Stories from Friday, October 12, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. Gregory Alan Webb, 49, of Marion, died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.

Lucas Dwayne Watkins, infant son of Jamie Simmons and Christopher Watkins, passed away shortly after birth Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Alfonzo Lamarr Ford departed this life Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Houston.

I lead this column off with my usual Cardinal segment because tonight at 7:30 they play the Washington Nationals in the final game of their 5-game National League Divisional Series (NLDS) game to see who advances against My Dear Sweet Sainted Wife's previous favorite team, the San Francisco Giants.

While looking over a recent edition of the Courier News, I noticed an article which reported on the annual meeting a local school district had the previous night. I noticed where the assistant superintendent had informed those in attendance that their school district had made enough academic progress that the district wouldn't need to hire "educational consultants" for the school year...

The autumn sun sets over a recently picked field in the Armorel area.

Gosnell firemen were fighting a blaze at this home on East County Road 36 at press time this morning. No details were available.

The Arkansas Northeastern College Concert Singers and conductor Dr. Keith Hearnsberger will join the Arkansas State University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers for a Fall Concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Today (Friday) wraps up National Fire Prevention Week, which the Blytheville Fire Department will be observing off and on throughout the month with different schools and organizations.

Members of the Blytheville City Council Finance Committee met Thursday afternoon to review the city's statement of revenue and expenditures for the year and discuss the 2013 budgeting process, but were quickly derailed by comments from the audience and other financial matters facing the city.

The two teams tied for first in the 3-4A conference clash Friday night with sole possession of the top spot on the line. Gosnell (3-3, 3-0 3-4A) and Highland (6-0, 3-0 3-4A) are both perched atop the league standings going into the big game in Highland...

The Blytheville Chickasaws host the Beebe Badgers coached by John Shannon Friday night at Haley Field. The Chicks (3-3, 2-1 5A-East) are returning home after a two-game road trip and are coming off a huge, 22-16, win at Greene County Tech last Friday night. Blytheville was a perfect, 2-0, while out of town beating Nettleton two weeks ago before besting the Eagles. Blytheville will also be celebrating homecoming Friday night...

GOSNELL -- The Gosnell Junior Pirates continued their dominance over the 3-4A with a 38-6 win over the visiting Pocahontas Redskins Thursday night at J.W. Rea Field. The Junior Pirates improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season and 4-0 in the 3-4A conference...

The Blytheville Junior Chickasaws drove down to Helena and picked up a win by forfeit Thursday night after Helena West Helena didn't show up to their own field. The "win" improved the Junior Chicks record to 6-0 and they are still 3-0 in the 5A-East on the season...

The Great and Powerful Fitzini -- Seer of Seers, prognosticator of prognosticators -- will now give you his predictions for this Friday's prep football games. Please keep in mind, these predictions come with a 100 percent guarantee of being either right or wrong...

HIGHLAND -- For the first time this year, Gosnell finds itself looking up in the 3-4A conference standings. Playing undefeated defending league champion Highland on a quick turnaround, the Pirates lost a conference game for the first time this year on Friday night, falling to two-time all-state quarterback Sterling Stowers and the high-powered Rebels, 58-22...