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Manila Blazin' BBQ FestivalManila Fire Department hosted the fifth annual Blazin' BBQ Festival on April 20 with live entertainment, games, carnival, cooking competition, food trucks, and over 80 vendors.
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Arkansas Northeastern College hosted a career fair on April 4.
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Manila Elementary hosts wrestling event
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ANC hosted a 2024 Solar Eclipse day at the Leachville Center on April 8
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Blytheville city's staff and employees participate in Totality Clean-up Day
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Manila Lion Theatre presented The OutsidersMHS Lion Theatre presented The Outsiders in March, directed by Candace Hawkins and assisted by Heath Hawkins.
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Caraway 2024 Easter Egg huntCaraway held their 2024 Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, with prizes for all.
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Easter egg hunt fun at the Adams EstateThe annual Easter egg hunt at the Adams Estate in Leachville had over 35,000 eggs to find. The event was held on Saturday, March 30, with proceeds going to the Leachville Food Pantry.
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BIC FFA Alumni AuctionThe annual BIC FFA Alumni Auction was held March 2. The event raised over $65,000 for the BIC FFA program and scholarships.
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Studio 42 presented A Christmas Carol at the MelodySarah Poe directed the live production of A Christmas Carol at the Melody Theater n Leachville with a large cast from throughout the area.
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Monette Christmas Parade 2023
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Biscuits with SantaThe Manila Junior Class sponsored a Biscuits with Santa and Buddy the Elf on Saturday morning, Dec. 2, at the Airport Center. Children visited with Santa, enjoyed biscuits and gravy and created ornaments to take home.
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Manila Main Street tree lightingThe Manila Chamber of Commerce and the city hosted a gathering on Main Street to light the community tree, show a Christmas movie, and enjoy refreshments before the parade.
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Manila Christmas parade 2023Manila Christmas Parade was held on Dec. 2 with over 75 entries.
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Manila Lions Club Pancake SupperThe annual Manila Lions Club Pancake supper was held on Saturday, Dec. 2. All proceeds go to Goodfellow baskets.
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Leachville 2023 Christmas ParadeLeachville Christmas Parade was held on Monday, Nov. 27. This year's parade was dedicated to the memory of Moba Lee Miller, a long time supporter of the parade and Leachville. Her family was honored to be chosen as Grand Marshals.
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Cold War Gala
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Fire Safety Week at Manila Fire StationManila firefighters welcomed kindergarten students during Fire Safety Week. Students got to meet several firefighters and learn about fire safety.
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Manila Lions 36th annual Big Lake Chili Cook-offManila Lions Club held their 36th annual Big Lake Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 7, with a large crowd.
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Manila Elementary Fall Fest held Sept. 26Manila Elementary held their fall fest on Sept. 26 with lots of games, food and football. The peewee football teams played following the festival.
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Manila Community Tailgate PartyManila Chamber of Commerce hosted a community tailgate party on Friday, Sept. 22, before the Manila Lions vs Piggott football game. Over 25 businesses, organizations and individuals had booths with food, games, face painting, and more.
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Wrestling in LeachvilleTNR wrestling was held at the Leachville Community gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 23. Proceeds from the event goes to help with the renovations of the historic Leachville Gym.
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Blytheville Sickle Cell Warriors host blood drive, rallyLast Friday, Sept. 22 the Blytheville Sickle Cell Warriors hosted a blood drive at the Greyhound Bus Station, 108 North 5th Street. In addition to the blood drive, the organization hosted a walk and rally on Saturday, Sept. 23.
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Manila Lions defeat Harrisburg HornetsManila Lions had their first win of the season over the Harrisburg Hornets on Friday night at Jordans Stadium. The final score was 49-35.
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Mississippi County Sr. Citizens gather in BlythevilleSenior Citizens from centers in Manila and Osceola joined the Blytheville center on Thursday, Sept. 14, for a fun day.
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MCAEOC Cancer Color Run/WalkMCAEOC Cancer Council held their annual Color run and car show in Blytheville on Sept. 9. The event raised $7,000.
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Trumann vs ManilaThe Trumann Wildcats got their first win of the season over the Manila Lions on Friday night at the Lion Stadium. The final score was 27-0.
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Best of Blytheville: First Responders host friendly competitionThe 2023 Mississippi County Relay for Life kicked off on Friday evening. The annual event was held at the fairgrounds at Walker Park in Blytheville. Part of the official ceremonies included a friendly competition between the Blytheville Police Department, the Blytheville Fire Department, Pafford EMTs and the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department. Each department competed in a four-legged sack race, a tug of war and a fire truck pull.
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Relay for Life celebrates Rings of HopeThe 2023 Mississippi County Relay for Life kicked off on Friday evening. The annual event was held at the fairgrounds at Walker Park in Blytheville. The opening ceremony featured the singing of the National Anthem, team introductions and various other announcements. The laps began with the survivor lap and balloon release, the caregiver lap, followed by the individual team laps. "Today, we are going to celebrate survivors," said executive leadership team volunteer Carla Trammel. "This year's theme is the rings of hope." Included in the official ceremonies was a friendly competition between the Blytheville Police Department, the Blytheville Fire Department, Pafford EMTs and the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department. "They are going to be competing in a four-legged rise sack race, a tug of war and then a fire truck pull," Trammel said during an interview before the event. The Relay for Life team also displayed all the luminaries holding special memories to honor the lives of past loved ones. In previous years, sand was used to hold these luminaries in place, but that has now changed. "We have a survivor dinner in November, and we will send out the invitations for that," Trammel said. "So if any survivor has not registered yet, we would like for them to call 870-838-3665 or they can contact Laura Fletcher at 870-623-2286. As far as volunteers for the event, the leadership team said that about 20 high school seniors and several Nucor Steel interns joined the ranks of volunteers for the event. "We probably have anywhere between 100 to 200 volunteers," Trammel said. "We at least have 150 volunteers." This year, the Relay for Life team appreciated the location change and all of the volunteers who worked diligently to clean up the fairgrounds to make the area presentable.
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Cooking for a Cure raises $30k over the weekendThe second annual Cooking for a Cure, held in conjunction with the Rings of Hope Relay for Life, was held on Friday night and Saturday. The event proved to be successful with 23 teams grilling for the top awards. The 2-day event was filled with entertainment, games and lots of great barbecue. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Cancer Society. Through sponsors, the community and businesses Cooking for a Cure was able to raise $30,000 for Team Laura Fletcher, American Cancer Society. Winners: Grand Champion – Busted Knuckle BBQ, sponsored by Cobb Funeral Home People’s Choice – Kings Backyard BBQ, first place; Nucor Arkansas Blazin’ Hogs, second place; Farmers Bank & Trust Money Hog$$$, third place Ribs – Busted Knuckle BBQ, sponsored by Cobb Funeral Home, first place; KNUCKLEHEADZ BBQ, second place; Pick’n Our Butts, third place; Poker Porkers, fourth place; L if I know, 5th place. Pulled Pork – Poker Porkers, first place; KNUCKLEHEADZ BBQ, second place; Que N Da 662, third place; Busted Knuckle BBQ-Sponsored by Cobb Funeral Home, fourth place; Pick‘n Our Butts, fifth place. Best Hamburger – Da Jug Headed Misfits, first place; NYS Steel Hogs, second place; Butt Hurt BBQ, third place. Best Sauce – Pick’n Our Butts, first place; Que N da 662, second place; Da Jug Headed Misfits, third place. Best Chicken – Missco Meatheads, first place; Money Hog$$$, second place; Meat Doctor BBQ, third place.
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Congressman Rick Crawford signs his latest bookCongressman Rick Crawford (Republican - Arkansas - 1st district) gave a book signing and small presentation on Thursday evening in Blytheville. Twenty-five members of the community gathered to welcome him at the Blytheville Book Company for the book reading and signing of his work titled "The Stinger Proxy".
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EPC vs ManilaThe EPC Warriors opened their season with a 56-29 win over Manila on Friday night at the Warrior Field in Lepanto.
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ANC welcomes new presidentDr. Christopher Heigle, the fifth president at Arkansas Northeastern College, hosted a community reception on Thursday afternoon at the Main Concourse at the Sullins Administration Building. Members of the community, faculty, staff and students all gathered to welcome the newly installed president.
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Caraway Harvest Festival held Aug. 26Caraway hosted the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26. A large crowd attended with vendors, games and entertainment.
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Vehicle crashes into Dixie Pig buildingAt around 1 p.m. this afternoon, two vehicles were involved in an accident that resulted in a vehicle crashing through an exterior wall of the Dixie Pig building located at 701 N. Sixth St. in Blytheville. The business was closed as their normal operating hours do not include weekend service.
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Blytheville Middle School Band marches onwardDespite the hot temperatures, the Blytheville Middle School Band marched from their band hall to the Blytheville Administration Building - all while carrying band instruments and never stopping the rhythm and beat of their music on Thursday, Aug. 24. Once the band arrived at the Blytheville Administration Building, band members and majorettes proceeded to entertain the crowd of 50 parents, teachers, students and school board members for over 30 minutes. Mayor Melisa Logan was in the audience and could be heard chanting "Whose city is this? Our City!/ Whose kids are these? Our Kids!" directly following the performance. The band was coached by Blytheville Middle School Band music instructor Wallace Montgomery III and band leader Demechee Robinson. The following is a list of students participating in the performance before the scheduled school board meeting: Sixth Grade Band Members A'Khylee Bates, Willow Beagles, Jaden Brown, Rayshawn Lee Childs JR, Alexa Cole, Curtis Davenport, Rickey Davidson, Brantley Davis, Miracle Donerson, Desarae Frazier, Genesis Geter, Bayro Gonzalez, Zavier Harris, Jarrell Hill, Kha'Miyah Jackson, Tyirah King, Tailyn Lowe, Mason McCanless, Ja'Ziah McDougal, Juan Antonio JR Perez, Beth Ann Ring, Xavier Robinson, Jared Sanders, Antonio Elijah Taylor, Jasper Walker, Jordyn Waters, Skye Wheeler, Dia'Quan Wiley Seventh Grade Band Members Aniyah Barnes, Elijah Brown, Jaibin Burnett, Vernon Burton III, Kinsey Cisero, Tyvell Davis, Peyton Depriest, Zion Green-Conley, Na'Rieon Hill, Eysis Jackson, Christopher Logan, Nasir Pippin, Hailee Primas, Chance Razor, Cordero Jamiane Rodgers JR, JaQuan Smith Eighth Grade Band Members Jaxon Bloodworth, Shanaya Campbell, Syriah Clark, Kamron Clay, Anthony Parnell, Nasir Robey, Shamarion Stokes Flag line/Color Guard Cheyenna Nealey, Courtnie Jones, Olivia Burks, Maliyah Jones, Mya Garne, Dazhanir Blockmon, LeAisia Lard, Octaveyah McKillion, Zaiah Modica Majorettes 61), Xyin Akers, Nivea Love, Ny'Kemi Newmy, Princess Mitchell, Shiann Meadows, Laila Watson, Cheyenne Palmore, DiKiyla Knowles, Harmony Steverson, E'Niya McDougal, Timberly Rogers
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Back-to-School Splash event hosted by Main Street BlythevilleDowntown Blytheville hosted the Back-to-School Splash event on Saturday, Aug. 19. The event was sponsored by Main Street Blytheville from 1 to 3 p.m. at the First Plaza parking lot at the corner of Second and Main St. Other sponsors included the Blytheville Fire Department and Southern Bancorp. The event was free and open to the public.
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Manila School hosts open houseManila School District hosted open house on Monday, Aug. 14.
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Manila water park celebrates 10th anniversaryManila hosted a 10 year anniversary celebration for the Manila Water Park with free swimming and free refreshments on Aug. 15.
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City hosts end-of-summer pool openingThe City of Blytheville hosted an end-of-summer grand opening at the swimming pool at Walker Park on Saturday, Aug. 12. All ages were welcome. Complimentary hot dogs made by the Blytheville Fire Department, along with drinks and beverages were served to residents during the event. The event was sponsored by Nucor Arkansas. The pool at Walker Park will be open all weekends through Labor Day. Hours will be Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 - 6 p.m.; Labor Day 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission during business hours will be $3.
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Center stage Productions Kids presented Seusical Jr.Seusical Jr. was presented at the Manila High School Theatre Auditorium on Aug.10-12, directed by Kennedy Baker.
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Chickasaw Preparatory Academy builds new foundationsThe Blytheville School District's Chickasaw Preparatory Academy (CPA) for sixth-grade students hosted a grand opening for parents and students on Thursday evening. While the campus is technically located on the physical campus of Blytheville Middle School, the school exclusively serves sixth-grade students.
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Manila Fire Department collects food for backpack programMembers of the Manila Fire Department collected food for the school's backpack program.
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Kids Day celebrates 39th annual school supply distributionThe City and County Youth Program reached its 39th annual Kids Day on Saturday, Aug. 5. Students from the area were able to access school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, paper, notebooks, binders and much more in anticipation of the upcoming school year. Program director Shannon Sims said that this year he had over 10,000 backpacks to distribute to children. Due to heavy rain during the event, Sims said his program was cut short. However, he said that the nonprofit would be sharing resources and supplies with the Blytheville School District and their planned Back to School Bash scheduled for Friday, Aug. 11. The Blytheville Back to School Bash will be at the BHS Chickasaw Arena from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be games, health information, music, giveaways, food and free haircuts. "Since I couldn't finish my program, we are joining up with the school district's giveaway," Sims said. "I am getting ready to celebrate four decades of this program being in the community." Initially, the program began as just a normal day with a few friends returning home from college and enjoying their time at the park. Fast forward a few decades, and there is a wide range of vendors and volunteers who now serve the event. Representatives from Arkansas Northeast College, the City of Blytheville, the Blytheville Police Department, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission were all present to speak with students and parents on Saturday's school supply distribution. Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan was present to volunteer and hand out backpacks to local children. Sims also presented an award to John Logan for his contributions and ongoing support of the program. CCY is a registered 501(c)(3) which provides a positive outlet to give students a boost heading into their school year. The nonprofit also sponsors an annual coat drive for children in need during the winter months titled Operation Warm. Anyone looking to contribute or volunteer to the program may contact Sims at 870-623-3179.
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The Villagers host fish fry for BPS faculty and staffThe Villagers and other volunteers hosted a fish fry and fun night for Blytheville Public School faculty and staff on Wednesday evening. New teachers were welcomed.
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Cinderella at the RitzCinderella at the Ritz, under the direction of Missoula Children's Theatre, featured local talent with two performances on Saturday, July 22.
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Manila Homemade, Homegrown market draws crowdThe Manila homemade, homegrown market was well attended on Friday evening with a variety of vendors. Moving Manila Forward sponsored the event with 30 vendors providing fresh vegetables, woodwork, homemade sweets, candies, jewelry, jellies, pickles, flowers, lemonade, ice cream, homemade detergents, crafts and other gift items. Vendors were from from Blytheville, Manila, Jonesboro, Osceola, Valley Ridge, Tyronza, Monette and Gosnell.
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Lake City Community Fest held July 1
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Caraway holds 77th annual Fourth of July PicnicThe 77th annual Caraway Fourth of July picnic was held in conjunction with the city's 100th birthday on Tuesday, July 4. A large crowd gathered for the day kicking off with a parade. There were activities, a carnival, entertainment, prizes and fireworks.
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Natural State Fitness holds cheer campNatural State Fitness cheer and dance coaches got the opportunity to assist the next generation of cheerleaders with a camp at ANC on June 28 to 30. Children ages 5 to 12 were able to sharpen their skills at the Briggs/Sebaugh Wellness Center each day from 9 to noon. Along with building skill, the camp is designed to enhance confidence and progress the girls’ team-bonding qualities.