By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Veterans, and those who are currently serving in the military, all are deserving of thanks, a crowd was told at Mustang Arena today.
Normal Gilchrest, Forrest City postmaster and highest ranking noncommissioned officer in the Air Force Reserve in Arkansas, was the featured speaker at the fifth annual Veteran's Day program. The theme of the program was "Freedom isn't Free."
"Those men and ladies, whatever color suit they wear, whatever branch of the military they're in -- they are doing it for you. And they are doing it for us," Gilchrest said.
He gave a brief history of Veteran's Day, which commemorates the end of World War I, on Nov. 11, 1918.
He also reminded the audience of those who are serving now in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said no matter how people feel about the current war, the troops deserve support.
"I don't care if you like the war, I don't care if you oppose the war," he said. "No matter, we're in a war."
He called U.S. military people in all branches a "seamless group" since Sept. 11, 2001. "Our service men and woman are still continuing a tough fight, in the streets of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan. All those places traditionally we didn't think about, that traditionally we didn't know about."
He also had some words of encouragement for the young people who were in attendance. He said that many have labeled them "Generation X," that almost every generation that has come along has been called hopeless by the preceding generation.
"Let me tell you, I agree with what they say about you young folks. I think you are an 'X' generation. You are extra talented. I think you are extra special. I think you are extra good in all the things you do. The 'X' we should give you is for excellence."
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Mustang Band played "A Patriotic Festival," and then performed "Armed Forces Salute" while the Navy Junior ROTC performed the Parade of Flags across the floor of the arena.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, was led by Emily Cohn, Student Council President, the National Anthem was performed by the Mustang Band and the FCHS Concert Choir. Josh Freeman, also a student council officer, offered a prayer.
In what has become a tradition in the annual ceremony, all the veterans present were recognized by Superintendent Lee Vent and FCHS Principal Abbie Robinson introduced the platform guests.
Then the new inductees to the Wall of Honor were introduced. They are Willie Lee Jamison, William R. Lindsey, Walter Meals Jr. (accepted by his son, Walter Meals III) and Theodore C. Parker. Each man was introduced by Henry Haven, St. Francis county Veteran's Service Officer, and a brief history of their service was read by Vent. They will be included on the Wall of Honor inside Mustang Arena.
There were also five honorary diploma recipients -- whose high school time was interrupted by World War II and Korea. They were Lee E. Cowan, Zonas Louis Dabney, William R. Lindsey, Malvin Sykes and Woodie L. Waldrep.
St. Francis County had an unemployment rate of 8.4 percent in September. That was an improvement over the 9.1 percent recorded in August, and more than two points better than the 10.8 percent recorded in September of 2003.
Even with the improvement, St. Francis County still had the 10th highest unemployment rate out of the state's 75 counties for September.
According to the figures, provided by the Arkansas Employment Security Department, during September, the county had a civilian labor force of 12,650, with 11,600 working and 1,060 not working.
The highest unemployment was 11 percent, recorded in Chicot County in extreme southeast Arkansas. Three other counties, (Phillips, Woodruff and Mississippi) all in eastern Arkansas, had rates higher than 10 percent.
The lowest unemployment in the state was 2.2 percent, recorded in Benton, Carroll and Madison counties. Fifteen counties recorded unemployment of 4 percent or lower, while 34 counties had unemployment of 5 percent or less.
The unemployment rates in counties surrounding St. Francis were as follows: Cross, 9.5 percent, Crittenden, 7.5 percent; Lee 9.3 percent; Phillips, 10.6 percent, Monroe, 6.6 percent and Woodruff, 10.7 percent.
The statewide unemployment average was 5.4 percent, actually one tenth of one percentage point higher than August. The national rate was 5.4 percent, unchanged from August.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Transportation Commission is looking for a new attorney after the recent resignation of commission attorney Chris Morledge.
In a letter dated Oct. 18, Morledge terminated his contract with the commission and asked that commission chairman Cecil Twillie retrieve any and all documents, papers or pleadings for work performed for the commission which were at his office. The letter did not give any reason for the decision to no longer serve as the commission attorney.
A second letter, also dated Oct. 18, was sent by Morledge to County Judge Carl Cisco requesting $6,000 in payments from the period Oct. 1, 2003 to Oct. 1, 2004. According to the second letter, Morledge had agreed to provide representation and counsel to the commission for one year in exchange for payment at a rate of $500 per month, which was not paid during that period. Although Morledge served as commission attorney for the period, he did not have a signed contract with the commission. St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco said earlier this week that the payment to Morledge would be granted.
"Even though Chris never signed his contract, he is owed the money that he is requesting because he did everything that the commission asked of him. He worked hard for the commission, and I appreciate the job that he did," Cisco said.
Cisco also speculated that Morledge's resignation may have been tied to an increased workload as deputy prosecutor for St. Francis County after the recent firing of a second deputy prosecutor.
"I don't know for certain that it had anything to do with Chris stepping away, but I imagine that with him being the only deputy prosecutor right now, that's going to be keeping him pretty busy."
Morledge and Twillie were not available for comment.
A woman wanted on fugitive warrants out of Georgia was arrested during a drug raid at her Forrest City home Wednesday night.
Officers with the Forrest City Police Department executed a search warrant at 854 Rice St., Apt. 152, the residence of Arnetha Scales White, about 9:30 p.m.
During the search, police found Louis Lee Moore, 26, of 1867 Lindauer Rd., in possession of about one ounce of marijuana. The marijuana had an estimated street value of $150, according to police.
Police also learned White was wanted by Georgia authorities, and she was charged with a fugitive from justice warrant on forgery charges and a probation violation out of Cobb County, Georgia. She is being held in the St. Francis County Jail, pending extradition. According to the FCPD, the warrants on White were issued in August last year.
Moore is charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, with intent to deliver near certain facilities. He was scheduled to appear in St. Francis District Court on Monday.
Three children were inside the home at the time of the search, and were later released to family members.
Area residents are invited to a bonfire this weekend at the site of the new Bell's Travel Plaza just off the Highway 1 bypass near the Interstate 40 interchange.
The groundbreaking for the first phase of the 77-acre project, a truckstop facility, was held last month. Project developer and Forrest City native Ellis Bell said that due to the positive response his company has received from the community regarding the new development, "we are offering you a second opportunity to be a part of this historic change in St. Francis County."
The event is set for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the construction site. The bonfire will feature a video of the groundbreaking ceremony, which will be broadcast on the side of a construction trailer, in addition to the roasting of marshmallows and hot dogs, according to a press release. Those attending the event are asked to wear comfortable clothing and bring lawn chairs. Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed at the event, and Bell said there will be no public speaking. Reservations are not required.
"This is only one of the means we will use to communicate with the community and keep it involved in this project," said Bell.
In addition to the truckstop, Bell's plans for the project include motels and restaurants. The truckstop will span 10 acres and be able to handle about 240 trucks. This 24-hour facility will employ about 100 people when fully staffed. Bell said the second phase will include possibly two motels, and the third phase will be the construction of restaurants.
Construction on the truckstop is expected to begin early next year, with plans for that facility to be open by the end of 2005.
Police are investigating the burglary of a local business in which more than $2,000 of merchandise was stolen.
Dorothy Woodfork stated that when she arrived at the Bargain Center, at 111 S. Rosser, on Wednesday morning, she found that the metal security door had been pried open, as well as the main wooden door. The locks had also been broken.
Unknown suspects took an estimated $2,255 worth of merchandise, including T-shirts, winter coats and jeans.
According to the police report, Woodfork said she had locked the building at about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. The report states that she said the building alarm was not armed.
The East Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees will meet at 7 tonight in the college board room.