Stories from Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Terry Mullins Sports Editor The Melbourne Bearkatz have made a couple of things very clear during the first three weeks of the 2014 football season. In order to slow them down, you're going to have to find a way to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and, at the same time, find some way to slow down dynamic running back Dalton Romero...

The former fire chief of the Nine Mile Ridge Fire Department has been arrested for the misuse of department funds following an Arkansas State Police investigation. Gary Gilliland, who served as the Nine Mile Ridge fire chief from 2004 until he resigned in April of this year, has been charged with one count of theft of property and two counts of Forgery, Second Degree...

An investigation into the theft of a backhoe owned by the city of West Plains early this summer has led West Plains Police and Missouri State Troopers to Fulton County, where the stolen backhoe was recovered, touching off an investigation into a local company in the process...

A positive vote during the Sept. 22 Fulton County School Board election has prompted the board to move forward with a long discussed improvement project -- expanding the band room at Salem High School. Because the school system will be debt free in February, the board put an item on the election ballot asking citizens to agree to transfer 6.5 debt service mills to maintenance and operation mills. ...

When Baxter Regional Medical Center opens a new clinic next month in Salem's old Dollar General Store location, a familiar face will be practicing there. After being affiliated for many years with the Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Dr. John Scribner's last day at the Salem 1st Care Clinic, which is operated by OMC, is to be Friday, Sept. ...

Nadine Case Goodwin, 76, of Myrtle, Mo., died on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at West Plains, Mo. Arrangements by Carter Funeral Home of Thayer, Mo. Larry "Doc" Turner, 68, of Salem, Ark., died on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at Salem. Arrangements by Barker Funeral Home of Salem...

Larry William "Doc" Turner was born in Wheeling, Ark., on March 15, 1946, son of Troy Lee and Hazel Elizabeth (Moss) Turner. He departed this life Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at Southfork River Therapy and Living Center in Salem, Ark., at the age of 68 years, 6 months and 2 days...

Arnetta Nadine (Case) Goodwin was born the daughter of Melvin Edward Case and Lillian Lottie Fay (Combs) Case on June 18, 1938, in Myrtle, Mo. and departed this life Sept.14, 2014, in West Plains, Mo. at the age of 76 years. She was united in marriage on Sept. 8, 1956, at Alton, Mo. to Asa Garrison...

The newest member of the Thayer Police Department was introduced to the community on Saturday, Sept. 20. "Foust," a year old German Shepherd charmed the crowd during a Fish Fry at the Fun and Friends Center, an event to help raise money for the dog's care...

The small town of Myrtle is ready for its seventeenth annual Myrtle Yester-Daze celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27. The festival, popular for having a different theme every year, has chosen "133 Years Old and Still Making Tracks at Myrtle Yester-Daze," as this year's theme...

Photo/ Steven Looney One of these six candidates will be crowned Thayer Homecoming Queen 2014 prior to the Bobcats' Friday, Sept. 26, game against the Cabool Bulldogs. Candidates are (front row left), freshman Halie Wooldridge, senior candidates Jordan Alford, Meghan Collins and Molly Honeycutt. Junior candidate Taylor Schick and sophomore Grayce Moore...

Thayer students received a good report card at the Thayer Board of Education's Sept. 16 meeting. Superintendent Tonya Woods reported that, while state testing scores trended down last year, Thayer's Annual Performance Report (APR), shows scores increased -- from a 95 to 95.4 percent in their overall score on the latest state report...

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of archery hunting season in Missouri. As has been the tradition for generations in Oregon County, hunters have taken to the woods in search of food, recreation and that elusive big buck. Unlike the shorter firearms season, which runs for 10 days beginning on Nov. 15, archery season in Missouri lasts until Nov. 14, then resumes on Nov. 26 and goes until Jan. 15...

Evening Shade's annual Fall Round Up is set for Saturday, Sept. 27, with a day of activities and vendor offerings "We try to get all of our vendors set up by noon so everyone can come and see what they have to offer," said event coordinator Kimberly Graddy. ...

The Cherokee Village City Council tried to get to the bottom of an incident that has sparked a lot of comment and rumor when it met on Thursday, Sept. 18. Mike Stanley, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Bowhunters Association, spoke to the council about citations issued by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Officer Steve Taylor during the ongoing urban bow hunt...

The Cherokee Elementary School had a large turnout for its Watch D.O.G.S. pizza party on Monday, Sept. 15. The cafeteria was full of veteran and new Watch D.O.G.S, ready to sign up for duty. "This is a little bit more than usual. I'm so happy so many of you came," counselor Kelly King said, welcoming the crowd of about 75 volunteers and students. ...

A family business has brought new life to The Highlander, which was the home of the Arkansas Traveler dinner theater for years. Karen, Glen, Josh and Nicole Steigler are hoping to bring life back into the restaurant with entertainment and a family friendly environment...

A local resident attended the Highland City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9 to express her concerns on a couple of issues. Jennifer Campbell addressed the council regarding speeding and trash in the Alma, Turkey Pen and Liberty Hill areas. "I moved here about two years ago and my husband and I really like this place. ...