Stories from Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Leachville City Council met in a special called meeting Monday, June 5, working through a short agenda declaring a vacancy for the mayor's position, discussing the future of the city's K-9 dog, and welcoming back Chief of Police Joni Isebell. Interim Mayor Lisa Baldridge (city council member) presided at the meeting. The council met to review Resolution 2017-4, a resolution declaring a vacancy in the mayor's position...

Manila City Council met for a special called meeting with Mayor Wayne Wagner informing the council the city now has the deed for the property to build a new senior center. City officials discovered a portion of the proposed site for the new senior center, located next to the airport center, did not belong to the city. It belonged to the owners of the Manila Nursing Center...

Tensions flared as the Caraway City Council defended an effective pit bull dog ordinance at the regularly scheduled meeting Thursday evening. Several representatives and citizens were in attendance to voice their concerns and objections regarding the new ordinance...

Buffalo Island Central Superintendent Gaylon Taylor declared it a great day for the district as the board reviewed and approved the final package for the new junior/senior high school facility at the Thursday, June 8, meeting. Adam Seiter with Nabholtz Construction, John Mixon with Cromwell and Hardy Little with Little Associates met with the board presenting final figures...

The Riverside School Board discussed several different agendas ranging from a new cross country team, personnel resignations as well as a new floor bid in an abbreviated meeting Monday, June 5. The meeting took place in the new administration building located on Highway 18, across from the high school...

The weather was perfect for the Lake City Spring Fest held on Saturday, June 10, with vendors, entertainment, food, car show, 5K run, and much more. Committee members Dana Grimes, Daniel Haynes, Harmony Cash, Tammy Davis and Beth Adams expressed their appreciation to everyone who participated. The event was originally scheduled for May 20 and had to be postponed due to inclement weather...

The Monette American Legion Post 136 hosted a Memorial Day tribute to veterans, on Sunday, May 28, at the Monette Cemetery. Post Commander Brandon Decker welcomed the veterans and their families in attendance. Program participants included Rev. Jerry Reed and guest speakers Brett Foster and Dusty Joe Harrell, with veteran dog Chico...

Mrs. Maxine Stancil, 85, passed away June 11, 2017 in Fort Smith. She was born October 30, 1931 in Blytheville to Emmett Hill and Flossie (Canada) Hill. Maxine was a former employee at Arkansas Best Corporation where she served as payroll supervisor. She was a member of Grace Community Church and she was involved in numerous civic, church, and community activities...

A house on Larrison Street in Monette exploded at 10 p.m. Monday, June 5, with three people sustaining injuries and burns from the fire and explosion. Resident Todd Smithee, 53, and two friends, Barry Pruitt, 42, and Pam Crump, 57, were in the house at the time...

Mrs. Ann Loyd, 90, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Ann was born in Gosnell to Fred and Rose (Miller) Roberts. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Ann was a lifelong resident of Blytheville and enjoyed fishing and crocheting. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren...

Mrs. Reatha Strop Tomlinson, 94, of Osceola passed away June 12, 2017 in Jonesboro. Born December 31, 1922 to Calvin and Pauline Chaney in McLean, Okla., she was a farm worker, worked at Osceola Shoe Factory and E.R. Moore, and in the automotive business. She was a member of Faith Chapel of Osceola...

Mrs. Betty Jo Cash Sims, 74, of Blytheville, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Betty was born in Armorel to Julius and Nora (Green) Cash. She was a homemaker and attended Bethany Baptist Church. Betty was a lifelong area resident that enjoyed shopping. She was a caregiver and was a loving and caring person. She always took care of everyone. Betty loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren...

Mr. Vander Andre Jones, Sr, 48, of Marion, Arkansas died June 6, 2017 at his home in Marion. Born July 12, 1968 in Boston, Massachusetts, Vander was the son of James and Cathy Steinbach Jones. He was a store manager for MAPCO. Vander leaves to cherish is memory, his wife, Antoinette Jones of the home; two sons, Vander A. ...

Mr. Micheal Duwayne Johnson of Jonesboro passed away on June 9, 2017 at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville at the age of 46. Mr. Johnson was born to Emmanuel and Minnie Hopkins Johnson in Blytheville on November 26, 1970. He was employed by Nucor and was a member of Royal Priest Hood Ministries in Jonesboro...

Mr. Robert Neal Petty, 88, of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Robert was born in Hardin County, Tennessee to Harvey and Addie (Ross) Petty. He was a retired pharmaceutical representative for McKesson and Robbins and was a member of First Baptist Church. ...

Mr. James Nathan Summitt, 78, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Nathan was born in Cardwell, Missouri to C.E. and Rena (Burcham) Summitt. Nathan received his undergraduate degree from ASU and his Master’s in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. ...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police took a criminal mischief report in the 1000 block of Normandy. The victim reported small scratches and small dents on her vehicle. — Police took an unauthorized use of a vehicle report in the 1200 block of Thompson...

Blytheville School District voters voted 647 (55.58 percent) to 517 (44.42 percent) to pass a millage increase. As a result, the Blytheville millage rate will increase from the current 33.39 mill to 40.5 mills ($113.76 per year for an $80,000 home). The millage will also affect personal property and business personal property tax rates...