Stories from Wednesday, March 6, 2019

A few years ago we ran a series titled “101 Reasons to Feel Good About Where We Live.” The 39th Annual ESA St. Jude Radio/Cable-thon would have been a perfect fit after raising $213,845 over the weekend for the charitable children’s hospital. ESA always does an outstanding job organizing the event, and Nucor comes through year after year helping make it a success, contributing $133,424 to the cause on Saturday...

We will need to "spring forward" one hour for Daylight Saving Time on Saturday night. Don't forget to move your clock forward before you go to bed because Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10. You do not want to be late all day. I am sure some people like Daylight Savings Time and others will not. I suppose it depends on if you are a morning or a night person...

To the editor: Experienced business people make the best administrators. They are skilled in assessing and logically setting priorities for needed projects. They understand that planning and accountability are key factors to controlling costs and quality of services that ensure projects are completed on time and on budget...

Kyle Thrasher was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, allowing Buffalo Island Central to score the winning run as the Mustangs opened their 2019 baseball season with a 9-8 victory over East Poinsett County Wednesday afternoon at Monette...

Manila opened the 2019 baseball season by routing Sloan Hendrix 15-2 Friday at Lion Field. The Lions took a 2-0 lead after the first inning before exploding for six runs in the second to take an 8-0 advantage. Greyhound Logan Dail blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to cut the Manila lead to 8-2, but the Lions put the game away, scoring seven times in the bottom of the frame...

LITTLE ROCK— The Gosnell Pirates were defeated 6-2 over the weekend by the Pulaski Academy Bruins. The Bruins scored six runs on eight hits. PA led 4-0 after the second inning. The Pirates scored two runs in the top of the fourth and the Bruins scored the final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. ...

Riverside’s Lady Rebels defied the odds and silenced their critics at Saturday night’s Class 2A state semifinal game at Carlisle. Lotti Hoffman knifed through the Earle defense to score what proved to be the winning basket with 8.8 seconds left, lifting the Lady Rebels to a stunning and thrilling 49-47 victory over the defending state champs...

Last Friday, Mississippi County Judge John Alan Nelson invited judges, attorneys and several county elected officials to the Arkansas Northeastern College-Burdette Center, more commonly known as the Cotton Boll Technical Center, to see if a temporary courtroom could be set up in the facility...

Work began on the sinkhole repair at Lockard and Hollywood Streets in Blytheville on Monday. Crews expect the work to be completed by Friday.

Riverside School board members discussed and voted on a resolution for a no poll election in the May School board election at the Monday, March 4, meeting. Superintendent Jeff Priest said because there are no contested races or ballot issues the district can choose to elect early voting and absentee voting only. Priest said Greg Smith is the only seat up for election and he has no opposition. By electing with early votes and absentee votes, it will save the district money...

A special called Manila City Council meeting was held Monday, March 4. Council approved the first round of raises for city employees. The council approved a $1 an hour raise for city employees Joe Chipman, Kenny Tune, Don Skaggs and Michael Skaggs. Mayor Wagner said they will look at other employee raises at the next meeting...

Blytheville police believe a relative may be involved in a shooting on West Ash that claimed the life of a Blytheville woman and injured a Blytheville man late Tuesday night. According to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson, 37-year-old Priscilla Aldridge perished from her injuries; 37-year-old Kelvin Thomas is in stable condition...

Marsha (Renee) Bell, 69, of Batesville passed away Monday, March 4, 2019. She was born Jan. 4, 1950 in Blytheville to Guy and Mary Jane Bourland. Renee loved the Lord Jesus Christ and that love was mirrored in her love for her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Charles Dillard Bell...

Blytheville police are searching for 33-year-old Andra Crockett in connection with Tuesday night's shooting death of 37-year-old Priscilla Aldridge on West Ash. Kelvin Thomas, 37, who was also shot, is in stable condition. The incident apparently stemmed from an argument over a fast food order...