Thanks to a partnership with the National Audubon Society, Helena River Park will be getting an upgrade this Spring. With the support of a group of 15 local individuals and organizations, 10 interpretive nature panels, 10 bird watching signs and a two-sided welcome kiosk were designed to connect visitors and residents with the river and the surrounding wildlife. The panels are slated for installation in early May.

Later this year, the project will see the addition of a gateway sign at the entrance of the Helena River Park to increase its visibility and draw in more visitors.  Helena is the only downtown located directly on the Mississippi River for the 300 mile stretch in between Memphis and Vicksburg.  Project leaders anticipate that these slated improvements — along with the acquisition of Buck Island and the River Park’s 60-foot public boat ramp — will help position Helena as one of the top eco-tourism destinations on the lower Mississippi River.

Date & Time: Monday, March 28, 2011; 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Location: Chamber of Commerce

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Goal Team led by Ellis Bruce and new co-chair Tyrone Stayton.

Meeting Minutes for 3.28.2011 (pdf)

The Teen Court and the Youth Diversion Program has had a strong start to the year. In the past three months, nine teens have received sanctions and are completing their hours of community service which includes serving as a juror in the Teen Court Program. As of March 2011 none of the 19 total youth participants have been charged for repeat criminal activity.

The program offers first time teenage offenders an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system and a criminal record. Teens with misdemeanor charges such as curfew violation or disorderly conduct appear before a jury of trained teen volunteers. Teens also perform the roles of prosecuting and defense attorneys, bailiff, and clerk. Judge Ann Hudson is the only adult directly involved with the proceedings, with Attorney Kinchen, Monteque Robinson and Walter Darnell serving advisory roles.  Offenders receive sentences of a minimum of 18 hours of community service. Since the program became fully operational in October 2010, 19 teens have completed Teen Court and received sanctions. Additionally, more than 67 students from all six high schools in the county are actively engaged as volunteers to help lead this program.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 24, 2011; 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: Great Rivers Co-op

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Education Goal Team led by co-chairs Suzann McCommon and Kyle Miller.

EDU Goal Team Meeting Minutes for May 24, 2011 (.pdf)

Date & Time: Monday, March 21st, 2011; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Phillips County Chamber of Commerce

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Leadership Team led by co-chairs Doug Friedlander and Judge Kathleen Bell.

LDR Goal Team Meeting Minutes for 3.21.2011 (.pdf)

“Members of the Phillips County Quorum Court Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution clarifying the intention of the county’s legislative body to provide ongoing support to the Phillips County Animal Control Center in its effort to provide animal control services for the cities in the unincorporated areas of Phillips County.

“I think this is something we should step back and be proud of. This is the first time in a while that the county and all the cities have come together on a project, “said Morgan. “A countywide partnership will be something to take notice of.” This partnership includes State Rep. Clark Hall, County Judge Don Gentry; Helena-West Helena Mayor Arnell Willis , Marvell Mayor Donald Cutlip, Elaine Mayor Lucien Webster, Lake View Mayor Henrietta Wilson, Lexa Mayor Donald Ford; Phillips County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander and Humane Society of the Delta Executive Director Kathryn Freres.”

JP’s Support Countywide Animal Control (.pdf)

Southern Bancorp Capital Partners received a grant of $55,000 from the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection program to do earthworks restoration and preservation services at Civil War Batteries A and D and to do archaeological research at Batteries B and C.

Last week some metal detecting was done at the “C” site and some square nails, a small led ball and some broken glass were found. The archeological work on Battery C will help in determining where the revetment was located. A revetment is a wall or barricade. Plans are to rebuild the revetment at the site as a part of the total Civil War Helena Interpretive Plan.

Dig begins on Battery C (.pdf)

Date & Time: Friday, March 11th, 2011; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Delta AHEC

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Healthcare Goal Team led by new co-chair Becky Hall. Goal team members will work to develop specific goals to accomplish in 2011.

HEC Goal Team Meeting Minutes 3.11.2011 (.pdf)

Date & Time: Thursday, March 10th, 2011; 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Delta Eagle Room

Description: The quarterly meeting of the Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Goal Team. Goal team co-chair Paula Oliver worked with members to develop specific goals to accomplish in 2011.

TRQ Goal Team Meeting Minutes for 3.10.2011 (.pdf)