|
Crossett Council Adopts Ordinances to Raise Rates for Ambulance Use A brief discussion of concerns over the Crossett Port Authority board and the RV park, two ordinances to raise ambulance rates and an emergency clause were discussed and approved by alderman during the Crossett City Council meeting on Monday night, September 15. In new business, Fire Chief Jim Lanius addressed the council and asked aldermen to consider amending the city's ordinance to change ambulance service rates and adopt an emergency clause. "Medicaid changes their rates, and if we don't change ours with them we'll get behind and then it takes up to ten years to kind of catch up," Lanius said. "It's strictly a cleanup, we did eliminate some old stuff," he added. Item charges eliminated include speciality care transport base rate, MAST garment application, folding stretcher/stair chair, poison kit, burn pack (burn sheet, irrigation solution, water gel blanket), EKG transmission, and pulse oximeter. A few of the rate increases include basic life support base rate, which has increased to $252 from $231.90; basic life support emergency base rate, increased to $404 from $344.45; and mileage rates also saw a slight increase with the highest at $8.85 per mile over 49 miles. Patients were previously charged $6.50 per mile over 49 miles. The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance effective immediately. During an update of the August 21 Port Authority Board meeting, Alderman Wilburn Austin said that he had shared complaints on the RV park, discussed in the council's August meeting, with the port authority board. Austin said that Paul Langley, chairman of the port authority board, said he would address those areas at the park. "Hopefully, he will," Austin added. Mayor Scott McCormick noted that while he has noticed some improvements at the park there remains areas that need improvement and suggested delaying further discussion one month and readdressing the topic at a future city council meeting. It was also noted that a port authority meeting was canceled because plans for the warehouse port had been misplaced. In other business, Lanius read an e-mail he had received regarding two Crossett Emergency personnel, Bo Higginbotham and Michael Willhite, who assisted in Little Rock with hurricane evacuees. Of all the units throughout Arkansas, Lanius said, Crossett's unit transported more patients in their thirty hour stay than any others. "Good guys, trained people, and good equipment. They do a good job," the mayor added in response to Lanius' announcement.
The regular meeting of the Hamburg City Council meeting on Monday night, September 22, was routine in most ways with the exception of a new presiding officer. Mayor Gordon Hennington was out of town, and so Peggy Akers, the city clerk, presided over the 30 minute meeting.
Ashley County Part of Federal Disaster Declaration Governor Mike Beebe received word Thursday afternoon that 18 Arkansas counties qualify for public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. The counties include: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Conway, Dallas, Drew, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Lincoln, Montgomery, Perry, Prairie, Saline and Van Buren. Crossett Council Adopts Ordinances to Raise Rates for Ambulance Use A brief discussion of concerns over the Crossett Port Authority board and the RV park, two ordinances to raise ambulance rates and an emergency clause were discussed and approved by alderman during the Crossett City Council meeting on Monday night, September 15. 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.
|
Hamburg’s Council Delays Final Action on Fire Fighter Pay Plan
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.