Council Oks Bid for Painting

The Hamburg water tank between West Radford and West Jackson will soon have a new coat of paint after the council approved a $68,777 bid by Leher Painting Enterprises of Mayflower to paint and repair the structure.

In a special meeting on Tuesday, June 24, the six members of the Hamburg City Council unanimously approved a bid to repaint the city water tank between West Jackson and West Radford. Leher Painting Enterprises of Mayflower submitted the low bid of $68,777 for the work.

Mayor Gordon Hennington noted that the interior of the tank has already been redone. The price includes lettering the town's name on the tower, but does not include painting the high school mascot on the tank, which would have cost an additional $5,000.

In the only other business, the mayor reported that the state auditors want the records of the lump sum bonus to city employees to include the costs of fringe benefits. The council approved the changes.

All six council members attended the special meeting.

 I69 Connector Feasible, But No Money Available for the Project, Engineer Tells Local Supporters

Supporters of a highway connecting the future route of Interstate 69 and Interstate 20 heard some good news and some that was not so good during a public involvement session in the Crossett Economic Development Foundation offices on Wednesday afternoon, June 25.

 No More Busy Signals and Much Faster Downloads Available Immediately!

Sheriff Using 309 Prisoners to Save Taxpayers Money

The Ashley County Sheriff's Department is conserving taxpayers money by expanding and utilizing the 309 Program at the county jail.

 Council Oks Bid for Painting

In a special meeting on Tuesday, June 24, the six members of the Hamburg City Council unanimously approved a bid to repaint the city water tank between West Jackson and West Radford. Leher Painting Enterprises of Mayflower submitted the low bid of $68,777 for the work.

Portland City Council Bans Discharging Firearms in City

The Portland City Council recently adopted an ordinance to ban the use of firearms and air guns inside city limits with exceptions made for self defense as outlined by state law and law enforcement officers. The new ordinance is intended to preserve public safety and prevent a potentially dangerous situation from occurring.

Health Department Offers Tips To Have Safer Celebration on July 4

The Fourth of July is a holiday that most look forward to each year. It's smack in the middle of the long, hot summer. A great picnic and a fireworks shower synchronized to the national anthem are American traditions. But these beautiful fireworks can turn quite ugly when not attended to properly, and serious injuries--burns and injuries to the eyes--can result.

State Expands Screening Program For Babies Born in Arkansas

On July 1, Arkansas expanded screening of newborn babies to include 29 rare conditions that can be harmful-even fatal-to babies. At a press conference at the March of Dimes, leaders in the public health and health care arenas talked about the expansion of the Arkansas Newborn Screening Program. Newborn screenings are tests that look for uncommon genetic disorders in newborn babies. These screens are important because they can help doctors treat conditions that, if not treated early, could result in life-long health problems, mental retardation, or even death. Prior to July 1, Arkansas screened for seven conditions, including Phenylketouria (PKU), Galactosemia, sickle cell anemia, congenital hypothyroidism, and hearing loss.

Hamburg Board Votes to Hire New Wilmot Elementary Principal

The Hamburg School Board decided in a special meeting on Monday night, June 23, to advertise for a new principal for Wilmot Elementary School. The board named John W. Dillard, the current principal, to the new position of supervisor of child welfare and attendance. The district will receive applications until July 11 for the post of Wilmot principal.

Judge Pope Delays Decision on Supressing Confession, Dismissal

Circuit Judge Sam Pope is considering two motions filed by Robert Bridewell, attorney for Joel David Luke Holland, 19, to suppress statements made by Holland and for a dismissal of charges. Holland is charged with arson, causing a catastrophe, and unlawful burning in connection with the January 8, 2006, fire that burned 3,964 acres in the area from the Berlin Road northerly to across Highway 8. The fire also consumed one residence.

Hamburg Council Meeting Routine

The regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council on Monday night, June 23, was a routine one with only one action item on the agenda.

Board Suspends Cooperative Director

Meeting on Friday, June 20, the board of the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative in Monticello suspended director Bruce Terry, with pay, pending a possible termination hearing.

Crossett’s Council Rejects Proposal To Change Third Ave. to Honor King

An update on the water plant, rejecting a proposed name change of Third avenue and the issuance of two daycare permits centered the Crossett City Council meeting Monday, June 16.

Hamburg Board Adopts Changes In Policies, Hears Report on Tests

The questions of student handbooks, test scores and personnel occupied the greater part of the regular meeting of the Hamburg School Board on Monday night, June 16.

Crossett Substitute Teacher Faces Sex Charges

A Crossett High School substitute teacher is charged with three counts of first degree sexual assault, a felony, in connection with a sexual relationship with a student.

JPs Say Seat Vacant, But Questions Remain

Residents of Ashley County JP District 6 will apparently choose a new representative during the general election in November. The members of the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, June 10, declared the seat vacant after receiving a verbal resignation from Carl Vorhease, who has held the seat since 1995. Gov. Mike Beebe will appoint someone to serve the remainder of Vorhease's term.

Crossett Board Adopts Changes In Handbooks, Roles for Buildings

A proposed change to the newly adopted parent-student handbook and an update on the reconfiguration of the district's buildings were among the topics discussed during Crossett's School Board meeting on Monday, June 9.

Hamburg Man Killed in Tire Changing Accident

A Hamburg man died Tuesday afternoon, June 10, when the tire he was airing up apparently exploded. Hamburg Police Chief Tommy Breedlove said that Officer Steven Hodge, who is investigating the accident, got the call at 2 p.m.

Salmonella Strain Detected in Arkansas

Little Rock -- The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) confirmed Wednesday that two Arkansas cases of Salmonella Saintpaul related to the recent multi-state outbreak have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In cooperation with the CDC and other national officials, ADH is investigating the possible source of the infections, in an effort to find the common link between the cases that have that now been reported in seventeen states.

From Chicken Fat to B100 Diesel Fuel: The Pinnacle Biofuels Plant

It takes six days for a blend of chicken fat and soybean oil to emerge from the reactors as B100 biodiesel, but the process is such at Pinnacle Biofuels in Crossett that the company produces 29,000 gallons of diesel per day, or 20 gallons per minute.