By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Several children in class missed school Monday and Tuesday of this week with symptoms resembling shigellosis, but it isn't certain yet if the bacterial disease is making a comeback.
There was an outbreak of shigellosis which began in a local day care in February, but apparently it was defeated after a long campaign of isolating cases and getting people to wash their hands often -- considered the best defense against the disease.
Willie Doby, principal of Central Elementary, confirmed that an unusually large number of children were missing from one class earlier this week.
"It was on Monday and Tuesday of this week," he said. "One kindergarten class has 20 children in it. Nine or 10 were out. But to my knowledge, that was the only class that had such a high percentage of children. I think things are back to normal now."
Doby said the other classes seemed to be having a normal absentee rate. He said two staff members were out sick, but couldn't say why they were sick.
This morning, Bonnie Dodson, head of the local Health Unit, said shigella had not been confirmed.
"We don't have a medical confirmation from that yet," she said. "What we have to do is, we wait on lab results, either on specimens we collect or from physicians. But as of right now we don't have any results."
The disease is caused by the bacteria Shigella, and can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. It is usually not considered deadly in healthy people. However, there is a danger of dehydration. It is found in fecal matter. Although it may start with children, adults can also catch the disease.
Last March during the outbreak, Dr. Kashef Ijaz, epidemiologist, said the best way to stop the spread of the disease is by frequent hand washing.
Calls to other elementary schools in the Forrest City District revealed that there was no apparent increase in absenteeism in those other schools.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Even if the Forrest City Housing Authority is losing tenants to the St. Francis County Housing Authority, the two agencies shouldn't be thought of as competitors, according to Gary Chapman.
Chapman, who heads the county's housing authority, said both entities are charged with doing the same job.
At a recent meeting of the FCHA board, Janet Duncan, head of the agency, complained of tenants lost to the county authority.
The city's housing authority is in large complexes. The county, which is HUD Section 8 housing, is in individual houses.
"Janet and I are not in competition with each other," said Chapman. "Our job is to house people in a decent, safe and sanitary manner."
Section 8 housing is privately owned property rented to low income people. HUD subsidizes the rent, and also requires that the housing be up to certain standards.
"The property owners have to meet certain property standards," he said.
According to Chapman, renters pay 30 percent of their adjusted income. "A $400 unit could conceivably cost $200 to $225 a month, and we would subsidize the rest of that."
"We have found that people don't like congregate housing," said Chapman.
He said many people perceive congregate housing as breeding crime, drugs and other problems.
"And people would obviously rather have their own place -- either in a smaller apartment complex or a house."
He said there is also crime in Section 8 housing, "but it's a little easier to keep up with."
He said pedophiles, or people convicted of manufacturing Methamphetamine or crack, can never live in either the projects or Section 8.
Chapman said he didn't believe Duncan was actually attacking Section 8 housing.
"I think they are frustrated," he said. "There are other housing authorities having the same problem. But Section 8 does appear to be the people's choice at this moment."
He said there are currently 589 authorized units in St. Francis County. He also said there is a waiting list of 400.
"I think Janet has tried to market those (FCHA) units as best she can, and I'm not sure what the solutions are," Chapman continued. "She's done a good job, but people don't want to go to the projects. They have a tendency to stay away from them."
Section 8 housing has been part of the St. Francis County landscape since July 7, 1977, said Chapman, and started with 160 or 170 houses.
Chapman said Section 8 isn't the only other subsidized housing besides the FCHA. Rural Rental Development has several rent-subsidized apartment houses in the area.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
An effort is under way to raise about $10,000 to purchase an 80-foot flagpole for Mustang Arena, which will fly a large flag 24-hours a day.
According to Bill Baxter, the idea was around before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, but the project took on an urgency after that.
Baxter said Superintendent Lee Vent had been talking about a need for a flagpole at the arena.
"We didn't want to do anything about it until we got the parking lot problem solved -- we had a water problem over there," said Baxter.
After the problem was solved, Baxter went back to Vent.
"I told him, 'We've got the parking lot done, let's talk about the flagpole," said Baxter. "He told me he'd like to have a big one."
Discussions centered around an 80-foot pole, flying a flag about 15 feet by 25 feet. The flag would be lighted at night. Although no one was sure, there were hopes that the flag would be visible from Interstate 40.
There were plans of tying the dedication of the flagpole to the Veteran's Day celebration planned for the arena. Last year, a Veteran's Day celebration was the first function held in the new arena, with plans for making it an annual event.
"We thought if we tied that thing in to the Veteran's Day celebration this time, and tie it in to the pole and flag, we can make it a really big, neat deal," Baxter said. "And that's what we're trying to do."
However, when the events of Sept. 11 unfolded, suddenly flags and flagpoles were in such demand that the supply couldn't keep up. And getting the flagpole ready for Veteran's Day isn't such a sure thing.
Baxter said he doesn't see a problem raising the money. However, he said getting the flag and pole in time is problematic.
"All of a sudden, you can't buy a flag anywhere. And flagpole makers are incredibly busy," he said. "In fact, I have been in contact with four flagpole outlets, and six-to-eight weeks is their time frame, which would put us behind."
There has been help. The Forrest City City Council granted a variance for the height of the pole, without the school district having to go through the regular procedure of getting approval from the Planning Commission first. This saved some time. Baxter also said one company has said a flagpole can be delivered by Nov. 1.
"Of course, then, you have to dig the hole, pour the concrete, and it has to set. So it may be a little ambitious, trying to get it done by then. But we're going to do our best," he said.
"What we're going to do is, we're asking people to make their contribution to the Forrest City Education Foundation, and specify for the flag fund. It will be a tax deductible gift."
Contributions may be sent to the Forrest City Education Foundation, Post Office Box 2813, Forrest City, Ark. 72336, or people may contact Baxter at Baxter, Horner and Devereux.
Tickets for this year's Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute's Barbecue are still available, according to CRTI President Burl Lieblong.
Lieblong said tickets may be purchased through noon Friday at Worley's and Freeman's Grocery.
Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The 14th annual event begins Friday at 5 p.m., and plates will be served through 9 p.m.
The Forrest City Police Department is looking for two men who are believed to have robbed the Days Inn Suites Wednesday night.
According to a report at the FCPD, a black male wearing a wool hat and blue windbreaker entered the motel about 11:30 p.m. asking about a room and directions. The subject then reportedly jumped over the counter, placed a knife at the throat of an employee and forced him into the office.
The second subject is reported to have then entered the office and the two attempted to remove a safe from the counter. According to the report, when the safe was moved the door opened and $386.54 was taken by the suspects who also took about 60 checks.
According to the report, the employee received several small cuts but did not seek medical assistance.
The investigation is continuing.