By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Three St. Francis County communities are one step closer to receiving sewer services, according to officials speaking at a hearing last night regarding a grant which would pay to extend services to the three areas.
Gail McCarthy with ECF Planning and Management said Tuesday night's public hearing was held to determine the priority for the money being spent in the areas which would be affected by the grant. The communities of Patillo 1, Patillo 2 and Redfern are included in the grant, which McCarthy said is "basically a done deal.
"For the last couple of years, some of the water and sewer projects were being done in phases, and that created a backlog of applicants so they didn't accept applications. Back in April, they started taking applications again and they received 50 applications. Only 11 of those applications were accepted, and the St. Francis County wastewater project is one of them," said McCartney.
Leodis Williams, of the Patillo 1 subdivision, said that the number one priority in his community is sewer, and that thought was echoed by a member of the Redfern community who added, "The main priority of our community are the sewers too. When it rains out there, everything backs up and it just creates a mess."
Quorum court member Author Witherspoon also mentioned the need for natural gas in some of the communities as a priority as well as better drainage systems.
"Because of the incomes in many of the neighborhoods, natural gas is needed so that would be a secondary priority for members of my district as well as the need for better drainage because when it rains the water can collect in these areas as it runs off from Forrest City," Witherspoon said.
Project engineer Eddie Brawley spoke briefly at last night's meeting answering questions regarding easements, which will be required by property owners to install the sewer lines and the projected time frame for the project to be completed. According to Brawley, the project could be completed by late next year if the project doesn't encounter any obstacles.
McCarthy also spoke with citizens regarding the funding of hook-ups once the project is complete, explaining that some citizens would be receiving free hook-ups while others would not.
"This project will serve some people that just don't have the money to pay for the hook-ups so we have funds that will help supply those. We base the program on income, and that determines how much will be paid by a property owner. If the program begins in 2002, what we'll do is use a household's 2001 income to determine how much aid they will get according to Housing and Urban Development guidelines," said McCarthy.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees, St. Francis County Health Department officials, along with representatives from local utility companies are issuing consumers tips on how to avoid heat illnesses while at the same time keeping electric bills down.
According to the Department of Health, hot temperatures and high humidity are a dangerous mix which contributes to numerous illnesses and deaths each year. Forrest City reported its first heat-related fatality last month.
The SFC Health Unit will again this year, as in years past, have free fans for the elderly or disabled and those residents who have an infant in the home. According to a statement released by the department, residents can be placed on a list to receive a free fan through the home health program.
Health department officials remind area residents to keep cool this summer by drinking plenty of water. Fluid replacement can be crucial to avoid heat risks such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, according to a press release.
Also, health workers encourage those working outside to schedule strenuous activity during the coolest part of the day and to monitor feelings while in the heat.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the elderly should avoid staying shut-up indoors during heat waves without using air conditioners. Department officials suggest if someone can't afford air conditioning, then more time should be spent in other air conditioned environments.
A press release from Entergy shows that air conditioning can represent almost two-thirds of an electric bill during the summer months. And while increased usage results in higher bills every summer, this year the impact is being magnified by the higher cost of natural gas, a fuel commonly used in electricity generating plants.
According to Mike Davis, Customer Service Manager for Entergy, Arkansas depends on natural gas for only about 10 percent of its fuel. The rest is generated mostly with nuclear power and low-sulphur, clean-burning coal.
Davis said a consumer can reduce their usage and reduce utility bills by raising the air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. He also noted that changing the air filter at least once a month, the use of ceiling fans, and turning off window or central air conditioning units when out of town for an extended period of time can also help decrease the monthly electric charge.
Carl Horton with the Woodruff Electric Cooperative in Forrest City said if a person plans to be out of town for just a couple of days, then it would not be worth it to turn off the air conditioning.
"Everything in the home can hold heat in," said Horton. "To turn everything off for just a short time away from home would make it harder to cool when arriving back to your home, thus using more electricity to cool it off. I suggest just turning up the thermostat if you plan to be gone just a couple of days," he said.
Horton also suggested other ways to save on electricity. "A lot of people don't think about their refrigerators," said Horton. "Make sure the coils are clean and that the door seals really good. Also a person can save electricity by drying two loads of laundry at one time."
Horton said most new appliances are energy efficient any way, but for older model appliances, it would be a good idea to have them serviced and cleaned.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
As the first month of the county's new three month budget plan ends, county officials are saying the County General account looks like it might be in good shape.
After three pay periods for the month of July, the general account stood at $109,581.04 this week, according to St. Francis County Treasurer Ann Harbin. Harbin said that figure reflects some of the bills for the month of July but not the total bills.
"Right now we're looking like we're going to be in good shape for next month. We've paid some of this month's bills, but not all of them. We won't be able to have a total figure until all of the bills have been processed and paid for the month, and the county clerk's office is working on that right now," said Harbin.
County Judge Carl Cisco seemed pleased with the state of county finances after the first month of the three-month budget plan, and stated that he hopes county officials will continue to work together to help the program work.
"So far everything appears to be working well. We only have a few bills that are left to be paid this month, and everything is in pretty good shape. All of the elected officials have been working to make this program work, and as long as we keep this up, we should be able to get through this rough spot," Cisco said.
According to Harbin, county finances are looking better even though some funds that were expected last month haven't been received. County officials were expecting quarterly tax payments from the utilities but those have been slow to come in.
"Normally, the utilities pay in their quarterly payments in July, but this year I think we've only received one or two. I know that we got one for about $40,000, but I'm not sure if we've received any others," Harbin said.
According to Cisco taxes could begin to play a role in the overall increase in county finances because tax payments may begin to rise over the next two months.
"We generally see an increase in people coming in to pay their taxes during August, September and October and that will give us more money coming in to the county. Some people come in early to beat the crowds before the October deadline, and we're hoping that happens this year also," Cisco said.
A special section on the upcoming St. Francis County Fair in included in tonight's paper.
The pull-out "Fair Tab" includes a complete schedule of events, plus complete regulations for all the fair contests.
The fair will be held Sept. 3-8 at the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds, and will include Labor Day specials, plus the ever-popular Fairest of the Fair pageants and Youth Talent Show. Entry forms are included in the tab.
Registration for students in grades 10-12 will be held Wednesday, Aug. 8, through Friday, Aug. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, at the Forrest City High School, according to Abbie Robinson, principal.
Tenth grade registration will be Wednesday, Aug. 8; 11th grade registration will be Thursday, Aug. 9 and 12th grade registration will be Friday, Aug. 10.
All 10th grade students should arrive at registration prepared to take ID pictures.
The City of Caldwell is planning its first-ever Cotton Pickin' Festival, to be held Sept. 28 and 29.
Among the events will be a formal dedication of the new city park.
Interested Caldwell residents are encouraged to attend an organizing meeting Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Caldwell Fire Station, beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact Jenny Lindsey at 633-1513 or Mayor Gary Hughes at 633-0059.