FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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On Thursday, January 23rd, the attendees of the Community Improvement TASKFORCE were treated to a brief presentation by Streets & Sanitation Superintendent, Steve Choals. In his presentation, Choals outlined several goals his department was targeting to reduce the overall carbon footprint of Osceola through a multi-faceted recycling program. Cardboard, glass, and plastics are top priorities.
Osceola High School Football Team Day
In a ceremony marked by a near overflow crowd, Mayor Wilson declared 12.20.2019 as Osceola High School Football Team Day in recognition of the 2019 winning season.
The ceremony was attended by the football team, coaching staff, teachers, administrators, and parents.
FOR IMMEDIATE / PUBLIC RELEASE
CIT | 12.19.2019
The Community Improvement Taskforce (CIT) met today at Osceola City Hall. Shawn Chafin led the brief meeting as Chairperson. Others in attendance were Stacey Travis, Ed Richardson, Donna Lorino, Luther Wakefield, Mayor Sally Wilson, Steve Choals and Ray Fulmer.
The CIT was informed by Chafin of the final installation of trail cameras. Two cameras are now active in areas identified as being prone to dumping. Earlier this year the group researched and identified this practice as a key source of downtown litter. Images captured from the cameras will provide the necessary legal evidence for effectively prosecuting offenders.
The cameras were purchased by the City of Osceola through a grant facilitated by Main Street Osceola.
Ed Richardson provided the group with an update on a recent survey of businesses located within the city limits. The majority of the businesses surveyed complied with a long-standing municipal ordinance requiring payment and public display of a City Privilege License. Non-compliant businesses were provided with an abbreviated copy of the ordinance, instructions, contact information and an application form. At this time, no current businesses have been ticketed or fined for failure to comply wi
th Ord. No. 1993-690.
Positive progress reports were also made regarding
A major project being planned by the CIT for 2020 is the implementation of a Local Foods | Local Places initiative. Phase one of the program is the establishment of a certified commercial kitchen. Two municipal properties are currently being considered as test sites.
Partial funding for the LFLP initiative will come from a USDA/DRA grant.
CIT meetings are open to the public.
UPDATED:
This years United for a Clean Osceola campaign has expanded. The “United for a Clean Osceola” organized volunteer clean-up effort will begin at 7:00 am on Sept. 28th and Oct. 5th at the Main Street Bingo Hall. Supplies such as bags, gloves, safety vests and t-shirts will be distributed at this time on a first come basis.
Advance material distribution for teams is available NOW at City Hall.
Osceola, Ark (September 12th, 2019) – Volunteers are needed to participate in United for a Clean Osceola’s annual fall litter pickup September 28th. Sponsored by The City of Osceola, the cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup (GAC), the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB).
“Litter continues to be a problem in our community,” said Osceola Mayor Sally Wilson, local co-coordinator of this year’s cleanup. “It can leave a negative impact on our community for years to come. By participating in this year’s Great Arkansas Cleanup, local residents can help make and keep Osceola a vibrant community.”
Everyone in Osceola is encouraged to participate in this year’s litter-pickup effort. Civic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, scouts, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can organize cleanup teams and pitch in. Volunteer groups are asked to select an area to target their efforts and communicate this with one of the many event coordinators or through email at
This event has been scheduled to coincide with a broader, county-wide clean-up effort. The Osceola Street Dept. will pick up at your curbside debris such as chairs, tables, mattresses, box springs, and other small items between the hours of 7:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Steve Choals advises that on this day no tires, shingles, limbs, leaves or household garbage will be picked up. Also, the Mississippi County landfill will be free to all county residents from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. if taken by residents personally. To assure the Saturday pick-up call 563-2612 and leave your name, phone number and address to be placed on the pick-up scheduled.
The “United for a Clean Osceola” organized volunteer clean-up effort will begin at 7:00 am on Sept. 28th and Oct. 5th at the Main Street Bingo Hall. Supplies such as bags, gloves, safety vests and t-shirts will be distributed at this time on a first-come basis.
“Litter is everyone’s responsibility,” Wilson said. “Although not everyone litters, we do all live in this community together and must work together to keep it clean and green. We do this out of community pride to maintain our outstanding quality of life and to improve our local economy.”
This year’s local cleanup is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Keep America Beautiful and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation.
About the Great Arkansas Cleanup
The Great Arkansas Cleanup grew out of an effort that began more than 40 years ago as the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Cleanup. In 1985, U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers guided legislation requiring an annual pickup event during the weekend after Labor Day on all federal lands. This law, the Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Act, honors the founder of the event. Mr. Garner continued his advocacy for a clean and litter-free environment as a member of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation board of directors until his passing in 2014. KAB organized the first statewide GAC in 1989.
About Keep Arkansas Beautiful
The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (KAB), consisting of a professional staff of three and a nine-member advisory board appointed by the governor, is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. As a certified state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., KAB inspires and educates individuals to reduce litter, recycle and keep Arkansas beautiful. KAB is funded through its 1 percent portion of the eighth-cent Conservation Tax and, by mobilizing volunteers, returns to the state a cost-benefit of more than $6 in community service for each program dollar spent. For more information, visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com or stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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INVITATION TO BID.
The City of Osceola will receive sealed bids for proposal to provide strategic planning services for the City of Osceola, AR. The purpose of the plan is to 
increase music tourism, create new retail development, and tax revenue from music tourism. Sealed bids will be received at the office of the Mayor, located at 303 W. Hale, until 10:00 am on Thursday, November 7, 2019. At that time all bids will be opened and read aloud. The City reserves the right to increase or decrease the amount or to reject any or all bids and waive formalities what-so-ever. The organization must have a record of success in providing such services.
For more information, contact Ray Fulmer at (870)563-5245. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Scheduled for print publishing on Oct. 25, 2019 pursuant to A.C.A. 22-9-203.
| 20 Jan 2025 04:15PM - Advertising and Promtion Tax Commission |
| 21 Jan 2025 05:00PM - City Council Meetings |
