Hello everyone, I just got an urgent message from ARDOT. We have two bridges being shut down in St Francis County. The concrete bridge on SFC 414 and SFC 419 will be closed as soon as we can block them off. After an audit by ARDOT bridge inspectors, they have deemed the bridges to be structurally unsafe and we have been advised to shut these bridges down immediately. The only positive thing about this situation are these bridges are not travelled regularly by many people. The bridges are located both north and south of the I-40 exit at Widener and may be closed for a while. The costs to fix these bridges will be expensive and I will have to look at different avenues for the funding. Sorry for the inconvenience.
The City of Forrest City would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out and participated in our City-Wide Clean Up!
Your hard work, community spirit, and dedication made this event a great success — and our city a cleaner, brighter place to live.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
Your hard work, community spirit, and dedication made this event a great success — and our city a cleaner, brighter place to live.
We couldn’t have done it without you!
The entire Public Works Department will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day. We encourage Tuesday’s route to place their cart/carts out as usual on (Monday night). Normal business hours will resume Wednesday, November 12th.
Darin Flenoy, Public Works Director
Darin Flenoy, Public Works Director
🚧 Public Notice
City of Forrest City Public Works Department
Please be advised that Dawson Road, between Stonebrook Rd and Eldridge Rd, will be closed to all traffic from November 12 through November 14, 2025, to allow for culvert pipe replacement.
Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during this period.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this necessary improvement.
Thank you,
Forrest City Public Works Department
City of Forrest City Public Works Department
Please be advised that Dawson Road, between Stonebrook Rd and Eldridge Rd, will be closed to all traffic from November 12 through November 14, 2025, to allow for culvert pipe replacement.
Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during this period.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this necessary improvement.
Thank you,
Forrest City Public Works Department
USDA Food Distribution
Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose Center
Thursday, November 20, 2025
2510 South Washington
8 am - 10 am or until food runs out
Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose Center
Thursday, November 20, 2025
2510 South Washington
8 am - 10 am or until food runs out
A free homebuyer’s workshop will be held Saturday, November 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Salem Missionary Baptist Church at 105 Haven Street in Forrest City. All participants must register at www.DcaRealtyLLC.com.
Free homebuyer’s workshop on November 15, 2025 @11:30-2 pm. The location is The Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 105 Haven Street. All participants have to register at www.dcarealtyllc.com.
USDA Food Distribution
Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose Center
Thursday, November 20, 2025
2510 South Washington
8 am - 10 am or until food runs out
Larry S. Bryant Multi-Purpose Center
Thursday, November 20, 2025
2510 South Washington
8 am - 10 am or until food runs out
FYI
FCSD Supper Program
The Forrest City School District’s “At-Risk After School Supper Program” is underway.
Meals will be provided to children 18 years old and younger without charge at the following sites and times:
• Forrest City High School 3:20-4:00 p.m.
• Forrest City Jr. High School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
• Stewart Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
• Central Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
Forrest City High School will serve meals each Monday-Wednesday through
May 2026.
Central Elementary, Forrest City Jr. High and Stewart Elementary will serve meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through May 2026.
All meals must be eaten on site.
FCSD Supper Program
The Forrest City School District’s “At-Risk After School Supper Program” is underway.
Meals will be provided to children 18 years old and younger without charge at the following sites and times:
• Forrest City High School 3:20-4:00 p.m.
• Forrest City Jr. High School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
• Stewart Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
• Central Elementary School 3:30-4:00 p.m.
Forrest City High School will serve meals each Monday-Wednesday through
May 2026.
Central Elementary, Forrest City Jr. High and Stewart Elementary will serve meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through May 2026.
All meals must be eaten on site.
The SFC Elves, Inc., Toy Project is locally operated, and all toys are distributed to local children.
Last year toys were provided to over 500 needy children from the Forrest City/St. Francis County area. Many of these children would not have had toys for Christmas if not for this project.
SFC Elves, Inc. would ask local residents to keep this campaign in mind as we enter the holiday season and begin this busy time of year.
Toys may be delivered to the following locations:
1. Southern Furniture, 4000 North Washington, Forrest City.
2. Beavers & Cline, 523 East Broadway, Forrest City.
3. St. Francis County Museum, 603 Front Street, Forrest City.
4. Forrest City Public Library, 421 S. Washington St., Forrest City.
5. First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas - North Washington Branch.
6. Forrest City Chamber of Commerce- 203 N. Izard St., Forrest City.
It is not necessary that the toys contributed to be new. They should be in working order and in clean condition. Children served by this project are thrilled to receive any toy.
Of course, new toys and monetary donations will also be welcomed. Money donations may be taken to any of the above locations.
For more information, contact Kirk Billingsley at (901) 218-3955 or Justin Reeves at (870) 630-7486.
Last year toys were provided to over 500 needy children from the Forrest City/St. Francis County area. Many of these children would not have had toys for Christmas if not for this project.
SFC Elves, Inc. would ask local residents to keep this campaign in mind as we enter the holiday season and begin this busy time of year.
Toys may be delivered to the following locations:
1. Southern Furniture, 4000 North Washington, Forrest City.
2. Beavers & Cline, 523 East Broadway, Forrest City.
3. St. Francis County Museum, 603 Front Street, Forrest City.
4. Forrest City Public Library, 421 S. Washington St., Forrest City.
5. First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas - North Washington Branch.
6. Forrest City Chamber of Commerce- 203 N. Izard St., Forrest City.
It is not necessary that the toys contributed to be new. They should be in working order and in clean condition. Children served by this project are thrilled to receive any toy.
Of course, new toys and monetary donations will also be welcomed. Money donations may be taken to any of the above locations.
For more information, contact Kirk Billingsley at (901) 218-3955 or Justin Reeves at (870) 630-7486.
I55 Bridge Lane Closures
The Arkansas Department of Transportation will close all lanes of the Interstate 55 Mississippi River Bridge for two days to perform bridge joint repairs. (Channel 8, Jonesboro)
According to ARDOT the closures will be Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16, weather permitting.
The closure will extend from Exit 1, Bridgeport Road in Arkansas, to Exit 12, Crump Boulevard/Riverside Drive in Tennessee.
Before the closure, I-55 will go down to one lane at Exit 4, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Highway 38.
The southbound lanes of I-55 will reopen Sunday evening, Nov. 16. Northbound lanes will remain closed until Tuesday, Nov. 18.
A detour will be marked with signage. Drivers are encouraged to use the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge as an alternate route.
The closure will allow crews to repair the bridge’s finger joints, which are made of metal “fingers” that interlace the bridge and allow it to expand and contract
City Council Meeting
University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City has announced two shows in their upcoming School Series for the 2025-26 Fine Arts Center performance season.
--The show, Dino-Light, will be Thursday, November 6th at 10 a.m. at the Fine Arts Center. This unique entertainment event by Lightwire Theater utilizes light, technology and music to tell a captivating original story, in which a famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually amazing and has been praised by audiences all over the world for its cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance.
--A performance of the Cat Kid Comic Club will be Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Fine Arts Center. The show is based on the popular Cat Kid Comic Club book series and showcases characters, Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog, who start an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics.
All shows last approximately one hour. Tickets are $5 per person. Reservations are required.
For more information or to make reservations, call 870-633-4480, ext. 352.
Kiwanis Pancake Day
The Kiwanis Club of Forrest City will hold their Annual Pancake Day, Tuesday, November 4th at First Baptist Church, 507 North Rosser Street in Forrest City.
Serving times are:
• Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Dinner: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Everyone’s invited to come out and enjoy a delicious meal of pancakes, sausage, bacon and a beverage, all while supporting a great cause in the community.
📚 Book Sale at the Forrest City Public Library! 📚
Looking for your next great read? Stop by our Book Sale and fill a bag with books for just $3 per bag!
🗓️ When: Monday, November 3, 2025
📍 Where: Forrest City Public Library
Don’t miss this great deal — stock up on books for the whole family while supporting your local library!
Looking for your next great read? Stop by our Book Sale and fill a bag with books for just $3 per bag!
🗓️ When: Monday, November 3, 2025
📍 Where: Forrest City Public Library
Don’t miss this great deal — stock up on books for the whole family while supporting your local library!
Citywide Beautification Initiative
City officials are inviting church groups, civic organizations, high school and college students, and all caring residents to join together for a few hours to help beautify our community.
This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for students to earn volunteer service hours and for neighborhoods to work together in support of a worthwhile cause.
🧰 Supplies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while they last.
📍 Dumpster Locations:
Grant Street Parking Lot
The Old Rideout Building
Back Civic Center Parking Lot
Please note: No hazardous chemicals or tires will be accepted. We also ask the public not to place debris outside of the containers.
For additional information, please contact:
Sharren Henderson
📞 (870) 633-1315
📧 shenderson@cityofforrestcityar.com
Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to keeping our city clean and beautiful.
City officials are inviting church groups, civic organizations, high school and college students, and all caring residents to join together for a few hours to help beautify our community.
This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for students to earn volunteer service hours and for neighborhoods to work together in support of a worthwhile cause.
🧰 Supplies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while they last.
📍 Dumpster Locations:
Grant Street Parking Lot
The Old Rideout Building
Back Civic Center Parking Lot
Please note: No hazardous chemicals or tires will be accepted. We also ask the public not to place debris outside of the containers.
For additional information, please contact:
Sharren Henderson
📞 (870) 633-1315
📧 shenderson@cityofforrestcityar.com
Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to keeping our city clean and beautiful.
📚 Story Time at the Library! 🎉
Join us at the Forrest City Public Library (421 S. Washington St.) on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM for a fun children’s story time! Bring your little ones for stories, songs, and a great time in our children’s section.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Join us at the Forrest City Public Library (421 S. Washington St.) on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM for a fun children’s story time! Bring your little ones for stories, songs, and a great time in our children’s section.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Don’t forget! Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 2, 2025.
That means it’s time to “fall back” — set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
That means it’s time to “fall back” — set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is warning parents to carefully inspect their children’s Halloween candy for illegal THC products that could be mistaken for regular treats.
The department has seized thousands of illegal THC hemp-derived products from gas stations across the state this year.
According to Scott Hardin, director of communications for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, 8,000 of these illegal products have already been seized from gas stations across the state.
The primary concern is how easily these products can be mistaken for normal candy due to their packaging.
Lab testing has revealed that many of these products don’t contain what their labels claim, making them potentially more dangerous.
Parents should look for specific indicators on packaging, including “Delta 8, Delta 9, THC 8 or THCP” to identify these products.
Parents can report suspicious products to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control or Arkansas Regulatory Enforcement
The department has seized thousands of illegal THC hemp-derived products from gas stations across the state this year.
According to Scott Hardin, director of communications for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, 8,000 of these illegal products have already been seized from gas stations across the state.
The primary concern is how easily these products can be mistaken for normal candy due to their packaging.
Lab testing has revealed that many of these products don’t contain what their labels claim, making them potentially more dangerous.
Parents should look for specific indicators on packaging, including “Delta 8, Delta 9, THC 8 or THCP” to identify these products.
Parents can report suspicious products to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control or Arkansas Regulatory Enforcement
The St. Francis County Food Pantry in Forrest City will be closed today (Wednesday) and will re-open Friday (10/31) at 8 a.m.