Plans are under way for the 2003 Forrest City Community Christmas Parade, to be held Dec. 5, beginning at 7 p.m.
This year's parade theme is "The Joy of Christmas." Grand Marshals for this year are members of the Toys for Tots Committee, including Boy Scout Troops 122 and 202.
As usual, there will be prizes for floats, in five categories. Industrial/Commercial, Churches, Civic Groups, Novelty and Schools. There will be competition for first, second and third place in each category. Winners will carry a banner announcing their category and place.
The parade will form up at the Forrest City High School parking lot at 6 p.m. Parade entrants are required to be in place no later than 6 p.m. for judging. Those who arrive late may still be in the parade but will not be judged.
The parade route will be as follows: Leaving the FCHS parking lot, it will head east on Graham Street, then left onto Division Street and right on to Arkansas Street. The parade will then turn right onto Washington Street to Hill Street, turn right on Hill and go one block west, after which it will turn right onto Rosser and proceed north, to end at the Union Planters Bank parking lot.
Antique tractor owners are invited to join the parade again this year.
Any vehicle participating in the parade without a float attached to it must be classified as a classic car or truck (30 years old or older). Also, to enter the competition as a float, there must be a float attached to a vehicle or pulling mechanism. For example, a decorated car will not serve as a float.
Entry forms are available at the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce office, and must be turned in by Friday, Nov. 21.
The following rules will be enforced: All groups must be approved and assigned a place in the lineup; all groups must be accompanied by one or more chaperones over the age of 21; no candy or other items may be thrown; all equestrians must fill out a separate form and have a copy with them the night of the parade before their horses are allowed in the parade -- no exceptions; participants must be in their assigned places by 6 p.m. or they will not be judged; all music must reflect the 2003 Community Christmas Parade theme or be traditionally representative of the holiday season; parade officials, volunteers and law enforcement officers have the authority to remove anyone from the parade route for conduct not conducive to a positive community atmosphere; any vehicle participating in the parade without a float attached must be classified as a classic car or truck, (30 years or older); vehicles must not have excessive loud noise and must be in good running condition; to enter the competition of the float, the decorated portion of the float may not be part of the vehicle; no motorcycles permitted -- no exceptions.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A girls' basketball coach in Hughes has been charged with sexual indecency with a child, in connection with an alleged incident which took place in February.
John Bateman, 29, a girls' basketball coach at Hughes High School, has been charged after an investigation.
According to an affidavit by the Arkansas State Police and sworn to by the Hughes Police Department, on Sept. 25, the Crimes Against Children division of the ASP received an investigation alleging indecent exposure involving a minor female victim.
The girl, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident, claimed that in February of this year, Bateman had exposed himself to her in the laundry room of the new high school gym at Hughes High School.
According to the report, the alleged victim claimed she had been told "you don't kiss and tell," and said she was afraid to tell anyone for a while.
Investigator Peggy Poole with the ASP/CACD interviewed the alleged victim on Sept. 26 and took a tape-recorded statement. In the taped statement, the girl spoke of other alleged harassing behavior on the part of the coach.
According to the affidavit, Poole was informed that the school had been notified of the allegations and paperwork to suspend Bateman had been completed. A call to the superintendent's office was not returned this morning.
Two men were robbed at gunpoint this morning as they worked.
According to the police report, Barry Clark and Bobby Alford were working at 327 N. Gorman, when they were approached by a man wearing a mask and carrying a pistol.
The man reportedly made the two of them lie down and went through their pockets, taking a billfold from each man, a key ring and a cell phone.
The incident is under investigation by the Forrest City Police.
Next week is National Fire Prevention Week and the Forrest City Fire Department has plans to teach area students fire safety.
"We will be bringing the ladder truck around to local schools all next week," said Jimmy Sandage, the Fire Prevention Coordinator of the FCFD. "We will teach them some basics about fire safety and fire prevention to first through fourth graders."
Sandage said that during next week all Forrest City School District elementary schools will be visited. "We will give materials to the teachers so that they can discuss things they can do as a class and at home to prevent fires. Fire Pup will also be along to visit with the children."
The Forrest City Airport Commission is scheduled to hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at the airport.
The Forrest City City Council will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at city hall.