Stories from Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Each year around this time, this newspaper recaps the major news items of the past 12 months. Usually, the Top 10 includes stories -- good and bad -- that have significantly impacted our community in some fashion.

With the new year just around the corner, Blytheville's retail market is experiencing new growth of its own -- nine new businesses are on the horizon and making progress toward opening in 2015.

East Poinsett County played like the Warriors of old in Saturday night's Northeast Arkansas Invitational quarterfinal showdown with Buffalo Island Central on the floor of the Convocation Center at Arkansas State University. ...

Buffalo Island Central's tenacious full court pressure, coupled with timely three point shooting, carried the Lady Mustangs to a 61-49 victory over stubborn Sloan Hendrix in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Saturday morning at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Manila rode the waves of a big second quarter, overcoming a sluggish start, and posted a 68-58 come from behind victory over Cave City in the first round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro...

Harrisburg built a 19 point lead after three quarters before staving off a furious fourth quarter rally by Manila to hang on for a 58-49 victory over the Lady Lions Friday afternoon in the first round of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament in Jonesboro...

Riverside found itself trailing for the majority of the first three quarters in Tuesday night's first round NEA Tournament matchup against Trumann at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro. ...

Wendy Carpenter was the 2014 recipient of the Employee of the Year Award at Monette Manor. Wendy serves as the activity director at Monette Manor and has been employed there for 11 years and three months...

Salary increases were discussed and approved at the Lake City Council meeting held Dec. 22. Mayor Jon Milligan asked the council to review the salary recommendations he made for 2015. Council approved a 40 cent per hour raise across the board for all employees. Also approved was $832 annual wage increase for Mayor Milligan and City clerk/treasurer Linda Simpson...

Manila School Board worked through a full agenda Monday evening, Dec. 22. Items discussed included accepting resignations, filling positions, expulsion hearing, resolutions to conduct business and building information update...

Well, folks, 2014 is almost over. I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as my family had, and I hope you're all ready for the coming year and whatever it brings.

This letter is in reference to the article in the Blytheville Courier News, dated Dec. 23, 2014, titled, "Request for election probe withdrawn." This article stated that 10 reputable Blytheville citizens alleged that felons illegally voted in the runoff election and all voted for Mayor Sanders. Though this suit was filed and withdrawn, it did not have merit and there was no evidence...

Juwon Perry, a senior from Osceola High School, directed his newly written play "Santa goes to the Ghetto" Dec. 21 at True Light Baptist Church. Juwon has also wrote two other published books and is a gifted and talented young man, who has accepted a scholarship from Southern Arkansas University. ...

Matt Faries with Entergy presents Arts Council of Mississippi County Director David Lyttle with a check for the 2014-15 series.

WYNNE -- The Blytheville Chickasaws bounced back in a big way Tuesday in the consolation bracket of the Wynne Holiday Hoops Tournament. A day after falling to Southaven, Mississippi in the opening round, Blytheville crushed Mountain View, 69-23, in the tournament...

According to a recent release from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, the Welcome Center in Blytheville is one of the most frequently visited welcome centers in the state, second in visitor traffic only to the center in Texarkana.

Lashawn Harris, 33, of Blytheville, was taken into custody Tuesday on charges related to weapons and drugs possession.