Hamburg, Crossett Set Holiday Events for Thursday, Friday

Ashley County residents will have the opportunity to attend two holiday parades and Christmas events this week.

The Hamburg Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its seventh Annual Hamburg Holidays beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 6, on the city square.

"Attendants will have the opportunity to browse through many different gift items and holiday treats while listening to choirs and singing groups perform wonderful holiday music on Hamburg's beautiful historic downtown square," Hilary Bayer, executive director of the Hamburg Area Chamber of Commerce said, in a written press release.

While waiting for the Little Red Wagon Parade to begin at 4:30 p.m., she said, participants are encouraged to browse local shops, register for Merchant Money, and have pictures made with Santa Claus.

"At 6 p.m. we will finish the evening with the festive theme parade, ‘Christmas Classics,' Bayer said. "Onlookers will be delighted to see lighted decorated floats travel the square of Downtown Hamburg. Float participant winners will receive $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place."

The Chamber expects fifteen floats in this years event. Floats will begin lining up at the Ashley County Fairgrounds located on W. Jackson and proceed onto North Main Street to the city square. After circling the square, floats will continue south on Highway 425 before dispersing, according to Bayer.

For more information, call the Hamburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 853-8345.

In addition to the numerous activities, Ashley County Cares will have a booth in this year’s Hamburg event and invites participants to Spit for a Cure. Ashley County Cares along with UAMS and Arkansas Cancer Research Center are sponsoring the event. Spit for a cure is a research study through DNA samples.

Participants in Spit for the Cure must be 18 years of age or older. Each participant is asked to provide a saliva sample (for DNA extraction), answer a short questionnaire and are willing to be re-contacted for follow up studies. DNA samples and answers from the questionnaire will be used to create a bank for information for future studies. All information will be protected through the use of a unique ID. Researchers will be allowed to access the samples and data linked by the unique ID for breast cancer risk and treatment, without having access to information that could identify you as a person.

Crossett Plans

On Friday, December 7, The Crossett Chamber of Commerce will begin its Christmas festivities at 5:30 p.m.

"This will be the first time in a number of years that Crossett has hosted an evening parade," Pam Ferguson, executive director of the Crossett Chamber of Commerce, said.

The line up is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Cap Gates Arena. The parade will move west on Third Avenue all the way to Main Street, then turn left and travel south on Main Street and make its way to the shopping center at Main and Waterwell in front of the old Jade's building where is will conclude.

"It's exciting to see us returning to the splendor of an evening parade; the glitz and twinkle that mirrors the season we celebrate," Ferguson said. "That's not the only thing unique about the 2007 celebration! This year, the parade marshals were selected in a new fashion. With the help of the Crossett Public Schools, the Chamber held an essay contest focusing on the importance of Pearl Harbor in our nation's history, with three schools participating. One winner was selected from each school, by a panel of anonymous judges. The marshals will be Mia Prescott, Daniels Intermediate School, Jamie Carpenter, Norman Junior High School and Hannah Breshears, Crossett High School."

These authors will lead the parade and will share their ride with a veteran they've selected, she said, followed by the traditional parade floats, pageant winners and organizations celebrating the season.

"What better way to share our country's heritage of service to country and honor to those who serve," states Ferguson. "We actually have more floats registered right now than we've had the past few years and there are still several more days for organizations to sign up to take part."

Immediately following the parade, Ferguson said that the seventh Annual Downtown celebration will begin on the northernmost end of Main and Pine Streets. Most merchants will be keeping their businesses open for the evening and running in-store specials of which shoppers can take advantage. Also, "there will be plenty of food to keep yourself nourished while you're doing all of that playing and shopping," says Ferguson.

The food court will be located in the north parking lot of the First State Bank as it has been for the past several years. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, cookies, fried twinkies, cokes, coffee and hot cider available, just to name a few.

There will be live entertainment at the pavilion located in Centennial Park beginning at 6:30 and ending at 9 p.m. The Wee School, Daniels Middle School, Judy's School of Dance, Lauren's Dance Studio, Crossett High School Choir, Leaving 99 and Renee Stokes School of Dance are among the featured entertainers.

The Festival of Wreaths will be displayed throughout the week in the Chamber lobby and will be onsite at the Chamber table that evening. Chances to win the wreaths will be available and the drawings will be held at the end of the evening. All proceeds from the wreaths will be donated to a charity selected by the wreath donor. The kids will want to be sure to visit the Cartoon Christmas wonderland located inside the Main Mall where they can visit and play games with various Disney, Charlie Brown and other well known cartoon characters! They can have their faces painted, hear stories from the Crossett Public Library and visit the FFA Petting Zoo. And, of course, what Christmas festival would be complete without having your picture made with Santa Claus?!

For more information about any of the festivities please call the Crossett Chamber of Commerce at 364-6591.

Special Election on Hospital Tax Set for Tuesday, December 11

Ashley County voters can go to the polls on Tuesday, December 11, to decide the fate of a proposed one-fourth percent increase in the local sales tax. The tax, if approved, will be used to provide funds for the maintenance of the county hospital building and to finance the purchase of needed medical equipment. The funds raised by the tax will not be used for the normal operating expenses of the hospital.

 No More Busy Signals and Much Faster Downloads Available Immediately!

U. S. News & World Report Ranks HHS in Top Nine Percent in U. S.

Hamburg High School earned a bronze rating in the U. S. News and World Report's news analysis of America's Best High Schools. No Arkansas schools earned gold ratings and only two, Dardanelle and Valley View, earned silver ratings.

Hamburg, Crossett Set Holiday Events for Thursday, Friday

Ashley County residents will have the opportunity to attend two holiday parades and Christmas events this week.

Green, Young Get Quorum Court Seats

When the Ashley County Quorum Court gathers on Tuesday, December 11, for its regular meeting, it will have two new members. Governor Mike Beebe named two men to vacant positions on the county legislative body this past week.

 North Crossett FD Gets $20,000 Bucket Brigade Check

On Friday, November 30, Georgia-Pacific presented a $20,000 check to the North Crossett Volunteer Fire Department. Georgia-Pacific has chosen the North Crossett Fire Department as one of its 2007 Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grant winners. Georgia-Pacific has selected winners in 12 communities from more than 300 communities where it has facilities in the United States.

 Oden Honored as Life Saver

LITTLE ROCK - The American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas recognized real life saving heroes during the Arkansas Heroes luncheon on Monday, November 19, at the Wally Allen Ballroom, Statehouse Convention Center, in Little Rock. This was the fifth celebration for this honor.

Hamburg Council Approves Bonuses

Even though the City of Hamburg's employees have not had a raise for three years, they will receive a Christmas bonus as a result of the council's actions on Monday night, November 26, during the regular council meeting.

Accident Proves Fatal to Hamburg Woman

A Hamburg woman, Joyce Livingston, 69, died in a Pine Bluff hospital Saturday, apparently from injuries she suffered in an accident in Hamburg on Wednesday, November 21.

Crossett Postpones Sewer Rate Rise

Proposed increases in garbage rates were the focus at Crossett's City Council meeting held Monday night, November 19.

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.

 Hamburg Board Hears Two Proposals for Long Term Building Plan

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.

 Beebe Recognizes Hamburg Junior High, 13 Other Schools

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).

 Crossett Firm Named to Hall of Fame

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.

 Jones Named Arkansas Logger of Year

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.

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.

Conviction Proper if Fight Was In Ashley County, Bradley County or In the Saline River, Court Decides

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.

 Montrose Gets New Library, Museum

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.

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.

 Husband Charged in Death of Portland Woman

(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.