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Crossett Board Gets Updates On Enrollment, Finances In Regular Meeting Thursday An update on the district's financial report, 2008-2009 student enrollment, a brief discussion on the adequate yearly progress report, certified license renewal and scheduling of a special board meeting centered Crossett's School District board meeting Thursday night, September 11. Business Manager Norman Hill said that the financial report reflects that the district is down $712,000 due to the change in the 40 percent pull back. "Without that, we'll be right on target," in comparison to the 2007-2008 budget, he said. Hill noted that the district's budget is 70 percent complete and that he expects it will be final within the next two weeks. The personnel and income are budgeted, he said, adding that adjustments are being made to the operational expenses. "It makes it a little bit tricky trying to pull it together, closing two campuses and trying to pull back to the four campuses," he said "It's hard to tell exactly what everything will do when we get it all pulled together." School Board President Robert Stone asked for a comparison on the number of personnel compared to the previous year. "Ten less than last year," Superintendent of Schools Janice Warren, said. Board member Jeff Harrison noted that those employees had left by their own choice. Updating board members on the standing of school enrollment, Warren said that the unofficial district enrollment figures showed 1,951 students, 55 less than last year. She also noted that counselors have continued to track where transcripts are requested and that the most were being sent out of state. "Our home school numbers are not up. Our private school numbers are down," she said. Board Secretary Doug Thurman noted that the district had gained seven students through school choice and questioned how many, if any, had been lost. Warren noted that while the number of students participating in school choice is down from previous years that she did not know the exact number. Warren also said that the reconfiguration transition had gone smoothly with the biggest issues involving traffic, but that those issues were resolved by the third day. During a report on adequate yearly progress, Warren told board members that three campuses were listed in school improvement. Crossett High School is in its fourth year of school improvement and has met standards, Daniel Intermediate School, closed during district reconfiguration, was in year one of school improvement and met standards, and Norman Junior High School is also in its first year of school improvement. She further noted that campuses will be removed from the list when they meet standards for two consecutive years. The question was posed as to what effect the closing of Daniel Intermediate would have on the school improvement status. "We'll have to add the four grades together at Norman, as we reconfigure," Jim Lucas, Norman Junior High principal, said, adding that while math scores were sufficient, seventh grade literacy pulled scores down. In other business, Warren noted that the district's budget has to be approved by October 1 and asked board members to check their calendars. The board agreed to hold a special meeting for the budget at 5:30 p.m. at the Hugh Willis Administration Building on Tuesday, September 23. Board members also passed a motion for the district to pay the $100 certified license renewal fee and include it in the district's benefits package. Warren noted that the district has 21 certified employees who must renew their licenses this year. The licenses must be renewed each five years. "It's a good effort for our staff members," Warren added. On the superintendent's recommendation the board approved the certified hiring of Beth Murphy, elementary classroom teacher; classified hiring of Sherry Bethea, middle school study school, and Regina Hodge, elementary instructional assistant; the classified resignation of Alicia Bannister, middle school paraprofessional; and a classified transfer of Linda Carter from middle school study hall to elementary instructional assistant. All members except Robert Cornelius were present for the open session portion of the meeting. However, Cornelius, who walked in half an hour late, did join other board members in executive session. Hollis Wins Contested Seat on Hamburg School Board; Block, Cornelius Also Get Seats In the only contested race in Ashley County in the annual school elections on Tuesday, September 16, Hamburg's Zone 5 voters elected Bryan Hollis to serve a four year term on the Hamburg School Board.
Hamburg Schools’ Enrollment Is Up; District Surpasses Crossett’s Totals The Hamburg School District's total enrollment as of Monday, September 15, was 1,970 students, up by nine from last year, Hamburg Superintendent of Schools Marilyn Chambers told the board on Monday night. The district ended the last school year with 1,961 students and begins this year with more students that the Crossett School District. Crossett Board Gets Updates On Enrollment, Finances In Regular Meeting Thursday An update on the district's financial report, 2008-2009 student enrollment, a brief discussion on the adequate yearly progress report, certified license renewal and scheduling of a special board meeting centered Crossett's School District board meeting Thursday night, September 11. County Judge Estimates $300,000 In Storm Damage to Roads, Bridges Ashley County has an estimated $300,000 in damage to roads and bridges, Ashley County Judge Emory Austin told the members of the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, September 9. Hurricanes Only Latest Factors to Affect County and State’s Farmers this Year LITTLE ROCK-- You can blame some of Arkansas' agricultural problems this year on two recent hurricanes. Hurricane Ike may further complicate life for farmers struggling in the wake of storms Fay and Gustav. Governor Beebe Requests Federal Disaster Status For Damage to Arkansas Crops LITTLE ROCK n While continuing to monitor the impact of Hurricane Ike on Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe has requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for damage to Arkansas crops caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. Governor Beebe Declares State of Emergency to Help Prevent And Fight Gas Price Gouging LITTLE ROCK n Governor Mike Beebe Friday morning declared a state of emergency in Arkansas because of gasoline-supply interruptions in relation to Hurricane Ike. Governor Beebe Declares State of Emergency to Help Prevent And Fight Gas Price Gouging LITTLE ROCK n Governor Mike Beebe Friday morning declared a state of emergency in Arkansas because of gasoline-supply interruptions in relation to Hurricane Ike. Governor Declares Ashley, Other Counties as Disaster Areas As the remnants of Hurricane Gustav moved across Ashley County this past week, straight line winds and rainfall created trouble spots throughout the county. Fallen trees, downed power lines, flooded streets and blocked roadways quickly became a common sight in some areas. While schools in Crossett and Hamburg canceled classes on Wednesday and Thursday, law enforcement officers patrolled and reported downed power lines, trees, and flooding. Rain and Wind from Gustav’s Remnants Damage County’s Corn, Cotton Crops The heavy rains and winds accompanying the remnants of Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc with Ashley County's crops, leaving heavy damage to the cotton, rice and corn crops.
The recent rains that moved through the county proved to be more than the Ashley County Detention Center roof could stand. According to Ashley County Sheriff David Johnson, the facility has experienced a number of leaks prior to the onset of last week's rains. Johnson said the roof started leaking in early August. Annual School Election Set For Next Tuesday (Updated) Voters in the Hamburg and Crossett school districts can participate in the annual school election next Tuesday, but for Crossett voters, there will be a major difference this year.
The Ashley County Medical Center has recently installed a new magnetic resonance imaging unit. The unit provides non-invasive diagnostic imaging exams of soft tissue, bone and muscles MRI units have become one of the fastest growing types of medical diagnostic tests in the nation, with nearly 27.5 million MRI exams performed in 2007. Meeting this demand, as well as making the MRI experience as comfortable for the patient as possible, has been a challenge for some hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers. Now, however, Ashley County Medical Center may have found a solution.
The Helping Hands Food Pantry in Hamburg is struggling to meet increased demands for service during a time of the year when contributions are generally low, director Mary Williams said this past week. The food pantry, located at 202 West Long Street, helps to provide food to those in immediate need of assistance. Campbell Field Will Be ReadyFor Junior Game Hamburg Superintendent of Schools Marilyn Chambers said Monday afternoon that Campbell Field should be ready for the game Thursday night when the Junior Lions host the Warren juniors. Filing Period Ends for Candidates For Municipal Posts in November At the noon closing for filings of municipal offices Tuesday, August 26, Wilmot proved to be the lone Ashley County municipality with opposed races in the upcoming general election. Judge Takes Under Submission Request to Suppress Statement In Montrose First Degree Murder "The issue is whether or not the defendant reinitiated contact with police," Tenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Sam Pope stated following a full day of testimony from state and defense witnesses during a hearing to suppress a March 12 statement about a Montrose murder. The hearing was in Ashley County Circuit Court on Thursday, August 28.
"Taking an active role in investing in our communities where we operate is good for our communities and good for Georgia-Pacific," said Teresa Walsh, public affairs manager for Georgia-Pacific. Company officials presented a financial contribution of $12,600 to the Ashley County Sheriff's Reserve on Wednesday afternoon, August 27.
Every day, teachers are asked to engage children in science, math and language arts to cultivate their intellectual readiness to become future presidents, small-town doctors and global business leaders. Previous generations of educators have answered the call by way of traditional instruction. However, today's teachers must be able to demonstrate the real-life practicality and relevance of core curriculum subjects to a generation of new-media and electronic-gadget enthusiasts. Hamburg Council Hears Report on School Routes A report on a reorganization of traffic patterns to and from the Noble and Allbritton elementary schools opened the regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council on Monday night, August 25. Voters to Decide Quarter Percent Sales Tax to Maintain Hospital When Ashley County's registered voters go to the polls for the general election on Tuesday, November 4, not only will they be considering the candidates for state, local and national offices, but they will also decide the fate of a proposed one-fourth percent sales tax for maintenance of the Ashley County Medical Center. Concerns over RV Park and Port Head Issues for Crossett’s Council The RV Park, concerns about the Crossett Port Authority, and a brief discussion on the city's 2008 budget centered the Crossett's City Council meeting on Monday, Aug.18.
Above the roof tops southwest of the Montrose City Hall, onlookers may have recently noticed an added feature to the city's skyline. What may resemble to some as the loud speakers of a football field or arena are just that, speakers, but serve a more serious purpose. The speakers in Montrose are those of the city's new weather siren which Harris Systems Group of Little Rock installed August 1.
The Hamburg School Board, in its regular meeting on Monday night, August 18, heard a series of reports on the first day of school, enrollment numbers and adequate yearly progress as well as hiring a number of staff members for the year. The board also approved two legal transfers out of the district. Hospital Board Again Requests Sales Tax Vote In a proposed ordinance to be considered by the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday afternoon, August 19, the Ashley County Hospital Board is requesting the county to have a proposed one-fourth percent sales tax on the general election ballot in November. Hamburg Board Oks Bond Sale; Says No to Second Lien Bonds In a special meeting on Wednesday, August 23, the Hamburg School Board voted to proceed with the sale of the second portion of the construction bonds previously approved by the voters and approved a resolution which will allow the district to issue second lien bonds in the future if needed. The meeting was the first for Marilyn Chambers as the district's interim superintendent. Crossett Board Approves Resolutions, But Postpones Yearly Progress Reports The Crossett School board approved a number of resolutions Monday, August 11, during its regular board meeting. The district's adequate yearly progress report was on the agenda, but Superintendent of Schools Janice Warren asked to postpone the report until the district's September board meeting. Hamburg Gets Second Sidewalk Grant, But Still Waiting on AHTD The City of Hamburg is apparently the recipient of a second phase of funding for its Cherry Street sidewalk project, even though work on the first round grant has not yet been started.
Stevi Lauren Perry, 18, of Hamburg will be coming home from the Bahamas as the new Miss Teen USA. She was crowned Saturday at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. She is the daughter of Kelli and Rob Perry. County Judge Lifts Ban on Burning After Rains on Sunday and Monday With widespread and substantial rainfall over the weekend, Ashley County Judge Emory Austin on Monday, August 11, lifted the ban on outdoor burning. He had proclaimed the ban a week earlier, on Monday, August 4, because of continuing dry conditions. Hamburg Gets Nod for Register Historic District Meeting in Jacksonville on August 6, the state review board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program voted to submit the downtown Hamburg area for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Crossett Airport Again Open After Repairs on Runway As of 8 a.m. on Monday, August 11, the Crossett Municipal Airport is again open for flight operations, according to airport manager Rusty Atchinson. The airport closed on July 28 for repairs to the runway and areas along the runway. Hamburg Concludes Play in World Series (Updated) The Hamburg 12 year old all star team's season came to a close on Monday night, August 11, as they lost to the South Lexington, Kentucky, all stars by a score of 10-0. Hamburg is the Arkansas and Southwest regional champion while Lexington, the 2007 World Series winner, represented the Ohio Valley. Interim Census Estimates Indicate Population Of Southeast Arkansas Cities Continues Drop In July of this year, the U. S. Census Bureau released population estimates for the cities and towns, which supplements the county population estimates released earlier in the spring. Judge Pope Rejects Defense Attorney’s Motions In Fire Case Circuit Judge Sam Pope, in a written opinion filed Thursday, July 31, denied two motions filed in June by Robert Bridewell, the attorney representing Joel David "Luke" Holland. Holland, 19, 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.
It took almost 90 minutes in a special meeting on Monday night, July 28, before the members of the Hamburg School Board voted unanimously to name Marilyn Chambers as the interim superintendent of the Hamburg School District. The board also named Carlton "Buddy" Lawrence as the assistant superintendent on a half-year basis.
Eagle Family Ministries of Bentonville, through private donations and assistance from Feed The Children, announced Thursday, July 24, during a ground breaking ceremony, that it is in the final steps necessary to build and sponsor a food pantry in Wilmot. Even though Bentonville is 300 miles away from Wilmot, the actions of the people in that Northwest Arkansas group show that distance is not a factor when one person can help others. Hamburg Council Approves Legal Action Against Railroad Property Manager The Hamburg City Council will proceed with a condemnation action to secure the city's right to place a rural water system line under the Fordyce and Princeton Railroad track as a result of the council's meeting Monday night, July 28. The council voted unanimously to institute legal action against Reltek, a Pennsylvania based company which manages the railroad company's property. Crossett Alderman Approve Tax Resolutions, Hear Water Report, Complaints About Parking in Yards Crossett City Council alderman approved two annual resolutions, voted to pay $2,150 to City Attorney James Hamilton for legal representation in district court, approved the final budget for the 2007 calendar year and increased city employees' mileage from 36 cents per mile to 45 cents in accord with state guidelines during its council meeting on Monday, July 21. Crossett Board hears Update On Financial Status, Approves Bids The Crossett School Board heard two presentations regarding the district's financial status and Benchmark test results, accepted bids in preparation for the 2008-2009 school term, and approved a number of personnel actions on Superintendent Janice Warren's recommendation during the regular board meeting held on Monday, July 14. Hamburg Voters Will Have Contested Board Race Residents of the Hamburg School District's Zone 5 will choose between two candidates for a three year term on the board during the annual school elections on September 16. The two are incumbent Bryan Hollis and Deborah Zeigler. Over Half of Residential Parcels, Three-Fourths of Commercial Parcels Have Values Increased About fifty-six percent of the residential property parcels and over three-fourths of the commercial parcels in Ashley County will see their values increase as a result of the reappraisal of all real property, according to figures provided by Arkansas CAMA Technologies, the company which is completing the reappraisal. The values will increase on a little less than one-half of the county's agricultural and timber parcels.
Effective next Monday, July 21, Jennifer Foote will take over as executive director of the Hamburg Area Chamber of Commerce. She is replacing Hillary Bayer, who has accepted a job with Bayou Grain in Parkdale as a customer service representative and assistant to the managers. Wilmot Cutting Garbage Pickups To Avoid Raising Customers’ Rates The Wilmot City Council voted to cut the city's garbage pick-up days back to once a week on a three-month trial basis during its June meeting to avoid raising customers' rates.
Forty Arkansas State Police Academy Recruits, representing classes 2008-A and 2008-B graduated Thursday afternoon in ceremonies at the Arkansas State Capitol. The recruits received their oath of service from Fourth Judicial District Judge William Storey of Fayetteville.
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. - The Department of Defense Monday announced the death of an Arkansas Army National Guard Soldier with the 39th Brigade Combat Team participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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