Stories from Tuesday, November 20, 2012

It was a day of celebration on Friday, Nov. 9, at Manila Nursing Center as administration, staff, volunteers, and community leaders gathered for a luncheon in recognition of the recent awards received by MNC...

Rosie M. Saliba, 89, of Blytheville, passed into eternal rest Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at her residence.

Bettie Richardson McDaniel of Blytheville passed from this life Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. L.C. McCullum, 59, of Joiner, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Osceola.

Mr. Herbert Ray Loveless, 74, of Blytheville, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at Great River Medical Center.

Mr. Jackie Merlin Hudson Sr., 60, of Keiser, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Keiser.

Willie Mae Askew, 57, of Sacramento, Calif., formerly of Osceola, died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

"I absolutely love kids, they're so amazing and fun and funny!" If you know me at all, you know I have never said those words before. Never ever.

In a few days we will all observe the national holiday totally devoted to stuffing ourselves with turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and other foods the Native American's introduced to the first settlers of this country.

Lester Charles Albrecht, 73, of Manila, passed from this life, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at his home. Born in St. Louis, Mo., he was the son of the late Gottlieb and Esther Orth Albrecht and had lived most of his life in Manila. He was retired from Southworth Inc. in Manila, and was a member of the Blackwater Baptist Church...

Palace Ayres Cakes & Tea Room, located at 224 W. Main St., will be proving free Thanksgiving meals to anyone in need from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., or until the food runs out, Thursday.

Cade Allan Christie, age 25, of Manila, died Friday Nov. 16, 2012, near Manila, from injuries received in an auto accident. Born at Paragould, he was a 2006 graduate of Manila High School, had lived much of his life in Manila, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. ...

Mississippi County Hospital Systems, along with many rural hospitals, may be facing tougher financial times come Jan. 1 unless Congress intervenes to prevent reductions to government reimbursements which would be redirected to fund the Affordable Care Act.

Billy Gerald Foster, 81, passed away Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Mr. Foster was born on May 16, 1931, near Monette to the late Greshan and Alice Newton Foster. He was with the Lion's Club for twelve years, five years as President. ...

Early voting for Blytheville City Council runoff elections begins today in Wards 1 and 3. In Ward 1, Vera James is facing off against Tommy Abbott; and in Ward 3, R.L. Jones runs against Joe Lewis.

Thanks to an offered donation from Nucor Steel, Blytheville Public Works could soon have a new office building to call home.

Maurice Holmes, 81, passed away Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born on Nov. 30, 1930, at Delfore to the late Allie and Maudie McPherson Holmes. Mr. Holmes started working for cotton gins when he was...

Arkansas Northeastern College is set to host the dedication for its brand new multi-million dollar nursing and allied health facility this afternoon (Tuesday), an event more than four years in the making.

Leonard Philip Watkins, 78, of Burns, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. He was born on Jan. 19, 1934, at Caraway to the late Charlie Philip and Anna Mae Watkins. Mr. Watkins served his country proudly in the United...

Gosnell's home game with Cave City has been moved from Monday to Dec. 20. Instead, the Pirates will play in the 2012 Bulldog Classic next week at South Pemiscot, Gosnell, the third seed in the tournament, will play sixth seeded Gideon at 8:30 p.m. Monday...

HORN LAKE, Miss.--The Blytheville Chickasaws dropped to 0-2 on the season after a 53-50 loss to Rosa Fort High School of Tunica Miss. in the Horn Lake, Miss. Classic Saturday night. The Chicks trailed by as much as 21 in the second half and 18 after three periods. With three minutes remaining in the game, Blytheville trailed 51-35 before ending the game on a 17-2 run...

Marla Layne, administrator at Monette Manor, has been named November Employee of the Month. Layne has served as Monette Manor Administrator for 12-1/2 years. She previously worked from 1975-1980 as bookkeeper for Cliff Lane...

Leachville City Council passed an ordinance, set end of year employee bonuses, and reviewed 2013 budget at the regular council meeting held Monday, Nov. 12. The council discussed proposed 2013 budget needs, which consisted of Police Department computer, softwear and training and Water Department vehicle...

Leachville Christmas parade has been set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. Following the parade an open house will be held at the Melody Theater with refreshments and pictures with Santa. There will be cash prizes for first ($150), second ($100) and third ($50) place. All entries are due by Wednesday, Nov. 21...

Buffalo Island Central upended Augusta 50-40 Monday night on the road in 2A-3 conference play. Brittany Stockton pumped in a team high 18 points while Brittany Fowler added 15 more to pace the Lady Mustangs. Emily Owens scored seven, Cassidy Qualls netted six while Taylor McKuin and Shania Junyor added two points apiece...

Buffalo Island Central faced 2A-3 conference newcomer Augusta for the first time and found the Red Devils to be a formidable foe, dropping an 89-52 decision Tuesday night on the road...

Buffalo Island Central fought off a pesky Riverside team that was playing shorthanded because of illness, and came away with a hard fought 54-44 2A-3 conference victory Thursday night at Lake City...

Brady Jones torched the net for 31 points while Scott Eubanks pumped in 17 more to lead the Lions to a 62-47 win over Corning in 3A-3 conference action Tuesday night at Manila...

Manila Lady Lions stayed unbeaten on the year with a pair of blow-out wins in senior girls high school basketball action last week. Manila rolled past Osceola 67-43 Monday night before taking care of Harrisburg 59-28 Thursday night on the road...

Marmaduke raced past Riverside 59-37 in 2A-3 conference senior girls basketball action Monday night at Marmaduke. Whitley Boggs pumped in 21 points while Jessica Lee added 16 more as the Lady Greyhounds remained unbeaten in conference play...

Riverside traveled to Marmaduke to open the conference season Tuesday night and led most of the game. But in the end, it was the Greyhounds who came out on top with a heart stopping 60-59 victory over the Rebels...

Riverside came out firing on all cylinders against Buffalo Island Central, and went on to smoke the Mustangs 63-41 in a battle between the two old rivals Friday night at Lake City...

The Leachville Police Department conducted a "buy/bust" inside the City of Leachville on Thursday, Nov. 15. A purchase was made for methamphetamines. Brian Keith Elumbaugh, 34, and April Swanner, 31, both of 615 Texie Avenue, Monette, were arrested. The two are originally from Trumann...

Cade A. Christie, 25, of Manila, was killed in a one vehicle accident on Friday morning, Nov. 16. According to the preliminary fatality report from the Arkansas state police, Christie was northbound on North County Road 175 in a 1997 Chevrolet when he lost control striking the eastside of the ditch, and rolled over...

Monday morning was Brittany Fowler Day at Buffalo Island Central as family and friends gathered in the Mustang Athletic Complex to watch the senior guard sign a letter of intent to play basketball for Arkansas State University. Family, friends, teachers, and students were welcomed by Randy Rose, high school principal...

Manila School Board reviewed and accepted the high bids for three parcels of land at the Thursday, Nov. 15, meeting. Board members drew numbers at the October meeting establishing seven, eight, and nine year contracts for the three parcels up for bid...

Sheila Collier of Leachville has released her latest CD, "I Wanna Know How It Feels." She loves gospel music and has sung in churches most all her life. She did sing with a local quartet, "Saved By Grace."...