By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Two people were shot during a disturbance outside a club at Hicks Station Saturday night.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department reported James M. Harris, 39, of Parkin, and J.W. Washington Jr., 37, Madison, were reportedly injured during a shootout outside the club about 10:30 p.m.
People inside the club told police they heard arguing outside before an estimated nine shots were fired from what appeared to be two weapons.
Deputies reported two men were shot during the altercation.
Harris told police he was inside the club shooting pool when he heard the altercation and walked outside to see what was going on. Harris was struck once in the upper right arm before running from the scene to a friend's car on Highway 70. Deputies reported the friend took Harris to a local hospital.
The second victim, J.W. Washington Jr., 37, Madison, told deputies he was outside the club when a subject started arguing with him. According to the report, the suspect left the club, but returned about 45 minutes later, accompanied by three other subjects. An argument ensued and the shooting followed between Washington and the suspect, deputies reported. Washington was reportedly shot once in the left leg.
Washington told police he drove home and his wife took him to the police department to report the incident. He was then taken to the local emergency room.
The Times-Herald was unable to obtain information this morning regarding the condition of the victims. Officials at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City, citing a confidentiality rule, refused to release information regarding the victims.
The investigation is continuing.
The St. Francis County 4-H program and the County Extension Office will host a local forum at the Forrest City Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
The purpose of the meeting is to make a list of recommendations to be shared with Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Tim Hutchinson, and later with President George W. Bush.
This meeting is for youth, and adults who have a commitment to youth or are interested in youth development.
To participate, people may either attend the Jan. 2 event, or get a group together from a church, school, business or community center and have a representative report the group's recommendations.
Basically, according to Extension Agent Stephanie Bryant, the recommendations are meant to answer the following question: "Within the next three to five years, what are the most important actions we can take to create the future we want for our youth, ourselves and our community?"
All responses to this question will be addressed. Also, delegates from the local meeting, along with delegates from the other counties in Arkansas, will be able to present each county's top priorities to state senators at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center. In February, delegates from each congressional district will gather with delegates from around the country to present their state priorities to Washington, D.C., officials.
For more information, contact the Extension Office at 261-1730.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Funding was appropriated last week for three area charities during a semi-annual meeting of the St. Francis County Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
The St. Francis County CARE Center, the St. Francis County Food Pantry and the American Legion Goodfellows will all receive funding during the 2002 year.
A budget cut from the Federal Emergency Management Agency decreased the amount of funds available this year by close to 10 percent, according to board chairperson Martha Couchman. Last year, FEMA funded the county program with $26,825. Last year's money was divided among the CARE Center, which received $11,150; the Food Pantry, which received $11,175, and Goodfellows, which received $4,500.
This year, the county received FEMA funding in the amount of $24,058. The funds were dispersed with $10,000 going to both the CARE Center and Food Pantry, and $4,058 going to the Goodfellows.
The SFC/EFS board also considered funding the Crowley's Ridge Development Council but reconsidered that move based on the funding amount available.
Board members answered several questions regarding recordkeeping.
"We have several good organizations working together here, but the threat is out there that people might double dip. You might have people getting assistance from the CARE Center and then going to the CRDC to get the same type of assistance," said board member Gary Chapman.
CARE Center representative Jan Hankins responded, "We work together to try to keep that from happening. Each of the organizations keeps records of people that come in to get assistance. If someone is trying to do that we put a stop to it."
Lula Clay with the Food Pantry also answered questions regarding abuse of the system.
"We have had people who come in and try to get food every week. We don't do that. First, we must have a letter recommending them from the county or from the church that sends them. Most of the people that we see are sent to us from DHS (the Department of Human Services). We try to be available only to those who are in need but some do try the system," Clay said.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco suggested attempting to put all of the organizations under one roof to help control abuse.
Couchman responded, "When the CARE Center was established originally, that was what was supposed to happen. The biggest problem that we face trying to do that is space. There is no available space for that type of organization. The CARE Center is bursting at the seams right now as it is. Another problem would be the manpower needed to work with the number of people who would come in."
The SFC/EFS program is annually funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which distributes the funds to St. Francis County so that they can be distributed locally.
The offices of the Times-Herald, along with many other area businesses, will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday.
The paper will be open again Wednesday, Dec. 26, for regular office hours.