manila's senior high Homecoming with a 63-58 victory in 3A-3 conference action Friday night at Manila. The Mohawks (8-9, 3-4 3A-3) built a nine point halftime lead, 35-26, and took a 47-37 advantage into the final frame...

Riverside jumped to a 26 point lead after three quarters, 51-25, and went on to crush arch-rival Buffalo Island Central 60-38 in 2A-3 conference action Tuesday night at Lake City. The victory by the Rebels avenged an earlier season loss to the Mustangs in Monette...

Walnut Ridge broke out the long artillery, drilling four three pointers in the opening quarter alone and went on to spoil Buffalo Island Central's senior high Homecoming with a 68-50 victory Friday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Buffalo Island Central School Board President Scott Colbert called the Jan. 9 meeting to order with all board members present except Todd Edwards. Following the approval of the December minutes and review of the financial statement, the board voted 6-0 to approve the District Technology Security Plan...

Manila water superintendent Henry Ford announced trash cans available to Manila citizens have arrived and can be purchased at City Hall. Manila residents wishing to purchase the 96 gallon, heavy-duty trash can may pay $60 cash or have $5 a month placed on their water bill for one year. ...

Mayor Barry Riley reported at the Jan. 12 city council meeting that $2,240 had been received from Basler Electric, as restitution for the 62 hours of property lawn care done by the city...

The Leachville City Council worked through an agenda consisting of grant receipts, department reports and committee appointments when they met Monday, Jan. 9. The financial report listed the use of a Water Department certificate of deposit to pay for a city backhoe and $25,000 of Money Market revenue to make payments on a Ditch Witch vacuum...

The Dell Fire Department received a Rural Fire Protection Program grant Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the amount of $2436. Grants totaling $175,000 were distributed among 83 fire stations in Arkansas. Funds are used for water supply equipment, communications equipment and items to support medical responses...

Faulkner Tax, Inc. of Caraway has opened at a new location, 103 West State Street. Owners Jackie Faulkner and grandson Jamie Faulkner are pleased to be in their new building featuring two offices, a large reception area, and a kitchen/break area...

Garland Tipton announced plans to seek re-election for the position of Craighead County Eastern District Chief Deputy. "I have enjoyed the past two years serving as your Chief Deputy Sheriff for Eastern Craighead County," Tipton said. "With your support, I will continue to work hard and try to serve the citizens of Craighead County...

The Cast from Williams Baptist College will be at Caraway First Baptist Church at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Brother Rick Stevens, pastor, invites everyone to join them. "More than a Feeling" is the theme as The Cast presents its 2012 program. ...

Monte Emery of Lake City has an interesting career working behind the scenes of Hollywood's movie making industry. Monte works in the transportation department and has been involved in over 25 films...

Diana Sanders of Monette celebrated a full week of events last week, leading up to her retirement on Friday as assistant director and facilities manager of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott...