By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The state Higher Education Coordinating Board this morning gave approval to two new programs involving East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.
The board was holding its regular quarterly meeting at EACC. Action was also taken on numerous other proposals for programs around the state.
One of the two local programs is an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology. The other is a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, to be taught at EACC by Arkansas State University.
Dr. Coy Grace, president of EACC, said both programs will be good for the school and the community. The radiologic program, he said, had been requested.
"We're looking forward to the program in radiologic technology. We've had requests specifically from Baptist Hospital here, concerning the need for a rad-tech program, as well as several other hospitals within the east Arkansas area," said Grace.
"It's a tremendous opportunity to begin a new allied health program and to train technicians in this area. We think there will be high employability."
He said that even in clinics and doctor's offices, people who operate X-ray machines are having to be certified.
"There is no longer any immediate certification or grandfathering of people in this field," he said. "They have to come in, receive the training, do the state testing and so-on. So this is a new venture and a new option."
He said the school will immediately begin advertising for a director-instructor for the program. He said the program could begin in the next spring semester or the fall of next year.
The early childhood education with ASU is something which Grace said, "We've worked a long time to get this program approved."
He said it's hoped that classes in that program can get started by this fall.
Dr. Rick McDaniel, senior assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at ASU, said the early childhood education program would be beneficial.
"What this can do for the community and the surrounding Delta, is provide a new cadre of teachers that grew up here, and therefore have strong affinities for here," said McDaniel. "They're not likely to pack up and go somewhere else. It can take people who really want to teach, give them the background, the education, to do that, and then go in and impact the people of this region."
Some of the other items coming up for a vote included the economic feasibility of a bond issue at Arkansas Tech and certification of intercollegiate athletic budgets.
Other proposed new programs which were to be discussed included a Master of Social Work at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; a Master of Science in Educational Theory and Practice and a Master of Accountancy and a Master of Arts in Biological Sciences, all at ASU; a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Arkansas at Monticello; an Associate of Applied Science in General Technology at ASU-Newport; and a Bachelor of Science in Management at ASU-Beebe.
Five teenagers were arrested on theft charges Thursday night after running a stop sign in a stolen vehicle.
The stolen 2003 Ford pickup the teens were occupying was reportedly taken from Bobby Cayton while he was at work in West Memphis. Police reported the subjects walked into Cayton's West Memphis business Thursday afternoon and stood around for a few minutes before going outside and covering their faces with masks. The five then allegedly returned to the store and robbed Cayton before taking his truck keys.
The Forrest City Police Department reported officers working in the area of Rosser and Cook Streets observed the pickup drive through a stop sign just before 10 p.m. After stopping the vehicle and running a routine check on the truck, officers said the five subjects were unable to explain how they obtained the vehicle.
The FCPD arrested three juveniles and two adults in connection with the theft. In Forrest City, Vernon Booker, 19, of Hughes and Kesron Walker, 19, of Brickeys, are each charged with theft by receiving over $2,500, auto. The juveniles, a 16-year-old from Brickeys, and two 17-year-olds from West Memphis, are each charged with theft by receiving over $2,500, auto. One of the 17-year-olds is also charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver near certain facilities.
The five are being held in the St. Francis County Jail, waiting to be interviewed by officials with the West Memphis Police Department. Charges against the five in West Memphis are pending.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Fire Department has always provided fire prevention information to the public, but now, a new coordinator hopes to broaden that tradition by increasing the number of audiences firemen reach with these programs.
FCFD firefighter Jimmy Sandage has been named the new Fire Prevention Coordinator. Sandage, a nine-year veteran with the department, said that while he is pleased with the programs that were presented in past years, he also hopes to improve the fire safety knowledge of adults.
"In the past, we have focused about 80 percent of our efforts on children," said Sandage. "We have visited schools and pre-schools several times a year. We discuss general fire safety with them, and how and when to call 911.
"I don't want to leave anyone out. We will continue to speak to the schools, but I would like to involve the parents of these children more. With adults, we can provide statistics and safety tips that children just won't understand," Sandage said. "They can make decisions that kids can't, like were to store flammable chemicals and to have fire extinguishers in the home. We welcome any civic groups, church groups, etc. who would like for us to talk to them about safety, to call.
"Senior citizens also need to be more aware of fire safety," added Sandage. "I believe that the more people who are aware of fire safety, the safer our city will be. The whole goal of our programs is to bring the city closer together and provide a safer environment for us to live in."
Some examples of the topics that Sandage offered for adult discussions on fire prevention included electrical safety, cooking safety and planning an escape plan for your family in case of a fire.
For more information on fire safety or to schedule a fire prevention program at a civic group, school or church, contact Sandage or the captain on duty at the FCFD by calling 633-2414.
Monday, Aug. 4, at 4:30 p.m. is the deadline to file for school board positions in the Sept. 16 school elections.
Petitions must be filed in the St. Francis County Clerk's office.