By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The first wave of statewide smallpox vaccinations for Arkansas Health Department officials will begin locally in early March, as a part of the nationwide effort to prepare for a possible bioterrorist attack.
According to Bonnie Dodson with the St. Francis County Health Department, the vaccine could arrive in Forrest City as early as Wednesday.
Dodson said plans call for the vaccine to be delivered by Arkansas State Police personnel on Wednesday. Dodson said that the first vaccinations could take place as early as the first week of March, beginning the first wave of smallpox vaccinations for health department officials and hospital staffs statewide.
"We'll start the first phase of the program in March when we given the vaccination to our vaccinators and to the hospital staff. The second phase of inoculations will go to our first responders, but no date has been set for that," Dodson said.
The shots, which are not mandatory, will be offered to the general public during the third stage of the voluntary vaccination program.
According to a story from the Associated Press, the Arkansas Health Department received 8,000 doses of the vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AHD spokesman Bob Alvey said the department has not set a target number for the program.
"We're implementing a network to respond to needs (smallpox or otherwise) and to be prepared for something that may or may not happen," he said. "The numbers will fall where they may as this develops."
While the CDC says the vaccine, which does not contain the smallpox virus, is the only defense against the disease, the agency warns that side effects are possible. Alvey said the vaccination procedure, which will take about 45 minutes, will include an 11-minute video presentation on the possible effects of the vaccine. He added that participants will also be screened for any factors that would disqualify them from getting vaccinated.
Some of the side effects of the vaccine include fever, rash, blisters, eye infections, atopic dermatitis, encephalitis and severe progressive infection.
The last case of smallpox in the United States was in 1949, routine public vaccinations ended in 1972 and the disease was eradicated more than 20 years ago. Small amounts were retained for research, though there are questions about whether other samples of the virus may be held somewhere.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The construction of sidewalks in Wheatley will have to be rebid, councilmen learned during their monthly meeting Thursday night.
Mayor Larry Nash told the council it is necessary to rebid the project due to financial problems. The bidding was closed last month when the council voted unanimously to award the contract to MAPCO General Contractors, Inc. and Monticello Aluminum Company, Inc. of Monticello.
"We voted last month to go with MAPCO, but it hasn't worked out," said Nash. "They said that they would work with us on the amount, but it's just not working out for the money we can pay. We need to rebid the project as soon as possible."
The council voted to rebid the sidewalk project on Thursday, Feb. 20.
City Attorney Marshall Wright then presented a request for sponsored police vehicles on behalf of Police Chief Bill Talley.
"Chief Talley has brought to my attention a company that provides police vehicles to cities for $1 for three years," Wright told the council. "The catch is that they have logos on them for products. The products are not alcohol or tobacco related, but are things like restaurants.
"I feel this is a good program. I've checked it out, and everything is on the up and up. These are fully equipped vehicles. I personally think this is a win-win situation for the city. During those three years, we pay insurance and maintenance not covered by the warranty. After three years, we can either resign with the program and receive new cars or get our $1 back. I recommend that the council vote to put the city's name on the list."
The council unanimously voted to give Talley authority to place the city's name on a waiting list for consideration for the sponsored vehicles.
In other business,Nash told the council of a plan to repair city streets.
"White County Paving came here to look at the streets," said Nash. "We can't afford the expense of overlaying the roads, but I recommend we spot-seal the roads instead. If we don't have the funds in the street department budget, I suggest we take money from the county tax we have receive." The members voted unanimously to go with White Paving Company to start street repairs.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The search for a new police officer for the city of Colt will continue through early March, causing the city council to consider the implementation of an auxiliary police force for the city.
City council members and Colt Mayor Virgil Keeler discussed the city's law enforcement options Thursday night during the regular monthly meeting of the city council.
The city is currently advertising to fill the position, which was vacated last month. According to Colt City Manager Bobby Clarkson, the city has received inquiries into the position, but the deadline for applications is March 3.
"We've had a few people come by to ask for an application, and we've received one résumé so far. Those that have been coming in asking for applications have been told that we're only accepting résumés, so I'm expecting to get a few more in before the deadline," Clarkson said.
In other business, council members voted unanimously to pay a $10,000 bill for moving water lines due to construction on Arkansas Hwy. 1, under the stipulation that the reimbursement from the state will go directly to the city. The water lines are being moved as the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department works to expand Hwy. 1 from Colt to Wynne. Council members also voted to set their regular meeting time for 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The council had been rotating their meeting time to 7 p.m. with the change to daylight saving time.
A former Forrest City Police Officer was arrested earlier this week on theft charges, stemming from an incident involving his most recent employer.
James Hancock, a former school resource officer at Lee County High School, working through the Marianna Police Department, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of theft of city property in connection with missing equipment belonging to the MPD. The equipment was not returned to the police department after Hancock was terminated from his position on Jan. 21.
MPD Chief James Tucker said Hancock was fired for insubordination during his one-year probation period.
Deputies with the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department arrested Hancock on the two felony warrants. Hancock, who resigned from the FCPD in August, is out of jail on a $50,000 bond.
In keeping with the Valentine season, today's edition of the Times-Herald will feature a special Bridal section, containing tips on how to make that special day one worth remembering.
The section was made possible by the following sponsors:
Antique Rose, Catfish Island, Chez Weenie, Classic Flowers, Edwin Houston, Express Dry Cleaners and Laundry, Floyd Printing Company, Forrest City Bank, Forrest City Florist, Food Giant, The Gallery, Jayroe Printing, Judy's Antiques and Gifts, La'Rands Gifts,
The Lower Deck, Mary Ann Rosamond Sewing and Alterations, Northside Liquor, Parker Furniture, Ruby's Flowers and Gifts, Southern Furniture Company, Southview Liquor,
Super Tans and Fitness, Barbara Taylor Art Studio, Taylor Casbeer, Times-Herald Printing and Office Products, Vel-Rich Jewelers, Wal-Mart Supercenter and Wal-Mart Bakery and Martha Wilson Realty.
The fourth annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place this Saturday, Feb. 15, with proceeds going to benefit Special Olympics Arkansas.
The event will be at the Lake Dunn swim area at Village Creek State Park, with registration at 12 noon. The Plunge is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
To participate, one needs to secure pledges. A $30 pledge is the minimum. All participants will receive prizes, and the prizes will increase with the size of the pledges.
There will be a Post Plunge Party at Cabin #8 at Village Creek, catered by Oscar's.
For more information, contact Anita Vandiver at 870-633-6887.