By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Several people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a counterfeiting ring that hit two Forrest City businesses in December.
Forrest City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division Lt. Dwight Duch said at least 12 people have been questioned for their possible involvement in the case, and at this time, seven people have been arrested. Duch said more arrests are expected.
According to Duch, about 30 counterfeit business checks were passed at First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas and Wal-Mart during December.
The counterfeit checks were allegedly made on businesses including Auto Zone, Overnite Transportation Company, Motel Management d/b/a Super 8 Motel and Furniture for Less, all of Memphis, Distribution Systems of Union in New Jersey and Consolidated Systems Inc., of Columbia, S.C.
Most of those arrested in the case are from St. Francis County. They include:
* Yakima Holmes, 22, 312 Lake St., Forrest City, four counts of second-degree forgery.
* Rotunda Willis, 23, Memphis, 30 counts of second-degree forgery. She has been extradited by the FCPD.
* Cota Allen, 49, Madison, one count of second-degree forgery.
*Brian Michael, 29, 304 C St., Forrest City, two counts of second-degree forgery.
* Cherika Willis, 20, Widener, four counts of second-degree forgery.
* Debra Wilson, 37, 904 Mann St., Forrest City, four counts of second-degree forgery.
* Jarvis Cole, 23, 324 A St., Forrest City, four counts second-degree forgery.
Duch said warrants have been issued for the arrests of more individuals for their alleged involvement in the case.
The FCPD was assisted in the investigation by the U.S. Secret Service offices in Little Rock and Memphis and the Memphis Auto/Cargo Theft Task Force.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The contract for the caterer at the Forrest City Civic Center continued to be a point of contention Thursday afternoon at a meeting between the Civic Center Commission and a special committee.
At issue is the contract of Jim Hitchcock, the sole caterer for the Civic Center. The commission was meeting with a committee appointed by Mayor Larry Bryant to review the contract.
In a meeting that was at times argumentative, commissioners hammered out six issues that will be tackled during the next meeting of the commission.
Commissioners agreed that the six primary issues of the contract that need to be discussed are an inventory of the Civic Center, disclosure statements from each commissioner, an inspection of the Civic Center kitchen, scheduling periodic checks of Hitchcock's Civic Center records, the issue of a telephone listing Colby's Custom Catering in the telephone book and a schedule of menu prices for Colby's Custom Catering.
Questions arose after Commissioner Shirley Harvell asked Bryant if commissioners should issue a disclosure statement saying that they didn't have a financial interest in individuals contracted with the Civic Center. Bryant polled all of the commissioners to find out if there would be any problems with the disclosure statements and commissioners agreed 6 to 1 that there were no problems.
Commissioner Ted Parker was the one dissenting vote saying, "I'm not ready to disclose that information because I don't think that it's anybody's business."
Bryant said that he would contact the Arkansas Attorney General's Office to determine whether Civic Center commissioners had to sign disclosure agreements, because other commissioners have to do so.
"City councilmen and elected officials have to sign them I know. I also know that the members of the A and P Commission, the Water Commission and the Planning Commission all had to sign them also. I remember when Marie (Todd, city clerk) passed out the forms but I don't know if you all have to," said Bryant.
The issue with the telephone listing was basically settled when Hitchcock agreed to remove the phone from the building. "I had that phone installed because I didn't want to use the city's phone when I was making phone calls and placing orders. The phone company had to have some type of listing for the phone and it's not like it's a yellow pages advertisement or anything, but if it's a problem I can have the phone taken out," said Hitchcock.
Attorney Alvin Simes questioned commissioners on the inspection of Hitchcock's records asking "Is there any schedule whether annually, semi-annually or quarterly where commissioners can see Mr. Hitchcock's records on catering events at the civic center?"
According to commission chairperson Delores Morelon, Commissioners received a record from Hitchcock at the September meeting of the commission. Harvell questioned that record saying, "What we received was a sheet of paper with numbers on one side and dates on the other. That was not a formal record and we've since asked for that and not received it."
Bryant asked commissioners to tackle the issue at the next meeting to arrange a formal schedule to review Hitchcock's records. "The commission needs to set up a schedule of when his records will be reviewed whether it be once a year, once every six months or once a quarter, but the only information that should be reviewed is the information that is pertinent to Mr. Hitchcock's business with the civic center," said Bryant.
Hitchcock also agreed to provide commissioners with a schedule of menu prices and agreed to tour the civic center kitchen with commissioners so that an inventory of city owned items and items owned by Hitchcock could be created.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Burl Lieblong, President of Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute, announced at Thursday's quarterly meeting that he would not stay with the institution if CRTI and East Arkansas Community College are consolidated.
A bill to merge the two institutions has been introduced to the Arkansas Legislature by Sen. Jodie Mahony, D-El Dorado.
"I know a lot of people have been saying that I don't want this consolidation because I wouldn't have a job anymore," said Lieblong. "But I have never worried about losing a job before in my life. I want to leave if we do merge with EACC because I don't want to go back to all those people in these other towns and counties around here that I have been telling, 'We can come to you and set up classes and training in your area,' and then have to turn around and say 'You have to come here. You have to pay out-of-county tuition. We can't help you.' I don't want to do that."
A hearing on the matter has been scheduled before a legislative panel on Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Little Rock. Arguments from both sides, for and against the consolidation, will be presented during that time. According to Lieblong, only one person will be able to argue for each side of the issue. Each person will have a set amount of time, but Lieblong also added he didn't know yet how long they could present their arguments. No one from CRTI has been chosen yet to speak before the panel.
"I have a lot of teachers here, who used to be students, who have expressed interest in speaking on our behalf," said Lieblong.
Lieblong went on to say he is against consolidation because CRTI is the only technical training institute in this area.
He also told the board CRTI would be under EACC if this bill passes. "We would not be needed," said Lieblong. "I heard a joke the other day, 'What is a seven letter word for merger? Layoff."
Steve Hollowell, vice chairman of EACC's board of trustees, attended the meeting. Lieblong asked Hollowell what stand EACC has taken on the issue. Hollowell replied the board had not taken a vote on the matter yet.
Hollowell added later that he was not sent to the meeting by EACC, but attended on his own.
In other business, the board heard updates on the construction of the new truck driving classroom.
Board members also viewed a commercial for advertising the institution on cable television. The commercial will air on the cable systems in Forrest City, Wynne and Marianna.
The next quarterly meeting will be held on April 19, at 6 p.m.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Hughes residents suffering a disconnection of their water service will soon have to pay more for reconnection.
During a meeting this week, the Hughes City Council adopted an ordinance to increase the reconnection fee for residential customers from $15 to $50. The reconnection fee for commercial customers will increase from $50 to $150.
Residents will also have to pay $20 to have their water reconnected if the water bill is over $200, and pay the current month's bill in addition to the new $50 fee. Those with bills of $100 or less, will be able to pay the reconnection fee, $10 on past due water bills and the current bill, according to the ordinance.
Hughes Mayor Donnie Mooney told councilmen the city water and sewage are the city's biggest problems.
In a report to councilmen on water customers, Mooney showed how much water is pumped by the city, how much the city bills and the number of customers behind on paying their bills.
"It's a bad situation here," Mooney said. "We have a 67 percent poverty level here. I don't want to put anymore of a burden on the residents, but the water bills have to be paid."
Currently, the city is pumping over 10 million gallons of water a month. However, according to Mooney, the city only bills customers for 6 million gallons. Mooney said that in comparison, combined with the fact that a large number of residents do not pay their bills, "leaves the city in a bind.
"The reason we can't account for all the water pumped is because a lot of people and buildings don't have meters," said the mayor. "We finally got a meter for the schools just recently, so that will help."
Mooney said he, and other city employees, are trying to find out where the water lines are for some of these places, so water meters can be installed.
In other business, councilmen learned the city's police department has received a federal COPS grant, for $54,000. Police Chief Joe Stone said, "The way the grant works, is we hire a police officer and pay 24 percent of his salary. The grant will pay for the rest for up to three years. After three years, we'll pay 100 percent of the officer's salary."
Forrest City City Councilmen will tackle a lengthy agenda during the group's regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.
Councilmen will hear the third reading of an ordinance regarding purchasing procedures in the county. Two ordinances will be presented for first readings. One ordinance is in regard to the rezoning of land at 1455 Dawson Road for the construction of a convenience store. The second ordinance concerns the storing of abandoned automobiles on residential property.
Councilmen will also open bids on a tornado warning system.
Mayor Larry Bryant will ask councilmen for permission to seek bids on a generator for the civic center, heating and air conditioner for the civic center and to purchase police cars through a state contract.
Councilmen are also expected to discuss the fire code, animal control licensing and capital improvements.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at city hall.