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Little Rock author visits Blytheville Book CompanyBy REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Little Rock author Frank Thurmond held a meet and greet book signing at Blytheville Book Company on Saturday, May 4, with his historical fiction novel, “Lottie Deno: A Novel of the Civil War and the American Southwest”. It is set in the reconstruction-era Texas and is based on a true character. Thurmond discovered Lottie Deno while doing research on another historical figure that shares his name...
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Clay Walker to perform May 18 in Osceola (5/10/24)Country music star Clay Walker will headline the 24th Annual Osceola Heritage Musicfest slated for May 17-18. Walker will take the stage Saturday night at 8:30! There's more to the duality of Clay Walker's debut Show Dog Nashville album Texas To Tennessee than the title. ...
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Five arrests made in April 21 shooting (5/10/24)Five Hayti men have been arrested in connection with the April shooting death of a Caruthersville teenage in Blytheville. On Sunday, April 21, officers with the Blytheville Police Department responded to the 100 Block South Division Street in reference to a male subject being shot. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, Kohnali Hunt,18, of Caruthersville, MO...
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Arkansas natives honored at U.S. Capitol (5/10/24)By Senator John Boozman The U.S. Capitol is home to many historic artifacts and unique works of art. It is sometimes referred to as a shrine to America, and for good reason – from the architecture to the work that takes place inside, it embodies the story of our country like nothing else could...
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Tenaris awards $112,000 in scholarships to Miss. Co. seniors (5/10/24)Houston, Texas - Tenaris has awarded $112,000 in scholarships to Mississippi County high school seniors on the 10th anniversary of the company’s Merit Award program. The company recognized 45 high school students from Armorel, Blytheville, Gosnell, KIPP, Manila, Osceola and Rivercrest high schools for their academic performance during a ceremony held May 8 at the Arkansas Northeastern College Center for Technology...
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Summer Food Service program announced (5/8/24)Blytheville Community Samaritan Ministry is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service...
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Dr. Jones given national honor (5/8/24)Dr. Matthew Jones with Family Eye Care in Blytheville and Osceola has been named the “2024 Optometrist of the Year” by the American Optometric Association.
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New business welcomed with ribbon-cutting (5/8/24)Madilynn’s Scholar Academy was welcomed to Manila with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The new daycare is located at 217 Concord Ave. in Manila and is owned by Brandi and Joshua St. Laurent, newcomers to Mississippi County. The couple moved their family to Manila in September. They are originally from South Carolina. Joshua is employed by Thompson Construction and is working on the new facility for Big River Steel...
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Blytheville Main Street business gets new look (5/8/24)Dave Russell, owner of Russell’s Sales at 203 West Main Street, Blytheville, has had new awnings placed across the front of his business. The two-month project was recently completed. Russell has been at the same location since 1987. Through the years he expanded and purchased the two adjoining buildings, Pastime Pool Hall and Guard’s Jewelry...
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Monette observes third annual National Day of Prayer (5/8/24)Monette observed its third annual National Day of Prayer at 12 noon on Thursday, May 2, at the Monette Senior Center at 504 S. Williams Avenue. Site director Jerrie Stewart led the program, which consisted of special prayers from city leaders and special music...
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National Day of Prayer celebrated in Blytheville (5/8/24)Blytheville Ministerial Alliance partnered with the city of Blytheville to celebrate the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2. The event was organized as a “Prayer Walk” but due to the rain, the Blytheville Ministerial Alliance decided to move the prayer event inside the Education Center of New Mount Olive M.B.C. which is under the leadership of Rev. Doug Echols, Sr...
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Blytheville Health Department holds open house (5/8/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Mississippi County Blytheville Health Department staff held an open house on Monday, May 6, welcoming guests to join them in the celebration of the newly renovated unit. Christine Smith, administrator for the Blytheville and Osceola Health Departments, along with the Blytheville staff welcomed guests and gave tours of the facility...
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Blytheville School Board spends nearly three hours in executive session (5/8/24)By JOSEPH FONDREN NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Blytheville School board held a special meeting Monday night at the Blytheville Administration Building where board president Desmond Hammett began the meeting calling for an executive session for the purposes of “an employee matter”...
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New hotels to build in Blytheville (5/8/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE — Blytheville’s building inspector Rick Ash announced several upcoming business additions to the city, including three new hotels, at Tuesday Lion’s Club meeting Ash explained citizens often hear rumors of businesses “six months” before he finds out...
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Blytheville banker appointed to National Council for Community Bank Leaders (5/7/24)American Bankers Association has selected Randy Scott, President and CEO of Farmers Bank and Trust to serve on ABA’s Community Bankers Council. ABA’s Community Bankers Council, which meets twice a year, is made up of approximately 100 bankers from across the country from institutions with generally less than $5 billion in assets. Members are appointed by the ABA chair...
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Acts of Hope to host grand reopening (5/7/24)The Acts of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, 525 N. 10th St., Blytheville will hold a grand reopening Monday, May 13. The event will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Participants will be able to meet the new director Nicole Eskin. The center is now accepting new baby clothes and diapers size zero-3T...
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Small business workshop planned (5/7/24)Small business owners and those who are interested in starting their own small business in Mississippi County will have an opportunity to attend a free consulting session through the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Center (ASBTDC) at Arkansas State University...
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MCAEOC hosts leadership conference (5/7/24)Mississippi County, Arkansas, Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc. (MCAEOC) hosted their second annual Blytheville High School Leadership Conference on May 2, 2024. Guest speaker, George Purnell, owner of Geofastfit, gave a warm speech on persevering through tough times in life...
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TNR to hold Battle for the Chickasaws (5/7/24)By STEVE KNOX Sports Connection Team BLYTHEVILLE - Saturday night the lights will illuminate Historic Hailey Field in Blytheville as TNR Championship Wrestling will present the Battle for the Chickasaws. The wrestling event is being presented to benefit the Blytheville Chickasaws Baseball program...
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2024 Mayfest set for Saturday (5/7/24)Main Street Blytheville will present the 2024 Mayfest on Saturday, May 11. The festival will be held in historic downtown Blytheville from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There are more than 80 vendors signed up for this year’s festival. Food trucks, live music, karaoke and petting zoo will be on hand...
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Leachville Beautification Corp. has a busy day (5/4/24)“Last Saturday was a great day for the community.” The Leachville Beautification Corporation presented a $2,500 paint job to The Leachville Foundation, Inc.’s Food Bank. Jo Ann Puckett Cardin accepted the donation and even posed for a picture! “We’d like to thank Board President and LBC Founder Jerred Price and Board Members Whitlee Adams McDermott and Brannah Bibbs for stepping up to help paint,” Cardin said. ...
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Cinco de Mayo celebrated at ANC (5/4/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier ANC Center for Allied Technologies hosted a drop-in celebration in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo on Thursday, May 2 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Guests enjoyed food, music and had the opportunity to meet with several agencies offering information on available services. ...
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BIC Journalism students receive numerous awards (5/4/24)BIC Journalism students under the direction of Emily Carter received numerous awards from the 2024 Arkansas Scholastic Press Association. Students and their awards are: Christa Austin: Business Manager of the Year-1st Runner Up; Yearbook Writer of the Year;...
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OEM works to improve radio communications (5/4/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— John Willard, Director of the Mississippi County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and E911, was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Blytheville Lions Club weekly meeting at the Blytheville Country Club. Willard gave an update on the department since he took the position last October. ...
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June 3 trial date set in Hammett case (5/4/24)By SANDRA BRAND - NEA Town Courier Editor Blytheville School Board President Desmond Fredric Hammett is facing a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge in Crittenden County. He appeared in West Memphis District Court on April 16 with District Judge Fred Thorne presiding. The judge set Hammett’s trial for June 3 at 1:30 p.m. in the same court...
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Blytheville School Board draws standing room only crowd (5/4/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Blytheville School Board of education meeting on Tuesday night drew a large, standing room only, crowd. All board members, Barbara Wells, Ricky Jefferson, Tobye Johnson, Billy Fair, Desmond Hamlett, Judy Beaugard, Venita Nichols and Erin Carrington, were present...
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Author greets visitors/ holds first book signing (5/3/24)E.B. Haverly, a young author, greeted visitors at her booth at Manila’s Blazin’ BBQ. Haverly lives in Manila and recently published her first book of the Vespera series. Vespera is a fantasy adventure story. Haverly has been writing since she was 15 and actually wrote Vespera several years ago. She said she was reluctant to have it published and waited three years. She has had a very good response and is happy to have it out to the public. She recently held her first book signing in Jonesboro...
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Youth group growing learning skills for life (5/3/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Naked Truth Training & Empowerment Center youth group is learning more than just book knowledge. They are getting their hands dirty as they work beside an experienced gardener, Mr. Ronald Mathis, to learn about raising vegetables...
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Annie The Musical comes to ANC (5/3/24)Annie the Musical will be presented live at the ANC Adams/Vine Auditorium at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Tickets may be purchased at the door for general admission or VIP tickets on the website. Annie is being directed by Kaitlyn Woodall with Studio 42 & Co. ...
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Upcoming Events (5/3/24)Saturday, May 4: –Leachville Fire Department will host a TNR Championship wrestling fundraiser, “Fight for the Fourth,” at the Leachville ballpark. Gates will open at 5 p.m. All proceeds will go to help fund the Fourth of July fireworks display. –A Summer soiree 2024, a dinner, auction and live entertainment fundraiser benefiting The Butterfly House Transitional Living Home. ...
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Farmers Bank announces new community program (5/3/24)Randy Scott, President and CEO of Farmers Bank, recently announced a new initiative aimed at fostering community involvement and philanthropy among its employees. With a commitment to supporting the local community, Farmers Bank launched a donation matching program, empowering employees to contribute to the Mississippi County nonprofit organizations of their choice...
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Humane Society offers spay program (5/3/24)The City of Blytheville Animal Services in collaboration with the Blytheville Humane Society has proclaimed May as the city’s official Spay and Neuter month. Blytheville City Ordinance 1743 states that all animals are required to be spayed or neutered unless a breeder’s license is obtained from the city collector’s office...
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Manila Healthcare Center breaks ground on new center (5/3/24)MANILA — Manila Healthcare Center broke ground on Wednesday morning on the Manila Nursing Center in Manila. Located along Highway 18, this 84-bed facility will offer skilled nursing, as well as inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to surrounding communities...
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Manila Schools send two OM teams to world (5/1/24)Saturday April 13 was a big day for Odyssey of the Mind in Manila. The program, which is only three years old, is sending two teams to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Ames, IA this year. The program had teams competing from Manila Elementary school and Manila High School in this year’s Arkansas State Finals...
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Upcoming Community Events... (5/1/24)Thursday, May 2: –The Blytheville Ministerial Alliance invites the community to a prayer walk in recognition of the National Day of Prayer. The event will be held starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. It will start at the New Mt. Olive MB Church, 534 Maple and West Rose Street, Blytheville. For more information contact Pastor Willie D. Williams, Jr., at 870-740-8489...
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Chickasawba Masonic Lodge annual barbecue sells out (5/1/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Chickasawba Masonic Lodge #134 held its annual barbecue at the lodge hall at 200 E. Davis Street over the weekend and sold out for the second straight year. Members of the lodge began preparing Thursday night; on Friday they cooked 250 Boston butts; and finished Saturday morning cooking 150 ribs before opening to the public...
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AWS launches new chapter at ANC event (5/1/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Lexicon, Inc. hosted the American Welding Society (AWS) Leadership luncheon in conjunction with National Welding Month. The event was held on April 29, at the ANC Center for Allied Technologies at the Blytheville campus...
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Author comes to Blytheville (5/1/24)There will be a meet and greet the author Frank Thurmond at Blytheville Book Company on Saturday, May 4, starting at 10 a.m. Thurmond’s books include Before I Sleep: A Memoir of Travel; Reconciliation; Ring of Five; A Novella and Four Stories; and Remember and Other Poems...
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Change in location announced for Blytheville Prayer Walk (5/1/24)The Blytheville Ministerial Alliance will host the National Day of Prayer with a prayer walk beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. There has been a change in the starting location. The prayer walk will begin at the New Mt. Olive MB Church at 534 Maple and West Rose Street in Blytheville. Pastor is Doug Echols. It was originally announced it would start at the Pentecostal Power Church, Inc...
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Malik Dority found guilty (5/1/24)By SANDRA BRAND NEA Town Courier Editor In what could be called a very emotional trial, a jury of his peers found Maleke (aka Malik) Dority, 27, of Blytheville guilty of first degree murder in connection with the Jan. 17, 2023 shooting death of his cousin, Dandre Whitfield, 25, also of Blytheville...
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Area Drug Courts receive financial assistance (4/30/24)Administrative Office of the Courts officials presented a $105,025 award to the Adult Drug Courts in the Second Judicial Circuit on Tuesday, April 23. A check for $28,899 was presented to Judge Melissa Richardson for Craighead County; $21,782 - Judge Charles Mooney, Jr.; $21,727 - Judge Mary Broadaway; $16,448 - Judge Dan Ritchey; and $16,169 - Judge Charles Mooney, Jr. for Poinsett County...
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Three men sought in Cherry Tree Mart Robbery (4/30/24)By STEVE KNOX Osceola Times BLYTHEVILLE - The Blytheville Police Department is seeking three back males in connection with the Sunday evening robbery of the Cherry Tree Mart. BPD officers responded to a call about an aggravated robbery at approximately 6:30 p.m. and spoke with the store clerk...
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Terry Hall to stand trial for murder of Dandre Whitfield (4/30/24)By SANDRA BRAND NEA Town Courier Editor Terry Lamont Hall, Jr., 29, of Blytheville, was set to stand trial for the Jan. 17, 2023 murder of Dandre Whitfield this past week, but he received a continuance until July. Hall is now scheduled for a motion and plea day on July 1 and a jury trial July 22-26...
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Blytheville Lions Club - Ministerial Alliance president shares mission (4/27/24)The Blytheville Lions Club welcomed guest speaker Pastor Willie D. Williams, Jr., president of the Blytheville Ministerial Alliance, at the Tuesday, April 23 meeting. Lion Danny Pankey introduced Williams, two term president of the Blytheville Ministerial Alliance, commending him for the job he does with the Ministerial Alliance and the community...
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Monette council accepts policeman’s resignation (4/27/24)By NAN SNIDER Special to the NEA Town Courier Monette City Council met Monday evening and accepted the resignation of policeman Ryan Kelems effective April 19. Lance Davis was hired as the third full-time police officer, at a starting salary of $38,000. Davis is not certified but will soon be attending the Police Academy for training. Benefits will be increased after certification...
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BIC Principal Kima Stewart announces retirement (4/27/24)By NAN SNIDER Special to the NEA Town Courier Buffalo Island Central Elementary Principal Kima Stewart announced her retirement to the school board Thursday evening stating, “I am not leaving the work force as I plan to assist my daughter Savannah as she realizes her professional dream with the opening of her private orthodontic practice, Stewart Orthodontic Studio, in Jonesboro.”...
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Green energy still powers quorum court discussions (4/27/24)By DAVID PIERCE NEA Town Courier Nearly 60 days into a 180-day moratorium halting new construction of solar fields in Mississippi County, the quorum court unanimously passed an ordinance allowing Next Era Energy to move forward with its three projects...
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Dority found guilty (4/26/24)A jury of his peers has just found Malik Dority, 27, of Blytheville, guilty of first degree murder in connection with the Jan. 17, 2023 shooting death of his cousin, Dandre Whitfield, 25, also of Blytheville. There is a co-defendant in this case and the jury did not find that Dority was in possession of or used a firearm during the incident...
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Farmers in the Dell to hold sale (4/26/24)Farmers in the Dell Relay for Life team will hold a garage and bake sale on Saturday, April 27, at 149 Highway 18, Dell, from 7 a.m. until noon. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. There will be lots of great bargains and delicious baked goods all for a good cause...
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Prayer Walk set for May 2 (4/26/24)The Blytheville Ministerial Alliance invites the community to a prayer walk in recognition of the National Day of Prayer. The event will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2. It will start at the Pentecostal Power Church, Inc. Everlasting Truth, 1905 West Main, the former Save-A-Lot building in Blytheville. Pastor is Bishop Johnson Stone...