Stories from Friday, September 9, 2016

A pivotal economic development decision and a pair of marijuana questions top the list of measures to be decided by Arkansas voters on the November general ballot. Issue No. 3 on the ballot would eliminate the five percent cap of state general revenue which is the current limit on how much the state can offer up in large economic development deals. If approved by voters in November, that cap will increase to 10 percent...

Mr. Ronnie Gene Brewer, 63, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday September 7, 2016 at home. Born February 23, 1953 in Walnut Ridge, to late Eugene Brewer and late Minabelle Kisling Davis, he was a retired truck driver and a member of Healing Word Worship Center in Jonesboro, AR...

James "Jimmy" Joseph Neiswander, 69, of Marked Tree, died Wednesday September 7, 2016. Born May 11, 1947, in Marked Tree to late Ruben Neiswander and late Loda Hosley Neiswander, he was a BASF retired chemicals. In addition to his parents one sister, Martha Ann Neiswander, also precedes him in death...

I had several requests this week to write a column addressing the issue of bullying, since we've recently had a local tragedy in which bullying has been indicated. Today, as I'm writing, it's the 62nd birthday of Ruby Bridges. As a lifelong reader, lover of history, and public school student I'm not sure how this passed me by, but I wasn't aware of Ruby's actual name or her role in our society's development until I was already an adult. ...

The Blytheville Police Departments active warrant list for Failure to Appear from August 1-31, 2016. -- Chrishunda Aldridge of Blytheville (1 count) -- Gary J. Amerson of Blytheville (3 counts) -- Takoya Anderson of 5619 Aldine Bender APT. (1 count)...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Police arrested Bruce Skinner, 51, on charges of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing, driving on a suspended license fifth offense and fictitious tags, in the 1300 block of Kari Lane. ...

Rand`tavia Joann Lewis was born and died on September 6, 2016 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Rand`tavia was the daughter of Randy Lewis and Wytavia Razor of Blytheville. Rand`tavia is preceded in death by grandfather Robert Kuykendall...

Coach Brandon Barbaree and the Gosnell Pirates picked up their second win of the season at J.W. Rea Field on Friday night, beating the Osceola Seminoles, 42-28. The Pirates put up 42 points on 466 total yards on offense and converted 18 first downs...

Desmond Moore threw four touchdown passes, but his Chickasaws couldn't complete a second half comeback against the visiting West Memphis Blue Devils on Friday night. Blytheville pulled within three points on Moore's 41-yard touchdown strike to Rashon Amerson midway through the fourth quarter, but West Memphis held off the Chicks, 35-25, at Haley Field...

The Associated Press Arkadelphia 38, Sheridan 28 Ashdown 27, Hope 17 Atkins 47, Bigelow 16 Augusta 44, Marvell 14 Bald Knob 24, Southside Batesville 13 Beebe 49, Lonoke 7 Benton 61, LR Parkview 0 Bentonville 44, Bixby, Okla. 34 Booneville 21, Gravette 7...