By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
St. Francis County school administrators are not surprised by a decision this week requiring school districts to maintain the 178 days of instruction, despite the extra time off for severe winter weather.
The State Board of Education voted Monday to not grant any waivers from school-year requirements because of December's ice storms. The local schools did not request a waiver.
Anticipating the vote, administrators had already begun making plans to make up the six days missed around the Christmas break.
The Forrest City School District's board approved an extended school calendar at the February meeting. "We were anticipating the fact that they were not going to approve it," FCSD Superintendent Lee Vent said.
"I'm not surprised by the vote because the state board holds very strict guidelines when it comes to the amount of student/teacher interaction," Vent said. By approving the calendar last month, "We wanted to go ahead and get our days into place where people would not be given some false sense of promise."
The last day of school for Forrest City students will be June 8.
Hughes School District officials have modified that district's calendar so that students will not be out on previously scheduled days. HSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Crowder said the district had received approval from the Standards Support Unit of the Education Department to alter the calendar.
For example, students in Hughes attended school on Presidents' Day, will attend school on Good Friday, the Monday after Easter, Memorial Day and on Saturday, June 2. That day will also be the last day for the year. Students will also make up a half a day by attending classes all day on a parent visitation day.
Palestine-Wheatley School District Superintendent Jimmy Allen said that district's board will address the problem at its meeting on March 26. Allen said the district will have to make up six days missed because of the ice storm.
"I didn't want to do this until they had their meeting. I was hoping. I didn't think it would happen. I thought they might cut off a day or two," Allen said. "Always before, we had snow days built in and never used them. Now, all of a sudden, we needed some."
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Water Commission turned down a request from St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco this week for possible sewer service to three areas located just west of the city limits.
Commission members said they felt the request to provide service to that area would have stretched the utility too far, and agreed to send a letter to Cisco suggesting he request the area be annexed. That request would have to be made before the city's planning commission.
Water Department Manager Jim Beazley said the utility is already providing sewage service or selling water to Palestine, Widener and Caldwell.
Cisco's request was for the Patillo Acres area along the western city limits on Hwy. 70, the Patillo Acres II area, near I-40 and the Redfern area west on Hwy. 70. According to Cisco, that area includes about 100 homes, eight of which are already in the city limits.
"There are Forrest City sewage ponds just 200 feet away from this area," said Cisco.
Cisco said he was not discouraged by the group's move, and added that he feels the area will be annexed as part of Forrest City in the near future.
"I had been trying to obtain grants from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development's Community Development Block Grant program," said Cisco. "That grant or loan would have paid for all the work for sewer lines, manholes, pump stations and the like, if the water commission had chosen to agree with the request."
Cisco said the lot areas are too small for septic tanks and some people who own land could not build houses because the lots are too small for septic tanks.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Caldwell City Council accepted bids Tuesday for several projects at the new city park, and also agreed to bid out a drainage system for the park.
The bid for a volleyball court went to Gary Sims Construction for $5,200. Part of that price includes a drainage system for the court.
Worley's of Forrest City received a bid for trees, including three dogwood, five pear and eight crape myrtles, for $1,116.
River Valley Horticulture was awarded the bid for about 400 shrubs at $2,100. River Valley also received the bid for mulch at $877.50.
Mayor Gary Hughes asked for permission to bid out an overall drainage system. He said the work would include bringing in dirt were needed and grading the surface so that it will slope toward the drains, which would led to six-inch underground pipes.
There is currently standing water in parts of the park after a rain.
On a related item, Hughes addressed a lawsuit filed against the city by contractor Brian Long, who constructed the park pavilion. Long wants $24,467 for building the pavilion, but Caldwell has withheld payment, claiming Long did not build the pavilion to the proper specifications.
Hughes said the city's attorney, Knox Kinney, has been unavailable due to illness, and Alan Cline has been hired to represent the city.
"Basically we're in the process of trying to get a court date set," said Hughes. "Mr. Cline was going to send Mr. Long one last letter encouraging him to correct the problem out here to avoid going to court. But if he doesn't want to do that, we'll proceed on with letting a judge and a jury look at this case."
Hughes also urged people to have their storm debris out by the curb for pickup. He said some elderly people have their debris piled up but not by the curbside. He said that is fine, as long as the city has permission to go on their property to get it.
"I've got a list of people. There's no problem to go in their backyard or whatever, as long as we've got permission," said Hughes.
By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Hughes residents who fail to pay their water bills may now find themselves without the city service.
The Hughes City Council voted this week to shut off water to residents who have not complied with a payment plans set up by the city last year. In addition, residents who are not on a payment plan, but are behind on their bill, will be shut off automatically on the 15th of each month.
Mark Findley has been hired as the city's new water supervisor, and will be responsible for shutting the water off.
Several council members voiced concern over the lack of payments made by residents.
Councilman Turner Meurrier said, "We set them up on a payment plan of $20 a month to help them out, and after a couple of months, they quit making payments. We need to stop this and just cut their water off as soon as the payment is late."
Mayor Donnie Mooney said the city had already shut off water to about 40 residents who are behind on their payments. He also mentioned several arrest warrants that had been issued for people who had moved without paying their delinquent bills.
According to Mooney, the city's water loss had been cut in half since February now that more meters are being read. However, the city was still behind about $14,500 in collections from residents.
Residents who have their water disconnected must set up a payment plan in the city clerk's office. Mooney said, "They will have to pay their current bill, the reconnection fee and arrange a payment plan just to have their water turned back on again."
In other business, the council was introduced to Dennis Sorrell of Sorrell Engineering in West Memphis. Sorrell was recently hired by Mooney to assist the city in securing grants from the state for repairs to the city's water system.
Councilmen also agreed to pay one-half the tuition for a medical student on the condition he returns to Hughes to practice medicine after graduation.
Charles Jones Jr., is an alternate on a waiting list for medical school entrance, according to Joy Shepherd, Delta Recruiter for the Southern Rural Access Program through the Delta Health Education Center of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
"Charles is from here and on this program," Shepherd told councilmen. "When he is through with medical school and his residency, he will be required to come back to Hughes to practice family medicine for four years as a way to repay his tuition costs to the city."
Hughes will be paying $687.50 a month for four years if Jones is selected into medical school.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The city of Madison is moving forward with its plans to build a new fire station.
In a unanimous decision Monday night, councilmen voted to purchase property adjacent to city hall for the purpose of building a new fire department. The property will cost the city $28,000.
Also during the meeting, councilmen were updated on a pair of potential residential developments for the city.
Madison Mayor James Brooks said the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation is finalizing arrangements on the purchase of land that will allow them to build 24 housing units in Madison.
"Mr. Derwin Sims with the ALFDC was here last week. He told me that he has submitted much of his information for grant approval, and that a large majority of his preliminary work is completed," said Brooks.
Brooks also commented on the continuing search for property for a proposed development by the Crowley's Ridge Development Council.
In other business, councilmen did not vote to adopt building codes for the city.
Brooks presented council members with a list of specifications that are used by other cities. According to Brooks, the specifications are derived from the Southern Standard Building Code. City Attorney Jim Pat Flowers recommended the council look into the codes further before making a decision. He also recommended that the mayor's office purchase an updated version of the SSBC.
Councilmen Oscar Brown and Leroy Anderson were asked to find out more information regarding the possible hiring of a building inspector.
Brooks also discussed repairs for the roof at city hall. In February, councilmen agreed to enter into a contract with Nathaniel Banks for the repairs. According to Brooks, Banks is in the process of writing a contract agreement that will be presented to the city.
Students interested in health care careers can apply for this year's M*A*S*H program to be held June 11-22, from 8:30 to 4:30 daily, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Forrest City. Deadline for registration is April 2.
M*A*S*H, or Medical Application of Science for Health, is designed to introduce students who will be in grades 11 or 12 this fall to health care professions.
CHAMPS or Community Health Applied to Medical Public Service is for students who will be in grades eight or nine this fall, and also provides an introduction to health care professions. CHAMPS will meet June 25-29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
For more information about these two programs, contact Berta Elphingstone at 633-6593, Judy Jayroe at 581-2459 or Denelda Michaelis at 581-2277.
A large amount of money was stolen from a Heth couple during a robbery at their home Tuesday evening.
According to a report at the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, two black males went to the home of Walter Boles at Heth and spoke with him about placing surveillance cameras at his store at Shearerville. Deputies reported Boles asked the two men to come inside his residence, but once inside they held a gun on Boles and forced him to the floor.
Boles' wife was instructed to get any money inside the house and give it to the two men. In addition to the money, the two suspects also reportedly took two handguns. Before leaving, the two suspects reportedly sprayed pepper spray at Boles and his wife before fleeing east on Highway 70.
Friday is the deadline to register for the Forrest City Recreation Department's youth softball and baseball league. The recreation department will be open from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for those who have not yet signed up for either league.
Youth signup fees are $15 for those living inside the Forrest City city limits and $25 for those living outside the city limits.