By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A faculty member and four students have been chosen as the first participants from East Arkansas Community College to visit Norton Radstock College in England, as part of an exchange agreement between the two schools.
Beverly Hancock, a member of the business faculty, along with students Stephanie Caughron, Jerry D. Ellis, Dean Murry and Julie Strange, will travel to England. Larry Boles is an alternate.
The trip will be May 5-27.
On another matter, EACC President Dr. Coy Grace gave an update on some matters in the current legislative session that could affect the school. He said Rep. Danny Ferguson has introduced House Bill 1498, which would earmark around $5.8 million for a Fine Arts Center at EACC. He said funding for the center is also included in a "megabill." He would not say how good the chances were that the bill would pass.
"I will tell you, funding is tight," said Grace.
He also said that Senate Bill 401, filed by Sen. Jodie Mahony, would merge EACC with Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute. Another bill would also merge Quapaw Technical Institute with Garland County Community College in Hot Springs. Grace furnished board members with a list of frequently asked questions about the merger.
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. The board of Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute voted in May to reject the panel's recommendation.
On another matter, Catherine Coleman, vice president for student affairs, gave an enrollment report. She said that the numbers are not final, but as of Thursday there was an enrollment of 1,297. She said at this same time last year, the number stood at 1,191.
Vernie Meador, vice president of financial affairs, reported on some projects. He said discussions have been underway on the best way to use the old Learning Resource Center, which has been moved into a new building. He also said glass doors have been installed on several buildings, improving their appearance. Parking lot paving is an upcoming project, and work is being done on the roof of the Student Center. There is also an on-going effort to clean up branches which fell during the ice storm.
Grace also gave an update on the new LRC. He said there is still some technical equipment which has not arrived, and said a planned open house should wait until everything is working. He said he hopes the open house can be held in the spring.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The minutes of the January meeting of the Wheatley City Council were questioned during Thursday night's regular meeting.
Councilman Billy Darby questioned why one councilman was listed as present at the meeting when he did not attend. Darby also asked why two petitions presented during the meeting were not included in the minutes.
City Attorney Bill Snowden told Darby he did not realize Arvern Burnett did not attend the meeting, and the petitions and letters were not included in the report because they were not on the agenda.
The petitions presented last month again centered around two councilmen, Burnett and Geraldine Watson. Similar petitions were introduced in November questioning the residence of the two councilmen and whether or not they should hold positions on the council.
"I, nor this council, have the authority to remove anyone from the council. It is a matter for a circuit judge," Snowden said.
Mayor Larry Nash proposed that councilmen amend the minutes from the previous meeting to include the absence of Burnett and the petitions.
An ordinance to stop 18-wheelers from traveling on certain roads inside the city limits was tabled until the March meeting. The trucks travel through certain areas of the city enroute to the Wheatley Grain Dryer. Nash told councilmen an ordinance is needed to prevent having to put signs on each city street.
Nash also updated councilmen on the remodeling under way at the Wheatley Civic Center. "I have been told that construction should be finished by Feb. 22, and if they are not finished, they will have it set up where meetings can start taking place. They can work around the events already scheduled." he said.
An open house for the newly-remodeled facility is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18. Nash has invited Gov. Mike Huckabee to speak at the event.
Nash also told councilmen that the volunteers who helped build the pavilion in the city's new park saved the city $2,000. "I am very proud of our citizens for coming out and helping the way they did," said Nash.
Wheatley's new park is almost finished. "We have planted the trees, built the pavilion, and now we need to hook up the water and electricity," Nash said.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are asking interested families affected by the December ice storm to contact their offices due to the approaching deadlines for filing claims.
According to Kim Pease with FEMA, claims will be accepted for the next three weeks. "We've been accepting claims, but that time is beginning to run out. We have the next three weeks for everyone that is going to file a claim to get that in," said Pease.
Pease also cautioned claimants not to be frightened by the Small Business Association loan application that is included in the information package that families receive.
"We have had a lot of people inquire about the information package, but we're not receiving the packages back. The SBA application that is included may be deterring some people from sending the completed application in. We want everyone to understand that the application will not disqualify a family because of inability to repay, but that person may qualify for a grant that will pay for the work that needs to be done. We understand that there are people that were affected by the ice storm that won't have the money to repay a loan, and that's why the grant programs are there. We can't help those folks if we never receive the application," Pease said.
According to a press release from FEMA and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, over $22.5 million in disaster assistance has been granted to Arkansas residents and communities.
Pease also said that an information station will be set up Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harvest Foods in Forrest City.
"This station is a joint effort by FEMA and the ADEM to get information to homeowners on what to do to better prepare themselves for natural disasters such as ice storms, tornados and earthquakes. It will give them information concerning how much extra water to keep around the house and safety precautions that might help in case of a disaster," said Pease.
Statewide, over 35,000 teleregistraions have been received by FEMA, and 207 have been received from St. Francis County. The helpline telephone number is 1-800-462-9029.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A select group of students, parents and faculty members were entertained by two-time 1996 Olympic gold medalist Rochelle Stevens during last night's Beta Club and Principal's Club induction ceremonies at the Forrest City High School cafeteria.
Stevens, a graduate of Melrose High School in Memphis, spoke to the group about preparing themselves for success. She explained the work and dedication it took for her to attain the goals in life that she has reached. Stevens was also a silver medalist in 1992.
"I had to do 2,000 to 2,500 sit-ups every day and get up at 2 a.m. to lift weights. When my friends were out drinking and smoking and having a party, I was home or on the track making myself better because I had a goal. My mother was there coaching me and supporting me every step of the way, and she made sure that I stayed focused on my goals. Everything that I did to make the Olympics I was rewarded for in 1996 in Atlanta when I won my two gold medals," said Stevens.
Stevens also talked to the students about the choices they will be faced with and the positives of making the right choices.
"I was faced with choices all the time, whether it was to take a day off from training, eat the wrong things or to take drugs to enhance my performance, but I made the right choices, and I was rewarded for it. There are some of you out there who will be faced with choices to make regarding jobs, drugs and the like. Make sure you to your best to make the right choices," she said.
Twenty-seven students were honored for receiving all As and 64 students were inducted into the Beta Club.
There will be a town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Forrest City City Hall.
According to a statement from the office of Mayor Larry Bryant, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss his opinions on proposed capital improvement plans, and to receive input from citizens.
Students in the Forrest City School District will be dismissed early Tuesday.
Classes will dismiss at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, for teacher inservice.