Stories from Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. David Riddle, 66, of Steele, died Friday, June 1, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis.

Mr. Bryan "Meat" Davis, 36, of Blytheville, passed from this life Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Great River Medical Center.

I have had a couple of calls in the past few weeks about birds people have seen in their yards, so I thought I might pass on some information about the most common (and some not so common) birds you might see at your feeder or birdbath here in this part of Arkansas.

In March of 2011, Danny McHaffey found that he had stage four stomach cancer. His world was shattered. McHaffey willingly shares his continuing journey from the darkness being told he has cancer to the light of enjoying every moment life has to offer.

The FBI and Arkansas State Police are continuing to investigate the city of Blytheville's multimillion dollar payroll tax debacle, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said Monday afternoon.

Things have been heating up between the campaigns of local candidates Monte Hodges and Mary Gay Shipley, who will be facing off starting today in a runoff election for the position of Arkansas state representative, District 55.

Arkansas Northeastern College president, Dr. Robin Myers, has been named the new chancellor of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home.

Two Blytheville all-star teams captured championships Sunday afternoon at the Sports Hall Thunder Bayou Blowout with another coming in second. A moment of silence was shared before the Blytheville 10-year-old all-star game against Sikeston in memory of Blytheville 10-year-old all-star coach, Bryan Davis, who passed away before the team's game on Saturday...

The Gosnell Pirates continue their search to replace former head football coach, Brian Sims. Sims accepted the position of offensive line coach at Greenwood High School, Friday, creating the vacancy. This morning, Gosnell High School principal Len Whitehead said that the school has already received several resumes and hopes to get the process started quickly...

In his first full year as full-time Blytheville athletic director, David Hixson will get the unusual chance at the trifecta. Less than a month after hiring new head boys basketball and baseball coaches, he now must fill the head football vacancy. Coach Maurice Moody resigned Monday to return to West Memphis as an assistant coach, the same position he held at the school before getting the Blytheville job two years ago...

Kate (Handley) Harrell, a good and faithful servant, passed from this life on Monday, May 28, 2012 at age 82. She was the beloved wife for 50 years of Roy G. Harrell, Sr.; beloved mother of R. Glenn (Darla) Harrell, Jr.; loving grandmother of Emily Pearl and Cody Wyatt Harrell, dear sister of Dora (the late Levie) Essary and the late Gladys (Fate) Watt, Sam (Esther) Handley, Lillie (Paul) McCulough, Robert (Jeffrie) Handley and Cloyd (Nettie) Handley, dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and dear friend to many.. ...

Floyd E. Williamson, 85, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Jonesboro. He was born June 20, 1926, in Bay to the late Laland "L.L." and Lucille Hogan Williamson and lived most of his life in Monette and Leachville. He served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines and Japan. He enjoyed working on automobiles and flying his plane. He retired from Aycock Pontiac in Jonesboro...

Buffalo Island Central East elementary teachers and staff were on hand to honor their retiring co-workers on Thursday afternoon at The Silhouette Boutique and Tea Room in Manila...

Mayor Chub Qualls led the Monette City Council May 21 in a discussion concerning the need to levy city sales and use tax to finance immediate improvements of municipal services needs...

The Manila Class of 1962 gathered for a 50 year reunion on Saturday, May 31, at the Manila Depot Center. Classmates enjoyed reminiscing of the "good old" days at MHS and catching up with their friends...

Arkansas Northeastern College's Foundation is pleased to announce the 14th Annual Wayne Taylor Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for Thursday, June 7, at the Big Lake Country Club in Manila. The tournament will be held in four-person scramble format at $175 per team, and the entry fee includes 18 holes, tournament shirt, lunch, and mulligans. Tee-off time is 8:30 a.m...

Buffalo Island American Cancer Relay for Life Survivor Social will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Leachville Community Center. All cancer survivors, family members and guests are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served...

The Monette American Legion hosted a Memorial Day tribute to veterans on Sunday, May 27, at the Monette Cemetery. Legion member Jerry Reed welcomed the veterans and their families in attendance and led the opening prayer...

Alan and Rebekah Nogle of Manila recently returned from their first missionary trip to Chennai, India, with a grateful heart and making plans for next year. They hope this is the first of many opportunities they will have to serve and look forward to returning to India next year...

Mrs. Pearlie Mae Sharkey, 74, of Blytheville, died Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis.