News

On Monday February 17 approximately 268 associates at American Greetings Corporation plant in Osceola, Arkansas were notified of an upcoming layoff. It is expected that these layoffs will begin in late April and end in late June. According to Corporate Representative Patrice Molnar, “Certain classes of associates are eligible for severance benefits if their jobs are affected and we cannot place them in similar positions. ...

According to Wilson Mayor Becton Bell, the City of Wilson has pulled out of its partnership with Osceola with regard to the Intermodal Authority. The council made the decision at a meeting Monday night and the mayor made the announcement late Tuesday afternoon at a board meeting of the Intermodal Authority...

A 19-year-old Osceola man apparently took his own life last week after firing several shots in a residential neighborhood. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers with the Osceola Police Department and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force were dispatched in response to a complaint of an individual actively shooting on or around Shirley Drive...

The Osceola City Council had the first reading of a measure Monday night that would increase some industrial customers’ water rates from the current $15 per month to as much as $1,400 per month. The proposed ordinance would raise monthly rates for non-city electric, out-of-town customers to $1,400 for a 10-inch meter; $1,000 for an eight-inch meter; $700 for a six-inch meter; $450 for a four-inch meter; and $120 for a two-inch meter...

The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Planning and Development sent two tax-back resolutions to the full court during Wednesday’s, Feb. 12 meeting. The board approved tax-back measures for Nucor Steel and TMS Arkansas Industrial Services Corporation for construction equipment that the two companies purchased...

A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday night, Feb. 11 on North County Road 761 in rural Mississippi County. According to the Arkansas State Police report, Jennifer Rhines, 38, of Hayti, was walking in the middle of the road when the northbound vehicle, a 2002 Chevrolet, struck her around 5:54 p.m., Tuesday. The report does not list the name of the driver...

On Thursday, Feb. 13, at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers with the Osceola Police Department and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force were dispatched in response to a complaint of an individual actively shooting on or around Shirley Drive. At least one person was reported wounded and upon arrival the individual believed to be the shooter was found unresponsive...

A bridge over Nix Creek on State Highway 158 near Etowah has been closed, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials. A routine bridge inspection revealed structural deficiency, resulting in the bridge closure. The bridge is approximately one-fourth mile east of State Highway 77 near the town of Etowah. Motorists should use State Highway 140 as an alternate route...

An Osceola family counts themselves blessed after a car ran through their home. “God was definitely watching over us all,” according to an Osceola mother, after a vehicle crashed into her home Thursday evening. According to Tracy Randolph, she and her family were in various parts of the residence at 701 W. Ford when about 20 minutes to 9 the entire home shook...

Increased rain and continued flooding has Osceola council member Gary Cooper looking for answers. Cooper, who chairs the city’s Public Works Committee, organized a planning meeting last week with all parties involved including officials from the city, drainage district, highway department, state senate and property owners...

Residents of River Manor, a historically elderly housing development, have received a letter from management which is causing some concern. Family members have contacted The Times concerned that their elderly parents will no longer be able to have their own washer and dryer in their individual units. Families claim their loved ones can not access the public facility due to health limitations...

Upper Elementary students at The Delta School have chosen the Osceola Animal Shelter for its next project. The students will be using different types of art mediums to help raise funds for the shelter. The students narrowed their choices down to charcoal, chalk pastel, watercolor, acrylic and collage and some even decided to use mixed media such as collage and watercolor. The students and the shelter will collaborate to find the best way to host a profitable auction in the near future...

Improvements to State Highway 14 require temporary overnight lane closures just west of the town of Marie, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials. Weather permitting, crews will alternately close all lanes two miles north and two miles south of the Interstate 55 interchange (I-55 Exit 41) for 15 minute increments between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. These lane closures will occur as follows and allow crews to hang structural steel:...

JONESBORO – Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington announced Wednesday, Feb. 5 he filed two counts of attempted capital murder charges against a Caraway man who shot at two police officers, injuring one, in January. Eugene Collins, 49, was charged in the Eastern District of Craighead County. Collins, who is held in the Craighead County jail on a $5 million bond, also faces seven charges of aggravated assault and seven charges of terroristic threatening...

The city of Osceola is applying for HGTV’s Hometown Makeover, Mayor Sally Wilson announced Thursday night during the special city council meeting. According to its website, HGTV is looking for a town with a population of less than 40,000, “homes with great architecture longing to be revealed,” and a Main Street in need of a facelift...

Mississippi County has recently experienced an increase of four-wheeler thefts, according to Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook. The public is ask to take steps to secure any property left in plain sight. If anyone owns a shop or shed, make sure the doors and windows are locked. Be mindful of your surroundings including neighbor’s property...

After 10 special meetings, the Osceola City Council beat the Feb. 1 deadline by approving a $23,380,503 budget for 2020 on Thursday night. The budget projects a surplus of $590,391, while avoiding some proposed controversial cuts. There is also no electric rate increase in the budget...

“There may officially be seven seas across this earth, but there is only one that’s worthy of being called Caribbean. And Cayman is where that sea is at its best.” The Cayman Islands invite tourists to find their peace in paradise... “Let the natural wonder of the Cayman Islands awaken and renew your mind, body and soul.”...

OSCEOLA — Tuesday night, Jan. 28 the Mississippi County Quorum Court heard from Economic Developer Clif Chitwood and Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) board member Lisa John-Adams on the hiring of a new position for $87,500 for external vice president and promoting Tamika Jenkins to internal vice president, which is a total of $150,000 for Great River Economic Development employee expenses...

Maci Ephlin, of Osceola, received her wish Wednesday evening, Jan. 22 from the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Family and friends gathered at Mi Pueblo in Osceola to help grant her wish to go to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Michelle Bultman and Rhonda Gibson from Make-A-Wish® Foundation in Jonesboro presented the wish. ...

OSCEOLA— The Osceola City Council held its ninth budget meeting Wednesday night, Jan. 15 spending two and a half hours pouring over the numbers and passionately discussing potential budget cuts. Facing a Feb. 1 deadline to have a balanced budget in place, Osceola is considering five percent cuts from all departments and a 10 percent cut from general administration...

During the 10th budget meeting Monday night, Main Street Osceola and the town’s homeless shelter both lobbied the Osceola City Council for funding in 2020. The five council members present — Sandra Brand, Tyler Dunegan, Gary Cooper, Greg Baker, and Stan Williams — voiced support for the programs, along with some concerns...

Following several weeks of “working” budget meetings, the Osceola City Council seems to be getting closer to adopting a 2020 budget. The council met Monday night, following the regular monthly meeting, to give accountant Melissa Brothers further direction for the final draft...

The Osceola City Council met Monday and covered a short agenda in approximately 50 minutes. Council members Gary Cooper, Sandra Brand, Tyler Dunegan, Greg Baker, and Stan Williams were present. Council member Linda Watson, who was ill, was not in attendance...

Great River Medical Center is giving facelifts to its inpatient rooms. Hospital system CEO Chris Raymer said two rooms have been renovated, with plans to upgrade the aesthetics of other rooms as well. Raymer said GRMC is looking to upgrade furniture in the rooms as well...

Justice Bill Nelson, chair for the Mississippi County Planning and Development Committee, opened the Thursday meeting welcoming committee members and members of the Great River Economic Development Foundation Board. Several issues were discussed including incentive money to hire within the county and the Missouri Bootheel, adding a position to GREDF, upgrading the county website, and giving an update of the recommendations from the consultant firm, TadZo LLC...

A pair of traffic accidents, on consecutive days, at a dangerous Osceola intersection, have once again shed light on an issue city officials are trying to rectify. A Thursday afternoon wreck on Highway 140 (W. Keiser Ave.) and Country Club Road, involving two vehicles, while not resulting in any injuries, was caused by the lack of a turn lane at the intersection...

Vietnam veteran Tony Ennis, of Osceola, was informed this past week he owed $89,000 and if he didn’t pay up within 30 minutes, he would be placed under arrest. Who delivered the bad news? The man on the other end of the phone identified himself as Scott Miller and stated he worked for the Social Security Administration...

Winter Storm Isaiah rolled through Mississippi County like a freight train in the early morning hours Saturday, with high winds and dumping huge amounts of rain. The first community in the area effected was Dyess. While the town did not receive much damage, electric power was lost at about 3 a.m. ...

Those who have worn or tattered United States, MIA, or Arkansas flags and wish to retire them are encouraged to donate them for the annual flag retirement ceremony which will be held in April in downtown Osceola. Please take any flag you wish to retire to either the Osceola Police Department, to Rivercrest High School in care of the ROTC program or to Osceola High School, in care of the ROTC program...

The First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in Osceola hosted police officers from across Mississippi County on National Law Enforcement Day, Thursday, Jan. 9. Officers were treated to a donut and each received an entry into a drawing for a bank giveaway which included a $50 gift card. ...

Louise Williams, administrative supervisor III, with the Mississippi County Extension Service, was honored with a retirement reception on Friday, Jan. 3. Family, friends and co-workers were on hand to offer well wishes. Williams worked for the extension services for 42 years, four months and two weeks. She began her career on Oct. 21, 1977...

The Osceola school board met Monday and a couple of the business items included recognizing members of the junior and senior high cheer squads and the members of the football coaching staff. Five members of the cheer squads took part in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. ...

Tyler Dunegan, of Osceola, a council member, has been reappointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2020 Community and Economic Development (CED) federal advocacy committee. This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness. ...

The large amount of rainfall generated by Winter Storm Isaiah caused flooding issues for the residents of communities across Mississippi County. Many streets in Osceola and Keiser turned into lakes or rivers when the more than 3.5 inches of rainfall accumulated, overwhelming the cities storm sewers capacity to remove water from the streets and property. ...

Isaiah causes damage in Osceola

RHS 74, WRHS 67 Alex Askew had a career high 33 points to lead the Colts to a road conference win over Walnut Ridge. Shamar Jones added 16 and Jarvius Johnson continued his recent solid play with 10 points as the Colts won their eleventh game of the season...

American Greetings collaborated with The Solutions Group at Arkansas Northeastern College to help with its shortage of industrial electricians. Rather than hire additional workers at American Greetings, they hand-picked a group of employees to attend classes and increase their skill level. ...

DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas, Inc. in Osceola recently held a “Forklift Rodeo.” This was the fourth rodeo the company held. The forklift rodeo is a competition which any DENSO associate with a valid forklift license can take part in. Essentially, the rodeo is an obstacle course which has four to five obstacles designed to test a driver’s accuracy as well as their attention to safety. ...

Home destroyed in Joiner

An angry employee, who did not receive his expected Christmas bonus, decided he would just take the money he deserved from a local bank. John Myles, of Osceola, was arrested Dec. 20 on a charge of felony terroristic threatening. Myles allegedly called the Osceola Police Department December 20 and told the dispatcher he was going to rob the First National Bank (of Eastern Arkansas)...

Osceola residents near the Rosenwald housing project were without water Monday afternoon and part of Tuesday morning.Contractors for AT&T, installing underground fiber optic cables in the area, accidentally drilled through a city water line around 4 p.m. ...

An Osceola man was discovered dead earlier this week at a home on Alfalfa Street. According to Osceola Police, a friend discovered the body of Billy Hanley, 58, around approximately 4 p.m. Monday, January 6. Upon arrival, Ptl. Justin Faulkner discovered Hanley unresponsive and extremely cold to the touch. Rigor mortis had set in and it appeared Hanley had been deceased for a long period of time...

A roof collapse Thursday, January 2 left the Florida Park building known as the Scout Hut unusable. A portion of the roof fell causing the back wall to fall away from the building. “It was an old flat roof and it didn’t drain very well,” said Osceola Parks and Recreation Director Michael Ephlin. ...

Veteran Osceola Police Officer Jerry Henry has resigned his position. According to Osceola Police Chief Ollie Collins Henry resigned on January 1. The resignation followed a December 13 one vehicle accident on Highway 61 near Wilson. According to a report issued by the Arkansas State Police, Henry, 43, of Osceola, was driving a 2013 Kia on Highway 61 north of Lake Street in Wilson. ...