Stories from Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Amy Katheryn Morris-Starkey, 47, of Blytheville, passed away Feb. 24, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 14 years, John Michael Starkey of Blytheville. She leaves behind two sons, Josh Langley of Forrest City and Bradley Sechrest of Marion; her parents, Carol and Shirley Morris of Horseshoe Lake; three sisters, Tina Thorn (Roger) of Manila, Lesley Jackson of Horseshoe Lake, and Aleshia Morris of Horseshoe Lake; three brothers, Mike Morris (Joanne) of West Memphis, Robert Morris of West Memphis, and David Plunkett of Tyronza; and a host of nieces and nephews.. ...

Connie Sue Brandon, 59, of Mountain Home, formerly of Leachville, the widow of Darrell Brandon, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at the Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home. Born at Victoria, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Eubanks Imler and had been a resident of Mountain Home the past 35 years. ...

Frank Levern McCormick, 83, of Manila passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at the St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Oct. 24, 1930, in Moko, he was the son of the late Orvile Edgar and Lillian Decker McCormick and had been a long time area resident. ...

The Blytheville Chickasaws play their final game at Chickasaw Gym tonight against rival Greene County Tech. The Chicks (5-21, 5-7 5A-East) were eliminated from the postseason race after their 83-53 loss to Forrest City last Friday night and Beebe's 43-39 win over Nettleton. With two games left in the season, the Chicks still have a lot to play for, according to head coach Jeff Flanigan...

BIC and EPC met for the third time this season with each team winning on the road. BIC broke that trend but it took two extra periods to get it done. EPC's Aaron Scales' shot rattled the rim but did not fall as BIC captured the 2A-3 district title with a 60-57 win in Monette this past Friday night...

Buffalo Island Central outscored Rector 26-2 to erase a four point second period deficit and went on to easily defeat the Cougars 63-40 in the semifinals of the 2A-3 District Tournament Thursday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Top seeded Marmaduke held off a stiff challenge from Riverside, advancing to the 2A-3 District Tournament Championship game with a 42-39 victory over the Lady Rebels Thursday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Manila went into Saturday night's 3A-3 District Championship game against Rivercrest knowing they would be playing without their leading scorer and rebounder, senior team captain Scott Eubanks, who went down with a season ending knee injury in the Lions' semifinal victory over Earle the night before. ...

LATE BUCKET ENDS LADY MUSTANGS' SEASON Riverside and Buffalo Island Central continued their storied rivalry Wednesday night in the 2A-3 District Tournament at Monette. ...

Kailen Shelton pitched in a running one-handed floater from just inside the free throw line with four seconds remaining in overtime to lift Manila to a heart stopping 54-52 victory over Rivercrest in the finals of the 3A-3 District Tournament Championship Saturday night at Harrisburg...

Rector built a 24 point lead before holding off a frantic fourth quarter Riverside rally and went on to defeat the Rebels 72-63 Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the 2A-3 District Tournament at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Jones Irrigation Installation and Repairs, Inc. was welcomed Friday, Feb. 21, to its new location at 5280 West State Highway 18. The family-owned business was established in 1987 by Buddy Jones, vice president and founder. Presently serving as president of the company is Kevin Jones...

Manila Mayor Wagner and council members set prices for admission and rental of the Manila Water Park which will open for its first full season May 24. The council set the admission price at $3 for children 11 and under; $5 for 12 and over; and 62 and over no charge. ...

Patti Shepard has purchased the former Glam beauty shop located on Manila main street. Shepard, owner/stylist, has been joined by Holly Hardin, stylist. A new name, "The Remedy," has been chosen for the shop...

Mississippi County Library System's director Jay Ziolko is retiring but instead of talking about the things he has done he would rather thank everyone. "I'm grateful to all the library customers over the last 37 years and I'm very indebted to all the staff members that worked so hard during that time," Ziolko said. ...

Area 13 Special Olympics will sponsor a fund-raising event, "Primpin' for the Prom" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at the Depot Center located at 103 Dewey Street in Manila. Sellers and buyers are welcome. ...

JONESBORO -- Wes Ward announced his candidacy to run as a Republican for Craighead County Judge. Ward, a native of Lake City, is an attorney and a captain in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Ward said, "I have been serving my country for nearly 14 years in the United States Marine Corps, including service overseas. ...

Chris Jester announced he will be a candidate for circuit court judge, Division 2 of the Second Judicial District, including Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi and Poinsett Counties. Jester, a native of Lepanto in Poinsett County and 1983 graduate of Osceola High School, graduated with honors from Arkansas State University in 1986 with a bachelor's in business management. ...

Dr. Hunter Cowan Sims Jr., 90, of Blytheville, passed from this life Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at his home.

Troy Wayne Stevenson, 36, of the Half Moon Community, passed from this life Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at his home.

Jeannette A. Robertson, a local Jonesboro attorney, announced Thursday her candidacy for Circuit Court Judge, District 2, Division 10, a position currently held by Judge Larry Boling, who has announced his retirement. All judicial elections are nonpartisan and the election will be held during the primary that is scheduled May 20...

Mrs. Lula Bell Randolph Jones, 75, of Osceola, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, in Osceola.

Leachville Mayor Shelia Spurlock gave the 2014 state of city address at the Monday, Feb. 17, regular city council meeting. Mayor Spurlock said 2013 was a busy year for Leachville and 2014 looks to be just as busy. ...

Mr. Paul Thomas James, 49, of Charleston, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in Charleston.

Mr. Nelson Lee Frazier Jr., "Big Daddy V" "Viscera", 43, of Memphis, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at Methodist North in Memphis.

Following a short executive session during the regular February meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, Manila School Board members voted unanimously to renew principal contracts for the 2014-2015 school year. Contracts renewed include Jason Evers, elementary principal; LeeAnn Helms, middle school principal; and Robin Baugher, high school principal...

Mrs. Jean Daniels, 85, of Blytheville passed from this life Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Lake City officials held a town meet on Feb. 17 to discuss the water and sewer rates for the city. Joining city officials at the meeting were Sylvester Smith, consultant for Legacy Consulting, and candidate Dan Sullivan, who is running for the Representative 53 position, and several citizens from the community...

A couple of weeks ago we welcomed another new baby to the family here at the Lendennie homestead. Jingle, a 6-week-old German shepherd puppy, came home with us right in the middle of the coldest, iciest week of this historically cold and icy winter.

Monette Council passed a $2 rate increase for garbage collection for cans only effective May 1. The rate increase was passed at the Monday, Feb. 17, council meeting to offset the growing cost of tipping fees. ...

Filing for local primary elections began Monday at noon and will continue through noon on Monday, March 3.

The 2nd Judicial District's Court Appointed Special Advocates agency is looking to the community for volunteers to help with one of the area's most dire needs, helping children in the foster care system find permanent, stable homes.

The Courier News is launching a new feature today, designed to celebrate the positive aspects of living in our community.

The Blytheville School Board is taking another look at its decision to opt out of last year's School Choice Act, but still has until April 1 to make its decision.

A dead Southern gentleman, hidden treasure, a prehistoric garden and a bowling ball juggler combine in a Southern plantation setting to make up the hilarious play to be presented at this year's Red Cross Dinner Theater fundraiser.