By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Several elected dignitaries from St. Francis County, along with officials from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, witnessed the south leg of the new Forrest City Bypass open to traffic this morning. Sen. Danny Ferguson, Rep. Steve Higginbotham, St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant and other SFC officials were on hand to open the leg, which runs from Ark. Highway 1 South to Highway U.S. Highway 70 West.
Buddy Benefield, the chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission, offered some words before the leg officially opened. "I have been on the commission for 10 years and when I first started , this project was on our list. I am pleased today that we will ride on this portion of the new bypass and that next year, we will ride on the completed project."
Cisco stated that he was pleased with the day's events as well. "I am very pleased (with the leg opening) and I look forward to when the project is completed. The bypass opens more of the county to quicker access to the interstate. It also gives more areas for industrial sites and that will increase the interest of new industry in the area."
Bryant stated that the project has been in the works for almost 40 years. "The city and the county have been trying to get this since 1964. This is a positive thing for both the city and the county. This leg will offer better access to the prison among other things. In the future, when the bypass is completed, the northern leg will bring in new businesses and industries that will locate along the bypass. We want to also build a fire sub-station near the north leg to better protect that area. It provides quicker access to I-40 and more opportunity for growth in Forrest City and St. Francis County."
The bypass project, which began construction in 2000, will
include interchanges at Interstate 40 and Highway 70. It is being
constructed in two separate projects and two additional lanes
of traffic (making a total of four) will be added as traffic volume
increases after the bypass is open. Construction is expected to
be completed in the summer of 2004.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City City Council on Tuesday granted a variance and approved one final plat and a preliminary plat.
Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas, which recently opened a new facility on Ark. Highway 1 North, was asking for a 20 foot variance for a sign. Architect Mark Cahoon represented Counseling Services. The Planning Commission had given a favorable recommendation to the request, but before the variance was granted, Alderman Roger Breeding said there was a problem.
Breeding asked when it was discovered that a variance would be needed, and Cahoon said it was discovered as Counseling Services was moving into the building. Breeding said it was happening too often.
"I've been out to the site, and the photographs you've seen indicate that the sign is not going to block anyone's view," said Breeding. "However, at the risk of seeming less than pro-business...I wish we would make some effort, that when a new business comes into the community, before they ever turn the first shovel of dirt, they get a packet with all the setback an rules and regulations so they don't continually come before the Planning Commission and the council for variances for signs, after the fact. I would be willing to bet that of the last 10 businesses that have located here, eight have asked for a variance of some sort."
Mayor Larry Bryant said that could be done, and the vote to grant the variance was unanimous.
In other action, the council granted final plat approval of the East Oak Subdivision Phase II, located on U.S. Hwy 70 East. The council also granted preliminary plat approval to Taylor Acres on Hwy 1 N. It was reported recently that this was a residential development, but it is commercial.
The council also granted permission to seek bids on a new knuckle boom truck for the street department.
Also, the council gave permission to purchase a new chief's vehicle -- either a an automobile or an SUV -- for the Fire Department.
St. Francis County had an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent in September, up from 9.2 percent in August, and also up from the 7.3 percent recorded in the previous September.
According to the figures provided by Arkansas Workforce Labor Market Information, during September, St. Francis County had a civilian labor force of 12,750, with 11,525 working and 1,225 not working.
The 9.5 percent tied St. Francis and Phillips counties for the sixth highest unemployment out of the state's 75 counties.
September unemployment rates in surrounding counties were as follows: Cross, 8.5 percent; Crittenden, 7.1 percent; Lee, 11.8 percent; Phillips, 9.5 percent; Monroe, 7.4 percent; and Woodruff, 2.5 percent.
The state's highest unemployment during September was 13.1, recorded in Mississippi County. Eight counties had unemployment of 9 percent or higher. Three counties, all in eastern Arkansas, (Mississippi, Woodruff and Lee) had rates above 10 percent.
The lowest rate was 2.6 percent, in Benton County. Twelve counties had unemployment of 4 percent or lower during September.
A memorial service honoring the families of Baptist Hospice patients served from October of 2002 through September of 2003 is planned for Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m..
The service will be held at the Forrest City Church of God on South Washington in Forrest City and is open to the public.
This will be the 13th annual memorial service dedicated to the memory of the patients lost to terminal illness.
Baptist Hospice volunteer and bereavement coordinator Melissa Gore said, "The purpose of the service is to offer support to the families for the holidays. It is our way of doing something special and helping with the bereavement process."
The service will include the traditional balloon release in remembrance of the 95 patients lost this year. A reception will be held immediately following the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church to allow visitation with the family members.
Hospice is a comprehensive, medically directed, team-oriented care program that seeks to treat and comfort terminally ill patients and their families at home or in a home-like setting. Hospice care enables those patients to live out their final days in peace and with dignity.
More than $600 in cash and personal items were stolen from the Reserve Officer Training Corps Captain at Forrest City High School Monday.
According to a report at the Forrest City Police Department, Captain William Wilkerson reported the theft from his briefcase, which was in his office on the high school campus. Wilkerson reportedly left the briefcase in his office in the ROTC building. Wilkerson told police he locked the door and thought that he had completely shut the door, but when he returned the door was ajar and his briefcase was on the floor.
A cellular phone valued at $160, along with a personal check for $20 and $485.75 in cash was reported stolen.
The Caldwell City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session on Tuesday, Nov 11, at 6 p.m. at the Caldwell City Hall.