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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Thursday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,072 new cases; 9,466 active cases; 666 hospitalized, which is up 4 from Wednesday; 100 on ventilators, which is up 1 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 19, for a total of 1,894; a total of 109,712 cases; 92,172 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,906; antigen tests, 1,241...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Wednesday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 961 new cases; 9,303 active cases; 662 hospitalized, which is down 14 from Tuesday; 99 on ventilators, which is up 5 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 18, for a total of 1,875; a total of 108,640 cases; 91,441 recoveries; PCR tests, 7,105; antigen tests, 1,457...

Among a rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Northeast Arkansas, 11 medical institutions issued a joint statement Monday urging residents of the region to remain diligent in their efforts to slow the spread of the virus. Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Crittenden of West Memphis, Great River Medical Center in Blytheville and South Mississippi County Medical Center in Osceola, Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Walnut Ridge, NEA Baptist Health System of Jonesboro, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University Piggott Community Hospital, St. ...

James David Ross, a Kennett, Mo., businessman, was convicted by a federal jury of defrauding Mississippi County and the state by bribing a landfill director allowing him to dump demolition debris free. The jury began hearing the case on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and it ended on Thursday, Oct. 8, in Little Rock. Ross was convicted on two counts of aiding and abetting honest services mail fraud...

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3 percent in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced Tuesday. The 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. ...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Monday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 612 new cases; 9,571 active cases; 649 hospitalized, which is up 16 from Sunday; 102 on ventilators, which is up 7 from Sunday; deaths added today, 21, for a total of 1,833; a total of 106,727 cases; 89,730 recoveries; PCR tests, 6,965; antigen tests, 641...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Friday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,337 new cases; 9,129 active cases; 624 hospitalized, which is up 12 from Thursday; 99 on ventilators, which is up 3 from Thursday; deaths added today, 10, for a total of 1,782; a total of 104,135 cases; 88,037 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,740; antigen tests, 2,309...

The Rivercrest junior and senior high football games scheduled with Gosnell this week have been canceled. The Rivercrest School District's athletic director is currently searching for another opponent. Information will be shared as it is available.

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Thursday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,202 new cases; 8,730 active cases; 612 hospitalized, which is down 24 from Wednesday; 96 on ventilators, which is down 3 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 21, for a total of 1,772; a total of 102,798 cases; 87,311 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,039; antigen tests, 1,405...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Wednesday's, Oct. 21 update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,155 new cases; 8,520 active cases; 636 hospitalized, which is down 1 from Tuesday; 99 on ventilators, which is down 2 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 23, for a total of 1,751; a total of 101,596 cases; 86,520 recoveries; PCR tests, 8,674; antigen tests, 1,368...

Osceola First Baptist Church will have a drive-thru Candy Grab Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. Children are to be driven to the church where they will be given a bag of candy and treats. Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles.

First Baptist Church in Osceola will host a food box distribution Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 a.m. Those receiving boxes are asked to stay in their vehicle and volunteers will place the box in your trunk or backseat.

A software issue led to some Mississippi County voters casting ballots for the wrong races Monday. According to Mississippi County election coordinator Melisa Logan, the District 55 state representative race — pitting incumbent Rep. Monte Hodges (D-Blytheville) against Republican challenger Gary Tobar — and an Osceola City Council race were affected by a mapping issue in the Election Software System media...

By MARK BRASFIELD NEA Town Courier During Monday’s regular monthly meeting, the Osceola City Council agreed to draw up new contracts for SHIFT, the Museum, Osceola Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Osceola to cover their respective utility bills...

Elkin and Idell Peery Raper celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The couple exchanged vows on Oct. 21, 1942. They have five children and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elkin is a World War II veteran. He served with the Army Engineers in the South Pacific. He later spent 40 years as the farm manager for Wesson Farms...

Tatiunna Burks, of Wilson, was crowned the 51st Rivercrest High School Homecoming Queen Friday evening during the RHS Homecoming ceremony. She is the daughter of Robert Burks, of Wilson, and Coraine and Robert Vornes, of Keiser. She is a two-year letterman for Lady Colts basketball and was awarded the Blocked Shots Award as a sophomore and the Scoring Champion last year. ...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Friday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,015 new cases; 8,609 active cases; 590 hospitalized, which is down 4 from Thursday; 102 on ventilators, which is down 4 from Thursday; deaths added today, 20, for a total of 1,665; a total of 97,539 cases; 83,174 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,066; antigen tests, 3,946...

Governor Asa Hutchinson provided Thursday's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,278 new cases; 8,424 active cases; 594 hospitalized, which is up 7 from Wednesday; 106 on ventilators, which is down 7 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 11, for a total of 1,645; a total of 96,524 cases; 82,529 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,786; antigen tests, 1,094...

Rivercrest School District's Superintendent Sally Bennett has announced that Monday, Oct. 19 will be a blended learning day for students in grades three-12. Bennett stated this means students in third-12th grades will work at home. However, pre-kindergarten-second grades will continue onsite instruction and buses will run as normal...

Attention Seminole Football fans. Due to COVID issues at Harrisburg, the Osceola Sr. Football game Friday night has been cancelled. The Seminoles have scheduled a replacement game. The Seminoles will play at Rivercrest at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Russell Leggett will pass along information on vouchers as soon as it becomes available...

Early voting in South Mississippi County begins Monday, Oct. 19 and runs through Monday, Nov. 2. The early voting location for the following precincts: ANC Burdette, Osceola Luxora, Keiser, Wilson, Joiner, Dyess, Etowah, Bassett and Birdsong, is the Osceola Junior High Cafeteria (current ALE school), 411 W. Lee...

United for a Clean Osceola has two events planned to spruce up the city of Osceola. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the City’s Community Task Force and several businesses are leading the Adopt A Highway effort. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 24, United for a Clean Osceola volunteers will tackle 17 neighborhoods in the city, in an effort to beautify the town...

Local Health Units across Arkansas will stay open later on Tuesdays so that services including flu vaccinations and COVID-19 tests are available after normal business hours. The health units, which are located in every county in the state, will now be open between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays...

Lauren Baugh, a Wilson 4-H member will be the voice of a national radio campaign to promote the importance of pollinators and the role they play in our food supply. 
The campaign will air Oct. 15 in partnership with YouTube stars the Peterson Farm Boys.
...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 654 new cases; 7,839 active cases; 608 hospitalized, which is up 32 from Sunday; 104 on ventilators, which is up 5 from Sunday; deaths added today, 17, for a total of 1,586; a total of 93,487 cases; 80,496 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,089; antigen tests, 705...

The Manila City Hall, Collectors Office and the Revenue Office will be closed until Oct. 19, for sterilization. Water payments and fine payments can be deposited in the night deposit box on the North Side of the City Hall (Olympia Street side).

The City of Wilson and the Bono Family Health Clinic will sponsor a COVID-19 testing and Flu Vaccine clinic on Monday, Oct. 19. The testing and flu clinic will be held in the bus lane of the Hampson Archeological Museum in Wilson. The testing and clinic will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m...

Due to potential rain South Mississippi County Relay for Life has been postponed until Saturday, Oct. 17. This year's relay will be a drive-thru event only for cancer survivors and their families. Those participating may decorate their vehicle in honor of or in memory of their loved ones. The event’s opening lap will be held around the courthouse square. This will symbolize participants victory over cancer...

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,265 new cases; 7,070 active cases; 547 hospitalized, which is up 9 from Wednesday; 103 on ventilators, which is up 5 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 21, for a total of 1,503 ; a total of 90,145 cases; 78,405 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,749; antigen tests, 1,444...

From the desk of Tiffany Morgan, superintendent of Armorel School District: "Important Tiger Update: Unfortunately, we have multiple positive Covid-19 cases and several more with symptoms who either are or have tested and are waiting on results. These numbers affect both high school and elementary students and staff members. ...

Osceola Municipal Light and Power resumed regular shut-offs/disconnects for non-payment on Thursday, according to a City of Osceola Facebook post. “Customers who are unable to pay their bill must contact Customer Service or Stacey Travis at 870-563-5245 immediately to avoid disconnect,” the Wednesday night, Sept. 30 post reads...

Mississippi County Office of Emergency Management director Wayne Reynolds anticipates the county will have enough COVID-19 related expenditures to be reimbursed the full $670,000 allocated by the state for CARES Act funding. During Monday’s special Finance Committee meeting, Reynolds told the board he is currently scanning receipts to submit, with the deadline for submittal set for Dec. 15...

By MARCUS MCCLAIN NEA Town Courier The second annual Cheer for a Cure fundraiser was held Satur- day evening at Gosnell High School and raised over $5,200 for the American Cancer Society to help battle against breast cancer. Various cheer teams from Ar- morel, Blytheville, the Delta School, Gosnell and South Pemis- cot were participants in this year's event...

Osceola School District will begin Blended Learning Wednesdays beginning Oct. 14, for kindergarten-12 Face to Face students and will continue for the remainder of the semester with the last Blended Learning Wednesday on Dec. 16. Regular school hours will remain for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday...

Friday morning a vehicle crashed into the Osceola Post Office. Details of the crash are not available at this time.

BLYTHEVILLE - Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington announced that a Mississippi County Circuit Court found a Blytheville man guilty of killing a woman after he argued over a fast food order in 2019. The seven-woman, five-man jury convicted Andra Crockett, 34, Wednesday of first-degree murder for the March 5, 2019, slaying of Priscilla Aldridge, 37, Ellington said. ...

A message from Rivercrest Superintendent Sally Bennett "This morning the Rivercrest School District received an anonymous call with threatening overtones. The Mississippi County Sheriff's department was contacted, the gates to the campus were closed, and all parking lots were checked...

Public Invited To Luxora Candidate Forum The public is invited to a candidate forum Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Charles Strong Center in Luxora. In attendance will be State Representative Monte Hodges and his opponent Gary Tobar. City of Luxora candidates attending will include:...

Main Street Osceola has been awarded Arkansas Historic Preservation funds to distribute directly to small businesses in the Main Street Osceola district through its mini-grant program. These funds are intended to assist downtown businesses that have been impacted by temporary closures and/or a loss of customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

During the Osceola City Council meeting Sept. 21, the council and Mayor Sally Wilson discussed a report that the city owed some $60,000 to the county landfill. Mayor Wilson told the council that the city wrote a check to the landfill in September, adding if it indeed owed that then someone from the county would have called...

The City of Osceola beat the deadline for a $22,000 grant after the city council approved a measure last Tuesday afternoon during a special meeting. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program approved the city for the grant to rehabilitate 316 West Hale, commonly known as “The Old City Hall/Post Office” building...

Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Osceola High School a $2,500 grant to support youth literacy initiatives. This local grant award it part of more than $4 million in grants awarded this fall to nearly 850 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools across the 46 states that Dollar General serves...

The Rivercrest Homecoming ceremony planned for Friday night has been postponed until the Colts Oct. 16 home game. The Colts football game against Cave City will still be played as scheduled at 7 p.m.

Former Mississippi County Landfill director Wil Allen pled guilty to honest services fraud last Tuesday in federal court in Little Rock, according to court records. Allen was terminated in September 2018 after accusations he and his friend Joe Harlon Hamlett were involved in a scheme which allowed Ross Farms Trucking to dump about 70 loads that were never billed, which amounts to about $20,000. The date of the sentencing hearing has not been released...

Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response. In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,086 new cases; 7,061 active cases; 457 hospitalized, which is down 11 from Wednesday; 97 on ventilators, which is up 7 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 17, for a total of 1,246; a total of 79,049 cases; 68,902 recoveries; PCR tests, 8,405; antigen tests, 1,148...

The Osceola School District announced Wednesday after that due to the overwhelming effect of the COVID-19 virus on normal operation of school and the inability to social distance properly for non-academic activities per the Arkansas Activities Association and the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, Osceola High School will not have any homecoming activities this year...

The Armorel School district announced that two employees (one Elementary staff and one High School staff) tested positive for COVID-19. In a Facebook post published on Saturday, the district stated: “Unfortunately, an Armorel High School employee has tested positive for COVID-19. ...

By Mark Brasfield NEA Town Courier Despite challenges of COVID-19, the city of Osceola is expected to enter the fourth quarter in a good financial position. “Financially, we are very, very strong right now in comparison to where we’ve been,” Osceola Mayor Sally Wilson told the Osceola City Council during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting. “And we’re even better off than we’ve been in the last couple of years. I’ve got to thank the staff, the hard work that they’ve done, I appreciate that.”...

By STEVE KNOX Times Staff After a lifetime of service to South Mississippi County as a physician and nearly 20 years of service as Constable of Carson Lake Township, Dr. Reggie Cullom is seeking a seat on the County Quorum Court. “I feel like South Mississippi County needs better representation on the quorum court,” said Cullom when asked why he is seeking the seat. “I feel like my knowledge and contacts inside and outside the county can be of great benefit to our citizens.”...

The Town of Wilson would like to remind its citizens as autumn is upon them and leaves begin to fall, the town begins 2020 with a new service. The town has a leaf vacuum and leaf pick-up is on Tuesdays. Citizens are asked to rake leaves to the edge of their yard and do not put them in the street. If leaves are placed in the street they can impede the flow of water and the flow of traffic...