The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Candidate Forum at the Blytheville High School Monday, October 24, at the Blytheville High School Auditorium.

Chamber Director Liz Smith was the moderator for the forum featuring candidates for both city council and for county judge.

​If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen on demand below.

Early voting has begun in Arkansas. In Mississippi County, here are the early voting places:

For the North end of Mississippi County, early voting is taking place at the Mississippi County Election Center.

For the South end of Mississippi County, early voting is taking place at the Osceola Courthouse.

In Manila and Leachville, early voting is taking place at the Manila Depot until October 29. On October 31 through November 7, early voting will take place for Manila and Leachville at the ANC Library in Leachville.

Download the 2016 Arkansas Ballot Issues Voter Guide.

“Innovation & Inclusion:  Creating Job Opportunities in the Rural Marketplace”
 
Innovation, inclusion and job creation in rural Arkansas will be the key words at an upcoming regional conference to be held in Blytheville, Arkansas.  Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, the 2016 Northeast Arkansas Business & Enterprise Development Conference, with a theme of “Innovation & Inclusion:  Creating Job Opportunities in the Rural Marketplace” will bring together approximately 20 private, state, federal and nonprofit organizations with a singular mission of equipping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to start and expand their businesses.
 
Hosted by the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC), Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC), Arkansas State University-Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), Mississippi County Economic Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the conference will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Holiday Inn - Blytheville, 1121 Main Street, Blytheville, AR 72315. Topics will include but are not limited to, building effective partnerships, securing capital, how to sell goods and services to the government, and social media.
 
Join us at 8:30 am for a “Lenders Roundtable Breakfast,” where participants will network with local, regional and statewide lenders. Organizations invited to participate include Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Communities Unlimited, Eastern Arkansas Planning and Development District, FORGE, Farmers Bank and Trust, Hope Credit Union, Southern Bancorp, USDA – Rural Development …and MORE! Lunch will also be provided.
 
Current business owners and those just getting started, youth entrepreneurs, business and technical school students, apprentices, veterans and community and economic development professionals, are invited to attend this unique opportunity. You will engage with other business owners, receive help with research and business planning, learn how to increase your networking results and learn to do more business with government and private industry. Mr. Samuel Rikkers, Administrator, Rural Business Cooperative Services – USDA, Rural Development, Washington, DC will be luncheon speaker. 
 
Don’t miss the opportunity to help your community create needed JOBS by learning valuable insights to help your small business GROW! And, INNOVATE!
 
AN INVESTMENT OF TIME IS THE COST TO ATTEND BUT REGISTRATION IS ENCOURAGED.
 
You may register by calling Arkansas Human Development Corporation at (800) 482-7641  
or online at http://goo.gl/McuCqE
​

Summer's nearly over and it's time to go back to school. Here's our list of area schools and the first day back in session.

ARKANSAS
 
Armorel School Dist - August 15
 
Blytheville School Dist - August 15
 
Buffalo Island School Dist  - August 15
 
Gosnell School Dist -  August 15
 
Manila School Dist -   August 15
 
Osceola School Dist -  August 15
 
Rivercrest School Dist  -  August 15
 
 
 Missouri
 
Caruthersville School Dist     August 11
 
Cooter School Dist         August 12
 
Hayti School Dist -   August  11
 
Kennett School District        August 18
 
South Pemiscot School Dist  August 11

​Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday 2016 is this Saturday and Sunday, August 6th and 7th. Here's a list of tax free items.

The Arts Council of Mississippi County is pleased to announce that once again Blytheville has been selected to host a concert by a United States’ Military Ensemble.  The Ritz has a rich history of presenting  Military Units from various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces—groups such as the U.S. Air Force  Starlifter, Shades of Blue, and Midwest Winds (woodwind quintet) and the U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors, as well as the U.S. Navy Band Mid-South on two different occasions.
     Now we have the privilege of welcoming the special United States Navy Unit Four Star Edition.  Four Star Edition is U.S. Fleet Forces Band's contemporary music ensemble that entertains audiences with its refreshing blend of modern hits from a variety of styles that includes current pop, rock, Latin and country, as well as classic rock-and-roll.  Composed of some of the U.S. Navy's most versatile musicians, Four Star Edition engages audiences with diverse, high-energy shows that entertain audiences of all ages!  This ensemble will perform live at The Ritz at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 27, 2016.  Tickets are free for this event, and must be requested in advance to guarantee your seat.
     Individuals may request up to rour (4) tickets per person by any of the following methods.  You may drop by The Ritz, 306 W. Main in Blytheville which is open daily from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and during special events.  Send a request by mail to The Arts Council of Mississippi County, P.O. Box 925, Blytheville, AR 72316, by email to artsmissco@yahoo.com, or by calling (870)762-1744.  Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, so be sure and request yours early.  Tickets will be available beginning Monday, July 25, 2016.
     For more information about The Arts Council of Mississippi County and all of their events visit the website www.artsmissco.org.

WASHINGTON – As the nation celebrates its 240th birthday, Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be celebrating with small businesses in five states and 11 cities during the SBA Main Street Road Tour, July 4-8.

​“Main Street entrepreneurship is at the heart of the American economy, contributing half of our nation’s productivity and creating two out of three net new jobs,” said Contreras-Sweet.  “Communities throughout the country depend on local family restaurants, shoe stores, barber shops, and other small businesses to provide good jobs, generate vital economic activity, and deliver products and services at home and abroad.  We launched this bus tour to make sure small businesses throughout the Delta Region know that the SBA is here and ready to support them through access to capital, counseling, federal contracting and even disaster assistance. And we are working to improve support for small businesses every day with our loan originator streamlining, technological embraces including LINC, the Small Business Technology Coalition, and Startup in a Day making it easier than ever for small businesses to start, grow and succeed.”

The SBA Main Street Road Tour is a weeklong bus tour that starts in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri on Monday, July 4th and concludes in New Orleans, Louisiana on Friday, July 8th. Contreras-Sweet will visit cities and towns along the route, which includes stops in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.  During her bus tour she will embark on Main Street walking tours, meet with local small businesses as well as members of the local Chambers of Commerce, city officials and business representatives.  While meeting with all these groups she will emphasize SBA’s work to drive investing into U.S. communities of all sizes and shine a spotlight on the importance and impact of Main Street small businesses across the nation.  ​

​About the Small Business Administration:
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.  The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses.  Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov

June 13, 2016


As Chairman of the Mississippi County Juneteenth Celebration, I cordially invite the city officials, and all residents of Mississippi County, AR to join us as we celebrate the day of emancipation. 

Historically, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom for the African American heritage. Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, many slaves did not find out they were free until 2.5 years later on June 19th, 1865. We look forward to celebrating this historic tradition, as we give homage to the ones that came before us. 

This celebration will be Saturday, June 18, 2016. We will kick off with the annual parade with Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Ford as Grand Marshalls. The Big Celebration will be at the corner of Elm & McHaney Streets from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Citizens are welcome to enjoy the activities and free food that will be available. 

Not only is this a day of celebration, but should be marked as a day of unity, prayer, and peacefulness for the citizens of our county.
​
We look forward to seeing each and everyone at this great event. 

Desmond F. Hammett
Chairman 
2016 Juneteenth Committee 

​BLYTHEVILLE, AR – The Flying Wallendas take to the skies of Blytheville, Arkansas, for Mayfest 2016 Friday night, May 6, andSaturday, May 7, for three nail-biting shows. Watch the Wallendas navigate their tightrope with no safety net starting Friday night at 6 p.m. in Dixie Line Park near the world-famous Greyhound Bus Station in historic downtown Blytheville.
 
The Wallendas perform two more shows on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m.
 
They were first known as The Great Wallendas, but the current name was coined by the press in the 1940s and has stayed since.
 
On March 22, 1978, during a promotional walk in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Karl Wallenda fell from the wire and died. It was between the towers of Condado Plaza Hotel, one hundred feet high. He was 73. Nik Wallenda completed the walk on June 4, 2011, with his mother, Delilah.
Nik Wallenda became the first aerialist to walk directly over Niagara Falls on June 15, 2012, from the United States into Canada. Wearing a safety harness as required by ABC television, he crossed at the river's widest point.
Nik was also the first aerialist to walk over the Little Colorado River Gorge at the Grand Canyon. The event was broadcast live on the Discovery Channel. He used a 2-inch wire and made the journey without a harness or safety net. The canyon is 1,400 feet  wide and 1,500 feet deep.
A VIP tent with food and beverages is available for the Friday night performance. Tickets for the tent are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-762-2012.
After the Wallendas perform Friday night, Rockin’ Luke Stroud takes over the Music On Main stage next to the Bus Station. If you love the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, you don’t want to miss Rockin’ Luke. Music On Main kicks off Friday night at 7 p.m. Burgers and hot dogs will be available.
 
The Gospel Stage this year features some incredible talent, including nationally-known artists Pastor Tim Rogers and The Isaacs. Deep River, Michele Green & The Overflow Band, The True Gospel Wright Singers and Reverend Terrell Rogers And The Men Of Destiny will also perform throughout the day.
 
Come spend the day strolling up and down historic Main Street in downtown Blytheville enjoying the crafts, food and fun! And, why not bring your dog for the annual Blytheville Humane Society Dog Show at 11 a.m. on Saturday?
 
All the fun kicks off Saturday on Main Street at 10 a.m. and runs till 4 p.m.
 
For more information, email mayfest@mainstreetblytheville.com or call 870-763-2525 Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Keep up with everything going on with Mayfest 2016 by downloading the Main Street Blytheville app in your app store! Search for Main Street Blytheville or visit Main Street Blytheville online at www.mainstreetblytheville.com for a complete schedule of events.

The Delta Gateway Museum Association, the museum's 501(c)3 non-profit support organization, needs your online donation tomorrow, April 7, during ArkansasGives!  All donations made to DGM Association will benefit long term exhibit development at Delta Gateway Museum.

ArkansasGives is a one-day online fundraising campaign sponsored by the Arkansas Community Foundation and the Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance.  Thursday, April 7, from 8am to 8pm, they're challenging people to give to the participating non-profit(s) of your choice -- and we're asking YOU to give to DGM Association! 
​
During this 12-hour event, each donation will help DGM Association qualify for additional bonus dollars from the Arkansas Community Foundation.  The more we raise, the more bonus dollars we receive!

ArkansasGives is one day, one easy way to make your charitable dollars stretch farther.  Good things are happening at Delta Gateway Museum and you can help the good grow!  Just go to https://www.arkansasgives.org/ and search for DGM Association to make your secure credit card donation.

Learn more about our long term exhibit plan at www.deltagatewaymuseum.org.  You'll like what we're working towards!

The Arts Council of Mississippi County is pleased to announce Sherry Ruddick as the featured artist for The Ritz Gallery for the month of April, 2016. Her exhibit will be available for viewing weekdays from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and during special events. There will be a free Meet the Artist Reception at The Ritz, 306 W. Main in Blytheville, on Saturday, April 9, 2016,  from 3:00-5:00 PM.

Mrs. Ruddick, originally from Central Arkansas, is a resident of Manila, AR. She and husband Paul Ruddick have two children, Silas and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn also shows talent as an artist.

“I guess my artistic beginnings started with my wonderful wall creations in crayon. Well, I thought they were wonderful,” shares Mrs. Ruddick. She continues, “My mother was not so thrilled with them. After washing one too many walls, my parents invested in a large chalkboard and plenty of coloring books. All my childhood I loved to draw on and with anything I could get my hands on.”

Sherry studied art in junior high and high school. Mr. Matthews was her inspiring and talented art teacher through her high school years in Haskell, AR. She learned much about being an artist from him. He was honest and blunt, but was also supportive and encouraged her creativity. Sherry remembers him as a great teacher. 

As an adult, Sherry has been involved in other forms of art such as singing, writing music and creating jewelry. However, drawing and painting remain as her favorite creative outlet. Her art expresses her inner self, her emotions, thoughts and beliefs, and she turns those into works that can be seen and enjoyed by others.

Mrs. Ruddick added, “I mentioned to my father-in-law that I have a hard time letting go of my artwork. He told me something I’ll never forget. He said,
‘Your artwork is a part of you, it’s a little piece of your soul that you’ve imparted into your art. That’s why you have a hard time letting it go.’ Yeah, I’d say that about says it all. If you look at my work, you are looking at a small piece of me.”

You can meet Sherry Ruddick at her Gallery Reception. For additional information about this event or others at the Ritz, call (870)762-1744, or visit www.artsmissco.org.

CRAFTERS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, FOOD VENDORS SOUGHT
​FOR ANNUAL MAYFEST IN BLYTHEVILLE
 
 
BLYTHEVILLE, Arkansas – Are you a crafter, artist, musician or food vendor? Main Street Blytheville is looking for vendors for Mayfest 2016, scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Mayfest 2016 is set to be the biggest festival to date with this year's addition of the legendary 'high wire' family, The Flying Wallendas, with performances both Friday and Saturday, including their signature '7 Person Pyramid.'
 
Our gospel stage this year features some incredible talent, including nationally-known artists Pastor Tim Rogers and The Isaacs.
 
Come spend the day strolling up and down historic Main Street in downtown Blytheville enjoying our crafts, food and fun! And, why not bring your dog for the annual Blytheville Humane Society Dog Show?
 
Food vendors at Mayfest 2016 will be able to sell beverages. "In the past, Main Street Blytheville has sold the drinks during Mayfest," according to Executive Director Tucker Nunn. "This year, we've decided to make it easier on our vendors and our visitors by allowing them to also sell beverages at their booths."
 
If you would like to reserve a booth or space for Mayfest 2016, Vendor Registration Forms are available for download on our website at www.mainstreetblytheville.com. Registration forms should be received by Main Street Blytheville no later than Monday, April 25, 2016. Early registration will assure you of having a booth location at or near your traditional or preferred location.
 
For more information, email mayfest@mainstreetblytheville.com or call 870-763-2525 Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keep up with everything going on with Mayfest 2016 by downloading the Main Street Blytheville app in your app store! Search for Main Street Blytheville.

These are the unofficial election results for Mississippi County on Super Tuesday. 

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - ​The Southern Bancorp 5th Annual Hope Concert, featuring Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of NBC's TV show 'The Voice,' raised an estimated $22,500 Friday night, February 26, 2016 for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. The event also featured Nashville artists David Adam Byrnes and CJ Wilder, and was held inside the Holidome at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville, Arkansas.

Part of the evening included a Celebrity Auction with items signed by country music stars, including three separate guitars. Phil and April Dever had the winning bid of $12,000 on the guitar signed by Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Maddie and Tae, Sam Hunt and Clare Dunn.

The annual event was presented by Mississippi County Electric Cooperative.

The concert was the kick-off for the 36th Annual ESA St Jude Country Cares For Kids Radio Cablethon, which is set for Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5. Watch Saturday's portion of the annual event streaming live on the Thunder Country 96.3 website at www.thundercountry963.com starting at 9 a.m. CST.

​BLYTHEVILLE, ARK – Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of the 2014 season of NBC's The Voice, will highlight The Southern Bancorp 5th Annual Hope Concert, presented by Mississippi County Electric Cooperative, on February 26, 2016, inside the Holidome at the Holiday Inn in Blytheville.​
 
Doors open at 7 p.m. with appetizers served throughout the evening. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with CJ Wilder and David Adam Byrnes.
 
This year’s show will include our Celebrity Auction, with items signed by some of the biggest names in country music. Two of the items up for auction include guitars signed by stars like Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt and more! Sammy Williams is the auctioneer.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door the night of the show, and are available at the Thunder Country Studios at 125 South 2nd Street in Blytheville. Tables are also available for $200. You must be at least 21 years old for this show.

Premiere fundraising event hosted by Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics  Polar Plunge® is a fundraiser in which individuals and teams take the plunge into various bodies of water...typically cold water to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Arkansas. This is the first time this event has been held in Blytheville. A fun event for a great cause and you can add something to
your “I made a difference” bucket list. Come out and join us by participating or cheering on those who take the plunge as they will be “Freezin for a Reason”.

The event happens Saturday, February 13th from 11:30am -1pm at Hampton Inn, 301 N Service Rd, in Blytheville. The minimum donation to plunge is $50.00. Plungers can register at  www.firstgiving.com/soar/blytheville-polar-plunge-2016 and create a personal fundraising web page to collect donations from family, friends and co-workers. Each participant will receive a long-sleeve T-
shirt.

Other Prizes available:
​
$50 minimum donation per plunger receives a long sleeve souvenir plunge shirt

$250 raised receives beach towel and a long sleeve souvenir plunge shirt

$500 raised receives High Def 3.0 Wireless Bluetooth speaker, beach towel, and a long sleeve souvenir plunge shirt

$1000 raised receives a Packable Waterproof Jacket, High Def. 3.0 Wireless Bluetooth speaker, beach towel, and a long sleeve souvenir plunge shirt

The mission of Special Olympics Arkansas is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Our program is supported by individual donations, private and corporate sponsorships, state appropriation, grants, and special fundraising events, such as Polar Plunge. This financial support offers training, equipment and competition to the athletes FREE OF CHARGE!

For more information, contact Janet Mason at (870) 761-7535. Area 13 Director, Theresa Book at (870)598-4908, NEA Field Rep or Camie Powell at (501) 771-0222 or camie@specialolympicsarkansas.org., Director of Marketing & Corporate Programs.

These schools have contacted us and are CLOSED ON FRIDAY:
Blytheville 
Arkansas Northeastern College
Cooter
Gosnell 
Armorel
Osceola
​Manila

These schools will be closed today:

Arbyrd Head Start
Armorel
ANC
Blytheville
Cooter
Dyersburg State Community College
Gosnell
Kennett
Manila 
Osceola
Kiddie College

The Department of Human Services will be open at 8 a.m., however, they will be observing their Inclement Weather Policy.