By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A snowy New Year's Eve forced Arkansas State Police Troop D to change some of its holiday plans.
Several sobriety checkpoints were planned for the entire troop, but many of those were canceled when light snow began falling on Sunday.
The official New Year's holiday for State Police began at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, and ended at midnight Monday, Jan. 1.
"We had some sobriety checkpoints scheduled, and we worked some, but most were canceled due to the weather, said ASP Troop D Lt. Tommy Wicker
In all, there were only 15 driving while intoxicated arrests made throughout the entire troop which includes St. Francis, Lee, Phillips, Crittenden, Monroe, Woodruff, Prairie and Cross counties.
"The weather was probably a factor in the DWIs not being up like they normally are, and, our troopers were pretty busy with accidents," Wicker said.
There was only one fatality reported during the holiday weekend, but troopers investigated 35 other accidents, most of which were related to the weather. "That accident total doesn't include the number of cars in ditches and things like that the troopers have to take care of," Wicker said.
The fatality occurred just after 6 p.m. on Sunday on Interstate 40, about five miles east of Hazen, in Prairie County.
Robin Lynn Lawson, 40, of St. Louis, was a passenger in a 2000 Honda that wrecked near the 198 mile marker. The vehicle was driven by Kurtis Franz, also of St. Louis. Franz was taken to a nearby hospital. Seat belts were being used at the time of the accident, Wicker said.
Other arrests during the holiday included: Speeding, 160; seat belt violations, 28; child restraint, 2; hazardous arrests, 33; non-hazardous arrests, 52 and criminal, 32, for a total of 322 arrests by state police during the weekend.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Some Students in St. Francis County are in for an additional day of Christmas vacation due to this past weekend's snow.
Forrest City School District Superintendent Lee Vent said the condition of several county roads played a large factor in the decision to postpone the reopening of Forrest City Schools.
"After taking a look at some of the county roads and some of the less traveled streets in town we decided to postpone tomorrow's reopening. We've got a large number of county roads that we serve and some of those roads are in worse condition this morning than they were yesterday. The snow has melted on some of the roads, but when it froze again this morning. It made conditions worse. Temperatures aren't going to get above freezing so we're just going to have to take this day by day," said Vent.
In Hughes, plans are for school to open Wednesday, but the decision on what time has not yet been made.
"We're going to go out on the roads this afternoon and get a real good overview on the situation," said Hughes Superintendent Dr. Randy Crowder. "We may end up having to run a delayed schedule, but we plan on being in school tomorrow. We just have to make sure that the roads will be safe."
According to officials with the Palestine-School District, classes will be in session during regular hours tomorrow.
Calvary Christian Schools are scheduled to begin the second semester this week. Classes will begin at the regular time on Thursday, Jan. 4, according to Administrator Wendell Bradley.
Area secondary schools are also gearing up to return for the next semester of school.
Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute is currently holding registration, with classes scheduled to begin Thursday. According to CRTI Presdient Burl Lieblong, everything is going as scheduled.
"Right now we don't forsee any hold up with registration or with classes beginning. There isn't anymore of this weather forecast until Sunday, so all classes should be up and running this week," Lieblong said.
Registration at EACC is also continuing as scheduled. Students can register Wednesday and Thursday, from 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Classes are scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 8.
According to Jan Haven, vice president of academic affairs, off campus exams that are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Brinkely and Wynne will run as scheduled. Students who missed exams at the end of the semester are being asked to make arrangements with their instructors regarding make up exams. Haven said that instructors will be back on campus tomorrow.
A reward is being offered for a Forrest City man wanted in connection with a recent kidnapping and robbery.
The Forrest City Crime Stoppers Inc., is offering the reward for information leading to the whereabouts of James Rodney Walker, also known as JR or Rodney Walker. Walker is wanted in connection with a home invasion that occurred on the afternoon of Dec. 7 on Smith Street.
According to the Forrest City Police Department, the victim was walking in the door of her home when Walker allegedly walked up behind her and put a gun to her head, forcing her into the house and getting money from her purse. The suspect reportedly forced the victim to go into the bathroom as he escaped.
Walker is described as 21-year-old black male, five feet, seven inches tall, 160 pounds with medium skin tone. He also has both ears pierced and a 'G' tattoo visible on the corner of his right eye.
All calls concerning this case will remain confidential, according to police. To contact the Crime Stoppers hotline, call 870-261-1499 or the FCPD at 870-633-3434.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Most St. Francis County officials -- including a new county clerk and county assessor -- were sworn in this morning.
Elizabeth Smith, a former long-time deputy clerk who won election as St. Francis County Clerk, said not only was she ready to go to work, but had already been working.
"I'm ready to go to work, in fact we're already working," she said. "We worked about seven hours yesterday (New Year's Day)."
Smith explained. "Today was payroll day and we needed to get that out, and we have a lot of things we need to get straightened out now -- decide who's doing what, and what we're going to do first."
Smith confirmed that one employee of the County Clerk's office was fired this morning.
"There were extenuating circumstances that led me to dismiss an employee," she confirmed. She also confirmed that the person was Tammy Tally, but said she did not want to go into the reasons "at this time."
Craig Jones won election as County Assessor, after the unexpected death of Assessor Edgar Borden last year.
"I'm just looking forward to the path ahead of me and looking forward to working for the people of St. Francis County," Jones said. "And I'll be there eight hours a day, five days a week if they need me."
There was a brief ceremony before the swearing-in began. Chancery Judge Ben Story, who administered the oath, said the decision had been made to include a little more "pomp and circumstance" in the proceedings.
Rev. Gary Chapman offered an opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Ed Chauvin. The National Anthem was performed by Miss Arkansas Sara Harris. A closing prayer was given by Rev. Felix Duckworth.
Some officials were sworn in individually. These include Jones and Smith, County Judge Carl E. Cisco, Sheriff Dave Parkman, Prosecuting Attorney Fletcher Long Jr., Treasurer Ann Harbin, Circuit Clerk Bette Green, and the chief deputies from the Sheriff's, Collector's and Assessor's offices. Others, such a constables and deputies, took the oath of office in groups. Quorum Court members will be sworn in at the first Quorum Court meeting.
The Forrest City City Council will meet at 7 tonight in regular session at city hall.
The only item on the agenda is an ordinance to define purchasing procedures to make them consistent with state law.