Local and Regional News 081925

 

Weather Advisory

 

An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for the mid-south region until 8 o’clock tonight (Tuesday).

 

The National Weather Service reports that dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 112 are possible.

 

Weather experts say that heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

 

Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

 

This advisory is for portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, Southeast Missouri and West Tennessee.

 

 

Dr. Cline Announces Retirement

 

After more than 25 years of service to University of Arkansas – East Arkansas Community College, Chancellor Dr. Cathie Cline has announced her plans to retire on July 1, 2026.

 

Dr. Cline officially gave notice to Jay B. Silveria, president of the UA System, and the UA-EACC Board of Visitors last week, saying the timing of completing the institution’s 2024 merger into the UA System and the unprecedented momentum the institution has coincides with a desire to spend more time with family and move into the next phase of life.

 

Silveria said that under Dr. Cline’s leadership, UA-EACC has successfully completed a transition into the UA System family, and is set up for future success in all of the ways that a high-quality two-year college should be doing.

 

He expressed appreciation for all of the hard work, dedication, loyalty and unrelenting drive for success that Dr. Cline has shown throughout her career, adding that she will be greatly missed.

 

Silveria said he envisions a national search to be completed and a successor named before June 30, 2026. More information about the search will be announced once plans are finalized.

 

Dr. Cline was named chancellor at what was then East Arkansas Community College in 2017, being promoted from Associate Vice President for General Studies. She led the merger of EACC and Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute in 2018 under the theme of “Stronger Together.” She led the institution through regulatory approvals and its transition into the UA System in 2024.

 

Dr. Cline commented that “these two events have shaped the history of this institution more than any other”, saying they are “absolute high points” in her career.”

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**Dr. Cline will be our guest on the Morning Show Wednesday (8/20) at 7:32 a.m. to talk more about her retirement plans and the upcoming Fall Semester at UA-EACC.

 

 

FC Fire Report

 

A Forrest City residence was destroyed in a fire early Sunday (8/17).

 

Forrest City firefighters responded to a structure fire around 4:15 a.m. Sunday at 125 Dillard Street.

 

Fire Chief Jeremy Sharp reports that the unoccupied structure was fully involved in flames by the time firemen arrived.

 

The structure was a total loss. Firefighters were on the scene for nearly six hours and were back in service around 10 o’clock Sunday morning.

 

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

 

Phillips Co Barricade Situation

 

A barricade situation in Phillips County ended early Monday morning with the suspect dead. (Channel 3, Memphis)

 

According to Arkansas State Police, deputies responded to a domestic violence call around 9 o’clock Sunday night on Phillips County Road 350 in Poplar Grove.

 

Deputies discovered one victim had been assaulted and sustained serious physical injury. The victim was in stable condition at a Memphis hospital.

 

The suspect, 40-year-old Brandon Billingsly, retreated inside the home when law enforcement arrived.

 

ASP says when deputies attempted to contact Billingsly, he fired multiple shots toward officers and barricaded himself inside the home.

 

ASP units arrived and negotiated with Billingsly for more than two hours, after which SWAT teams deployed chemical agents inside the home.

 

A single shot was heard around 3 a.m., after which a robotic camera sent into the home found Billingsly dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

 

Billingsly’s body was to be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the official manner and cause of death.

 

 

Phillips Co Rescue

 

The Forrest City Fire Department’s Drone Team was called down to Phillips County Monday morning (8/18) to assist in the search for a missing 84-year-old man.

 

The Forrest City team joined first responders from the Phillips County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Coahoma County (MS) Sheriff’s Department and the Clarksdale (MS) Fire Department in the search effort.

 

Forrest City Fire Chief Jeremy Sharp stated that the man took off on his 4-wheeler from his home on Hwy 49 in the Holly Grove area around 10 o’clock Monday morning and disappeared.

 

The man reportedly suffered from dementia and had previously had a stroke.

 

After a daylong search, the man was located around 6:30 p.m. in a section of woods behind his house, trapped underneath the 4-wheeler.

 

First responders noted that he was severely dehydrated and had sustained minor burns and scrapes.

 

 

Wynne Man Charged

 

A Wynne man could face more than 1,000 years in prison if convicted on charges involving possession of child sexual abuse material. (Wynne Progress)

 

Wynne Police arrested 43-year-old Joshua Tacker Friday (8/15) on over 100 counts of distributing, possessing or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class-C Felony.

 

Wynne officers initially made contact with Tacker in 2024 during a theft investigation. During that investigation, Tacker reportedly gave police access to his phone to prove his innocence in the case.

 

Officers with the Criminal Investigation Division allegedly found more than 1,200 images on the suspect’s phone that appeared to show juveniles in sexual or inappropriate situations. Police said over 100 of those were explicitly pornographic.

 

Tacker is charged with a total of 104 counts, with each count punishable by up to 10 years in prison. If convicted on all charges, Tacker could face a maximum sentence of 1,040 years in prison.

 

 

Marianna Company to Expand

 

A California-based grain company is investing $15 million in its facilities in Marianna and in Georgia and Texas in a move to reduce its reliance on foreign cottonseed imports. (DG)

 

According to a letter sent to Sen. John Boozman earlier this month, losses in cotton acreage in West Texas resulting from a prolonged drought, have pushed the Penny Newman Grain Co. to import cottonseed from Australia.

 

In the letter, the company asked Boozman for relief from tariffs on three cottonseed orders that were placed last year.

 

According to the letter, the expansion to the company's Marianna facility, which sits on two parcels totaling 310,500 square feet, will support "loading unit trains of cottonseed" to domestic dairy markets in the western United States.

 

The company is the largest cottonseed merchandising business in the country.

 

Arkansas produces roughly 11% of the total U.S. cotton crop, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, trailing Texas and Georgia.

 

 

West Memphis Water Issue

 

The boil order remains in effect for the city of West Memphis.

 

Schools are closed again today (Tuesday) in West Memphis and city water customers have been asked to avoid water use unless absolutely necessary.

 

The City of West Memphis says that of the 30 water samples taken, 28 passed on Monday.

 

The city said the boil order will remain in effect until the two samples in question are cleared.

 

Until the “all clear” is given by the state, West Memphis City leaders are asking the public to continue boiling water and restrict water usage.

 

 

Lawsuit Settlement

 

Millions of AT&T customers could get thousands of dollars in cash payments as part of a $177 million settlement over two data breaches. (CNN)

 

The two breaches were announced in March and July of last year.

 

The first one impacted 73 million current and former customers whose information, including social security numbers, was found on the dark web.

 

The second breach included the telephone numbers of nearly all of the company’s cellular customers.

 

According to the settlement website, customers who were impacted by either breach will be eligible for a claim. The eligible customers will receive an email notice.

 

Customers who were impacted by both breaches could be eligible for up to $7,500. The deadline to submit a claim is November 18.

 

The settlement still needs to be approved, and the final approval hearing is in early December.

 

 

Sultana Museum Update

 

The opening of the new Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion has been postponed mainly for funding reasons. (DG)

 

Originally set to open on the last weekend of April 2026, the museum is now expected to open in fall 2026. A more specific date will be given in October or November of this year.

 

The museum commemorates the sinking of the Sultana, a steamboat that exploded and sank in 1865 on the Mississippi River near Marion. The incident remains the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history, killing around 1,500 people.

 

This is the second time the museum’s opening has been pushed back in less than a year. In November, the projected opening date of the museum was changed from April 2025 to April 2026 because of issues with the building’s roof.

 

The original Sultana Disaster Museum opened in 2015 in a small space at 104 Washington St. in Marion. The new museum will be at a more than 80-year-old school auditorium-gymnasium in Marion on Military Road.

 

The building will be leased to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for 99 years.

 

 

Events

 

--The Happy Dayers at Ridgewood Baptist Church in Forrest City will host a pot luck lunch Tuesday (8/19) at 12-noon and will be serving chicken & dumplings. A program will be presented by Becky Lawson. Everyone is welcome.

 

--The Lee County School District will present their annual Title I and Title V meeting, Tuesday, August 19th at 5:30 p.m. at Lee High School. Topics of discussion will include the district’s Title I designation status, School-wide Improvement Plan, Flexible Learning Program and the Parent Involvement Program.

 

--The St. Francis County Quorum Court’s Budget Committee will meet Tuesday (8/19) at 4 p.m. in the Quorum Courtroom, followed by a meeting of the full Quorum Court at 5 p.m.

 

--The City Council of Forrest City will meet Tuesday (8/19) at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

 

--A Blood Drive will be held Wednesday (8/20) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the In-Service Classroom at Forrest City Medical Center. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: ForrestCityMedicalCenter to schedule an appointment.

 

--USDA Drive-Thru Food Distributions will be held Thursday (8/21) at two locations in St. Francis County: Larry Bryant Wellness Center in Forrest City from 8-10 a.m. and at Palestine City Hall from 9-11 a.m. Recipients must live in St. Francis County and must meet income guidelines.

 

--SFC Homemakers will host their first county meeting Thursday (8/21) at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis County Museum in Forrest City. Attendees will have a chance to join or learn more about the club. Topics will include Building a Club and upcoming projects.

 

--A benefit drive-thru fish & chicken strip fry for Vita Finch will be held Saturday (8/23) from 3-6 p.m. at Ridgewood Baptist Church in Forrest City. All proceeds will go toward medical expenses. For more information or to donate, call Alicia at 870-494-6927 or Karleigh at 870-270-6276.

 

--The 43rd Anniversary of Grant & the New Gospel Voices will be Sunday (8/24) at 6:30 p.m. at the Forrest City Civic Center. The event will also honor Mr. Grant Long’s 86th birthday. MC’s for the event will be Angie Carter and Nadine Wilson. Tickets are $10 at the door. Everyone is invited to attend.

 

--The Forrest City High School Class of 1980 will have their 45th “Back Down Memory Lane” high school reunion, August 29-30. The event will feature entertainment by Trio Plus from Memphis during the Banquet/Prom night on Aug 30th. For more Information, contact Allen Glen Jones at 240-515-1361.

 

--The Palestine-Wheatley Booster Club will present the “Par for the Patriots” Golf Tournament, September 6th at Ridgecrest Country Club in Forrest City. Tee time is 9 a.m. Entry fee for the 3-man scramble tournament is $300. To register, contact Emily Crossen at 870-317-8897 or Robyn Blackwell at 870-317-6528.

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FC Man Still Missing

 

Forrest City Police report that a local man is still missing after more than a week.

 

Police report that 54-year-old Jack Montgomery was last seen leaving his residence on Linden Road around 1 p.m. Sunday, August 10th.

 

A family member stated that he walked into the woods behind the house, but never came out.

 

Montgomery is a white male, 5’8”, 160 lbs., bald, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with cut off sleeves, blue jeans and a cap.

 

His photo can currently be seen on the Forrest City PD’s Facebook page.

 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Forrest City Police at 870-633-3434.

 

 

Drive Sober Campaign

 

The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway and continues through Sept. 1 in an effort to stop impaired driving and prevent crashes over the Labor Day holiday.

 

Forrest City Police will join other local and state law enforcement agencies around the country as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign.

 

Officials say that during the 2023 Labor Day weekend, 511 crash fatalities occurred across the country; 117 of those were motorcycle riders.

 

Of the 511 fatalities, 36% involved a drunk driver. Among drivers aged 18-34 who died in crashes that weekend, nearly half were drunk.

 

NHTSA is urging everyone to make smart choices before heading out, and if drinking is planned to arrange for a sober ride in advance.

 

It was noted that marijuana and other drugs can also slow drivers’ reaction times, affect coordination and make it harder to stay in your lane.

 

For more information on this year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, please visit nhtsa.gov.

 

 

FC Job Opening

 

The City of Forrest City has a job opening for a CDL driver in their Solid Waste Department.

 

Applicants must:

--be at least 18 years of age

--have a high school diploma or GED

--possess a valid Class-A Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License

--have at least one year of truck driving experience

 

Apply at the Arkansas Workforce Center on the campus of University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.

 

 

Colt Pioneer Day

 

The Colt Community Development Corporation will sponsor the 33rd annual Colt Pioneer Day on Saturday, September 6th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the William Stone House in Colt.

 

The event will feature gospel singing by local singers and musicians, historical exhibits, along with informational and handcraft booths. There will be no fee charged for the booths. Call 501-626-7138 or 501-626-7254 if you’d like to have a booth.

Bring your appetite and enjoy the Pioneer Day’s famous beans & cornbread, along with nachos, hamburgers, hot dogs, chili pies and assorted soft drinks. Also, be sure to check out all the food items at the Snack Shack.

 

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy Colt Pioneer Day, September 6th from 9-3 at the William Stone House, located right next to Jordan’s at Hwy 1 & 306 in Colt.

 

Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

 

​Sports

 

--FC HOF-Rumble Golf Tourney--

 

The Forrest City Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rumble on the Ridge Committee are proud to announce their Inaugural Joint Golf Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Forrest City Country Club. The event marks the beginning of a new tradition that will bring the community together to support youth, sports, and scholarships.

 

The tournament will follow a 4-man scramble format with an 8:00 AM shotgun start. Entry fees are $400 per team or $100 per individual, and all proceeds will benefit scholarships and leadership development programs for student-athletes across East Arkansas.

 

Presenting Sponsors making this event possible include: Forrest City Medical Center, East Arkansas Orthopedic Clinic, Cedric Williams Insurance Agency Inc. and the St. Francis Area Development Council.

 

The community is encouraged to participate as players, sponsors, or volunteers. Exclusive sponsorship opportunities, including a $5,000 Platinum Level and various other levels are available to support event costs and maximize student impact.

 

To register or for sponsorship information, go to www.rumbleontheridgefc.com

 

For more information, contact Cedric Williams at 501-944-2217 or 870-633-3969 or Allen Perry 901-335-7339

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​​--Hall of Fame Announcement--

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The Forrest City Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 has been announced.  This year’s inductees include the Mustang  Basketball team of 2024, and former Mustangs Bryan Allen-Barton, Mark Lewis, Larry Rogers, Fareedah Washington, and Adrian Winfrey from the current era.

 

From Forrest City High school prior to 1970 the late Tommy Higgs will be honored. And from Lincoln Schools the inductees are the undefeated Lincoln Football Team of 1968, Leodis ‘Wildman’ Williams and the late Charlie Ellis. This year’s Meritorious Inductee is Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick.

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This year’s Hall of Fame Banquet will be prior to the September 5th game against longtime rival Wynne with tickets available at several locations throughout Forrest City. The Banquet will again be held at the Forrest City High School Cafeteria this year. Tickets for the banquet will go on sale August 15th and will be available at Cedric Williams State Farm Office, Delta Office Works, the High School Principal’s office, and the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce.

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SFC Extension Report

 

In her educational report for the month of August, St. Francis County Extension Agent Marla Lane talks about the importance of having healthy snack options available for the kids when they get home from school:

        (click here to listen)

 

Thanks Ms. Marla.

 

 

UA-EACC Open House

 

The University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College will host a Community Open House on Tuesday, August 19th from 5-7 p.m. at the UA-EACC Wynne Center. The public is invited to attend.

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new programs at the Wynne Center, complete applications, meet with admissions and academic advisors, receive information from financial aid and assistance with completing the FAFSA, and register for fall classes.

 

UA-EACC representatives from various programs, student services, admissions, financial aid, and other areas will be available to assist attendees and answer questions.

 

The event will also provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about opportunities through the college’s affiliation with the University of Arkansas including the UA-Fayetteville transfer scholarship, upcoming bachelor’s degrees, 2+2 transfer agreements, and more.

 

Registration for the Fall semester continues and classes begin on Monday, August 25th. The complete schedule of classes is available online at EACC.edu.

 

 

​​​UA-EACC Fall Registration

 

Registration for the Fall semester at University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College is continuing.

 

The schedule of classes is available online at EACC.edu, click on the Course Schedule link. Students will have the options of on campus, online, and blended classes for the summer and fall semesters.

 

Advising and testing for new students are available in the Welcome Center and virtually by appointment.

 

Call 870-633-4480, ext. 200 or email advising@eacc.edu to schedule an appointment for testing or to meet with an advisor.

 

Current students can register for classes online through the myEACC portal.

 

New students must submit the following:

 

--A completed "Application for Admission" form

--High school, GED, or college transcripts

--Proof of immunization

--Placement test scores

 

Financial aid opportunities and assistance completing the FAFSA are available by contacting the Financial Aid office at 870-633-4480, ext. 224 or email financialaid@eacc.edu.

 

Financial arrangements must be made with the UA-EACC Business Office before registration is completed.

 

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FCPD Offers Reward

 

Forrest City Police are continuing to investigate a “smash and grab” incident that occurred at a local pawn shop in December 2024. A reward is now being offered for information in the case.

 

Police investigators have determined that four juveniles were involved in the attempted robbery that occurred in the early morning hours on Saturday, December 7th at the EZ Cash Pawn Shop at 2301 North Washington Street in Forrest City.

 

A $1,000 cash reward is now being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. The vehicle used in the break in can currently be seen on the Forrest City PD’s Facebook page.

 

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call detectives at Forrest City PD at 870-633-3434 or call Crime Stoppers at 870-261-1499.

 

 

​​Reward Offered in FC Homicide

 

A reward is still being offered for information on the person who shot and killed a gas station clerk during a robbery in Forrest City back in May of last year.

 

The Forrest City Police Department reports that a $7,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the murder of 29-year-old Malek Wabin.

 

Wabin was shot multiple times while working behind the counter at the Pure Gas Station on South Washington Street in Forrest City back on May 11, 2024.

 

A photo of the suspect was captured on the store’s security camera and can currently be seen on the Forrest City PD’s Facebook page.

 

If you recognize the suspect or have any information that can help police, contact detectives at the Forrest City Police Department at 870-633-3434 or call Crime Stoppers at (870) 261-1499.

 

 

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