Stories from Friday, October 9, 2015

Kent C. Armstrong, 58, of Leachville, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at his residence. Born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., he was the son of the late Leonard and Edna Sanders Armstrong and had been a longtime Florida resident before making his home in Leachville 18 years ago. He was a retired electrician having worked several years for the former Hoff Electric in Stewart, Fla., and Colson Castor Manufacturing in Monette. He enjoyed surfing the internet, trading on Craigslist, tinkering around in his shop and was a member of Pleasant View General Baptist Church in Risco, Mo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Fox. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Vicky Borders Armstrong of the home; one son, Glenn Armstrong and wife Francis of Jonesboro; two daughters, Tosha Atchley and husband Mitchell of Leachville and Suzanne Armstrong of Bernie, Mo.; five sisters, Linda Armstrong of Dobson, N.C., Cathy Coderre of Palm Beach, Fla., April Laraway of Gainesville, Fla., Melony Pearcy of Bradenton, Fla., and Julie Armstrong of Palm Beach, Fla.; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Monday Oct. 12, in the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Mark Powell officiating. The family has requested private disposition. Online guest register: www.howardfuneralservice.com

The Blytheville Police Department and Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigations into the officer-involved shooting early Thursday morning. The suspects have been identified as 33-year-old David Pollock and 35-year-old Michael Bramlett, both of Dyersburg, Tenn., and 21-year-old Austin Bennett of Trimble, Tenn. Pollock and Bennett are both wanted on out of state felony warrants, according to a press release from Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson...

Roger Dale Pemberton, 63, of Leachville, formerly of Monette, passed from this life Oct. 8, 2015, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Born at Monette he was the son of the late George "Shot" and Mildred Redding Pemberton and had been a lifelong area resident. ...

Kent C. Armstrong, 58, of Leachville, died Thursday, October 8, 2105 at his residence. Born in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of the late Leonard and Edna Sanders Armstrong and had been a longtime Florida resident before making his home in Leachville 18 years ago. ...

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Pemberton and one sister, Linda Cash as well as his dog, "Sparky". Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Debby Thomas Pemberton of the home; Four sons, Earnest Shirley and his wife Jennifer of Paragould, Brandon Pemberton and his wife Julie of Lawrenceville, Ga., Roger Dale Pemberton, Jr. of Batesville, and Buddy Carmichael and his wife Krystal of Monette;...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. Wednesday, Oct. 7 -- Police took a criminal mischief report in the 400 block of East Moultrie. A window was broken. -- Police investigated a burglary in the 2100 block of West Rose. Missing were a chainsaw, drill, toolbox with tools and a hot water heater...

Armorel BREAKFAST Monday: Cereal, pop tart, banana, juice and milk Tuesday: Breakfast bagel, applesauce, juice and milk Wednesday: Muffin, yogurt, fruit cocktail, juice and milk Thursday: Mini french toast, sausage link, peaches, juice and milk Friday: Biscuit, sausage, banana, juice and milk...

Blytheville City Attorney Michael Bearden informed the Finance and Purchasing Committee Thursday evening that a second lawsuit has been filed in Iowa against the city regarding Water Department business, signed off on by either former Department Director Gary Phillips or Mayor James W. Sanders...

Friday's Scores The Associated Press Ashdown 20, Malvern 14 Augusta 45, Clarendon 12 Bald Knob 43, Atkins 14 Batesville 41, Forrest City 12 Bearden 49, Woodlawn 0 Benton 38, Sheridan 6 Bigelow 28, Mountain Pine 0 Blytheville 53, Greene Co. Tech 26 Bryant 27, Alma 24...

TRUMANN -- The Gosnell Pirates shook off a slow start against the host Trumann Wildcats, Friday night, to stay undefeated on the season with a 46-12 win. Gosnell (5-0, 3-0 3-4A) led just 16-12 at halftime and was held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season...

Proponents of the Blytheville's new 1 percent Sales and Usage Tax point to the fact that with Blytheville's loss of population, there has been an annual reduction in revenue of $4.6 million since 2008. They also point to the fact that despite the loss of population, the city still possesses the infrastructure and area of a city twice its current size, and have not cut a single city service to its citizens...

While opponents of Blytheville's new one percent Sales and Usage Tax agree that population has declined drastically, causing a revenue decline of $4.6 million dollars since 2008, they argue that adding a new one percent to an already high 10 percent sales tax is not the solution...

Several upset Blytheville Public Works and sanitation employees gathered at the mayor's office Friday morning. Two employees told the Courier News that they were being asked to work longer, but with no increase in pay. All employees loaded up and drove away, after saying that they could not get anyone to speak with them and that they were told to be back at 1 p.m. ...

I've been asked often enough how I come up with the stories that I tell you guys in this little space, and I wish I had a more interesting answer than the true one - stuff just happens to me. It may also be that I am a tad dramatic and have a slight knack for exaggeration and like to tell stories, but the bottom line is, I am just one of those people. ...

To the Editor, I would like to exercise my first amendment rights which are the freedom of speech concerning the 1 cent tax for the Blytheville Community. I feel as though we need to vote for this tax for the following reasons. First the Public Works workers have not had a raise in 7 years, the men on the back of the garbage truck makes under $8 an hour and are overdue for a raise. ...