Some cuts in the state Health Department budget are probably forthcoming, but it isn't known yet how much those cuts will be or in what areas.
Because of a budget shortfall of about $7 million, the Health Department could cut a number of programs.
Bonnie Dodson, head of the St. Francis County Health Unit, said the anticipated revenue shortfalls are causing some program evaluations.
"The agency is looking at realigning, looking at what we can do with less money and still focus on core public health issues," she said.
According to the Associated Press, some officials met Wednesday to consider such things as realignment and-or alternative funding possibilities, along with the relationship between various programs.
During the meeting, the group came up with priorities and realized that additional information would be needed to complete the process, the department said Thursday. A smaller group will gather additional information during the next few days.
'The additional information needed to address ADH budget reductions, combined with the complexity of the budget, which includes fees and state general and federal revenues, has caused us to delay final decisions,'' Dr. Fay Boozman, the Health Department director, said in a news release. ''Colleagues are taking time to make the most thoughtful, just decisions possible. It is our sincere hope that the process will be completed by the end of next week.''
The agency released priority categories for potential reduction. Dodson emphasized that the reductions were only potential ones.
The highest priority category includes cancer screening, child health clinic services, health facility services, school health, public health laboratory, vision and hearing screening, well-child checkups and environmental health protection.
Under the medium priority were such items as newborn screening, the campaign for healthier babies, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, infant mortality review, prenatal and early childhood home visiting and WIC farmer's market.
The programs that are least likely to be cut included alcohol and drug treatment, injury prevention, maternity services and sexually transmitted disease services.
''Just as many Arkansas families are adjusting their budgets during a tight economy, so must our family here at the Health Department,'' Boozman said. ''It's a very slow and difficult process. However, ongoing input from a broad cross section of our agency colleagues assures that we'll make the most thoughtful, just decisions possible.''
The Health Department said the budget reductions are necessary to maintain essential health services and legally mandated programs and services.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City's new tornado warning system is fully operational and scheduled for daily and weekly testing according to Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary.
McNeary said final adjustments were made to the system Thursday, and the fully-automated system began daily silent testing this morning. Audible testing will begin at noon on Saturday.
"The system that we have is fully automated. It is scheduled to run a silent test every morning at 8 a.m., and every Saturday at noon we will run audible tests to check the system," said McNeary.
Although the system is automated, McNeary said there will be times that the audible testing is not done due to inclement weather.
"The weekly tests could be suspended if we have a serious threat that could possibly be misconstrued as a tornado if the sirens are sounded. We won't sound the system if there is overcast weather or actual storms going on because we don't want people reacting to a false alarm. On days such as those we simply won't run the audible test," he said.
McNeary also said that in the case of a tornado, the system will be manually turned on from the operations base at the Forrest City Police Department. According to McNeary the new system will also work in conjunction with FCPD efforts to inform citizens of any possible danger from a tornado.
"We won't sound the system for simple tornado watches but if one is sighted in the area or on the ground then the sirens will go off and that will work in conjunction with officers that will also work to inform citizens through their P.A. systems of any possible danger. We want this all to work smoothly so that we can keep the citizens of Forrest City as safe as possible," McNeary said.
The sirens are located at six sites throughout the Forrest City area: The intersection of Eaton and Sanyo Roads in the Industrial Park; the intersection of Morledge and Forrest Lake Roads in Edgewood; North Farr Street, near the city shop; the intersection of White Oak and Redwood Drives in Forrest Hills; the intersection of Newcastle Road and Stancel Lane near the interstate; and the intersection of Murray and Cherry Streets near Forrest City High School.
The siren that had been in use is no longer operational, said McNeary.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The Colt City Council passed a motion at Thursday night's meeting to increase the city water deposit for renters.
City Water Manager Bobby Clarkson said the old $60 deposit did not cover the expenses for renters who move out after a month or so without paying their water bills.
"They pay a $60 deposit now and then move out after a month and a half without paying their bill and we are stuck for it," said Clarkson. "They don't stay there long enough, and we need to recoup the money somehow," he added.
The council voted to raise the deposit for rent property from $60 to $100, however, the deposit for homeowners will remain at $60.
Council members are also considering penalties for residents who do not remove their trash carts from the curbs within a certain amount of time. Council member Cheryl Neeley complained the dumpsters were in the way and something should be done about it.
"Forrest City has an ordinance for residents who leave their trash cans out too long and we need to do the same," she said. "They are a hazard and a nuisance."
Council members said they would consider an ordinance to fine residents who do not remove the carts in a timely fashion and would consider how much time to give residents to remove them.
City Police Chief Jeff Ponthieux told the council that the city's request for a signal light at Ark. Highway 1 and Ark. Highway 306 was denied by the Arkansas Highway and Transporta-tion Commission.
Ponthieux said he had received a letter from Dan Flowers, director of AHTD, stating a study was conducted during a 24-hour period of time at the intersection. The letter said that after a review of accident records and an on-site investigation, it was determined that traffic volume was insufficient to warrant a signal, as outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
The study recorded accidents and personal injuries at the intersection within the last three years. According to the study, there were three accidents in 1998 and another three in 1999. Four accidents were reported in 2000 and no personal injuries occurred during any of those accidents.
Council members said they would look further into the situation because they believe traffic is heavy enough to warrant a signal light.
On another matter, the council passed a motion to authorize Mayor Virgil Keeler and Clarkson to solicit bids for repairs to the fire department and community center. Both buildings reportedly received extensive hail damage during April.
According to Clarkson, "The fire department has damage to siding on the north, east and west sides of the structure and will have to be replaced and the community center has received even worse damage."
"I already received a bid from a contractor for $2,675 to repair and replace aluminum facing board at both facilities, but I think we could get a better price," he said.
Slain Forrest City Police Officer Lewis Jones will be remembered this weekend during a memorial fundraiser designed to raise money to fund a scholarship in his honor.
Jones was shot and killed on June 4 of last year at the Player's Palace. The fundraiser is a community event, and will begin at 8 a.m. at the Southside Community Center.
The fundraiser will feature a three-on-three basketball tournament with trophies donated by Gadberry's Sporting Goods. FCPD Lt. James Tucker said there is a $75 registration fee for each team, and the tournament will be divided into four different categories. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the games scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
Tucker also said there will be games such as a dunking booth donated by a company in Jonesboro. "If there is a police officer or fireman you don't like, come out to the community center and buy some balls and give them a dunk," joked Tucker. "It's all for a good cause." Tucker reports the Southside swimming pool will also be open Saturday for children to swim free of charge.
FC Police and Fire Department personnel will attend the event along with the support of the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Federal Prison Drill Team and the Cherry Valley DARE car.
There will be barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers and other food sold to raise money for the scholarship fund.