Stories from Friday, September 4, 2015

Lee DuCote will be signing his newest novel, Waterproof, at That Bookstore in Blytheville Friday from 1-3 p.m. In a page-turning blend of history, adventure, suspense, and mystery, Waterproof tells the story of Spencer LeJeune, a young man who overcomes his meek childhood persona and pursues the two driving forces in his life--hidden treasure and his childhood crush, Toni Benoit...

The Mississippi County Election Commission met Thursday at the Mississippi County Annex building in Blytheville where voting machines were tested in preparation for school election early voting, which begins Tuesday. Early voting for the September 15 school elections will be held at the courthouse in Osceola, the Mississippi County Annex building (Moore Center) and Depot Center in Manila. ...

Larry Ellis Jackson, 69, of Marion, passed away Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at Baptist Memorial East Hospital, Memphis. Larry was born Feb. 10, 1946, to the late Ira and Thelma Jackson of Leachville...

OSCEOLA -- Opening the season with a win over your longtime rival is one thing. Opening the season with a convincing shutout on your rival's home field is something that makes for a nice memory. That's precisely what the Blytheville Chickasaws did to the Osceola Seminoles Friday night. Behind four touchdowns and 141 rushing yards form junior tailback, Demekko Clark, the Chicks routed the 'Noles, 44-0...

Friday's Scores The Associated Press Ashdown 46, LR Hall 14 Batesville 26, Watson Chapel 21 Beebe 41, Greenbrier 27 Bentonville 24, Rockhurst, Mo. 13 Berryville 34, Decatur 0 Blytheville 44, Osceola 0 Brinkley 30, Western Yell 0 Bryant 37, Benton 13...

First of all, I'd like to thank The Courier News for giving me the opportunity to express my personal perspective on some of the present circumstances, questions and concerns in Mississippi County. Upon reflection and much circumspection, I am of the opinion that we need to keep Mississippi County a two-seat county. ...

To all "ATWELL" worshipers, read this: As I said in this paper on April 15, 2015 that the school system in Blytheville needs to be revamped starting with Supt. Atwell on down. Now the report is out that: The schools must now hire either full or part-time school improvement specialists...

A Truck Pull, Main & 5th Street Blytheville, Arkansas. This is a Special Event during the Chili Cook-Off on October 17th, 2015. Main Street Blytheville & Daddy Rabbit Wrecker Service will be sponsoring a Truck Pull (Free of Charge...no Entry Fee) on Saturday October 17th during the Chili-Cook-Off downtown Blytheville...

Arkansas Representative Monte Hodges spoke to Blytheville High School teacher Kristy Brasfield's senior civics class on Thursday, September 3. Hodges tested the students' Arkansas Government knowledge by asking them questions. Those with the right answers received an Arkansas State flag. ...

The Mississippi County Insurance Committee discussed county employee vision insurance during its meeting Wednesday, September 2 at the County Annex Building. Committee Chairman Justice Ken Kennemore, said at the committee's last meeting with Stephens Insurance, there was discussion about a better vision insurance plan for county employees. ...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court Property Committee met Thursday at the Mississippi County Annex building in Blytheville to discuss the possibility of using the Fairview School building as a senior citizens center and county farmland contracts. Committee Chairman, Justice Fred Fleeman, said members of the committee along with County Judge Randy Carney have toured the Fairview School Building a couple of times. ...

The Code Enforcement and Animal Control Committee discussed rewriting Blytheville Ordinance Number 1626 during their monthly meeting Thursday evening. As part of the proposed changes, the committee discussed changing the mowing fee charged to property owners when the city is forced to mow abandoned properties from $65 per hour to $130 per hour. This fee is in addition to any citation fees applied as well...

Blytheville Parks and Recreation Director Elroy Brown gave the Parks and Recreation Committee a copy of the department's tentative mowing schedule. The department's schedule includes the Ruddle Road Cemetery, the 21st Street Park, Nelson Park and Mockingbird Park on Mondays...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Officers arrested Helena Richardson on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of an instrument of a crime. -- Police took a report of an insult of a teacher at Blytheville Elementary School on East Moultrie. The female student allegedly made a derogatory remark to the teacher...

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman announced that Arkansas local law enforcement agencies will receive $2.3 million in federal grants from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to purchase law enforcement equipment and supplies...

Eva Mae McCullough, age 87, of Manila, passed from this life, Thursday, September 3, 2015 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Dell, to the late Austin and Lola Elizabeth Johnson Glover, she was a 1946 graduate of Manila High School and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Wayne McCullough...