By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Golf balls could be flying through the air at a new course in Village Creek State Park as early as July of 2006, if all goes as planned.
That was the best-case scenario given to a men's group in Pettus Hall of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Wednesday evening.
Bill Thomas, with the Cross County Economic Development Corp., gave an update on the plans for a golf course and resort at the park, which sits in both Cross and St. Francis counties. He said a few months ago he had been asked to come speak in Forrest City, but didn't feel he could tell them enough.
"At that point we didn't have all the papers that we needed signed and everybody committed like we do now," he said. "We feel comfortable enough now that we're willing to say that this thing is going to happen."
He said years of work have already gone into planning the 27-hole signature golf course along with a lodge and convention center.
"It took us until June (of this year) to negotiate a long-term lease," said Thomas. "The biggest problem in dealing with a lease like this is that Arkansas statutes have so many limitations and there are things you can do and can't do."
He said Attorney General Mike Beebe worked with the developers to work out the language of the agreement.
The entire project is expected to cost in the $23-$24 million range, with $7 million coming from the state and the rest being financed by the developers, the Wellington Group.
He said environmental assessments, which were done when the park was first developed, are being updated. He said it is known that there are some historical sites, such as the Old Military Road, and some plants which need preserving.
"All of these are in St. Francis County," he said, drawing laughter. There was some debate at one time over which county would contain the facility.
He also said because of the drainage, Andy Dye, the golf course designer, prefers the north side of the park.
He said the project will consist of three components -- a golf course, lodging facilities and a convention center.
"The golf course is going to cost about $7 million. It will have 27 holes," said Thomas, who added that it will be a public course with a daily fee or annual fee. Typical daily green fees, plus cart rental, will be $43 to $45. Annual membership will be between $1,200 and $1,500 for a family for unlimited golf.
"There will also be included with that tennis facilities, an Olympic size swimming pool, sporting clays," and he added, "a wedding chapel."
The conference and convention center will contain 31,000 square feet containing a ball room, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, dining areas, golf operations, at an estimated cost of $7.5 million.
Lodging facilities will have two components. One will be a main building with 41 rooms. The second component will be 12, seven-room villas. The estimated cost is just over $9.8 million.
The golf course will meet requirements to be part of The Natural State Trail of Golf, Thomas said. One of the requirements is that it be open to the public. The lodge and convention center will have its own entrance, with access to the rest of the park.
According to Thomas, the entire operation will employ 150 people, and have a $3.5 million payroll. The lodging component will be managed by Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, a division of Hyatt Regency. He said the project has not been named. He added that by agreement, Village Creek will be worked into the name.
"If everything works, if we can get this paperwork done and get everything in place, they'll be open and operational in July of 2006," Thomas said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A "positive mosquito pool" has been reported in St. Francis County for the West Nile virus, but the Arkansas Health Department's West Nile team leader said the risk to humans remains extremely small.
Contacted by phone, team leader Patrick Harris said fewer than 1 percent of people bitten, even by an infected mosquito, develop serious disease.
When asked to give a layman's explanation of what is meant by a "mosquito pool," he said it refers to a number of mosquitoes trapped at a single location over several days. It does not apply to a pool or a puddle. There are mosquito traps in different locations all around the state, he said.
"What we're looking for specifically is the culex mosquito," he said, adding that it is also known by many as the house mosquito.
"It's a residential bug, a backyard kind of mosquito," he said, "rather than a rice field or woodland mosquito."
He said in fact, many of the mosquitoes used in testing are trapped in ADH employees' back yards.
"We trap in residential areas, because this is a residential area mosquito," he said.
A trap is left at a particular location two to four nights, and the mosquitoes caught in that trap are called a pool.
"We do lab work on those mosquitoes," said Harris. "A pool is a gathering of anywhere from 10 to 50 mosquitoes of the same species. We do test other species of mosquito other than culex, but culex is far and away the most predominant and effective carrier."
In a faxed press release, Harris restated that the risk is small.
"Less than one percent of people bitten by an infected mosquito develop severe illness," he said. With proper precautions, Arkansans should continue their summer activities as usual, but should be mindful that we are entering the peak season of the year for human cases of West Nile virus infection."
So far in 2004, human cases of West Nile have been reported in Izard, Green and Union counties. There have been no deaths attributed to West Nile, according to the press release.
The press release also shows there are things which citizens can do to protect themselves, including making sure all windows and doors have screens in good repair. People should also stay indoors when mosquitoes are more active, usually from dusk to dawn. When it is necessary to be outdoors, people should wear protective clothing and use mosquito repellent containing up to 35 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-tolamide.)
Precautions should also be used when using products containing DEET. Children should not be allowed to apply it to themselves. Do not spray directly on anyone's face. Do not apply to clothing, or indoors.
According to the press release, people can also help by eliminating standing water around their houses.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
After years of leasing a building, the Eastern Arkansas Enterprise Community can now call its location on Airport Road home after receiving grants from several entities.
The EAEC recently received over $230,000 in grant funding for the acquisition, renovation and equipping of their location at 1000 Airport Road.
According to EAEC consulting coordinator Dr. Robert Cole, the funding will not only allow for the purchase of the facility, but also allow for expansion and the expansion of the Small Town Rural Business Development Center.
"The funding that we received allowed the EAEC to purchase the building that we have been leasing for several years. It will also allow us to renovate the rear of the building which will be used for cubicles for our Small Town Rural Business Development Center and a conference room. Most people who have been to the building have seen the front portion of the building which has been converted to offices, but there is a great deal of space in the rear that has not yet been developed. This will allow us to now renovate that area," Cole said.
"The space will then be used to expand on our Small Town Rural Business Development Center. We talked earlier about creating the Development Center but really it will simply be an expansion of work that we have already been doing," said Cole.
At a meeting last month, Cole told members of the EAEC board of directors that approximately 3,000 square feet would be renovated at the building.
The grant funding came from four entities. The Delta Regional Authority gave $75,000 in funding for the project. The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development division gave a $100,000 grant. And the EAEC and Forrest City Bank each gave the project $32,000 grants, according to Cole.
"The EAEC has now been in operation for nine years of a 10-year certification. This will be a great step towards our continuing work and success. We'd like to thank the organizations that gave us the funding for this project for the trust that they have placed in us and we hope to have their continued partnership and support," Cole said.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The annual Labor Day Weekend Youth Fishing Rodeo will be held Saturday at the new pond at the Forrest City Sports Complex.
All boys and girls between the ages of five and 15 who live in St. Francis County are invited by the SFC Ruritan Club and the Forrest City Community Voices, Inc. to participate in this year's event.
Stephanie Bryant, co-coordinator of the event with Roy Hancock, offered some background on the event and what this year's rodeo has to offer young fishermen.
"We have been holding the rodeo for at least the past five years," said Bryant. "In the past, we have held the event at the pond of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City. This is the first year that we have held the rodeo at the Sports Complex pond because this is the first year that we have had the pond there. The rodeo will be a 'breaking-in' of the pond."
While the fishing will only be for the kids, Bryant stated that the event is for the whole family.
"This is a family thing," commented Bryant. "Only the children will be allowed to fish, but parents can help them fish. They can help them bait their hooks and pull fish in. We are wanting a good family atmosphere.
"The children will fish in three age categories," continued Bryant. "In each category, we will have a prize for the largest fish, smallest fish and for the most catfish. We will hand out prizes until either we run out or everyone gets something."
Registration for the Labor Day Weekend Fishing Rodeo will be held at 8 a.m., and the rodeo will be held from 8:30 until 10:30 a.m. For more information, to donate a prize or to volunteer at this event, contact either Bryant or Hancock at 870-633-8799.
The Arkansas Community of Excellence Commercial Development committee has included a survey in today's Times-Herald to help the group learn what customers think about the city and its retailers.
The answers will help the ACE committee learn what services best satisfy customers' needs.
Submitted surveys may be mailed or delivered to the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce office at 203 N. Izard Street. The survey can be found on Page 12 of today's Times-Herald.
Survey questions ask residents how often they eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, visit professional offices and seek local entertainment. The survey also questions residents as to how often they shop at out-of-town businesses, and asks respondents to rate Forrest City's shopping area on attractiveness, quality, convenience and traffic flow.
The survey does not ask for a person's name, only their sex, age and residential zip code.
The St. Francis County Transportation Commission will meet this evening at the St. Francis County Courthouse at 6 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on contracts issued by the commission.
Commissioners will meet in the Quorum Court room, with commissioners expected to call several executive sessions to discuss the issues surrounding each of the five contracts.
In July, the commission split on a vote to cancel all of the contracts currently in force after members of the commission raised several questions.
Charges have been filed in connection with a shooting last month that led to a two-vehicle accident.
Ray Von Thomas, 33, 522 Lake St., Forrest City, was arrested at his business on Lake Street Tuesday for aggravated assault in connection with the Aug. 16 incident.
Witnesses told police they saw Thomas fire several shots at a vehicle driven by Jerome Elps, 29, of Madison, as he was driving in front of Thomas' business. As Elps attempted to turn around on Rosser Street, he collided with a car driven by Valerie George, 29, 129 Turner Circle, Apt. 14, Forrest City.
No one was hit by the bullets, but Elps' vehicle was hit by the gunfire, causing minor damage to a door, police reported.
Following the shooting, Thomas reportedly fled the scene in another vehicle.
On Aug. 31, officers with the Forrest City Police Department arrested Thomas without incident at his shop on Lake Street. His bond was set at $2,500, which he posted. Thomas is scheduled to appear in St. Francis County District Court on Sept. 16.
According to police, the investigation is continuing.
The St. Francis County CARE Center has had to stop its program of assisting with utility bills, because funds are depleted.
According to Jan Hankins, director of the CARE Center, donations are needed.
"In the 10 years I've been with the CARE Center, this is the fist time we've had to pull back," said Hankins. "Our funding for utility assistance is depleted."
Other donations are also needed, including men's clothing.
CARE stands for "Community Assistance and Relief in Emergencies." The center provides clothing and other services for people in emergency situations, and has also helped with utility bills.
The CARE Center is located at 302 N. Rosser (corner of Rosser and Garland) and its telephone number is 633-2273.