Stories from Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. James Curtis Lewis, 60, of Blytheville, died Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Mr. Charles Gary Cobbs, 73, of Leachville, died Saturday, June 8, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

In just a few short days, I will be celebrating my very first Father's Day, and I can hardly wait. It's exciting the think that I now get to join millions of other men in being celebrated for the roles we play in the lives of our kids.

Well, it's that time of year again, when flowers bloom, gardens grow, kids get out of school for the summer ... and people start taking drives out into the country to dump their unwanted pets.

The Blytheville School Board approved a list of personnel changes for the 2013-14 school year, including several new appointments and resignations, during a meeting last week.

The Armorel School District administrators say they are encouraged by preliminary results of the 2013 Benchmark Testing.

The Blytheville City Council's Animal Control Committee is looking at whether to require taller fencing for large animals.

With officials questioning the legality of the Blytheville City Council's role as a police and fire appeal board, the Police and Fire Committee has begun discussion to eliminate an appeals process altogether.

The Blytheville Century 21 McWaters/ANC Casons dropped their first game of the year in an 11-6 decision to Jackson, Mo., Sunday afternoon at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex. Jackson scored four in the first, one in the second, two in the fourth and four in the seventh on their way to the win...

League tournaments got under way in Cal Ripken Rookie and Minor League as well as the new Summer League Monday night at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex. Here's a look at last night's action. ROOKIE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT Plum Point 12, McCormick Farms 11...

Manila hosted the first annual Relay Night at the Park on Tuesday, June 4. Eddie May, park coordinator, dedicated the night as playing for a cure...

Molly Thomas and Thomas Faircloth announce July wedding plans Mr. and Mrs. Tony Thomas of Concord announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Molly Teneil Thomas, to Thomas Ray Faircloth, son of Lori and Shawn Galloway of Floral, Ark., and Scott Faircloth of Kansas City, Mo...

Buffalo Island School Board members accepted resignations, filled several positions, and worked through a busy agenda at the June 3 board meeting. The board voted unanimously 7-0 to accept resignations from Trish Brightwell, biology teacher; Terry Cobb, second grade teacher at West Elementary; and Garrett Eoff, junior high math teacher and baseball coach...

Manila School Board accepted resignations and filled several positions at a special called session Tuesday, June 4. Following executive session, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignations of high school teachers, Megan Priest, Katherine Ramsey, Brandon Burgess, Trent Floyd and Ann Wells. They also accepted the resignation of Melba Sherrod, custodian...

The second Movie Nite at the Manila Park will be held at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15. The movie will be shown behind Building 100 next to the ballpark. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket, bring the family and enjoy a movie...

The annual Buffalo Island Relay for Life will be held Friday night at the Leachville City Park. There will be entertainment, food booths, games and a silent auction. Cancer survivors will be recognized and will take the first lap around the walking track. They will be joined afterwards by family and friends. Activities are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m...

Marvin Fry and Loretta Johnson met in Lake City during the summer of 1971. Jess and Vergie Fry said, "Wonder why our son would drive 90 miles to see a Missouri girl when there are lots of Arkansas girls he could have dated."...

The Manila High School Class of 1958 enjoyed a reunion on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26. Members of the class gathered at the Manila Depot Friday evening for dinner and reminiscing. The Friday night dinner was catered by Sheila Parks Dobbs...

The first annual Faith and Freedom Day will be held in Lake City from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Wayne "Biscuits" Short Field. There will be free food, fellowship, singing, and a message from Congressman Rick Crawford...

C.W. Cummings, Master Golf Teaching Professional, is excited to kick off the new Tri-State Junior Golf League and lessons, sponsored by Arkansas Northeastern College Department of Community Education...

Mary Elizebeth Ashabranner receives national certification Mary Elizebeth Ashabranner, CGCS of Manila, recently passed the national certification examination for Certified Gastroenterology Coding Specialist administered by the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists. Mary Elizebeth now joins an elite group of Certified Coding Specialists throughout the country...

Members of the Manila Scout Pack 32 were recognized Monday evening, June 3, with a Crossover Ceremony as the boys moved up in rank. Parents assisted the Scouts during the ceremony led by Scout Master Mike Warrenfells, assisted by Assistant Scout Master Jessica Warrenfells and Leaders Brian Russell and Boy Scout Ryan Crouch...

In the office area in the Buffalo Island Museum is an antique Underwood typewriter. While conducting a tour of elementary students, I was showing the different items that were used in an early Buffalo Island office, and one student pointed to the typewriter and said he knew what it was: an old computer, but where was the screen? Of the group of second graders, none had seen a typewriter before. ...

Monette Manor staff hosted a celebration on Thursday afternoon in honor of residents Barbara Grimes and Annette Lippert. Ms. Grimes completed her rounds of chemotherapy and Ms. Lippert finished 35 radiation treatments...

(This is the first of several articles which will follow the Phaucet Program from the beginning of irrigation to the harvest. Mississippi County Extension agents are working with growers throughout the county keeping a watch on the water usage.)...

"My Father did not tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it." This anonymous quote was shared by Sonny Dill of Manila. Sonny keeps this quote on his cellphone because it says just how he feels about his dad, Ray Dill...

The Angry Birds of Manila won second place in the "Catch the Fever" coach pitch tournament held in Manila May 18-19. Pictured are, from left: Back -- Coach Michelle Barks and Coach Thomas Williams. Middle -- Chase Spencer, Byron Kisner, Riley Parker, Landon Harris. ...

Becky Keys of Holcomb, Mo., is the May winner of the $300 Cash Give-Away in The Delta Voice, the shopping and entertainment guide serving over 100,000 readers. Participating businesses are listed in the Delta Voice each week. Everyone is welcome to stop by and register at one of the participating businesses...

Tommy L. Kerley, Jr. 28, of Manila has been charged with terroristic threatening, aggravated assault, kidnapping and rape. He appeared in court on Friday where bond was set at $500,000...