Stories from Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A former Osceola Seminole basketball star is facing criminal charges. Mark Thomas, 18, of Osceola was arrested December 31, 2014 on aggravated robbery charges, according to Osceola Police Chief David Gladden. Thomas appeared at a probable cause hearing in Osceola Monday. His case was bound over to the next term of circuit court. He received a $50,000 bond...

Shirley Jean Sammons, 71, of Manila, passed from this life Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born April 23, 1943, in Keiser to the late Otis and Mildred Crawford Bowman, she had lived most of her life in Manila. She was a longtime member of the Bethany Baptist Church and was a retired clerk for American Greetings in Osceola...

PEO Chapter CI is off to a good start for this organizational year. The club had some opportunities this summer during its Monthly Fun Activities to shop and eat at Charlene's, gather at the Dixie Pig and have a bring-your-own lunch at Charray Rogers' house to plan for the September visit from the State Organizer, Elizabeth Johnson Deitz, who, is a native Blythevillian. Peggy Kenner hosted a delightful, light, alfresco luncheon for her September visit...

A Christmas social was held Dec. 10 in the home of Pam Blankenship, with Joanie Hess as co-hostess. Fresh greenery, berries, topiary and candles filled the entertaining areas throughout the home. Following a delicious lunch, Joyce King presented the program on Christmas memories: "Joy ... ...

In the last few weeks, Caroline has added more than a few words to her vocabulary. The cutest, easily, is the way she says "orange."

The Blytheville Police Department is looking for a man who escaped from a Mississippi County Sheriff's Deputy after appearing in Blytheville District Court Wednesday morning.

HUGHES -- The Armorel Lady Tigers dropped their second conference game of the year in a 45-42 defeat on the road to the Hughes Lady Blue Devils Tuesday night. Led by Paris Perkins game-high 29 points, Hughes led throughout but the Lady Tigers (3-13, 1-2 1A-3 East) battled back and had a chance to send the game into overtime but fell just short. Hughes led 12-8 after one period, 28-21 at halftime and 37-35 heading into the fourth period...

HIGHLAND -- The Gosnell Pirates dropped their second conference game in as many nights in a 52-37 loss on the road at Highland Tuesday night. Rod Jones scored 10 to lead to the Pirates and T.J. Anderson added six in the loss. The Pirates drop to 6-4 overall and 0-2 in the 3-4A conference with a trip to Harrisburg up next on Friday night...

Jimmy Gee, 78, of Cherokee Village, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at a local hospital.

The Rev. Dr. Evelyn Hale Meachum, 85, passed away on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at Truman Medical Center--Lakewood in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her family following a long illness.

Mrs. Mary Wells, 96, of Blytheville, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville.

Shirley Jean Sammons, 71, of Manila, passed from this life on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

City leaders are asking the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to abate $670,997 in penalties and interest from unpaid excise taxes.

Representatives from Clarion Associates, a Chapel Hill, North Carolina, company, met with local leaders Wednesday at Arkansas Northeastern College, to address housing issues, among others.

Blytheville High School offensive coordinator Chris Smith has accepted the head coaching position at 6A Germantown, Tennessee. The 28-year-old will lead one of the 32 biggest schools in the state next season. "It's a great program with a great history," Smith said Wednesday night...

Miss River Delta 2015 Emma Jumper spoke to the Nucor-Yamato Toastmasters International Club Tuesday afternoon about the importance of confident and articulate public speaking. In her role as Mrs. River Delta, Jumper speaks on behalf of agricultural innovation and protecting what she said is the state's most valuable resource, the people...

Mr. Jimmy L. Mathenia, 62, formerly of Blytheville, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Hollowrock, Tennessee.