By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
With almost one year of operation completed, the First Judicial District Drug Task Force is calling its initial year of operation a success.
Task Force coordinator Randy Julian said the DTF has opened over 350 cases since its inception in July of last year.
"We've opened 354 cases since we began and totaled 320 arrests. Things have gone well, and we just want to keep everything going," said Julian.
Julian said task force officers have made 72 marijuana arrests, 163 crack cocaine arrests, 68 methamphetamine arrests, one pharmaceutical arrest and two arrests for manufacturing marijuana in the six-county district which consists of St. Francis, Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips and Woodruff counties.
While the number of crack cocaine arrests tops the list, Julian said that the top drug problems in the district are with both crack cocaine and methamphetamine. He attributed more street level work to the success in the fight against crack.
"Crack and meth are an equally big problem. We've been able to work more at the street level to remove crack cocaine, and that's why we have such a high number for our crack arrests. Even though the numbers are lower for meth, it's just as big a problem in this area, and we're fighting just as hard to decrease the number of dealers and labs in the district," Julian said.
St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman praised the Task Force and the accomplishments that the districtwide group has made.
"They've done some great work not only here in St. Francis County, but across the entire district. The Task Force has really helped us out with the meth problem and shutting these labs down. And they've helped out in other areas too. It's just worked really well, and I hope they continue with the work that they're doing and continue having the amount of success they've had since this all started," Parkman said.
Officials with the Forrest City Police Department were not available for comment.
Julian attributed a part of the success to the community as a whole, which he says has been very instrumental in giving the Task Force information on suspected drug areas.
"The best word I can use for the community involvement is 'excellent,'" Julian said.
"The participation from the general public has been extremely helpful. We have received tips that we could use from the public calling their local agencies who have worked well with us. We welcome any information that will lead to helping us with eliminating this problem," he said.
Julian also said that the Task Force's work has not centered on one area in the district. "We've pretty much been able to scatter our work around the district and be effective," said Julian.
Individuals with information on possible drug activity may contact the Forrest City Police Department at 633-3434; the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department at 633-2611 or the First Judicial District Task Force at (870) 747-5411.
"Citizens can always contact their local authorities to
make a report, and if they want to get in contact with us, they
can call us here in Clarendon. Even if no one is in the office,
the answering machine is available for them to leave information,"
Julian said.
According to revised statistics from Arkansas Workforce Labor Market Information, St. Francis County's average unemployment during 2003 was 10.8 percent.
According to a press release, the revised estimates reflect new employment levels and are adjusted to new state totals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That put St. Francis County in a tie with Calhoun County for the state's fifth highest unemployment average.
The revisions put unemployment higher than originally reported. For instance, it was originally reported that the county's March unemployment rate was 10.4 percent, while the rate is 12.2 percent in the revised version.
According to the revised figures, during 2003, St. Francis County had a civilian labor force of 12,150, with 10,825 working and 1,325 unemployed.
Mississippi County, with 14.7 percent, had the state's highest unemployment average last year, according to the revised figures. Benton County had the lowest, with a 2.8 percent average.
The new figures show that St. Francis County's month of highest unemployment was March, with 12.2 percent. The second highest was July, at 11.9 percent. October's rate of 9.5 percent was the lowest rate for 2003.
The average 2003 rate for surrounding counties was as follows: Cross, 9.8 percent; Crittenden, 7.9 percent; Lee, 12.4 percent; Phillips, 11.4 percent; Monroe, 9.3 percent; and Woodruff, 12.7 percent.
In the meantime, St. Francis County had a monthly unemployment rate of 11.4 percent during January of this year. That is up from 11.1 percent in December, and also up from 10.7 percent in January of 2003. St. Francis County tied with Jackson County for the 12th highest unemployment in the state in January.
Woodruff County had the state's highest unemployment at 17.1 percent in January. There were 15 counties with unemployment higher than 10 percent.
The state's lowest unemployment was 3 percent, recorded in Washington County. Twelve counties in January had unemployment lower than 5 percent.
The January rates of surrounding counties were as follows:
Cross, 10.7; Crittenden, 8.3; Lee, 15.2; Phillips, 12.6; Monroe,
9.8; and Woodruff, 17.1.
St. Francis County Assessor Craig Jones has announced his intention to run for reelection for the office. He will be seeking his third term in the Democratic Primary, which will be held May 18.
Jones, a lifelong resident of St. Francis County, was elected assessor in 2000 and began serving his first term in January of 2001. Prior to his election, Jones worked in the assessor's office for eight years as an appraiser.
Jones is a Level Four Senior Appraiser and is in the group of only 27 assessors out of 75 in Arkansas to obtain this certification.
During his tenure as assessor, Jones implemented several changes to the office. For taxpayer convenience, he combined the real estate and personal property offices. He has worked to keep taxpayers informed of the changes and deadlines that take place in the assessment of taxes by notifying the local media of upcoming deadlines and mandates. On several nights each year, Jones and his staff open the office to answer questions that working taxpayers may have but do not have to the opportunity to call or come by during normal business hours.
Jones said he has saved the taxpayers of St. Francis County about $88,000 over a five-year period, through negotiations of the current reappraisal contract.
Jones added, "I will continue to look for ways to run the office efficiently while saving taxpayers' money."
Jones and his staff have processed more than 5,800 tax credits. These credits give taxpayers a $300 tax credit on their real estate taxes. They also recorded more than 1,200 "value freezes" to taxpayers who are over 65 years old or totally disabled.
Jones complimented the staff for dedication and hard work.
"I am truly blessed to have such a knowledgeable and experienced staff. They know how to do their jobs and they do it with eagerness and compassion. It is a pleasure to work in this office," he said.
Jones also said that "with the generosity of the Quorum Court and with help from the State of Arkansas," he implemented a mapping program for the county.
This program will draw the boundaries of every parcel of taxable property in the county on a digital aerial map. The information will give taxpayers a better idea of what they are paying taxes on, and will allow people who are looking for small tracts of land a better chance to find them.
Jones added, "I am very excited about our mapping program. This is an area of the office I felt was far below its potential as compared to the rest of the state. As it stands right now, to locate the exact owners of small tracts of property consumes much time and effort on the part of the staff and me. When this program is complete, we will be able to pinpoint small tracts of property and locate the owners within minutes."
Jones is married to the former Niki Russell and they have two children, Cooper, 4, and Carter, 2. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church and a Democrat.
Jones said, "I would like to thank the voters of St. Francis County for allowing me to serve as assessor for the past three and a half years. I truly love my job and I enjoy coming to work each day." Jones continued, "I will always be fair and impartial and work hard for all the citizens of St. Francis County. I will continue to keep the computer system in the St. Francis County Assessor's Office up to date. I will also continue to look for new and better ways to incorporate computer technology with our current database so we can in turn make the office more helpful to more people."
Jones added, "The doors of the assessor's office are always open to all of the public, and I welcome any questions that you may have about your taxes. I will continue to listen to your concerns and I will be there to help you when I can."
He concluded, "I would like to take this time to humbly
ask the citizens of St. Francis County for their vote and continued
support on May 18. Together we can keep St. Francis County moving
forward."
Cocaine was found hidden inside rear panels of a pickup during a routine traffic stop Monday afternoon on Interstate 40 near Forrest City.
Officials with Arkansas State Police Troop D headquarters in Forrest City stopped an eastbound 1993 extended cab Ford pickup near the 248 mile marker just before 3 p.m., for a traffic violation. After issuing the driver, Juan Ramon Lomeli-Garcia, 31, of Alexandria, Va., a warning, the trooper obtained consent to search the truck.
According to the arrest information, the trooper found an estimated four kilos of cocaine, valued at about $400,000, hidden inside the left rear side panel of the cab of the truck.
Lomeli-Garcia is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He is scheduled to be arraigned in St. Francis County District Court Wednesday afternoon.
With the deadline for filing coming at noon today, more people have announced their intentions to seek political offices in St. Francis County.
The names listed in this story were gathered this morning. Any final filings will be listed tomorrow.
Among those filing as candidates on Tuesday was Carl Winters. Winters filed for reelection to the Widener City Council, Position 1.
Three more people have filed for constable positions. David Courtney filed for Griggs Township. Odell Lucas Sr. filed for L'Anguille Township. Thomas Barnes filed for Franks Township.
Several people also filed for positions on the county Democratic Central Committee. These include Johnetta Crumbly, JP District 3, Position 1; Cora Cobb, JP District 5, Position 2; Dexter J. Freeman, JP District 2, Position 3; Coy L. Laney, JP District 8, Position 3; David Courtney, JP District 3, Position 1; and Treval A. Gregory, JP District 1, Position 3.
An argument outside a Forrest City residence Monday night resulted in one of the subjects being treated for a gunshot wound at a local hospital.
Elliott Johnson, 40, of Hughes, was shot at twice, but struck in the calf only once by a bullet that first pierced the trunk lid of his car, according to a report on file at the Forrest City Police Department.
The shooting occurred about 8:30 p.m. outside a home at 107 W. Scott St.
Johnson told police he went to the residence to deliver bicycles belonging to his children, and when he walked up to the door he met a subject exiting the residence. The two exchanged words, and Johnson told police he tried to hit the subject but missed.
According to police, the suspect, a 20-year-old Forrest City man, then allegedly pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired two shots at Johnson who ran behind his car, which still had the truck lid open. Both shots traveled through the trunk lid, but only one of the bullets went completely through Johnson's lower leg.
The suspect fled on foot before police arrived, according to the report.
Johnson initially told police he did not want to press charges in the case, but later changed his mind and signed an affidavit for the suspect's arrest on a first-degree battery charge. He also told police this was not the first time the suspect had fired shots at him and that he was afraid for his life.
Johnson was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City.