By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Several agencies have requests for funding for review at the East Arkansas Planning and Development District, which will have a local impact.
*Two agencies are competing for funding to continue drug and alcohol safety programs in the area.
One is Family Service Agency Inc. headquartered in North Little Rock, seeking $128,230. It has been serving Lee, Monroe and Phillips counties. The other is North Arkansas Human Services System, Inc. headquartered in Batesville, seeking $192,647. It has been operating in St. Francis, Cross and Crittenden counties.
Both are seeking to operate the drug and alcohol program in all six counties.
Jim Allen of Family Service Agency Inc. said his agency provides DWI education for those convicted of that offense, "and we also provide referral to those who need treatment. The program has been going on since 1983."
At one time, the six counties in question were all handled by one agency, and there is a move to put them under one roof again.
Sue Lemons of North Arkansas Human Services said her agency provides the same service.
"What the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention has decided to do was to put that area together," she said.
Whichever agency gets the job, when a person is arrested for DWI, a representative of the agency comes to court and screens that person.
Based on the screening, the agency representative "submits recommendations on what some of the possible options are for this individual," said Lemons. "The judge can accept or reject it."
Usually, she said, the judge accepts the recommendation. Those recommendations can vary depending on the offense.
"Usually, on a first offense DWI, a person has to complete the DWI class -- it's the law, there is no way around it," Lemons said. "It consists of 10 hours of education. If the person is deemed to have an alcohol or drug problem, the recommendation could be made for some outpatient counseling. Others might be recommended to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. And in more a serious situation, a recommendation may be made for a residential treatment program."
*In an effort to start a new program, the City of Hughes is applying for $270,808 from the Arkansas Development Finance Authority for a home rehabilitation project.
"This is something we just started," said Hughes Mayor Donnie Mooney. "We just found out about it."
He said the rehabilitation money, if received, will go for five new homes.
According to Hughes, because of the condition of five existing homes, "It's easier to tear them down and build new ones."
*The White River Rural Health Center, headquartered in Augusta, is applying for $298,830 for a program of outreach and health care services to low-income persons in Cross, Lee, Jackson, Monroe, St. Francis and Woodruff counties. A spokesperson for the agency could not be reached by deadline.
The East Arkansas Planing and Development District is located in Jonesboro. The mailing address is P.O. box 1403, Jonesboro, AR 72403. The telephone number is 870-932-3957.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
One recently-formed organization is trying to help another one get off the ground, but the chairman of the St. Francis County Community Foundation wants to get out the message that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is only one of many organizations which the foundation is willing to help.
Famed Florida State University Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden is coming to Forrest City April 8, and will speak at Mustang Arena as part of a fund-raiser to help establish an East Arkansas chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bowden does not charge for speaking at Fellowship of Christian Athletes events. However, his travel expenses must be paid.
The St. Francis County Community Foundation on Wednesday donated $500 to defray Bowden's travel expenses.
The East Arkansas Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes will take in the counties of St. Francis, Cross, Crittenden, Woodruff, Monroe, Lee, Phillips, Prairie and Arkansas
"This is our first grant," said Pat Flanagin, chairman of the foundation. "And we couldn't think of a finer cause to give to, than the Fellowship of Christian Athletes."
Others wishing to make donations to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes may send them to P.O. Box 2813, Forrest City, AR 72336.
Flanagin said the Community Foundation's sole purpose is to encourage charitable giving in the community.
"We have grant money we are able to give," said Flanagin. "And we are able to give assistance to organizations and individuals in establishing endowments for whatever charity they wish. We can provide legal, accounting and investment management expertise."
He said the local organization is an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, which has around $27 million in funding. The local foundation is also seeking to acquire up to $500,000 in matching funds from the Walton Family Foundation to help it get started.
"The St. Francis County Community Foundation does not favor or sponsor any individual cause. But it's here to assist all individual or organizations who do," said Flanagin.
Although the grant to Fellowship of Christian Athletes is the first grant, the foundation has already assisted in establishing two endowments. He said the David Cohn family has established a $10,000 endowment and another $10,000 endowment has been established by the East Arkansas Community College Foundation.
He explained that an endowment is a fund that is set up that will continue paying benefits, "long after you or your organization have ceased to exist. And we are anticipating $30,000 more in endowments in the next five months."
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the St. Francis County Community Foundation can contact Flanagin or Joye Hughes at 633-1485.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Memphis Soaring Society is apparently preparing to leave the Forrest City Municipal Airport, where it has been for the past nine years, to build its own private airstrip in the Cherry Valley area in Cross County.
The Soaring Society is made up of gliding enthusiasts and has about 75 members, 21 gliders and two tow planes.
It was reported recently that club members have met with members of the Cross County Economic Development Corp.
Bill Hays, chairman of the Forrest City Airport Commission, confirmed that the Soaring Society is looking elsewhere.
"It's my understanding" that the group is leaving, said Hays. "Their president told me recently that they were looking at a piece of land up near Cherry Valley, and at that point they had not completed the deal."
He said he has heard since then the land has either been purchased or is near purchase. Hays said it is his understanding that the Soaring Society plans to move sometime in August or September.
"That's the extent of my knowledge of it," he said. "They needed more room. Their club has grown, and they just need more space."
Bill Lawrence, of Jackson, Tenn., a club member, was quoted as saying, "We've always wanted our own airport. Forrest City has treated us nice, but we've just outgrown a public airport."
Power lines on one corner of the land sought by the Soaring Society is reportedly a concern, and Woodruff Electric has reportedly said it would cost $25,000 to move the lines in question underground.
An estimated 35 pounds of marijuana was found inside a suitcase during a routine traffic stop Wednesday morning on Interstate 40.
Christopher Arthur Hucht, 55, of Baltimore, Md., was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance after his 1989 Chevrolet pickup was stopped for speeding near the 246 mile marker on Interstate 40 about 10:30 a.m.
Arkansas State Police reported Hucht was traveling eastbound when a trooper stopped him for speeding. During the stop, it was reported that the trooper observed a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle and Hucht, and found a partially-smoked marijuana cigarette in the ashtray of his truck. The trooper found the suitcase containing the compressed marijuana during a search of Hucht's vehicle.
While being interviewed by the trooper, Hucht reportedly stated he was "In it for the money, obviously."
The Arkansas Ethics Commission is conducting a series of training sessions for candidates and other persons who are subject to the campaign finance and disclosure laws of Arkansas.
The next training session will be held Friday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. until noon, in the Osage Room of the Carl R. Reng Center at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Anyone interested in registering for the session, or who wants additional information, may call 501-324-9600 or toll free at 800-422-7773.
A Palestine man has been arrested in connection with a September aggravated robbery at a Forrest City business.
Kevin Watkins was arrested for aggravated robbery after he was stopped by officers with the Wynne Police Department Tuesday. He was then released to the Forrest City Police Department.
According to a press release, Watkins allegedly robbed the Handy Foods on West Broadway on Sept. 12. Police reported the only items taken during the robbery were a set of keys and a videotape.