By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Developers of a subdivision proposed for construction west of Forrest City are asking city officials to provide sewer services to the site.
Paul Gunn, a local engineer representing a Chicago-based company proposing to build an 84-lot subdivision on a 60-acre site just west of the Beck Spur intersection on Highway 70, told members of the city's planning commission on Tuesday that unless city sewer is extended to this area, the subdivision would not be built.
Gunn presented the preliminary plat for the proposed SJ's Villa to the commission for approval.
He told commissioners a development the size being proposed would require hookups on the city's sewer system. "They cannot do this unless they have city sewage. You can't build a subdivision of this size with septic systems," Gunn said.
After reviewing the plat, commissioners voted to table discussion on the matter until it is determined whether or not Forrest City will have jurisdiction over the proposed subdivision because it is located about five miles from the city limits.
"As far as our jurisdiction is concerned, I just don't know until I get something from Knox (Kinney, city attorney) on whether or not they are even in our jurisdiction. And if they're not within our jurisdiction, where does that leave them?" asked Commission Chairman Danny Capps, who also noted the commission can meet in special session once the jurisdiction question is answered.
Gunn, who had also discussed this proposal with members of the Forrest City Water Commission earlier this month, said that group told him the city could handle the subdivision since Dixie Foods has closed.
"Mr. Beasley told me it would be all right with the water commission if I went through the steps of approval by going through the planning commission and on to the city council," Gunn said. "I'm just following the procedures."
The council recently agreed to provide city sewer services to the Patillo area just outside the city limits. Voters will decide on an annexation issue regarding a portion of this land in November.
"We are wanting the city to do for us what they have approved to do for those areas," said Gunn.
Gunn told commissioners he plans to discuss the matter further with members of the city council at the group's meeting on Sept. 4 even if the planning commission has not determined jurisdiction for the area.
In other business, commissioners approved a preliminary plat request from Gunn for nine lots on three acres in the Forrest Hills subdivision contingent that a 20-foot right-of-way be given on the first lot. A 20-foot-right-of-way was already planned in for lot nine of the project, Gunn said.
The project is being developed by Derwin Sims of Diacom Corporation, and will be called the Horizon Subdivision, according to Gunn.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Local high school football fans are eagerly awaiting the Forrest City Mustangs' home opener against Osceola this Friday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. in Sam Smith Stadium.
However, before the season starts, there are some rules that school officials wish to make public, in hopes of making the evening safer and more enjoyable for all concerned.
"We're hoping for a good turnout of Mustang fans for the season opener, but wish to make the public aware of a few reasonable rules for those attending," a press release stated.
According to Abby Robinson, high school principal, children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult in order to be admitted to home games.
"So everyone can enjoy the game without unnecessary distractions, we ask that our adults keep up with their children and monitor their behavior during the game," she added. "We do not want children running up and down the stands and concession areas during the game. We want them to enjoy the game but to let others do so as well."
In addition, Robinson said, alcoholic beverages, tobacco use and weapons are prohibited.
"We want a safe and secure environment where everyone can have fun," she said. "School officials and law officers will be present to enforce the rules, and those attending will be expected to cooperate with them."
Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Alice Barnes, reinforced Robinson's comments and added, "We want our visiting opponents to go home sad about losing to the Mustangs, but complimentary of our good sportsmanship, hospitality and student behavior."
A highlight of this year's opening game will be a tribute to the 1985 Mustang Team, which went undefeated during the regular season.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The 15-year-old Forrest City teenager who admitted to setting the March 20 fire at the St. Francis County Courthouse was transferred from the St. Francis County Jail Tuesday to a state-operated training facility.
According to Ray Waters, the defense attorney for the teen who has already served five months in the county jail, will serve an undetermined amount of time at the juvenile facility.
"It's not normal for a juvenile to stay in a juvenile facility past the age of 18, but in this case the young man has already spent five months in an adult jail. It's possible that if he's on his best behavior he could be home by Christmas," said Waters.
First Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor Chris Morledge said he could not comment on the case further because the case had been transferred to juvenile court and the information was confidential.
The March fire caused over $500,000 in damages to the courthouse which is still undergoing repairs.
In other circuit court proceedings Tuesday, two Forrest City teenagers had first-degree murder charges transferred from circuit court to juvenile court. The two were arrested in November last year for murder in connection with the death of Marquis George, also of Forrest City. George was murdered in August. His body was found on Mallory Road Extended on Aug. 7 with two bullet wounds to the back.
Markeith Somlar, 19, also of Forrest City, also faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the George murder.
Morledge was not available for comment on why the teens' cases were transferred to juvenile court.
The 10th Colt Pioneer Days, sponsored by the Colt Community Development Corp. will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8.
On Friday, there will be activities from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturday the hours will be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. All events will be held on the lawn of the historic William Stone House in Colt.
There will be live gospel, bluegrass and country music, along with an Elvis impersonator. There will also be games and activities for all ages. For the kids, there will be pony rides, small train rides, sack races and fishing games. For grownups, there will be dominos, horseshoes and a "back seat driver" contest, in which a blindfolded person will drive a riding mower (with blades removed, of course), guided verbally by a back seat driver.
People are encouraged to bring their own law chairs.
Saturday will end with a drawing for a quilt and a watermelon feast donated by a member of the community.
Booths are available for $20 (please no food booths). Anyone interested in a booth should contact Ann Meals at 633-7588. All profits from Colt Pioneer Days will go for the upkeep and restoration of the William Stone House.
The Delta Studies Center at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro recently opened a traveling exhibit dedicated to an oral history of the Delta from 1920-1980.
According to a press release from ASU, the exhibit, titled "Arkansas Delta Agriculture and Community in Transition," opened Sunday, at the ASU Museum. According to the release, the exhibit expresses the history of the delta region through the voices of the community. Delta Studies Center interviewers traveled to 17 eastern Arkansas counties, including St. Francis, to conduct interviews with people who experienced various aspects of the Delta during the 60-year period covered in the project.
Forrest Citian Rev. Sherman Baker Jr. was one of those interviewed.
"I'm happy to see someone take a look at the history of the Delta. This is my home and I was more than willing to tell them what little I could," said Baker.
More than 3,2000 hours of taped interviews have been transcribed and will be available to the public through the Dean B. Ellis Library Archives and Special Collections Department at ASU. The exhibit will continue through Oct. 21, at the ASU Museum during regular hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, except for Labor Day weekend.
The traveling exhibit is available to community and civic groups and bookings may be arranged by contacting the Delta Studies Center at (870)910-8034 or toll free at (877)731-3020.
Today's edition of the Times-Herald contains a special 2001 football section.
The section will contain information and schedules on local junior high and high school teams, the Arkansas Razorbacks and Arkansas State University Indians.
The section is made possible by the following advertisers:
Antique Rose, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Baxter Horner Devereux, Classic Flowers & Weddings, Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute, Debbie's Flowers, Denny's, Edward Jones, First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, First National Bank of Wynne, Food Giant, Forrest City Bank, Forrest City Florist, Dr. Larry Giffin DDS, Gilmer & Mosley, Gray's Service Center, Honda of Forrest City, Jackson Used Cars, Larry's Eastside Auto, Looney Implement, Machen Ford & Chrysler, National Carpet One, Pearson Insurance, Pizza Hut, Ray Houser, Sonic, Special Affects, Stevens Funeral Home, Sugar Bush Flower Shoppe, Times-Herald Printing & Office Products, The Title Company, Union Planters Bank and Western Auto.