By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Flu cases have been reported in 30 of Arkansas' 75 counties, including St. Francis, according to the state Department of Health.
However, while the flu has been reported locally, its numbers in the county are small.
"We've had three reported cases of influenza," said Robert Newmon, R.N., with the St. Francis County Health Unit.
In some of the counties which have had whooping cough, the flu is causing additional burdens for health workers. No whooping cough has been reported in St. Francis County.
According to Newmon, flu symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat and cough, runny and stuffy nose and "you generally just don't feel good."
Those may also be symptoms of a common cold. But Newmon continued. "It will typically be worse than a regular cold, and you'll run a higher fever."
In fact, one physician was quoted earlier this week saying that the flu makes one feel "like you've been beaten with a tire iron as opposed to just having a cold."
In the meantime, flu shots are still available, and may help some people, although they do not take effect immediately.
"We still have them available," said Newmon. "We'll give them, probably, until the vaccine runs out, or around the end of March."
Influenza is a major cause if illness and death in the United States, blamed for about 20,000 deaths a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
''It's just that time of year,'' said Dr. Sandra Snow, the Health Department's medical director of communicable disease and immunizations.
The increases in Arkansas mirror a national trend, as the list of states reporting significant flu activity doubled in recent weeks.
The onset of flu comes while health officials continue to battle whooping cough, also known as pertussis, which has affected nearly 900 Arkansans since the outbreak began in September.
Together, the diseases are creating a burden for health workers, said Dr. Gary Wheeler, the director of infectious diseases at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.
''We've been dealing with pertussis until we're sick of it, and now we're dealing with the flu,'' Wheeler said.
James C. "Jim" Luker, a Wynne attorney, has announced that he will be a candidate for the District 17 seat in the Arkansas State Senate.
Newly-created District 17 consists of Cross, Monroe and Woodruff counties, and portions of Crittenden, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis counties.
Luker has practiced law in Wynne for 36 years and has held numerous public offices including service as mayor of Wynne for 16 years, from 1979-94, and as state Representative for Cross and Woodruff counties from 1995-2000.
He is a former deputy prosecuting attorney for Cross County, city attorney for Wynne and for Parkin, City Court judge for Parkin, and has served as a special Associate Justice for the Arkansas Supreme Court.
While serving in the Arkansas House, Luker was a member of the committees on Judiciary; City, County and Local Affairs; Aging, Children and Youth Legislative and Military Affairs; Insurance and Commerce; and was selected by his fellow House members to serve as House chairman of the Arkansas Legislative Council, the body that carries on the work of the Legislature when it is not in regular session. He also served as a member of the Joint Budget Committee and co-chaired the 2000 bi-annual budget hearings.
"I pledge to the voters of District 17 that I will carry their voices to the State Senate," said Luker. "I will be visiting with as many voters as possible before the election, and will be asking their thoughts on ways to improve our educational system, on the allocation of state revenues for highway needs, healthcare availability, the need for greater public safety for our families, homes and businesses, and fairness in our tax system."
Luker is active in local civic affairs and is a member and past president of the Wynne Rotary Club and a recipient of its Paul Harris Fellow Award. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Wynne Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the East Arkansas Planning and Development District and the board of the East Arkansas Solid Waste District.
He is a past president of the Arkansas City Attorneys Association and a past member of the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Municipal League. That organization recognized him as Person of the Year in 1995 for his legislative accomplishments in the House. Luker is presently serving as a member of the State Advisory Committee for federally funded housing and community development programs.
A member of the Cross County, Arkansas and American Bar Associations, Luker is a Class of 1966 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law.
He is married to the former Myra Burford of Wynne, and they have three sons, Jay, Hunt and Stan. The family attends Wynne Presbyterian Church, where Luker serves as deacon and elder.
Once again, members of area law enforcement agencies and the community will dip into the chilling waters of Lake Dunn in an effort to raise money for the Special Olympics.
The third annual Polar Bear Plunge will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. in Village Creek State Park. The event, which is open to men, women, law enforcement, members of the military, college students, executives and corporations, is an annual event sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Individuals or teams will collect pledges to help raise money for Special Olympics.
"One of the good things about the money raised during this event is that all of the funds raised will go toward local athletes. This will help our area athletes with competitions and travel and so forth," said Anita Vandiver, spokesperson for the plunge.
Awards will be presented during this year's plunge to the plunger with the best costume, male and female; the most scantily clad plunger, male and female; the team raising the most money and the team spirit award.
Individuals interested in entering the plunge may contact Howard Smith with the Arkansas State Police.
A post-plunge party will be hosted at Cabin 8 at Village Creek with free admission to all plungers and $5 at the door for guests.
Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR), is a non-profit organization that was established in 1974. They provide year-round sports training and competitions in 18 different sports for more than 13,000 disabled Arkansas citizens. For more information on the plunge, contact Anita Vandiver at 633-8042.
Tammy Talley announced today she is seeking the position of St. Francis County Treasurer in the May 21 Democratic Primary.
Talley and her husband Tommy, and their sons, Caleb and Cody, reside in Colt. She is the daughter of Jr. and Tommie Milton and the late Elizabeth Borden Milton. Talley and her family are members of the New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Colt where she serves as a youth sponsor and a Sunday School teacher for the third and fourth grade classes.
Talley has served as a member and as the secretary/treasurer of the Democratic Central Committee. She is a member of the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the Kiwanis Club and has served on the Forrest City Community Christmas Parade committee. Talley has received her certification in government training through Southern Arkansas University Tech.
Talley worked for the St. Francis County Clerk's office for nine years and was appointed chief deputy during her service there. However, Talley said it is because of her prior service in the county clerk's office, along with the experience gained from prior service in the county treasurer's office that enables her to see the county working together as a "totally effective unit."
"I am confident that I have the knowledge and the ability to fulfill the duties of the County Treasurer's Office. I have 10 years experience in serving our county. I can, and will, balance each account on a daily basis. I will computerize all records in the treasurer's office and make such records available to the public through a visit to my office, through mail or through e-mail correspondence at any time," Talley said. "I will work closely with all the banks to stay current on all financial regulations and avenues in order to better utilize your, the county's, money. Of course, I will always have an open door policy to help you the public, my employers with any problems, and I pledge to serve you in a friendly atmosphere. As in the past, I will be available for notary services, and I will continue to help with the completion and mailing of homestead forms.
"I want to be your St. Francis County Treasurer. I'm asking for you to please vote for me, Tammy Talley, on May 21, 2002," she said.
A representative of Di-Com of America, which wants to build a subdivision in the Broadway and Day Street area, is scheduled to speak to the Forrest City City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 19,
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at city hall.
The council took no action at its last meeting on a request for preliminary plat approval for Downs Village, the subdivision proposed by Di-Com. Several people from the area were there to oppose the subdivision and two council members spoke against it. Those opposing the subdivision expressed concerns over drainage problems, and there were also some concerns over the quality of the housing.
On another matter, the council will be presented with a resolution to approve a petition for annexation of land around the bypass currently under construction.
There will also be three ordinances introduced, one to waive formal bid requirements for a used bucket truck; one to define demolition work; and the third to amend the residential curbside pickup ordinance and the withdrawal of garbage carts from the curb after pickup in residential areas.
A break-in and theft was reported Thursday at NEARCO, the recycling station located in Madison.
According to the report by the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, a pick was used to pry a sheet of tin loose on the east side of the shop building in order to enter. Two chain saws were stolen, along with four 15-inch tires. In addition, antifreeze was reportedly poured into the gas tank of a four-wheeler.
The days of operation are being changed for the Veteran Services Office, located in the St. Francis County Courthouse.
Effective Tuesday, Feb. 19, the hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office has been open Monday through Friday.