Stories from Friday, June 8, 2018

Wilbur Preston “Sonny” Lawrence, longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away peacefully of natural causes in his nursing home located in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Preston was the oldest of nine children, the son of Louise Knipple Lawrence and Robert Preston Lawrence of Blytheville. ...

Herschell "Bo" Besharse of Mesquite, Texas, passed away June 4, 2018, at the age of 94. He was born and spent his early years in Blytheville at the center of the cotton belt in northeast Arkansas. Herschell was born to James Monroe and Cora Besharse on December 30, 1923, and grew up with a sister, Edna May, and 4 brothers: Herman, Homer, Howard and Monroe. ...

On Monday, June 4, 2018, Bryan Moody, of Blytheville, beloved father, brother, and partner passed away peacefully at the age of 56. Bryan was a talented craftsman, made evident by beautiful creations built during his 33 years as co-owner of Innovations in Trim, alongside his brother, Kent. When not working, Bryan loved pushing limits on his motorcycle, or discovering the world through books...

Ruby Johnston Ward, 90, of Blytheville, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Gosnell Therapy and Living Center. Ruby was born in Morrilton, Arkansas in 1928. She was retired from American Greetings and a member of First Baptist Church. She was an Air Force wife and Hawaii was her favorite place to be stationed. ...

OSCEOLA — An Arkansas Steel Processing employee lost his life in an industrial accident around 1:56 a.m. Friday morning. According to Capt. David Gladden of the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department, Dreason Williams, 35, was caught between a moving roller and the frame of the machine, becoming trapped. The rollers continued to move back and forth, then once the machine went the other direction it released him. Williams fell and suffered head and neck injuries, according to Gladden...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police arrested Isaiah Robinson, 20, and Kevin Fitzgerald, 18, on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine, marijuana, pills) and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in the 500 block of Delmar...

The Walker Park pool has been open just a few days, but is already experiencing record crowds. According to Cody Wyatt of Mayor James Sanders office, the pool has averaged around 170 swimmers since it opened on Friday, June 1. Last Saturday, there were 197 swimmers and 191 on Tuesday. There have been at least 135 swimmers each day it has been open to the public...