Stories from Friday, October 21, 2016

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. -- Officers arrested Bess Pease on domestic battery charges in the 1200 block of River Oaks. -- Officers took a theft report in the 1000 block of South Division. Missing was a backpack with immigration paperwork and $5,000 in cash...

On Saturday, the Blytheville Police Department will be collaborating with the Blytheville Middle School in the Arkansas Take Back program. The Blytheville area locations for this year's Take Back will be at Walmart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There is also a drug take back box at the Blytheville Police Department that is available at all times...

Friday's Scores The Associated Press Alma 49, Harrison 14 Ashdown 39, Arkadelphia 29 Bald Knob 59, Marianna Lee 6 Barton 48, LR Episcopal 0 Batesville 33, Blytheville 30 Beebe 38, Pulaski Mills 6 Bentonville 49, Rogers 7 Bryant 48, Cabot 20 Camden Fairview 42, Hope 21...

POCAHONTAS -- With two regular season games remaining, the Gosnell Pirates took control of the 3-4A conference Friday night, as they knocked off host Pocahontas, 18-12, in a battle of unbeaten league teams. The Pirates defeated the defending 3-4A champions, the Pocahontas Redskins, after a four yard run by sophomore CaDarius Young sealed the deal with 1:49 left to play in the game...

BATESVILLE -- The Blytheville Chickasaws blocked two Batesville punts, leading directly to points, Friday night, at Pioneer Stadium. Blytheville all-state running back Demekko Clark returned from injury to rush for 263 yards. The Chicks picked off the Pioneers on back-to-back possessions in the second half, with both turnovers leading to Blytheville touchdowns and a 12-point lead with 7:35 left in the battle of 5A-East second place teams...

On Friday morning, several local and state dignitaries gathered at the site of the old Sun Valley Courts, which was recently demolished as part of Cleaner Safer Blytheville's fall cleanup. Officials say the old structure on West Rose was an eyesore and safety hazard for years and, using contributions from the state and a local business, it has been removed...

The Gosnell Fire Department received $10,000 to begin replacing their self-contained breathing apparatuses. Pictured are Rural Services Director Alex Johnston, Representative Dave Wallace, Mayor Don Marshall, Kathleen Hunt-Cross, Darryl Grissom and Ethan Grissom...

As Sheriff of Mississippi County, Arkansas with 29 years in law enforcement, I have several reasons for opposing the two medical marijuana constitutional issues on the November ballot. While there are some differences between the two, collectively the concerns are described in paragraphs further below. However, there is a major underlying cause for alarm of which you may not be aware. Employers cannot base hiring, disciplinary or firing decisions on marijuana use...

Mr. Donald Maurice Nelson, 72, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2016. He was born on March 15, 1944 in Blytheville to the late George Alvin and the late Lillie Mae Nelson. He was a graduate of Blytheville High School and attended Arkansas State University. ...

Ms. Edna Jewel Donaldson, 73, of Osceola passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 in Jonesboro. Born on January 11, 1943 to the late Auvrey and Jewel Willie Ephlin, she was a homemaker and a member of the Caruthersville Church of Christ. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Johnny Ephlin, Jessie Ephlin, Jimmy Ephlin and Richard Ephlin and two sisters, Doyce Betz and Peggy Melton...

Mr. Jimmy Darrell Peel, 67, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born on September 4, 1949 in the Happy Corner Community near Leachville, to the late Adron and Lorene Loftin Peel. He retired in 2014 after 45 years as a heavy equipment operator for the Mississippi County Road Department and also enjoyed to go hunting and fishing. He was of the Christian Faith...