Stories from Friday, June 19, 2015

Larry Gene "Whiz" Davis, 72, of Manila, passed from this life Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at his home. Born Feb. 20, 1943, in Manila, he was the son of the late Joe and Sallie Cox Davis and attended Manila High School. ...

The Blytheville Fire Department has conducted its fourth arson investigation since June 9th. Officials do not believe that the fires are related because there are no known similarities or connections. The BFD received a call regarding a fire at an abandoned house located at 1911 W. ...

A 14-year-old boy faces aggravated robbery charges, after allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint as he was working on his car in the 1500 block of Chickasawba Street, Thursday afternoon. The victim flagged down police around 4 p.m. Thursday. "The victim advised he was working on his vehicle and felt something get placed against his head," said Capt. ...

The Blytheville Police Department is investigating two separate shootings Thursday -- one on South 16th and the other on Sarah Street. At approximately 7 p.m. officers responded to a shooting at the 500 block of South 16th, finding 26-year-old Jasper Perry lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. Wednesday, June 17 -- Police investigated a breaking and entering to a vehicle in the 1100 block of Byrum Road. A money bag with $600 was reported missing. -- Police took a harassment/communications report in the 1100 block of Byrum Road, involving posts on Facebook...

New voting system equipment for the state of Arkansas has been selected, but Mississippi County will likely not implement the new paper ballot system until November 2016. Secretary of State Mark Martin has chosen Election Systems & Software (ES&S) as the vendor for any state-purchased integrated voting system equipment going forward. This announcement comes after months of evaluation and analysis and input from state and county officials...

Frederick "Fred" Winston Porter, Sr. of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away at the age of 70 late Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in his home. He was born on March 18, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan to Frederick and Biddie Graham Porter. Fred was very adventurous and enjoyed life. ...

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Christopher R. Thyer announced Thursday that the lead defendant in a Blytheville drug conspiracy has been sentenced. The three-year case involving large-scale distribution of methamphetamines reached its conclusion with the sentencing of Kenneth Brown, II, aka "Iceman", 29, of Blytheville. ...

Since the dawn of sport, competitors have been trying to gain an edge on their opponent. Even as far back as medieval times, jousters were known to sabotage the diets of their opponents horse or try to modify their boots so they would stick to their saddle in an effort to keep them from falling off of the horse...

Christie Zolman/Special to the CN Donovan Mays, coordinator of Technology Support for the Arkansas State Library, fascinated children and adults at the Blytheville Public Library Friday, June 19 with his 3D printer. Mays brought toys, a prosthetic hand for a child and other items for program attendees to look at and hold. ...

In May of 2014, legislation was passed concerning Veteran Affairs(VA) benefits which stated that veterans waiting more than 30 days for an appointment or living more than 40 miles from a VA facility may use their VA benefits to receive care from a private doctor...

Kellis Lamar Westbrook, 56, of Little Rock, died of heart failure on June 18, 2015 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. Born Sept. 9, 1959 in Osceola, he was a roofer and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by James Oliver Westbrook and Christine Holt, and sister Janet Gaither...

Princess Academy was held in the Gallery at ANC, for girls 4-8. They came dressed as their favorite Disney princess while they made crafts, played themed games, songs and stories. And on the last day, a special tea party was set. Pictured from left to right: Lydia Elliott, Madison Rounsaville, Kamryn Sanchez, Lynlee Stewart, Emily French, Bess Braswell and Clare Wallace...

A girls basketball camp was held at the Briggs Seabaugh Center, with Coach John Diamond giving the girls, 4th -6th grade, pointers on shooting, passing, setting up plays, offense and defense. They even held a scrimmage for parents to show what they had learned...