The mosquito program is already under way in Forrest City, and local residents are being asked by the city to do their part in helping the fight against mosquitoes this summer.
According Pest Control Officer J.C. Rice, the city's annual mosquito program actually began in January, with the placing of Altosid Briquettes in stagnant water throughout the city. This helps eliminate mosquito larvae.
"We're trying to keep the water holes doctored up so they won't get so bad," said Rice.
The second phase of the city campaign will be the spraying program, which will probably begin in early June, or possibly even earlier.
"We're going to try to start in early June. But if we have to, we may start a little earlier," said Rice. "It's hard to tell until we get to that point."
Rice said some mosquitoes are already coming out, "a little bit," due to some warm weather.
He also said it's hard to predict the spraying schedule.
"Last year, we sprayed Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday," said Rice. "But toward the end of the summer, during the last few weeks, we started running every other night."
There will be an addition to the spraying program -- a small, portable sprayer to be used at the Municipal Sports Complex.
In the meantime, residents can help the anti-mosquito effort in several ways:
*Emptying all cans, bottles, buckets, barrels and other containers which might hold stagnant water;
*Keeping swimming pools clean;
*Changing water in birdbaths every three to five days.
Anyone with more questions may call 633-1315.
"We're just letting people know that we're trying to work against the mosquitoes," Rice said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Allergies afflict people year-around, but there are two times a year when they are at their worst. One is the fall. The other, and possibly the worst, is right now, and the reason is pollen.
"The molds and dust are always with us," said Dr. James Meredith, who is being kept busy with allergy sufferers. "And the pet dander if you have pets in the house. But it gets much worse in the spring and fall."
Arkansans are, in a sense, victims of bounty.
"We've got such a wide variety of flora," said Meredith. "People move to this area who have never had allergies in their lives. And when they get down here, we've got such an array of pollens, dusts and molds. We've got literally thousands of things they can have reactions to."
Sherry Fryer, a Registered Nurse with the St. Francis County Health Department, said the state Health Department has a list of do's and don'ts which can help folks in their struggles against allergies -- particularly pollen-caused allergies:
*Keep windows closed at night.
*Use the air conditioner if at all possible, because it cleans, cools and dries the air.
*Minimize early morning activity if possible. "Pollen is usually emitted between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.," she said. Later in the day, pollen tends to settle.
*Keep car windows closed when traveling. She admitted this can be difficult on a pretty day. "You just really want that window open."
*"If it is a highly humid or windy day, or if you see on the news that the pollen count is going to be high, try your best to stay indoors."
*If possible, stay away from freshly-cut grass. "It has stirred up all the pollens and molds."
Fryer doesn't hold out a lot of comfort for those who not only have allergies, but are also the ones who have to mow the lawn. "You're in bad shape, she said. People whose allergies are particularly severe should try to get someone else to do their yard work for them. Those masks available at department stores aren't that much help, and are only good until they start getting moist -- about 15 minutes, she said.
*Do not hang clothes outside. Pollen gets on the clothes and then are brought inside with the wash.
"I can tell you that allergies affect about 35 million people in the United States," said Fryer.
She said bright blooming flowers like roses aren't usually the culprits. More likely suspects are oak trees and cedar trees. "Walnut, cypress, maple," she continued. "Bermuda grass and other types of blue grass, it comes from there."
Not to mention ragweed and sagebrush.
Not all the news is bad. According to Meredith, allergy sufferers do have some help.
"One good thing is that now there are several new antihistamines," Meredith said. "They're not cures, but they treat the symptoms fairly well. And the really good thing is, they don't sedate you like the older medicines. They've been a great help to us."
There is more pollen this spring because more plants are in bloom at the same time because a cold snap delayed early-blooming trees. Gerald Klingaman, a horticulturist with the University of Arkansas Extension Service, was quoted last week as saying that tree pollen is the biggest problem right now. In some areas, the yellow-green dust from pine and oak trees is so thick that cars make tracks in it.
Klingaman said the tree pollen should last for another 10-14 days, but that allergy sufferers shouldn't expect relief until after grass season, which ranges from mid- to late May.
The Youth Advisory Council, recently formed by the St. Francis Co. Foundation, has announced its first grant cycle.
All non-profit St. Francis Co. agencies that serve youth and children are invited to apply by sending modest grant proposals to: YAC at P.O. Box 708, Forrest City, AR 72336-0708.
Application forms are available by contacting Carla Nimocks at 633-3666 ext. 12. Proposals must be postmarked by May 31.
The YAC is group of area students who make grants to non-profit organizations to meet the needs of children and young people. This is a diverse group of young people that includes seventh through 12th graders, representing all areas of St. Francis County. The YAC offers teens this opportunity for in-depth experiences in investing their own time and resources in their communities. Participants will develop an understanding of philanthropy and will learn about issues of community-building.
Anyone wanting more information about joining St. Francis County's YAC or learning how to support the work of the Youth Advisory Council may also call Nimocks.
Saturday, May 4, will serve as an opportunity for Forrest Citians to clean up as part of the Keep Our City clean campaign.
According to a press release, the event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. Following the campaign, a city-sponsored cookout will take place at Stuart Springs Park .
"I'm looking forward to our city-wide clean up day, and I hope everyone else is too. Let's work together to get Forrest City clean and then to keep Forrest City clean throughout the year," said Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant in the press release.
For more information, contact city hall at 633-1315.