Stories from Saturday, December 15, 2012

Steven Bailey is the new Mississippi County Baptist Associational Missionary. He officially started his new position Dec. 3. He has served as pastor in Earle for the last 11-1/2 of his 40 years in the ministry...

The second Sunday of Advent brought forth a celebration of God's love in many of the live of others. This was the blessing brought forth by the unfortunate closing of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Blytheville.

Timothy Dewayne Aldridge Jr., 6, of Blytheville, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. He was born Aug. 21, 2006, in Kennett, Mo. Timothy leaves his parents, Timothy Aldridge Sr. and Jennifer Sledge of Blytheville;...

Betty Lou Bray, 81, of Manila, passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was the daughter of the late William Enoch and Mary Lucille Wright Bray and was a lifelong Manila resident. Ms. Bray was a retired sales clerk for Fred's of Manila and was a longtime member of the Blackwater Baptist Church...

Cynthia McGee, 44, Caruthersville, mo., passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Carney Funeral Home of Blytheville.

Elijah Chayil Cook, 3 months, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Carney Funeral Home of Blytheville.

As the nation reels in shock in the wake of the tragic shooting of multiple school children and employees in Connecticut, local officials and school administrators are pulling together and reviewing contingency plans to ensure the safety of Mississippi County students...

In 1997, current Gosnell high school assistant principal and head basketball coach, Kirk Glintborg received a call from then Blytheville athletic director and head football coach Doug Quinn about an open position at Blytheville. "(Doug) Quinn called down to (Arkansas) Tech to see if they knew of anyone looking for a job," said Glintborg, who graduated from Arkansas Tech. ...

Blytheville residents lined up their cars for blocks Saturday morning to participate in a local church's free gas giveaway, held at Kroger's gas station. Firm Foundation Ministries, pastored by Chavis Spann, gave ten dollars in free gas to the first 150 cars who showed up...

CLARKTON, Mo. -- The Gosnell Pirates are making a habit of winning tournaments these days. For the third week in a row, the Pirates will bring home a tournament championship plaque thanks to a more than convincing 77-46 win over the Piggott Mohawks in the Clarkton, Mo., Reindeer Invitational Tournament...

Blytheville High School basketball coach Jeff Flanigan helps lead in prayer on Holly Street. A group of city elected officials, pastors, and police department representatives met Friday afternoon at the site where 16 year-old Miguel Estrada was fatally shot on Dec. 6 to pray for the neighborhood and the city...

Blytheville has been selected to be one of four sites participating in a free healthcare clinic in August, organized and executed by the Delta Regional Authority in partnership with the Department of Defense. The city met with the DRA and DOD Thursday to discuss what this means for the area...