Local and Regional News 032525

 

SFC Issues Burn Ban  

 

The list of Arkansas counties under burn bans continues to grow.

 

The latest to make the list was St. Francis County, which officially declared a burn ban at 9 o’clock this (Tuesday) morning.

 

Statewide, 65 of Arkansas’ 75 counties were under burn bans this morning. That number also includes Phillips, Monroe, Cross and Woodruff counties in eastern Arkansas.

 

The only counties in the region that were not under a burn ban as of this (Tuesday) morning were Lee and Crittenden counties in east Arkansas.

 

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock says that dangerously dry conditions that contributed to the outbreak of dozens of wildfires across Arkansas last week are forecast to continue through this week.

 

Weather officials say that over the past 30 days, parts of eastern Arkansas have seen 3.5 inches below average rainfall, while other parts of the state have seen between 2 and 3 inches below average.

 

On average, the state expects to see 4.8 inches of rain in March. Experts say that “the lack of rainfall has caused drought conditions to pop up across the state.”

 

Officials say that Arkansans should be careful with any activities that could lead to a fire, anything from a campfire, to parking a car in tall, dry grass or dragging chains.

 

 

FC Man Shot

 

A Forrest City man was shot in the leg while walking down a local street late Monday afternoon (3/24).

 

The Forrest City PD’s Shot Spotter system indicated that gunshots were fired around 5:40 p.m. Monday near the intersection of East Davis and South Division streets.

 

A short time later, police were informed that a gunshot victim was being treated at Forrest City Medical Center.

 

An officer later interviewed the victim at the hospital, identifying him as 20-year-old Laron King of Forrest City.

 

Mr. King stated that he and his brother were walking north on South Division when someone in a gray Chevy Malibu pulled up alongside and started shooting, striking him in the right knee.

 

No suspects have been identified in the case. The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

FCPD Drug Arrest

 

Forrest City Police recovered over an ounce of meth during a routine traffic-stop in the city last (Monday) night.

 

A Forrest City patrol officer stopped a purple Nissan around 10:45 p.m. Monday near the school bus shop on Dawson Road.

 

The officer questioned the driver, ID’ed as 45-year-old Brian Gray of Forrest City, noting that he was acting in a nervous manner.

 

Gray admitted that there were drugs in the vehicle and consented to a search.

 

The officer found a baggie containing a crystal-like substance hidden inside a loaf of bread in the trunk of the vehicle.

 

The substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine, with a weight of 29 grams or 1.1 ounces.

 

Gray was taken into custody and booked at the St. Francis County Detention Center on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance.

 

 

Crittenden Co Arrests

 

Two men have been arrested in Crittenden County in relation to several farm shop burglaries in the area. (Wynne Progress)

 

Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen said the two suspects, identified as 32-year-old Christopher Lee Linville and 37-year-old Garrett Brown, both of Earle, were taken into custody Saturday.

 

The suspects were reportedly traveling in a Chevy S-10 truck, which matched the description of a truck used in a farm shop burglary near Earle.

 

Evidence obtained during the stop led investigators to obtain a search warrant for a residence in Earle where the two had been living.

 

Sheriff Allen said that search connected them to other farm shop burglaries in Crittenden, Cross and St. Francis counties.

 

Allen said those who may have purchased any items from the two suspects should contact authorities immediately to avoid being charged with theft by receiving.

 

Allen thanked the sheriff’s offices in Cross and St. Francis counties for their assistance in the investigation, which remains ongoing.

 

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 870-732-4444 or the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office at 870-702-2047.

 

 

Helena Man Charged

 

Little Rock Police arrested a Helena-West Helena man on a drug and weapon-related charge early Monday (3/24). (DG)

 

The police report stated that 28-year-old Christopher Haggins was arrested around 1 a.m. Monday following a routine traffic-stop in the city.

 

During questioning, officers learned that Haggins had a search waiver on file and a possible warrant.

 

Haggins was asked to exit the vehicle and when he did, he dropped a small bag containing a handgun and an undisclosed amount of marijuana.

 

Haggins was arrested at the scene on a felony charge of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

 

 

Wynne Man Arrested

 

A Wynne man was arrested on felony drug and weapon charges over the weekend. (Wynne Progress).

 

Wynne Police report that 23-year-old Kylin Cody was taken into custody shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday (3/22).

 

Cody was reportedly found to be in possession of 435 grams of marijuana, an AR-15 loaded with 52 rounds and various other calibers of ammunition.

 

Cody was booked at the Cross County Detention Center on numerous charges including:  Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, Possession of firearms by certain persons, Possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

 

HWH Infrastructure Projects

 

Infrastructure development projects at Helena Harbor -- Helena-West Helena's port on the Mississippi River -- are moving along according to schedule. (DG)

 

The projects are being funded by two separate grants from the federal Department of Transportation, totaling roughly $10 million. They include the construction of a new terminal, water tower and a rail spur.

 

John Edwards, the port's general counsel and Phillips County's economic development director, stated that they haven't yet broken ground, but that if all goes according to plan, construction could start later this year.

 

Edwards said that the infrastructure investment could have a big effect on the railroad network, which could benefit neighboring counties, like St. Francis County.

 

During a recent trip to Washington, Edwards also sought to shore up support for the city's water department but received bad news: $4.5 million earmarked for the system had been scrubbed from a six-month federal funding resolution passed earlier this month.

 

He had previously estimated that it would cost $60 million to $80 million to repair the city's water system, which has a 76.5% leak rate according to a city-commissioned Arkansas Rural Water Association rate study.

 

The city has already been allotted $24 million in funding.

 

 

Ark Gas Prices

 

Arkansas drivers will pay slightly more at the pump this week. (Channel 8, Jonesboro)

 

GasBuddy.com reported Monday that the average price of gasoline increased by 6.2 cents per gallon last week to $2.74 per gallon.

 

Gas prices in Arkansas are 3.2 cents lower than a month ago and 42.7 cents lower than last year.

 

The cheapest gas in Arkansas is $2.52 per gallon, and the most expensive is $3.19.

 

The national average price of gasoline rose to $3.08, up by 6.3 cents.

 

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, stated that “for the first time in over a month, the national average price of gasoline has risen, driven by the final step in the transition to summer gasoline prices”, which he said, “happens almost every year”.

 

 

Events

 

--The Forrest City Public Library will host special Spring Break activities for students, March 25th and 27th starting both days at 10 a.m. Call 870-633-5646 for more information.

 

--The 2025 Eastern Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference will be held Thursday, April 3rd from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Forrest City Civic Center. The conference is titled, “Revitalizing Rural Communities:  Pathways to Business Growth and Success.” On-site participants will be served free breakfast and lunch. Register by calling 1-800-482-7641 or email, dharrison@arhdc.org.

 

--A Health & Wellness Community Expo will be held April 4th from 9-2 at the James Banks Gymnasium at Lee High School in Marianna. The event will feature screening mammograms for women age 40 and above. Please bring your driver’s license & insurance cards. Call 870-295-5225 for more information.

 

--The Lee County Cemetery Association will hold a Cemetery Workshop, Saturday, April 12th at 10 a.m. at St. John M.B. Church in Marianna. The purpose of the meeting is to present information on ways to register, maintain, preserve and reclaim Lee County cemeteries. The meeting is open to the public and refreshments will be served. For questions, call Katie Jones at 870-494-5731 or Clifton Collier at 501-940-7506.

 

 

Obits

 

--Funeral service for Raymond “Ray” Marton Wood, 81, of Marianna will be Tuesday (3/25) at 2 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Forrest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at Stevens Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Sports

 

--ASU Coach Resigns--

 

After two of the most successful seasons in recent history, Arkansas State University Head Basketball Coach Bryan Hodgson has resigned to accept the Head Coaching position at the University of South Florida.

 

Hodgson was 45-28 in two seasons in Jonesboro. He led Arkansas State to the 2024 CBI Semifinals and to the 2nd round of this year’s NIT Tournament.

 

The Red Wolves set a program record with 25 wins in the 2024-25 campaign. Three of those wins came against teams that made the NCAA Tournament, including a win over the University of Memphis in December. 

 

A-State also captured their first Sun Belt regular season championship since 1998 and reached the SBC Tournament title game in 2024 and 2025.

 

ASU will immediately begin a national search for the next head men’s basketball coach.

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SFC Travel Warning

 

St. Francis County Judge Craig Jones is warning area motorists to not try to go around the barricades that have placed on SFC 774, south of Widener.

 

Judge Jones posted last week that the river below the bridge has formed a whirlpool and caused the road next to the bridge to give way, making this a very dangerous situation.

 

He said that the road has been closed for a while, but people are still driving around the barricades.

 

He said that crews have redone the barricades and put concrete culverts in place to keep people from driving on this road.

 

He warns that if you circumvent the barricades, you are doing so at your own risk, adding that failure to take heed could easily result in serious injury or death.

 

Judge Jones says this a county road but that it’s under the jurisdiction of the St. Francis Levee District and is maintained by the U.S. Corp of Engineers.

 

Officials with the Corp of Engineers say that this is the first project on their list, but that the price tag to fix the problem is well over a million dollars and they are waiting to secure the funding.

 

 

FC Business Conference

 

The 2025 Eastern Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference will be held at the Civic Center in Forrest City on Thursday April 3rd.

 

A news release from Arkansas Human Development Corporation said the purpose of the conference is to provide small and emerging businesses with the skills, tools, and contacts needed to grow their business.

 

Other participants include the City of Forrest City, the Small Business Administration, and others.

 

The April 3rd conference will be from 8:30 to 2 and will feature in-person and Zoom participation. In-person is limited to 75 so while the event is free to the public, registration is encouraged.

 

More details about the conference and registration will be coming in the next few days.

 

 

​​Clinton Series Applications

 

High school students can now apply to join the Clinton Presidential Center’s Student Presidential Leaders Series, which will include a total of 50 students.

 

The free, yearlong program focuses on developing leadership skills, exploring inclusivity and encouraging civic participation for students through a series of in-person and virtual sessions.

 

Applications will remain open through May 1, and the first weekend-long summer retreat session is scheduled for July 25 through July 27.

To apply and learn more details about the program, visit www.clintonfoundation.org.

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FC T-Ball Registration

 

The City of Forrest City Recreation Department announces that T-Ball registration is going on now through April 11th.

 

The T-Ball program is for boys & girls, ages 4-6 years old.

 

The registration fee is $20.

 

Contact Jarvis Palmer or Seccer Cole at 870-633-3667 for more information.

 

 

UA-EACC Gallery Exhibit

 

The University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College Gallery in Forrest City presents Work on Paper, an exhibition by EACC art instructor and artist Remy Miller of Lakeland, Tennessee. 

 

The exhibit will run through Monday, March 31st.  

 

Miller has been teaching various art courses at EACC since fall 2019.  Prior to that, he was a faculty member and later served as dean/vice president of academics at Memphis College of Art where he taught for 30 years. 

 

The UA-EACC Gallery is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., or as scheduled for special group tours. There is no charge for admission.  For more information, call 870-633-4480, ext. 352 or visit the website at www.eacc.edu.

 

 

FC Cleanup Campaign

 

The City of Forrest City will conduct their spring Clean-up Day on Saturday, April 12th from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

 

Local residents are invited to join in for a day of giving back to Forrest City community as part of the annual Keep Arkansas Beautiful campaign.

 

Volunteers will meet at City Hall at 8:30 a.m. to pick up supplies and limited quantity volunteer T-shirts.

 

City officials are looking for high school and college students who need volunteer hours, as well as local churches and group organizations to come together and make this event a success.

 

For more information, call City Hall at 870-633-1315 or email, shenderson@cityofforrestcityar.com.

 

 

​​SFC Extension Report

 

When it comes to your health, there are eight areas of wellness to consider.

 

St. Francis County Extension Agent Marla Lane has more details in her educational report for the month of March:   

                (click here to listen)

 

Thanks Ms. Marla.

 

 

​​​FCSD Math Tutoring Available

 

Forrest City High School is excited to present the Math Learning Institute, an opportunity for students to enhance their math skills in Algebra I and Geometry.

 

The goal is to make math engaging and accessible for everyone while providing the support students need to succeed.

 

Tutoring sessions led by the district’s dedicated teachers will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

 

An afternoon meal will be provided for all attendees.

 

For more information, call 870-633-1464 or email Donesha.Boyd@fcsd.grsc.k12.ar.us.

 

 

​​FC Library Tax Preparation

 

The Forrest City Public Library is offering free tax preparation and filling services for area households with an Adjusted Gross Income of $67,000 or less.

 

Tax-related documents can be dropped off at the library, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Documents you’ll need to provide include a state-issued picture ID and Social Security cards for yourself and your spouse (if applicable), also all W-2’s & 1099’s, plus information on all other sources of income. A copy of your previous year tax return will also be helpful.

 

Your completed return will be ready within three days.

 

Call the library at 870-633-5646 for more information.

 

 

​​​​​LIHEAP Underway

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Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP), which covers all 75 counties in Arkansas, are now being accepted. (Channel 8, Jonesboro)

 

Anyone wanting to apply must provide the following items:

--A photo ID

--Social Security card (household members aged 18 or older)

--Social Security numbers (household members younger than age 18)

--Copies of your most recent utility bills

--Proof of income

--Proof of residency

 

The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment says LIHEAP only applies to residential applicants, not businesses.

 

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 30.

 

For questions about the application process, contact your county’s organization.

 

In St. Francis County, call the Crowley’s Ridge Development Council in Forrest City at 870-630-0193.

 

 

​​​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.

 

 

​​​FC After School Meals

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The Forrest City School District has opened its 2024-25 After School Meals Program.

 

Meals will be served at Central Elementary School, Stewart Elementary School, and Forrest City Junior High School on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 2025.

 

Forrest City High School will serve meals Monday through Wednesday through May 2025.

 

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲:

--𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 - 𝟯:𝟰𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟰:𝟭𝟱 𝗽.𝗺.

--𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 - 𝟯:𝟯𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟰:𝟭𝟱 𝗽.𝗺.

--𝗙𝗖𝗝𝗛𝗦 - 𝟯:𝟯𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟰 𝗽.𝗺.

--𝗙𝗖𝗛𝗦 - 𝟯:𝟯𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟰:𝟭𝟱 𝗽.𝗺.

 

All meals will be served at the school cafeteria on each campus and must be eaten on site.​

 

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