No injuries in morning accident

No injuries were reported from a Thursday (June 30) morning accident on Highway 111 in the City of Alexander. The accident occurred in the s-curve in front of Sharon Baptist Church of Alexander.

According to information provided by the Alexander Police Department a semi-tractor-trailer and a passenger car collided in the s-curve. The only damage reported is to the car and truck. No personal injuries were reported at the scene.

The highway was blocked resulting in traffic delays during the morning commute. The vehicles have been removed from the scene.

State & local police on guard against drunk drivers before & during long July 4th Holiday

From the Arkansas State Police Public Affairs Office.

JUNE 27, 2022

The Independence Day holiday will be a prolonged celebration this year, as the nation’s birthday occurs on a Monday. Many Arkansas families will start their travel plans Friday with varied destinations over the following three days. With increased traffic volume anticipated, comes the risk of tragedy often attributed to a drunk driver.

Law enforcement officers across the state are aware of these risks and know firsthand what can happen when a driver mixes alcohol with a holiday celebration. All too often the end result is injury or death. This is why Arkansas State Troopers, sheriff’s deputies and local police officers will increase their patrols to be on guard against impaired drivers, getting them off the roadways before anyone can be hurt.

“We want Arkansans to enjoy our nation’s birthday celebration, but not at the expense of making state highways, county roads, and city streets unsafe,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “Unfortunately, far too many drivers make the wrong decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming one or two alcoholic drinks, or using drugs, placing other motorists in harm’s way. Our state troopers along with other law enforcement officers will be prepared to stop and arrest these dangerous drivers to ensure the safety of all.”

From 2016 to 2020, there were 1,390 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4^th holiday period. Thirty-nine percent (542) of the drivers killed were alcohol impaired (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), and more than half (51%) were between the ages of 21-34.

With many holiday festivities wrapping up late in the evening, nighttime hours are especially dangerous. Over the 2020 Independence Day holiday period, of the 201 people who died in alcohol impaired motor vehicle traffic crashes, 85% of the crashes were at night (6 PM - 5:59 AM).

This Fourth of July, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office and NHTSA are working together to urge drivers to designate a sober driver before drinking any alcohol. If you plan on drinking, do not plan to drive.

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:

• Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1.

• If you know someone who is about to drive or operate a motorcycle or any other vehicle while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

• Buckle up, always. Your seat belt is your best defense against the drunk driver.

For more information on impaired driving, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Learn more about Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign intended to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit highway safety office web site https://www.tzdarkansas.org/

Rules to follow concerning fireworks; sales and use

Independence Day (July 4) is near. If you plan to sell or shoot fireworks in the City of Alexander there are some rules you need to know. The ordinance establishing these requirements became law in June, 2019.

Selling Fireworks:

Fireworks cannot be sold within the city limits without the purchase of a, “Privilege license.” Contact city hall for further information.

The use of fireworks:

“No parent, guardian, or custodian of any child under the age of majority shall knowingly permit or consent to the possession or discharge of fireworks by any child under the age of majority without proper supervision.” The ordinance also states the, “possession or discharge of fireworks” as, “prima facie evidence of the knowing permission or consent of such parent, guardian, or custodian.” In other words you’re responsible for the actions of the child whether you know what they’re doing or not. In Arkansas the age of majority is 18 years old.

Where and When:

The ordinance limits the discharging of fireworks, “on private property of the owner, by the owner and immediate family, when discharge is in a safe and sane manner.” “Safe and sane manner,” is defined as, “actions which do not endanger life, limb, or property of those in the area of the discharge.”

Fireworks may not, “be discharged within the boundaries of or within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of any public park owned or maintained by the city.” Also, fireworks may not be, “discharged upon any public street, alley, road, or right-of-way,” … “under or upon a motor vehicle, whether moving or not, or within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of any gas station, gas, oil, or propane storage facility, or other area which is highly flammable in nature.” Fireworks also may not be discharged if the Fire Chief has issued a burn ban due to drought or other conditions.

The ordinance allows for the discharging of fireworks from 12:00 PM (Noon) until 10:00 PM on July 3 and July 4.

Clean up when finished:

The revelers are also required to clean-up the mess. The ordinance states, “Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association discharging fireworks under this ordinance shall, upon such discharge, be responsible for clean-up of the discharge site, including disposal of all discharged fireworks, all non-discharged or ‘dud’ fireworks, and the associated debris from the area in a safe manner.”

Fireworks defined:

The ordinance provides a definition of fireworks. Besides the legal and technical definition, examples of what constitutes fireworks is provided. The list includes, “sky rockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, blank cartridges, toy cannons, toy canes, or toy guns in which explosives other than toy paper caps are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel them, firecracker, torpedoes, sparklers, or other fireworks of like construction, any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any tablet or other device containing an explosive substance.”

Enforcement and penalties:

Police, fire and code enforcement officers are given the authority to enforce this ordinance. They also have the authority to, “seize, impound, remove, or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all stocks of fireworks offered for sale, sold, or in the possession of any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association in violation of this chapter.” Penalties start at, “a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a first time offense, a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a second offense, and a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) for a third or subsequent offense. Each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense.”

The ordinance also covers payment for damages and the cost of any services provided. “Any damages caused or injuries sustained as a result of any violation of this chapter shall be ordered paid as restitution as part of any conviction for any violation,” it states. Also, “The court may order the reimbursement of costs of enforcement, investigation, fire suppression services, and overtime related to a violation upon conviction.”

Alexander Council approves purchase of police radios

The Alexander City Council approved the purchase of three handheld radios for the city’s police department. The quote from Motorola Solutions for the radios, chargers and other accessories is $16,086.42. The council approved $17,000 to cover the purchase.

During his presentation to council members Police Chief Robert Burnett restated what he has said in previous discussions about the department needing new radios. Burnett reminded council members that the Saline County 911 system and other area departments are having to increase the number of available radio frequencies (channels) due to an increase number of calls. The city’s current hand held radios, and two car radios, are too out-of-date to be upgraded.

These are not the only radios to be replaced. Earlier this year Burnett was given permission by the council to buy three other handheld radios. The price was $9,425.11, for which the city will be reimbursed through a grant program.

Also at the June 20 meeting:

Planning Commission report

Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck reported on the public meeting held June 11 in the City Park. The meeting was to receive input from the public on the City’s new Master Development Plan. The current plan was approved in 1982.

Huck told city council members attendance by the general public was less than they had hoped.

“There were more of us (city officials) than them,” he said.

Huck said the next step is for Metroplan to take the information and develop a draft plan. The plan will then be studied by planning commission members, the citizens advisory committee and the city council for input. He said any needed changes will be made and then that version will be presented to area residents at a public hearing. Comments made at the hearing will be woven into a final version, which then must be approved by the planning commission and the city council. He added the plan will not only be in written format but will also include a land use map and a street map indicating areas of potential future development.

Circle K open

Mayor Paul Mitchell announced the opening of the Circle K at North Alexander Road and Highway 5. Although a gas price sign has yet to be installed they are open for business.

The long awaited opening was mainly stalled due to the lack of a sewer line in that location. The closest Little Rock sewer lines are across North Alexander Road and Highway 5 in Pulaski County.

Central Arkansas Development Council

During the “Public Comment” portion of the meeting Annette Williams, from Central Arkansas Development Council, spoke to council members about the services provided by CADC. According to the handout she provided, “The mission of CADC is to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty, to help vulnerable populations achieve their potential and to build strong communities in Arkansas through Community Action.”

Considering that summer is upon us she particularly noted the utility assistance program known as LIHEAP. Again, according to the handout, LIHEAP, “Provides individuals and families with short term utility assistance.”

To see if you qualify for LIHEAP, or any of the other programs, go to www.cadc.com or call (501) 315-1121.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, July 18 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Community Yard Sale

Saturday, June 4; 8AM to Noon

Alexander City Park

Robert Evans off Hwy 111

Come shop for treasures you

didn’t know you needed.

Alexander Mayor sends grant request for paving streets to ArDOT

Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell told council members he has submitted the grant application to have most of the remaining city streets repaved. The announcement was made during the council’s May 16 meeting.

If approved, this will be the third grant received by the city from the Arkansas State Aid Committee (ASAC), which operates as part of the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT). The first two were in 2015 and 2019 for $250,000.00 each. The value of the grant has been increased to $300,000.00.

Mitchell noted cities are available for the grant every three years. A response to the submitted request isn't expected until early 2023.

The streets on this year’s grant request are Main Street; A.C. Wallace, to include widening from E. 1^st Street to 4^th Street; Kent Circle; Valley Cove; Spruce Drive; Holley Drive; Mountain Cove; Iris Cove; Violet Cove; Tulip Cove; Dahlia Cove; Daisy Cove; Cactus Cove; Sunflower Cove; Shirley Drive; and Ashlee Cove. If approved by the ASAC the council will have to pass a resolution giving ArDOT the authority to let out bids in the city’s name. If the low bid is over the allotted $300,000.00 the city will have to make up the difference.

Mountain Drive is also on the list, but in a conversation after the council meeting Mitchell said he has since learned that because the request is only for the damaged portion of Mountain Drive it probably won’t be approved. Under grant rules only whole streets qualify for over-lay. If the remainder of the list is approved Mountain Drive will be the only street not to be re-paved either under the grant program or by the city itself. In that case Mitchell said the city will have to contract the re-paving of Mountain Drive at another time.

The grant is part of the State Aid City Streets program. Cities are allowed access to this program as part of a gasoline tax approved by voters. Revenue from the tax is being used to upgrade interstate and state highways along with city and county streets and roads.

During the same meeting the Alexander City Council approved appropriating $48,000.00 to pave three city streets. The low-bid of $47,514.40 was submitted by Cranford Construction Company of Little Rock. The streets to be paved are the section of Brookwood Rd. between the rail road tracks and Shobe Rd., Alexander Rd. between Third St. and Fourth St. and sections of Cornerstone Road. This project is not part of the State Aid City Streets program and will be funded by transferring revenue from the general fund to the street fund.