Stories from Friday, May 20, 2016

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Police took a theft report in the 2100 block of North Circle. The victim reported $3,000 worth of Vanilla One cards missing. -- Officers took a theft report in the 12000 block of North Sixth. The offender took the car battery and a radio from the vehicle...

Family Dollar on East Main avoided an armed robbery on Thursday night. At around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, two armed black males -- wearing masks and gloves -- attempted to enter the store, but the door was locked, according to the police report. An employee told police that she was checking out a customer when she noticed the offenders trying to enter, and one of them had a handgun on his side...

Thieves held a knife to an Arkansas Northeastern College student's throat and took her purse on Wednesday afternoon. According to the police report, at around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Taylor Faulkner told police that after she left campus to get something to eat, a silver Pontiac pulled up beside her asking if she needed a ride...

Monette -- Jerry Wayne Gipson, 72, passed away Monday, May 16, 2016, at his residence. He was born March 10, 1944, in Bunney to the late Ralph and Emma May Cornwell Gipson. Jerry proudly served his country for 21 years in the Arkansas National Guard. He worked for Cameron Construction for 30 years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting...

A Blytheville teenager was injured when his home caught fire around 9:19 p.m. Thursday. The 17-year-old boy suffered burns to his legs, as he escaped the burning 313 North 8th residence, according to the Blytheville Fire Department report. He was transported to Great River Medical Center, where he was treated and released...

Jessie Mae Smith, 73, passed away Saturday, May 14th, 2016. She was born July 12, 1942 in Blytheville, AR. She graduated from Harrison High School in 1962. She retired from Borg Warner Automotive in 2000 and became a devoted grandmother and great grandmother...

Claude Smith, Jr., 69, of Des Arc, Ark., died May 13, 2016 in Searcy. Born Aug. 17, 1946 in Tyronza, he was a factory worker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Smith, Jr. and Ellen Smith. Mr. Smith leaves two daughters, Tiffany Smith of Oklahoma City and Tina Smith of St. Louis; and...

Burnelle Bradley Johnson, 98, of Little Rock, passed away May 18, 2016. She was born November 20, 1917 in Pulaski County to the late Robert Leslie and Myrtle Stubbs Bradley. She grew up in Little Rock but finished high school in Blytheville, Arkansas and attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Jonesboro. She married Orvel Mack Johnson and they lived and raised their family in North Little Rock...

Virgie Barrentine, 69, of Steele, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2016 at her home. Born to Frank and Geneva Richardson, Virgie was a retired teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy. She was a member of Harvest Time Tabernacle and was very active in her church. Virgie loved her children and grandchildren, and was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother...

Gosnell's school board met Thursday night and approved several bids for repairs to its campus over the summer break. Tile and carpet renovations will be ongoing in the Junior High and Elementary buildings. Renovations to four classrooms were bid out to Kenny's Carpets for a total of approximately $9,000, and two jobs to Crawford's for approximately $8,000...

And because I've been really serious up in here for quite a while and frankly my brain and my heart need a break, I present you with...the first Random List of 2016. Welcome back, old friend. -- I am officially now a person who makes smoothies for myself every day. ...

By AARON FITZPATRICK Blytheville Courier News FAYETTEVILLE-It's becoming as seasonal of a phrase as "Merry Christmas," in the Winter. In the Spring, the phrase is "State champs, Armorel Tigers." In a battle of One vs. Two, there was no question who was number one Friday as the No. 2 ranked Armorel Tigers (20-8) drubbed the No. 1 ranked Viola Longhorns (30-3), 13-1, in five innings at Baum Stadium...