Stories from Friday, April 14, 2017

Arkansas has not put anyone to death since November 2005. No state has ever executed eight people over ten days. Now Arkansas has announced plans to execute eight men [since this letter was written it has been reduced to seven], all convicted of capital murder, between April 17 and April 27. ...

The following are reports from the Blytheville Police Department. — Police took a disorderly conduct report in the 2400 block of West McHaney. — Officers took a criminal mischief report (punctured vehicle tires) in the 2000 block of West Ash. — Police took a theft report (mower) in the 800 block of South Lilly...

Bonnie Mae Hatley Shaw, age 70 of Leachville, former longtime Blytheville area resident, passed from this life Monday, March 27, 2017, at her home in Leachville.  Born at Dell, AR, she was the daughter of the late Elzie Hatley and had attended Dell schools.  She was a longtime employee of the former Myers Bakery in Blytheville.  She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens and people would drive from other towns to admire their beauty.  In addition to her father she was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Dorothy Sheffield Thornton, Betty Wolford, Mary Louise "Mussy" Brown and infant Shirley Hatley and 1 granddaughter, Jennifer McBride.. ...

Harrison Allen, 86, of Blytheville, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017 at his home. Harrison was born to Harrison Allen, Sr. and Pearl (Poe) Allen in Hope, Arkansas. He was the owner and operator of Allen A/C and Sheet Metal and established the business in 1969. ...

Blytheville firemen are in the 2100 block of McHaney protecting two neighboring structures from a vacant house fire. According to Lt. Brian Grisham, no injuries were reported as a result of the blaze, which started around 1:50 p.m. Friday. It is unclear at this time how the fire started...