A Memphis company will be constructing the third phase of the federal prison in Forrest City.
Flintco Inc., has received the contract for the construction of the medium-security facility at the Federal Correctional Institution-Forrest City. The total project cost is $86,403,035, according to a press release from Congressman Marion Berry.
"I am very pleased to know that things have been moving quickly since I helped to secure the funding for the Forrest City prison," Berry said. "With the contract settled, construction can begin soon."
Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant also expressed pleasure that the bid had been awarded.
Berry helped secure the $95 million that will be used to complete the medium-security facility. The prison funding was contained in the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations legislation, which was included in the omnibus FY2001 spending bill passed by Congress and enacted by President Clinton last month.
The prison is expected to have a capacity of about 1,250. An additional 250 to 300 employees will be hired.
The medium security part of the prison complex will be different from the low-security part. Warden Marvin Morrison said recently that while the low-security prison is a dormitory-type facility, the medium-security prisoners will be two to a room, "for security reasons. We can do a lockdown if needed."
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Jury selection in the capital murder trial of a man accused in the abandonment deaths of his two sons in rural St. Francis County is set to begin Monday.
Alex Ware, 35, of Memphis was arrested in September 1999 on two counts of capital murder in the deaths of his two sons, one-year-old Alexander Harrell and two-year-old K-Von Harrell.
Based on information filed in the St. Francis County Circuit Court Clerk's office, Ware allegedly committed the murders "under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life...with the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death, thereby committing the offense of capital murder."
According to information released by police in September 1999, the two children are believed to have been abandoned in June 1999. Police originally stated they believe Alexander was abandoned on June 16, 1999, and K-Von was allegedly thrown into the Old Blackfish Lake near Heth about three days later.
Extensive searches for the remains of the children were conducted several times in the areas where the two toddlers were to have been abandoned. However, police believe only the remains of Alexander were recovered.
The children's mother, Chantilly Harrell, 21, was originally arrested with Ware. However, a first-degree murder charge against Harrell was later dropped and she was freed from the St. Francis County Jail.
If convicted, Ware could be sentenced to death, or life in prison without parole.
A gag order was issued in Ware's case in December 1999. The order prevents attorneys and potential witnesses in the trial from discussing the case with the media.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Several members of the Forrest City City Council are attempting to intervene in a dispute over the catering contract at the Civic Center.
A joint meeting between four city councilmen and the Civic Center Commission was held Thursday afternoon to continue discussion on the contract of Jim Hitchcock who serves as caterer for the Civic Center. Hitchcock also owns Colby's Custom Catering.
Thursday's meeting follows 10 months of discussion by the commission on the contract between Hitchcock and the City of Forrest City. The validity of Hitchcock's contract has been questioned by members of the commission.
Councilman Glenn Ford recommended that a meeting be arranged with Hitchcock to attempt to find a solution to the issues in question, and it was recommended that Hitchcock respond to the request within 10 days.
"I think that at this point we need to speak with Mr. Hitchcock and find out if we can find a solution to the problem that we're having at the Civic Center. Hopefully we can nail out a solution to the problem, but if not, at least this gives us a starting point and will let us know where he stands," said Ford.
The recommendation came after extended, and sometimes heated, discussion between members of the commission, members of the city council and Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant. At one point Councilman John Gadberry questioned whether Bryant and commissioner Shirley Harvell were accusing Hitchcock of breaching his contract.
"I'm not accusing Mr. Hitchcock of breaching his contract. What I'm saying, is that if it can be proven that he breached his contract, then the contract should be pulled and then put back out for bids. If he has not breached his contract then we need to try to negotiate a solution to this problem with Mr. Hitchcock," Bryant said. "In no way am I saying that I am in concert with everyone having access to the kitchen at the civic center. There are liability issues that have to be satisfied so that the city is not liable for all damages associated with the kitchen."
After further questioning, Bryant stated that Hitchcock might have breached his contract with the city during the period when the building was closed for remodeling from August of 1998 to mid-January of 1999.
According to Bryant, unless Hitchcock has written proof or unless it can be found in the minutes of the Civic Center Commission that he was given permission to use the facilities to cater to various civic groups during the closing, he breached his contract which states that Hitchcock could not use the facilities to do outside catering jobs.
In the past, Hitchcock has admitted to using the kitchen during that time but has said that it was with the permission of the commission.
Bryant suggested a pair of solutions to the problem in the event that catering at the civic center is re-bid.
The first was having an exclusive caterer on contract with the city, but giving each individual that rents the building the right to bring in a caterer that is approved by the health department to serve food and properly licensed by the city. The caterer on contract would then have to appoint a representative who would oversee the activities in the kitchen at the Civic Center in the event a different caterer was used.
Bryant's second solution involved the addition of warming areas to the present facility which would allow catering in both the small meeting room and the Ferguson Room at the Civic Center. That would give the renters the option of having a caterer in the event the kitchen was being used for another event.
Aldermen John Gadberry, Roy Hancock, J.T. Higgins and Glenn Ford are planning to meet with Hitchcock.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The proposed buyout of IBP Inc. by Tyson Foods Inc. isn't expected to have any immediate effect on the former Thornapple Valley plant at Forrest City purchased by IBP.
Ed Nicholson, director of media and community relations for Tyson, headquartered in Springdale, said he didn't have an answer to the question.
"I know our plans are to allow IBP to continue running pretty much on the strategy they have embarked upon," he said. "I don't know the specific plans for that particular operation out there. We're going to retain their management and basically allow them to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Meanwhile, Gary Mickelson, spokesman for IBP, speaking from the company's headquarters in Dakota Dunes, S.D. agreed that the Forrest City plant is in limbo at the moment.
"It remains premature to say what effect, if any, it will have on the Forrest City facility," he said. "I'm not aware of any imminent plans for the plant."
Tyson apparently won a three month battle with Smithfield Foods, a giant pork processor, for control of IBP, the nation's biggest packer of fresh beef and a leading pork processor.
If the acquisition survives federal antitrust scrutiny, it would create the world's largest meat producer and processor, with revenue of about $23 billion.
By one estimate, the company would have 30 percent of the beef market, 33 percent of the chicken market and 18 percent of the pork market in the United States.
However, farmers, ranchers and pork and poultry producers have expressed concern about the size of big food companies and fear a shrinking number of outlets in which to sell their products.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City school children are finally back in classes, but it's anyone's guess as to what will be for breakfast or lunch.
Many Times-Herald readers may notice the absence of the Forrest City School Lunch Menu from today's edition. According to Evelyn Rayford, Director of Child Nutrition for the FCSD, the power outages last month are to blame.
"Some schools were without power longer than others," said Rayford. "Because of this, some schools will have different foods than others. A lot of food has spoiled as a result of this. I have told each cafeteria to clean out their freezers and use everything that is still good," added Rayford. "That is why we cannot give menus to the media till we receive a shipment of fresh food on Wednesday."
According to Rayford, the schools suffered a big loss in produce as well, and the district expects a shipment of fresh produce today.
Rayford said Central Elementary was hit harder than the other schools. "Central was without power for seven days. We were down there on Thursday morning gathering up and throwing out produce. We suffered a massive loss at Central. I couldn't believe how much had to be thrown away," Rayford said.
Rayford said there is no way to estimate the loss of food in dollar amounts at this time, but she has been assured that insurance will cover the loss.
Parents who want to know what their children will be eating in Forrest City schools, may find out by looking for day-to-day menus posted at each school until Jan. 16th. Parents may also stop by the school administration office to find out more.
The early dismissal program designed for teacher inservice in the Forrest City School district will not be observed this month.
Students will not be dismissed early on Tuesday as they normally are each month because of the recent weather problems. Forrest City School District Superintendent Lee Vent said because of the extended Christmas break, the early dismissal program is expected to resume in February.
St. Francis County residents called for this term of circuit court are asked to report for duty at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8.
Circuit Court Clerk Bette Green said jurors were originally scheduled to report at 9 a.m., but due to pre-trial hearings, potential jurors will not be needed until 1 p.m.
For further juror instructions, Green asks residents to call the juror information hotline at 633-2035 or 1-800-570-5885.
Sales tax figures for November have been reported by the Arkansas Municipal League.
On county sales tax, during November St. Francis County government had receipts of $142,774.63. The breakdown for towns within the county was as follows: Hughes, $26,230.42; Forrest City, $193,670.32; Wheatley, $6,492.40; Palestine, $10,303.78; Madison, $18,303.32; Caldwell, $4,840.30; Colt, $4,840.30; Widener, $5,521.44.
For towns with their own sales taxes, there were receipts in the following amounts: $137,472.93; Hughes, $8,985.57; Madison, $1,974,91; Palestine, $5,585.50; $9,036.42.
The Hughes Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the Sept. 9 beating of Carl Parnell, based on an anonymous tip from a person who telephoned police Thursday.
According to Hughes Police Chief Joe Stone, Parnell was struck repeatedly to the head with a two by four which resulted in the loss of his right eye.
Derrick Lashan Powell, 18, of Hughes, is charged with first-degree battery in the attack.
Powell was captured a short time after he ran from police. "We pursued the suspect on foot when he ran into a resident's house," Stone said. "We asked for permission to search the house from the resident, they agreed, and we found him."