By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A case against Calvary Christian Schools over the expulsion of a student was dismissed Thursday by Chancery Judge Kathleen Bell after attorneys from both parties filed motions in favor of the dismissal.
Due to a gag order on the case, attorneys representing neither side could speak on the matter, but Bell said that the decision was made when the request for dismissal reached her.
"This was actually pretty simple. Both sides requested a voluntary dismissal and I saw no reason not to grant the request," Bell said.
Early in January, a complaint was filed against Calvary Christian Schools Inc., on behalf of the student and his parents, along with a petition asking for a temporary and permanent restraining order to prevent the school from expelling the student, which was originally granted.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit were Calvary Christian School Inc., and Terral Neeley, Michael Borden, M.C. Lewellen Jr., and David Rodgers, individually and in their capacity as directors of Calvary Christian School. In late January, Bell lifted the restraining order allowing Calvary to disenroll the student.
The Forrest City Police Department is offering crime prevention tips to area business and home owners after a recent string of robberies.
Forrest City Chief of Police Clarence McNeary said the tips have been available for a while, but with this current string of robberies, the need to get the information to the public has increased.
"We offer to come out to businesses and homes and give people tips to help make things more secure. We also give them tips that may help keep criminals away. We discuss things such as lighting and the removal of obstructions where people might hide and drop safes just so that people know their options for protecting themselves," said McNeary.
According to McNeary, when manpower allows, the department also offers to escort business owners that make night deposits.
"In the past, we've gone out to escort people to the bank, but that's something that we do when we have enough manpower. We also suggest that if you're going to make a night deposit, you do it in tandem, with another car following you, just to make things safer," said McNeary.
McNeary also called on citizens and business owners to become more involved in crime prevention and in giving information to help catch criminals. "Our officers can't be everywhere all the time, so we need the community to help us in policing by being aware of things and contacting us when they see something suspicious. We also need people who know about these crimes to notify us so that we can get these people off the street. As a community, we need to make more of an effort to really do community policing," McNeary added.
Forrest City Crimestop-pers can be reached at 261-1499.
Todd Murray today announced that he will be a candidate for Circuit Judge, Division 5, which has been commonly referred to as Juvenile Judge. The election will be held May 21. For the first time in Arkansas history, the election of judges will be non-partisan, due to the passage of Constitutional Amendment 80. Another change brought about by Amendment 80 is the merger of Circuit and Chancery courts in Arkansas, bringing the state in line with a majority of other states and the federal system.
Murray said the role of Juvenile Court is extremely important to the overall success of the legal system.
"I think few people realize that our juvenile judge not only hears juvenile delinquency cases, but also hears child support matters, Department of Human Services cases and adult criminal matters," stated Murray. "Also, he can hear any other matters that the other four Circuit Judges hear, including matters that require a jury trial, both civil and criminal.
"Obviously, I am quite concerned about the alarming rate of juvenile crime in our community, child abuse, and the welfare of our children in general. Parental responsibility and community involvement are big issues," he stated. "But, there are many other ways that the Juvenile Judge can help the system. When the other judges are covered up with a backlog of cases, the Juvenile Judge can, and should, step up to the plate and help with that.
"I am dedicated to improving our court system. Everybody has an absolute right to have access to our courts and to have a fair, impartial and timely resolution of their case. You shouldn't have to wait to years before your case can be heard."
Murray said he has not taken the decision to run lightly. He said he appreciates the people who have offered their support and encouragement.
"I'm not going to let those folks down," stated Murray. "They want to improve and strengthen the position of Juvenile Judge under the new system, and that's exactly what I intend to do. I think my reputation and record for honesty and fairness should attest to that. Everyone should know that I will be dedicated."
Murray has been deputy prosecuting attorney for Phillips County for over 10 years. In private practice, he is a partner with his father, Ralph Murray, in the Murray Law Firm of West Helena. He is past president of the Phillips County Bar Association and former city attorney for West Helena. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in psychology in 1988 and from the University of Arkansas at Little rock School of Law. He is married to the former Nita Wood of North Little Rock, and they have two children, Dillon and Walker. They are members of the West Helena United Methodist Church.
Dick Krablin announced today he will seek election to the office of County and Probate Clerk. Krablin served as County and Probate Clerk for 14 years, from 1986 through 2000. Krablin said he is seeking the vote once again of his many friends and supporters to elect him to an office that he enjoyed serving the citizens of St. Francis County.
Krablin said he was active in pursuing state-approved clerk certification. He served as one of the two directors on the State Board of Certification. He has 269 credit hours for a Degree of Achievement in Clerk State Board of Certification. Krablin was also one of the county officials to participate in the quality management course to better improve the county's current ability to serve the voters of St. Francis County. He served on the State Land Commissioners Advisory Board, having been appointed by Charlie Daniels.
Krablin said he considers his business and accounting skills an asset to help him with the many responsibilities and daily duties of the office of County and Probate Clerk. The office deals with estates, incompetence hearings and guardianships of minor children. The County Clerk is the designated permanent registrar for voter registration for the county and maintains the county precincts.
The Clerk also maintains files on the qualified voters as well as purging the records of ineligible voters, plus the selling and recording of all marriage licenses. The bearer of the office is responsible for the county employees' payroll, and also maintains all the personnel records on county employees, which includes records of vacation time, sick leave and the continuous service time with the county. Among other services, the office also distributes all of the tax money collected. In addition, the County and Probate Clerk also serves as the designated secretary of the St. Francis County Quorum Court and the St. Francis County Equalization Board.
Krablin has lived in St. Francis County for 44 years. He is a retired employee of Goodyear, where he worked for 27 years, having served 22 of those years as manager. He was engaged in a large farming operation for eight years, an Army Veteran, a 32nd-degree Mason and a Shriner. Krablin is married to the former Jane Johnson Lowdermilk of Marion. They have three children and attend Emmanuel Baptist Church. Krablin has been a Democrat all his life and he said he would appreciate the vote and the same dedication and continued support that the citizens of St. Francis County have extended to him in the past.
A 21-year-old Forrest City man was killed Thursday night in a single-vehicle accident on Arkansas Highway 284.
According to Arkansas State Police Troop D, Christopher Leary, 21, of Forrest City, was traveling on Hwy. 284 when he lost control of the 1998 GMC Jimmy he was driving. According to the report, Leary failed to negotiate a curve and then drove off of the shoulder. When he attempted to regain control of the SUV, he reportedly overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll several times before coming to a stop.
Leary was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A passenger in the vehicle, Michael Smith, 23, of Forrest City, was ejected during the wreck, but was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City.
Two incumbents filed Thursday in county races for the May 21 Democratic primary.
According to records at the St. Francis County Clerk's office, SFC Assessor Craig Jones of Forrest City and Quorum Court member Earlene Smith both filed yesterday.
Also filing Thursday, were two candidates for the Democratic Central Committee. Jeff Cagle of Palestine and Alvin Taggart of Forrest City both entered races for committee positions.
Murry Walls of Colt entered the race for Constable of Telico Township. Candidates wishing to file for county races have until Tuesday, April 2, at noon to file.
The municipal filing period for the November general election in Forrest City, Hughes and Wheatley, ends Monday, May 20, at noon.