Stories from Tuesday, November 18, 2014

I've been the target of a few letters to the editor over the years, but none was more deserving than a gym mom's rant about a decade ago.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Libray's Regional Director Pam Hunsaker spoke at Monday's luncheon of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday night, the Blytheville City Council is expected to consider changes to the 14-year-old zoning ordinance.

Early voting in Blytheville and Osceola begins Tuesday morning and continues through Monday, Nov. 24.

Buffalo Island Central took to the road last week and came home with a pair of defeats, dropping a 59-55 decision Monday night at Westside before falling in their 2A-3 conference opener to Marmaduke 68-42 Thursday night...

Bay withstood a huge night from Austin Pike to subdue the Mustangs 68-56 in senior boys basketball action Friday night before a loud and boisterous crowd at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Manila's Lady Lions kick-started the 2014-2015 basketball season with a pair of victories last week. Manila pulled off a come from behind 55-40 victory over Marked Tree Monday night on the road before outlasting Harrisburg 64-61 Thursday night in the Lady Lions' home opener...

Riverside's Lady Rebels rolled past Gosnell 71-44 Monday night at Lake City before absorbing a heartbreaking 43-40 defeat at the hands of Brookland Thursday night on the road...

Riverside placed eight players on the 2014 All State Tennis team, announced last week by the Arkansas Activities Association. Devon Austin and Grant Mason were named All State as singles players, while Jon Milligan, Levi Reed, Gavin Stone and Kollin Stone made the All State squad in the doubles division...

Abbie Jolliff, Taylen Smith and Whitney Bunch, Manila senior cheerleaders, will be leaving on Nov. 22 for a six day adventure to New York. The girls will be marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade...

Manila Head Coach Lee Wimberley couldn't have dialed up a better scenario for his team in the Lions' season opener against Riverside Friday night. The defending 3A-3 conference champions cruised to a 75-52 victory over the Rebels, putting together a complete game on both ends of the floor...

Veteran's Day ceremony honoring area veterans was held at Riverside High School on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Arkansas State University's ROTC team made up of Jordan Mays, Timothy Daley, Elise Herbelin, and Lauren Grantham presented the colors and Principal Jeff Priest welcomed the guests...

Leachville City Council met Tuesday, Nov. 11, to pass a resolution regarding the city's settlement with former police chief Keith Evans and to discuss hiring a new chief. Evans retired from police work to take a job that would allow him to spend more time with his family. The council then had to decide if they could pay him his sick days. It was discovered they could not...

Veterans from Manila and the surrounding area were honored with a Veteran's Day service at the MHS gymnasium on Tuesday morning. The annual tribute to area veterans is a longtime tradition at Manila...

Every step they took along their 12-mile journey, they took in memory of the 17 veterans from their Monette High School Class of 1967. On Wednesday morning, braving 30 degree temperatures and cross country winds at 15 mph, Robert Chambers and Dick Pace began their journey from Southland, at Highway 18/Highway 135 intersection, heading east to their home in Monette to honor their classmates and friends.. ...

Kennedy Allynn Blocker born Nov. 5 Kalli, Allie, and Bradyn announce the arrival of their sister, Kennedy Allyn Blocker. She was born at 10:37 am on Nov. 5, 2014, to Heather and Dewayne Blocker of Leachville at St. Bernards Hospital. Kennedy weighed seven pounds and two ounces and measured 20 inches long...

Justin and Erin Clay of Leachville announce the arrival of twin daughters, Etta Jean Clay and Adley Jo Clay. The girls were born Oct. 28, 2014, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. Etta weighed five pounds and 13 ounces and Adley weighed seven pounds...

Mississippi County employees will be receiving a year end bonus in December after the Quorum Court approved the bonuses in lieu of a raise in pay this year.