By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
While the state Health Department is urging residents to take reasonable precautions against possible mosquito-borne viruses, the upcoming influenza season remains a reality rather than a possibility.
Elisia White, communicable disease specialist with the Health Department, said the flu is always a concern.
"It's the next thing we're going to have," she said, adding that flu immunizations would probably start sometime in October.
She said so far there is no local evidence that any of the viruses are associated with mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, a press release stated that the Health Department is continuing its surveillance for mosquito-borne viruses. The state is also testing dead birds and mosquitoes for the viruses responsible for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile virus. According to the Health Department, there is no West Nile virus in Arkansas currently, although it has the potential of occurring here.
The press release also stated that most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick. The persons most at risk for getting sick include the elderly, the very young and people with weakened immune systems. There is no specific treatment; the release stated the best prevention is to avoid mosquitoes.
According to the Health Department, there are a lot of things that people can do to help alleviate the mosquito problems. These include disposing of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic posts or similar water holding containers; removing old tires; drilling holes in the bottoms of recycling containers; cleaning clogged rain gutters in the spring and fall; cleaning vegetation from the edge of ponds, changing the water in bird baths; turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use; cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs; draining water from pool covers; and using landscaping to stop stagnant water from collecting.
There are also ways to protect from mosquito bites, such as making sure all windows and doors have screens in good repair. When possible, people should stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active. When someone has to be outdoors, protective clothing and mosquito repellent containing 30 percent DEET is recommended.
However, caution is urged when using repellents with DEET.
Voting locations have been announced for the upcoming school elections, to be held Sept. 18, 2001.
In Forrest City School District #7, voters will report to the following sites:
Forrest City Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 will vote at the Forrest City Civic Center.
Widener, Round Pond, Mosley, Madison City/County will vote at Madison City Hall.
Courthouse East and West, Parrott, Newcastle, Bonair and Tuni will vote in the Quorum Court room of the County Courthouse.
Pine Tree, Colt city and country, Caldwell city and country will vote at the Colt Civic Center.
In Hughes School District #27, all precincts, including Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Position 6 and 7, Horseshoe, Heth and Blackfish, will vote at the Hughes Community Center.
In Palestine/Wheatley School District #23, everyone will vote at Twin Assembly Fellowship Hall in Palestine.
The St. Francis County Election Commission, made up of Betty Proctor, Dr. William Traylor and Joe Young, said recently that all the wards in Forrest City will vote at one place because there are no contested races. Two incumbents, Rev. Ronald Williams in Position 3 and Gordon McCoy in Position 4, are unchallenged.
The only challenged races will be the Palestine/Wheatley District. In Zone 4, incumbent Ronnie Crider is being challenged by Charley McGowan. In Zone 6, incumbent John Henry Parker faces a challenge by Phyllis Autry.
Forrest City High School will host its annual college night on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 6:30 until 9 p.m.
The administrative staff will also present the annual report to the public at 6:30 p.m. During the report, goals and objectives for the 2001-2002 school year will be discussed, as well as the upcoming Stanford 9 test for 10th graders.
Immediately following the report, representatives from 18 colleges from throughout Arkansas will visit with students and give them information regarding admission requirements, scholarships and financial aid.
In addition, there will be a special financial aid session which will be held in the school's library. Financial aid representatives will be on hand as well as a representatives from the State Student Loan office in Little Rock.
The groups will discuss procedures for applying for financial assistance which will include grants, loans and work-study programs.
This event is open to all area high school students, especially juniors and seniors, and is extended to include Calvary Christian High School and Palestine-Wheatley High School students.
Three city councils will begin a week full of public meetings tonight in St. Francis County.
The Widener City Council will meet at 6 p.m., the Madison council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., and the Hughes council meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. The meetings will be held at each city's city hall.
On Tuesday, the Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission will meet at 2 p.m. at the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce. The Palestine and Caldwell city councils will each meet at 7 p.m. at the city halls in those cities. The Hughes School Board is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m.
The East Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the college board room.
Also on Thursday, the Colt City Council is set to meet at 7 p.m., and the Wheatley City Council is scheduled to meet at 8 p.m.