By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A public hearing Tuesday, July 31, will focus on St. Francis County's application for federal Economic Development Program funds to bring sewers to three areas west of Forrest City.
The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the county courthouse.
The three areas in question are the subdivisions known as Patillo 1, Patillo 2 and Redfern. The City of Forrest City has already agreed to allow those areas to connect to the city's sewer system.
"It's like everything with the government," said St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco. "You have to go through a bunch of hoops. You have to have meetings and hearings."
According to a press release, Community and Economic Development Program moneys are federal funds received by the state and administered by the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission. The funds are made available to cities and counties according to need.
These funds must address one of the following objectives: Provide benefit to low and moderate income families; aid in the prevention of slums and blight; or meet other community needs which can pose serious and immediate threats to the health or welfare of the community where there is no other funding available.
The three areas are currently using septic tanks but in recent years, the septic system has been failing in the area, residents have had problems with raw sewage in ditches. An estimated 115 hookups will be affected.
It has been stated that the hookups will not place an undue burden on the existing Forrest City system.
The situation is unique, in that the city has a general policy of not extending sewer service to areas not inside the city limits. In April, when the Forrest City City Council voted to allow the hookups, the council reserved the right to insist that any developers adhere to certain standards, and that there not be unrestricted growth in the area.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Motorists in Forrest City this weekend will be greeted by area firefighters raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Firemen will be standing at local intersections asking drivers and other car occupants to place money in their boots in an effort to raise money for the MDA. The drive is appropriately called, "Fill the Boot."
MDA Fill the Boot local coordinator Kevin Renigar of the Caldwell Fire Department said about a dozen firefighters will be placed at two intersections in Forrest City. Those intersections are the Washington and Deaderick intersection and the one at Dillard and Washington streets. Firemen will ask motorists for donations between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The local MDA fundraiser is part of a nationwide campaign in which firefighters have agreed to participate until a cure for the disease is found. The fire fighters are one of MDA's oldest national sponsors, and they also raise more funds for MDA than any other sponsor, according to Kelly Campbell with the MDA.
Renigar said firemen throughout St. Francis County hope to raise $10,000 this year in the fight against the disease. In addition to the "Fill the Boot" campaign, firemen have also placed canisters for donations at local businesses. "We have canisters at some businesses, but if any of the other business would like to take part, we will bring a canister for them," said Renigar.
Firemen representing Forrest City, Palestine, Colt and Caldwell are expected to participate in Saturday's event.
Renigar said the campaign will not limited to just this Saturday, but other days through Labor Day. "We are going to try and raise money every Saturday, and some of the firefighters will be out on weekdays to raise money," he said.
All of the money raised locally will remain in the Mid-South to help the area MDA chapter provide a local clinic, summer camp, wheelchair/leg assistance, support groups and many other services to individuals with muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), according to Campbell.
For more information about the county events, contact Renigar at 630-2286.
Forrest City High School will hold athletic physicals again on Saturday, July 28, at Mustang Arena, for grades 7-12.
This is for girls and boys in all sports, including cheerleading and ROTC.
For those whose last names end in the letters A-L, the physicals begin at 9 a.m. For those with last names ending in M-R, physicals begin at 10 a.m. Students whose last names end in S-Z will begin at 11 a.m.
The Forrest City Library is experiencing computer problems and will be closed Saturday.
The library was closed Thursday but is open for business today, according to a spokesperson, who said work is being done on the computer.
The spokesperson said the library will be closed Saturday, but will be open Monday.