Arkansans will get the chance Thursday, April 4, to give their opinions on what they want their public schools to do to educate children.
The Blue Ribbon Commission of Public Education will host community meetings, called "Speak Up, Arkansas" simultaneously at 89 separate locations, including sites in all 75 counties, from 6-8 p.m.
In St. Francis County, the meeting place will be the Forrest City High School cafeteria. The local contact person is Martha Lucas, who can be reached at 870-630-4282.
"We're just inviting anybody -- parents, teachers or anybody -- to attend the meeting, so that the commission can determine what is needed for the education of our children," said Lucas.
On May 25, 2001, in a case known as the Lakeview School District case, Arkansas' system for funding public schools were declared inequitable and inadequate, and therefore, unconstitutional.
Cited by Chancery Court Judge Collins Kilgore in the decision were inequities in curricula, inequities in buildings and facilities, inadequate teacher salaries, and deficiencies in early childhood education.
The Blue Ribbon Commission was created by the state Legislature, to study the situation and report back to the legislators and the governor's office by July 1 of this year.
Over the past year, members of the commission, meeting mostly in subcommittees, have discussed such things as making preschool available to all children, increasing teacher salaries, boosting teacher recruitment and retention efforts and creating uniform facilities standards for all Arkansas schools.
The Blue Ribbon Commission's deadline for a final report to the Legislature is July 1.
Coverage of these simultaneous forums will be aired by KATV Channel 7 and the Arkansas Educational Television Network. While the forums will last from 6-8 p.m., the broadcasts will be from 7-9 p.m.
People wanting more information, or who want to know where a particular county's forum will be held, may call the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce at 501-374-9225, or visit the state Chamber website at: www.EducationInArkansas.com
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds was the scene of a weekend of friendship and learning as the Circle of Friends Pow Wow made its first appearance in Forrest City.
The Pow Wow, which had been held annually in Lee County, moved to Forrest City this year and according to event organizer Frank Brent, increased crowds could show a sign of things to come.
"We've held this outside of Marianna for the past few years, and although participation has been good, the crowds have been low. This year, even though we had the rain Saturday, the community really came out and supported us," said Brent.
St. Francis County Museum Director Laura Mazzanti also commented on the crowds. "For this to be the first year we've had it here, the turnout was really good. Things would have been better if not for the rain, but for those who came out, is was really a good learning experience, and that's why we wanted to have it here."
According to Brent, the Pow Wow brings together a variety of people from different lifestyles and gives them the opportunity to commune in a familial and spiritual way.
"For us, this is like a revival to most people. It gives us opportunities to get together and just enjoy being around friends. That's the reason that we call this the Circle of Friends, because once you enter the Circle, there are no differences and we're all friends. For many this is spiritual and for others it's a true learning experience," said Brent.
Circuit Judge Baird Kinney today announced his bid for reelection in the First Judicial District. His position is now Division 5, a judgeship that hears both juvenile and other types of cases.
First elected in 1990, Kinney is now in his 12th year of full time judicial service. In recent years there have been adjustments to the Court's docket to meet both the needs of the district and modern changes in the laws, he said.
"Several years ago we expanded our schedule to include monthly plea and arraignment hearings in four of the six counties, which provided eight more days each year for other divisions to help reduce the adult cases on the criminal docket. Also, the voters recently approved Chancery Judges becoming full time Circuit Court positions," Kinney said.
He added that now, all five Circuit Judges can hear any type of case but this position will continue to hear juvenile matters because only this division is provided with intake and probation officers.
"Our Court now hears many of the cases involving family issues for people of all ages. Recent years have brought an increasing caseload involving mental health and law enforcement issues involving adults," he said.
According to Kinney,, he is now asked to issue arrest and search warrants for adult criminal cases. Another area assigned to Division 5 are the cases involving children and families who are monitored by the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
"These are of the highest order of emotional impact on families," Kinney added, "as they can ultimately deal with the loss of child custody or parental rights."
Kinney has a political science degree from UALR and earned his law degree at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. He is a member of the Arkansas Judicial Council and the American Judges Association. Prior to his judicial service he practiced law in Forrest City with his father, Knox Kinney. He is a past president of the Forrest City Rotary Club and is a member of Gideons International. He is married to the former Debbie McElroy of Brinkley, and they have two daughters, Emily and Celeste. They attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Forrest City.
Kinney said he is grateful for the past support he's received and looks forward to going out and meeting with the voters when court is not in session.
"I renew my commitment to providing fair and impartial representation on the bench, and I would very much appreciate the support of the voters on Election Day, May 21."
The Miss St. Francis County Rice competition, sponsored by the St. Francis County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, will be held Tuesday, April 2 at the Farm Bureau office in Forrest City.
The contest is open to any person enrolled in school, between 16 and 19 years of age. Contestants will give a three-to-five minute oral presentation on rice, and bring a rice dish.
The winner will be awarded $250, and will be required to promote rice at various functions.
A Forrest City man is charged with negligent homicide following an accident Thursday that left one man dead.
According to a report on file at Arkansas State Police Troop D in Forrest City, alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident.
In addition to the negligent homicide charge, Michael W. Smith, 23, 923 Cherry St., is also charged with driving while intoxicated and careless/prohibited driving.
Chris Leary, 21, 6657 Hwy. 284, Forrest City, was killed in the wreck.
State police reported Smith was the driver of the 1998 GMC Jimmy involved in the single-vehicle crash. Smith told police he was driving north on Highway 284, taking Leary home, when he drove onto the shoulder. Smith reportedly overcorrected the vehicle, causing it to roll over twice before coming to rest. Leary was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Smith, who was injured in the accident, was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released.
Smith is scheduled to be arraigned this week in Forrest City District Court.
The filing period for the May 21 primary is coming to an end, and so is the period for publishing political announcements in the Times-Herald and East Arkansas Advertiser.
The filing deadline for the Democratic and Republican primaries is Tuesday, April 2. Announcements may be brought to the newspaper through Wednesday, April 3.
Candidates for municipal offices in cities which do not participate in primaries may file until noon on May 20. Those candidates may bring their announcements to the paper through May 21.