Stories from Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Word of Truth Global Ministries is sponsoring a summer feeding program for kids beginning next Wednesday. The Summer Food program is funded by USDA and will run from June 1st through August 12th. Nutritious meals are provided to children ages 18 and under at no charge. ...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Police took a criminal trespass report in the 1000 block of South Lake. -- Officers investigated a rape report in the 100 block of West Hardin. -- Police took a criminal mischief report in the 1000 block of Holly. The offender kicked the victim's vehicle, causing an estimated $2,020 in damages to the car...

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders told the CN Tuesday morning that work is currently underway at the soccer fields to restore them in time for this year's season. "They're working on it now," he said. "The problem that happened is that in the process of moving dirt to that field, the equipment broke down. We went looking for a part and there wasn't one here in town. We finally found that part and now we're in the process of getting the truck fixed."...

Dancing for the Cure was held April 16 at the Holiday Inn Ballroom. It was a huge success, raising over $20,000 for the American Cancer Society. This was the second year for "Dancing for the Cure" and it really caught on well this year. We had some really good participation with sponsorships from local businesses and were able to purchase a real red carpet!...

Once again Blytheville finds it needs more money, this time to fund police pay raises. Has the city calculated the value of take home police cars as part of the officers' total compensation package. If they have not, they should. Additionally, what are the tax implications for the officers who drive cruisers when off duty? I don't have numbers available to me but I'll wager the total value (car, insurance, maintenance, fuel, crashes, etc.) of drive home cruisers is substantial. ...

Superintendent Gaylon Taylor informed Buffalo Island Central Board members at the May 19 meeting of the findings by the Election Board. Monette resident John Steele filed a complaint following the passing of the millage in January. ...

Cole and Karen Hawkins shared plans with the Leachville City Council on Monday, May 16, for new construction and the request to name a new road. The family and Council agreed that a name suggested by the Hawkins' grandchild was appropriate considering past activity and future plans for the area. The Council approved naming the new road Hawkins Lane...

Lake City Mayor Jon Milligan introduced Vermaline Smith, Veterans Administration representative for the area, to the May 16 city council meeting. Smith advised the council on restrictions that should be implemented on the sale of the city property for an approved veteran. ...

Manila Superintendent Pam Castor informed the board at the May 19 meeting the third quarter enrollment showed 1056.94 students, 1.41 students less than last year at the same time...

John Haskin Mitchell of Manila, a World War II veteran, said he is proud to have been able to serve his country when he was called. Mitchell served in the Marine Corps. He was drafted Jan. 17, 1945, near the end of World War II...

A ribbon cutting and open house was held during moving-in week at the new Riverside Elementary School in Caraway. The doors were opened to the public on Tuesday evening, May 17...

To the Editor: My name is Cathy Anderson. I visited my aunt which is in her 80's. The first visit, I came in and she wasn't feeling well, she was in bed so I pulled the cover back and on the two legs that has poor circulation, bedbugs has ate her so much that her legs is all blisters they everywhere. ...

Charles Wilburn Hill, 68, of Osceola, died May 23, 2016 in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 12, 1948 in Cotton Wood Corner, Ark., he was a retired Captain with the Osceola Police Department, retired from the Mississippi County Juvenile Detention Center, and a member of Big River Hunting Club. He was a Baptist, and also had an associate's degree in air conditioning and refrigeration...

Jo Ellen McCorkle, 90, of Tyronza, died May 21, 2016 in Jonesboro. Born Sept. 5, 1925 in Finger, Tenn., she was a retired sales clerk and was a member of First Baptist Church of Tyronza for 70 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eston Browder and Ophelia Austin Browder, husband J.T. McCorkle, daughter Rachel Ezekiel, sisters Ruth Wigginton, Sally Austin and Alcie Kitchens, and brother George Browder...

Linda Rea Julian, 65 of Blytheville, passed away Monday, May 23, 2016 at her home. Three names, three different walks of life. As Brown, she was blessed to be a twin of Rinda. As twins go, they were the same but so very much different. Linda was always the loud one that outshined the rest, and always wanted to get her way...

Ed Dorris, Sr., 74, of Bono and formerly of Blytheville, went to be with his Lord Sunday, May 22, 2016 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born to Homer and Effie (Robbins) Dorris, Ed was retired from Randall Textron. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Jonesboro and also of the Bono Action Committee. He was a wise man, and thought everything through before speaking. According to Ed's family, he held the award for the "Best Dad in the World."...

He is survived by his father and step-mother, Robert and Courtney Shumate; His mother, Bobby Jo Morris and her husband, David Waddell; His step-father, Steve Ada; His grandparents; Doug and Rachael Rose, Linda Cole, Vicki and Mike Hobeck, and Bill Morris;...