Stories from Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Mr. Marion Jackson "Pot" Wells Jr., 84, of Lexa, passed away Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Helena.

Mr. Jimmie Lee Sherwood, 64, of Manila, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Mrs. Lisa Diane Rhoades, 49, of Steele, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, in Kennett.

Mr. Clyde Raymond Eldridge, 60, of Tyronza, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in Jonesboro.

In a surprising development (HA!) reported in the Courier News, the Mississippi County Quorum Court is talking about laying off employees because of a budget shortfall. The members of the Quorum Court said this was due to "an unexpected population decline" in Mississippi County...

I was deeply concerned, as were many of you I am sure, while listening to the first Presidential Candidate Debate a couple of weeks ago, when I kept hearing it repeated again and again that Medicare Advantage was going to end when the Affordable Health Care Act (aka Obamacare) is fully enacted.

A group of Blytheville Leadership Institute participants met at the Mississippi County Senior Center Monday night to discuss ways they can help the center.

Despite the small population and rural location of Mississippi County, local businesses have access to the same high quality services available in top tier markets.

Members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Finance Committee are trying yet another tack to make the necessary and severe 2013 budget cuts more palatable to elected officials.

Property taxes may be going up in Blytheville. Tonight, the Blytheville City Council is expected to consider a measure that increases millage by 1 mill.

Highland has separated itself as the class of the 3-4A. But, from second on down, there is a lot of parity in the league. With three weeks remaining, it appears the other four playoff spots are a toss up between four teams. Gosnell is in a logjam tie for second with Valley View, Pocahontas and Westside, all of whom are 3-1 in the conference...

ARMOREL -- For the first time in 28 years, the Armorel Tiger boys basketball team was coached by someone other than longtime coach, Charlie Brown. Brown stepped down last spring but still teaches, is athletic director and head baseball coach at the school...