By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Municipal Airport Commission on Monday agreed to pursue Federal Aviation Administration funding for security and safety improvements at the airport.
Dan Clinton, president of Grimes Consulting Engineers, explained the various projects, costing an estimated total of $248,000.
One of the items is a camera system with an object sensor. Clinton said the sensor is quite sophisticated.
"It is state of the art. It means if you've got something out there and it's a deer, it won't set off the alarm. But if it's a man, it will sound," he said.
According to Clinton, the only alternative would be to have someone staring at a TV screen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Two cameras are suggested, one for the main entrance and one for the fueling area. The cost of both cameras is estimated at $52,000.
Also on the list of items is a rotating beacon replacement, valued at $6,000.
Repairs to the Non-Directional Beacon are also suggested. The city recently approved repairs, but a work order has not been issued yet. Clinton said the FAA might pay for it all. There was also some discussion of replacing the beacon altogether. The repair cost was estimated at $10,000.
Two Runway End Identifier Light Systems (REILS) would cost a total of $32,000.
Two Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) are priced at $30,000.
Fencing is also on the list. A seven-foot chain link fence is called for at a cost of about $98,000 for 7,000 feet. Two electric gates would cost about $20,000.
Commission member Dr. Thomas Beasley asked if this would be in conflict with the efforts to get a regional airport, and Clinton said the existing airport has to be kept viable until a regional airport is built, if it is built.
"You are years and years away from anything happening," he said.
"Let's get whatever we can get," said commission member Vester Wroten.
On another matter, it was mentioned that the commission is still studying the fees charged to aerial applicators when they land at the airport.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Discovery Room, an annual project for kids aged 4 to 10, sponsored by the Forrest City Junior Auxiliary and the St. Francis County Museum, is set to begin this week.
The days will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 9, 10 and 11, at the St. Francis County Museum at the corner of Izard and Front streets. The time will be from 10 a.m. until noon each day.
This year's theme will be "Safety," supporting the Junior Auxiliary national focus.
Forrest City Fire Department personnel will be on hand to discuss fire safety. Paramedics will offer a tour of an ambulance and give safety tips. The Forrest City Police Department will offer fingerprinting of children. Snacks will be provided.
Children may register today at the museum.
For more information, contact Kristen Casbeer at 633-7738, or Meredith Reeves.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A Forrest City fireman was arrested Monday on a felony charge of aggravated assault stemming from a weekend incident at an area nightclub.
Calvin Chism, 35, 122 Ash St., Forrest City, turned himself in at the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department Monday afternoon after being notified that a warrant had been signed against him. The warrant against Chism was issued on a complaint by Alfonso Reynolds, 44, of Little Rock, who told deputies Chism hit him in the head with a firearm outside Stan's Pad on County Road 224 about 1 a.m. Saturday.
The incident is alleged to have occurred in the parking lot after Reynolds' brother, Dallery Bernard Reynolds, was ejected from the club by a bouncer, according to a report at the sheriff's department.
Chism has not been placed on leave at the fire department. Fire Chief Dan Curtner said he found out about the weekend incident late Monday, and is still reviewing the case before making a determination regarding Chism's employment.
St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman said Chism denied having a gun and striking Reynolds.
According to a spokesperson with the Concealed Handgun Division of Licensing with the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Little Rock, Chism had obtained a concealed weapons permit, but that permit had expired on July 2. According to the spokesperson, Chism has six months to renew the permit, but is not allowed to carry a weapon until the permit is renewed.
Club owner Stanley Hurst this morning said Chism is not currently employed as a bouncer at his club.
"He is not in my security task. My security man took him (Dallery Reynolds) to the door and put him out. He is only allowed to take people to the door. This incident happened on the outside," Hurst said. "I don't know what happened after that."
Alfonso Reynolds was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City for wounds to his face and head.
St. Francis County Deputy Prosecutor Gary Mitchusson said today he is reviewing the case to determine if the charge against Chism should be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
"I'm looking at the facts and giving consideration as to whether to charge this as a misdemeanor assault as opposed to a felony assault," Mitchusson said, adding that he hopes to make the decision on the charge by the end of the week.
Aggravated assault is a Class D felony, the lowest class of felony, which could carry zero to six years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000. A misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault carries a penalty of up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
Projects valued at $962,109 received building permits in Forrest City during June, according to the mayor's office.
While there were some commercial projects, the bulk of the month's permits were for private homes, either new construction, improvements or repairs.
Emmanuel Baptist Church at 1453 Lindauer received a permit for a new building valued at $200,000. The Forrest City Housing Authority will be doing roof repairs valued at $69,869. The Shell station at 2335 N. Washington is getting two new signs, one valued at $2,600 and the other valued at $6,000.
The remaining projects are private homes. They include two new homes, one siding project, three siding and roof projects, one new fence project, one remodeling job, a window-replacement project, a storage building, two general repair projects, a roof repair and a porch repair.
If weather permits, Highway 78, from Highway 306 to Wheatley, in Woodruff and St. Francis counties will be sealed, between July 17 and July 21.
The announcement was made by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.
The method used will be bituminous surface treatment, consisting of liquid asphalt and pea gravel. It usually takes from four to eight days from the time the material is placed until the loose material is swept off the roadway. The time varies with the length of the section being surfaced and weather conditions.
According to the press release, motorists are urged to use caution when traveling on a highway that is undergoing this treatment. Gravel can cause glass breakage when it is kicked up by a vehicle that is traveling too fast for conditions.
Signs will be placed approaching the work area and throughout the job to warn motorists of the conditions and restricting speed to 25 miles per hour.