LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS WITH RICK HOLT
Local and Regional News 032824
Primary Runoff Races
Early voting is underway in the April 2nd Runoff Election.
The early vote total at the end of the day Wednesday (3/27) at the St. Francis County Courthouse was 81.
The following races are on the runoff ballots:
Arkansas House of Representatives
District 35
Democratic Candidates:
--Jessie McGruder vs Raymond Whiteside
District 63
Democratic candidates:
--Lincoln Barnett vs Fred Leonard
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Lee County
Quorum Court
JP District 7:
--Justice West Higginbothom vs Ocie Banks
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Phillips County
Quorum Court
JP District 9:
--Justice Lenora Marshall vs Lita Moore-Johnson
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Cross County
Wynne School Board
Zone 3:
--Emily Watts vs Stacie Caldwell Schlenker
Early voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Monday, April 1st.
The polls will be open on Tuesday, April 2nd from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The general election is set for Nov. 5, 2024.
FCPD Theft Arrest
Forrest City Police report that a car was stolen from a local apartment complex Wednesday afternoon (3/27). The car was later recovered, and a suspect is in custody.
A patrol officer was dispatched to Delta Pointe Apartments around 4 p.m. Wednesday where she spoke with the owner of the car, William Washington III.
Mr. Washington stated that his 2010 Dodge Charger had been stolen while parked outside the apartment complex. He said that he’d lost his car keys the night before.
Officers reviewed video footage from a nearby Sky Cop surveillance unit, which showed a male subject driving away in the stolen car.
Less than an hour later, police were notified that St. Francis County Sheriff’s deputies had located the stolen car at the Exxon station in Colt. Arrested at the scene was 27-year-old Ricky Smith of Forrest City.
Smith was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center where he was booked on a charge of theft of property, a Class-D Felony.
Ark Voucher Program News
The application period opens Monday 4/1) for 2024-25 student participation in the state's expanded Educational Freedom Account program that provides taxpayer funding for tuition and other private and home school costs.
State education officials say that as many as 14,000 eligible Arkansas students -- about 3% of the state's current public school enrollment -- will be able to access at least $6,856 each for the coming school year.
That is up from the about 7,000 students who could have participated in this current, first year of the voucher program that was created by the Arkansas LEARNS Act of 2023.
About 6,055 students applied this school year and about 5,300 students are actually participating by directing state funding to costs related to attending more than 90 private schools.
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, all Arkansas students will be eligible to participate in the voucher program.
Students who are participating in the account program this school year do not need to reapply for the next school year but must notify state officials that they plan to continue to use the state aid for private and home school costs.
More information, including documents for attaining an account, go to learns.ade.arkansas.gov.
Counterfeit Stamps Warning
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued an alert warning of the sale of counterfeit stamps.
According to the alert, there has been an increase in counterfeit stamps being sold on social media and third-party websites, often at steep discounts.
Officials say they’ve seen large discounts of up to 50 percent offered on some of these fraudulent listings.
Based on new changes to the domestic mail manual, items mailed with counterfeit postage will be considered abandoned and are subject to being opened and disposed of. Those selling the fake stamp could face jail time.
Also, the loss of revenue from counterfeit stamps impacts the 600,000 postal employees who count on that money to operate and serve the American people.
Consumers can report the sale of fake stamps at www.uspis.gov/report.
Eclipse Tips
As we countdown to the Great American Eclipse on Monday, April 8th, many are picking up or buying eclipse glasses, which is a vital piece of protection for the day. (Channel 8, Jonesboro)
Blytheville Optometrist Dr. Matthew Jones says, “whatever you do, remember rule number one….do not look directly at the exposed sun.”
Dr. Jones says that “staring at the sun, especially during the eclipse, can cause eclipse blindness, or solar retinopathy, which can cause permanent damage to the retinal cells.
Dr. Jones said if you have a pair of eclipse glasses from the last eclipse, those should be good to use. Be sure to examine them first to make sure there are no cracks or tears.
He also said if you plan to take photos or video of the eclipse, make sure your camera or binoculars are equipped with a protective filter before pointing them at the sun.
Free solar eclipse glasses are currently available at the Forrest City Public Library.
EACC Open House
East Arkansas Community College will host a Community Open House on Thursday, April 11th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the EACC Fine Arts Center. The public is invited to attend.
Open House attendees will have the opportunity to check out EACC’s many Transfer, Technical, Vocational, Allied Health, and Community Education programs.
They’ll also receive assistance for completing the 2024-25 FAFSA, complete EACC admissions applications, meet with academic advisors, and register for summer and fall classes.
EACC representatives from various programs, student services, admissions, financial aid, and other areas will be available to assist attendees and answer questions.
Priority registration for Summer and Fall classes begins on Monday, April 8th. The complete list of classes will be available online at EACC.edu.
EACC offers students many options including day, evening, and online classes. EACC has one of the lowest tuitions in the state, and tuition discounts are available for students aged 50+.
For more information about the Community Open House, call 870-633-4480.
Red Cross Blood Appeal
The American Red Cross has seen an encouraging increase in the blood supply in recent weeks, but blood and platelet donation appointments remain vital this month.
People of all blood types – especially those with type O blood – are critical to ensuring hospital shelves can be replenished as soon as possible.
All who come to give April 8-28 will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.
To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Events
The Forrest City, City Council’s Personnel Committee will meet today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at City Hall. Alderman Lowry Astin reports that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the city’s Personnel Handbook.
--The Forrest City School Board will meet today (Thursday) at 5:30 p.m. at the Jr. High School Library.
--Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant will give his State-of-the-City address tonight (Thursday) at 6 o’clock at the Civic Center. The public is encouraged to attend.
--The City of Forrest City will conduct a Community Clean-up Day, Saturday, March 30th from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The Keep Forrest City Beautiful campaign will include trash pickup, graffiti removal and sidewalk clean-up. Call City Hall at 870-633-1315 or go to CityofForrestCityAr.com for more information.
--The St. Francis County Assessor's office will be closed on
Tuesday, April 2nd for training class on new computer program.
The office will re-open on Wednesday, April 3rd at 8 a.m.
--The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas will host drive-thru commodity distributions in St. Francis County on Wednesday, April 10th from 9 a.m. until the food runs out at the following locations: Larry Bryant Center in Forrest City, Wheatley City Hall, Palestine City Hall and the Hughes Community Center.
--The Workforce Development Board of Eastern Arkansas invites public comment regarding the revisions of the Local Plan for PY24 – PY27. Copies of the plan are available upon request via email Heather.Pipkin@wdbea.org. Comments will be accepted through 12:00 p.m. April 8, 2024, and should be emailed to Heather.pipkin@wdbea.org.
--Ridgecrest Club in Forrest City will host a Two-Man Scramble, April 13-14. 1st place finish: $900; 2nd place: $600; 3rd place: $300. Contact Tony Downey at 870-270-0361 for more information.
Obits
--Graveside service for John “Bo” Coleman, 93, of Conway, formerly of Brinkley will be Thursday (3/28) at 12 p.m. at St. John Cemetery in Brinkley. McNeal-Coleman Funeral Home of Brinkley is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Johnny L. Greene, 79, of Forrest City will be Saturday (3/30) at 11 a.m. at Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Forrest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Spring Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Haynes. Miles Mortuary of Forrest City is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Steven “Lil Steve” Anthony Tyler Jr., 28, of Holly Grove will be Saturday (3/30) at 11 a.m. at Kingdom Builders Ministries in Holly Grove. Burial will follow at Hayes Cemetery in Holly Grove. C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley is in charge of arrangements.
--Graveside service for Toney Rivers Jr., 90, of Chicago, formerly of Crittenden & Phillips counties will be Saturday (3/30) at 11:30 a.m. at the Oneida Community Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Upper Room Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. Miles Mortuary of Forrest City is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Lula Mae Crumbly White, 76, of Forrest City will be Saturday (3/30) at 12 p.m. at Freedonia M.B. Church. Burial will follow at Casteel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 3-5 p.m. at Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Tonio Lomont Lockett, 47, of Forrest City will be Saturday (3/30) at 1 p.m. at the Forrest City Civic Center- Ferguson Room. Burial will follow at Casteel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Helen Marie Chunn-Cohen, 86, of Cotton Plant will be Saturday (3/30) at 3 p.m. at Ash Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Cotton Plant. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Fargo. C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley is in charge of arrangements.
Sports
--Arkansas Baseball--
Last season's college baseball national championship team will take on this season's consensus No. 1-ranked team this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium.
LSU, which beat Florida last season at the College World Series to win its seventh national title, opens a three-game series against the University of Arkansas today (Thursday) at 6 p.m.
The Razorbacks (20-3, 5-1 SEC) are atop every national poll, including the USA Today coaches rankings for the third consecutive week. They're in first place in the SEC West standings and share the overall conference lead with Kentucky.
The Tigers (20-6, 2-4) are ranked No. 7 in the coaches poll.
Game two is set for Friday at 7 p.m., with the series finale Saturday at 2 p.m.
Catch all the action on your Razorback baseball station, KXJK.
Ark Scholarship Opportunity
Current Arkansas high school juniors graduating in 2025 are eligible to apply for and win up to $17,500 in scholarship funding towards higher education.
Arkansas Rice's "Rice Reps" is a five month program designed to help educate students about the rice industry while equipping them to act as advocates in their communities and on social media.
The goal of the Rice Reps program is to encourage interest in rice promotion and to publicize the importance of the Arkansas rice industry to the state's economy.
During the program, participants will receive an inside look at the production of rice during the growing season.
After completing the program, Rice Reps can submit a scholarship application showcasing their advocacy activities.
Students must be in the graduating class of 2025 to apply.
Scholarship winners will be awarded and recognized at a final reception in October.
For more information, go to www.arkansasrice.org/rice-reps.
SFC Veterans Legal Clinic
The Veterans Justice Outreach Program announces that a Veterans Legal Clinic will be held April 2nd from 12-2 p.m. at the St. Francis County Museum in Forrest City.
The clinic will provide local veterans with assistance on:
--Expungements
--Estate Planning
--Business Law
--Landlord/Tenant Issues
These sessions are free consultation visits with legal counsel. Organizers say that meeting with an attorney at the clinic is not considered a contractual agreement or representation for a legal matter.
This event is a collaborative effort with Legal Aid of Arkansas and the St. Francis County Museum.
For more information, call 901-523-8990, Ext. 7753.
Caregiver Needed
Nanny’s Daycare in Forrest City has an open Caregiver position.
Applicants must be at least 35 years of age, have at least two years of experience working with kids and be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
This person must also be dependable, caring and have a passion for kids.
This is a full-time (at least 8-hours a day) position and entails working with children from 3 months to 11 years old.
If interested, contact Nanny’s Daycare at 870-630-8039 or pick up an application at the daycare at 415 Cleveland Street in Forrest City.
SFC Extension Report
In her educational report for the month of March, St. Francis County Family and Consumer Science Agent Marla Lane talks about the importance of monitoring your sodium intake:
Thanks Ms. Lane.
FC Library Tax Services
IRS Certified Volunteers are now offering free tax preparation services at the Forrest City Public Library.
This program offers FREE tax preparation and filing for households with an Adjusted Gross Income of $79,000 or less.
Simply drop off your tax information at the library and your completed return will be ready within three days.
Drop-off hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday only, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon and from 2-4 p.m.
Call the library at 870-633-5646 for additional evening and Saturday drop-off times.