Author Archives: Crystal Carter Harrell

Housing development delayed by city council

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – The Jonesboro City Council motioned to postpone a zoning request at 1130 Greensboro Rd. on April 7 and left an African-American entrepreneur waiting another 60 days for his project to get the “green light.”

The rezoning request, made by Jackson’s Construction CEO and licensed realtor Rickey Jackson, managed to garner 86 signatures on a petition causing the delay according to Councilman Charles Coleman.

Coleman said the citizens on the petition do not have any problem with the request, but they want to appear in person to voice public opinions on the matter.

“When it comes to things like that, I would rather people be in front of me to voice their opinion. If I was in that area, I would feel the same way,” Coleman said. “I’m very impressed by Mr. Jackson trying to do something with the area. I understand, but I’m only going to vote with my conscience.”

Councilman Chris Moore said he had also received considerable objections to the request. He moved to second the motion of postponement for 60 days. Restrictions because of the COVID-19 virus pandemic prevented the public from attending the meeting in-person at the time.

The council received a zoning ordinance map amendment application for the 8.84 acres of land in December. Before the application, the property sat vacant for 10 years.

Jackson has worked as a licensed residential and commercial contractor since 2006, building duplexes for private owners and investors for years. He currently holds contracts with the highway department and has plans to develop a new roundabout connecting Harrisburg and Caraway Roads.

The first property solely owned and developed by Jackson, at 1130 Greensboro Rd., is five minutes away from Arkansas State University.

“Instead of apartments, I want to build stand-alone homes that serve single individuals or small families. I only want to place 41 homes in the area. I could go up to 53, but I do not want to congest the area. I’m only asking to build variant home sizes. I only want to help the area, not hurt the area,” Jackson said.

Each all electric unit in the 41-unit housing complex will range from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet. Some of the units will have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a garage. Fencing will be put up for privacy in backyards.

The rental cost with utilities could be between $800 and $1,000, but nothing has been set in stone. Jackson plans to break ground as soon as rezoning is approved at the third reading by city council.

“I’ll abide by what the city council decides and take it from there. It is setting me back, but I am an entrepreneur.”

Editor’s Note: Feature photo by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash

Gun-toting students prepare to face judge

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Two 17-year-old male students at Westside High School exchanged a loaded .22 revolver at school on Jan. 23 and are now said to be expelled.

School Supt. Scott Gauntt said the school district has strict procedures about what can be done and when it can be done. Those procedures have not yet been met.

“We have not been able to hold a hearing. We can’t hold a hearing without them having the ability to come and stand up for themselves,” Gauntt said.

Dakota Hays gave a gun to fellow schoolmate Patrick Houston in the boys’ bathroom. Houston allegedly wanted to kill a 16-year-old co-worker who also attended the school according to a previous KAIT8 report.

Craighead County Division 4 Second Judicial Circuit Judge Cindy Thyer found probable cause to charge them both with conspiracy to commit capital murder and possession of a firearm on school property. Judge Thyer set bond at $250,000 each and ordered them on house arrest should they make bond.

Hays and Houston still remain in jail and have not made bond.

Ryan Tolbert, Westside Schools security director, began employment in the school district four years after the 1998 Westside Middle School shooting. Tolbert said the situation started and began within seven minutes. 

“In this particular situation, no students were injured. Everyone was safe. It happened quick. It ended quickly,” Tolbert said. “It’s stressful. You have to make the best decision possible in a short period of time.”

District Treasurer Bill Breeden said the two students will no longer be part of the school district.

The students appear in court on Feb. 28.

Local boutiques thrive during challenging times

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – The fashion world appears to be in dire straits as big fast-fashion retailer companies file for bankruptcy and close stores down.

Stores such as Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Dressbarn, Payless ShoeSource and Gymboree register among the many brands shutting doors, yet still maintaining an online presence.

FOREVER 21 FILED FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY THIS YEAR

Forever 21, the fifth largest specialty retailer in the United States, filed for bankruptcy in September. The family owned business, first introduced as Fashion 21, operated for over 30 years before making closing announcements. Out of 460 stores across the country, up to 178 Forever 21 stores anticipate closing. According to USA TODAY, 111 stores in the court records and additional locations may close. 

Locations include Avenue at Murfreesboro and Hamilton Place in Tennessee, Eastern Shore Centre and Outlet Shops of Grand River in Alabama, Lincoln Park and Loop Chicago in Illinois, Lake Charles in Louisiana and Willow Bend in Texas. Only 13 stores received a closing date of Dec. 29. Arkansas locations remain open. Holly Rutledge, Forever 21 Red store manager in Jonesboro, welcomed the announcement. 

“Yes we’re staying open for now,” Rutledge said.

Ronica Versie of Jonesboro appreciates the in-store Forever 21 shopping experience versus buying online.

“Usually when I come here, I always get great deals. I can find a really cute shirt to wear for $3. I can try my outfit on. I don’t have to deal with it coming in the mail and me not being able to wear it. It’s just my go-to place whenever I shop,” Versie said.

CNN Business reported Forever 21 was “burdened by expensive store leases, unprofitable markets and continuing disruption from online shopping.” 

GAP INC. SPLITS COMPANY IN TWO

Earlier in the year, Gap Inc. announced its closing of 230 stores and making Old Navy its own company. The separation will consist of two publicly traded companies: Old Navy and a company comprised of other Gap brands. Old Navy, named after a bar in Paris, became the first retailer to reach $1 billion in annual sales in less than four years of operation in 1997. It has grown to $8 billion in annual sales since it opened its first store in 1994, according to CNN Business. Old Navy locations continue to operate in-store and online.

Christy Harvey and her family shop Old Navy for leggings and T-shirts. For Christmas, Harvey partners with Central Baptist Church to buy clothing for orphaned children.

“I prefer online shopping, but my better deals come from in the stores,” Harvey said.

BELLABIRD BOUTIQUE CLAIMS SUCCESS

Bellabird Clothing Co. began in 2012. A sign posted on their Jonesboro location claims the business was voted best boutique in Northeast Arkansas. The store sells sweaters, jeans, jackets, dresses and more. The owner, Sydney Oliva from Batesville, expanded the business and created an online page in 2017. 

“We have been very successful in the Jonesboro area. We keep our prices affordable and don’t do a high mark-up,” Oliva said. “I definitely get more local business, especially in Batesville. In Jonesboro, I am getting to know and establish relationships, which is very nice. I love meeting new people!”

Oliva plans to grow her online business instead of expanding to more locations.

Mollie Breckenridge of Mountain Home works for Bellabird Clothing Co. in Jonesboro. She said the store offers giveaways and special promotions on social media to gain customer retention and sales.

“We do online where you can order, but I would say most people buy stuff in-store,” Breckenridge said.

LARGER CHAINS ARE FIGHTING BACK

Kohl’s began shrinking some it stores and leasing its space to Planet Fitness earlier this year. Kohl’s partnered with Amazon in 2017 to offer free returns and began a relationship with the Aldi supermarket chain.

In October, Dressbarn announced it will “begin the final stage of its planned wind down by commencing store closing sales at all of its brick and mortar retail stores.” The company sold the intellectual property assets of Dressbarn and will transition its e-commerce business to a subsidiary of Retail Ecommerce Ventures LLC.

In a press release, co-owner of Retail Ecommerce Ventures Tai Lopez said, “We believe the future of Dressbarn is bright and we are excited to grow and expand the online presence for the brand.”

Chico’s, a women’s apparel store, holds 1,400 locations in the United States and Canada. According to Yahoo Finance, the company is closing up to 250 stores beginning in 2020. However, Chico’s recently began partnerships with Amazon, QVC and ShopRunner to help turn things around.

NEXT STEPS FOR RETAIL EMPLOYEES CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

Express Employment Professionals work with job seekers to help them find the right job for their skills and experience. 

Jonesboro Workforce Development Committee partnerships between education and industry, gives employer-driven training and arranges face-to-face industry visits. While they personally do not work with retail employees, they point them in the right direction.

“There are several great agencies that can help people find their next job that can lead to a career,” Craig Rickert, Jonesboro Unlimited director of communications said.

Sultana Disaster Museum Gets Upgraded

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

MARION – New arrangements have been made for the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, Arkansas.

The museum tells the story of an explosion of the steamboat, the Sultana, that occurred April 27, 1865.  During the Civil War era, the boat was designed to carry only 376 passengers plus crew. Investigations revealed a great deal of corrupt practices, including bribes paid to high-ranking Union officers causing overcrowding on the vessel. Three of the boat’s four boilers killed nearly 1,200 of the more than 2,100 passengers and crew.

A 14-foot replica of the Sultana is available for viewing at the current museum site at 104 Washington St. in Marion. Photo by Crystal Carter Harrell

Project director Louis Intres said the new museum will be located on Old Military Road in the old Marion gymnasium, two blocks from the current site at 104 Washington St.

“It will be remodeled and repurposed into a 14,500 sq. foot state-of-the-art museum and archive and replace the existing 1,000 sq. foot museum,” Intres said.

The Sultana Historic Preservation Society Inc. purchased the 1938 Marion School Auditorium-Gymnasium as a future home for the Sultana Disaster Museum. The building provides higher ceilings, LED lighting, space for additional artifacts and precise temperature and humidity control.

“Architects working on the design will make the museum interactive and modern, which will entertain as well as educate people of all ages,” Intres said.

Three years ago, the museum confirmed the location of the Sultana.  It sits 37 feet below a soybean field in Crittenden County. They are currently working with state agencies to develop a monument.

“Want to hear something interesting? I work for a farmer in Marion in the fall. The Sultana sunk on his great grandfather’s land,” museum visitor Tony Sasser of Marion said.

Jere Norville, far left, museum guide, explains the casualties of the Sultana disaster to Gracie Ford, left, Eli Ford , center, and May Sasser, right. Photo by Crystal Carter Harrell

Jere Norville, doctorate candidate at the University of Memphis, gives tours of the current Sultana Disaster Museum on Fridays.

“Now, we’re just fundraising to build the new museum. Hopefully within two years, there will be a permanent home in the new location,” Norville said.

Stories will be told of the men who were freed from Andersonville and Cahaba prisoner of war camps and how they were overcrowded onto one boat. The Congressional Resolution acknowledges the incident as the greatest maritime disaster in U.S. History.

The new museum will demonstrate the conditions which caused the boiler explosions, show the workings of the steamboat propulsion and allow the display of fragile materials. 

“We are really thankful and appreciative of Marion Public Schools for allowing us to take over the old building,” Intres said.

Editor’s Note: Feature photo shows Tony Sasser of Marion viewing artifacts and clippings of the Sultana maritime tragedy. Photo by Crystal Carter Harrell.

Little Rock hosts annual food truck festival

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – The Downtown Little Rock Partnership held its 9th annual Main Street Food Truck Festival on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The DLRP and the Main Street Revitalization Committee started the event to help bring people back to Main Street. A record number of 86 food trucks registered for the free event. Twenty-five artists and marketplace vendors provided shopping and fun activities for festival goers.

Kimberly Bratton said she has been looking forward to the Food Truck Festival for weeks. Bratton’s home-based bakery features temperature-sensitive treats which provide options for vegan and diabetic clientele.

“I started baking when I was 9 and fell in love with it. I went to culinary school. After getting out, I said that is what I’m going to do. Once I get a food truck, I plan on expanding,” Bratton said.

Chicago native Melanie Jackson and her family attended the festival.

“We were here last year. My favorite food is tacos, but I think I’m going to get a stuffed turkey leg with chicken and dressing. Mac and cheese sounds good too,” Jackson said.

Vinnie Osmun of Kansas City, Missouri, ordered from a Cajun food truck while visiting his brother, Cody.

“We were like, ‘Let’s check it out’. Gumbo is a staple in Cajun cooking. Good gumbo really defines a restaurant. We also got some chicken and shrimp alfredo,” Osmun said.

Registered food trucks included: A Little Crepesy, Adobo To Go, Banana Leaf, Beaver Tails, Blue Sage Vegan, Bragg’s Big Bites, Bryant’s BBQ, Cheesecake On Point, Comida Rapida Mr. Casas, Cousins Maine Lobster, Crepe Coop, Delta Biscuit Co., Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Down Home Blues BBQ, Eat At Eric’s Grill & Catering, Eat My Catfish, El Sur Street Food Co., Flossie’s Funnel Cakes Inc., Food Hut, Fresh Gulf Shrimp and more.

Music lovers enjoyed 55 hours of entertainment. Artists performed song covers from old school Michael Jackson to modern day Taylor Swift. DLRP supplied a watering hole for pets and a rock-climbing wall for kids to enjoy.

The deck at Scott and 6th streets granted free parking all day.  

Editor’s Note: Feature photo shows attendees of the 9th annual Main Street Food Truck Festival in Little Rock. Photo by Crystal Carter

Women engage the outdoors at Craighead Forest Park

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By Crystal Carter Harrell
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosted the first Becoming an Outdoors Woman event at Craighead Forest Park where participants learned about the workshop, upcoming events and kayaking.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, more than 60% of U.S. women do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity. The CDC’s website suggests providing community-based programs and environmental inducements that meet the needs of all women.

The BOW program focuses on providing opportunities for women to learn skills such as cleaning deer, harvesting edible plants, nature observation, setting up game cameras, archery, quail hunting, canoeing, hiking, fishing, trapping, mountain biking and more.

“We just want to get people outdoors and enjoy it outdoors,” State Coordinator Lea Gray said.

Gray discussed safety protocols regarding life jackets for kids and adults, kayak size, adjustable equipment, proper paddle use and rowing techniques. She also informed the group on what to expect if the kayak flips over.

“Lightness of the kayak is important for women. I recommend falling out of it in a calm river so you’ll know what to do when it happens. Don’t ever get between the kayak and flowing water. Don’t get pinned,” Gray said.

Heather Custer, a biological sciences major and graduate student at Arkansas State University, said she decided to buy a kayak because her work in the Ozark National Forest needed some fun.

“I have flipped over before, so I came to get more tips and pointers. My friend Amanda told me about the group. I think it’s awesome to get women out here doing stuff together. While the men do their outdoorsy stuff, we’re not feeling left out,” Custer said.

Amanda Dunavant, volunteer for KLEK 102.5 FM, said she has always been interested in the outdoors. She grew up on the riverbank hunting and fishing. In her spare time, she kayaks with her sister-in-law at Spring River.

“Kayaking isn’t just a male sport. It’s a female sport too. Also, emergency awareness and preparedness is my title. People think emergencies are just tornadoes and earthquakes. It is not. It is everyday life. We are preparing for an emergency that we don’t want to be in the middle of and to be safe on the water,” Dunavant said.

Lee Elkins, Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center educator and coordinator of the Women Outdoor Network in Northeast Arkansas, said this event was the first in Jonesboro.

“We’re just getting started. Any woman that wants to be apart of a group of women who go outdoors or needs a buddy to go with, you can find one in this group,” Elkins said.

Women can learn about the permit system for game and fish and more at the Ozark Natural Science Center in Huntsville in November.

A maximum of 140 women may register for BOW.