Stories from Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Dickie Kennemore, who served as mayor of the City of Osceola for 28 years, has lost his battle with COVID-19. The former mayor passed away Saturday night at 7:20 at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He contracted the coronavirus in mid November, eventually developing pneumonia and kidney failure...

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named six Arkansas leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. One of the recipients is Tamika Jenkins of Blytheville who is vice president of the Mississippi County, AR Economic Development...

In their Dec. 7 Zoom meeting, the Blytheville City Council’s Public Works Committee voted to move a quote from CWB Engineers Inc., to repair Elm Street to the Finance Committee. The quote sets the city cost for the repairs and construction at approximately $1,016,780. The proposed plan would also include a sidewalk down the west side of Byrum Road, down to the elementary school. Additionally, the quote also includes curb and gutter, storm drain and asphalt overlay plans for Byrum Road...

According to Blytheville superintendent Bobby Ashley, Blytheville High School had a virtual day Monday and Tuesday because of a broken water line. The auditorium was flooded Sunday, he said. “The campus will be without water,” Ashley said. At press time, it was unclear if Wednesday would be a virtual day for BHS...

Manila City Council members held a short December meeting on Monday night discussing variances and firehouse expansion. Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner presided at the meeting with all council members, Jason Baltimore, William Barnhart, Donnie Wagner, Wendell Poteet, Steven Milligan and Dale Murphy present...