Veterans will again receive a special "thank you" from the Forrest City School District on Veteran's Day.
For the fifth year, the school district will be giving veterans who served in World War II and the Korean War honorary diplomas in gratitude for their service. The diplomas will be given to veterans during special Veterans Day ceremonies, to be held Thursday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Mustang Arena.
Tammy Siler, one of the coordinators of the program, talked about the program.
"The diplomas are given to veterans who were called into active duty before they could finish high school," stated Siler. "In years past we only gave them to veterans of World War II, but since last year we have been giving them to veterans of the Korean War. Many of them were very young when they were sent to war and never got a chance to complete high school.
"It is just unbelievable," continued Siler. "Some of the veterans are on canes and they come up and say how much they appreciate the diplomas and being honored. Before this program began, I personally never really understood the sacrifices that these veterans made for our county. But I have listened to their stories about war and about the difficulties they faced and they are very emotional. They have given so much to us, more than we could ever pay back. This is an attempt to give back to them and to show our appreciation for what they have done for all of us. It is recognition long over due."
According to Siler, diplomas will also be awarded posthumously.
Veterans or families of veterans who think that they may qualify for an honorary diploma should contact Siler at 870-633-1485, Henry Haven at 870-633-3095, or Phyllis Russell or Judy Murray at 870-261-1806.
"We have had some responses so far, but we want to have more," added Siler. "We hope to have everyone who is interested in the program contact us by Monday, Nov. 8, so that we can include them in our program."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Ground was broken this morning for the first potential business to be built along the Highway 1 bypass.
With several local officials and members of the community in attendance, Ellis Bell, of Bell Enterprises, celebrated the beginning of construction for Bell's Travel Plaza and thanked those in attendance. Bell welcomed everyone to the site of what is planned to be a travel center located to the north of the Interstate 40 interchange.
"I want to thank those who have supported this endeavor and today should be looked upon as the opening of opportunity for jobs and entrepreneurship for the citizens of Forrest City and St. Francis County," said Bell.
Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant echoed the sentiments of Bell. "This is a project that has been years in the works and it is a testament to the dedication of Ellis Bell. This is a day that hopefully these children that are in attendance can look back upon and see that if you put your mind into a project you can accomplish something. It is great to see this project, after the many years that Mr. Bell has put into it finally come to fruition."
Randy Pearson with the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce also congratulated Bell on his relentless work to bring the project to St. Francis County.
"For our area, this is a wonderful opportunity and we congratulate you. Someone had to be the first to explore a business opportunity along the bypass, and we wish you success. We, the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce, will try to be there when needed to assist you in bringing the project to completion and hopefully the citizens in attendance today and the citizens of St. Francis County will also be there for you," Pearson said.
Forrest City Alderman Cecil Twillie, who also serves as the St. Francis County Transportation Commission chairman and is a cousin to Bell, congratulated Bell and told those in attendance that the bypass' intersection with Interstate 40 could not only support Bell's endeavor but other travel locations as well.
"I'm here today wearing many hats as a city councilman and the chairman of the St. Francis County Transportation Commission and as a cousin to you. I say to you, congratulations Ellis, and I hope you success in this endeavor. I also say that this is a wonderful opportunity for Forrest City and St. Francis County and there are enough trucks on this interstate that St. Francis County can support you and any future endeavors, including the possible transportation mall, that attempt to utilize this location," Twillie said.
Plans for the project include a truckstop, motels and restaurants, to be on land located to the northwest of where the bypass has an interchange with Interstate 40.
The first part of the three-phase workshop will be the truckstop, which will span 10 acres and will be able to handle approximately 240 trucks. The facility will be open 24 hours a day and employ about 100 people when fully staffed.
While Bell was appreciative of the support this morning he added that for growth in the area and Forrest City, local leaders need to look at more support for entrepreneurial projects.
"I thank you all for coming out this morning, and we hope that when we call you back it will be for a ribbon cutting, opening the first phase of this project. If we're going to see continued growth in Forrest City and in St. Francis County, there has to be more cooperation from city government in recruiting business. When I started this project a few years ago, I approached the water department about having sewer extended to this project and couldn't get any assistance. In other cities they work to attempt to encourage new business and I didn't see that here," said Bell.
Actual construction on Bell's Travel Plaza is expected to begin early next year, with plans for the facility to be open by the end of 2005.
With Christmas right around the corner, the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the 2004 edition of the Forrest City Community Christmas Parade which will be held on Friday, Dec. 3.
According to a press release from the FCACC, the theme for this year's parade is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and will feature Mrs. Lula Clay with the St. Francis County Food Pantry serving as Grand Marshal. With Clay serving as the Grand Marshal, the Chamber is asking the community to pitch in with a canned food drive which will take place during the parade.
"The only thing that we really have planned any differently for this year's parade will be the addition of people located along the route who will have baskets and collect canned goods which will be donated to the Food Pantry. We're also asking the entrants to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Pantry," said Sheila Lieblong with the Chamber of Commerce.
The route for this year's parade will remain the same as last year's with the parade kicking off at 7 p.m. in the Forrest City Junior High School parking lot. Floats will then travel east on Victoria Street, turning right onto Division Street and then left onto Arkansas Street. After turning right onto Washington Street, the parade will take the traditional route down Washington to Hill Street. The parade will then turn right onto Hill and travel to Rosser Street, turning right again and ending in the parking lot of Union Planters Bank.
The rules for this year's parade are:
* All groups must be approved and assigned a place in the line-up.
* All groups must be accompanied by one or more chaperones over the age of 21.
* No candy or other items may be thrown.
* All equestrians must fill out a separate form and have a copy with them the night of the parade before their horses are allowed in the parade. No exceptions.
* Participants must be in their assigned places by 6 p.m. or they will not be judged.
* All music must reflect the 2004 Community Christmas Parade theme or be traditionally representative of the holiday season.
* Parade officials, volunteers and law enforcement officers have the authority to remove anyone from the parade route for conduct not conducive to a positive community atmosphere.
* Any vehicle participating in the parade without a float attached must be classified as a classic car or truck (30 years or older). Vehicles must not have excessive loud noise and be in good running condition.
* To enter the competition as a float, the decorated portion of the float may not be part of the vehicle.
* No motorcycles permitted. No exceptions.
According to the press release, all entrants in the parade will be judged prior to the parade, at which time the judges will present all trophies and banners announcing categories and place. The six categories are industrial/commercial, churches, civic groups, novelty, schools and the newest category, cities and towns. Those entrants that arrive after 6 p.m. will still be allowed to participate in the parade, but will not be judged for competition. Antique tractor owners are also being invited back for this year's parade along with antique vehicles. All entry forms must be turned in by Monday, Nov. 22.
Totals for the early voting period have reached over 800 and election officials are predicting that the numbers could surpass 1,000 after today's and Saturday's voting.
As of early this morning, 823 early ballots had been cast by St. Francis County voters. Voting is being held in the vault at the SFC County Clerk's office in the courthouse tomorrow and next Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in addition to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last day to early vote will be Monday, Nov. 1.
A woman staying in a local motel had her car stolen and later recovered in Lee County.
According to the police report, Lula Williams of 912 Hickey had checked into the Regency Inn because she said her home had been sprayed and she wanted to get away from the smell. She said the last time she saw her 2001 Chevrolet Impala was about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The next morning the car was gone. She reported there was about $520 in the glove box. The car was later recovered in Lee County and the incident is still under investigation.
The Forrest City Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Forrest City City Hall.
Commissioners will again consider a preliminary plat for the proposed Meadowbrook Park development in Forrest City.