By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A Forrest City man out of jail on bond for drug charges in July of last year and February of this year was arrested Wednesday on additional charges after members of the First Judicial Drug Task Force found him in possession of methamphetamine and firearms.
According to a report from the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department, Ricky L. Steward, 44, 537 SFC 333, Forrest City, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at close to 3:30 in the parking lot of a Caldwell restaurant as part of a DTF undercover operation. Steward, who was facing charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unlawful container from a February arrest, was again charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia and simultaneous possession of firearms and drugs.
In July, Steward was arrested on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, methamphetamine; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, methamphetamine in a raid at a residence in rural Lee County. He told police he was an officer with the Marianna Police Department and showed police a badge and gun that were registered to the MPD. In February, Marianna Chief of Police James Tucker confirmed that Steward had been working as an auxiliary officer with the MPD for about three months prior to his July arrest, but was no longer affiliated with the department. Tucker said although the badge did belong to his department, the gun Steward had in July was his own, not the department's.
Steward, who was free on bond from both arrests was scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on Monday on his February charges at the time of his arrest. His bond was subsequently revoked and he is being held in the St. Francis County Jail. Steward was free on a $100,000 bond from his July arrest and a second $25,000 bond from the February arrest. According to St. Francis County Deputy and DTF agent Gene Wingo, officers requested the no bond order due to Steward's third drug arrest in less than a year and after he allegedly made threats towards law enforcement officers.
"We asked for him to be held without bond because this is his third strike for drug offenses in the last year and when we arrested him Wednesday he threatened to shoot myself and another officer," Wingo said.
According to Wingo one of the problems with area drug arrests are the recurring arrests of individuals made while the person charged awaits trial.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
In the St. Francis County Clerk's race, incumbent Elizabeth Smith is being challenged by local insurance agent Paul Spears. Both candidates recently sat down with the Times-Herald recently to discuss various topics concerning the county today.
Smith lives at 1680 SFC 707 in Forrest City. She is a graduate of Forrest City High School. She has also completed over 150 hours in the Clerk Certification Program. She has two grown sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Spears lives at 146 Jeffery Street in Forrest City. He is a graduate of Lisbon High School in Lisbon, Miss. He holds certificates from the American Management Association in personnel Management and Public Relations, and has attended various insurance and personnel management schools. Spears also has been an agent for Shelter Insurance Company for 18 years in Forrest City. He and his wife of over 39 years, Gwenette, have two daughters and two grand-daughters.
Each candidate was asked seven questions about themselves and their plans in operating the SFCounty Clerk's office. Neither candidate were provided the questions in advance.
1. If elected, what changes would you make to this office?
Spears: I wouldn't make any drastic changes. One change would be how people are greeted when they come to the office. I would be the one to greet them and help them take care of their business. Your business is important to you and I will make your business important us.
Smith: I don't plan to make any major changes. A possible change is to the computer software. We are in the process of installing a marriage license program that will make those records more accessible.
2. In your opinion, what services need improvements?
Smith: I don't know of any changes that need to be made. We serve the people as they come in.
Spears: The reason I am running is that I feel like the voter registration and the voter rolls need to be accurate. I will see that that is done.
3. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing St. Francis County today?
Spears: I feel that the most urgent issue in the county clerk's office is voter registration and voter rolls. Also the efficiency of the operation of the office. I feel that the county is in a financial bind. The county clerk's office and all of the offices in the county need to improve service without increasing spending.
Smith: Budgets and cash flow. The county clerk's office is responsible for paying all of the county bills and assisting in preparing the county budget.
4. What type of experience do you have with budgets?
Smith: I've been working with county budgets for 30 some odd years. I feel I have the experience to continue doing the job.
Spears: I was involved in personnel management at a carpet manufacturing facility and I kept payroll, insurance and other financial factors for 350 employees with the company. I also was the manager of a funeral home and managed the total budget there.
5. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Spears: My training has been in management and public relations. I know how to greet the public and treat the public. I generally know how to get along with all the people I come in contact with.
Smith: Because I have the experience and the on the job training to face the new issues facing the county. I also have a wonderful, helpful staff that supports me.
6. How would your election benefit the residents of St. Francis County?
Smith: I would continue to service all citizens of St. Francis County as I have in the past. I will also continue to welcome any and all visitors to my office.
Spears: I feel that my desire to improve that one area that seems to have been neglected is to the advantage of everyone in St. Francis County.
7. What word or phrase best describes yourself?
Spears: I am a Christian that makes every effort to live by the Golden Rule.
Smith: I am friendly, helpful and willing to seek answers if I don't know them.
Forrest City High School will hold its graduation ceremonies tonight at 7, in Sam Smith Stadium.
In case of rain, the commencement will take place in Mustang Arena.
For the names of students honored during Class Night for scholarships or other awards they received, see Page 9 of today's paper, and Page 6A of a special supplement.
Following is a list of Forrest City graduates in alphabetical order.
Police are searching for a man who attacked and injured a local minister in broad daylight at the Forrest City Post Office.
Police were called to the post office at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday, and found Rev. Uzziah Duncan, 56, pastor of Prosperity M.B. Church, unconscious.
Several witnesses told officers they had seen a man walk up to Duncan, and then saw Duncan fall. At least one witness said he saw the man approach Duncan, point his finger at him and then punch him in the face.
In the Baptist Memorial Hospital emergency room, Duncan could recall that a man walked up to him, and the next thing he knew, a policeman was standing over him asking questions.
Duncan was transported to a Memphis area hospital. His condition was unknown at deadline.
Wheatley Mayor Larry Nash gave an update to the members of the Wheatley City Council on the possibility of purchasing a new truck for the city.
"We talked about another truck last month for the city to do various things," said Nash. "My thought was that we get a new truck and pay for it out of the special county fund. That would be the only way to do it.
"If we decide to do this, we would have to advertise for bids," continued Nash. "We could manage with the truck that we have now and fix it, but the truck is 15 or 20 years old and we will constantly be fixing it." The council unanimously voted to take bids for a new truck.
In other news, city attorney Marshall Wright gave the third
and final reading on the inattentive driving ordinance. After
the reading, the members unanimously passed the ordinance.
Several more independent candidates have filed in the last few days.
Roger F. Breeding has filed for reelection as Alderman from Ward 4, Position 1, in Forrest City.
Also in Forrest City, incumbent Brent Ponder has filed for reelection as alderman from Ward 3, Position 2.
Louise Fields, another Forrest City incumbent, has filed for reelection as alderman from Ward 2, Position 2.
Another Forrest City incumbent, John Gadberry, has filed for reelection as alderman from Ward 4, Position 2.
Meanwhile in Wheatley, Rodney L. Hicks has filed for reelection
as alderman from District 7, Position 2.