Stories from Tuesday, September 11, 2018

After losing their season opener in heartbreaking fashion last week at East Poinsett County, Manila entered the win column with a thrilling 27-24 come from behind victory Friday night at Marked Tree. Trailing 24-21 with 3:30 left in the game, the Lions forced a Jarmaria Anderson fumble, recovering the ball at their own 38-yard line. ...

Manila’s Jordan Spray bolted 54 yards for the winning touchdown with just 1:09 left in the game to rally the Junior Lions past Marked Tree 28-22 in the season opener Thursday night at Indian Field. Spray’s heroics were set up when Manila’s Dustin Clark recovered his second fumble of the night with 1:26 remaining in the contest...

Manila boys defeated five other teams in high school golf Aug. 28 at the Big Lake County Club. Brock Birmingham fired an even par 36 to lead the Lions and earn medalist honors. Cade Cater carded a 41 while Ty Wagner shot a 44. Buffalo Island Central finished second, 16 shots behind the Lions. Andy Milligan topped the Mustangs with a 44. Jameson Stone carded a 46 while Payton Ivy and Gavin Gathright shot 47’s...

LITTLE ROCK – Moving Manila Forward will officially launch its economic development blueprint and action plan at an event Sept. 18 that will feature columnist Rex Nelson as its keynote speaker. The Moving Manila Forward action plan launch event is open to the public and will take place at the Manila Airport at 6:30 p.m. ...

The new West Mississippi County Senior Citizen Center in Manila opened Tuesday, Sept. 4. The new facility has an exercise room, warming kitchen, meeting room and office. The new building has a walkway to the Airport Community Center where the seniors have been meeting. ...

The 2018 Leachville Harvest Festival held drew a large crowd with entertainment, games, food and lots of give-a-ways. Lisa Baldridge, chairman for the event, recognized Mayor Rodney Robertson and committee members who all worked to make the event successful...

Patricia Lynn Pankey, 61, of Manila, passed away Sept. 9, 2018, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born Aug. 23, 1957, in Blytheville to the late Martin Edward Pankey, Sr. and Billie Ruth Austin Pankey. She was of the Baptist faith, enjoyed playing on the internet, crocheting, needlepoint, ME TV, and was addicted to WISH...

Christopher Farrar Tompkins, Jr. age 92, of Franklin, TN, formerly of Burdette, AR, died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 4, 2018. He was a graduate of Blytheville High School (AR), Class of 1943, and served in the US Navy during WWII from 1943-46. Chris was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jimmie Frances Tompkins. ...

Patricia Lynn Pankey, 61, of Manila passed away on September 9, 2018 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. She was born on August 23, 1957 in Blytheville to the late Martin Edward Pankey, Sr. and Billie Ruth Austin Pankey. She was of the Baptist faith, enjoyed playing on the internet, crocheting, needlepoint, ME TV, and was addicted to WISH...

Rosetta Bradford, 69, of Blytheville passed away on September. 8, 2018 at the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Arrangements to be announced. Services provided by Wilson Funeral Home Blytheville.

Loc Tien Nguyen, 82, of Gosnell, passed from this life on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, TN. Loc was born in Hai Phong, Vietnam to Tuan Tien and Mai The Nguyen and was a devoted parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church...

Mary Elizabeth Marshall of Blytheville was born January 1, 1930 in Germantown, TN to the late Madison Brittmon and the late Mary Frances Todd Robinson. She was a homemaker and a member of New Life Tabernacle in Malden, MO. Mrs. Marshall passed away on September 4, 2018 at Heritage Square Nursing and Rehab in Blytheville at the age of 88...

Lawrence “Sonny” Thomas Dillard, Jr., 89, of Manila, passed away September 10, 2018. He was born November 3, 1928 in Heth, AR to Lawrence Sr. and Elizabeth Dillard. He was a retired farmer, 1951 graduate of Mississippi State University, served in the United States Army Counter Intelligence in Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL and he is a member of the Faith Chapel Pentecostal Church of God in Osceola. ...

Earlier this year at the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet, organizers announced their new program called "Rebuild, Restore, Renew." The program is designed to do two things for the community; clear some of the blight of dilapidated housing within the city and provide new affordable homes in Blytheville. Since their announcement of the program, the final step of their first property, construction of a new house, is set to begin soon...

Johnny Payne, age 85 of Blytheville passed from this life on Monday, September 10, 2018 at his home in Blytheville. Born to William Henry and Louella Mae Tate Payne in Blytheville, he was a lifelong resident and a member of the North 10th Street Baptist Church. ...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police took a harassment report in the 1000 block of Byrum Road. — Police arrested Joseph Johnson, 44, on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in the 1000 block of West Moultrie...