Christmas is right around the corner, and tonight is a golden opportunity for area children to ask Santa Claus what they want for Christmas and hear some Christmas stories from the Jolly Old Elf himself.
For the fifth year, Santa will take time out of his busy schedule to attend the Christmas Storytime tonight at the Forrest City Public Library. Co-director of the library Dashaune Hill said that the event is for all ages.
Santa will be at the library starting at 6 p.m., and children of all ages are welcome.
"There is no age limit on the Storytime," said Hill. "We normally get a large crowd of both children and their parents. We will begin at 6 p.m. with pictures with Santa. There will be no charge for the pictures. After the pictures are taken, Santa will then read stories to the children.
"They have a great time each year with Santa and we invite everyone to come out and visit with him," Hill continued.
Several meetings are scheduled to take place this week across the county.
Today, the Forrest City Public Library Board will meet at 4 p.m. at the library. The Palestine-Wheatley School Board will meet at 6 p.m., at the junior high school in Wheatley.
Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Forrest City Water Utility Board will meet at 5 p.m. The St. Francis County Quorum Court will meet at 6 p.m., in the Quorum Courtroom inside the SFC Courthouse. Lastly, the Forrest City City Council will meet at 7 p.m., in Forrest City City Hall.
Three incidents of mailbox vandalism took place over the weekend in Forrest City.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, Lisandra Moore of 1541 Skyline reported that her mailbox had been broken.
Also on Saturday, B.J. Clark of 2026 Walnut Dr. reported that his mailbox was damaged while she was at work.
On Sunday, Gene Cook of 825 Calvert reported that his mailbox had been damaged while he and his family were away from home.
The Forrest City Police Department is investigating the incidents.
Stacy Alford has joined the staff of the advertising department at the Times-Herald.
Alford is a Forrest City native. She is coming home after an absence of several years, having lived in a number of other cities along the way.
She graduated from Forrest City High School in 1986, and has attended Arkansas State University.
She has also worked as a manager for Waldenbooks in Jonesboro.
Alford has two sons, Corey, 14, and Caleb, 12. She is a member of Smith Chapel Baptist Church.
At her new job, Alford will be working in advertising sales for both the Times-Herald and the East Arkansas Advertiser. She can be reached at 633-3130.
According to Alford, it's good to be back in the city she thinks of as home.
"I'm excited to be back in Forrest City, and to see the people I knew growing up. And I enjoy being at the Times-Herald," she said.