Stories from Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Recent reports from the Blytheville Police Department:

Little Rock -- Sandra Leigh Nolen Baker left this earth peacefully and crossed The Rainbow Bridge on Nov. 17, 2013, at 1:03 p.m., with her loving husband, daughter and cousin by her side. Sandy was born Sept. 21, 1946, in Little Rock to the late Jean (Pharis) and Truman Nolen. She lived most of her days in Little Rock, a city girl to the fullest...

Wayne K. Marean, 74, of Mountain View, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born April 7, 1939 in Portland, Maine, to Kenneth and Lorraine (Fogg) Marean. ...

R.C. Rayburn, 69, of Manila, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Nov. 24, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born Aug. 15, 1944, in Guin, Ala., he was the son of the late Cleofas and Rena Westbrook Rayburn and had been a longtime Blytheville resident before making his home in Manila seven years ago. ...

Carmy Lee Simpkins, 88, passed away Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at his residence. He was born Aug. 18, 1925, to the late William Jefferson and Delilah Blackburn Simpkins. Mr. Simpkins was a retired farmer and of the Church of Christ belief. He served his country proudly in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. He loved to garden, hunt, fish and cook...

Carroll Waddell, 90, of Manila passed from this life, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Greenville, Tenn., Sept. 28, 1923, he was the son of the late Lawrence Vance and Addie Mae Collins Waddell and had been a Manila area resident since 1928. ...

Reid Wilson Hawkins, son of Greg and Crystal Hawkins of Manila, was born Aug. 28, 2013. He weighed eight pounds and two ounces and measured 21 inches. He is the baby brother of Hunter Hawkins, 12, (who shares his birthday) and Evan Hawkins, 7...

Buffalo Island Central took down Augusta 55-39 in 2A-3 senior girls basketball action Tuesday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette. Madison Greathouse led BIC with 14 points while Hannah Poe added 12. ...

Manila senior boys and girls finished off an undefeated week with victories in the Highland Classic Saturday afternoon at Hardy. Thomas Davis led the Lions with 19 points as Manila cruised to a 54-45 victory over Batesville. Zac Riley scored 14 while Scott Eubanks added 13 more to aid the Manila cause...

Manila grabbed an early lead over Riverside and held on the rest of the way to capture the Bay Invitational Tournament Championship with a 39-28 victory in the finals Saturday afternoon at Bay...

Buffalo Island Central scored the last five points of the opening period, breaking a 10-10 tie, and went on to an easy 63-38 victory over archrival Riverside Friday night in 2A-3 conference play at the Mustang Athletic Complex...

For the past several years, Buffalo Island Central has held the upper hand over rival Riverside in senior girls basketball. But Thursday night the Lady Rebels turned the tables, knocking off BIC 56-45 in a key 2A-3 conference matchup at the Mustang Athletic Complex in Monette...

Mrs. Ossie Whirl, 76, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Blytheville, died today in San Antonio.

Mr. R.C. Rayburn, 69, of Manila, formerly of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Mr. Willard Arnold Huff, 88, passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013.

Well, friends, we've made it to Thanksgiving. What an exciting year it's been for me, and I hope for all of you as well.

As the time I have spent on this earth gets longer, I find there is so much more for which I am extremely thankful. With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, I feel it is appropriate for me to express my thanks for at least some of them.

Relay for Life coordinators will be holding an informational meeting for next year's event on Monday, Dec. 2.

The Gosnell School Board took a closer look at the proposed 10-year facilities master plan Monday as it prepares to vote on the final draft in December.

Felisha S. Bell, former executive assistant to Blytheville Mayor James Sanders, is facing charges of theft of property and second-degree forgery following investigations by the Arkansas State Police and the Division of Joint Legislative Audit.

Victor Cerda drained five three pointers on his way to a 25 point performance to propel Riverside to a 64-51 win over Marmaduke in 2A-3 conference basketball action Tuesday night at Lake City...

Manila Lady Lion Kirsten Adcock signed a letter of intent Tuesday, Nov. 19, to play basketball with Harding University. Assistant Superintendent Chris Ferrell welcomed family and guests to the signing ceremony held in the Manila High School gymnasium...

Being a national champion in any sport is quite an accomplishment in and of itself, but being the best at team roping involves a timed competition that relies on the cooperation and skill of cowboys and their horses...

Community United Methodist Church, 3349 West County Road 346, near Manila, will celebrate 50 years of service to the community at 11 a.m. Dec. 8. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch and visiting...

Monette Mayor Chub Qualls presented the Monette City Council with the city's proposed 2014 budget at its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 18. Qualls said that Alderman Dick Pace and Monette Recorder/Treasurer Vickki Carroll had worked on the budget, which includes a 50 cent per hour raise for all city employees except Dana McKuin. ...

In its regular meeting Nov. 18 the Leachville City Council voted to increase its number of fireman from 23 to 25. In January the Leachville Fire Department will be voting whether or not to add three trainees onto its force full time bringing the fire department count up to 23 people. ...

Susan Byrd Robertson addressed Manila City council members presenting plans for a building to house a crematorium. The building will be placed on the back acre of her parent's property on Wildy Road. The building will match the house...

Craighead County Vetearns office staff will host an open house with refreshments from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event will be held at the Craighead County Courthouse Election Annex, 314 Jefferson Avenue, Jonesboro, and is open to area veterans...

The staff at Towell and Sons Auto Sales in Manila honored area veterans with hot dogs, soft drinks and a drawing for a grand prize of $100. Veterans were allowed to sign up for the drawing held last week. The winner was Manila veteran Donnie Wagner...

Monette Manor honored their veterans with a Veterans Day program on Nov. 11. Brother Jerry Reed gave a tribute to America and veterans when he spoke and presented the flag. Wendy Carpenter, activity director, gave a thank you message which honored each veteran and his branch of service...

Fans for both Riverside and Buffalo Island Central wore orange on Friday night at the Mustang Athletic Complex to honor Noah Cook, a 16 year old BIC student who lost his battle to leukemia after a brave two year fight. Noah passed away Nov. 15 at St. Jude Hospital...