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Jonesboro Man Who Instructed Young Girls to Self-Harm, Drink Toilet Water, and Film Child Pornography Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison (7/26/24)LITTLE ROCK—Justin Lee Palmer, who “coached” young girls who were anorexic and encouraged them to self-harm and film child pornography, will spend 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Thursday by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker...
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JA Golf tournament (7/24/24)Junior Auxiliary of South Mississippi County will hold its annual JA Golf Tournament Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4 at the Osceola Municipal Golf Course. A silent auction will be set up in the pro shop at the golf course beginning Monday, July 29. The silent auction is open to the public...
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It’s Been 10 Years! July 2014: Big River Steel Closes The Deal (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor It has been 10 years since Big River Steel LLC announced the official closing on the financing necessary to build its $1.3 billion steel mill in Osceola. The late John Correnti, BRS’s first CEO, said at the time, “It’s truly been a team effort between our investors, local and state leadership, our management team, and many others to get to this point. ...
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Philanthropy plays a huge role in BRS’s mission (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff Since its inception, Big River Steel, now a part of U. S. Steel, has given back to Osceola and South Mississippi County. It is evident being a strong, dependable community partner plays a big part of the steel-making giant’s commitment to the area...
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New houses subdivision builds in Osceola (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND - Times Editor Located south of W. Keiser Avenue, Riverback Estates is a new subdivision being built by Olympus Construction between I-55 and Country Club Road. A few of the homes have already been sold and others are up for sale, while construction continues...
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Real Estate moves all across Mississippi County (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff In what was a stagnant real estate market for more than two decades, new and existing homes are moving at a rapid pace all across Mississippi County. On the South end of the county and across the lake in Manila, new construction is occurring at a pace not seen since the 1990s...
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“Work Here Live Here” programs create first time homeowners (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor While leaders in Mississippi County would love to see a population growth, local industries would also like their workers to live close to the workplace. With this in mind, the Grow Mississippi County Foundation was formed. The program, in a sense, pays workers to live in the county...
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Holiday Inn builds 4-story hotel in Osceola (7/24/24)Holiday Inn to be built in Kemmons Wilson’s hometown Jeff Magness, with Magness Oil Company, Magness Hospitality, LLC and AM&M Hotel LLC of Mountain Home, is building a four-story Holiday Inn in Osceola. Construction is nearing completion just off of Highway 140 near the Interstate 55 exit. ...
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Local businesses feel positive affects of steel industry (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff Since Big River Steel announced in 2014 the financing of the deal to bring the new multi-billion dollar mini mill to Osceola, local retail businesses have felt a positive impact. Since that time, thousands of construction workers, team members of Big River Steel and workers in related industries have spent their money in the retail establishments here and throughout the county...
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BRS, Kennemore bring the Belews home (7/24/24)By DAVID PIERCE Times Staff You can’t tell the story of Brad and Kelly Belew and Brad’s employment at Big River Steel without including one of the more prominent characters. Many called him Dickie; folks in Osceola referred to him as Mayor but Kelly knew him as Dad...
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God carves path to BRS for Lucius family (7/24/24)By DAVID PIERCE Times Staff Aaron Lucius often stood atop the roof of Viskase and gazed just south watching as the Big River Steel site was being constructed. As he contemplated his career path, it seems only fitting that Lucius sought counsel from the ‘Man upstairs’...
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Littleton reaps rewards at BRS (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff Karis Littleton, of Osceola, is very appreciative of the opportunity he received some eight months ago when he was hired as a team member at Big River Steel. The 43-year-old Littleton leapt at the opportunity to go to work for the steel company when they called...
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Love story begins at BRS (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor Big River Steel has been life-changing for one Osceola girl.. in more ways than one. Not only did Nonnie Cook begin a great career in the steelmaking business in 2016, but she also met her future husband her first week on the job...
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BRS gives OHS graduate the opportunity to return home to raise her family (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor Growing up in Osceola, Taneda Stevenson never expected to one day be raising her family here. Thanks to her job at Big River Steel that is exactly what she is doing and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Born in Blytheville, Stevenson is an “Osceola girl”. She is the daughter of Shanna Stevenson and Rodney Stevenson...
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Honorary Seminole buys a new truck (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor Kevin McGowan is an import from the Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area, but 13 years later he is an honorary Seminole. With a smile on his face, the Big River Steel Shipping Supervisor said he loves all sports and is proud to now be a Seminole...
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“Country Boy”: Proud to be part of BRS’ story (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor Peter Salley is one of the “hard-working, country boys” John Correnti was always talking about. Born in Eupora, Miss., Salley grew up working in his family’s carpentry business. He fell in love as a young boy and married his high school sweetheart Mandy. The couple began their family and life was good...
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Hawkins proves hard work pays off (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff OSCEOLA - Debarrious Hawkins, Sr., 29, grew up in Osceola and attended school in the city, graduating from Osceola High School in 2013. The third of seven children raised by single mother Taleisha Taylor, Hawkins endured some tough times growing up...
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$1.2 million grant launches Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp (7/24/24)On Aug. 7, 2023, the Arkansas Northeastern College released the following press release announces the Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp: “A $1.2 million grant from the Arkansas Office of Skills Development (OSD) to Arkansas Northeast College (ANC) is helping to create the Arkansas Steelmaking Bootcamp. ...
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ANC announces country’s only Steel Tech Academy for high school students (7/24/24)On Nov. 11, 2022, Arkansas Northeastern College issued the following press release announcing the institution’s new Steel Tech Academy. “Exciting news for Arkansas high school students! The U.S. Steel Corporation through Big River Steel and Entergy Arkansas have entered into a partnership with the Arkansas Northeastern College to support their efforts to train students through the country’s only Steel Tech Academy for high school students...
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ANC provides training for new steel mill workers (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor John Correnti told this editor he built Big River Steel in Osceola because he knew “good ole farm boys and girls” would work hard and become great steelmakers. He did, however, know they would have to be trained and he was counting on Arkansas Northeastern College to rise to the challenge. And, that’s exactly what it did...
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Brand says the future looks bright for Osceola (7/24/24)“It’s a game changer,” said Osceola City Council Member Sandra Brand. “That’s why I chose “game changer” as the theme for this special edition. “When the mechanical cotton picker displaced workers in the 1960s, the late Harold Ohlendorf recruited American Greetings to save the families of the Delta. And, it worked!...
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Walker could not have imagined her council votes would change lives of grandsons (7/24/24)“Big River Steel worked out better than I thought I would,” said Jeanette Walker, who served on the Osceola City Council in 2014 and worked to bring BRS to her hometown. “So many projects that came to this area, such as Blue Oak, were blown out of proportion,” Walker said. They never panned out after being promoted as being the next big thing...
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Joe Guy says BRS is big asset (7/24/24)“Big River Steel is having a huge impact on the community,” said Osceola City Council Member Joe Guy. “The high paying jobs the people of this community are obtaining there is life changing. The additional jobs available make Osceola the ideal place to live, work and play. Big River Steel is a big asset and draw for this community. As an elected official, I am excited about the opportunity for growth Big River Steel is affording this community.”...
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Dave Wallace offers “thanks” (7/24/24)State Senator Dave Wallace offers thanks to BRS for choosing Mississippi County. “Big River Steel has been an economic miracle for all of Mississippi County, especially South Mississippi County,” Wallace told The Times. “It has provided jobs for our children and grandchildren and its continued growth assures the people in Mississippi County the opportunity to find good paying jobs in our own backyard. I deeply admire their operation and thank them for coming to the county.”...
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Cooper says BRS has huge impact on workforce (7/24/24)“I am grateful for Big River and all of the companies that came here because of them,” said Osceola Council Member Gary Cooper, when asked about the impact of Big River Steel on the Osceola community. “It has pumped a lot of money into the local economy,” Cooper explained. ...
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Dunegan reflects on impact of BRS (7/24/24)“Big River Steel has profoundly impacted Osceola and the surrounding region, significantly boosting our local economy,” said Osceola Council Member Tyler Dunegan. “The most notable effect has been well paying job creation, not only within BRS itself but also across the ancillary industries and businesses that have located here to support its operations. ...
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Watson grateful local residents are receiving jobs (7/24/24)“I have served on the Osceola City Council for more than 24 years and I have not seen anything have as big of an impact as BRS,” said Council Member Linda Watson. “The steel mill is putting people in my ward to work. For the first time, young men and women in Osceola have the chance to stay at home and make really good money. Some of them are buying houses for the first time in their lives...
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– Great River Economic Development Foundation – Chitwood works to lay solid groundwork (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor A history buff whose roots run deep in the Delta soil, Clif Chitwood has dedicated the past 23 years of his life to the economic redevelopment of Mississippi County. From Cotton to Steel, Chitwood has been on the ground floor of every project since 2001. ...
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Osceola citizens pass one-cent Quality of Life tax (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff The citizens of Osceola went to the polls and overwhelmingly passed a one cent sales tax for quality of life initiatives during a special election held Nov. 14, 2023. In the months leading up to the special election, city leaders met with citizens to develop a framework for improvements to be made in the city...
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– Mayor Joe Harris, Jr. – Osceola attracts world attention (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor Osceola Mayor Joe Harris, Jr. is committed to continuing the mission he shared with his good friend the late Mayor Dickie Kennemore. Born and raised in Osceola, both men had a vision of what their hometown could become...
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Local leaders fight to bring BRS to Osceola (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor It was a big day in Little Rock way back in January 2013 when then Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe held a press conference to announce a “big deal” was coming to Mississippi County. Its a “pretty good deal” for Osceola, Mississippi County and Arkansas, said Gov. Beebe before introducing “the boss” and chief executive officer of Big River Steel, John Correnti of Blytheville...
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From Cotton to Steel: The legacy continues (7/24/24)By SANDRA BRAND Times Editor From cotton to steel. Mississippi County, Arkansas is now the “steel capital” of the world and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. What was once the largest cotton producing county in the United States is now the largest steel producing county...
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Trooper TVI ends high-speed pursuit of stolen vehicle (7/24/24)WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — On Saturday, July 20, at approximately 11:36 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) pursued a black 2021 Ford Mustang that witnesses reported driving recklessly and nearly causing collisions. The pursuit occurred as the vehicle disregarded the motoring public, passing through the Broadway Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive (MLK) intersection in West Memphis at speeds over 100 miles an hour...
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Master Millwright inaugural graduates honored (7/24/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Senior leadership from Lexicon, Inc., Arkansas Northeastern College and Mississippi County came together to recognize the state’s first graduates from Lexicon’s master millwright program. The celebratory luncheon and ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville on Friday, July 19...
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School supply giveaway planned (7/24/24)Real Ministries, 1122 W. Keiser Ave., Suite 21, Osceola will hold its annual Back-to-School Supply Giveaway Aug. 3. The giveaway will begin at 12 p.m.. There will be backpacks, school supplies, food and prize giveaways. Everything is free and open to kindergarten-high school aged students...
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Arkansas Democratic delegates vote to endorse Kamala Harris (7/24/24)The Democratic Party of Arkansas announced Tuesday its delegation to the Democratic National Convention has voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. The delegation met virtually Monday night and voted unanimously to make public their intent to support Vice President Harris at the national convention in August...
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Biden withdraws from race (7/24/24)By STEVE KNOX and JOSEPH FONDREN President Joseph Biden issued a statement via X on Sunday he was ending his bid for re-election to the nation’s highest office. Biden, who had already wrapped up a sure first ballot nod to be the Democratic Party nominee for the office he currently holds, made the move just over three weeks after what has been called “a poor performance” in the June 28 debate in Atlanta, GA between he and Republican nominee Donald Trump...
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President Biden withdraws from race! (7/21/24)
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9-year-old boy has been found safe (7/19/24)Kasson McClure, 9, has been reported missing from the Little Rock area. He is described as a black male 4 foot 1 inches tall and weighing 90 pounds. He has short brown hair and brown eyes. Kasson (pronounced like Jason with a K) was last seen near 3009 Malloy Street, walking toward 30th Street. He was wearing a light blue shirt and black shorts...
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Lexicon, Inc. Celebrates Inaugural Class of Master Millwright Program Graduates (7/19/24)BLYTHEVILLE, Ark., (July 19, 2024) – Today, senior leadership from Lexicon, Inc., Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) and Mississippi County recognized the state’s first graduates from Lexicon’s master millwright program during a celebratory luncheon and ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville. The program is the only one of its kind in the state...
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CONSUMER ALERT: Beware Fraudulent Callers Claiming to be Law Enforcement Officers (7/18/24)LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement warning Arkansans about a common scam in which callers claim to be a law enforcement officer and demand payment to resolve an alleged criminal matter: “I have received reports of an uptick in fraudulent phone calls to Arkansans involving scammers representing themselves as law enforcement officers. ...
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Highway 181 to temporarily close in Keiser (7/17/24)Highway 181 will be closed from Highway 140 (West Keiser Avenue) to Interstate 55 (I-55) in Keiser around the clock beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, July 22 and continuing until 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. Weather permitting, the closure will allow crews to replace the bridge over Ditch Number 47 on Highway 181...
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Man injured from bullet fragment (7/17/24)Blytheville, AR – On Tuesday, July 16, officers of the Blytheville Police Department were notified by Great River Medical Emergency Room staff that a subject had arrived at the ER stating he had been “shot” in the head. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the victim was outside his home in the 2400 block of Carolyn with his dogs. ...
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Personnel Committee quickly takes care of business (7/17/24)By Joseph Fondren NEA Town Courier Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Personnel Committee met for a little over four minutes Monday afternoon to change a job title and position in the County Assessor’s office from mapper to real estate assessor...
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Ground breaking for water project (7/17/24)The City of Luxora held a ground breaking June 17 for the city’s new water project. Pictured are Councilman Victory, Bruce Fowler, Raymond Richmond, Councilman Talley, Treasurer Joanna Johnson, Tony Byrd, Arthur Watts, Susan Rolland and Josh Tinn construction...
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Second attempt at setting Mayor’s spending power fails (7/17/24)By DAVID PIERCE Times Staff For the second month in a row, the Osceola City Council couldn’t agree on the language in an ordinance setting the mayor’s spending power. And the ordinance failed on its second reading, 3-2 – Councilman Linda Watson was absent. The measure would raise the mayor’s spending limit to $25,000 – up from $5,000 without bidding...
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Leaders response to attempted assassination of Donald Trump (7/17/24)By STEVE KNOX and JOSEPH FONDREN The response to the attempt on the life of Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump Saturday evening in Pennsylvania has drawn reaction from leaders from across the region. “Our hearts are heavy with the news of the tragic shooting at the rally in Butler, PA. ...
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Arkids Pediatric to host backpack give-away (7/17/24)Arkids Pediatric Day Centers, 447 S. Country Club Rd., Osceola will hold a drive-thru backpack give-away Saturday, July 20. The give-away will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. There will be backpacks, school supplies and snacks. The event is free and open to the public...
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Turrell man arrested in sexual indecency case (7/15/24)Osceola police have arrested a Turrell man on sexual indecency charges. Demario Dorsey, 20, was arrested and charged with sexual indecency with a child. The OPD received a hotline notification on Jan. 29 of an incident involving Dorsey and a 14-year-old juvenile...
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Biden asks the nation for unity, promises security review after Trump shooting (7/15/24)By ARIANA FIGUEROA States Newsroom WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden Sunday called for unity and pledged an independent review following the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday where former President Donald J. Trump was shot and injured...