By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City City Council's police committee will support the purchase of up to four new cars for the Forrest City Police Department.
Committee members Glenn Ford, A.L. Harris and Cecil Twillie met Tuesday morning with Police Chief Clarence McNeary and Lt. Bobby Carter. Also present was Glynnis Lewis from the mayor's office.
Carter presented maintenance records on seven of the cars presently being used by members of the police force. McNeary also pointed out that three of the cars would be 10 years old next year.
Harris pointed out that the city had, as a matter of course, been purchasing four new police vehicles a year. However, McNeary said the last time new police car were purchased was in 1999. There were none purchased in 2000.
"Why did we pass last year?" asked Ford.
Lewis said it was probably because there were no major problems reported in the fleet.
There was some discussion on why so many repairs are being made by outside companies. Carter said newer cars are getting more difficult to work on. Even transmissions have computer chips now, he said. McNeary added that the city shop is used when possible.
Several of the vehicles have over 100,000 miles on them, and some of those need repairs.
At the end of the meeting, the committee members agreed that McNeary should determine which cars can be taken out of service, at which time the committee will recommend the purchase of up to four cars, possibly through the state contract.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The number of confirmed cases in an outbreak of shigellosis stood at 18 as of this morning, and it is hoped the cases may even off at that number, it was reported.
"The good news is that we have been able to epi/link all the cases," said Elisia White, communicable disease nurse-specialist with the Arkansas Department of Health. "That means we can connect all the cases. That's good."
The cases were first reported in a Head Start, and although it is usually found in children, it can affect adults. It is spread by fecal matter, and the best defense is to separate those who are infected, and to wash one's hands frequently.
White said if all the cases have been identified, they can be kept out of contact with others, which can prevent the spread of the disease, caused by the Shigella bacteria. But while all the cases may be identified, she said some care still needs to be taken.
"If anyone is symptomatic -- with the diarrhea, the cramping, along with nausea and vomiting -- they need to let us know, and they need to go to the doctor. That is how we know where to go to look for other cases. That is the main thing the public can do to help us."
When a case is identified, the investigation procedure is much the same as the one used in the tuberculosis outbreak which occurred last year. It works in concentric circles around the first case.
"When we identify a case, we go to see the patient, where they live or work and eat and all that, and then we go and investigate those places and that is our normal routine. And we have not found any places or any concerned areas in Forrest City. I don't have any problem going anywhere and eating or taking my kid anywhere in Forrest City."
She said people should also keep the disease in perspective. Because it is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. The greatest danger is from dehydration. She also said there are other sicknesses around, such as flu and stomach viruses, which may have similar symptoms.
"Just because you see somebody who's ill, it doesn't necessarily mean shigellosis is what they've got. Now, we've been getting a lot of concerned calls from the public, and that's what we want -- to address those concerns."
"We have done a lot of work this past week," she said. "The Head Starts have been fine. They have been wonderful with cooperation. Their kitchens have passed inspection and they have been great. We have also talked to all the daycares, and they are all aware of what's going on. We are not recommending that any Head Start or daycare be closed because of this. And it's safe to take your children to any Head Start or daycare or school or anything -- unless they are symptomatic."
The first notice of shigellosis was dated Feb. 21. That was the date, according to White, that the first case was identified.
"We addressed the first case on the 21st," she said. "We took care of that. When we found out then that the first case might have infected some other people, we went to those other people.
In the meantime, she said people should continue washing their hands.
Anyone with concerns should call the local Health Unit at 633-1340.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A hearing in Little Rock on a bill which would bring about the merger of East Arkansas Community College and Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute got started late this morning and was underway at press time.
As of the news deadline, only Dr. Coy Grace, president of EACC, had testified. Other testimony was to take place later today, and the committee is expected to vote on the proposal today.
Reports from Little Rock said there was standing-room only, and people from Forrest City and others interested in the proceedings were lined up and down the hall outside the meeting room. People representing both sides of the issue were also reportedly in attendance.
The issue is a heated one locally. A state task force recommended the mergers in February 2000 following an eight-month study. The changes could come only in agreements between the schools or by legislative mandate.
Generally, those associated with EACC are in favor of the merger, while those associated with CRTI are adamantly opposed.
There is also a bill to merge Quapaw Technical Institute with Garland County Community College in Hot Springs.
Both bills are by Sen. Jodie Mahony, D-El Dorado.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
A move to rezone a portion of Martin Luther King Jr., Drive from residential to commercial will go before the Forrest City City Council without the approval of the city's planning commission.
Frank Morledge, an attorney representing Tommy DeVazier of Arkansas Concrete, asked commissioners on Tuesday afternoon to rezone the land located at 1670 MLK in order for his client to begin pouring concrete blocks at that location.
Residents in that community, however, voiced opposition to the move claiming a commercial facility would have a negative effect on their neighborhood.
Morledge told commissioners the property would be used to pour cement blocks for the third phase of the prison construction. According to Morledge, DeVazier already owns the property which is located near the Federal Correctional Institution-Forrest City.
Phil Metcalf, a resident in the MLK area, questioned Morledge about how the pouring station and the trucks associated with it would affect the community on MLK Drive. He also expressed concern that the rezoning might deteriorate the neighborhood.
"I know for a fact Tommy DeVazier owns a lot of land around here and a sand lot," said Metcalf. "You have to have sympathy and compassion for the community in this area. Would you want this pouring station in your community? Would you want it in Beech Grove?
Would you want it in Washington Heights? Would you want it in Edgewood?"
Metcalf continued, "We don't want it in our community. If he requested it in Washington Heights, it wouldn't be there."
Morledge responded that he understands how residents in that area feel and that Washington Heights and Beech Grove are already backed up to commercial zones.
Magnolia Whitaker, another resident in the area in question, replied, "Edgewood isn't backed up to a commercial zone, and we know they wouldn't have it."
Another resident in the area, Dorthea Black, said "I would not mind if the property was re-zoned to commercial like for a hotel."
Commission Chairman Danny Capps said there are other options for DeVazier. "Under Article Seven, we can recommend that the property be zoned to commercial for one year and then it goes back to being a residential zone, or we could recommend a contingency, meaning he could only pour blocks and could not mix concrete on the property."
Commissioners Willie Whitley, Timothy Michael and Glenda Wade said they had received numerous calls about this matter.
Wade said, "The black community has always been used for a dumping ground. I want Forrest City to grow, but put it somewhere else."
The commission voted unanimously to not recommend the rezoning to the city council.
Morledge, however, said he plans to attend the city council meeting without the commission's approval.
A public hearing will be held at Widener's city hall tomorrow (Thursday, March 1) to discuss the city's application for funds through the Rural Services Block Grant Program.
Topics of discussion will include whether the application should be developed and for what need. There will also be comments on proposed activities and their expected impact on the community, if the grant is funded.
"This is something you have to do before you can go for a grant," said Widener Mayor Dot Halford. "You're required to have a town meeting to see who all would be interested."
Halford said the city was considering applying for a matching grant for $30,000, to build a multi-purpose facility. The city would have to match it with $10,000.
RSBGP funds are federal dollars administered by the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. The funds are made available according to need but must be used for one of the following objectives: To provide benefit to low and moderate income families; to aid in the prevention of slum and blight; to meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community any where no other funding is available to meet such needs.
Four people were sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections during St. Francis County Circuit Court hearings on Tuesday.
Marco Wright, 21, of Palestine was sentenced to 10 years in the ADC with a five-year suspended imposition of sentence upon release for three counts of aggravated robbery and three counts of kidnapping. The counts were merged and reduced to simple robbery.
Johnathon White, 20, and Denona Ward Jr., 21, both of Forrest City both received five-year prison sentences for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Billy Lynn Cummings, 40, of Wynne was also sentenced to the ADC. He received a six-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In other court action four people received suspended sentences yesterday and two cases were nolle prosequi.