By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
People across the state jammed gas stations Tuesday following the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., as rumors of gas price increases abounded and Forrest City gas stations felt the effects.
Gas prices around Forrest City were spotted as high as $1.99 per gallon yesterday, and customers lined up at several area gas stations to fill up before they reached the $5.00 per gallon prices that were rumored during the afternoon.
"This is ridiculous, but it's something that you have to do," said one customer as he filled his pickup and a 20-gallon drum on the rear of his truck. "I've been told that gas prices in Hazen hit $4.00 per gallon, and I want to beat the rush before it gets over here," he said.
According to an assistant manager at the Citgo Flash Market on Deaderick Road, lines began to form Tuesday morning as rumors of increasing prices reached the area and the rush on the pumps hadn't slowed all day.
"I think that we went as high as $1.79 but we've been dropping the price all day. As soon as I walked in today I was told to drop the price to $1.49, and that's where it has stayed until I changed it to $1.45 at 3:30. We had a line of people filling up when I got here, and this has been an all day thing," said Donnie Autry with Citgo.
According to Larry Doudna, manager at Flash Market, gas prices were beginning to level off and concerns of a gas shortage were lessening this morning.
In a press release from the State of Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, executive vice president of the Petroleum Marketers Association Ann Hines said, "There is no fuel shortage. Trucks are on schedule in making their deliveries, and the public will have access to purchasing gasoline as they would under normal conditions."
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in a release Tuesday urged the owners and operators of Arkansas service stations to consider the impact of gasoline increases on Arkansans and also threatened legal action against excessive price increases.
"I urge the owners and operators of all service stations to be mindful of the extraordinary circumstances and consider the impact increases in gasoline prices will have on the people of Arkansas. I call upon them to voluntarily institute a freeze on the price of gas," Huckabee said. "Sharp increases in gas prices aren't in the best interest of the people of Arkansas, who still must get to work and school. I also call upon the people of Arkansas to conserve fuel. If there are more reports of excessive price increases, I will ask the attorney general to take the legal measures necessary to prevent price gouging."
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
While the events in New York and Washington may have shocked everyone, to most people it was far away. However, for some it was painfully close, because they had loved ones who might be in harm's way.
Attempts were made to reach some of the people with local roots who were in New York at the time of the World Trade Center disaster. Phone lines were too tied up to get through.
However, some of the people were able to call out to their family members, who shared what they were told.
Mallory Nimocks has a brother and sister, Byron and Madge, both of whom live in New York. There was an anxious time before he found out that they were safe.
"They're fine," said Nimocks. "They were very lucky. My brother works in the Lower Manhattan area. He was in his office and was aware of the first explosion."
He said he wasn't sure if his brother saw the explosion or saw debris.
"But he knew something was awry. He got his belongings and hopped a 9:20 a.m. commuter train before they shut them down. He got to his home, which is in Rye, N.Y."
His sister, Madge Nimocks, works in Upper Manhattan.
"She did get caught in a building lockdown, which was for everybody's safety and was a good move, I think," said Mallory Nimocks.
He said she was frantic for a time about not being able to pick up her daughter, Eloise.
"But later in the afternoon she was able to accomplish that and got back to her apartment safe and sound. We're thankful they were not harmed."
He said there has been an outpouring of concern.
"Dozens of people have called asking about them, and it was heartwarming."
Nancy Casbeer is a student at New York University. Her father, John Casbeer, said that while her family could not reach her, she was able to call them, twice.
"She got through to us yesterday," he said. "Of course, her classes were canceled. She lives on Third Street. She said it's just eerie to go outside because there's no traffic and there's no people. All the businesses are closed around her right now, although I'm sure they'll open soon. She said she didn't hear the explosions, but could see the smoke."
The feelings of many people were summed up by Mallory Nimock's wife, Carla.
"It's just so awful," she said. "It's all I can think about. You turn on the radio and you don't even want to hear the music. You want to find out what's happening. You want to know if they've found any survivors."
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Widener City Council meeting was taken up by one subject Monday-- this weekend's second King Cotton Day.
"I think it's going to be a little bit better this year than last year," said Mayor Dot Halford.
One major change has been made. The talent show scheduled for Saturday morning has been canceled, but may be tried again next year.
"There's going to be food, food, food," said Halford. "Ribs, chicken, smoked links, hot dogs, hamburgers and Frito pies."
The food booths are all special fund-raisers, and no other food booths will be allowed. However, there is room for other booths, including arts and crafts or informational booths. And there is no charge for booth space.
"One of these days, maybe we'll start charging for booths," said Halford. "But right now we're growing."
The deadline for obtaining booth space is Friday.
There are several scheduled events, some of them going on simultaneously. Free bingo for senior citizens (aged 55 and older) will be held from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Arm wrestling will begin at 11 a.m., with registration beginning at 10 a.m. A tug of war for city police, fire department members and city workers is scheduled for 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 1 p.m.
There will be gospel singing most of the day, from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Also all day there will be a dunking booth featuring local officials -- 3 balls for $1. Rico the Robot will be there from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be clowns and a puppet show.
There will also be free games for kids, including a bean bag throw, balloon darts, an obstacle course and a bungee run.
On another matter, Halford told the council that the city had received a good audit report.
The Palestine Volunteer Fire Department will receive a grant of $46,134 toward the purchase of personal protective equipment.
The announcement was made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It also was jointly announced by the offices of U.S. Sens. Tim Hutchinson and Blanche Lincoln.
The Palestine department is among 88 fire departments across the United States that will receive a total of $5 million in grants in the current round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program. All the funds are used to be used for protective equipment.
"Last year, 102 firefighters died in the line of duty," FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh was quoted as saying in a press release. "Personal protective equipment is critical in reducing firefighter deaths and injuries."
In a separate announcement, Sen. Lincoln said, "Fire protection in our rural
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A subdued annual county convention of the St. Francis County Farm Bureau went ahead as scheduled last night.
Attendance was lower than usual for the catfish and chicken dinner at the Forrest City Civic Center, and the crowd was quieter than usual. The guest speaker, Stewart Doan, Delta regional farm director for the Yancey Ag Network, did not come, citing the recent terrorist events.
Brent Howton, outgoing president, said it was felt that it was important to hold the meeting.
"It was a little bit of a communities is just as vital as in our urban areas. Volunteer firefighters give their tie and effort to protect their neighbors and communities. This grant allows the Palestine community to ensure that their firefighter volunteers have modern, safe equipment."
Sen. Hutchinson was also quoted, saying, "Every day firefighters risk their lives to protect the communities they serve. This funding will help firefighters in St.. Francis County stay out of harm's way in performing their duties."
hard call on whether or not to have this meeting tonight," Howton told those in attendance. "We gave it some thought. I hope we don't come across or appear as callous by going ahead with our business meeting under the circumstances in our nation today. But we felt like these terrorist acts were to do as much damage as possible, and to disrupt life in this country as much as possible. And in order not to give in to that second part, we determined that they should not disrupt our lives any more than we could help it, that we would continue to go on with the things we do."
Special guests gave brief talks. These included Mandy Michaelis, Miss St Francis County Rice; Ashley McGraw, who spoke about the M*A*S*H Camp of which the Farm Bureau is a sponsor; Ashley Gatling also spoke about the C*H*A*M*P*S Camp.
The Terry McGraw Family, St. Francis County Farm Family of the Year, was also honored.
Judy Jayroe and Denelda Michaelis gave a report on the women's Committee.
The business meeting was brief, and consisted of voting in those nominated to the executive board, the board of directors and voting delegates to the state convention.
Officers include Billy Jayroe, president; Rusty Trail, vice president; Denelda Michaelis, secretary; and Terry McGraw, treasurer.
Board of directors are Charles Adamson, Ronnie Carey, Steve Cranford, Herman Higgins, Brent Howton, Henry Dale Jayroe, Luther Lieblong, Harold McGraw, J.C. Rice, Billy Sweet, W.J. Trail III, Richard Blaylock, Margy Cannon, Tommy Dodson, John Horton, Jim Hughes, Judy Jayroe, John McDaniel, Morris O'Quin, John Stipe, W.J. Trail Jr. and Joe Whittenton.
Voting delegates to the state convention will include Billy Jayroe, Denelda Michaelis, Rusty Trail and Terry McGraw.
Jayroe gave a membership report, stating that there were currently 2,651 members, which was 98.7 percent of the county's quota.
Agency manager Ron Killingsworth gave the financial report and Jayroe presented Howton with a plaque.
Bill Huddleston, a retiring Farm Bureau Agent, was presented with a silver tray.
Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Forrest City has scheduled a special prayer service for tonight at the church.
"We will offer prayers for this nation, its leaders, the victims and their families and our world. We will sing hymns and hear Scriptures read," said a church spokesperson.
All community members are invited to this special service.