By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Museum board of directors will be requesting seed money from the St. Francis County Cultural Foundation for the purchase of 150 pewter Christmas ornaments.
If approved, the ornaments will be sold to raise funds for the Cultural Foundation through the museum. The funds will be used to bring special programs and exhibits to the museum.
The museum plans to order about 150 ornaments, and request $825 from the foundation to cover the initial costs. "The ornaments will have a raised image of the Rush-Gates house," said museum director Laura Mazzanti.
Board members agreed that most city museums sell magnets or ornaments and thought the ornaments would be a good fund raiser.
In other business at a recent meeting, board members accepted donations from the St. Francis County Sheriff's office, Dr. Morgan Collins, Dr. Carl Lippo and Elna Shannon.
The Sheriff's Office donated a stolen Confederate grave marker, which was confiscated after an arrest.
According to board member Craig Jones, "The county would like to have the marker put back on the grave where it came from, but there is no way to figure that out. They were not marked with names."
Collins donated about 60 pieces of vintage medical equipment to the museum, and Shannon donated 29 Lincoln High School sports trophies dating back to the 40s, 50s and early 70s.
In addition, "Dr. Carl Lippo has given his thesis on the Indian sites and mounds which make up most of St. Francis County," said Mazzanti. "It is truly fascinating and worth while to read."
Mazzanti also told board members about a traveling photographic exhibit, featuring Delta courthouses. The courthouses were photographed by Curtis Duncan, an artist from Dale.
"The exhibit is funded by Arkansas State University and the photographs will be on display here at the museum throughout the month of September," she said.
Board members also discussed the upcoming St. Francis County Fair. The museum will have a display in the exhibit hall every day of the fair.
St. Francis County had an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in July, down from 9.2 percent in June, and also down from 9.1 percent in July of last year.
According to the figures supplied by the state Employment Security Department, during July the county had a civilian labor force of 12,250, with 11,175 working and 1,075 not working.
The 8.7 percent figure put St. Francis County in a two way tie for the 14th highest unemployment in the state, with Dallas County.
The state's highest unemployment was in Mississippi County, which registered 14.3 percent, and had the state's highest unemployment for the sixth straight month. There were seven counties with unemployment at or above 10 percent. After Mississippi County, these were Lee, 12.2 percent; Independence, 10.5 percent; Poinsett, 10.3 percent; Ouachita, 10.1 percent; Drew, 10.1 percent; Desha, 10 percent.
There were 16 counties with unemployment at or below 4 percent.
Jobless rates in surrounding counties were as follows: Cross, 6.7 percent; Crittenden, 6.1 percent; Lee, 12.2 percent; Phillips, 9.6 percent; Monroe, 6.4 percent; Woodruff, 7 percent.
Bids have been accepted for paving projects on a pair of county roads.
The St. Francis County Judge's office reported the bids were requested by the county for work on SFC 107 in the Jericho area near Palestine, and for work in the New Prospect area on SFC 363.
Both bids were awarded to M&T Paving of Forrest City. The bid on the project near Palestine was for $69,434.70. On the New Prospect job, M&T bid $80,971.03. The bids were accepted through a bid process conducted by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco said work is scheduled to begin later this year at the two work sites.
Cisco also commented briefly on road work in the Madison area at the Crow Creek bridge, which is nearing completion. Cisco said the actual bridge structure has been completed and road crews are now preparing the area for paving.
"The bridge is finally finished, and now it's time for the dirt work to begin. When I was out there, they had begun getting the road ready for the dirt work, and that will leave only the paving before the project is complete," Cisco said.
According to Cisco the Crow Creek project is expected to be completed this fall.
Two people, one armed with a pistol, got away with about $200 cash in a robbery of the Fina gas station at 1221 N. Washington Friday night.
According to the Forrest City Police Department, the robbery occurred at about 8 p.m. An employee of the station told police a man and woman entered the station, and the man pulled out a revolver and demanded money from the register.
After getting the money, the two suspects fled on foot, but were later seen by another witness and reported to be in a white car traveling south on Washington.
The Forrest City Planning Commission will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Forrest City City Hall.
The commission will hear proposals from Paul Gunn on two different projects.
On the first proposal, Gunn will be representing Derwin Sims with Diacom Corp., asking for preliminary plat approval of nine lots on three acres adjacent to the Forrest Hill's addition on Brookside Drive.
On the second project, Gunn will ask for plat approval for a proposed subdivision in the Beck Spur area.
Demonstrations will be an addition to activities at this year's St. Francis County Fair. From Monday through Friday of the Fair, different organizations and individuals will be demonstrating various crafts and skills.
On Monday, Sept. 3, the art of quilting will be demonstrated by the Caring Touch Circle of First Baptist Church. The demonstration will be held from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Angie Laster will demonstrate silhouette cutting and nail painting from 6-9 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sept. 5, Piñata making will be demonstrated by Cissy Smith, from 6-9 p.m.
Face painting will be demonstrated from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, by Ruth Ann Haycroft, Naomi Williams and Geralldine Powell.
Friday from 6-9 p.m., Al Cullum will demonstrate ceramics.