| Story Date: Tuesday, September 5, 2006 Local plans continue on health rally By Brooke Vermillion Reporter Discussion continued this week on an event designed to educate the community on various organizations and businesses that offer services related to Arkansas River Valley residents' health and wellness. Organizers of the first Rally 'Round the Rails event, slated for Sept. 22-23 at the Depot Park in downtown Russellville, announced Wednesday during the RIVER VALLEY METH PROJECT meeting plans are coming along smoothly. About five live bands are scheduled to perform, and spots are still available; multiple food vendors will be present; demonstrations from dance companies, gymnasts, martial arts groups, and skateboarders are scheduled; also, booth spots relating to health and wellness are still available at no charge. According to event coordinators Sean Huss and Terri Earnest, both assistant professors of behavioral sciences at Arkansas Tech University, the event their group is planning is much-needed for people to become aware of issues their local community faces. Organizers also said Wednesday they still need a public address system and stage lighting. For more information, contact Michelle Griffith at 968-0466. In other business: Sheriff Jay Winters announced the meth project is trying to reincorporate Pope County school districts into the group, and noted Russellville Superintendent Randall Williams was present and ready to begin looking at school programs. Williams said after the meeting he would be working with River Valley Prevention Coalition grant coordinator Carol Lee on the Safe Schools Healthy Students program again this year. Lee told the group she is pursuing two grants -- The Drug-Free Communities Grant and a Meth Grant geared toward prevention and treatment -- that she would have more information on by October. |