By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Violent crimes, as a whole, were down last year in Forrest City and St. Francis County, according to information released this week by the Arkansas Crime Information Center.
The official crime rate statistics for the entire state also show a decrease.
The report covers only agencies that reported crimes in 2000 and 2001, like the Forrest City Police Department and the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, and are divided into two categories violent crime and property crime.
In the violent crime category, which includes murders, forcible rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults, the statewide numbers are down 1.5 percent, with 11,826 such crimes recorded in 2000, and 11,652 recorded in 2001.
The property crime category, which consists of burglaries, thefts, motor vehicle thefts and arsons, was only down by two-tenths of a percent, with 98,226 total reports in 2000 and 97,986 in 2001. The total crime index numbers are down four-tenths of a percent from 2000, with a total of 110,052 in 2000 and 109,638 in 2001. Statewide, the largest increase was in robberies at 8.2 percent and the largest decrease was in murders at 16.4 percent.
The statistics for Forrest City and St. Francis County compare favorably with the statistics for the state as a whole.
St. Francis County, with a population of 29,534, reported in the violent crimes category, nine murders, nine rapes, 47 robberies and 307 aggravated assaults. Dissecting the numbers further, the FCPD reported three of the murders, six of the rapes, 41 of the robberies and 288 of the aggravated assaults.
In the property crimes category, the county as a whole saw 278 burglaries, 1,062 thefts, 100 motor vehicle thefts and four arsons. Of these numbers, the FC police reported 204 of the burglaries, 874 of the thefts, 57 of the motor vehicle thefts and two of the arsons. All total, the number of crimes listed in the index occurring in St. Francis County in 2001 was 1,816.
The 2001 numbers show an increase in murders and aggravated assaults; murders were up from five and assaults were up from 269. Thefts were down from 1,157 and arsons were down from 11.
Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary states that the decrease in thefts is do to better law enforcement.
"We are better utilizing our reserves," McNeary said. "Theft is a crime of opportunity. The more visible the police are, the more it decreases."
On the increase in murders countywide, St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman points to one event last year.
"I believe the increase is due to the triple homicide in Madison last Dec. 7," commented Parkman. "Those people accused of the crime are in jail awaiting court."
The St. Francis County Farm Bureau Women's Committee Rice Tasting Luncheon and its companion event, the Farm Bureau's annual Rice Cook-Off, will be held Thursday, Oct. 10.
This year's twin event will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Forrest City.
The always popular Rice Tasting Luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. It will feature a large selection and wide variety of rice dishes, ranging from salads, vegetables, main dish, desserts, international cuisine and miscellaneous.
The cost is $5 per person.
Anyone may enter the Rice Cook-Off, in as many categories as they wish, with an entry fee of $1 per entry.
Categories include Salads/Vegetables; Main Dish; Desserts, International Cuisine/Miscellaneous and Youth.
Each recipe must use rice or a rice product (cereals, bran, etc.) as a primary ingredient.
Each contestant is required to bring his or her prepared rice dish to the First United Methodist Church between 9 and 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, the day of the Cook-Off.
Each contestant must bring two copies of the recipe, typed or printed on 8 and one-half by 11 inch paper. The contestant's name should be at the top of only one copy of the recipe.
Judging will be on the basis of flavor, originality and presentation. The decision of the panel of judges will be final.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
*Over-all Sweepstakes Winner -- $50, gift try and ribbon.
*First Place Winner in each of the five categories -- $30, ribbon and other prize (the Sweepstakes Winner will be chosen from the five First Place Winner).
*Second Place Winner in each category -- $20, ribbon and other prize.
*Third Place Winner in each category -- $10, ribbon and other prize.
*Most Unique Rice Dish -- small electric appliance, ribbon and other prize.
Awards will be presented by Lauren Collier, Miss St. Francis County Rice, on the day of the contest at noon. All contestants should be present for the awards ceremony.
Winning recipes and the other entries will be served at the Rice Tasting Luncheon, along with the other dishes.
Each entry will receive one complimentary ticket to the Rice Tasting Luncheon, a rice cookbook and a rice project.
Any questions may be directed to Judy Jayroe at 581-2469, Denelda Michaelis at 581-2277 or any St. Francis County Farm Bureau women's Committee member.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
The Times-Herald has obtained evidence that a personal vehicle has been under repair during school hours at a school facility.
School mechanics were observed today working under the hood of the Ford Taurus belonging to an employee in the administrative office.
Only one school board member returned a phone call to the Times-Herald to answer questions about the work.
Board member Mallory Nimocks said he spoke with Superintendent Lee Vent this morning after learning the whereabouts of the vehicle. "It is my understanding that the vehicle was being used on school business when the repair need arose," Nimocks said. "However, I think that poor judgment was used in handling the repair the way it should be handled. I know other (personal) vehicles are used for school business and are handled on a mileage basis. The rule should be consistently applied throughout the district."
The Times-Herald had been notified several times previously that personal vehicles were being worked on at the bus shop, but until today, reporters were unable to confirm the claims.
Nimocks, however, said today was the first time he had been made aware of the situation. "Consistency is the issue here that has to be adhered to," he added.
Telephone calls to Vent and several board members, in addition to Nimocks, were not returned.
The 27th annual Junior Auxiliary Shops of LaPetite will be held Sept. 21 and 22 at the Forrest City Civic Center.
According to a spokesperson, this year's event will have a lot of first-time exhibitors.
Hours will be from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 and from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22.
Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the door. Children aged 6-12 are $1 and children under the age of 6 are admitted free with a paid adult.
Advance tickets may be purchased from any Junior Auxiliary member or at any of the following locations in Forrest City: Antique Rose, Chez Weenie, Parker Furniture, Southern Furniture, Classic Flowers, Ruby's Flowers, Taylor Casbeer, Edwin Houston and Dixie Furniture.
"This year we are very excited about the many wonderful vendors that will be there," said Jamie Foust, chairman. "It is going to be a great success."
A Hughes High School student has been suspended after carrying a weapon to school.
Hughes Police Chief Joe Stone said the 15-year-old boy told police he found the unloaded 9 mm pistol and put it in his backpack last week. Stone said the school principal was notified that the weapon was on school property and he located it before calling police.
Stone said the child was "very vague" with information about the weapon, but made no threatening moves with the gun.
The boy is charged with a Class D felony for having a weapon on school property. Stone said the student has been suspended, and a court date is pending.
According to Stone, this is the first incident involving a gun in the Hughes School District.
School officials did not return phone calls about the incident.