Local and Regional News 051225

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SFC Shooting Investigation 051225

Monday

 

A nine-year-old boy was injured in a 

shooting incident at a residence in Madison Saturday (5/10) night.  A suspect is in custody. 

 

St. Francis County Sheriff's investigators report that the shooting happened around 10 p.m. Saturday inside an apartment at 119 Hadley St. in Madison.

 

The victim sustained injuries to his side and to his right hand. He was taken to Forrest City Medical Center, then transferred to LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis where he was listed in" stable" condition. 

 

The suspect, 19-year-old Jaquan Oliver of Forrest City, was arrested at the scene on charges of 1st degree battery and three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

 

Sheriff's investigators believe that the shooting was accidental.

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School Election

 

Early voting for the May 13th School Board/Special Election wraps up today (Monday), with poll locations open until 4:30 p.m.

 

There are several contested School Board races in the area:

 

Forrest City School Board:

--Pos. 2 (At Large):  Roy Hamilton (incumbent) vs Tamara Johnson

 

Zone 2: (3 candidates)

--Dywarn Barden Dawson

--Cleola Seward

--Angela Crippen

**(Incumbent Sandra Taylor did not file for re-election

 

Wynne School Board

Zone 5: (3 candidates)

--Matt Hodges (Incumbent)

--Leanne Lovell

--Sherry Wooten Gillon

 

Cross County School Board

Zone 1: Ashley Mitchell Armstrong (Incumbent) vs Pete Imboden V

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The May 13th ballots will also include several “Special Election” items in St. Francis & Cross counties:

 

St. Francis County:  ½ cent sales tax proposal

 

Cross County: 

Parkin Mayor’s race (3 candidates): 

--Samuel Lee Harris

--Carolyn Slaughter (current appointed mayor)

--Diane Patterson (former mayor who was recalled last November)

 

--City of Cherry Valley:  one-cent sales tax renewal

--City of Parkin:  sales tax renewal with increase from 1 percent to 2 percent

 

Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday (5/13) from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

 

FC Shots Fired

 

Two vehicles were hit by gunfire on Cherry Street early Sunday morning (5/11).

 

The Forrest City PD’s Shot Spotter system indicated that approximately 16 gunshots were fired in the area around 2:47 a.m. Sunday.

 

Officers responded to the area and recovered 23 spent shell casings in the driveway and yard area of 918 Cherry Street.

 

A 2017 Hyundai Tucson parked in the front yard at 918 Cherry Street and a 2019 Chevy Silverado parked at 910 Cherry Street were both hit multiple times by gunfire.

 

No injuries were reported, and no suspects have been identified in the case. Police are investigating.

 

 

FCPD IDs Suspect

 

Forrest City Police have identified a possible suspect in a reported shooting incident that occurred outside a local residence Friday evening (5/9).

 

Patrol officers were dispatched to the area of 209 South Powell Street around 7:45 p.m. Friday to investigate reports of a woman in the area with a handgun.

 

A witness told police that she was inside her residence when she heard gunshots. She said when she went outside, she saw a female subject armed with a handgun.

 

She said the woman pointed the gun at her and began waving it around. The witness said she ran back inside to call police at which point the suspect ran from the scene.

 

Police later located the suspect standing in the middle of South Powell Street dancing. When the suspect saw the officer, she jumped into her vehicle and drove away.

 

The officer pursued the car to the 2100 block of West Broadway where the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

 

The suspect was able to elude capture, but police did recover a .380 caliber handgun and 7.5 grams of marijuana inside the vehicle.

 

Police have a possible ID on the suspect and an arrest is pending.

 

 

FCPD Felony Arrest

 

Forrest City Police arrested a convicted felon on a gun charge Saturday morning (5/10).

 

Forrest City Police officers were inside the local McDonald’s restaurant around 7 a.m. Saturday when an employee informed them that a woman in the drive-thru was asking for police assistance.

 

The officers went out and directed to the woman to pull over into a parking space. She told police that her passenger, 44-year-old Cecil Ray Aldridge, had pointed a gun at her head.

 

Aldridge was removed from the vehicle and officers searched the car, recovering a handgun underneath the passenger seat.

 

Aldridge was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the county jail on a felony charge of possession of a firearm by a certain person.

 

 

FC Man Charged

 

A Forrest City man was arrested on a felony weapon charge Sunday afternoon (5/11).

 

Forrest City Police officers were dispatched to the Save Inn on East Broadway around 4:30 p.m. Sunday to investigate reports of a man in a black Kia waving a gun around.

 

Officers spotted a vehicle fitting that description a short time later at Hill and Forrest streets and made a traffic-stop.

 

A search of the vehicle uncovered a Draco AK-47 style pistol with a fully loaded 60-round clip.

 

A background check of the two occupants determined that the driver, 47-year-old Roger Hill of Forrest City, was a convicted felon.

 

Hill was arrested without incident and transported to the county jail where he was booked on a charge of possession of a firearm by a certain person.

 

 

Wynne Police Arrest

 

A man was arrested by Wynne Police officers Thursday morning (5/8) following a tip to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children hotline.

 

Captain Daniel Getchell of the Wynne Police Department reports that 33-year-old Aaron Holland was arrested without incident around 10 a.m. Thursday.

 

Holland is currently being held in the Cross County Detention Center on charges of rape, sexual indecency with a child and offensive relations with a child.

 

The incident was investigated by officers of the Wynne Police Department and the St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

FDA Substance Ban

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is sounding the alarm on a dangerous and growing health trend that could seriously harm you. (CNN)

 

The FDA issued a warning Thursday against the use of a “gas station heroin” known as tianeptine.

 

Products containing the chemical are available at convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops and online retailers, but the FDA has not approved tianeptine for any use.

 

The FDA said daily use poses a major risk to young people’s health.

 

Some of the symptoms of ingesting the product include agitation, coma, confusion, nausea, vomiting and even death

 

The FDA has taken steps to protect the public by sending warning letters to companies that sell tianeptine products.

 

 

McDonalds Bans Kids

 

A McDonald’s location in Virginia is turning heads with its new policy: no one under the age of 21 is allowed to dine inside the restaurant.

 

A sign posted at the entrance of the restaurant says the policy was implemented “due to repeated incidents of student violence,” and was implemented to “protect staff, guests and the community.”

 

Adults are asked to ring the doorbell to be let in. Drive-thru and mobile ordering options remain available to all ages.

 

The McDonald’s sits near a local school district in Fairfax County and has been a popular lunchtime and after-school hangout.

 

 

Events

 

--A crochet class will be held Monday (5/12) at 4 p.m. at the Forrest City Public Library. This class is for beginners to experts, allowing participants to work at their own pace. Call 870-633-5646 for more information.

 

--Palestine-Wheatley Kindergarten graduation will be Monday (5/12) at 5:30 p.m. at the High School Gym.

 

--Forrest City Junior High School Cheer Clinic will be held today (Monday) and Tuesday (5/13) from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Music Room. Tryouts will be held Wednesday at 4:30 PM.

 

--The Forrest City A&P Commission will meet Tuesday (5/13) at 9 a.m. at the local Chamber of Commerce.

 

--Revival Services will be held May 13th-15th at 7 o’clock nightly at Lane Chaple CME Church at 821 West Scott Street in Forrest City. Guest speakers will be, Tuesday:  Pastor Marvin Norman of Tabernacle of Faith in Wynne; Wednesday:  Pastor Walter Johnson of United Christian in Forrest City and Thursday:  Pastor Allen Calvert of Connect Point of Forrest City. Ronald Williams is the host Pastor.

 

--Palestine Wheatley High School Graduation will be Tuesday (5/13) at 7 p.m. at the football field.

 

--A free Record Sealing Clinic will be held Wednesday (5/14) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brinkley City Hall. Call 501-676-2721 for more information.

 

--USDA food distribution in St. Francis County will be Thursday, May 15th at two locations:  Larry Bryant Center in Forrest City from 8-10 a.m. and at Palestine City Hall from 9-11 a.m.

 

--The Forrest City School Board will meet Thursday (5/15) at 5:30 p.m. at the Jr. High School Library.

 

--A Piano and Organ Concert-Graduation Recital featuring Chandler Freligh will be held Saturday (5/17) at 3 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 400 Hill Ave. in Forrest City.

 

--A celebration to honor Mother Elizabeth Wirt will be held Sunday, May 18th, at 3 p.m. at Whole Bible Church #2 located at 311 North 5th Street in Madison.

 

--The Anointed Voices of Victory will celebrate their 12th Anniversary, Sunday (5/18) at 7 p.m. at the Forrest City Civic Center. Tickets are $10 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.

 

--A representative from Legal Aid of Arkansas will be at the Forrest City Public Library, Tuesday, May 20th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call the library at 870-633-5646 to make an appointment.

 

 

Sports

 

--Razorback Sports--

 

Baseball

The No. 2 Razorbacks avoided a series sweep with a 7-4 win over No. 4 LSU on Sunday (5/11) at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.

 

Arkansas (41-11, 18-9) moved a game ahead of the Tigers and pulled back within two games of No. 1 Texas at the top of the SEC standings with three to play.

 

The Razorbacks finish up the regular season at home on Thursday through Saturday against No. 12 Tennessee.

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Softball

Arkansas has earned the No. 4 overall seed for the NCAA Softball Tournament and will host a regional that includes (2) Oklahoma State, (3) Indiana and (4) Saint Louis.

 

The Razorbacks will face the regional’s fourth-seeded Billikens (34-22) at 5:30 p.m. Friday on ESPN+.

 

Arkansas (40-12) tied the 2022 team for the highest national seed in program history.

 

It is the third time the Razorbacks have garnered a top-8 seed, meaning Arkansas would host a super-regional should it advance from its home regional.

 

The Razorbacks earned their 14th NCAA Tournament berth, eight of which have come under 10th-year coach Courtney Deifel.

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EACC Tour Planned

 

The public is invited to join UA-EACC for a tour of James Hayes' Glass Art Studio in Pine Bluff on Tuesday, May 20th from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

The fee is $125, which includes transportation, lunch, studio entry and a tour.

 

Call 870-633-4480, ext. 333 to register or for more information.

 

 

SFC Extension Report

 

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

In her educational report for the month of May, St. Francis County Extension Agent Marla Lane has a few self-care tips for improving your mental health:  

                (click here to listen)

 

Thanks Ms. Marla.

 

 

UA-EACC Practical Nursing Program

 

University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College is proud to offer a High School Practical Nursing Program.

 

The 10-month program is designed to equip students with real-world nursing skills, hands-on clinical experience and a solid foundation for a successful healthcare career.

 

All tuition and fees are paid for by the Office of Skills Development.

 

For more information, call 870-633-4480, ext. 358 or contact Jessica Pettus by email, jpettus@eacc.edu.

 

 

​​FC Health Fair Planned

 

The City of Forrest City will host a Community Health Fair on July 12th at the Larry S. Bryant Multipurpose Center and they’re looking for vendors, health professionals, and wellness organizations to help make this event a success.

 

Th event would be a good fit for vendors who offer health screenings, fitness tips, healthy food options or wellness products.

 

The city is also looking for passionate and energetic volunteers to lead Yoga, Chair Pilates, and Line Dance sessions during the Health Fair.

 

If you or someone you know is certified or experienced in teaching these activities, contact City Hall at 870-633-1315. 

 

 

FC Spring Cleaning

 

This time of year, many area residents are diving into some much-needed spring cleaning.

 

The City of Forrest City encourages residents to bring unwanted items to the City Shop at 377 Farr Street between the hours of 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.

 

Items that cannot be accepted include flammable liquids, paints, chemicals, bricks or stones.

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The city would also like to remind residents to please place yard waste like grass and leaves on the curb, not in the street.

 

Officials say putting it in the road can clog storm drains and cause flooding.

 

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FCPD Offers Reward

 

Forrest City Police are continuing to investigate a “smash and grab” incident that occurred at a local pawn shop earlier this month. 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 this 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 11th.

 

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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