By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A complaint from a parent on the state of Palestine-Wheatley schools took center stage Monday at the regular monthly meeting of the Palestine-Wheatley School Board.
Sharon Jumper of Palestine raised her concerns during last night's meeting, which was packed with teachers and parents, questioning the board over the current state of the district.
"My husband and I moved to Palestine a number of years ago in large part because of the school district. It saddens me to see the state of the district right now. This district is in the worse shape than it's ever been in, and something needs to be done. Last year, I had one child that attended the Palestine-Wheatley schools, and my second child attended school at Lee Academy. At the beginning of the school year I spoke with the new superintendent about my concerns with the district, and he told me that he didn't have time to meet with me at that time but would meet with me at a later date. That meeting never happened, and now both of my children will be attending school 15 miles away from home due to the poor leadership," Jumper said.
In a prepared statement, Jumper also alleged that she knew of 10 to 12 other students who would not be attending school in the district next year and of four teachers who had left the district's elementary campus.
District Superintendent John Manning responded to Jumper's concerns this morning, "I think that this district needs to make sure that we respond to any concerns of the patrons or parents in the district. I think that it was very positive that she was willing to come before the board with her concerns," Manning said.
Following Jumper's comments, school board member Ronnie Crider questioned Manning regarding statements he might have made during the past school year. "Mr. Manning, it is my understanding that you told teachers at the beginning of the school year that you were an agent of change and that if they weren't willing to change they should start looking for work elsewhere. Is that true?" Crider asked.
Manning responded, "I did tell the teachers during inservice that the new administration was an agent of change, but I don't recall exactly what all I told them. I think that it would be a given that if someone did not accept that change they would need to look elsewhere."
In other business, board members passed a proposal, by a 5-0 margin, which will establish positional pay for year-round employees in the district. "The people that this proposal will affect are not compensated for the position that they hold, and I felt those people deserved some compensation for those positions," Manning said.
Board members also agreed to the 2004-2005 personnel policy handbook and approved the sale of several vehicles by the district. Board members also accepted the resignations of two elementary school teachers, Angie Sheffer and Lavonne Watson. The board also accepted the resignations of Ginny Huckaba as athletic director and Gereldine Hancock as head cook. Both Huckaba and Hancock will retain other positions currently held in the district.
Board members voiced their concerns over the resignation of the two elementary teachers. "It concerns me that we have these resignations, and I've been looking at the situation with one of these teachers all year. We've got some problems in this district that we as a board need to take a long look at for the good of the district," said Randall Holman.
The board also accepted a recommendation from Manning to hire two teachers, Emily Nash and Denise Neal and added the athletic director's duties to Larry Devasier, who currently serves as head of the transportation and maintenance department. Devasier is a former coach.
Questions from Crider over a memorandum from Manning calling for all school vehicles to be parked after usage sent the board into executive session after details of Manning's contract were discussed in open meeting. Crider questioned Manning as to whether he would be willing to park his district vehicle to comply with the memo.
"I would like to know why this memo was never discussed in an open meeting. When you took the mileage pay from the teachers, it was brought out. When you took the sick pay, it was brought out, now you're parking the vehicles and the public hears nothing about it," Crider said.
Manning said that the memo was not discussed because it differed from the other issues in that it was not policy but an administrative decision.
"Well it says here that you're parking the vehicles as a cost cutting move to save money, and if that's the case, have you considered parking your truck?"
"My vehicle is part of my contract," Manning responded.
Crider again asked if Manning would consider parking his vehicle
and then Crider asked for an executive session to discuss Manning's
contract. Following the session, board members said no action
would be taken.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The wheat crop across the state of Arkansas may not meet expectations for the year, but St. Francis County Cooperative Extension Service specialist Justin Hensley said that won't necessarily mean a bad year for wheat farmers locally.
According to Hensley, local wheat yields will in fact be lower than normal, but the yields will be higher than earlier expectations.
"Right now, we have the vast majority of the wheat in, and the yields are a little bit lower than normal, but they are higher than we expected them to be. We had a lot of rain, and the crop was a lot better than it could have been. We did some tests Friday on a couple of farms, and they were bringing in about 60 to 80 bushels to the acre. We'd always like to see that number closer to 80 bushels, but we'll also take the 60," Hensley said.
According to an Associated Press story, Extension Service wheat specialist Jason Kelly, who is with an office in northeast Arkansas, said this year's wheat crop in Arkansas doesn't look as promising to him as it once did.
"We did a tiller count and head count to try and estimate yields," said Kelly. "They were predicting pretty close to a record yield statewide. We were pretty optimistic about it, but it started raining; that rain really did knock us down."
Kelly also said Arkansas wheat acreage isn't usually stable, and that the 10-year average is about 1 million acres. However, this year, the estimated total acreage is about 30 percent less, or at 720,000 acres. Farmers planted about 680,000 acres of wheat last year, but flooding and other factors forced them to abandon some of those crops. About 570,000 acres were harvested, Kelly said.
Overall, Hensley said St. Francis County crops are doing well right now. "The early dryland beans are looking really well. The rain that we've had has been good on them. We've started spraying for stinkbugs, but that's usual for this time of year," Hensley said.
"The rice is also looking pretty good right now. We do
have some blast and some blight, but it's nothing we didn't expect
to see. The corn is moving along well and so is the cotton. We're
just having the typical problems with insects, but our major crops
are all looking pretty good," Hensley said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The City of Widener is planning a day for young people, to mark the beginning of the next school year.
At Monday's city council meeting, Mayor Dot Halford said she had felt bad when rain spoiled all the outdoor activities planned for Widener Day in May.
"I've been wanting to do something for the young people since Widener Day," she said.
While no vote was taken, there was a consensus among council members in favor of having a day for kids. The main discussion was over when to hold it.
Halford first suggested that it be called Widener Youth Day and be held late in July.
After some discussion, it was decided that the event will be held on Aug. 14, which is the last Saturday before the beginning of public school. Some other possible names were mentioned, such as "Widener Back to School Day" or "Back to School Bash," etc.
There will be games and hot dogs. Halford said there would be an attempt to have activities that could be enjoyed by all students, from kindergarten through high school. More details will be worked out.
On another matter, the council heard from a citizen, Juanita Rolfe, who complained about the absence of activities for children during the summer. She said it was her understanding at one time that the new community center was supposed to be used for children's activities.
"The only time I see anyone at that community center is when somebody's renting it," she said.
There was some discussion, during which council member Felicia Watson said many activities of that sort in other towns are paid for with grant money, and the time for grants has passed this year. She said there was a possibility that the city could try for grants next year. Halford added that volunteers are needed for these activities, and volunteers are often hard to find.
In other action, City Attorney Marshall Wright read an ordinance which would make it easier for the city to pressure property owners to keep their property in order. Wright said he had been requested to present the ordinance, and said this proposal would be easier to understand and more enforceable than the current city law.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit grass or weeds higher than 12 inches. It would also prohibit "low hanging limbs on vacant lots, ditch banks, railroad rights of way or improved property in such a manner as to foster the harboring or breeding of mosquitoes, or which causes said property to be in an unsanitary condition."
The ordinance also deals with wrecked or dilapidated vehicles, "which might become a breeding place for mosquitoes, flies, rodents and diseases harmful to the health of the community."
A fine of up to $150 can be assessed, and the city is authorized to have vegetation on the property cut, or dilapidated vehicles removed, and the cost would be charged to the property "and shall constitute a lien thereon."
Under the proposal, this action can only be taken after the property owner is notified, by certified mail, and has still not made an effort to comply five days after notification.
The ordinance remained on first reading. There are two more
readings before adoption.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A Wynne man arrested earlier this month by federal authorities is facing charges of threatening an agent of the Internal Revenue Service.
On June 2, an indictment was handed down from federal court in Little Rock charging William Lytle, 54, of Wynne, with "threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer with intent to impede, intimidate or interfere with such law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of his duties and with the intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on the account of the performance of his official duties," according to court records.
Arkansas Eastern District U.S. Attorney H.E. "Bud" Cummins III said the charges against Lytle stemmed from threats that were made in regards to an IRS agent.
"Mr. Lytle threatened an agent of the Internal Revenue Service and others to a third person which were reported to the IRS. Due to those threats, a federal indictment was handed down," said Cummins.
If found guilty, Lytle could face not more than 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000. He was arrested on a warrant from the U.S. Treasuries Department on June 4, by officers with Arkansas State Police Troop D headquarters in Forrest City.
A truck reported stolen last week was found in Crittenden County, according to a report from the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department.
Robert Jones of Crawfordsville, reported that his 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup had been stolen while parked at a farm shop on Highway 70 East. Witnesses told police they heard the truck start at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 17.
The truck was found by Crittenden County authorities on June 18, according to the report. The truck was not damaged, and was returned to Jones.
Producers Tractor of Forrest City, located at 4124 Highway 70 West near Beck Spur, will host an open house on Thursday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mike Dewild, general service manager of the business, said there will be many activities for those who visit during the open house.
"First off, we will have door prizes every hour and refreshments," said Dewild. "We will have a demonstration of the new John Deere Auto Steer system on Thursday." Another point of interest on Thursday will be discounts on selected merchandise.
According to Dewild, the business will carry a wide variety of John Deere items including toys, caps, t-shirts and steering wheel covers, in addition to ride and drive lawn equipment.
"Producers Tractor will provide parts, service and sales," added Dewild. "We also have extended store hours. We will be open Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Thursday and Friday, our hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday we will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"We would like to invite everyone to come out a visit with us on Thursday to have some refreshments and see what we have to offer," stated Dewild.
Two people were arrested on drug charges Monday after a traffic stop in Wheatley.
According to the report, a vehicle was stopped by Wheatley Police at Interstate 40 and Highway 78 North, after allegedly running a stop sign.
After a routine check, it was discovered that the driver, Franklin Evans, 44, of Holly Grove, was driving on a suspended license. During a search, drug paraphernalia was found.
Evans was arrested for driving on a suspended driver's license, fictitious state tags, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine.
A passenger in the car, Marsha L. Willhite, 39, of Brinkley, was also charged with fictitious state tags, allowing an unauthorized person to drive, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine.
The two are scheduled to appear in St. Francis County District Court on Thursday.