By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco declared the state of St. Francis County roads a disaster this morning in a move that could bring the county additional funds for the repair of several roads.
According to Cisco, heavy rains over the past month prompted the decision after roads in several areas of the county were damaged from the rainfall.
"We've got roads all over the county that have taken on a lot of water and had several washouts on roads. We've still got several roads that look like they could go under with just a little more water. We're doing all we can to repair them, but the costs are beginning to mount, so we're going to file for disaster aid in an attempt to offset some of the costs," Cisco said.
County road supervisor Sonny Hamilton supported the move. "Several of the roads are at a critical state. The road to the north of DeRossitt gin has two big pipes that are out, and we've had to close that road. Out near Tallwood, we've got a pipe that's falling in, and we can't do anything on the roads because of all the water.
"This rain is just really getting to us because we can't get in there to repair the damages. Plus, we've got the river starting to rise again which will cause us more problems."
Damages to roads are in excess of $60,000, and with more rain in the forecast for this weekend, those totals are expected to rise.
Also adding to the problems, could be the flooding of the St. Francis River, which road department officials are expecting to begin covering roads this week.
"We've been watching the river, and it's beginning to rise in some areas. We expect to see a few roads get flooded. For some of those roads, it will be the second time in a month that they've been flooded, and major repairs are going to be needed," Cisco said.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Two more candidates entered the race for the position of Constable of Madison Township Monday, and two quorum court members also received opposition in the May 21, Democratic Primary.
With the additions of Lowel Best and Billy Gene Ray, the primary race will now see at least five candidates for the position of Constable of Madison Township. The position is currently held by George Cochran of Forrest City, but Cochran is vacating the position in an attempt to become St. Francis County Sheriff.
Quorum Court Justice B. McCollum of Heth, Justice of the Peace for District 2, and George Wise, also of Hughes, JP for District 1, will both face competition after two filings yesterday. McCollum will face off against T.J. McCrary of Forrest City while Wise gets opposition from Charles Jones of Hughes.
In other races, Floyd French of Goodwin filed for a pair of positions during the May primary. French will run for both the Constable of Goodwin Township and the JP 11 Position 2 spot on the Democratic Central Committee. Also filing for positions on the Democratic Central Committee were Frederick Freeman, JP 7, Position 2; D.H. Anderson, JP 2, Position 2; Coy Laney, JP 8, Position 3 and Sam G. Ashworth, JP 1, Position 3.
There were also two other entries in constable races with L.T. Gardner running for the Garland Township and James L. Thomas, seeking the position in Telico Township.
The filing period for the May Primary ended at noon today.
St. Francis County had an unemployment rate in February of 9.4 percent, according to figures from the Arkansas Employment Security Department. It put St. Francis County in a three-way tie (with Drew and Ashley counties) for the 16th highest unemployment in the state.
The St. Francis County figure is down from 9.9 (adjusted from 9.8) percent in February. It is also down from the 10.4 percent recorded in February of last year.
According to the figures, during February, St. Francis county had a civilian labor force of 11,826, with 10,700 working and 1,125 unemployed.
The state's highest unemployment was 15.7 percent, recorded in Mississippi County. Next highest was Phillips County, with 12.1 percent. In all, there were 10 counties with unemployment at or above 10 percent. In January, 16 counties had unemployment at 10 percent or higher.
The state's lowest unemployment, 2.5 percent, was recorded in Washington County. It was followed closely by Benton County, at 2.6 percent. Twenty-one counties had unemployment of 5 percent or less.
The report stated that since February of last year, unemployment rates have lowered in 40 of Arkansas' 75 counties.
Rates in surrounding counties during February were as follows: Cross, 7.7 percent; Crittenden, 6.1 percent; Lee, 9.7 percent; Phillips, 12.1 percent; Monroe, 10.2 percent; and Woodruff, 9.9 percent.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
In a brief meeting Monday night, the Forrest City Airport Commission decided to try and get at least one more estimate for a project to upgrade the heating and air conditioning system at the airport office.
Commission member Homer Jacobs told the board he has gotten one estimate, and said he felt he should get at least one more estimate before the mayor is contacted about making the expenditure.
The board also agreed to check into getting some minor repairs on some leak marks in the ceiling of the office. Work was recently completed on the roof.
Members also briefly discussed hangar rentals. The airport has seven hangars, and four are currently being rented. The board chairman, Bill Hays, urged members to remind people that there are hangars for rent.
"I'd like to get these hangars rented," he said.
Hays also informed the commission that there are no new developments on the Memphis Soaring Society. The group recently informed Hays that they are leaving the Forrest City airport. However, they also recently indicated that they want to exercise an option to continue renting, after the soaring society's lease has expired.
Billy Gene Ray has announced his candidacy for Constable of Madison Township.
"I'm a businessman in the City of Forrest City (Ray's Barber & Style) for the past 25 years," said Ray. "I solicit your vote on May 21. I'll be the man I've always believed in. Whatever I can do to help somebody, here am I."
Ray said he has been a resident of St. Francis County most all his life, living in Palestine before he moved to Madison 12 years ago.
He is the son of the late George H. Ray and Mrs. Thealo L. Ray.
The East Arkansas Community College Department of Continuing and Community Education will present The Hospice Foundation of America's 9th Annual Living with Grief Teleconference on Wednesday, April 24, from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.
The topic will be "Living with GriefLoss in Later Life," and the teleconference will take place at the EACC Learning Resource Center, Room B-129.
This live-via-satellite video teleconference will examine the needs and barriers faced by an aging population and will explore ways that professionals can more effectively assist those coping with the range of losses found in later life.
For more information, contact the EACC Community Education Dept. at 870-633-4480 ext. 261 or 333.
A woman was arrested early this morning after a man claimed she had wounded him with a knife.
Police responded to a call about a person being stabbed at 730 Annette Street. They found Leroy Conley, 47, of that address with a knife wound. He said he had been stabbed by Henretta Daniel, 36, of the same address. Daniel said she was defending herself, but no wounds were found on her, according to the report.
Daniel was charged with second-degree domestic battery.
The Forrest City City Council will meet in regular session Tuesday, April 2, a 7 p.m. at city hall.
Under unfinished business will be Mayor Larry Bryant's veto of a council decision on the method of payment being made to King Disposal, Inc., which collects the city's garbage.