Stories from Friday, January 13, 2023

Michael John Ledbetter, 75, of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Mike was born in Blytheville to Sonny and Bette Davis Ledbetter and was a graduate of Ouachita University. He retired from Gosnell School District where he was a teacher and coach for the junior and senior high school for 25 years. ...

Alexander “AJ” Dewitt Smith Jr. was born April 1, 1996, to Alexander Smith Sr. and Rosalind Smith in Blytheville. At the age of 26, AJ passed away on Dec. 29,2022, in Aurora, Colo. He was a member of the Baptist faith. He survived by his parents, Alexander Smith Sr. ...

Mississippi County, Arkansas, Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc. (MCAEOC) will offer its annual free income tax preparation services Jan. 20-April 17 at the EOC office, 1400 North Division Street, Blytheville. Operating hours will be Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following statement after signing an executive order to repeal COVID-19 executive orders: "Today, I signed an Executive Order that terminates five existing Executive Orders on COVID-19 that are obsolete. ...

Johnny Lee Meadows of Osceola was born July 5, 1961, to W.C. Meadows and Ruby Lee Meadows in Jackson City, La. Johnny departed this life on Jan. 1, 2023, at Great River Hospital at the age of 61. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Stacey Rogers and Vadell Jackson, both of Osceola; one son, Steven (Sharelle) Fowler of Minneapolis, Minn.; five sisters, Alice Johnson, Shelly Meadows, Tina (Keith) Keys of Blytheville, Trudy Jones of Osceola, Juanita (Louis) Jones of Joiner; two brothers, David Meadows and Ricky Meadows of Blytheville; and a host of other family members and friends.. ...

Richard Russell Phillips Jr. died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pa., six days shy of his 91st birthday. Russell was with family, friends and longtime companion Jean Haskell. Until the last he was smiling with curiosity and had that glint in his eye...

Blytheville — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) visited the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport to meet with board members. The airport is a former Cold War air force base and home to the largest runway in Arkansas, which measures 11,600 feet long. ...