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I40 Bridge to be closed for inspection (4/25/24)Alternating daytime lane closures are scheduled Monday, April 29-Thursday, May 16 for a routine inspection of the Interstate 40 Hernando de Soto Bridge over the Mississippi River between West Memphis, Ark. and Memphis, Tenn. Weather permitting, crews will perform inspections in the following locations during these times:...
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John Carroll Barber (4/25/24)John Carroll Barber, 78, of Marion, Ark., died Sunday, April 21, 2024. Born on Nov. 29, 1945, in Frankfurt, Ky., to the late John Riley Barber and Alice Neale Barber. He was a retired production manager for Hino Motors and held a Bachelor's Degree from Memphis State University. He was a Sunday school teacher, master gardener, an avid fisherman, and a lifelong Memphis Tigers Fan. John was known for his dedication to his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather...
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Perkins pitched three innings (4/24/24)The Pirates Chase Perkins pitched three innings of scoreless baseball as Gosnell rallied for a 9-8 win over rival Rivercrest. Perkins worked out of a bases loaded seventh inning jam to record the victory. (Photo By David Pierce)
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Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program - Parents to receive $120 per child (4/24/24)LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) recently announced that the state of Arkansas has formally launched the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program applications, a new grocery benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. ...
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ArDot launches new dashboard (4/24/24)The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) launched an interactive dashboard designed to keep citizens informed about pavement conditions across the state, the status of construction jobs, safety data, and other metrics under the “Transportation Performance” umbrella...
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Area cities to hold clean-up day Saturday (4/24/24)The Spring County-Wide Clean-up will be Saturday, April 27. This is a time where each city/town that would like to participate can rally together and encourage residents to do some “spring clean-up". The how’s are left up to each municipality. The County Landfill is free that day to individuals. Any municipality will receive a 50 percent discount. Landfill hours will be from 7 a.m. -noon on that Saturday...
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State to collect taxes (4/24/24)The Arkansas Secretary of State is collecting franchise taxes for all companies registered with the State of Arkansas. Arkansas state law requires all corporations, LLCs, banks, and insurance companies registered in Arkansas to pay an annual franchise tax. Failure to pay can result in the imposition of additional fees, penalties and interest, or even revocation of the authorization to do business...
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American Pickers come to Arkansas (4/23/24)The American Pickers will return to Arkansas. They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout the area in June. AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. ...
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Blytheville police seek suspect in Sunday shooting (4/21/24)On Sunday, April 21, 2024, Officers with the Blytheville Police Department responded to the 100 Block S Division St in reference to a male subject being shot. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim, Kohnali Hunt (18, Caruthersville, MO). ...
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Suspects arrested in Wynne Block Party shooting (4/17/24)WYNNE, Ark. — On Tuesday, April 16, Special Agents from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested four individuals in connection with a block party shooting that resulted in the death of one person and injuries to at least nine others. “I’m proud of how Arkansas State Police personnel worked with the Wynne Police Department to swiftly apprehend the suspects in this case,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar...
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Flag retirement ceremony to be held (4/17/24)Rivercrest JROTC, Osceola JROTC and the Osceola Police Department will sponsor the annual Flag Retirement ceremony at the Osceola County Courthouse on today (April 17) at 10 a.m.
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Rivercrest to close its JROTC program (4/17/24)Rivercrest School District has announced it is closing the Rivercrest High School JROTC program on June 30. The program currently has composite photographs from the mid-1990s and up to 2020’s. If any former Rivercrest JROTC students would like to have one (from their year group), they can come by Rivercrest JROTC and pick one up...
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Tennis courts are next in line for upgrades (4/17/24)By DAVID PIERCE Osceola Times At Monday’s Osceola City Council meeting, Michael Ephlin, parks and recreation director, presented the next phase of the Quality of Life improvements project made possible by a one cent sales tax hike last year. Ephlin addressed the council requesting funds to support upgrades to the Florida Park tennis courts as well as improvements to the park itself...
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Finance Committee sets up line item for traffic study (4/17/24)By Joseph Fondren Osceola Times Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Finance Committee held a brief meeting Monday afternoon at the Annex Building in Blytheville where they agreed to send a new line item created in the road department budget for a traffic study reimbursement grant to the full quorum court for approval...
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ADC proposes to expand Work Release Center (4/17/24)By Joseph Fondren Osceola Times Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Quorum Court’s Energy and Property Committee met Wednesday afternoon at the Annex Building where a variety of topics were discussed including an increase of 100 beds at the ADC Work Release Center...
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NextEra makes appeal for solar panel projects (4/17/24)By Joseph Fondren Osceola Times Contributor BLYTHEVILLE— Thursday afternoon, inside the standing room only meeting room at the Mississippi County Annex Building, NextEra Energy brought a team to plead a case for the continuation of their three solar panel projects...
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Community, industry leaders pledge support/ Board narrowly approves 4-day schedule (4/17/24)By DAVID PIERCE Osceola Times Osceola Mayor Joe Harris, Hybar LLC Chief Executive Officer Dave Stickler and Great River Economic Development Foundation President Clif Chitwood all took their turn addressing the Osceola School Board Tuesday, April 9...
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72 homeowners take advantage of program (4/17/24)By SANDRA BRAND NEA Town Courier Editor “The light bulb has come on that we need housing in Mississippi County,” Randy Scott recently told a room of industrial leaders. Scott, who serves on the board of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, explained there have been 72 new home owners take advantage of the county’s new “Work Here, Live Here” program in its first 18 months...
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One dead, at least 9 injured in Wynne Block Party shooting (4/14/24)WYNNE, Ark. – One man was killed and at least nine people were injured April 13, 2024, when shots were fired at about 10 p.m. at a block party near the corner of Williams Avenue and Martin Luther King Street in Wynne. Two victims were run over by vehicles at the scene. The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident at the request of the Wynne Police Department. Investigators have identified multiple people of interest and encourage anyone with information about the incident to call Troop D at (870) 970-6082.
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Community, industry leaders pledge support, implore school district to improve Board narrowly approves 4-day schedule (4/11/24)By DAVID PIERCE Osceola Times Osceola Mayor Joe Harris, Hybar LLC Chief Executive Officer Dave Stickler and Great River Economic Development Foundation President Clif Chitwood all took their turn addressing the Osceola School Board Tuesday, April 9...
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Marcos Sierra recognized (4/10/24)Little Rock, AR – Marcos Sierra, the visionary leader behind Sierra Group Roofing & Solar and Sierra Investment Group, has been honored as one of Arkansas's prestigious 40 Under 40. This accolade celebrates Sierra's significant contributions to the community and his exceptional entrepreneurship, marking him as a standout figure in the State of Arkansas...
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JPs continue discussing solar farms (4/10/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier The Mississippi County Planning and Development Committee met on Friday afternoon to gather information on solar farms. Justice Michael White opened the meeting saying the meeting’s purpose is to discuss the “what ifs” of solar farms...
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Blazin’ BBQ Fest slated (4/10/24)The fifth annual Blazin’ BBQ Festival will be held April 20 in Manila. Deadline for barbecue entries and vendor forms was April 8. The festival committee is no longer accepting lemonade, funnel cake or kettle corn vendors for this year’s festival. All other vendors are welcomed...
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Seminole head football coach resigns (4/10/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Sports Editor Osceola High School head football coach Jamie Carter has resigned the position of head football coach. Carter gave his resignation letter to interim School Superintendent Charles Webster Thursday. The search for Carter’s replacement is already underway...
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The Delta School to close/ Property donated to ANC (4/10/24)WILSON, AR (April 5, 2024) – The Wilson Works Foundation has agreed in principle to donate The Delta School property to the Arkansas Northeastern College Foundation. Once terms of the agreement are approved by the Arkansas Northeastern College Board of Trustees, the donation is expected to create an opportunity for the college to further support the region by offering affordable education pathways to college and career readiness...
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School Board releases Green’s investigation report (4/10/24)By DAVID PIERCE - Osceola Times An investigative report released last week details the reasons behind the Osceola School Board seeking to terminate the contract of now former Superintendent Dr. Toriano Green. However, Dr. Green preempted the termination proceedings by offering his resignation in lieu of termination March 27...
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Delta School to close/Property donated to ANC (4/5/24)
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ASP Interstate Criminal Patrol arrest California man transporting 298 pounds of illegal marijuana (4/5/24)CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark.— Arkansas State Police's (ASP) Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) arrested a man from California on drug charges during a Crittenden County traffic stop. On March 27, around 5:30 p.m., an ASP Trooper pulled over a tan Freightliner motorhome near the 278-mile marker in Crittenden County due to a traffic violation...
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School Board accepts resignation of Dr. Toriano Green (4/3/24)By DAVID PIERCE Osceola Times It had been 79 days since the Osceola School Board had placed the district’s superintendent Dr. Toriano Green on been placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation into a personnel matter. Yet, March 27, Dr. Green submitted his resignation in lieu of termination and the six-member board unanimously accepted at a special-called meeting...
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Dr. Green shares statement to board (4/3/24)(Editor’s Note: Dr. Toriano Green contacted The Osceola Times on Monday requesting to share the information he and his attorney have given the Osceola School District. In a matter of fairness and public interest, the information is printed in its entirety. Dr. ...
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Keiser awarded FUN Park Grant (4/2/24)The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders awarded $4.34 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants to projects within 29 counties across the state. The City of Keiser received a FUN Park grant in the amount of $100,000. The grant will be used to install new play equipment and park amenities at Keiser City Park...
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Arkansas State Police arrest former sheriff deputy on sexual assault and child porn charges (3/29/24)GOSNELL, Ark.– Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested a Gosnell man on Wednesday, March 27, charging him with first-degree sexual assault and distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. ASP Special Agents located Colton Crabb, 26, at his residence in Gosnell and arrested him without incident. ASP transported Crabb to the Mississippi County Detention Center, where his bail was set for $50,000...
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Trooper confiscates illegal narcotics during traffic stop in Crittenden County (3/28/24)WEST MEMPHIS, Ark.– On Wednesday, March 27, around 3:20 p.m., an Arkansas State Police (ASP) Trooper initiated a traffic stop near the 265-mile marker on Interstate 40 Eastbound in Crittenden County. During a search of the vehicle, the trooper located various narcotics, including marijuana candy, hash powder, marijuana buds, and psychedelic mushrooms...
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Courthouse to be closed (3/27/24)The Mississippi County Courthouse in Osceola and in Blytheville w ill be closed Friday, March 29 for Good Friday. Both courthouses will reopen on Monday, April 1.
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City service awards presented (3/27/24)A service anniversary luncheon was recently held for City of Osceola employees. Employees receiving awards were Denice Guy and Timothy Cagle, five years; Melissa Williams and Willie Coleman, 10 years; Paula Edwards, 15 years; Terry Watkins and Jimmy Gooden, 20 years, and John Alexander, 35 years. Pictured are (from left) City Councilman Joe Guy, Coleman, Alexander, Cagle, Williams, Guy, Watkins, Edwards, City Councilwoman Sandra Brand and Mayor Joe Harris...
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Health Dept. to host open house (3/27/24)An open house will be held Thursday, April 4 at the Osceola Health Department, 720 W. Lee St., Osceola. The open house will be held from 1-3 p.m. The Osceola Health Department was recently renovated to better serve Mississippi County. The public may take a tour and meet the staff. Information will be available about the clinic and the services provided...
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I-55 Bridge at Memphis reopens (3/27/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff MEMPHIS - The Interstate 55 Bridge across the Mississippi River reopened Sunday afternoon after being closed since March 8. Traffic is still only one lane in both directions but the reopening eased the stress on the Hernando DeSoto (I-40) Bridge which was routinely backed up with traffic taking an hour to an hour and a half to clear in both directions...
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Silver Alert canceled for missing woman (3/26/24)A Silver Alert has been canceled for a missing Harrisburg woman. The body of Marsha Williams was located around 1 p.m. Tuesday in a body of water off of Highway 163, according to a press release from Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder. Sheriff Molder stated Williams body has been sent to the Medical Examiner at the Arkansas Crime Lab and no foul play is suspected...
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Two people die in wreck on I-55 (3/21/24)
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Highway 181 to Temporarily Close Near Osceola (3/21/24)Highway 181 is expected to close for three weeks beginning Monday, March 25. Weather permitting, crews will close Highway 181 south of Victoria and west of Osceola to replace a bridge. A detour is available using Highway 77, Highway 140, Interstate 55, and Highway 158...
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National Guard sent to southern border (3/20/24)LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday directed the Arkansas National Guard to send soldiers to the southern border to support the Texas National Guard as they work to combat the illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking...
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Clay Walker to headline Osceola Musicfest (3/20/24)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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ARDOT plans open house on highway improvements (3/20/24)By STEVE KNOX Times Staff The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will be hosting an open house Tuesday, April 2 from 4-7 p.m. at the Osceola Community Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed resurfacing and shoulder widening of Highway 325 and intersection improvements at Highways 325/61 and Highways 325/239 in Osceola...
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Frazier named Blytheville Interim Police Chief (3/19/24)Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan has appointed Assistant Chief Johnathan Frazier as interim police chief and Cpt. Vanessa Stewart as interim assistant chief. Logan made this announcement at tonight’s city council meeting. Ten applicants have applied for the chief’s job left vacant by the retirement of Ross Thompson...
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First Day of Spring (3/19/24)The daffodils and tulips planted in the historic Violet Cemetery in downtown Osceola were in full bloom just in time for arrival of Spring. The vernal Equinox arrived in the Northern Hemisphere at 10:06 p.m., Tuesday, March 19. (Photo by Sandra Brand)...
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Musicfest Saturday Headliner has been announced (3/15/24)The Osceola Heritage Musicfest committee has announced the 2024 headliner for the 24th annual Osceola Heritage Musicfest will be Country Music star Clay Walker. Walker will perform Saturday evening, May 18. Among his hits include “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming With My Eyes Open,” “This Woman And This Man,” “Hypnotize The Moon,” “Rumor Has It,” “Then What,” “I Can’t Sleep” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long.”...
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Dollar Tree announces store closures (3/13/24)Headquartered in Chesapeake, Va., Dollar Tree, Inc. reported financial results for its fourth quarter ended Feb. 3, and also announced it will close around 1,000 stores. “We finished the year strong, with fourth quarter results reflecting positive traffic trends, market share gains, and adjusted margin improvement across both segments,” said Rick Dreiling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ...
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Three killed in Jonesboro mass shooting (3/13/24)By STEVE KNOX - Times Staff JONESBORO - A domestic argument at an after hours party in Jonesboro early Sunday led to the shooting death of two party goers and the shooter. The Jonesboro Police Department has identified the deceased, all of whom were Jonesboro residents, as being 20-year-old Amari Giles, 24-year-old Dwight Starks and 32-year-old Tarail Moody. Moody has been identified as the shooter...
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Holy Week services planned (3/13/24)Holy Week services, hosted by the Osceola Minsterial Alliance, will be held March 25-29 at First Christian Church in Osceola. Each day, breakfast will be served from 6:30-7 a.m. with services following from 7-7:30 a.m. The Rev. Robert Ousley, Princess Chapel Church, will bring the message Monday, March 25...
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County bans tire centers (3/13/24)By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Mississippi County Quorum Court passed an ordinance banning used tire collection centers and processing facilities and approved a Resolution to hire an architect and a consulting firm to construct a new scale house at a special called meeting on Tuesday afternoon...