Proposed Ordinance Passes 1st Reading In Sebastian Co

Earlier last week, the first reading of an emergency ordinance was passed by the Sebastian County Quorum Court with an 8-5 vote.  The ordinance is to update a no smoking, no tobac- co policy for county-owned property.  The original ordinance was created in 1991.  It would be adapted to the changes made in state and federal smoking laws since that time.

The banning of all tobacco products would include cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, smokeless tobacco and vapor products.  The ordinance proposes that these products be banned in and around any county-owned buildings, offices and recreational facilities.

There would be fines implemented against anyone violating the non-smoking/no tobacco policy.  For the first offense, the fine would be a maximum of $25, $50 for the second and a $100 for the third offense.  It would be $250 for any subsequent offense.

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Fall Cleanup Campaign In Sebastian County

The Sebastian County Fall Cleanup Campaign is set to begin Saturday, September 19 and will continue every Saturday thru October 24.  The purpose of the campaign is to help stop illegal dump sites from being created by placing dumpsters at various locations throughout the cou- nty.

Items that will not be accepted are:  cleaning chemicals, herbicides, tires, used oil and yard waste.  The dumpsters will be staffed to ensure that the landfill regulations are followed.  Sebastian County Judge David Hudson is asking for volunteers to participate in the Cleanup Campaign for litter pickup.  For more information, call the Sebastian County Coordinator at 479-452-4104 or the County Judge's Office at 479-783-6139.

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Suspects Sought In Walmart Robbery

Three men who are suspects in a robbery of a Ft. Smith Walmart, are being sought by police.  The suspects, who appear to be between  20 and 30 years-old, entered the Wal- mart located at 2425 Zero Street and took $6,655 worth of jewelry.  According to an inci- dent report, they used a tool to pry open two jewelry cases.  The incident happened be- tween 10:04 p.m.-10:24 p.m. on August 27th.

The Police Department stated the suspects were shown on surveillance footage, leaving the parking lot in a white 4-door older model Mercedes with Oklahoma tags.  Anyone with any information regarding the crime is asked to call the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709- 5100 or 78-CRIME.

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Car Collides With Semi On Bridge

Tuesday evening on the Garrison Ave bridge on Highway 64, a car collided with a tractor-trailer.  According to Moffett Police Chief Riley Brooks, the driver of a Pontiac Sunfire had to be extracted by the "jaws of life" after the driver of a Hiland Dairy truck crashed into him.  It crushed the back of the car.

The driver of the Pontiac was transported to Sparks Regional Medical Center.  Brooks said the driver's injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.  The semi driver was not in- jured.

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Woman Arrested After Asking Police For A Ride

Ft. Smith Police were patrolling the area of N. 9th Street when they were approached by Sasha F. Riddle.  According to an arrest report, Riddle 24, of the 300 block of N. 11th  Street, told the officers that a man that was walking with her began to scare her.  She     told them she had just met the man at a convenience store and they were on their way       to get a motel room together.

Riddle asked the police officers if they would give her a ride.  They responded that they would.  However, for safety measures, they needed to check her purse first.  The report stated upon searching the purse, they found $108 in counterfeit money, marijuana, meth- amphetamine, more than twelve drug paraphernalia items, along with nine unidentified pills.

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Woman Discovers Man Sitting In Her Car

Joshua Holder of Ft. Smith was arrested after a woman discovered him sitting in her car at her Ft. Smith residence.  According to the police report, when the woman and her father went to approach Holder, they saw her wallet underneath his shirt.  They also observed items strewn about inside the vehicle, along with pills on the back floorboard.  The woman's pre- scription medication bottle was missing, as well as some coins and miscellaneous items.

Holder, 26, told an officer that he had gotten into the car to rest.  He then decided to take some things.  After searching Holder's pockets, police found the stolen items.  He was trans- ported to jail.

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School Board Concerned About Impact Of Charter School

At the Ft. Smith School Board meeting held Monday, September 14th, Trish Flanagan, founder of a proposed charter school, was asked questions by Board members.  There is a concern by members of the loss of state funding due to the loss of students to the charter school.  Potentially, they could experience a loss of up to $1 million.

The Future School of Ft. Smith is proposed as a tuition-free, open enrollment charter school for grades 10-12.  An application has been filed with the Arkansas Department of Educa- tion.  Pending their approval, the school would open with 150 tenth grade students, adding 150 per year until grades 10-12 are filled, according to Flanagan.

Benny Gooden, Superintendent, stated that the School Board has the option to support, oppose or take no stance regarding the charter school.  The members of the School Board opted to make their decision on September 28, which is the Board's next monthly meeting.

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