By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
Wheelchair ramps are now being constructed at various sidewalks in Forrest City and St. Francis County as part of the second phase of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department District One's order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
AHTD District Engineer Ray Woodruff said because the district consists of such a large area, the project was divided into three phases. "Phase two of the project is St. Francis, Lee and Monroe counties," said Woodruff. "Phase one was Phillips County, and phase three will be Woodruff, Cross and Crittenden counties. The construction in Phillips County began over a year ago.
As for how long the construction might take, Woodruff said, "We are looking at 120 working days for the entire District One, so it could be a year or more, considering the weather."
He also said the construction was being funded by the Federal Aid Highway Fund with matching funds contributed by the AHTD.
The AHTD has contracted the job to Harris Construction Management. Owner Larry Harris said they will be working in Forrest City for about a month to build ADA wheelchair ramps from Sanyo Drive to Martin Luther King Dive and along Highway 70 in St. Francis County.
Woodruff said he is not sure of the exact number of wheelchair ramps that will be built in Forrest City. "We determine by the square yard of the ramp, and there are different kinds of ramps to match different situations," he said.
The ramps are being constructed along Washington Street this week.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Several people were sentenced to time in the Arkansas Department of Corrections in circuit court recently.
Steve Hollis, 24, of 943 Victor Street in Forrest City, was given 10 years for second-degree murder, amended from first-degree murder, for the March 23, 1996 shooting of Lonell Smith. He was also given a five-year suspended imposition of sentence for burglary and aggravated robbery.
Adam Levi Taegtmeyer, 18, of Wynne was given 10 years for simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession with intent to manufacture, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, all of which were merged.
Lawrence Harden Jr., 21, of Hughes, was given 10 years for robbery.
Chris Edward Hunt Sr. 19, of 106 Farley in Forrest City, was given three years for driving on a suspended drivers license, driving left of center, DWI second, criminal impersonation, possession of a controlled substance, and theft by receiving, which were merged. He also received a 7 year suspended imposition of sentence following his release.
Andre Hunter, 25, of 1031 Pershing Street in Forrest City, was given 30 years, charged with theft over $200, burglary and second degree battery.
Joseph R. Ellis, 26, of 425 N. Forrest in Forrest City, was given three years suspended imposition of sentence for criminal conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unlawful containing, fleeing and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A 17-year-old St. Francis County juvenile was fined $00 on a reduced charge of breaking or entering.
Chris Hurt, 20, of 106 Early in Forrest City, was given 120 days and a five year suspended sentence for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (reduced), carrying a weapon and probation violation.
Allan Jerome Burks, 21, of 109 SFC 208, Forrest City, received a five year suspended sentence for aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of an illegal weapon, all merged and reduced.
Lawrence Harden Jr., 21, of Hughes, was given five years suspended with two years of supervised probation for theft of property.
Marco Bobo, 23, of 800 Choctaw in Forrest City, was given a $250 fine for theft by receiving and third degree battery.
George Blair, 42, of 1222 Stuart Springs in Forrest City, was given five years 120 days in the St. Francis County Jail and five years suspended for aggravated assault.
Murray Jenkins Jr., 34, of Heth was fined $600 for operating an ATV on a public roadway, DWI first and refusing a breath test.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
Several students were arrested Wednesday morning following a disturbance near Forrest City Junior High School.
An estimated 125 students witnessed at least two fights which at times blocked school streets, preventing students from entering campus and keeping school buses from making normal rounds, according to a report at the Forrest City Police Department.
"Not all the students were fighting, just a core group of 10 or 11 students were fighting," said FCJHS Principal Billy Ferguson.
As to reason for the fights, Ferguson said, "In the eyes of the law, it's defined as gang activity, but I think it had more to do with two families than with actual gangs." There were no weapons involved in the altercation, according to the principal.
The disturbance began on Graham Street, near Hicky Street, about 8 a.m., but according to Ferguson, spilled onto the edge of school property.
"It really wasn't anything to do with the school. It was before school started," Ferguson said, adding that because the school is responsible for the students on their way to school, necessary action is being taken against the students involved in the fights. "We've taken some action against the students," Ferguson said, but did not elaborate on what that action was.
Police reported the fight stemmed from problems which have occurred off-campus between certain groups and individuals during the past two weeks and spilled over onto the campus Wednesday.
Police arrested eight students, three age 15, three 16 and two 17, on charges of rioting, gang activity and disrupting campus activities. The eight were released by school officials to their parents on Wednesday and ordered to attend meetings with a juvenile intake officer.
Activities at the junior high were not disrupted as the result of the fights, Ferguson said.
With the end of the school year approaching, Ferguson said students are more active at the end of the year, putting school officials on guard a little more than normal. Ferguson said he has requested more patrols from the police department before and after school.
Money raised in this year's Relay for Life, to benefit the American Cancer Society, exceeded most expectations.
Phyllis Autry, chairperson for the 2001 St. Francis County Relay for Life, reported this week the event raised $46,360 for the ACS.
According to Autry, that total is $6,000 over this year's goal of $40,000, and $11,000 more than was raised in last year's event. "This has gone way beyond our goal and expectations, and more money is still coming in," said Autry.
"We raised $35,000 last year. The year before we raised about $20,000 to $25,000. We thought we couldn't even dream of doing over $11,000 from the previous year, but that's why our goal was $40,000," Autry added.
The relay is a team event held annually to raise funds for cancer research. It is the largest fundraising event for the ACS.
Autry said all the credit for this year's success goes to the teams that helped raise money. She said the team from Yale Hoist raised the most money with $20,000.
According to Autry, Yale raises money all year long for the one event. "We are so thankful for Yale and all our teams," she said. "This is a friendly competition, and no one has any hard feelings if one team raises more money than another team. It all goes to a worthy cause so we are all very pleased."
Yale will receive an award for its contribution at the next American Cancer Society meeting to be held Monday, June 4, at 5:15, at Pearson Insurance in Forrest City.
Even though the local event was successful, Autry and other volunteers are looking at other Relays and the accomplishments there. For example, Autry said, "Phillips County raised $90,000 this year. We hope to do as well, or better, next year. They are a good example for us to follow. They have a lot of enthusiasm and we would like to bring some of that over here. Their hospital alone had five teams, and we would like to see more businesses and institutions form teams and see if we can do as well," she said.