By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The L'Anguille River Festival in Palestine featured many fun activities for children and adults, but the one that seemed to stand out the most was the treasure hunt.
The activity was new this year to the festival, and the area seemed to be crowded with children most of the day. "The children pay $1 each for five minutes in the sand pile," said Martha Grosvenor, who was manning the area at the time.
But what would keep children coming back repeatedly to dig in the sand, other than the thrill of getting dirty? Money of course.
"James Roberts (a Palestine resident) came up with the idea," stated Grosvenor. "He built the box and supplied the sand and the money. There was between $300 and $400 worth of nickels, dimes and quarters in the pile when we first started. It is anybody's guess how much is in there now.
"The children are having a heck of a time and seem to be having tons of fun. Children love change, and when they have a lot of it, they think they are rich. Many of the children just keep coming back to dig some more. One kid has gotten about $20 bucks out of the pile and is still coming back."
All the fun at the treasure hunt and the other activities held on Saturday had a purpose. "The proceeds will go toward purchasing benches for a walking trail. We have applied for a grant to build the trail, and we have a good feeling about getting it. We also want to build a park and pavilion, and this money will help to fund that," said Laveta Ross, Administrative Assistant in Palestine.
Other events held during the day included a BBQ cookoff, greased pig contest, cake walk, antique car and truck show, antique tractor show and arm wrestling.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A police officer suffered minor injuries when his patrol car was totaled during a high-speed chase on Interstate 40 Friday evening.
The ordeal began when a St. Francis County Auxiliary Deputy attempted to stop a van on North Washington just after 7 p.m. The driver of the van, Kevin John Lamb, 37, 1226 Indian Trails, Forrest City, had allegedly been involved in a disturbance at his sister's home earlier in the day and had left in a red van.
When the auxiliary officer attempted to stop the suspect's van some time later, Lamb reportedly drove onto the eastbound Interstate 40 ramp and continued driving toward the Parkin exit, weaving through traffic and almost causing several accidents along the way, according to the report. The chase reached speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, deputies reported.
The sheriff's department patrol units chasing the subject on Interstate 40 were joined by police officers from Forrest City, Widener, Colt and the Arkansas State Police, according to the report.
SFC Deputy Jerald Burns reported he was at the courthouse when the chase began, and instead of following on I-40, drove along Highway 70, parallel to I-40, continuing radio contact with the officers following the suspect. Construction on a bridge just west of the Parkin exit slowed police officers in the chase as the interstate narrowed from two lanes to one. At Parkin, Burns drove onto the interstate in an attempt to stop Lamb, and at that time, his patrol car was rammed from behind by Lamb's van. The impact caused Burns' vehicle to spin out of control and travel down a nearby embankment where it finally came to rest.
Lamb then reportedly jumped from his vehicle, leaving the van in the middle of the interstate, and fled on foot to a nearby stretch of woods where he was caught about an hour later.
Chief Deputy H.N. Green said officers are still trying to determine who owns the van. Green said the van's original owner had apparently sold the vehicle, which was being driven with fictitious tags.
The accident is being investigated by the ASP, and it is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Burns received injuries to his left ankle, right elbow, forehead and neck. He was transported by a county unit to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released.
Lamb is charged with reckless driving, fictitious tags, no proof of insurance, speeding, felony fleeing and aggravated assault on a police officer.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Delta Regional Airport Authority is currently in a holding pattern as it waits for the completion of a feasibility study being compiled by Garver Engineers.
According to DRAA chairman Dr. John Kerr, committee members are still awaiting the report which was commissioned in July.
"It has been a little while since we last met, but I met with officials with Garver about three weeks ago, and they're still working on the feasibility study which is forthcoming," said Kerr.
In July, a representative with Garver presented board members with a draft of the scope of services which outlined two sections, the feasibility study and development site selection matrix.
According to the outline, the feasibility study will develop several forecasts for airport usage in this region based on five-year, 10-year and 20-year forecasts. The first stage of the study will evaluate existing airport facilities in both Forrest City and Wynne, and provide forecasts which will determine whether those facilities can meet future needs for aviation in this area.
The study will also look into facility requirements to handle the traffic projected over the next 20 years. Those factors range from runway orientation to aircraft storage. There will also be an evaluation of the existing airports which will show whether Wynne or Forrest City has the expansion capabilities to meet future needs.
According to Kerr, commission members were prepared for the study to take awhile to be composed. "We all knew going in it would take two to three months and maybe more to get this completed, so we're looking for an update in the near future and will begin meeting again once we've received that information," said Kerr.
All of the information compiled by Garver will be reviewed by both the DRAA and the Federal Aviation Administration, and committee members will have the opportunity for input.
While a site will not be chosen during the development of the site selection matrix, which will be done after justification via the feasibility study, the groundwork for potential sites will be laid.
According to Stengel, the site selection matrix will cover
geographic area, ground accessibility and other matters such as
environmental concerns. During that stage, the first public meetings
will also be held.
A "Math at Home" session will be held at the Forrest City Junior High Cafeteria on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Conducted by Dr. Linda Griffith, the session will be an hour of learning new ways to teach children math at home. This is for all parents of children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
For more information, contact Allison Fogg at 261-1858.
OSCEOLA, Ark. (AP) -- Osceola has been awarded $1.5 million in federal money to help create manufacturing jobs, the federal government announced. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Nat Wienecke announced the economic development grant Monday. The money will help make infrastructure improvements to the West Industrial Park.
''President Bush and Commerce Secretary Don Evans know that Arkansas manufacturers have been hit hard and they are committed to turning that trend around,'' Wienecke said.
The funds from the Commerce Department are expected to generate $37 million in private investment and create more than 450 jobs.