Stories from Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Only minor damage is reported after an earthquake centered in southeast Missouri shook at least nine states.

Mr. Willie Stewart, of Blytheville, died Wednesday. He was a truck driver.

Mr. Raymond Reed of Blytheville died Feb. 14, 2012, in Memphis. He was a factory worker.

Thelma E. Fowler, 85, of Jonesboro, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Craighead County Nursing Center.

Mr. Jimmy "Jim" Thomas Copeland, 55, of Blytheville, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Blytheville.

Leadership has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. It is organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. Students of leadership have produced theories involving traits, situational interaction, function, behavior, power, vision and values, charisma and intelligence, among others. ...

One of the things I enjoyed most but did not have many opportunities to do as a reporter with the Courier News was the book reviews.

Several local residents have reported seeing large flocks of geese, feeding in fields around the community, over the last several days. This flock was photographed in the Yarbro area.

The Mississippi County Black Cultural Association presented its 27th Annual Black History Program Sunday with guest speaker Dr. Beverly Divers-White.

Blytheville's first homicide of 2012, which occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 7, is being called an act of self-defense, and no charges are being sought in the matter.

Members of the Blytheville Police Department and Blytheville Emergency Squad responded Monday afternoon to a call regarding the body of a dog floating in the pond at Walker Park.

Blytheville city attorney Mike Bearden has made proposed changes, and the new-look ordinance establishing rules of order and procedure in Council meetings is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting.

The Armorel school board unanimously voted to hire Sally Bennett as the new district superintendent Monday night at school board's monthly meeting.

Sarah Cordelia Hatcher, 98, of Monette, passed away Friday, Feb.17, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born Dec. 29, 1913, in Clarkridge to the late William and Lathy Lankford. Mrs. Hatcher was a homemaker and a member of the Monette Assembly of God, where she was a former Sunday school teacher. She loved to quilt, crochet, sew, poetry, flowers and travel but most of all, her family...

Bobby Phillips, 47, of Manila, Ark., died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. Born in Stuttgart, Ark., he was the son of Bobby and Wanda Story Phillips. Mr. Phillips was a long-time area resident and was a former oil rig operator...

A celebration of life was held for Joshua John Rogers of Dyersburg, Tenn., on Feb. 9, 2012, at the Dyersburg Funeral Home. Josh passed away Feb. 4 at the age of 31 in his home in Dyersburg. Survivors include his daughter, Abbigale Grace Rogers; his mother and stepfather, Delilah and Rex Coker of Dyersburg, Tenn.; his father and stepmother, Charles and Robin Rogers of Ocala, Fla.; a brother, Jamie Matheny and wife Tina of Monette, Ark.; his companion, Felicia Noel of Dyersburg, Tenn.; three stepchildren, Emily, April and Cody Noel of Dyersburg, Tenn.; a stepsister, Brandy Coker-Ellis, and two stepbrothers, Chris and Todd Coker, all of Dyersburg, Tenn.; three nephews, Alex Matheny, Caleb West-moreland and Jacob Coker, and a niece, Kiley Westmoreland.. ...

Norma Faye Watts, 75, of Manila, died early Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at her home. Born at Houlka, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Jessie and Verlon Collums Stone and had been a Manila resident for the past 25 years. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Assembly of God in Manila...

The Manila Lions wrapped up the first stage of postseason play by claiming second place in the 3A-3 District Tournament Saturday night at Corning. The Lions squared off with 3A powerhouse Earle in the district title game, falling to the Bulldogs, 74-42...

The Manila Lady Lions gave a good effort in the championship game of the 3A-3 District Tournament at Corning Saturday, but fell just short of their bid to claim the district crown, falling to the Lady Colts of Rivercrest, 56-51...

Manila used a strong second quarter and went on to post a 51-44 victory over Hoxie to advance to the finals of the 3A-3 District Tournament Friday night at Corning. The Lady Lions dropped behind 11-8 after the opening period but outscored the Lady Mustangs 21-13 in the second quarter to take a 29-24 lead into intermission. ...

Riverside's unlikely run to the 2A-3 District Tournament title game at Cherry Valley included a pair of heart-stopping victories over Marmaduke and Marked Tree. The Rebels began the tournament by ending arch-rival Buffalo Island Central's season with a 74-57 victory Tuesday night. ...

Riverside's Lady Rebels saw their season come to an end at the hands of third seeded East Poinsett County 63-43 in the quarterfinals of the 2A-3 District Tournament Thursday night at Cherry Valley...

Manila advanced to the 3A-3 District Championship game with a hard fought 66-57 victory over Rivercrest Friday night at Corning. Lion senior Dillon Burrow drained a critical three pointer with 1:50 left in the game, giving Manila the lead for good, 58-57. ...

Buffalo Island Central charged from behind in the second half to pull out a 59-46 victory over East Poinsett County, taking home the 2A-3 District Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon at Cherry Valley...

Buffalo Island Central Robotics team recently competed in the Frontier Trails BEST Robotics competition in Fort Smith. The team placed third in the robot competition seeding rounds and eventually finished fifth overall out of 38 teams from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. ...

Monette Troop 129, Boy Scouts of America, members and their families gathered to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the troop and individual scouts in a Court of Honor held Jan. 16 at the Monette Volunteer Fire Station...

Women have always loved jewelry and the Buffalo Island Museum has two jewelry boxes full of necklaces and earrings of the early and middle 1900s. They were worn by Beulah Blankenship and are on loan by her granddaughter, Janie Blankenship Miller. ...

That Bookstore in Blytheville owner Mary Gay Shipley has announced her plans to retire.

Manila High School FTA organization sponsored the annual retired teachers luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 14. The tables were decorated in the Valentine's Day motif. Students, under the direction of teachers, Gerri McCann and Sarah Pemberton, served lunch and welcomed retired teachers and staff...

The Buffalo Island Central School Board unanimously voted to renew all building principals contracts at the regular Feb. 13 meeting. Principals include Nicole Stewart, BIC East elementary; Dr. Kima Stewart, BIC West elementary; Mark Hurst, junior high; and Randy Rose, high school...

The Leachville City Council passed a new Dangerous Animal Ordinance, False Alarm System Ordinance, and accepted the resignation of a police officer at the city council meeting Monday, Feb. 13...

Manila School Board reviewed the proposed technology plans presented by Jason Baltimore, technology coordinator, at the Thursday, Feb. 16, meeting. Baltimore explained the plan has to be in place to qualify for any E-rate funds available to the district. E-rate funding is reimbursement on phone bills, internet, etc...

Manila Business Women presented the Manila Fire Department with a gift of $1,000. "They work hard for us and we just felt they can use the money," Joann Bennett said. "They do so much for our community this is our way to show them how much we appreciate all they do."...

Mrs. Melba Akers, 77, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at Heritage Square in Blytheville.

Blytheville firefighters responded to a fire Monday night at the Coach Arms apartment complex located on Main Street next to Simply Delicious.