This year's Christmas Parade will have a different starting point, due to a scheduling conflict at the Forrest City Civic Center.
The parade has traditionally formed up in the parking lot of the Civic Center. However, another event has been scheduled at the center, and the starting place has been moved to the high school parking lot.
Still, Shelia Lieblong of the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce said this morning that plans are going ahead and a good parade is expected.
The parade will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 7 p.m. This year's theme is "A Christmas to Remember." The grand marshals for this year are members of the high school's mock trial team.
As in years past, all entrants will be judged prior to the parade, and winners will be able to display their trophies during the parade.
Parade entrants must be in place no later than 6 p.m. Those who arrive late may participate but will not be judged.
Floats will be divided into the following categories: Industrial/Commercial, Churches, Civic Groups, Novelty and Schools. First, second and third place will be awarded in each category.
Because of the change of location, the parade route will be as follows:
Starting at the Forrest City High School parking lot at 7 p.m., the parade will head east on Graham Street, left onto Division Street, ight onto Washington Street to Hill Street, right on Hill Street to Rosser, and north on Rosser to end at the Union Planters Bank parking lot.
In addition to floats, antique tractor owners are invited to join. Vehicles without a float must be classified as a classic car or truck (30 years old or older). A decorated car will not serve as a float.
Entry forms may be obtained at the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce office. Entry forms must be turned in by Friday, Nov. 22. No groups will be allowed in the parade who have not filled out an entry form. There is no charge to enter.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 870-633-1651.
Two men were arrested on drug charges Friday after a routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 revealed several items used in the manufacture of drugs inside their vehicle.
Arkansas State Police reported a 1985 Mercedes was stopped near the 248 mile marker, just east of Widener, about 5 p.m. Friday when the trooper noticed the unlicensed vehicle swerving on the roadway and the driver of the vehicle turning around in his seat, watching the trooper, according to the arrest report.
The driver of the vehicle, Willie Mearl Jones, 44, of Millington, Tenn., was arrested after the trooper observed a leather bag containing drugs when Jones reached into his pocket for his driver's license.
A subsequent search of the vehicle and a passenger, Thomas Morris Rokitka, 41, of Memphis, revealed over one ounce of amphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the car's trunk.
Jones is charged with no vehicle license, no proof of insurance, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, one ounce of methamphetamine, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unlawful container, criminal conspiracy to manufacture amphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture and refusing a drug screen.
Rokitka is charged with possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unlawful container, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture and criminal conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
The two men were scheduled to be arraigned in St. Francis County District Court this afternoon.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Although a judge's ruling earlier this month eliminated one candidate from the Ward 1 Position 1 City Council race, Ward 1 voters will still have to decide between the incumbent, Roy Hancock and his lone challenger, Henry Peacock.
Hancock, currently in his third term as an alderman, is the son of Calvin and Lottie Mae Hancock. He works with the Forrest City Community Voices Center and resides at 109 E. Davis St.
Peacock, a firefighter and general contractor, is a veteran with the Forrest City Fire Department and serves as captain on the force. He is the father of two, William Peacock of Forrest City and the late Roderick Peacock. He lives at 304 S. Division St.
1. What do you believe are the biggest issues facing city governments today?
Hancock: "I think that the job situation in Forrest City is the biggest issue. Everything in our town spins off of jobs. We have a great recreation program, but if parents don't have jobs then they can't get their children to the complex or they can't provide the funds for what their children need, so that's why I think employment is the biggest issue in Forrest City."
Peacock: "In my opinion our biggest issue would have to be unity unity from the citizens and unity from the city council. Our city council needs to work together to build for the betterment of Forrest City as a whole, and we need an active council to make that happen. If we can unify our council and have a council that leads instead of just following the leadership of one man, then the community will be able to follow that lead and make Forrest City a better place."
2. If elected, what improvements would you work toward in city government?
Peacock: "I think that the council needs to take a look at the overall running of city government and take a look at things from the administrative standpoint. From my experience with the city, I am already familiar from the inside with how city government works from an employee's perspective."
Hancock: "Right now, city government is running pretty smoothly. If elected, I'd work with the mayor to see that those improvements continued. I also understand that things don't change overnight. There are some things that still need to be done and through working with the mayor and the council, we can bring those issues to the forefront and find ways to fix any problems."
3. Are there any city services you would like to see improved, and if so, what are they?
Hancock: "City services over the last four years have, in my opinion, been superb, but there's always room for improvement. If Amendment 3 passes, then the council will have to take a long look at what our solutions will be, but that's an issue we'll have to tackle later."
Peacock: "I think that the council needs to take a bigger look at the administrative side of things. Just let the council take a look at what's happening and then the council can make decisions on what changes may need to be made or what improvements need to be made."
4. What improvements would you like to see the city make in regards to the area adjoining the Highway 1 bypass?
Peacock: "I think that the focus right now should not be on what improvements that area needs, but what we need to do with our existing town. If we don't do anything with what we have, then we can't really work on the bypass, can we? In my opinion that area will take care of itself over time. We have to work to fix the things that we have already so that we can attract people and businesses to our area. If we take care of that then in the long run, we can attract industry to our area and then you will see that growth and expansion in that area."
Hancock: "The city council needs to make sure that we are prepared for Forrest City to grow, and we really can't ask for much more than that. When the time comes, businesses will go out there, and we as a city, need to make sure that we have the infrastructure in place and can accommodate them."
5. With the city in the process of purchasing additional land at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex, what additions would you like to see on the property?
Hancock: "I'm will to leave that decision up to the citizens of Forrest City. I really think that they should have a voice in what goes out there. We already have areas for the more traditional sports our there, so I think that we need to come up with new activities for the area. Hopefully a multipurpose facility will come to pass. It's something that everyone says that we need, but then when it comes right down to it, the issue ends up on the backburner."
Peacock: "I would like to see the council come up with a master plan and a development team to handle this. My only wish would have been for the city to purchase all of the land that was available out there and not just a portion. I would like to see the city purchase the remaining land and then work from the master plan to develop the land. I would also like to see some cooperation from the city and the school district to possibly put a track out there. We've had some excellent track athletes from our city, but there isn't a facility available to them. With the senior center out there I would also like to see a fishing pond out there, if at all possible. There are members of our community who would utilize a facility like that and then we would have a drawing card for our entire city."
6. Why do you believe you are the best candidate for the job?
Peacock: "I've spent most of my adult life serving the public, and with the positions that I've held, I've been able to get insight into the inner workings of city government from different perspectives. Since the age of 17, I've dedicated myself to working for the citizens of Forrest City, and this would be another opportunity for me to do that. Also, as a general contractor, I have some insight into other things that the city can do to make this the city that it has the potential to be."
Hancock: "I'm serving in my third term right now, and I have seen changes for the better during each of those terms. Hopefully we can continue that and I'm the right candidate for my ward because I'm there for the people with no strings attached. Through my terms on the council and my community service, I've proven that and I will continue to do that."
Forrest City Police are continuing to investigate the shooting of a Forrest City man Sunday morning on D Street.
Tommy L. Suggs, 26, 125 W. Davis, was shot in the buttocks during an incident just before 8 a.m. while standing on D Street.
According to police, the shooting stemmed from a previous argument between Suggs and a suspect.
Following the shooting, the victim fled to his uncle's residence on Westview Street and police were notified. Suggs was taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and remained hospitalized today.
Forrest City Fire Chief Dan Curtner has been reappointed to the state Fire Advisory Board by Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Curtner, of Wynne, will serve until Oct. 15, 2005.
The totals are in for the Forrest City Heartwalk held earlier this month at Baptist Memorial Hospital. The money raised was short of the $25,000 goal, but not by much.
A total of $22,224.96 was raised by the hundreds of walkers and several businesses that participated this year. All funds go towards American Heart Association research in the region.
Although the fundraising is for charity, there are friendly competitions that are awarded based on amount money raised or team members.
The individual that won the award for the most money raised was Vickie Drummond with the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City. In the team category, the Forrest City Bank team won, raising $2,590.33. The Russ O'Banion Award, which goes to the top fundraising school, went to the Central Elementary team which raised $2,150.33.