Stories from Monday, June 20, 2011

Zachary Thompson, 21, or 609 Ash Street Trumann was arrested Sunday and charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). According to the police report, Patrolman Jared Cook observed Mr. Thompson walking while he was on a routine patrol. Patrolman Cook was aware of an active misdemeanor arrest warrant out of the Trumann Police Department Mr. Thompson. Patrolman Cook arrested Mr. Thompson for said warrant. A search of his person allegedly produced a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance. District Judge Ron Hunter set the bond at $5,000 c/s. The court date is July 25, 2011.

The Marked Tree Board of Education gave Superintendent Annesa Thompson authority to go into a contract with Sub-Teach, a company that provides substitute teachers. The Paragould company would call in substitute teachers and also takes responsibility for recruitment, training, background checks, taking care of payroll and worker's compensation for substitutes. Sub-Teach is already working with 49 districts, and Thompson said they had worked with EPC school district for two years. Sub-Teach would also allow Marked Tree Schools access to a wider pool of substitute teachers and the possibility of more certified teachers. The school has control over who Sub-Teach calls in and will also decide what the process for calling in substitutes will be. Thompson also said that she would send a letter to current substitute teachers the school uses telling them to fill out an application with Sub-Teach. "I think we won't lose subs," Thompson said. "People I've contacted seemed happy with the job Sub-Teach does. The advantages to this will be a wider pool of teacher, more certified and more qualified substitutes, and Sub-Teach does liability." In other business, the Board of Education: * Accepted Thompson's recommendation to use Direct Deposit Payroll starting with the 2011-2012 school year. Thompson said that direct deposit would save money, a lot of time, and would benefit all the staff. The board also authorized Thompson to make direct deposit mandatory at her discretion. * Approved summer use of the football facility by a semi-pro team. High School Principal Matt Wright said the team used the facility last year and will pay $500 for five games. * Heard an update on the Elementary School foundation. A structural engineer looked at the foundation at the facilities division suggestion. The engineer wanted some concrete chiseled out so he could look at it. He did not think that drastic measures, such as putting pillars in, were necessary and suggested the concrete be repoured and retied to the original foundation. The board voted to move forward with the repairs recommended. The estimated cost is $30,000, which is less than the board thought repairs would originally cost. * Heard an update on the bond refinancing. Thompson said the bond refinancing went through at a lower level than they originally thought it would and that the school will save $117,000 and will see $79,000 this year. * Recognized Marked Tree Elementary for being featured in the Office for Education Policy's Spotlights on Success project which looked at four schools that had made significant progress in the last five years. Marked Tree Elementary was the highest performing rural school with a significant disadvantaged school population for this school year. Thompson was also asked by OEP to be on a panel held Friday at the University of Central Arkansas called "Closing the Achievement Gap--Lessons Learned from Successful Schools." Together with representatives from the other districts featured in the study, Thompson discussed how the school had made improvements. * Approved the pursuit of AdvancED accreditation. Marked Tree Schools will pursue district-wide accreditation. * Authorized a proposal to buy a used bus for use on a country route and to repair a newer bus which needs a new motor. The used bus should cost between $32,000-41,000, and new bus repairs should cost between $12-15,000 for a total of $60,000. The used bus will not have an air conditioner because they do not last long on gravel roads. * Approved adjustments to the athletic schedule. The current schedule is to use fourth period for athletics for the Junior High and eighth period for Senior High, but they have to work around tutoring. The change would be to move Junior High's athletics to eighth period and have Senior High's after school with tutoring happening during school periods. Wright said it was a "win-win for everybody involved. The coaches all love it and are all on board." * Accepted Thompson's recommendations to: not renew the contract of Melissa Belcher, accept the resignation of Samantha Tilley, hire Anna Trago as a high school science teacher, hire Alexi Johnson and Jessica Lang as fifth grade elementary teachers, hire Lisa Rains and Brandy Simpson as cafeteria workers, and hire Derek Druit and Michael Wages on an as needed basis for the summer at $7.79 an hour. * Changed the next board of education regular meeting to June 27.

The Next Wrestling Federation presents Aftermath for June 18, at the Trumann Sports Complex Building at 7:30 p.m. Kids 12 and under are $3 and all adults are $5. Featured wrestlers include: Hillbilly Tucker, North and South Connection, Kountry Slick Rick, Boss, Gary Diamond, Freezer Thompson, Lance Boudreaux, Mr. Playboy Tommy Wayne, Lucky, Gravedigger, Big Al and Chris Idol. Tickets will be available at the door Saturday night.

The Marked Tree City Council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to accept bids and enter into a contract for force main repairs. B & B Utility Contractors, Inc. out of Marion will be awarded the contract to replace 1,760 L.F. ten inch PVC force and two ten inch 90 degree bends. The price for the force main is $21,560, and the price for the 90 degree bends is $873 for a total of $22,433. The council also approved the contract for the engineer for the park grant. Mayor Wayne Nichols said that the park is currently in the engineering stage at the insistence of Parks and Tourism and that the engineering is almost completed. The council also discussed the city financial and water statements. City Clerk Pam Wright said that the city is losing money on water payments because water is at a fixed rate in Marked Tree. To make things even out, Wright suggested a 2 to 3 percent cost of living adjustment every year. No action was taken. The council also discussed ideas to recoup costs for letting people bring trash to city hall for dumping at the landfill. Shane Glenn suggested putting a committee together to come up with solutions to trash and limbs pickup problems in the city. Nichols asked that council members come up with a list of ideas for solutions to be discussed at next month's council meeting. Nichols gave an update on the Awesome Products facility. He said he had finally gotten the contract to approve the engineering. Nichols also said the city would apply for some FEMA money for some help with some problems around the city. Nichols gave an update on the lawsuit requesting final payment on engineering fees for the sports complex. He said that he and Wright would be meeting with attorneys next week and that Wright had compiled information from the minutes which pertain to the case including a punch list that was never finished and recordings of things the engineer said he would complete but did not. "We'll take everything that pertains to the case and give it to the attorneys," Nichols said. The council also discussed the walking track lights at the sports complex. The lights have a glitch so that they are not being done what they are programmed to do. They are in the process of being fixed so the big 1500 watt lights do not have to burn all night. The council also commended the dog catcher for his work, saying that the dog problem in Marked Tree had really improved. Nichols said they are also working to make sure all dogs are vaccinated or have proof of vaccination.

Byron Neal was voted in as president of the Harrisburg school board at this month's meeting. Byron Neal has been absent from the board since the time of the board's mandatory reduction. On June 7, Neal filed a lawsuit against the board, which claims that the school board did not follow procedure when they reduced their membership. The board legally could have reduced their numbers by having a member give up their position voluntarily or by one of the members drawing lots. Neal, who was on the board at the time of the mandatory reduction, was the only member not placed on the interim board, by the decision of Reddmann and Massengill, after which he filed a suit, where Circuit Judge John Fogleman ruled in his favor that the reduction had not followed Arkansas code. Along with Neal, Fonda Clark was voted in as vice president and Greg Reddmann as secretary/disbursement officer. The board also approved of paying Neal's legal fees up to $10,000, with proves of documentation. Clark asked if the board would have to revote on issues from former meetings, since the board was illegal. To Superintendent Danny Sample's knowledge the decisions will remain in effect and will not have to be revoted on. Also at the meeting Coach Brandon Craig discussed the possibility of implementing a drug testing policy. "Most schools in the area have a policy in place," said Craig. "We've tweaked some of those and mixed our own. Drugs have been a huge problem for teens all over the country and with this, we could offer some an 'out' for not using drugs." The policy would include randomly testing seventh grade through seniors who are involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, band or choir. Those driving to school would also be eligible to become tested. So far, the efforts have been campus supported and many of the faculty have signed a petition supporting the cause. In fact, many are in support of school officials, faculty and non-traditional staff being susceptible to testing too. Each drug test will test for ten drugs and can be given by school nurses or members of the company where the school buys its tests. In other news: *Approved applying for the Blue and You program, which will help supply the school with workout equipment and a facilitator who will run the new fitness center. The new center would be open to the public for a membership fee and available for student use. The school will have to provide public restrooms and plans to remodel some existing ones. *Approval to accept the bid presented by PC Solutions for the purchase of new computers for the school for $32,037.67. Each computer will come with 19-inch screens, 8 gigs of space and onsite setup. *Approval of school transfers, new hires and resignations. *Approval of new textbook adoptions for the 2011-2012 school year. *Approval of faculty waivers and personal policies. *Announced that the audit for the school was clean.

Bob Bakken, director of media relations for the Memphis RiverKings, was the guest speaker at last week's Marked Tree Rotary Club meeting. A native of Minnesota, Bakken has been in radio for 40 years. He calls all the RiverKings' games and has also called football, baseball, and basketball games during his career. He brought a regulation puck, which is six ounces with a one inch width and a three inch diameter, and explained that the puck is made of rubber. To keep the pucks from bouncing, they are frozen before games and kept in an ice bucket during the game. Bakken talked about the RiverKings' last season and some of the struggles the team had faced, including a coach replacement mid-season. He said the team has been in the playoffs 13 years and won 2 years. He said that most of the players he had dealt with were very intelligent and caring. "A lot of these athletes grew up in small towns, and they're happy to give back," he said. "We're committed to giving back to the communities we serve through supporting nonprofit groups in the Mid-South. We're very active in the offseason." One program the RiverKings support is called Junior Street Kings at the Hernando Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. In the spring and fall, kids aged 5-11 have the chance to play roller hockey in a concrete rink. The team captain also coordinates a program that teaches kids to skate. The River Kings support the DeSoto County Relay for Life program, host a fundraiser golf tournament in the summer, and the mascots--Sheldon the Turtle and the River Thing--also make appearances to support various causes. There is also a program called Assists for Autism where fans can pledge either a flat rate or a certain amount of money per assist in a game. The money goes toward early intervention and autism awareness programs. "We also try to have a nonprofit group be the spotlight of every home game," Bakken said. Special jerseys are made with the group's logo and are worn for one night of play and then auctioned off to support that group. Bakken said that the National Wild Turkey Federation jersey got some national play. Other organizations who have done special fundraiser nights include the Southern College of Optometry Lions Club--which included eye exams on the concourse--and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For the St. Jude night, one player's child, who was at the hospital, helped design the special jersey. "We're always looking for ways to give back and ways to help out," Bakken said.

Mayor Sheila Walters discussed an ordinance to raise the city's sanitation fee for curbside pick up at this week's Trumann city council meeting. The city of Trumann has had problems of disposing tree limbs and other yard rubbish on a daily basis. This is because the city does not have the funds to collect limbs. Trumann also does not have a place to put all of the trash. Through ADEQ's supervision, Trumann will be able to burn debris cause by recent storms, but cannot dispose of limbs through burning on a regular basis due to regulation. With the closest place to take limbs being West Memphis, city officials are trying to come up with a way to make limb disposal easier for citizens. One suggestion is to purchase an incinerator for the city, which will cost roughly $273,000, but will allow residents to get rid of their limbs. With this option, it has been recommended that a $5 increase in debris pickup be charged to citizens, with a 3% increase each year following. "Right now we have few options," said Walters. "We can increase the fee to help pay for an incinerator for the city, leave it up to homeowners to dispose of their own trash or compost." An incinerator would cost much less for the city, than composting would, but still the council would like to hear the opinions of the residents in a meeting Thrusday, July 7, at 6 p.m. Also at the meeting, Chapter 587 Commander, Ed Negate, recognized Jonathan Schmidt's family by presenting them an award for his dedication and sacrifice to the community. "He was aware of the dangers, but still served everyday," said Negate. Chief of Police, Tony Rusher, also presented an award to Corey Overstreet for his bravery and performance of duties. Overstreet was not able to attend the meeting. * Approval of the second reading of the Trumann dog ordinance. The ordinance would ban specific breeds of dog, which have been labeled as aggressive or violent on nature. The council is looking at breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. This would also include any dog whose sir or dame is identified as one of the breeds. According to the ordinance as of now, all prohibited animals will be held for a period of ten days, during which the owner can reclaim the animal by paying a $200 fee and an additional $5 per day for each day of impoundment. After the eleventh day of impoundment the dog will be euthanized. Mayor Sheila Walters said that the policy to euthanized dogs on the eleventh day of impoundment applies to all breeds, not just Pit Bull Terriers. There is still one more reading to pass this ordinance. *Approval of the third and final reading of the fire ordinance that will define and limit conditions for open burning within the city limits of Trumann. The ordinance states that if the wind speed is above ten miles per hour, overly dry conditions or low humidity, or if the Governor, County Judge, Mayor or Fire Chief issue a Burn Ban, open burning cannot occur. *Approval of resolution to lease city owned farmland in the Sims Addition of Trumann to Michael Brown, who farms adjacent to the property, for $1,200 per year. The city has a detention pond on the land to help elevate flooding in the area and that pond will not be utilized. *Approval of a resolution to allow the city to destroy old records, which date between 1972-2002. Old files with person information will be shredded, while general items will be recycled. *Approval of David Hick's proposal to allow a Trumann girl's softball team to use the Hwy 69 and Commerce intersection as a roadblock fundraiser to help send the girls to state. This will take place Saturday, June 18 from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. *Approval of Adam Jones' proposal to allow a Trumann 10 and under boy's softball team to use the Hwy 69 and Hwy 463 intersection as a roadblock fundraiser on July 1, starting at 6 a.m. *Approval of resident to trade the old trailer owed by the city for a toolbox. *Tabled the ordinance for enforcement of grease traps until next month. *Tabled the resolution to purchase an incinerator for the city until next month.

The Trumann Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Courtney Watkins' Nationwide office, Monday, June 13.

This week, state judges visited the county farm family selections. On Tuesday, they met with James and Billy Baker at the Judd Hill Plantation. The Bakers were selected as Poinsett County's Farm Family of the Year for 2011.