Stories from Thursday, April 5, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

When longtime Blytheville head basketball coach David Hixson announced he was stepping down from his basketball coaching duties, he made two things very clear. One, he was not changing his mind and two, he wasn't leaving. "This is pretty much etched in stone," said Hixson during an interview Wednesday morning. ...

Mrs. Neta Hazel Holt Kimes, 89 of Somerville, Tenn., passed from this life Monday, April 2, 2012, at the NHC Healthcare in Somerville.

Mr. Ronald Lee Hale, 54, of Leachville, passed from this life early Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Ms. Cindy Nelson of Gosnell and Mr. Matt Gillen of Steele announce the recent engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Halley Summer Gillen of Blytheville to Jordan Davis, of Gosnell.

Little Johnny throws a backpack over his shoulders and shoves a gun in his pants. In his mind, now he's ready for school and the dangerous walk back home.

Arkansas Northeastern College is partnering with Arkansas Career Pathways for this year's annual Job Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in the Briggs-Sebaugh Wellness Center on the main campus in Blytheville.

After serving as deputy director for more than a year, former Arkansas State Sen/ Steve Bryles was recently appointed as director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission by Gov. Mike Beebe.

Volunteers with the Blytheville Emergency Squad were called out Wednesday night to drag the pond at Walker Park.

The Blytheville City Council voted Wednesday afternoon to reinstate the building permit which had been issued to developer Sam Ware for the construction of a Dollar General on the corner of Highland and North Sixth streets, where the now-closed Penn's Barbecue currently stands.

Officers with the Blytheville Police Department have recently made several arrests in connection with some of the shootings which took place last weekend.