By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A cross-dressing wanna-be bank robber was unsuccessful Thursday afternoon when he picked a teller who didn't have any money in her cash drawer.
The attempted robbery occurred just after 12:30 p.m. at the main office of the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, located at the Broadway and Washington streets intersection, according to a report on file at the Forrest City Police Department.
The robbery occurred while most area police officers were involved in a funeral procession for St. Francis County Sheriff's Deputy Henry Thomas.
According to the police report, the black male suspect, described as about six feet tall and believed to be in his 20's, was wearing high heels, a large black wig and a woman's dress when he walked through the front doors of the bank about 12:35 p.m.
Police said the suspect walked up to a teller's window, confronted the cashier with a handgun and said, "Put the money on the table."
Police said the cashier told the man she did not have any money at which point he turned and quickly fled from the building without taking anything.
No shots were fired and no one was reported injured in the incident.
Authorities with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Arkansas State Police are assisting the FCPD in the investigation.
The Forrest City Crime Stoppers program is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Police say all information will remain confidential.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Mixed emotions were in evidence as members of the local National Guard unit -- C Company, second battalion, 153rd infantry -- gathered at the armory this morning to say good-bye to their loved ones.
They were preparing to leave for training at Fort Carson in Colorado, before heading to the Sinai Peninsula.
Wives, husbands relatives, friends and sweethearts said farewell, and some spoke about their feelings, which were nearly unanimous: They wish it wasn't necessary, but they understand.
Commander of Charlie Company, Jonathan Jones, was saying farewell to his wife, Devona and his 4-year-old son, Jonathan Jr.
"It's difficult to say good-bye family, or good-bye for right now," Jones said. "But I'm kind of excited about this mission."
Devona Jones said she would be honest about it.
"I'm not happy at all about it," she said. "You want me to be honest? I wish he didn't' have to go at all, especially during the holiday season. I understand why he has to go. I'm just unhappy about the events that caused him to go. I understand this is his duty. I just wish it hadn't happened. September 11 should have never happened."
Staff Sergeant Roger Lawson said he was ready to do his duty.
"It makes me proud to serve my country, to go over there and do the things I have to do."
Lawson is leaving a wife and two sons, and said he was going to miss them.
"I manage Harvest Foods. And I hate going off and leaving. But you just do what you have to do."
Private Virgil Smith was philosophical.
"You've got to do what you've got to do sometimes," he said. "I'd rather stay home, but it's something I've got to do. I'll go get it done."
Danielle Stevens, Smith's girlfriend, was there to say good-bye.
"It's bad. We're going to miss him," she said. "We understand, though."
Staff Sergeant DeWitt Strickland was having a few final moments with this wife, Carla.
"Leaving home is hard," he said. "But we had a couple of weeks, but we've had a couple of weeks to get ready. The hardest part was getting her ready to do the bills and everything."
Meanwhile, Carla Strickland said, "I don't feel too good about it. I wish he was home but that's life and I accept it. I understand why he has to leave -- to serve his country."
Terry Clark was holding his 7-year old daughter, Kayla in his arms while another daughter, 4-year old Shelby, and his wife and mother-in law waited.
"I'm all right," he said. "This is going to be all right. I kind of hate leaving my family, but other than that I'm all right."
Mary Clark said it was going to be hard, "But we'll make it. We'll be proud of him.
Mary Clark's mother, Jan Brimhall, said there would be plenty of family support for Mary, and added that support was important.
"For the ones left at home and the ones who have to go, family support is one of the number one things," said Brimhall. "And the community really needs to pitch in and help."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Administrative boundaries were outlined to members of the East Arkansas Enterprise Community's board during a meeting Thursday at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
Rex Jones, Assistant Director in the Office of Administrative Services with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, said the meeting was called to address questions regarding administrative and fiscal compliance of the EC during a visit six months ago. Jones said that specific questions were asked about a $500,000 revolving loan fund.
"We're meeting this morning so that we can make sure the program is staying within its boundaries. It's a little like the game of golf. In golf you have a hole way down the course that you're trying to hit the ball into, but it doesn't matter how many clubs you use or how many times you have to hit the ball as long as you stay within the boundaries, and that's what we're here to do," said Jones.
According to Jones, his agency is trying to determine if bookkeeping and other administrative matters are being kept up to standard. Jones told board members that the response from the EC was that an audit would give them the necessary information, but an audit had not been provided in the six months since an April 27, letter to EC staff.
Jones also submitted a memo to board members from Bob Lewis, director of audits, in March. The memo questioned several aspects of funds distributed by the EC including funds given to Eldercare of Eastern Arkansas in the amount of $15,000 and over $118,000 in costs attributed to the EC by its coordinator Dr. Robert Cole.
"The agency did not maintain a proper general ledger where EC related transactions could be easily identified. We also noted that the agency transferred funds to and from other programs. The EC coordinator is paid $26,950 per year. In addition to being the coordinator for the Enterprise Community, this individual is a full-time employee at UAPB, a coordinator for ALFDC's Small Town Resource Center, a contracted coordinator with Phillips County, and was paid to do the yard work at the Enterprise Community location. We requested that the EC coordinator provide documents to support the amount of time spent at the Enterprise Community Office. Our request was denied," the memo revealed.
"Our review of administrative expenditures revealed that $7,449.08 in expenditures were unallowable, unreasonable, or did not have documents to support them. We also noted that $4,750 was paid in consulting fees for which the proper procurement process was not followed," Lewis noted in the memo.
Jones also raised questions over a revolving loan account for over $500,000 that the EC drew down from federal funds for small business loans. According to Jones, normal policy for the draw down of funds requires the monies be distributed within a normal period of time.
"The policy leaves room for discussion because what may be normal for me might not be normal for someone else, but these funds have been in this account for 14 months and questions are beginning to be asked," Jones said.
According to Jones, the EC executive board is responsible for the funds as the administrative board. He suggested that board members take a more active role in the loan process. "I think that a member of this board should be on the loan committee at whatever bank handles the loans for this area. Right now, you all have no information on that account, and there's no way of knowing if the $500,000 is still in the bank. I'm not saying that it isn't, but we have no documentation either way."
Jones also suggested to board members that the current contract with the Mississippi bank that handles the loans either be canceled or amended to show St. Francis County as the fiscal agent for the money. Currently, the former EC fiscal agent, Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation, is still listed on the partnership agreement.
A 31-year-old Madison man was killed Wednesday when the car he was driving flipped on Hwy. 38, east of Widener.
According to a report filed by Arkansas State Trooper Mike Kennedy, Tyrone Woodard lost control of his 1992 Saturn as he was traveling west on Hwy. 38 at a high rate of speed.
The accident occurred as Woodard failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle flipped several times, throwing Woodard from the car and into a nearby field, according to state police
Woodard was pronounced dead a short time later at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Forrest City, state police said.
In a special called meeting, the Forrest City City Council on Thursday passed an ordinance to allow the city to waive the normal bidding process to have a van customized as a command vehicle for the police department.
Earlier this year, the Police Committee had recommended that a van should be bought and customized. That route, it is believed, would cost less than special-ordering a completely outfitted command vehicle.
At Tuesday's regular meeting, Russell Chevrolet was awarded a bid of $28,000 for a basic step-van. At that time, Mayor Larry Bryant said he might call a special meeting to waive the bidding process on having the van customized.
The ordinance states that Taylor Made Vehicles of Newport is the only company in the state that can do the customizing needed.
Arkansas law allows a city to waive the bidding process "in exceptional situations," according to the ordinance.
The ordinance was read three times under suspension of the rules and passed unanimously by the council members present.
Those were John Gadberry, Cecil Twillie, A.L. Harris, Chris Oswalt, Roy Hancock and Richard Benson. Absent were Glenn Ford and Mary Jeffers.