By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Several area churches and civic organizations will be sponsoring festivals tonight and tomorrow night to help keep Forrest City children off the streets as they celebrate Halloween.
Lane Chapel CME Church will kick things off tonight with a Hallelujah Night to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be games, refreshments and prizes for children as well as a bingo room for parents. Costumes should be limited to non-evil representations.
Celebrations will be held at several area churches on Wednesday night with festivities kicking off at 6 p.m. with a Fall Family Festival at First Baptist Church on North Rosser. The festival will be complete with games, candy, prizes and entertainment. Children are being asked to dress as Biblical characters or in costumes that do not represent ghosts, witches or goblins. Salem Baptist Church on W. Broadway is also having a Halloween festival beginning at 6 p.m.
According to Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary, parents should take the normal precautions this year in regard to candy and costumes, but also cautions that parents might only want to take their children to the homes of friends and neighbors.
"I think that it would be best if parents took their children only to the homes in their immediate neighborhoods. That way they are going to the homes of people they know. They should also accompany their children as they trick-or-treat and make sure the children are wearing some type of reflective clothing so that drivers can see them. For those parents who are taking children by car, they need to set an example for the children and buckle up," McNeary said.
McNeary also said that parents should make sure that children enjoy themselves because Halloween is especially a time for the children.
"We want to make sure that everyone has a safe Halloween. Tomorrow night will be a time for children to enjoy themselves and that's what we want to see. Hopefully, everyone will take all of the necessary precautions and it will be a safe time for everyone," he said.
The Forrest City Police Department is asking parents to have children home by 8 p.m. Trick-or-treating should begin about 5:30 p.m.
The St. Francis County Museum will also be in the Halloween spirit as they offer a Haunted Halloween tour of the museum tonight. Children and parents alike can tour the Rush-Gates House and hear tales of the haunted history of St. Francis County. Tours begin at 7 and end at 9 tonight. Tours are expected to last approximately 30 minutes.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The demolition of the former Forrest City Junior High School is moving along, according to a report presented by Pat Flanagin, fiscal officer for the Forrest City School District.
"Mr. Biggs (Leonard Biggs of Biggs Wrecking Co. of Memphis) expects to be out of the way in time for new construction to begin," he said. "From inspection of the premises, it appears that a good job was done in avoiding damage to the structures that will be renovated for continued use."
That includes the north wing, which contains classrooms and the south wing, which contains the cafeteria, and the gym.
In the meantime, Flanagin said, final plans and specifications for the new construction were made available for interested contractors last week.
"The official advertisement for bids will appear in state and local papers on Oct. 29," he said. "Then, allowing three weeks for bids to be prepared, sealed bids will be opened at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20."
On a related matter, Flanagin referred to a recent inventory in which more than $20,000 in items were reported missing from the junior high building. It is thought that the items were lost or stolen during the move from the junior high building to the FCHS and Old Stewart School campuses, where junior high students are currently attending class.
He said an insurance claim had been submitted to cover the loss.
"Our property insurance carrier denied the claim," said Flanagin. "The reason for the denial was that no forcible entry or break-in had occurred."
Flanagin continued, "The only other insurance coverage possible for losses such as this is through the state fidelity bond program that addresses employee theft. In such cases an employee or employees would have to be found guilty of the thefts for the district to recover on the bond."
An investigation into the missing items is continuing, Flanagin said. Consideration is being given to offering a cash reward for information leading to the recovery of property, and/or the conviction of anyone associated with the alleged thefts.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City residents who have Monday garbage pickup had more than their garbage removed Monday morning. Their garbage carts were also picked up, as the changeover process began between Waste Corporation of America, which is leaving, and King Disposal Inc., which is taking over.
Joe King of King Disposal said on Monday that he would be running a day behind, dropping off new carts. On Tuesday, for instance, people with Monday pickups should get their new carts.
"I will start delivering today," said King. "I'm going to run a day behind so there won't be any interference with WCA. I'll start delivering Monday's carts today. That way, WCA will be on its Tuesday route, and we won't be in the same area."
Pickup days will remain the same, according to King.
"There may be some small adjustments to the routes, but I'm not anticipating any," he said.
The new carts will be blue, and some may have a BFI logo on them. King said there is a reason for the logo.
"The carts that I wanted required a 45-day order time, and they weren't able to get them out," he said. "BFI had some blue carts, and they allowed me to get their order because they knew the urgency of my situation. They are going to have a BFI logo on them until my stickers come in. But they back-ordered in order for me to be able to make their deadline.
"It is very commendable that the suppliers were able to work that out with them, as large as they are, to allow me to make my deadline."
King Disposal beat out WCA, Delta Disposal of Jonesboro, Riverside Environmental Disposal of Marion and B&B Disposal of Jonesboro for the contract.
King said anyone experiencing any problems or who want information should call the company at 870-581-2883.
John Scott Carroll of Forrest City led the pack last week in the Times-Herald Professor Pigskin Contest, missing just one of the 24 games.
John Scott's only miss was the Washington State - Oregon college game won by Oregon.
Other than that, he was perfect.
For his efforts John Scott picks up the $50 prize.
As for the rest of the faithful readers, this week's list of games is inside today's Times-Herald.
Students in local public schools will be out of class later this week due to the Arkansas Education Association's conference.
The Forrest City School District will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
The Hughes School District will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and be closed on Thursday, Friday and Monday. The Palestine-Wheatley School District will be closed only on Friday. Classes are scheduled to resume in the FC and PW school districts on Monday, Nov. 5.