Stories from Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court will be looking to re-assess the bids which they received on the construction and installation of the county's new landfill cell and leachate collection system, after receiving three bids which were doubled their estimated costs...

Dr. Howard Leslie Nelson, 88, of Jonesboro, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Jonesboro. Born in Leachville on Sept. 18, 1926, he was the son of the late Gabe and Eunice Nelson. Dr. Nelson was the dentist in Manila for 40 years and a lifelong resident of Northeast Arkansas. ...

Wes Wagner of Manila is seeking to be elected Republican State Representative for District 54. The district encompasses part of Mississippi County and part of Poinsett County. It contains portions of Blytheville and Osceola, and all of Gosnell, Dell, Manila, Leachville, Etowah, Dyess, Lepanto, and Trumann, plus the rural areas connecting the towns...

Captain James Skinner of the Manila Police Department assumed the duties of Chief of Police on Friday, Sept. 11. The new chief will be stepping in to fill the position vacated by Chief Jackie Hill who retired on Sept. 11...

Buffalo Island Museum has an eighty-two year old wedding ring quilt that was made by Elizabeth Bell in 1933 for her daughter Ruth, who was about to be married. It was donated by Ruth's daughter Jill Smith Tilley. This pattern was first known to be in the Capper weekly on October 28, 1928 and was designed by J.D. Patterson of Kansas...

Manila Chief of Police Jackie Hill was honored with a retirement reception Sunday afternoon at the Depot Center. Family and friends came together to wish him well and thank him for his years of service to the citizens of Manila...

Paul Wayne and Sandra Hicks of Manila will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Manila Depot Center, located at 105 West Dewey Street. The party will be hosted by their children, grandchildren and family. All family and friends are invited to join in the celebration. The couple requests no gifts. (photo provided)...

Rick and Diane Henry of Manila celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Manila. Rick and the former Diane Robertson dated during high school at Manila and married on Friday, Sept. ...

Buffalo Island Central dominated its four team match at Osceola Monday afternoon, firing a winning score of 114. Junior Trey DePriest claimed medalist honors, shooting a three under par 33 to lead the Mustangs. Dax Hurst carded a 40 while Andrew McFarlin finished his round with a 41 in the play four, count three, format...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. Monday, Sept. 14 -- Police took a criminal mischief report in the 700 block of Clearlake. -- Officers took an identity theft report. The victim reported $200 missing from her bank account...

Connor Haag's 11-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Woods with eight seconds left in the first half put the visiting Wildcats on top for good in Trumann's 20-8 come from behind victory over Manila in the Lions' home opener Friday night at Lion Field...

Christie Zolman/Courier News Blytheville Mayor James Sanders greeted residents at Stonebridge of Blytheville Tuesday morning as part of the community's celebration of National Assisted Living week, September 13-19. Sanders presented Stonebridge with a proclamation declaring September 13-19 Assisted Living Week in Blytheville...

A 17-year old juvenile was arrested Sunday morning following a 24 hour investigation of theft and vandalism of the Manila School. According to Manila Chief of Police James Skinner, three buildings, the agri, high school, and elementary buildings, were broken into during the early hours of Saturday, Sept. 12...

The Blytheville Emergency Squad will hold its annual auction on November 7, 2015 but is taking contributions for the event now. Mike Godsey, president of the Emergency Squad Club, said this year's event will be held in the exhibit building at Walker Park and will start with a silent auction...

Blytheville School Board incumbent Lorie Hixson lost her place on the board Tuesday evening by a margin of only two votes. Challenger Erin Langston Carrington finished the evening with 213 votes to Hixson's 211. "We are ecstatic!" Erin Carrington said. ...