By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
As one of Forrest City's annual rites of spring quickly approaches, the opening of youth and adult league baseball and softball, renovations at the Forrest City Sports Complex are under way.
Work at the complex is progressing as citizens who frequent the complex will see vast improvements in several areas at the facility, according to Forrest City Parks and Recreation Department Supervisor Kenneth Taylor. Taylor said one of the major areas of improvement has been in the restrooms at both the eastern softball complex and the baseball fields to the west.
"We had a problem out there that we've had since the complex was first built in that the toilets used were household use toilets and couldn't stand the wear and tear of having the number of people using the facilities that we have every year. We had to do something about it, and this year we've gone in and changed all of those toilets out and installed industrial toilets that can handle the usage that we see," Taylor said.
Each restroom is also undergoing cosmetic changes with new coats of paint being added and partitions in the men's restroom to provide more privacy.
"On the baseball side, when the building went up, anyone walking past the men's room could see inside, and I felt that we needed to do something about that, so we have installed partitions there. On the softball field, we added a partition to give people more privacy," he said.
According to Taylor, recent citizen complaints regarding the conditions at the complex can be tied directly to the renovations.
"At the time those complaints were voiced, the water was turned off, but that was because we had major plumbing work going on. It's very difficult for us to get a whole lot done out there during the winter, and everything for us really starts as soon as it begins to warm up. That happens to be about the same time that the school teams begin and that can cause some problems, but all of that has been taken care of," Taylor said.
According to Taylor, even before renovations can begin, his department has to take care of any safety concerns on the fields and the surrounding the fields.
"Our primary concern out there is with making sure that we have as few injuries as possible. That means installing the netting over the bleacher area, leveling the fields and making sure that there aren't any holes on the fields or in the surrounding areas where someone could twist an ankle. We make sure those things are taken care of so that we can work to keep kids from getting hurt," he said.
Taylor also said that the along with the restrooms, the complex would also include new signage from Pepsi and the replacement of lights, which he said has been completed.
"I just want people to understand that we have several concerns that we have to look at and that the complex isn't the only facility that we maintain. We cover all of the city's parks, and what we do for one, we do for them all. I have a limited crew, and those guys can only do so much in a day. If anyone does have any complaints, they should feel free to call me at anytime and we'll get right on any problems," said Taylor.
Eight high school teams, including Forrest City's, will compete in Little Rock on March 29, in the state finals of the Mock Trial Competition sponsored annually by the Arkansas Bar Association. The first match will begin at 8 a.m., and the final match will begin around 3 p.m.
These teams prevailed in eight regional competitions, eliminating 18 other teams in earlier matches. More than 50 students representing Parkview High School in Little Rock, Cutter Morning Star High School, Rogers High School, Jasper High School, Lake Hamilton High School in Hot Springs, Forrest City High School, Newport High School and Junction City High School will meet Saturday in the single-elimination tournament.
The state finals will be held at the Pulaski County Courthouse at Markham and Broadway. The students will play the roles of attorneys and witnesses to present a criminal case to lawyers and judges, who will score them on several criteria. They have been told if they will play prosecutors or defense attorneys for the first round of competition; that will be determined in later rounds by a coin toss. Circuit Judge Mary Spencer McGowan will preside at the final match.
Saturday's winner will compete in the national event in New Orleans on May 8 - 11, 2003.
Forrest City won last year's statewide competition.
Lawyers and teachers from across the state work with the students for several months to prepare them for the competition. A trial scenario is provided by the national organization. Funding for these events is provided by the Arkansas Bar Foundation and the Arkansas Iolta Foundation.
By TIFFANY MICHAELIS
T-H Staff Writer
When the war began, the United States Post Office in Forrest City wanted to do something to support local military serving in the war and their families, so employees agreed to set aside a bulletin board for the community where information on those serving in the war can be posted.
Family members can bring a photo and the address of the soldier to the front desk of the post office. It will then be placed on the bulletin board.
"My hope is that this helps the community know who has gone off to war and gives them the ability to send letters, put people on the prayer chain, or show their support," FC Postmaster Normal Gilchrest said.
A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting last week that left two people injured.
A 16-year-old is being held in the St. Francis County Jail on two charges of attempted first degree murder. Although he is being charged as an adult in the case, his name is being withheld until he is arraigned in St. Francis County District Court. His bond has been set at $250,000.
The teen was taken into custody Tuesday without incident when police officers learned that he was inside an apartment on Rice Street. While being booked on the attempted murder charges, police found 13 bags of marijuana, with an estimated weight of 17.2 grams, in his possession. The marijuana had a street value of about $130. He is additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver near certain facilities.
According to police, the teen is one of three people charged with the shooting early Friday morning at the Marketa Williamson residence at 930 E. Garland. Williamson, 18, and Derick Humphrey, 23, 105 Gregory, Forrest City, were shot. Williamson was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City, and Humphrey remains hospitalized at the Med Center in Memphis.
The first two suspects were arrested just after the shootings occurred, according to police.
Tommy Martez Barber, 19, and Benson Buchanan, 20, both of 401 W. Buford, Forrest City, were arrested Friday morning. Barber is charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a certain person. Buchanan is charged with possession of a firearm by a certain person.
Two established Forrest City automotive repair shops and a new diesel service and repair shop are joining forces and becoming member companies in the newly formed Anvil Group.
Wilson Welding, located at 142 Farr St., Lee's Auto Repair, 2240 W. Broadway, and Wolf Diesel Service and Repair, also located at 2240 W. Broadway have joined to form the Anvil Group. According to Bill "Wolf" Wagner, who will serve as president and general manager of all the companies, each company will continue to focus on customer service and excellence.
"We've brought in new crews, and we're under new management. We're looking to bring excellence in service to all areas of our business. We're going to be doing everything short of painting vehicles, and we're going to focus on quality work and quality customer service," Wagner said.
Wilson Welding has been in Forrest City for 27 years, and Lee's Auto Repair is in its 22nd year in business.