By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A second suspect in a weekend kidnapping and robbery has surrendered to police.
Colby Cantrell Dent, 23, of Marianna, surrendered to Forrest City Police Department Chief Clarence McNeary Wednesday without incident after McNeary learned of Dent's whereabouts from a reliable source, according to a FCPD press release.
Dent is one of two men so far to be charged in connection with Saturday night's incident that resulted in a two-hour hostage standoff with police at Unique Fashions, a downtown Forrest City business.
According to a police report, Dent and Chris Jones, 26, 113 E. Davis St., Forrest City, allegedly forced their way into the home Chong Ing, owner of the business, and demanded money before covering her eyes and wrapping her wrists with duct tape. While inside the home, police reported the two suspects also allegedly robbed and bound Chong Ing's brother and her babysitter with duct tape and placed them in separate rooms. The suspects reportedly stole money from Ing's purse and her brother's wallet before Dent and Jones drove Ing and her seven-year-old daughter to the business on Rosser Street. A third suspect was reportedly left behind at the house with the two bound victims.
After arriving at the business, police reported Jones escorted Ing at gunpoint into the store while Dent remained in the van with the child. Chong Ing later told police that while she was walking into the business, she made eye contact with two people in the area who could see the duct tape around her wrists.
Once inside the store, Jones forced Ing to open the safe from which he took an undetermined amount of money. According to the report, Jones still had Ing at gunpoint when he attempted to exit the store, but noticed police officers had surrounded the building. Police said an unknown caller reported the robbery in progress. Before police arrived, Dent fled on foot from the van, leaving the child inside.
When officers arrived on the scene about 8:15 p.m., Jones pulled Ing back into the business and held a 9mm pistol to her head.
McNeary, St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman, Jones' father Billy Ray and his girlfriend negotiated Ing's release with Jones until about 9:45 p.m., when he freed the hostage. Jones remained inside the building where he was later joined by McNeary and Ray who talked him into surrendering to police about 10:10 p.m.
Dent is a convicted felon and is currently on parole with the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He has an extensive criminal background beginning with convictions in 1997. His latest conviction was in 2000 for robbery and kidnapping for which he was sentenced, via a plea bargain agreement, to five years in the ADC. He was on parole for that conviction.
Dent is not charged with three counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault, residential burglary, auto theft and felon in possession of a firearm. He was also served with a parole violation warrant. He is being held in the St. Francis County Jail without bond.
Jones is charged with three counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault, residential burglary, auto theft and possession of firearms by certain persons. He also has a failure to comply charge from St. Francis County District Court on a previous arrest. He is also being held without bond in the county jail.
FCPD Criminal Investigation Lt. Dwight Duch said the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact CID at the FCPD at 633-3434, or call Forrest City Crime Stoppers at 870-261-1499. All crime stoppers calls remain anonymous and callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in crimes.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Discussion at this week's St. Francis County Museum Board meeting centered around how the city could best be represented on the board.
Museum Director Laura Mazzanti told board members on Tuesday, "Last year, the Forrest City City Council gave $9,000 to the museum for funding. At a Lions Club meeting earlier in the year, Mayor (Larry) Bryant made a comment that neither the city council nor himself were represented at the Chamber of Commerce."
The meeting Mazzanti referred to was held on Sept. 15 of this year at which time Bryant commented to club members, "The city gives $30,000 a year to the Chamber of Commerce, and the mayor is neither an honorary member or a member of the organization."
However, Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce representatives said Bryant was a member of the organization at the time of his comments.
Mazzanti said she wants to avoid the same type of situation at the museum.
"He has not said to us that he wants representation on the board, but I wanted you to know that we are going to ask again for funding from the city. I want you to think about that issue."
Board member Ernestine Weaver suggested that the simplest way to resolve the issue is through communication. "Why don't we ask him (Bryant) what he expects of this board and if he wants representation on our board."
Chairperson Rush Beavers stated that the bylaws for the board need to be examined to determine if representation would be allowed.
Weaver then added, "If he wants representation on the board and we can't do it, then tell him 'no.'"
No formal vote was taken on the issue.
In other news, a new slate of officers was elected by the board. The new officers are Anita Widby, who was elected the new chair of the board; Christy White who was elected as vice-chair and Elna Shannon who will serve as secretary and treasurer.
Mazzanti also told the board of special hours that the museum
will observe during the Rumble on the Ridge Basketball Tournament.
"On Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, the museum will
be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by special appointment. The
hours are to accommodate the people coming in for the Rumble.
When they come to town, they will be looking for something to
do, and we want to be open for them to come and visit."
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Teachers in the Forrest City School District received more than $20,000 in awards Wednesday, as the Forrest City Education Foundation gave out grants.
Tom Machen, president of the foundation, spoke before the presentations. He quoted a Japanese proverb: "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." He also read some other quotes describing the value of teachers.
He continued, "I looked at these and I thought these are great quotes." Then he quoted a verse from the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:2: "Let my teaching drop as the rain."
"At first I thought, that does not have much impact," he said. "And then it hit me. How important is the rain? What does the rain do? Talk to a farmer...Rain can take a desert wasteland and turn it, almost into a garden paradise."
He told the educators that even though there are other factors included, their teaching is like the rain.
"It nourishes these children, it determines whether or not they will be fruitful, whether they will have productive lives," he said. "Your teaching is everything to these children. And I want you to know that the Education Foundation appreciates what you do, and we support you in what you do...This community owes you a debt of gratitude, the state owes you a debt of gratitude and this nation owes you a debt of gratitude for the dedication you have. It's a great profession and I salute every one of you."
He said the grant requests the teachers submitted shows that they want to go the extra mile.
Machen also said he would be remiss if he didn't acknowledge the contributions of Forrest City Grocery and the Cohn family.
Also attending the ceremony was FCSD Superintendent Lee Vent. He spoke briefly, saying that the grants have been an annual, on-going event since 1997.
"We are really fortunate to have a foundation going the way it is," Vent said. "And we want it to continue under the fine leadership it has. It is such a privilege to share the good news of what's going on here."
As Machen called the names of the teachers and told what subjects and applications their grants were for, the awards were presented by Sonya Fletcher, executive director of the foundation, as follows:
Vivian Ryan, director, $1,000 for classroom reading materials.
Susan Wheeler, fifth grade science, $434.60 for classroom materials to teach science.
Bonita Poe, library, $1,000 for a Rolling Reader shelf.
Meredith Reeves, art, $506.04 for a large screen television and videocassette recorder for the library.
Robin Williams, first grade math, $575 for supplemental materials for Math Investigations.
Willie Doby, principal, $499 for a professional series printer.
Kathy Emmerson, webmaster, $209.58, memory sticks for digital camera to be used on the district's website.
Kathy Emmerson, K-5, $1,000 for a computer projector for the library.
June Jenkins, Kindergarten, $667.76 to set up a "Big Books" literacy center in the classroom.
Felicia Kelly, all first grade, $1,339.97 for foam geometric solids, CD/cassette players and cassettes.
Terry Isringhouse, fourth grade, $564.09 for supplemental materials for "Open Wide for Economics" program.
Ennie Hardrick and Angela Poindexter, kindergarten, $829.71 for literacy materials.
Delois Morgan, first grade, $821.68, equipment to set up a listening center in classroom.
Stella Jones, first grade, $1,000 for phonics materials.
Debbie Davenport, pre-k, $1,000 for equipment to set up a listening center in classroom.
Eric Walker, physical education, $273.63 for equipment for physical education classroom.
Barbara Haven, library, $1,000 for a Rolling Reader shelf.
Barbara Haven, library, $1,000 for books for accelerated reader program.
Don Williams, 10th through 12th grade art, $943.79 for a digital cameral with memory sticks for the library.
Marsha Cain, 10th through 12th grade English, $1,000 for materials to improve ACT scores.
Don Williams, 10th through 12th grade art, $1,000 for a laser jet printer.
Paul Crocker and Vicky Timmons, 10th grade biology, $971.02 for 18 biology tutor computer CD programs.
Carla Busby, sixth grade, $553.84 for classroom Jeopardy game for "Quiz Bowl" for library.
Ron Pratt, sixth and seventh grade band, $309.50 for materials for the Music Department's library of visual media.
Sharon McDuffey, sixth and seventh grade art, $914.05 for classroom art supplies/materials.
Mary Lou Vaccaro, library, $1,000 for six overhead projectors and two projector carts.
Jimma Darnell, ninth grade, $995.40 for newspaper subscriptions for the Social Studies Department (five teachers).
Katie Jones, ninth grade civics, $932.13 for a scanner and digital cameral for the library.
L.A. McConnon, ninth grade English, $389.09 to purchase 30
thesauruses.
St. Francis County received a portion of over $350,000 in reparations given to 168 crime victims in October.
According to a press release from the office of State Attorney General Mike Beebe, the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board (ACVRB) awarded $358,108 to crime victims in the month of October. A total of 228 new cases were received by the ACVRB, and 168 of those were accepted. Additionally, expenses were paid in 133 previously submitted cases.
The board received three reparations requests from SFC. Two were accepted and the combined amount awarded was $10,907.82. There were no previously submitted cases accepted from SFC.
The reparations program provides compensation for victim's unexpected expenses, including medical treatment, mental-health counseling, lost wages, replacement services and funeral expenses. Most awards are limited to $10,000 or less, but those receiving catastrophic injuries resulting in total and permanent disability on or after Aug. 1, 1999, the maximum award can be as high as $25,000.
According to the press release, a portion of the reparations funding comes from fines imposed on convicted criminals. Court costs and fees are a major revenue source for the program.
For more information about the Crime Victims Program, call the Crime Victims Hotline at 1-800-448-3014. Information is also available online at www.ag.state.ar.us.