Local and Regional News 123125

 

FC Man Charged

 

A Forrest City man was arrested Tuesday morning (12/30) for allegedly stealing from a local convenience store.

 

Forrest City patrol officers were dispatched to the Jordan’s location on North Washington Street Tuesday morning where workers told officers that two men had stolen merchandise from the store and had walked over to McDonald’s and gotten into a maroon van.

 

Officers located the two, identifying one of the men as 40-year-old Kevin Allen of Forrest City.

 

Allen initially gave officers a false name which led to a charge of obstructing governmental operations.

 

Police say Allen is a convicted felon and is on parole. He is currently being held at the county jail on a hold for another agency.

 

 

Cross Co Car-Train Collision

 

A Georgia man was injured in a car-train collision north of Fair Oaks shortly after 5 p.m. Monday (12/29). (Wynne Progress)

 

Cross County Sheriff David West said the driver was traveling west from U.S. 49 on Cross County Road 154 when he apparently pulled into the path of the northbound train.

 

U.S. 49 was blocked for about an hour to allow for an Air Evac helicopter to land and transport the man to Regional One Health in Memphis where he was listed in stable condition.

 

The Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department, Cross County Sheriff’s Office, Southern EMS and Watts Wrecker Service all responded to the scene of the accident.

 

 

SNAP Restrictions

 

Starting January 1st, Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits. (DG)

 

Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

 

Federally approved restrictions in Arkansas are set to begin July 1.

 

 

Holiday Trash Schedules

 

The City of Forrest City’s Sanitation Department will be closed Thursday (1/1) in observance of the New Year’s holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Friday, January 2nd.

 

Residents are advised to place their trash carts at the curb on their regular schedule to ensure proper garbage collection.

 

The St Francis County Courthouse will be closed on Thursday January 1st and will reopen on Friday January 2nd.

 

County trash pickup will be on the delayed schedule. For customers who have their trash picked up on Thursday this week, it will be on Friday.

 

If your trash is usually picked up on Friday, it will be on Saturday. If your trash is picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday this week, it will be on its regular schedule.

 

 

Events

 

--The Forrest City Public Library will close early on Dec. 31st and will be closed January 1st for the New Year holiday.

 

--The Forrest City Public Library will hold their month book sale on Monday (1/5). Books will sell for $3 per bag and the bags will be provided. Plus, you choose the books.

 

--The City Council of Forrest City will meet Tuesday (1/6) at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

Obits

 

--Funeral service for Connie Sue Hendrix, 79, of Marianna will be Wednesday (12/31) at 11 a.m. at the Marianna Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Moro. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at Marianna Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Carolyn Ann McClendon, 61, of Palestine will be Wednesday (12/31) at 2 p.m. at Connect Point Church in Forrest City. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery in Gill. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Deloris Payne Houston, 48, of Palestine, will be Saturday (1/3) at 11:00 a.m. at United Christian Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of the arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Deloris Payne Houston, 48, of Palestine, will be Saturday (1/3) at 11:00 a.m. at United Christian Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Stanley Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of the arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Mr. Ira Hill, age 93, will be Saturday (1/3) at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gillian MB Church in Moro. Burial will follow at Gill Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Marianna Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Mother Ethel Mae Young, 74, of Forrest City, will be Saturday (1/3) at 2:00 p.m. at Saints' Temple Church of God in Christ. Burial will follow at Casteel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Miles Mortuary, which is in charge of the arrangements.

 

--A memorial service for Myrtle “Lou” Jackson, 88, of Memphis, formerly of Forrest City, will be Saturday (1/3) at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Church of God in Forrest City. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Carolyn Cleveland Hill, 75, of Moro will be Saturday (1/3) at 2 p.m. at New Hope MB Church in Moro. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Marianna Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

--A memorial service for Elizabeth Faye Watson, 73, of Forrest City will be Saturday (1/3) at 3 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be Saturday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Sports

 

--High School Basketball--

 

The Forrest City Lady Mustangs lost a close one to Pulaski Academy Tuesday (12/30) in the second round of the Big River Steel Classic in Manila. Final score was 40-38.

 

With the loss, the Lady Mustangs move into the loser’s bracket and will play for third place today (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. against Florence, MS.

 

Player of the Game honors in Tuesday’s game went to sophomore guard Daijah Bradley, who finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

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In other basketball action on Tuesday:

 

Sr. Boys

--Palestine-Wheatley over Cross County, 50-24

 

--Paschal Named Coach of the Year--

 

Cross County Thunderbirds football coach Van Paschal has been named the 2025 Coach of the Year by the Arkansas Sports Network. (Wynne Progress)

 

The award was open to public voting on social media.

 

Paschal led the T-Birds to the Class 2A state championship this past season in his second year as head coach at Cherry Valley.

 

Cross County’s only previous state title in football came in 1984.

 

Paschal said he knew entering the post-season that the T-Birds had what it took to go the distance.

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Ark Grocery Tax Discontinued

 

With 2026 around the corner, more than a dozen new laws will take effect across Arkansas, including one aimed at easing the cost of everyday necessities. (Channel 4, Little Rock)

 

Among the most closely watched by consumers is Act 1008, which removes the state’s 0.125% sales tax on groceries. (Channel 4, Little Rock)

 

State lawmakers say the change is intended to provide ongoing financial relief as food prices continue to rise. While local sales taxes on groceries remain in place, the state portion of the tax will be eliminated.

 

While the state says the changes will provide long-term relief, many Arkansans will be watching closely to see whether the savings are enough to ease everyday financial pressures when the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

 

 

Student Loan Repayment

 

(AP) — The federal government will begin garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who are in default early next year.

 

Notices will be sent to approximately 1,000 borrowers the week of January 7, with more notices to come at an increasing scale each month.

 

Millions of borrowers are considered in default, meaning they are 270 days past due on their payments. Borrowers must be given 30 days notice before their wages can be garnished.

 

In May, the federal government ended the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments, beginning to collect on defaulted debt through withholding tax refunds and other federal payments to borrowers.

 

 

First Responder Support

 

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding the public that first responders across the state continue to face heightened levels of stress, burnout, and emotional strain during this time of year.

 

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and correctional personnel work around the clock through the holidays, often missing family traditions to ensure the safety of their communities.

 

Research consistently shows that first responders experience higher levels of occupational stress and burnout than the general population, and these pressures often increase during the holiday season.

 

Organizational strategies such as peer support programs, chaplaincy services, mental health resources, and improved staffing models are critical components of DPS and Arkansas State Police wellness efforts.

 

DPS is also calling on Arkansans to play an active role in supporting first responders this holiday season. Simple gestures like expressing gratitude, offering patience at crash scenes or during emergency responses, or acknowledging the sacrifices made by responders and their families — can have a meaningful impact on morale.

 

Community organizations, churches, and civic groups are also encouraged to partner with local agencies to provide meals, family support, or holiday resources for first responder households.

 

 

​​​Ark Drunk Driving Campaign

 

Arkansas sate and local law enforcement officers are stepping up patrols this holiday season to keep impaired drivers off the road.

 

The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will continue through January 1st in an effort to prevent crashes and save lives.

 

Officials say the winter holidays are among the most dangerous times of the year for motorists due to traffic crashes involving drunk drivers.

 

Between 2019 and 2023, just over 4,900 people were killed in December crashes involving an impaired driver.

 

During the campaign, state troopers, local police and sheriff’s deputies will be out in full force to identify and remove impaired drivers from area roadways.

 

Officials are asking everyone to make smart choices, plan ahead, and help ensure that every celebration ends safely, adding that “drunk driving is 100% preventable.”

 

Anyone who spots a suspected drunk driver should contact local law enforcement immediately.

 

For more information about impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

 

 

Winter LIHEAP Program

 

The Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC) is now taking applications for the Winter LIHEAP utility assistance program.

 

Documentation required when submitting an application includes:

 

--proof of income for all household members, 18 years and older

--state or government issued ID

--Social Security Cards for all household members

--birthdates of every household member

--printed copy of all utility bills

 

No applications will be accepted unless all required documentation is presented at the time of interview.

 

In St. Francis County, applications for regular and crisis assistance are being accepted Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 

The St. Francis County CRDC office is now located in the Workforce Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.

 

 

UAEACC ServSafe Class

 

UA-EACC will provide a ServSafe Manager Certification course in January designed to equip food service professionals with the essential knowledge and skills in food safety and sanitation.

 

The course will be held January 7th & 8th, both days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Classroom B-129.

 

Arkansas regulations require every food service establishment to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. This manager must pass a food safety exam accredited by the Conference for Food Protection or an equivalent exam.

 

This certification course fully meets all Arkansas Department of Health requirements. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate, valid for five years.

 

For more information or to register for the upcoming class, call 870-633-4480, ext. 333 or email nhess@eacc.edu.

 

 

​​​​​​​​​​​FCSD Supper Program

 

The Forrest City School District’s “At-Risk After School Supper Program” is underway.

 

Meals will be provided to children 18 years old and younger without charge at the following sites and times:

 

• Forrest City High School 3:20-4:00 p.m.

• Forrest City Jr. High School 3:30-4:00 p.m.

• Stewart Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.

• Central Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.

 

Forrest City High School will serve meals each Monday-Wednesday through

May 2026.

 

Central Elementary, Forrest City Jr. High and Stewart Elementary will serve meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through May 2026.

 

All meals must be eaten on site.

 

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.

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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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