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Thanksgiving Comes One Day Early fro 160 Guard Members
CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. - Shedding tears of joy on the eve of Thanksgiving, a number of Arkansas families gave thanks here one day early as they welcomed their soldiers home from Iraq. Approximately 160 members of the Arkansas Army National Guard's Crossett and El Dorado based Troop A, 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment, arrived here late Wednesday night, leading the way home for the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The remainder of the brigade's 3,200 soldiers is scheduled to return throughout the month of December. The brigade has conducted a security mission throughout various locations in Iraq since it initially deployed in late March 2008. Based in the International Zone of Baghdad, Troop A alone conducted well over 1,000 personal security detail missions during their eight months on the ground in Iraq. "My guys executed personal security detail missions for the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team," said Troop A's commander, Capt. Jeffery Westbrook, of Benton. "We were actually tasked with escorting the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, the special representative to the secretary general of the U.N., as well as other reps from the U.S. Department of Justice."
Although the return home came with multiple delays and time line shifts, seeing their families in time for the holidays left the soldiers and their families with a common emotion. "It feels great. Glad to be home," said Spc. Curtis Aiken, of Hamburg, who was holding his daughter Kirsten in his arms with wife Stephanie by his side. "I'm very thankful I made it back." Aiken's was one of roughly 75 family members who made the long drive from Arkansas to Camp Shelby in hopes of spending Thanksgiving with their returning soldier. Due to arriving so close to the holiday, the soldiers were released for the evening and allowed to spend the holiday with their families who made the trip. Although these soldiers have made it back to the states, their mobilization is not yet over. The troops begin the four-to-five-day demobilization process at Camp Shelby Friday morning - a process the adjutant general asked them not to take lightly.
"We ask that our soldiers take the demobilization process seriously and discuss any issues they have as a result of the deployment, whether it is something as simple as back pain or something as complex as post traumatic stress," Maj. Gen. William Wofford wrote in a letter to the soldiers and their families. "We ask that the families of these soldiers encourage them to be candid during the demobilization process in order to help us help them. The only thing better than having your loved one home for the holidays is having them home and healthy during the holidays for years to come." As the general addressed the soldiers and their tamilies at the welcome home ceremony he thanked them for their service and their sacrifice. He also asked them to remember the words of former President Ronald Reagan when reflecting on that sacrifice. "You need to remember that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction," quoted the general. "It's not something that's passed down in the bloodstream. It's a responsibly of each generation to protect that freedom, to preserve it, and sometimes to have to fight for it - just as you have done. Because if we don't do that, one of these days in our sunset years, we'll be telling our children and our children's children, what it was like to live in a country when men were free." The 39th Brigade was the first National Guard brigade combat team to deploy for a second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. About half of the brigade had deployed on the first mobilization which ran from October 2003 to April 2005. Comprised of soldiers from all four corners of the state, the 39th Brigade was initially called to active duty for training in preparation for this second deployment on October 1, 2007, and was federally mobilized the following January. Since September 11, 2001, the Arkansas National Guard as a whole has mobilized over 11,200 soldiers and airmen in support of the global war on terrorism. Thanksgiving Comes One Day Early fro 160 Guard Members CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. - Shedding tears of joy on
Hamburg Needs to Recycle, Cut Landfill Costs, Hargis Tells Council Hamburg Public Works Director Jimmy Hargis told the Hamburg City Council in its regular meeting on Monday night, November 24, that the city needs to look at a recycling program to cut the costs of material taken to the Ashley County Landfill. International Paper to "Indefinitely" Close Pulp Mill in Bastrop International Paper on Friday, November 21, announced the indefinite closure of its pulp mill in Bastrop, LA. Even with Lower Gas Prices, Turkey Dinner to Cost More LITTLE ROCK — It will be a while before lower fuel prices are reflected in cheaper food prices at the supermarket. That's evident as it will now cost a family of 10, on average, $40.97, or a little more than $4 per person, to prepare the traditional Thanksgiving dinner according to Arkansas Farm Bureau's annual survey of items included in the holiday meal. Dates Set for Training for Farm Pesticide Applicators Any area agriculture producers who need to certify or re-certify their private pesticide applicator's license should mark the dates of Thursday, December 4,, at 9 a.m. and Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at 1 p.m. on their calendar. These are the dates of the pesticide applicator training in Ashley County. The training will be held at the Ashley County Courthouse Annex Building in Hamburg. Hamburg VFW Post to Meet For Reorganization State Veterans of Foreign Wars officers were in Hamburg on Wednesday, November 19, to assist in reactivating Post 9360. Hamburg Board Oks Track Funds, Discusses Superintendent Search The regular meeting of the Hamburg School Board on Monday night, November 17, was a rather routine one, with the board taking action on only one item. The board also again discussed the procedure for hiring a new superintendent.
After months of debate by Crossett's aldermen to perfect and adopt an amended animal control ordinance, council members again addressed the topic during Crossett's regular city council meeting on Monday night, November 17. Quorum Court Approves Levy of Taxes for Next Year, Hears Reports Members of the Ashley County Quorum Court, in their regular meeting, held Wednesday, November 12, because the courthouse was closed on Tuesday for Veterans Day, adopted the tax rates for the various taxing units in the county for this year. Crossett Board Buys Buses, Sends Seventh Grader Home for Year The Crossett School Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, November 13. Presenting the financial report, Business Manager Norman Hill said the district is back on monthly cash basis. In a comparison of the current year to the previous year, Hill said the ending balance in October reflects $110,393.91 more, but the amount includes $300,000 in local taxes paid to the district last month. "We actually collected about $300,000 in local taxes in October of this year that is normally collected in November," said Hill. "We're back on a cash basis." Legal Notices Now Available on Web Effective this week, all legal notices published in the print edition of the Ashley County Ledger are also available in a searchable form on the Internet. The web site also features legal notices from the Crossett newspaper and many others in the state and from over 30 newspapers across the nation. From Portland to the Battle of the Bulge and Dachau: Earl Cochran in WWII "I'm not a hero, I did as I was told," Earl Cochran, 90, of Portland said, reflecting on the time he served as a captain with the 42nd Infantry, Rainbow Division, in the 3rd and later the 7th Army during World War II. Cochran, a 1936 graduate of Portland High School, obtained a business degree in 1940 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. While in college, he said, male students were required to attend two years of Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC), but that he re-enrolled in the course and attended four years and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Court of Appeals Affirms County Cocaine Conviction The Arkansas Court of Appeals, in a decision released on Wednesday, November 5, affirmed the conviction of an Ashley County man for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and fleeing.
Governor Mike Beebe and Department of Rural Services Director Butch Calhoun presented $163,291.92 to 15 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2009 Cycle I funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program at an awards ceremony held October 31 in the governor's reception rRoom at the Arkansas State Capitol. Crossett To Take Part in Recycling Day on Saturday Crossett is participating in America Recycle's Day, Saturday, November 15. The Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce Community Development Committee is hosting a recycling drop-off from 9 a.m. to 12 noon that day at the Crossett High School parking lot on Highway 133T. The drop-off will focus on four recycling categories: Paper/Cardboard, Electronics, Metal and Plastics. Hamburg, Crossett Announce Dates, Plans for Christmas Celebrations The Hamburg and Crossett Chambers of Commerce announced plans for the annual Christmas celebrations in the two cities. In Hamburg, the annual Hamburg Holidays celebration will be held on Thursday, December 4, on the square, while Crossett's celebration will be one day later, on Friday, December 5. Jury Finds Holland Not Guilty in 3,373 Acre Fire An Ashley County Circuit Court jury of six men and six women with two female alternates deliberated only about two hours on Thursday afternoon, November 6, before returning a verdict clearing Joel David "Luke" Holland of all charges in connection with the January 8, 2006, fires that burned 3,373 acres. Ashley County Votes for McCain, Kersten, Hospital Tax and Amendments Ashley County's voters were in step with fellow voters in Arkansas in the general election on Tuesday, November 4, as they gave Republican John McCain a majority for U. S. President, but they were out of step with the nation as a whole. Democrat Barack Obama won the election handily. Hamburg Board Sets Plans For Superintendent Search In a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, October 30, the Hamburg School Board approved the procedure to follow in the search for a new superintendent of schools. State Says Schools on Improvement List Increasing in Number The number of Arkansas schools categorized as being in school improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation rose to 375 this year, for an increase of 50 from the year before, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Education on Friday. Crossett Among Winners of Volunteer Awards Twelve communities have been selected to receive the 2008 Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Award. Chosen to receive recognition for their volunteer efforts are Bay, Bella Vista, Bryant, Clarkridge, Clarksville, Crossett, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Marked Tree, Maumelle, and Van Buren. Class Seeks Nominations For HHS Hall of Fame The Leadership Class at Hamburg High School is in the process of creating a Hamburg Hall of Fame to recognize successful graduates of the school. 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. 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. 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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