Stories from Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Gosnell Pirates will open the season Friday night at former conference opponent Brookland. Dynamic Travelle Anderson, who is ranked 40th nationally at running back, and senior quarterback Cooper Pieri lead the Pirates who are expected to be explosive on offense...

The Blytheville Chickasaws open the 2020 football season at Nettleton Friday night. Blytheville has been allotted 200 vouchers for the game and is deciding how to distribute them, according to BHS athletic director Donald Davis. The Chicks will look a little bit different this year after losing 2,000-yard rusher Jermel Woods to graduation...

Manila City Council worked through a lengthy meeting on Monday evening, hearing an update on the fire station expansion, approving five new firefighters, hearing a variance request, discussing topics including census, water meters, pool/park, hiring, retirements and more...

During its three-hour meeting Monday night, the Blytheville School Board discussed a variety of issues, including safety and sports during the pandemic. Board members peppered Blytheville High School athletic director Donald Davis with questions on how the district plans to ensure the safety of student-athletes and fans...

Blytheville police have made an arrest in the rash of breaking or entering cases earlier this summer in north Blytheville. According to Capt. John Frazier, the BPD CID commander, police have charged 26-year-old Cody Ward of Blytheville on multiple counts of breaking or entering, theft and theft by receiving. He was arraigned in Blytheville District Court on Tuesday...

Norma Sue Cooper, 76, of Blytheville passed away at St. Bernards Hospital surrounded by her family on Aug. 23, 2020. She was born in Steele, Mo., to Marion Luther Ham and Clara Ellen Ward Ham on Oct. 15, 1943. Sue retired from American Greetings in 2012 after working a total of 45 years. Sue enjoyed her retirement by traveling the country with friends and family...

Angie Renee Logston, 52, of Paragould passed from the cares of this life to be with Jesus on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was born Aug. 4, 1968, in Aurora, Ill., to Carolyn Jeanette Young Watkins and the late Richard Clayton Watkins. She was a teacher for the Greene County Tech School District. She attended Greater Vision Church in Paragould. Angie was preceded in death by her father, Richard Clayton Watkins...

Andrew Lee McLaurin, Sr. "Max", 37, of Osceola died Aug. 24, 2020. He was a cook at Sandbar Grille in Osceola and of the Methodist faith. Mr. McLaurin was born May 11, 1983 in Memphis, Tenn., to Anthony McLaurin, Sr. and Brenda Jones. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony McLaurin, Sr.; his stepfather, Torrence Lane, Sr.; two brothers, Aaron Lane and Anthony McLaurin, Jr.; and one sister, Mary Alice Lane...

Anthony Elroy McLaurin, Jr. "Handy", 39, of Osceola died Aug. 16, 2020, at his home. He was employed by Kagome in Osceola. Mr. McLaurin was born Aug. 15, 1981 in Osceola to Anthony McLaurin, Sr. and Brenda Jones. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony McLaurin, Sr.; his stepfather, Torrence Lane, Sr.; his wife, Darian Talley; one daughter, Shantaesha Denise McLaurin; one brother, Aaron Lane; and one sister, Mary Alice Lane...

Patricia Parnell Ochoa, 63, of Osceola passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. She was born on March 21, 1957 in Osceola to John Charles and Dorothy Belle Parnell. She was a loving mother, taught history at ANC and ASU, worked at Osceola Schools as a paraprofessional for many years and a member of Osceola Church of God where she taught an adult Sunday school class. She enjoyed reading and studying her Bible, studying history and cooking...

Suzanne Smith, 73, of Manila, passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Cohen and Margaret Burke Brooks and had been a lifelong Manila resident. ...

Nelson “Jack” York, 88, of Blytheville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Hot Springs. Jack was born in Hiram, Mo., to James F. and Maggie Hovis York. Jack was a barber for 60 years and attended Gosnell Baptist Church. His mother Maggie called him “Jack” because she had to call on him to repair things around her house. ...

Blytheville police discovered the body of a man near the Senior Citizen pond on Wednesday afternoon. Detectives are conducting a death investigation, according to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson. More information will be released as it becomes available...