As many people know, Twentieth Century Fox is in Forrest City this week to film a movie about country music star Johnny Cash.
What they may not know is that there will be some traffic disruption during the filming, according to Lt. Eddie Adamson of the Forrest City Police Department.
The studio has gotten permission from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to shut down a couple of important roadways during the filming.
A section of Highway 334 was actually shut down Wednesday night and will also be closed down tonight, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
In addition, a section of Highway 70 (Broadway) will be closed Friday, July 30, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday. Traffic will be rerouted.
Eastbound traffic on Broadway will be rerouted north on Forrest, east on Garland, south on Wolfe and back to Broadway while filming takes place. Westbound traffic will detour along the same streets.
On Friday, the movie makers will be filming an outdoor scene which will require special effects -- namely, a loud explosive will be set off during the evening.
Signs will be posted for the detour, and state and local police will be on hand to provide traffic control, said Adamson.
A press release from Robin Citrin, location manager and Marie Healy, assistant location manager, states: "We realize that we are guests in your neighborhood and we'll do everything possible to make this a pleasant experience for all involved."
Forrest city Junior High School registration will be held Aug. 4 for eighth grade students and Aug. 5 for ninth grade students.
All new students are required to bring updated shot records, birth certificate, social seurity card and proof of grade placement to register. The time for registrationwill be 8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Locker fees of $5 will be collected during the registration process.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Aug. 2, the Forrest City Police Department is urging local residents to help them take part in the 21st annual National Night Out.
Lieutenant Eddie Adamson of the FCPD says that the department is asking local residents to organize outdoor events to talk to neighbors and show support against crime, but response has been sparse.
According to information provided by Adamson, the program is co-sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and locally by the police department. This year's event will involve 10,000 communities from all 50 states U.S. territories, and military bases around the world. The night out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Adamson stated that the department appreciates those that have contacted them to set up events on Tuesday, but there has not been much response. "The National Night Out is a nationwide program that encourages people to take a stand against crime not only in their neighborhood, but in our county," said Adamson. "The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday night and we are asking people to set up events outside with their neighbors and church groups. We will have the mobile unit out and our officers will be to talk to those who are having these events about crime prevention.
"We have had a limited response so far," continued Adamson. "We know for sure that the Community Voices Center will be having an event and we have had a few others express interest in the program, but we are looking for more people to come to us. It shows unity in our community against crime. We are looking for citizens to step up to the plate and take a stand against crime by organizing block parties and other events for the program."
Adamson urges anyone that would like to hold an event for the National Night Out program to contact him at the Forrest City Police Department by calling 633-3434.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Parents of students in the Forrest City School District must attend a parent meeting this year before their child or children can attend classes this fall. Dr. Alice Barnes, assistant superintendent of the FCSD, stated that the meetings are an effort to get parents more involved in their child's education.
"The Arkansas Legislature passed Act 603 in 2003 that states that public schools are required to create a parental involvement plan," said Barnes. "We have taken that act a step further here. The act requires parent facilitators and several other things to get parents more involved with their children's education. But we thought we would enhance these things by holding the required parent meetings. They are not required by the act, but I want to emphasize that the meetings are required by the Forrest City School District. Parents must attend at least one meeting before their children will be allowed to attend class. We also want parents to spread to word to their friends about the meetings and that they are required. We are doing everything that we can to ensure that all of the parents who have children in the Forrest City School District know about these meetings.
"In the meetings we will highlight important points in the student handbooks that parents need to be aware of," continued Barnes. "We are trying to solicit their support for what we are doing and get them more involved in the child's life, not just school. We want parents to have their children in attendance, have the materials they need for class, assist them with their homework, have them in bed at a reasonable hour and have family conversations around the dinner table. We want parents to become involved in their child's life. Know what classes they have and what they are expected to do in those classes. Parents can have a great influence on their children and their success."
The meetings will begin next Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 8 a.m. in the auditorium at the Forrest City Junior High School. The sessions will last one hour, with the last session starting at 5 p.m. According to Barnes, parents who have multiple children enrolled in the district are only required to attend one meeting.
There will be five other scheduled meetings. On Thursday, Aug. 12, Friday Aug. 13, Monday, Aug. 16 and Tuesday, Aug. 17, meeting will be held at all schools in the district from 10 a.m. and the last session will begin at 1 p.m. The last meetings will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The meetings will be held at all of the schools and will start at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.
If you have any questions about the meetings, contact the FCSD Superintendent's office at 633-1485 or call any school starting on Monday, Aug. 2.
Five candidates officially announced on Wednesday their plans to seek seats on several city councils and one school board.
Several incumbents have filed to retain their positions on their respective city councils. Charles Ward of Colt will seek the Ward 1 Position 1 seat, and in Widener, Ronald Barnett has filed for reelection for the District 1 Position 3 seat . Bobbie Boileau is seeking reelection to the Ward 2 Position 1 in Palestine and Ennie Hardrick has filed for reelection to the recorder/treasurer position in Madison.
Donald Cagle was the lone school board filing, placing his name in the race for the Position 4 seat on the Palestine-Wheatley School Board.
The deadline for those wishing to serve on any of the areas school boards is Monday, Aug. 9 Those who are seeking city council positions in Caldwell, Madison, Hughes, Colt and Palestine must file by Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the St. Francis County Clerk's office.
Early voting numbers were near 130 as of this morning, according to the St. Francis County Clerk's office.
A total of 128 St. Francis County residents have taken advantage of early voting. Voting for this early period is being held from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the clerk's office. Early voting will end on Monday, Aug. 2.
Voters will decide on Tuesday, Aug. 3 whether or not Forrest City will be allowed to transfer $125,000 of its portion of the countywide solid waste tax to the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce to be used for industrial recruitment and to hire an executive director. The $125,000 would be given to the Chamber for four years. Taxes will not increase if this measure passes.