Arkansas sate and local law enforcement officers are stepping up patrols this holiday season to keep impaired drivers off the road.
The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will continue through January 1st in an effort to prevent crashes and save lives.
Officials say the winter holidays are among the most dangerous times of the year for motorists due to traffic crashes involving drunk drivers.
Between 2019 and 2023, just over 4,900 people were killed in December crashes involving an impaired driver.
During the campaign, state troopers, local police and sheriff’s deputies will be out in full force to identify and remove impaired drivers from area roadways.
Officials are asking everyone to make smart choices, plan ahead, and help ensure that every celebration ends safely, adding that “drunk driving is 100% preventable.”
Anyone who spots a suspected drunk driver should contact local law enforcement immediately.
For more information about impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov.
The St. Francis County Food Pantry will be serving meals Christmas Eve (Wednesday) starting at 11 a.m. at their location at 128 South Water Street in Forrest City.
Area first responders, along with the St. Francis County Food Pantry, will also be delivering meals to the elderly and shut-in on Wednesday.
To make arrangements to have meals delivered, call or text 870-270-0825 or 870-945-0683.
Be sure to provide your name, address and the number of plates you need to be delivered and it’ll be added to the list.
The Food Pantry will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 29th.
Area first responders, along with the St. Francis County Food Pantry, will also be delivering meals to the elderly and shut-in on Wednesday.
To make arrangements to have meals delivered, call or text 870-270-0825 or 870-945-0683.
Be sure to provide your name, address and the number of plates you need to be delivered and it’ll be added to the list.
The Food Pantry will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 29th.
Garbage Collection Schedule Update
The Forrest City Public Works Department garbage route will run Wednesday, December 24. There will be no collection on Thursday, December 25, due to the Christmas holiday. Regular service will resume Friday, December 26.
🗑️ Additional Dumpsters Available:
*Broadway at the Old Rideout Building
*Grant Street Parking Lot
*Forrest City Civic Center parking lot (located in the back)
Please do not leave paper or cardboard outside of the dumpsters.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
The Forrest City Public Works Department garbage route will run Wednesday, December 24. There will be no collection on Thursday, December 25, due to the Christmas holiday. Regular service will resume Friday, December 26.
🗑️ Additional Dumpsters Available:
*Broadway at the Old Rideout Building
*Grant Street Parking Lot
*Forrest City Civic Center parking lot (located in the back)
Please do not leave paper or cardboard outside of the dumpsters.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
City Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 P.M.
We’re excited to announce that Charley’s Cheesesteaks & Wings is opening at the brand-new Chubby’s Travel Center!
📅 Thursday, December 18
📍 Chubby’s Travel Center
2496 AR-1
Forrest City, AR 72335
Stop by and celebrate our grand opening with mouthwatering cheesesteaks, crispy wings, and bold flavors you love. We can’t wait to serve you!
📅 Thursday, December 18
📍 Chubby’s Travel Center
2496 AR-1
Forrest City, AR 72335
Stop by and celebrate our grand opening with mouthwatering cheesesteaks, crispy wings, and bold flavors you love. We can’t wait to serve you!
From the Forrest City Public Library: Due to the low temperatures predicted for Monday, December 15, 2025 the program has been moved inside the library.”
Job Opportunity
The Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC) is now taking applications for the Winter LIHEAP utility assistance program.
Documentation required when submitting an application includes:
--proof of income for all household members, 18 years and older
--state or government issued ID
--Social Security Cards for all household members
--birthdates of every household member
--printed copy of all utility bills
No applications will be accepted unless all required documentation is presented at the time of interview.
In St. Francis County, applications for regular and crisis assistance are being accepted Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The St. Francis County CRDC office is now located in the Workforce Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.
Documentation required when submitting an application includes:
--proof of income for all household members, 18 years and older
--state or government issued ID
--Social Security Cards for all household members
--birthdates of every household member
--printed copy of all utility bills
No applications will be accepted unless all required documentation is presented at the time of interview.
In St. Francis County, applications for regular and crisis assistance are being accepted Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The St. Francis County CRDC office is now located in the Workforce Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.
The City of Forrest City is asking for the public’s help in reporting faulty street lights around the city.
To report a street light outage, call City Hall at 870-633-1315 or you can report it directly at MyEntergy.com.
To report a street light outage, call City Hall at 870-633-1315 or you can report it directly at MyEntergy.com.
FYI
The Larry S. Bryant Multipurpose Youth Wildcats will present a Community Christmas Family Fun Night, Saturday (12/13) starting at 3 p.m. The Fun Night will feature food, a movie and a visit from Santa. Organizers are also taking donations of toys and new or gently used coats. Donations can be dropped off at the Multipurpose Center or at Central Elementary School (see Coach Jarvis Palmer). For more information, contact Angela at 870-551-1212
UA-EACC will provide a ServSafe Manager Certification course in January designed to equip food service professionals with the essential knowledge and skills in food safety and sanitation.
The course will be held January 7th & 8th, both days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Classroom B-129.
Arkansas regulations require every food service establishment to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. This manager must pass a food safety exam accredited by the Conference for Food Protection or an equivalent exam.
This certification course fully meets all Arkansas Department of Health requirements. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate, valid for five years.
For more information or to register for the upcoming class, call 870-633-4480, ext. 333 or email nhess@eacc.edu
The course will be held January 7th & 8th, both days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Classroom B-129.
Arkansas regulations require every food service establishment to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. This manager must pass a food safety exam accredited by the Conference for Food Protection or an equivalent exam.
This certification course fully meets all Arkansas Department of Health requirements. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate, valid for five years.
For more information or to register for the upcoming class, call 870-633-4480, ext. 333 or email nhess@eacc.edu
The City of Forrest City will be hosting its Cocoa Bar again this year.
City officials say that the Cocoa Bar will be set up at City Hall during the Christmas Parade, which is scheduled for Friday, December 5th staring at 7 p.m.
Everyone’s invited to stop by and warm up with a delicious cup of hot cocoa, topped with marshmallows, whipped cream and plenty of holiday cheer.
Christmas Inflatable Park Friday December 5, 2025, after the Christmas parade
The Forrest City Musical Stampede presents a Forrest City Wonder jam Band Showcase at Dwight Lofton Arena this Friday night, immediately after the Christmas Parade. Everyone’s invited to come celebrate an evening dedicated to the energy and artistry of marching bands, drumlines and showcase-style/corp-style performances.
The Forrest City Public Library is excited to host Christmas in the Park at the new amphitheater! Join us for an evening filled with holiday cheer as we welcome Santa Claus, enjoy festive performances from our seasonal carolers, and celebrate the magic of the Christmas season together.
📅 Monday, December 15th
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍421 South Washington
Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit—this is a community event you won’t want to miss. We look forward to seeing you there!
📅 Monday, December 15th
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍421 South Washington
Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit—this is a community event you won’t want to miss. We look forward to seeing you there!
The SFC Elves, Inc., 2025 Toy Project is now underway.
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.
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.
The Olly Neal Community Center will host Senior Exercise Classes each Tuesday and Thursday starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Salem Family Life Center at 109 Haven Street in Forrest City
The Larry S. Bryant Multipurpose Youth Wildcats will present a Community Christmas Family Fun Night, Saturday, December 13th starting at 3 p.m. The Fun Night will feature food, a movie and a visit from Santa. Organizers are also taking donations of toys and new or gently used coats. Donations can be dropped off at the Multipurpose Center or at Central Elementary School (see Coach Jarvis Palmer). For more information, contact Angela at 870-551-1212.
The public is invited to come out to honor and celebrate the legacy of Frank Shaw III with the official renaming of Happy Hollow Drive in Forrest City as Frank Shaw Drive. The ceremony will be held Saturday (12/6) at 12 p.m. on Happy Hollow Drive. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony at Beth Salem Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Garland Street in Forrest City.