By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
An estimated 3,500 people feasted on barbecue and listened to the Cummins Prison Band Friday, during the annual Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute Barbecue.
CRTI President Burl Lieblong said he did not have an accurate count yet, but said the 3,500 figure should be pretty close.
There were more than $19,000 worth of tickets sold, he said.
"And the weather cooperated," Lieblong continued. Rainy, threatening weather earlier in the day gave way to perfect barbecue weather by the time serving began at 5 p.m.
In addition to the barbecue and entertainment, the value of door prizes given away was in the $23,000-to-$24,000 range.
Since people did not have to be present to win, Lieblong said every effort will be made to make sure everyone gets their prizes.
"We will start calling people tomorrow," said Lieblong.
In addition, people who think they might have won a prize or who want to find out if they did, can come to the school to check.
"We'll need their tickets," said Lieblong.
In years past, unclaimed items have been kept for almost a year. Lieblong said there was one door prize from last year which didn't get claimed until the week before this year's barbecue.
This year, according to Lieblong, people will be given 30 days to claim their prizes.
"After the 30 day period, we'll draw again for those prizes that are left," he said.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department confiscated drugs during the execution of two search warrants at area residences this weekend.
Two brothers were arrested Friday night after police found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside their home on County Road 311.
According to a sheriff's department report, deputies were assisted by the Arkansas State Police in serving the search warrant at the home of Michael Jackson, 45, and Timothy Jackson, 43, 4602 SFC 311, Forrest City about 10 p.m.
Deputies reported methamphetamine was found in every room of the home, and items used to manufacture the drug were found inside and outside the residence along with several loaded weapons. Police found about 30 grams of methamphetamine in the home.
The two suspects are each charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, meth; possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A gram of crack cocaine was found Friday inside a Madison residence.
The sheriff's department executed a search warrant about 8 p.m. at the home of Tony Walker in Madison, and found the drugs inside his home.
Walker, 37, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Deputies reported he is currently on parole for previous drug convictions.
A man was arrested Sunday for allegedly holding a woman and two children hostage while threatening them.
According to the report at the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a call about 5:48 a.m. Sunday that there was a disturbance at 89 SFC 307, and that a subject had a knife.
Deputies found Hermon Gean Smith, 42, of that address, inside the home. Smith was yelling that the officer had no right to be there, and he refused to come out.
According to the report, the deputy could see two small children in the house, who were crying. The suspect was also holding a woman, Jeannette Smith, around the waist and she was screaming for help.
The deputy eventually persuaded Hermon Smith to come outside, and he was arrested. Jeannette Smith was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City for injuries to her head, face, feet, back and stomach.
Hermon Smith was charged with second-degree domestic battery, aggravated assault, first degree criminal mischief, first-degree terroristic threatening and kidnapping.
East Arkansas Community College will host a Forrest City Mayoral Candidates debate on Monday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the EACC Lecture Hall.
Dr. Mary Weiner, EACC Social Science Department faculty member, will act as the event moderator.
Candidates will each be awarded a three-minute time slot to introduce themselves to the audience. Each of the candidates will have the opportunity to respond to five questions prepared by Dr. Weiner's American Government students. The candidates will have a three-minute time limitation to answer each question. Closing remarks will also be limited to three minutes.
Candidates, Bill Baxter, Frederick Freeman, Chris Oswalt, and incumbent Larry Bryant are slated to participate in the debate.
For more information, Weiner at 633-4480 ext. 260 or Melvin Tinsley at ext.304.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A rash of car break-ins hit Forrest City again on Saturday, and with one exception, they were all in the same general area.
Charlotte Silski of East Side Auto Repair at 1005 E. Broadway reported that a tire and wheel had been stolen from a customer's car.
Kristey Posey reported that a grill plate had been removed from the front of her Mustang while it was parked behind the Sonic Drive-In at 930 N. Washington.
Another incident took place at 532 Trenton. Tim McMahan reported a 35 millimeter camera and range finder were taken from his car while it was parked at his home.
Also, Donald Devasier of 1504 Chestnut reported a flashlight and CD case taken from his car.
At 1515 Chestnut, Joe Masters reported the theft from his car of a cell phone, charger and earphone.
Pat Turner of 826 Calvert reported the theft from her car of a cell phone, a charger and coin purse.
At 1225 Traylor, Casey Cook reported a purse and medicine stolen from her car.
Donald Perkins reported that his vehicle was broken into and cash taken from his car while it was parked at 305 St. Francis Street.
It was also reported that a 35 mm camera, flash and bag was stolen from a car owned by Dewayne Fletcher, while it was parked at the Old Sawmill restaurant.
There was also a report of a stolen vehicle. Regan Hill reported that his Yukon had been stolen from 906 Calvert. It was later recovered by the Little Rock Police Department.
Forrest City was not alone in car break-ins. Nikki Jones of Hughes reported a stereo stolen from at car that was parked in her yard.
Several meetings are scheduled this week throughout St. Francis County.
The Forrest City Airport Commission is scheduled to hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 tonight at the airport.
The Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The Forrest City School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the administration building. Board members will elect new officers during the meeting, in addition to hearing reports on the new junior high school and plans for the Arkansas School Board Association's fall Region 9 meeting set for Monday, Oct. 28, in Forrest City.
The Palestine and Caldwell City Councils are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at each city's city hall.
The St. Francis County Quorum Court budget committee will also meet Tuesday. That meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the courthouse.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has refused again to get involved in a dispute over a giant asbestos trial in West Virginia that big corporations claimed could cost them millions.
The court in September refused to stop the trial from starting and then said Monday it would not review arguments from Mobil Corp. and other large companies that the large trial was unconstitutional.
''These fundamentally unfair procedures will render West Virginia a national asbestos-litigation magnet,'' the Supreme Court was told in a filing by Christopher Landau, the attorney for General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler Corp., which supported Mobil Corp.
The trial combines the cases of some 8,000 people who claim asbestos exposure. The 8,000 people live in as many as 35 different states and should not be allowed to join in one trial, the court was told.