News

The filing period for municipal offices began at noon Wednesday and will remain open until Wednesday, Aug, 5 at noon. The Osceola City Council Wards 1-3, Position 2 up for election, according to the Mississippi County Clerk’s office. As for city council positions, incumbents Linda Watson (Ward 1), Sandra Brand (Ward 2) and Tyler Dunegan (Ward 3) informed the NEA Town Courier that all three plan to file for reelection...

On Friday, the Osceola City Council’s Public Works committee discussed several issues, including drainage in the city. Osceola is working with the railroad and Arkansas Department of Transportation on flooding issues on the east side of the railroad...

With the prospect of 1,000s of the state’s young people taking part in distance learning during the upcoming school year, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Monday he is committing $10 million from the Governor’s Education Relief (GEER) fund to purchase approximately 20,000 WiFi ac- cess devices with data plans for schools across the state...

A report published in a Central Arkansas newspaper has drawn the ire of Osceola School District Superintendent Alfred Hogan. The article, printed in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette states that eight Osceola High School football players were exposed to the COVID19 virus during drills the week of July 16...

This morning at approximately 7 a.m., officers of the Osceola Police Department responded to 287 Country Club Road, Harris Healthcare, in response to a complaint that shots had been fired. Upon arrival, officers made contact with an alleged victim who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries from multiple shots being fired at or near him, as well as other alleged victims at that location. ...

A drive-thru COVID testing will be held Thursday, July 30 in Wilson. The testing will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Hampson Museum. The line will go through the bus lane.

Rivercrest School District is reminding parents/guardians preregistration for new students will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5 by appointment only. Appointments may be made by calling Rivercrest Elementary School at 870-655-0814 or the high school at 870-655-7016...

Osceola School District recently announced it will offer students an alternative to the traditional classroom with online learning. Visit the enrollments page at osd1.org or speak with one of the district's counselors to learn more. The deadline to register a student for online learning is Aug. 1...

During the regular Osceola City Council meeting Monday night, the city’s accountant, Melissa Brothers, reported that the city is feeling the financial effects of COVID-19 as billings are down significantly. "We are around $700,000 less than where we were this time last year in billings; over $500,000 of that is due to American Greetings and Denso shut downs. ...

Mississippi County Fair, a 89-year tradition in Blytheville, is in danger of closing due to financial problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Fair Association are working diligently to keep the gates open but with the coronavirus eliminating the spring carnival and threatening the fall fair, it is not an easy task...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee met Monday, discussing the practice of offering discounts on landfill tipping fees to cities, such as Blytheville, for the demolition of dilapidated houses. Justice of the Peace Molly Jackson brought up the issue when she asked chairman of the Sanitation Solid Waste Committee, Justice of the Peace Neil Burge, if the county was still offering cities a discount...

A school resource officer in the Rivercrest School District has been terminated following comments posted by that individual came to light. The hourly employee was terminated Wednesday, July 22 after the school was notified of the comments made by the former SRO...

BENTONVILLE, Ark., July 21, 2020 — Walmart announced it will pay out another special cash bonus to store, club, distribution center and fulfillment center associates for their ongoing contributions and dedication to serving customers, members and communities during this unprecedented time. ...

During Monday’s COVID-19 press conference, Blytheville Fire Chief Mike Carney announced that a member of the department tested positive for COVID-19. “I recently had a member of our department test positive for the virus. As a result of that I have seven others in quarantine awaiting their test results,” said Carney...

Keiser City Hall is practicing safe COVID-19 guidelines during this time. The city workers are behind plexiglass and closed doors. City workers are also practicing social distancing. Masks are to be worn for the person which comes into city hall.

The City of Osceola and Broadway Community Outreach Services will hold a free food distribution Thursday, July 23. The food distribution will be held at Living Word Cathedral Church of God in Christ, 503 W. Semmes, Osceola beginning at 9 a.m. It is ask anyone needing food to stay in their vehicles and make sure trunks are open...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Energy and Property Committee met Tuesday to update the Quorum Court and the public on the Mississippi County courthouse renovation project. Justice of the Peace Molly Jackson, who chairs the committee, opened the meeting by explaining there was around a $40,000 expense not reflected in the budget that will remove all of the asbestos from the big courtroom. Jackson said the asbestos is in the glue...

DEERFIELD, Ill. - As growing numbers of health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are now urging everyone across the U.S. to wear face covers in public to help protect communities and stem the spread of COVID-19, Walgreens is expanding requirements for customers to wear face covers while in stores across all Walgreens locations chainwide...

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today Renae Ford Hudson, of Sherwood, was appointed Deputy Attorney General of the Civil Litigation Department. Hudson is a litigator with over 25 years of trial and management experience. She is tasked with handling the day-to-day operations of the department...

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission has approved four new dispensary licenses including one in Osceola. The commission approved, by a 4-1 vote, dispensary licenses in Osceola and Highland, as well as in Pulaski and Washington Counties. The two in Northeast Arkansas are Green Cross Cannabis in Highland and...

Tuesday morning, July 7 United States Senator John Boozman and Delta Regional Authority co-chairman Chris Caldwell visited Arkansas Northeastern College and discussed workforce development, commending the work of ANC President Dr. James Shemwell and staff for the college’s programs...

With the increase in #COVID19 cases across the country, Kroger has announced they are committed to doing their part to help reduce the spread of the virus. Beginning July 22, Kroger will require all customers in all locations to wear a mask, joining its associates who continue to wear masks...

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus and priority has been and continues to be on the health and safety of our associates, members and customers. As the number of confirmed cases has spiked in communities across the country recently, so too have the number and types of face covering mandates being implemented. ...

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will reopen its doors to public access for the first time since March beginning this Wednesday. All buildings will have limited public access as part of the state’s reopening process. “We’ve been working diligently to address the safety of our staff and the public as we begin the reopening process,” AGFC Director Pat Fitts said. ...

Replacement of a bridge on Highway 312 will require a temporary road closure just south of Blytheville, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials. Weather permitting, crews will close Highway 312 between Highways 18 and 61 just south of Blytheville at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 13. This portion of Highway 312 is expected to remain closed for approximately 60 days. Local traffic will be allowed to use this portion of Highway 312 except where the bridge is being replaced...

On Wednesday, in the Governor's update at 1:30 p.m it was reported that Mississippi County was one of the top 10 counties who reported a high single number report of positive cases in one day. The number of cases reported was 39. Blytheville Mayor James Sanders said after hearing this information, he called the Mississippi County Health officer to get a better understanding because the Health Department website did not reflect this increase. ...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting clinical laboratory staff and health care providers of an increased risk of a false positive result with BD SARS-CoV-2 Reagents for the BD Max System test. In one study, the manufacturer found approximately 3 percent of results were false positive results...

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Christopher Caldwell and Senator John Boozman Tuesday visited with Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) administration, faculty, students, and industry partners to discuss the Arkansas Delta Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (ADWORC). ...

The Osceola School District has announced the Osceola High School class of 2020 graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, July 11. The graduation will be held at 2 p.m. at the Seminole Arena. Everyone age 10 and over must wear a face covering. Graduates will be issued 14 guest tickets each and only guests with tickets will be able to enter...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK Special to The Times A special called council meeting was held Friday morning, July 3, to approve the purchase of fireworks; review a resolution for awarding bids and authorizing a construction contract; and discussing a Resolution to grant a conservation easement to Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for the Old City Hall/Post Office building...

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Friday cities across the state may implement an ordinance requiring mandatory face coverings to help curb the spread of COVID-19 by signing Executive Order 20-41. “This provides a local option for cities to give them more flexibility if they have a community in which they might have a surge in cases. This model ordinance, from the Municipal League, provides a consistency in approach across the state,” Governor Hutchinson said...

Osceola Parks and Recreation, a division of the City of Osceola, will hold its annual Star Spangled Celebration at the Osceola Sports Complex Saturday, July 4. This year celebration has been funded by Osceola newest industrial partner Big River Steel...

Jamie Carter, Osceola’s new head football coach, was introduced to the community and some of his new team Monday during a meet and greet Monday at Seminole Arena. Carter was welcomed by Superintendent of Schools Alfred Hogan, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Toriano Green and Osceola High School Principal Toshiba Pugh, all who interviewed all of the candidates for the position vacated June 16 by Robert Hooks, Jr...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court held their June meeting Tuesday night, June 23 at the Osceola Courthouse where the eight justices in attendance unanimously passed two resolutions and three appropriation ordinances. A policy on social media for county employees and a policy prohibiting excessive force were the two resolutions passed...

There will be no garbage picked up in the City of Osceola Friday, July 3. All city offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The Sanitation Department will pick up the entire city on Monday, July 6. The department will return to its normal schedule on Tuesday, July 7...

In observance of the Independence Day holiday, household garbage will be picked up in the City of Keiser on Thursday, July 2 rather than the scheduled day of Friday, July 3.

A food distribution will be held at The Mission, Walnut Street, Blytheville at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 7. The distribution is for all Mississippi County residents. There are no income requirements. Everyone is asked to enter from Laclede Street to Banks Street. Due to COVID-19 it is asked that everyone remain in their vehicles and volunteers will place items in the vehicle trunks...

Clarence Lionel Moore, aged 72 years, died at his home in Osceola yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock of a heart attack following a serious attack of influenza several weeks ago. Funeral services will be held at the Christian church this afternoon at 3 o’clock and interment will be made in Ermen cemetery. the funeral sermon will be delivered by Rev. L.M. Bickford, pastor of the Christian church...

District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington announced Monday the arrest of Craighead County Clerk Kade Holliday. Ellington said, “This morning, officers from the Arkansas State Police and Craighead County Sheriff’s Department arrested Craighead County Clerk Kade Holliday. ...

Osceola School Superintendent Alfred Hogan has announced a "Meet and Greet" will be held Monday, June 29 at 5 p.m. to introduce Jamie Carter, the district's new head football coach to the community. The meeting will be held at Seminole Arena and is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come welcome Coach Carter to the community...

The Johnny Cash Heritage Festival is cancelled for 2020, director of Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites Dr. Adam Long announced this week. “After careful consideration with our supporters, A-State administration, and members of the Cash family, we believe it is best to focus on planning for an event in 2021,” Long said...

Big River Steel has entered into a new an agreement with Koch Metallics, LLC ("Koch"), a subsidiary of Koch Minerals & Trading, LLC, under which Koch will act as the exclusive agent to Big River Steel for metallics procurement. "Koch is a significant investor in Big River Steel, and I look forward to broadening our relationship as we jointly advance in the metallics space," said Dave Stickler, chief executive officer of Big River Steel. ...

The Mississippi County Planning and Development Committee met briefly Thursday morning, giving its blessing for an economic development project presented by county economic developer Clif Chitwood. The proposal provides $1.8 million in economic development funds to Big River Steel (BRS), which is about to start its Phase 2A expansion which will create 100 new jobs...

An Osceola man has been arrested for allegedly violently attacking his mother. Jake Baker, 28, of Osceola, has been arrested and charged with domestic battery in the first degree. On June 5, around 12:20 a.m., officers with the Osceola Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Ken Drive in reference to a woman who was yelling for help...

Families across the state of Arkansas welcomed news from Governor Asa Hutchinson early this week. It has been more than three month since some families have been able to visit their loved ones who live in a nursing home. “We set a goal to test every resident and staff member in long-term-care in June, and today I’m pleased to say that nursing homes, and assisted-living and residential-care facilities will be able to resume limited family visits and other activities on July 1 if they have complied with the public health guidelines of the Arkansas Department of Health,” Governor Hutchinson announced.. ...

Members of the Osceola Parks and Recreation (OPAR) committee, along with Mayor Sally Wilson and Tonya Stallings, representing Big River Steel, met Wednesday afternoon, June 17. The community leaders discussed Osceola’s Fourth of July fireworks display; city parks; ballpark; progress on the new dog park; and activities at the community center...

Blytheville investigators are looking for Demarcus Black who allegedly forced his way into a vehicle with a woman and her children while fleeing police on Sunday. According to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson, on Sunday, police responded to the shopping area in the 3700 block of East Main where Black had been seen. Black is wanted by the Blytheville Police Department for 4th Degree Sexual Assault...

During a two-hour meeting Monday night, the Osceola City Council approved a measure establishing hiring and firing practices for the Osceola Police Department. Meeting for the first time in city hall since February, due to the pandemic, the council read the ordinance all three times — by title only — and unanimously approved it...

A 15-year-old Lepanto boy lost his life and the 17-year-old Lepanto driver was injured in a one-car crash on Highway 77, a half mile north of Highway 158 Thursday night. According to the Arkansas State Police report, around 11:36 p.m., Thursday, the 2013 GMC was northbound on Highway 77 when it ran off the right side of the road, striking a guard rail and bridge embankment. The vehicle overturned and came to rest at the bottom of the floodway relief, according to the report...