Stories from Tuesday, July 15, 2014

For years, the two big issues plaguing Walker Park have been fish kills and geese feces splattered along the walkway around the pond.

A resolution reinstating a hiring freeze is on Tuesday night's Blytheville City Council agenda.

Buffalo Island Museum is having a special exhibit of over sixty vintage hats from area residents. There are hats with feathers, flowers, netting, and fur. These hats are from an era when ladies always wore a hat to Church, and men always wore a hat when going to town...

The second annual Buffalo Island Relay for Life golf tournament at Big Lake County Club will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5. The 3-man scramble is $90 a team. All ages are welcome. Anyone who has a friend or family member who is a cancer survivor can join their team for a fourth at no charge. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society...

Caraway Mayor Barry Riley announced following the Thursday, July 10, city council meeting that he would be seeking reelection. Riley said the city has so many positive things going on right now and he would like to see those projects finished...

Bethany Sands of Monette announces the birth of her son, Jackson Dean Sands. Jackson was born June 16, 2014, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro weighing seven pounds and seven ounces. Sibling is Baili Jean Poole, 3...

(Note: I recently got to spend the day in the life of an adult education student from filling out the application to taking a practice test. I got to go through every step persons interested in getting their GED would go though. ...

The home of Tim and Gina Despain at 208 Arkansas Street was chosen as Monette Yard of the Month for July. A special recognition ceremony was held at 6:30 p.m. July 10. City Beautification Committee member Shawn Nance presented the Despains with a commemorative certificate, which read "The home of Tim and Gina Despain has been recognized as having the most beautifully landscaped and manicured yard in the entire Monette Community for the month of July 2014." Member Ernestine Harrell presented the Despains with a hanging basket of begonias.. ...

The NEA Central Battle Cats All-Star Baseball Team just returned home from placing second in the 2014 Cal Ripken 7-year old machine-pitch North Arkansas State Tournament held the Fourth of July Weekend. ...

The Caraway City Council voted to sell the St. Francis Levee District 1.75 acres of land for $3,000 pending the city attorney's review of the contract during its regular meeting July 10...

Ethan Ryan Jackson, son of Shane and Jennifer Jackson of Manila, was born June 21, 2014, at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. He weighed eight pounds and two ounces. Siblings are Brice Jackson, 15, and Mason Jackson, 2...

Chloi Renee Foster was born at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro on May 30, 2014. She weighed six pounds and 13 ounces. Parents are Karen Henry of Manila and Carl Foster. She was welcomed by three sisters, Sarah Kirk, Cameron Foster, Gabby Foster, and one brother, Donnie Kirk, Jr...

The city of Caraway has had a stormy year starting with an Oct. 31, 2013, tornado destroying most of the buildings along Main street, damaging several residences, and taking out trees...

Bonnie Jean Castleberry, 64, of Armorel, died July 10, 2014, in Armorel.

The First MB Church will be sponsoring a fishing derby from 7-10 a.m. Saturday at Walker Park.

Joe Chipman of Manila recently released his second CD entitled "Arkansas in Me" (Keeping It Delta). It is made up of 12 original songs and narrations reliving history and life in the Delta as it has been passed down from generation to generation...

Two key measures failed to receive the needed two-thirds majority to pass during Tuesday night's Blytheville City Council meeting.

With the start of the 2014-15 school term barely a month away, the Blytheville School Board is tabling the idea of changing the district's uniform dress code in an attempt take a more prudent timeline.

Adam Stallings opened Adam's Tire and Auto Service at 406 West Highway 18 in Manila on July 1. Stallings moved into the new 2,400 square foot shop giving him more room and the opportunity to expand his business...