Crossett School District Report to the Public

The Crossett School District operates four school sites, all of which are accredited by the North Central Association. A very detailed improvement plan is in place at each campus to guide the schools by NCA Standards over a five-year period. Additionally, the schools are following plans to improve the academic success of students on the state-mandated assessment.

Board Philosophy

The Board has established goals to guide the administration in developing specific system-wide objectives that provide standards for a quality educational program. These goals and objectives are ongoing, and the district continues the process of implementing stated goals and objectives based on its philosophy of education. These goals are outlined on the district's webpage.

Action Plan

For the current school year, the District has put forward an Action Plan which articulates improving educational instruction and programs for all students. Guided by the theme "Whatever It Takes", a concentrated effort has been established to raise student achievement.

Accreditation Standards

Each year the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) completes a standard assurance review for the district's schools. The district exceeds the minimum standards for accreditation. Every campus has an individualized School Improvement Plan detailing improvement efforts. It is available for public viewing. All schools in the district are using the ACSIP (Arkansas Consolidated School Improvement Plan) model for school improvement under the guidance ofthe Arkansas Department of Education.

The Crossett School District (CSD) receives its accreditation status from the Arkansas Department of Education (AD E). ADE reviews Annual Accreditation Reports to determine the accreditation status of each school in every district in Arkansas. The reports are mailed to schools and reflect a three-year history of accreditation.

The status of each school in the district is published in the local newspaper and is listed on the district's web page for viewing. Crossett School District will make strong efforts to obtain "Accredited" status for each school and to retain that status. The report is always based on the school's previous year's status. The status of each school for the 2007-2008 school year is listed below.

North Crossett Primary School- Accredited

Anderson Elementary School- Accredited

Daniel Intermediate School- Accredited

Norman Junior High School-Accredited - Cited

Crossett High School- Probation

Budget and Finance

We continue to implement strategies to maintain a solid financial status in this school district. During the 2007-2008 school year, our closing cash balance was $4,942,845, the total revenues equaled $21,047,734, and our expenditures totaled $16,104,889. Thanks to the support of the faculty, staff, board of education, and the community, the Crossett School District made a miraculous recovery from fiscal distress. The district continues to implement strategies to become good stewards of local, state, and federal funds.

Crossett Elementary School

With the reconfiguration of students in K-4, both Hastings Learning Center and Anderson Elementary are now Crossett Elementary. Hastings Learning Center houses the Pre-K and Kindergarten students and the Anderson campus has first through fourth grades.

Anderson met standards on the Benchmark test in all subgroups for 2008 with significant student gains and continued to be out of school improvement. Students not scoring Proficient or Advanced will have an Academic Improvement Plan written specifically for them. Remediation is being offered to students who scored below Proficient on the Benchmark. Staff will continue to utilize the A+ program, JEDI, and Buckle Down materials as well as various other computer programs and interventions to meet the needs of students. All students will participate daily in brain-based workshops that offer both remediation and enrichment.

Open House this year was held separately for each grade. Parents were informed of new policies, curriculum and programs. Schools are now including more time for physical activity, and received new guidelines for nutrition and wellness. Parents and students visited the classrooms and received information from teachers. New district handbooks, individual grade level brochures, and family kits were given to each student the first week of school.

Crossett Elementary welcomed seven new teachers for the 2008-09 school year. Joining the staff were: Kindergarten, Brandy Goodwin and Vanessa Ledford; Fourth grade, Beth Murphy; Art, Tobie Sprawls; Counselor, Patty Frisby; Reading Recovery, Debbie Woodard; Speech, Heather Burford; Physical Education, Kris Dejarnette and Bruce Wright. AmeriCorps workers this year are Kaleigh Harper, Ashley Fuller, Cindy Pill, Donna Kay Doss and Heather DeLess. In addition five Foster Grandparents are returning. "SPARK" is Crossett Elementary's physical education program which stands for Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids. Lessons not only focus on educational units, but also social skills.

Teachers at Anderson attended several professional development workshops this summer. These included Everyday Math, technology, Four-Square Writing, Social Skills, Arkansas History, and becoming a brain-based school. The fourth grade is implementing Literacy Labs which incorporate reading, language arts, writing and spelling.

The Everyday Math consultant will continue to oversee the math program, and she is joined by the district coaches: Literacy - Lea Culp; Math - Vicki Dodd; and Science - Charre Todd to help teachers provide the best opportunities for optimum learning. These coaches will assist the staff again this year.

Watch D.O.G.S., a nationally recognized organization that stands for Dads of Great Students, will continue. Dads, grandfathers, uncles, and brothers of students volunteer at least one day in the school year. They assist teachers, monitor halls and oversee the playgrounds. Last year this program was so successful many dads volunteered for more than one day.

Skills Tutor is a comprehensive resource for diagnosing and meeting needs of individual students. Questions are presented in the same format used by standardized tests. The computer program is networked throughout the building.

Dr. Fritz Mengert, a Neuro Epistemologist, who has spent over thirty years teaching in medical schools, consulting with doctors, and helping numerous public schools become a Neurocognitive School, will be working again this year at Anderson.

Time spent in preparation and instruction combined with more learning experiences for students will ensure success for students. Everyone is doing "Whatever It Takes" in educating our students to become responsible, productive citizens. Crossett Elementary continues the "Tradition of Excellence" and is accredited by the North Central Association.

Norman Middle School

The reconfiguration of Norman Middle School (NMS) has gone remarkably well. This is attributed to several groups of people. The District Maintenance and Technology Staffs are to be commended for their hard work over the summer as all of the Daniels' teachers' furniture, computers, smartboards, and teaching materials were transported and re-installed into their assigned classrooms at Norman. All of the teachers and staff are applauded for their dedication and efforts which began early last Spring as the district began the work of merging two schools, faculties, curricula and culminated with the opening of Norman Middle School on August 18th. Thanks to all the parents and students of Norman Middle School who attended Orientations and Open House in August and who have made the start of the 2008-2009 school year a true success.

At NMS this year approximately 75% of the faculty and three of the four grades of students are newcomers to the building. All of the teachers are fully licensed, though some are adding additional areas of licensure. Over the summer, the faculty was strengthen through the addition of the following new teachers: Ms. Grace Evans was hired to teach 5th grade Literacy & Social Studies, Mr. Kim Garner was hired to teach 5th & 6th grade Art, Mr. Roger Cagle was hired to teach 7th grade Mathematics, Mrs. Rachel Wilson was hired to teach 7th grade Social Studies, Mrs. Rebecca Herrington was hired to teach 7th grade Literacy, Ms. Beverlynn Rowden was hired to teach 7th grade Keyboarding, Ms. Jordan Simons was hired to teach 8th grade Literacy, Mrs. Lindsay Carlton was hired to teach 8th grade Mathematics and Algebra 1, Ms. Elizabeth Britting was hired to teach 8th grade Social Studies, and Ms. Deena Jarrett was hired as a Library Media Specialist.

On the April, 2008, Augmented Benchmark Exam, fifth grade scores continued to show improvement. On the Mathematics Exam, 46% of students scored proficient or advanced compared to only 38% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the Literacy Exam, 47% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to 40% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the sixth grade Mathematics Exam, 62% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to only 52% who were proficient or advanced in March 2007. On the sixth grade Literacy Exam, 49% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to 48% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the seventh grade Mathematics Exam, 46% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to only 34% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the Literacy Exam, only 36% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to 43% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the eighth grade Mathematics Exam, 37% of the students scored proficient or advanced compared to only 16% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. On the Literacy Exam, only 58% ofthe students scored proficient or advanced compared to 40% who were proficient or advanced in March, 2007. In April, 2007, 63% of the students scored proficient or advanced on the Algebra I End of Course Exam compared to 56% who scored proficient or advanced on the April, 2007, Algebra 1 End of Course Exam.

Under the federal and state requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, each school must perform at an acceptable level set by the state which increases each year until 100% of the student population is proficient by the 2013-2014 school year. Schools are held accountable for overall student performance as well as the performance of several identifiable subgroups. Under the federal No Child Left Behind guidelines, if even one subgroup fails to make adequate yearly progress (AYP), then the school is in "School Improvement." Last year at this time, it was reported that Norman Junior High School had been placed on School Improvement - Year 1 Status for the 2007-2008 school year. Due to the reorganization and reconfiguration process, Norman Middle School remains in School Improvement Year 1 Status for the 2008-2009 school year.

Norman Middle School has a total enrollment of 610 students this year. There is a lot to offer students, and the community is urged to join as an active participant throughout the year in this most important endeavor of educating children. Parents should be assured that everyone is working tirelessly to insure the best possible academic experience for all students.

Crossett High School

Crossett High School is continuing onward and upward this year. The standards set by the Arkansas Department of Education continue to mandate positive change while others have occurred because of the Crossett School District's Theme for 2008-2009, Whatever It Takes to Improve Student Achievement. Crossett High School principal Kevin Hancock considers it a privilege to work with such outstanding students, staff and parents.

The quality at CHS continues to grow with the addition of new employees, James Morris as a Social Studies instructor, Lisa Terrell as a Math instructor, Doris Perkins as a Biology instructor, Gayla Noneaker as a Math instructor, Russell Woodard as a Math instructor, Greg Johnson as a Chemistry instructor, Sid Wright as a Special Education instructor, Mark King as a Social Studies instructor, and Mike Sprawls as a Health instructor.

Crossett High School has in place for the 2008-2009 year the Arkansas Early College High School initiative. AECHS is done in cooperation with the Southeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and local school districts. AECHS allows students at Crossett High School to take college level courses concurrently with their high school coursework. AECHS classes offered at CHS this year are College Algebra and AP English Composition. This will give students a head start on their college career. In addition to this program, CHS has added the Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST Lab) initiative enhancing the computer skills needed of our students to compete in today's workforce.

Improvement has been shown in literacy scores during the past year. Crossett High School's AYP status remains under Year 4 School Improvement as in the previous year. Though minimal gains were made in the previous school year, teachers and students are doing a fantastic job of targeting the areas where improvement is needed. During the school day students have classes that are being provided for enrichment and remediation for students that require it.

Crossett High School has an enrollment of 598 students spanning grades 9-12. CHS has an established Parent/Teacher Organization which utilizes parent resources in the classrooms and other activities. EdLine, an Internet source for parents and students to check on academic progress of their student is being updated by the teachers regularly. Also to keep parents informed of events at CHS is the School Messenger system. CHS has a great deal to offer, and ALL parents and community members are encouraged to visit.

Federal Programs

Title I: Federal Title I funds for school improvement are assigned to Crossett Elementary School and Crossett Middle School based on the number of students receiving free or reduced lunch at each site. School teams establish a school improvement committee composed of administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and community representatives to write a school action plan. Using State Academic Assessments and ACTAAP data, these committees determine the student groups who are underachieving and the areas of the curriculum in which these deficits occur. Research-based programs are then designed and implemented at the schools using Title I funds to bring all children up to grade level on ACTAAP. At present, the elementary and middle schools in the Crossett School District operate School-wide Title I programs and are under the regulations of "No Child Left Behind" legislation.

The federal programs approved applications and plans including Title I, Title II-A, Title IV -A, and Title VI-State for 2008-2009 are available at the Crossett School District Administration Building for public view. The Crossett School District Federal Programs Coordinator can be contacted at the following address:

Linda Goodwin, Federal Programs Coordinator, Phone: 870-364-3112, Hugh Willis Administration Building, 219 Main Street Crossett, AR 71635

Section 504

The purpose of 504 services is to provide children with disabilities an "equal shot" at success in the classroom - an equal educational opportunity despite the disability. Thus, the services required under 504 are stated as those designed so that the individual educational needs of disabled students are met as adequately in the classrooms as the needs of non-disabled students. There is no guarantee of achievement of performance, only a guarantee of equal opportunity to succeed.

Under 504, a "handicapped person" is simply one who (1) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) provides that "No otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States... shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits ot or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..."

For assistance with 504 services contact:

Linda Goodwin, Federal Programs Coordinator, Phone: 870-364-3112, Hugh Willis Administration Building, 219 Main Street, Crossett, AR 71635

ESL Program

The Crossett School District continues to provide services to students whose first language is not English. They have been identified by Home Language Surveys completed at the time of enrollment.

Crossett gives the ELDA (English Language Development Assessment) yearly to determine LEP (Limited English Proficient) students' progress in meeting the standards set forth in the Arkansas English Language Proficiency Curriculum Frameworks. In accordance with the law, the ELDA was administered in the spring of 2008 to all English Language Learners, kindergarten through grade 12. Students who do not score proficient in oral and/or written English are provided ESL services.

Twenty-nine students qualified to receive ESL services for the 2008-2009 school year.

Equity

The Arkansas Department of Education - Equity Assistance Center requires that school districts comply with Standard 1, Civil Rights Laws of 1964, Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. The equity guidelines are designed to assist local school districts with meeting Standard XV which assures that no district shall discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or handicapping conditions in accordance with state and federal laws. The Crossett School District Equity Coordinator can be contacted at the following address:

Linda Goodwin, Equity Coordinator, Hugh Willis Administration Building, 219 Main Street, Crossett, AR 71635, Phone: 870-364-3112

With the posting of the district's non-discriminating information and according to reports filed from the coordinator's office, Crossett Schools are in compliance.

Gifted and Talented Program

In Jamie Lee Curtis' latest book, Is There Really a Human Race? the book's character explores the reality that from birth, life is truly a competitive race. Of the many conclusions the young character makes throughout the book, the most profound is that we should try our best, become our best, and make a difference in life. It is that life race and proverb that the goals of the Crossett Public School's Gifted and Talented Program are based. In doing so, the E.A.G.L.E.S. (Eager and Gifted Learners Enriched Studies) Gifted and Talented program provides services for students in grades K-12. The program provides varied programming opportunities for students through whole group enrichment, pull-out/send out resource classes, Pre-Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses. The program currently provides services for 209 formally identified students in grades 3-12.

Crossett Elementary: All students in grades K-2 participate in whole group enrichment activities conducted regularly by their classroom teachers as well as by the gifted program staff. A key program utilized in K-2 classrooms is the Talent's Unlimited program. The program's purpose is to foster divergent and creative thinking. The program organizes activities to focus on developing five talents or types of thinking: productive thinking, communication, forecasting, planning, and decision making skills.

The program also offers a pull-out/send out program for formally identified Gifted and Talented students beginning in the 3rd grade. The formal identification process for the program's third grade pullout resource class begins at the K-2 level. As part of the identification process all students are screened for the program using several measures including a reasoning exam, Stanford Achievement Test Scores, teacher observations, and work samples from K-2 enrichment classes. Additionally, students may be nominated for the program by parents, teachers, and administrators. All nominated students proceed through a multi-step screening that is formally reviewed by a placement committee made up of school personnel to determine student placement in the program. Students placed in the pull-out program begin participation in the in third grade.

Identified students also participate in the program at the fourth grade level. All identified G/T students at Anderson attend G/T classes with Romona Sawyer, G/T Coordinator. Both third and fourth grade G/T students participate in activities and studies to promote critical, creative, and divergent thinking skills as well as learn research strategies to study and develop products of knowledge utilizing technology. The students also participate in carefully planned enrichment lessons that coincide with other on-going classroom studies in third and fourth grade.

Norman Middle School: Identified Gifted and Talented students in grades five-six participate in pull-out classes with Jan Sellers, G/T Teacher. The students participate in a variety of studies that encompass many learning genres. The continued focus of the intermediate level GT classes are to develop critical, creative and divergent thinking skills as well as refine research and self-directed learning activities and projects. Students may also participate in Quiz Bowl and other extra-curricular activities as they present themselves.

Identified students in grades seven and eight may participate in Pre-Advanced Placement courses in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. The courses are organized and implemented to adhere to College Board standards as the teachers of these courses have participated in specialized training to assure the quality and rigor of subject matter. The curriculum presented as part of Pre-AP courses are vertically aligned to prepare students for success in the Advanced Placement courses that correspond with them at the high school level. The curriculum taught as part of each course is varied in content, process, and product and involve students in studying in a more in-depth and broader scope. In addition to the Pre-Advanced Placement curriculum offered at NJH, students may also participate in other extra-curricular enrichment activities including the Duke Talent Identification Program, Arkansas Gazette National Spelling Bee, History Day, and Quiz Bowl.

Crossett High School - As with NMS, tenth and eleventh grade identified GT students may enroll in Pre-Advanced placement courses at CHS. Eleventh and twelfth grade students may also enroll in Advanced Placement courses. Crossett High School currently offers Advanced Placement courses in American Government, United States History, English, Biology, and Calculus. Students may receive college credit for these courses for high scores on exit exams. In addition to the AP courses offered at CHS, students may also enroll in a concurrent credit class, Composition I & II that is offered through the school's CIV lab. Students may also participate in extra-curricular programs offered throughout the year that include: Quiz Bowl, History Day, Chess, and Robotics Team.

Students may be nominated for the gifted program at any time and at any grade level. Services provided through the program correlate directly with the definitions and standards set forth by the Arkansas Department of Education. The program's philosophy is to provide services for children whose learning characteristics and educational needs require differentiated educational experiences. Yearly evaluations of the gifted program are conducted to assess the program's effectiveness in meeting student needs. A G/T program orientation meeting is held each fall to share information regarding the program with the public.The program is approved annually by the Department of Education and is monitored for standards assurance every three years.

Special Education

The Special Education Department of the Crossett Public Schools serves 217 students that have been identified as having a disability according to state and federal guidelines. This is approximately 10% of the school population. The Special Education Department follows strict guidelines mandated by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

This department is made up of one full-time special education supervisor, eight full-time special education teachers, two full-time speech pathologists, two part-time speech pathologist, and thirteen paraprofessionals.

The school district purchases psychological services, occupational therapy as well as physical therapy from certified private providers. Also, an array of School Based Mental Health Services are provided for students who are in need of these services locally on the different campuses. Delta Counseling, Day Springs, and Living Hope are the Mental Health Providers that are used in our district.

Special Education students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, receive intensive instruction in the least restrictive environment with supports and services. Co-Teaching is being used as a collaborative, method in the Primary Grades. Additional inclusive methods are being used in the areas of English, Math, and Science on the Elementary, Middle and High School campuses.

Transition services are offered to middle and high school students who receive on-the-job training from local businesses throughout the Crossett area.

For further information about special education services, please contact: Lendora Early, Special Education Supervisor, Crossett Public Schools, 219 Main Street,

Crossett, Arkansas 71635, 870-364-127

Maintenance and Transportation Department

The latter half of the 2008-09 school year brought about many issues which directly affected the Maintenance and Transportation Department.

With the closing of two schools, the Maintenance Department, with input from the community, Board of Education, Administration and parents/guardians, was faced with the relocation of classrooms within each of the remaining schools. Beginning near the end of May, the Maintenance crew under the supervision of Phillip Kelley, undertook the daunting task of cleaning and relocating the classrooms at North Crossett Primary to Crossett Elementary (both Anderson and Hastings) as well as moving the fifth and sixth grade classrooms to Crossett Middle School (Norman) after first having moved the ninth grade classrooms to Crossett High School. These relocation efforts were completed, for the most part, prior to the start of school, August 18. Most areas in all four schools were painted and floors waxed to create a clean and inviting learning environment. Refurbishing of the high school is also underway with the updating of the entrance, foyer, and the addition of more lockers to meet the needs resulting with increased enrollment. The installation of new windows in the gym and updating of the locker rooms off the gym are nearing completion.

The Transportation Department, including staff and drivers, looked at how to revamp the routes to reduce the number of miles on the road. The revamping took into account the purchase of two new larger capacity buses which should arrive in Crossett during the next few weeks. One major cost for the department continues to be the purchase of diesel fuel. With the elimination of the shuttles to North Crossett and the consolidation of a few routes, the department was able to add the shuttles for our K through fourth grade students and still reduce the amount of miles traveled each day by our drivers. In fact, the first quarter of this year resulted in a reduction of nearly 1,500 gallons of fuel.

Crossett Public Schools is determined in maintaining its on-going, pro-active approach by continually upgrading and maintaining its facilities. Last year the Maintenance Department reported we were implementing a web-based work order system which is now fully implemented. Nearly 4,600 work orders have been generated from within our district. The requests have been completed, documented and are available for review with just the "click of a mouse." We're proud that our Maintenance Department was on the cutting edge with this program as now the State of Arkansas, Department of Education, has adopted the same program to be implemented and used throughout the State by all Arkansas' school districts.

Professional Development

The Crossett School District is engaged in a continuous and relevant professional development program. The professional development emphasis for the 2008-2009 school year is to provide all certified staff with 60 hours of professional development, including six hours of instructional technology, three hours of parental involvement training for administrators and two hours of parental involvement training for teachers as required by the Arkansas Department of Education. The goal of all professional development activities is to ensure focused instruction by highly qualified teachers, resulting in proficiency by all students on the state criterion referenced assessments (ACTAAP).

Presidential, County Clerk Races; ACMC Tax, Constitutional Issues Head Ballot for General Election

Ashley County voters, along with others across the state and nation, will be going to the polls next Tuesday, November 4, to elect a new president and vice president, to determine one county-wide race, to decide on five statewide issues and one local issue. Also, citizens of Wilmot will be selecting council members in two contested races.

 No More Busy Signals and Much Faster Downloads Available Immediately!

List of Unopposed Candidates on Tuesday’s General Election Ballot

While all of the contested races have been spelled out in other stories, there are also a large number of uncontested races on the ballot this November. Those who will be elected or re-elected without opposition include:

Election Commission Tells Ashley County Polling Sites

The Ashley County Election Commission has announced the polling sites for the general election next Tuesday. The sites are as follows:

Hamburg Chamber Asks Council for Support

The Hamburg City Council in its regular meeting on Monday night, October 27, heard three requests for funding.

Hamburg Board Finalizes Sale of Phase II Construction Bonds

In a special meeting at noon on Tuesday, October 21, the Hamburg School Board finalized the sale of $2.79 million in construction bonds for the second phase of the projects approved by the voters in 2007.

Crossett Council Takes Action on Launius Request

With two items on the agenda, one of which was postponed, Crossett aldermen took a single action during the council's regular meeting held on Monday, October 20.

Hamburg Board to Set Requirements, Desires for Superintendent

In its regular meeting on Monday night, October 20, the Hamburg School Board set two special meetings, with one of the two to deal with construction projects and the second to formulate what the board wants in a permanent superintendent and the procedures for the search.

Child's Death Due To Internal Injuries

Ashley County Coroner Steve Hartshorn said this week that a report from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory indicated that a Hamburg girl, Niesha Kry'stal Lewis, died from internal injuries as a result of an automobile accident in Hamburg on Friday, October 3.

Rawls Presides Over Quorum Court Meeting

The Ashley County Quorum Court held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, in a session that lasted only about 20 minutes.

Crossett Board Reorganizes; Hill Says Inflation Eating Up Savings from District Reconfiguration

The election of officers and ex-officio financial secretary, financial report, the annual report to the public and the designation of disbursing officer centered Crossett's School Board of Education October meeting held on Monday, October 13.

Man Enters Plea in Death

One of the two Crossett men accused in the April beating death of a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man was sentenced Monday, October 20, to 10 years in prison.

Crossett School District Report to the Public

The Crossett School District operates four school sites, all of which are accredited by the North Central Association. A very detailed improvement plan is in place at each campus to guide the schools by NCA Standards over a five-year period. Additionally, the schools are following plans to improve the academic success of students on the state-mandated assessment.

UAM-CTC To Host Open House Thursday, October 23

The UAM College of Technology-Crossett will host an open house for its recently completed Industrial Technology Building on October 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

 Eagle Ministries Delivers Food For Residents of Parkdale, Wilmot

Despite implement weather, Eagle Family Ministries, working with Feed the Children, held its first food distribution in Wilmot Thursday afternoon, October 16. As scattered rain fell over parts of Ashley County, a large crowd of Parkdale and Wilmot residents seeking food assistance waited their turn in line.

Cases Reach Disposition in Circuit Courts

Tenth Judicial District Circuit judges Sam Pope and Don Glover presided over a number of final dispositions in Ashley County Circuit court last week.

County to Collect Outdated Pesticides At Portland Site on Tuesday, Oct. 28

Ashley County producers will have the opportunity to dispose of their outdated and unused pesticides during a collection event on Tuesday, October, 28, at Farm Equipment Company in Portland.

 Homemakers Hear Program on Identity Theft

Members of the Ashley County Extension Homemakers Club met Thursday, October 9, in the conference room of the courthouse annex for its fall council program. Guest speaker Stephen Svetz III, instructor/investigator with the Arkansas Attorney General's office, spoke to the group on identity theft and offered preventive tips.

 Hamburg’s Inez Barnes Wins First Place Among Cancer Survivors in Komen Race for the Cure

Hamburg's Inez Barnes was one of about 47,000 women who took part in the fifteenth annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure in Little Rock on Saturday, October 11, and she has the distinction of placing first among all of the cancer survivors.

UA-Monticello to Honor Wisener, Chamberlin, Howlett and Mann during Homecoming Events

A banker, a tax attorney, a retired military officer, and a former Boll Weevil football star will be honored by the University of Arkansas at Monticello during the university's homecoming celebration October 17.

Seach for Wilmot Man Ends on Friday Afternoon

Search teams recovered the body of a 59-year-old Wilmot native from Lake Enterprise in Wilmot Friday afternoon following a two-day search.

Dermott Man Killed in Portland Industrial Accident

A Dermott man was killed Tuesday night following an industrial accident at GPS Cotton Gin on Highway 165 in Portland.

Judge Sets Unlawful Burning Case for November

Tenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Sam Pope handed down rulings and imposed sentencing in a number of cases Monday, October 6, in the Ashley County Circuit Courtroom.

 New Hamburg Fire Chief Enthusiastic About Job

The Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department has a new chief leading the 21 man department. Chip LaCaze, 37, of Hamburg, officially took over the role on Wednesday, October 1. However, LaCaze said, he began serving as fire chief one week before his official start date. "It's going to be stressful, challenging, but I'm excited about it," LaCaze said. "I am going to do the best job I can, keep my guys safe and provide protection to everyone in the county that needs it."

 Wilmot Native Receives National Award

Wilmot native Mamie Parker has been selected The Wilderness Society's national Faces of Conservation award for her lifetime commitment to fish and wildlife conservation. Her photo will hang on a specially-designated wall in the nonprofit's Washington headquarters.

 Alicia Matheney Takes Over as Miss Ashley County

According to an announcement from Miss Ashley County pageant coordinator Renee Stokes, Jahley Stahley has relinquished her the title of Miss Ashley County 2008 as well as the crown, all awards and scholarships.