|
Justices Approve Tax Levy, Two Other Ordinances The regular meeting of the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, November 13, was a short and routine one. The justices approved the annual tax levy ordinance and two more ordinances and heard a series of reports. During the meeting, County Judge Emory Austin presented plaques of appreciation to Irene Reed, widow of District 8 JP Nathaniel "Beby" Reed, and Dorothy Young, widow of District 2 JP Jim Young. Reed had served on the quorum court since 1991, and Young had served on the quorum court for the past three years. Both of the quorum court members died in September.
Functioning in their constitutional duty as a levying court, the justices approved the tax levy ordinance for all units of government in the county. The ordinance sets the personal and real tax rates for 2007 which will be collected in 2008. The only change from the current levy is in the Hamburg School District where the voters approved an increase of 4.5 mills, from 31 to 35.5 mills in the September school election for new facilities and renovation of existing facilities. The second ordinance provides for the division of funds from the Game Protection Fund. Money in that fund comes from fines paid by those convicted of violating game and fish laws. The ordinance provides that the Crossett and Hamburg school districts will each receive $9,817.15 from the fund for this year. The money is to be used for game and fish wildlife and conservation programs. Under the terms of the third ordinance approved Tuesday, citizens who are called and appear for jury duty and who are not selected to serve will receive a payment of $15 per day. The ordinance is January 1. Those selected to serve on juries receive $50 per day. In reports, Justice Carl Vorhease said that the budget for next year is almost ready. The Budget Committee will meet again on December 5 to finalize a proposal which the quorum court will consider for adoption on December 11.
The county judge said that a representatives of the architect and builder will be in the county next week to look at a problem with mold in the new county jail. The county judge noted that the county has bought a trailer to haul e-waste, such as old computers and other electronic equipment, to the federal penitentiary in Texarkana for recycling. Justice Vorhease complimented the county judge on the landfill operation, calling it the cleanest landfill he's ever looked at, without trash everywhere and blowing around. The county judge credited the employees at the landfill with doing a good job to keep it clean. In the monthly hospital report from Justice Earl Deal, the report noted that the hospital's fiscal year ended on September 30, but the audited annual financial report will not be completed until late November. The report noted that the wound care clinic in the outpatient area, which specializes in wounds that are difficult to heal such as pressure sore and diabetic foot ulcers, opened October 19. The clinic is treating about eight patients per week. Also, the Inspirations intensive outpatient program opened October 22. That program provides group therapy, primarily to the elderly, and about 31 patients are served. The report noted that utilization was up in almost every area from the 2006 fiscal year to the 2007 fiscal year. With the two vacant seats on the quorum court, all nine of the other justices were present for the meeting. Thanksgiving Dinner Costs More this Year LITTLE ROCK — For the second year in a row the cost of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner has increased, according to Arkansas Farm Bureau's annual survey of items included in the holiday meal.
Supreme Court Affirms Ruling in 1992 Ashley County Murder Case The Arkansas Supreme Court recently affirmed an Ashley County trial court ruling which denied the appellant's petition for a new trial on the grounds of judicial misconduct. Justices Approve Tax Levy, Two Other Ordinances The regular meeting of the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, November 13, was a short and routine one. The justices approved the annual tax levy ordinance and two more ordinances and heard a series of reports. Ledger Office to Close For Thanksgiving Holidays The Ashley County Ledger and Ashley Publishing offices in Hamburg will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, in observance of Thanksgiving. The offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 26.
The Hamburg School Board will vote during its next regular meeting on Monday, December 17, on one of two proposals for long term facilities plans. Hamburg Superintendent of Schools Keith Alexander presented the proposals to the board during the regular meeting on Monday night, November 12. Crossett Committee Proposes to Close Two School Buildings After a year-long study, a committee of 20 people recommended the closure of two of the six Crossett School District schools. The report was presented to the Crossett School Board during its meeting on Thursday, November 8. CPD Offering Reward for Arrest of Vandals The Crossett Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual/individuals involved in the vandalism of vehicles parked at the Crossett Senior High School Band Room and at the Crossett football field house during an away game on Friday, November 1. Hamburg Wins Appeal on Literacy Alert Hamburg School District Superintendent Keith Alexander was notified this past week that the appeal to change the alert status for literacy at the high school had been approved. The appeal was submitted by Carol Moyers, district literacy coach, and Marilyn Chambers, special programs director, in August when the initial reports were received.
Gov. Mike Beebe and Arkansas Education Commissioner Dr. Ken James honored 14 outstanding Arkansas middle and junior high schools, including Hamburg Junior High, at a luncheon Friday hosted at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion. All 14 schools were identified as higher performing schools by Just for the Kids in Arkansas (JFTK) and The National Office for Research, Measurement and Evaluation Systems at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (NORMES).
Nine businesses from throughout the state have been inducted into the Arkansas Small Business Hall of Fame and were formally recognized in a 6 p.m. ceremony Oct. 30 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. G-P Closes One Plywood Mill; 300 Employees Are Laid Off “A challenged local wood basin and a current market conditions have made it necessary to reduce operations at our Crossett plywood mills. We have idled the number one mill and continue to operate the second plywood mill. As a result, based on seniority, approximately 300 employees have been laid off,” stated Teresa Walsh, Georgia-Pacific public affairs manager. Hamburg Chamber Seeks Entries for Christmas Parade Preparations are underway for Hamburg's third annual lighted holiday parade slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, December 6. Crossett Chamber Announces Christmas Plans The Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce announced plans for the annual Crossett Christmas Celebration. Enrollment Declines in Ten of 13 School Districts in Cooperative Area The enrollment in ten of the 13 school districts in the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative's service area has declined by 401 students over the past year, according to an e-mail from Norman Hill of the cooperative. The cooperative serves 13 districts in the region. Most of Work Completed on New Roof for Courthouse With the largest part of construction complete on the courthouse roof, Ashley County Judge Emory Austin discussed upcoming repairs to the ceiling on the second floor and gave an update on the construction progress Monday morning. During construction, Austin said leaks continued as workers with Dunn Construction installed the new hipped roof, but that the majority of damage was minor and anticipated.
The Arkansas Forestry Association (AFA) named Rob Jones of R.D. Jones Logging in Fountain Hill as the AFA Logger of the Year. Hamburg Board Picks Pete Hollis, Approves Sale of Building Bonds The Hamburg School Board has a new member as a result of the regular meeting on Monday night, October 15. The board selected Cecil "Pete" Hollis to fill the seat left vacant by the death of his wife, Sharon Hollis. He will serve until the school elections next September. Hamburg Council Gets Updates on Street Work, Water Map Dispute The regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council on Monday night, October 15, was a quite routine one with very few agenda items. Crossett Council Gets Update on West Crossett Lawsuit An update on the pending lawsuit filed by seven West Crossett residents against Georgia-Pacific Corporation and the city of Crossett was discussed during Crossett's City Council Monday night, October 15. Justices Call Tax Election, Approve Refuse Cleanup and Jail Ordinances The Ashley County Quorum Court, in its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 11, approved four new ordinances, including one calling a special election for December 11 and a new county law requiring rural property owners to clean and remove debris and garbage from their property. Stone Takes Over as President of Crossett Board With all members present, including newly elected board member Raymond Blair, officers were elected during the Crossett School Board's regular meeting on Monday, October 8. The new officers are Robert Stone, president; Robert Cornelius, vice-president; Doug Thurman, secretary; and Janice Warren as ex-officio secretary. Hamburg to Proceed with First Phase of Sidewalk Work In a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, October 3, the members of the Hamburg City Council approved bids for new restrooms at Norman Park and also approved two sidewalk projects.
Reconstruction is underway to restore portions of the balcony at Ashley County Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 6, 1975, where weather and age have taken a toll. Portland Council Makes Fir One Way for One Hour Each School Day Parents and guardians will soon notice a change in their afternoon routine when picking their children up from Portland Elementary. The Portland City Council recently approved a new ordinance declaring Fir Street to be one way between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled this past week that Ashley County was the proper venue for the trial of a man who was convicted of battery in connection with a fight along or in the Saline River on August 21, 2005.
Citizens of Montrose and surrounding areas will soon have access to a library/museum housed in the former city hall at 307 E. Second St., according to Montrose Mayor Larry Coulter. Slated for an open house 2- 4 p.m. Sunday, October 7, Coulter said to his knowledge this will be the city's first public library. Hamburg Selected for Winrock Training Program The City of Hamburg was recently accepted as one of the newest participants of Winrock International's Nonprofit Improvement Program. Through this program, city representatives will receive invaluable information on federal, state and private funding opportunities. Council Decides to Move Caboose to Park The caboose which has been on North Cherry Street for several years will soon be moved to the Norman Park, the Hamburg City Council decided on Monday night, September 24. Jurors Sentence Brothers to 110 Years Each in Shootings An Ashley County Circuit Court jury convicted and sentenced two brothers tried as accomplices on multiple counts of terroristic acts to 110 years in prison in a trial which concluded on Wednesday, September 19, before Circuit Judge Don Glover. Desha County Capital Case Moved to Ashley County For Trial During January Tenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Sam Pope has reserved seven days on his calendar in January for a capital murder trial involving a Desha County man charged in the death of a Pine Bluff teen. Crossett Council Focuses on Vandalism, Pathways Vandalism of street signs and UAM Career Pathways, an educational initiative offered at the UAM College of Technology-Crossett, were discussed at Crossett's city council meeting held Monday, September 17. The meeting started with all members except Wilburn Austin and Robert Freeman. Hamburg Voters Approve Tax; Crossett Elects New Board Member Hamburg School District voters elected three board members and approved a 4.5 mill increase in the local tax levy in the annual school elections on Tuesday, September 18, while Crossett voters elected one board member.
With the upcoming deployment of an additional 3,500 troops to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Senator Blanche L. Lincoln spoke to a large crowd in Hamburg Friday, September 14, concerning her recent visit to Iraq. Quorum Court Postpones Proposed Refuse Ordinance Until October When it meets on October 9, the Ashley County Quorum Court will again consider a proposal to require property owners to remove garbage, rubbish and unsanitary items from their land. The proposed ordinance also sets a procedure for the county to clean up any such sites and then impose a lien on the land. The proposal has been floating around for several months, and the draft presented Tuesday afternoon was the latest revision. Hospital Administrator Gets Earful of Questions, Comments, but No Approval of Tax Election Ashley County Hospital Administrator Russ Sword appeared before the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, September 11, to request the quorum court to call an election for an one-fourth percent sales tax to help in maintenance costs for the facility. Not only did he not get exactly what he wanted, but he also heard from several people who are dissatisfied with the service they received at the facility.
(Updated) Justin Dailey Carpenter, 32, of 1743A Portland Road, Portland, is now in the Ashley County Jail in Hamburg, being held without bond on a charge of capital murder. Ledger Web Site Passes 1,000,000 Visitors for 2006 Some time during the night hours of December 19-20, the one millionth person for the year visited the Ashley County Ledger's electronic edition at ashleycountyledger.com. The year just closed was the first time for the electronic Ledger to pass a million visitors in one year. Photo Galleries Now On-Line at Ledger Web Site Effective on Friday morning, October 21, the electronic edition of the Ashley County Ledger has a new feature, a series of photo galleries. Ledger's Web Site Wins Another Award During the 2006 annual convention of the Arkansas Press Assocation in Hot Springs the weekend of June 22, the Ashley County Ledger's electronic edition was recognized as the third best weekly electronic edition in the state.
|
No More Busy Signals and Much Faster Downloads Available Immediately!
Home | Local News | Sports/Outdoors | Opinions | School News | Obits
Classifieds |Public Notices | Calendar | Entertainment | Health
National News | Town Hall | Weather | Stock Market
Business Dir. | School Dir. | Church Dir. | Ashley Co. History
Archive Search |
About Us | Subscribe | Email Us | Guest Book
Copyright Ashley County Ledger. All rights reserved.