By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A decision by the Joint Budget Committee of the state House and Senate to pay $7 million to county jails for housing state prison inmates could give St. Francis County an unexpected $119,000 revenue boost.
Members of the Joint Budget Committee agreed Wednesday to draft a bill which will pay the $7 million debt to Arkansas counties.
Officials with the St. Francis County Sheriff's office said this morning that the state currently owes the county $119,398 for the 17 inmates being held in the St. Francis County Jail. According to Sheriff Dave Parkman, the funding, which will await passage by the House and Senate, will be a welcome revenue boost for the county's general account.
"As everyone knows, our county really needs this money, and we can certainly use it now. The bottom line is that we appreciate greatly what the state is doing, and I'm glad that the state has decided to pay their bill," Parkman said.
According to St. Francis County Treasurer Ann Harbin, the funding will be new revenue because officials couldn't anticipate if Sand when the state would pay the debt.
"We couldn't budget for this money, so it's really going to be a revenue boost. We weren't expecting it because of the state's financial situation, so there was no way to budget for it," Harbin said.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco was cautious when talking about the unanticipated revenue saying. "We're more than happy for any additional funding from the state, but we still have to hope that there isn't a lag when it gets to the Legislature and I hope that this funding doesn't mean that we'll have to face cuts in our turnback money."
The $7 million payment will cover for past bills owed to the county since the state's fiscal year began on July 1. The Legislature will still have to deal with an anticipated $4 million that will be owed to counties by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Crime statistics for 2002 indicate a small rise in crime for Forrest City and a small decrease in crime for St. Francis County.
The statistics were analyzed by the Arkansas Crime Information Center, or ACIC. The ACIC tracks eight categories of crime in every county and major city in the state. The crime statistics used are for homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assaults, burglary, motor vehicle thefts, thefts and arsons.
According to ACIC information provided by both the Forrest City Police Department and the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, most categories of crime stayed relatively the same, but not all. There were six fewer murders in 2002 than in 2001, bringing the number down from 9 to 3. The numbers show that while homicides remained the same in Forrest City (three in both 2001 and 2002), the county recorded none in 2002.
Crimes listed by ACIC are broken down below, with comments from both the police and sheriff departments.
There were three murders in Forrest City in 2002. The first murder occurred on Saturday, Jan. 26, when an officer on routine patrol reported a fire at 141 Brandon St. at 11:30 a.m. The residence belonged to Althema Griggs, 62, a former school teacher. A body was found in the rubble, and later identified as Griggs. According to an autopsy performed by the State Crime Lab, Griggs was stabbed and beaten to death before her home was intentionally set on fire. Prince Lee Banks, then 19, of Forrest City, was charged with capital murder in the death and later convicted.
An argument over a videotape spurred a nephew allegedly to stab and kill his uncle on Saturday, July 20. A Jonesboro teenager, Joseph Mucherson, 18, was pushed to the ground during an argument that several family members were having over a videotape of a grandmother's birthday in the Grobmyer Circle area. Mucherson then allegedly stabbed the victim, 42 year-old Sammie Mucherson, with a pocket knife over 20 times.
The final murder occurred when another family argument turned deadly. Louis Dinwiddie, 39, of Forrest City, was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City on Thursday, Oct. 3, when his brother, Walter Dinwiddie Jr., 35, allegedly stabbed him with a wooden-handled butcher knife. The altercation began over a disagreement about food.
The FCPD saw two large increases in the crimes of assault and arson last year compared to the 2001 statistics from the ACIC. According to the numbers, there were 288 assaults and two arsons reported in 2001 to the FCPD. This past year, according to the information provided by the FCPD, the figures jumped to 425, up by 137 reports, in assaults and four more arsons were reported making six for the year. Chief Clarence McNeary of the FCPD stated that he feels that there is a connection between the three homicides and the assault increase.
"Two of the homicides in the past year were between members of the same family," commented McNeary. "Over 90 percent of all assault cases are between members of the same family and are primarily domestic violence cases. We have no control over family conflicts, but I think the increase in assault reports is due to the fact that more people are aware of what constitutes a crime and are reporting it."
In other categories,, rapes increased from six to nine, motor vehicle thefts dropped three from 57 two years ago to 54 last year, and burglaries decreased by one from 204 to 203.
Two categories saw a sizable decrease in 2002. Robberies fell from 41 in 2001 to 25, and thefts were down from 874 to 823, a decrease of 41 cases. McNeary commented on the decreases, crediting increased patrols and public assistance.
"Good police work," was McNeary's first comment. "The increase of patrols in the city have helped and the public has also help with being watchful and reporting any suspicious activity in their neighborhood."
McNeary also stated that he urges anyone with information on any crime to call Crimestoppers at 261-1499 and that all calls are confidential.
Overall, crimes listed by the ACIC were up from 1,475 to 1,548.
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Department had an overall decrease in crime tracked by the ACIC from 2001 to 2002, but the most dramatic decrease was in homicides, where the numbers changed from six in 2001 to zero in 2002.
Sheriff Dave Parkman of SFC stated that he was pleased with the fact that the county did not record a single murder last year.
"I'm pleased any time any type of crime goes down, but especially when the crime is homicide," stated Parkman. "Homicides are usually related to other crimes, like assault, so when other crimes are down, murders go down as well."
Statistic's increased in four crimes significantly. Rapes increased from three in 2001 to eight reported last year, Arsons were up from two to six, and motor vehicle thefts numbered 69 in 2002, an increase of 26 over 2001.
Thefts decreased from 188 in 2001 to 143 in 2002.
Parkman commented on the increase in motor vehicle thefts.
"We had a rash of ATVs and four-wheelers stolen this year," explained Parkman. "Most people, when they hear 'motor vehicles,' think about larger vehicles like cars and trucks, but ATVs are included in the category. All motor vehicles are included. When we began to see the pattern, we started watching for the thefts more closely, but that is why there was an increase."
The number of robberies were up from six to in 2002, assaults increased from 19 to 20, and burglaries increased from 79 to 83. The total of crimes in the county listed by the ACIC were down from 346 in 2001 to 337 in 2002.
Curt Collins will bring his Christian music ministry to Forrest City, for a performance to benefit the St. Francis County CARE Center, on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., in the Forrest City Civic Center.
There will be no admission, but a love offering will be taken.
CARE stands for Community Assistance Relief in Emergency. The organization helps with many needs, such as clothing and household goods for people who have been burned out, utility payment help for people who have received cutoff notices, etc.
Collins grew up in Forrest City as Richard Curt Spelzhaus, and has a degree in music from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He has worked as a band director in both private and public schools. He has played saxophone since he was in the fifth grade and guitar since the eighth grade.
He recently recorded a CD, "Don't Look Back Now," his second since entering the music ministry.
Collins currently lives in Little Rock. He and his wife, Bettinna have two sons, Aaron, 13 and Colin, 10.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
St. Francis County Museum Board members were updated on several projects after a quorum failed to attend the group's regular meeting Tuesday evening.
Board chairperson Rush Beavers said that even though a quorum did not attend the meeting, those in attendance could still discuss business and receive updates on museum projects. The group could not vote on any discussions.
Museum Director Laura Mazzanti discussed upcoming events concerning the museum, beginning with the topic of memberships.
"So far, we have had a small response to our membership drive," said Mazzanti. "I plan on mailing out applications soon. I've talked to the Chamber of Commerce to get their mailing list, and I am open to any suggestions from you of people who I can send applications to."
Mazzanti also discussed the African-American Art Exhibit that will be held during February.
"This year's event will kick off with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 12 noon at the museum," Mazzanti said. "So far we have had several new artists express interest in participating this year. We will display art work such as paintings, flower arrangements and sculptures."
In other news, Mazzanti also told the board that the Delta Byways Banquet is scheduled to be held in Forrest City in October at the Civic Center.
"We have the center booked, and we need to find out if the rent fee will be waived or not. These are the big wigs of the organization, and this will be a great honor for us to host this event," added Mazzanti.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Colt City Council discussed hiring a new police officer for the city in a very brief called meeting on Tuesday night.
Mayor Virgil Keeler told council members of the resignation of the former officer, John Heckler, as of Friday, Jan. 17.
"The reason we are here is that our officer put in his resignation," said Keeler. "I suggest we advertise immediately for the position and collect applications until March."
Councilwoman Rita McGee expressed concerns about the next officer hired by the city also leaving and suggested a solution.
"When we hire the new officer, we should have him sign a contract stating that he will stay here for a certain amount of time so that we aren't looking for another officer for awhile," McGee said.
City Attorney Steve Routon disagreed. "If we hire someone, and they don't work out, then we are stuck with them under a contract," he said. "And if we sign someone to a contract and they want to leave, they can just not work. We can't really force them to work."
The council voted to accept the resignation of Heckler, to advertise for the open position and to accept applications for the opening through Monday, March 3.
The Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) program will be the subject of a community forum, to be held at the Forrest City Civic Center tonight at 6 o'clock.
Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development will be on hand to help facilitate the forum and offer guidance.
The Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) program is the cornerstone of the state's economic development partnerships with local communities. It is a tool used by communities in self-analysis, organization and goal setting. ACE helps communities of all sizes prepare for economic growth and community development in order to improve the area's overall quality of life.
The ACE process focuses on planning. ACE helps communities to recognize opportunity and pursue business that offers economic prosperity. ACE also encourages communities to partner with other towns and state agencies to attain goals.
Four children were treated at a local hospital Wednesday after the van in which they were riding was struck from behind at a local intersection.
According to the accident report from the Forrest City Police Department, a van being driven for Lynn's Daycare by Melinda Sue Hawkins, 43, of 345 Concord Dr., Forrest City was stopped to make a left turn from Washington onto Lake Street when the van was struck in the rear by an automobile driven by Renee Nicole Gray, 29, of Wynne.
There were four children in the van at the time. They included LaQuisha Burton, 15, of 345 Concord, and Daijuanai Culpepper, 1, Alize Culpepper, 4, and DeMante Culpepper, 6, all of 1731 Indian Hills Apt. 40. They were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where they were treated and released. Gray, the driver of the automobile, was also treated and released, according to the hospital.
Damage to the van was estimated at about $1,000, and damage to the automobile was estimated at $5,500.