YOUR LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS
WEATHER ADVISORY
January 14
A winter storm “watch” is in effect for the mid-south region from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.
The National Weather Service says that heavy wet snow is possible, with total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in some areas.
Motorists are advised that travel could be “very difficult” in parts of the advisory area.
This weather advisory is for portions of east Arkansas, north Mississippi and west Tennessee.
GREEN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
January 14
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk Bette S. Green announced today (Friday) that she will retire at the end of her current term, which is Dec. 31st of this year.
Ms. Green started her career in public service in 1972, working for the late St. Francis County Clerk, Dorothy C. Bernard. In 1974, she moved to the Circuit Clerk’s officer under the late clerks Cecil McFall and W.C. “Bill” Gatling, respectively.
After spending 15 years as Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk, Green was elected to the office in 1989. She has held the seat for the last 33 years.
In her announcement, Ms. Green expressed her thanks to the citizens of St. Francis County for their support during her years of dedicated service and commitment to county government.
Ms. Green is the wife of the late H.N. Green and the mother of Sarah Harris.
HWH HOMICIDE
January 14
A woman was critically injured in a shooting in Helena-West Helena on Thursday. The shooter is still at large. (Channel 3, Memphis)
Helena-West Helena Police said that the 21-year-old victim was a passenger in a vehicle at a stop sign on Sebastian Street in front of the Public Works Building at the time of the shooting.
Someone reportedly walked up to the car, pulled out a gun and began shooting. The victim was reportedly hit several times in the head area. Police say there was also a 1-year-old child in the backseat of the vehicle.
The woman was airlifted to Regional One in Memphis where she was listed in critical, but stable condition.
Police are searching for the suspect in the case, ID’ed as 19-year-old Xavier Arter.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Helena-West Helena PD at (870)-572-3441.
SFC SHOT SCHEDULE
January 13
The St. Francis County Health Department will distribute the 2nd dose of the pediatric Covid-19 vaccine for Forrest City School District students ages 5-11 on the following schedule:
Jan. 20 - Central Elementary
Jan. 21st - Stewart Elementary
Jan. 20 - Sixth Grade Academy
Parents are urged to please make sure that their child is observing the Forrest City School District’s mask mandate as they continue to battle Covid.
For more information, contact nurse supervisor Becky Myers at 633-3230, ext. 507 or by email, becky.myers@fcmustangs.net.
ARK VIRUS UPDATE
January 14
Almost 13,000 new covid-19 cases were reported Thursday, setting a daily record for the seventh time in two weeks as the omicron variant surges through Arkansas.
With the 12,990 cases added Thursday, Arkansas has had a cumulative of 653,789 cases since the pandemic began.
Another 66 patients were hospitalized with Covid, bringing the total to 1,251.
With new cases outpacing recoveries, the number of cases in the state that were considered active rose to 79,348 -- the highest number since the first case in the pandemic was identified in Arkansas in March 2020.
The state's death toll from the virus rose by 18 to 9,390.
Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the Health Department's chief medical officer, said in an email that a second shipment of rapid tests was distributed Thursday.
Testing continued to be high with 21,555 tests reported Thursday.
The current positivity rate of the tests is at 32.1%.
The number of individuals fully immunized increased by 1,933, to just over 1.5 million, or 53.6%, of Arkansans ages 5 years and older. As of Thursday, nearly half a million third vaccine doses had been administered.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
January 14
--The Forrest City Education Association will host its annual MLK Holiday Program virtually on Monday, January 17th at 11:00 am. via Zoom. Pastor Alvin Coleman, Jr. of the 15th Street Church of God in Christ in West Memphis will be the featured speaker. The public is invited to participate. For more information, contact President Doreen Johnson at 870-261-3905.
--The City Council of Forrest City will meet Tuesday (1/18) at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
--The Democratic Party of St. Francis County will meet Thursday, January 20th at 6:00 pm in the upstairs courtroom at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
--The regular quarterly meeting of the St. Francis County Indigent Care Board will be Wednesday, January 26th at 11 a.m. at the Forrest City Medical Center In-Service Classroom.
--Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Thursday, January 27th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the In-Service Classroom at Forrest City Medical Center. To make an appointment, go to www.RedCrossBlood.org or use the Red Cross Donor App. Enter “ForrestCityMedicalCenter” in the search to see a list of available appointment times.
FCSD RESOURCE CENTER
January 13
The Forrest City School District Family Resource Center is now open on the ABC Pre-School Campus at 149 N. Water St.
The Clothes Closet is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Emergency food services are also available daily.
For confidential appointments, please call LaSandra Bean at 870-633-1485, ext. 130.
FC HOLIDAY TRASH SCHEDULE
January 13
The City of Forrest City Public Works Department will be closed Monday (1/17) for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
That’s means there will be no residential or commercial trash pickups made that day. Here is the make-up schedule for next week:
--Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday
--Tuesday’s will be picked up on Wednesday
--Wednesday’s pickups will be on Thursday
--Thursday and Friday’s trash will be picked on Friday
Public Works Director Darin Flenoy apologizes for any inconvenience.
If you have any questions or concerns, call 870-261-1418.
ARK SCHOOL COVID NUMBERS
January 14
The Arkansas Department of Health reports that as of Thursday, the following school districts were reporting at least 5 active confirmed cases of Covid-19:
St. Francis County
--Forrest City School District: 58
--Palestine-Wheatley School District: 33
Crittenden County
--Earle School District: 11
--Marion School District: 201
--West Memphis School District: 15
Cross County
--Cross County School District: 20
--Wynne School District: 138
Craighead County
--Jonesboro School District: 163
To help parents ensure their child’s safety, the Arkansas Department of Health provides a report each Monday and Thursday on educational institutions in the state with five or more cases reported.
EACC REGISTRATION
January 14
East Arkansas Community College is open for Spring registration today (Friday) with limited staff. Registration and other student services are open and staff is available to provide assistance. EACC President Dr. Cathie Cline said the decision have limited staff on campus is in response to the surge in Covid cases. Dr. Cline said quote, “ Hopefully the limited staff/work day will help avoid an on campus surge of Covid and/or the flu”. EACC will be closed Monday for the holiday and the Spring 22 semester will get underway Tuesday the 18th.
OBITS
January 14
--Graveside service for Kevin Earl Hamilton, 46, of Clarendon, formerly of Marvell will be Saturday (1/15) at 10 a.m. at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Branscumb Chapel. Branscumb, Johnson and Gilchrest Funeral Home of Brinkley is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Alga Jones, 56, of Forrest City will be Saturday (1/15) at 11 a.m. at the Larry S. Bryant Multipurpose Center. Burial will follow at Scott Bond Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Miles Mortuary of Forrest City, which is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Timmie Levell White, 60, of Rondo will be Saturday (1/15) at 11 a.m. at Sequell Church in Rondo. Burial will follow at Sequell Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 12-4 p.m. at Marianna Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Lillie Wofford Nelson, 76, of Widener will be Saturday (1/15) at 1 p.m. at Cornerstone MB Church. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Miles Mortuary of Forrest City, which is in charge of arrangements.
--Funeral service for Farrah Butler, 44, of Brinkley will be Saturday (1/15) at 1 p.m. at Anointed Temple Church of God in Christ in Brinkley. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley. A walk-through viewing will be Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. McNeal-Coleman Funeral Home of Brinkley is in charge of arrangements.
--A memorial service for Jacqueline Cupples, 66, of Forrest City will be Saturday (1/15) at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church on North Rosser Street. Stevens Funeral Home of Forrest City is in charge of arrangements.
--Graveside service for Deontrell Tyrell Coulter, age 3 months, of Forrest City will be Saturday (1/15) at 4 p.m. at Forrest City Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday starting at 3 p.m. at Miles Mortuary of Forrest City, which is in charge of arrangements.
--A memorial service for Connie LeRoyal Taylor Edwards, 59, of Detroit, formerly of Forrest City will be Sunday (1/16) at 11 a.m. at the Forrest City Civic Center. Miles Mortuary of Forrest City is in charge of arrangements.
SENATOR INGRAM REPORT
January 14
In his radio address this week, State Senator Keith Ingram talked about the historic income tax cuts that took effect January 1.
Here’s Senator Ingram:
Thanks Senator Ingram.