Stories from Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Anyone 16 years and older interested in a lifeguard position for the summer is encouraged to call or stop by Manila City Hall for more information. Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner said the pool will open May 24. This will give time for lifeguards to complete the necessary training for the position...

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mrs. Janet Wright Washington, 44, of Memphis, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014.

What a missed opportunity for our city officials and Blytheville school officials in a telephone interview with Chris Pinkard of the Courier News, in regards to the SRO (school resource officer) issue. I consider it to be "wasteful time" in making that interview to be about Tony Hollis, and very little reported on implementing safeguards measures to improving school safety, besides making a general statement, "Our schools are safe," and (one) city official and (one) city employee playing politics at the expense of school safety.. ...

When it comes down to it, I've only been drinking soda for a little over 20 years.

A hearing was held Tuesday to determine whether or not certain pieces of evidence would be admissible during the upcoming trial for 43-year-old Jimmy Northern, who is facing murder charges in the December 2012 death of 23-year-old David Thomas Essig.

The cause of a fire that occurred Tuesday night on North Center Street in Gosnell is undetermined at this time according to the Gosnell Police Department.

Country music legend Loretta Lynn is scheduled to perform during the 2014 Johnny Cash Music Festival at Arkansas State University.

Preparation is well under way for this year's Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards of Excellence, scheduled for Monday, March 10.

The Mississippi County Quorum Court is looking into developing a new ordinance that would deal with eyesore structures in the county and other "code enforcement type" issues.

Thus far, two candidates are seeking the nomination of their party in the District 54 State Representative race, according to the Arkansas Secretary of State website.

One week after beating Nettleton on a shot in overtime with time winding down, the Blytheville Chickasaws found themselves in a similar situation against rival Greene County Tech. Trailing 43-41 with under a minute to play in the fourth period, the Chicks needed a basket to tie the game. This time, however, there would be no fantastic finish for the Chicks. Merrendes Jackson lifted a three-point attempt with about 10 seconds left on the clock that bounced off the rim...

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the Blytheville City Council's Personnel Committee approved a model policy manual for the Blytheville Police Department.