D (USPS156-140) Vol. 132, Number 34 DeWitt, AR 72042 • 12 Pages • 2 Sections • 75 cents
AROUND THE COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
eWitt School District Welcomes Back Students on August 18, 2014
Story and Photos on Pages A6
Servingg Arkansas County, y, Arkansas Since 1882 Thursday, August 21, 2014
MV Mississippi Inspects the Arkansas River
The Arkansas County Election Committee will be drawing ballot positions for candidates qualifying for the General Election on August 22, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. in the Southern District Courthouse. For questions, please contact the Arkansas County Clerk’s Office at (870) 946-4349.
ARKANSAS COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULED
The Arkansas County Fair is scheduled for September 8 - 13, 2014. This year’s Fair theme is “Arkansas County - A Sportsman’s Paradise.” County Fair Tabloids can be picked up at the Extension Office in DeWitt.
ATTENTION MEDICARE CITIZENS
Medicare citizens – If you’ve had a premium taken out of your check for $104.00 or more, please call (870) 338-8900 for assistance.
ST. CHARLES FIRE DEPARTMENT
The St. Charles Fire Department will be testing the emergency siren every Wednesday at 12:00 noon.
DEWITT BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEEETING
The 1st meeting for the DeWitt Band Parents Association will be Thursday, August 21 at 6:00pm at the DHS Band Room.
GOSPEL CRUSADE & REVIVAL
The Brooks Chapel MBC and Great Commission Ministry Announces a Gospel Crusade & Revival on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00pm at the DeWitt Community Center in DeWitt, AR. The Evangelist for the week will be Pastor James H. Spinks. Everyone is invited to attend. Please feel free to contact us if your church would like to participate in our nightly praise service, community outreacha and evangelism. You can reach Pastor Spinks at 870-377-2482 or jamespinks@gmail.com
By Shelly Faulkner On August 14th, I had the pleasure of boarding at Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam and riding for two and half hours on the largest towboat built in the U.S., the MV Mississippi, as it inspected the Arkansas River. I was given a personal tour of the boat, with my favorite part being able to meet and ride with the pilot, Cary Lewis. Cary also invited me to stay with him and watch as he locked us into the Joe Hardin Lock and Dam,
where unfortunately it was the end of my ride. On August 11th, the inspection of the Arkansas River began in Muskogee, Oklahoma before making it’s way into Arkansas. The inspection focuses highlevel attention on Arkansas River navigation and its benefits. The Arkansas River and other navigable tributaries feed important commerce through the Mississippi River system and America’s
sea ports. The MV Mississippi was commissioned in 1993, and the fifth to bear the title of MV Mississippi. The Mississippi is the Corps of Engineers “pride and joy” at 241 feet long, 52 feet in height, and beam 58 feet. The Mississippi’s home port is in Memphis, TN, and operates 8 months of the year, with 10 percent as passenger vessel and 90 percent as a inspection and workboat for the MRC.