Murder

[dermott resident]

Once again another good citizen of dermott has been murdered, it is a shame that some people are still walking the streets in this city, namely some of the higher archy of this city.

[former Dermott Resident]

What do you mean higher archy? I don't think the "higher archy" is the problem. All the good people are gone. The town has changed a lot in the past 10 years. It used to be a good town. A town that you didn't even lock your doors or cars. Now it is only for troublemakers and people that don't want to better themselves. Don't get me wrong. There are still a few good people there. But honestly, a few good people can't turn the town around.

[Charles Caldwell]

I'm a graduate of Dermott High School,(1978); and I'm very proud to say Dermort is a nice town, I have some great mentors there that has a lot to do with where I am today, Aunt Ernistine Ridgel, Coach Willie Parker, some dear friends in the Lee family, along with all the class of 1978 and thier parents and then some; but the people of this town has changed. First, we need to enstill in the young people that education is the way to the furture,not crime; It appears that more kids are getting caught up in crime becasue they don't care anymore and they're not shown the love and understanding needed to escape the addictions to crime. We need more mentors in our community, it appears don't anyone care anymore, let's show the children of tomorrow that you can make it no matter where you're from, but it's going to take more than the police department to do this, let's be more proactived in the daily lives of the teens in Dermott and see if it makes a difference. It's sad to see a good citizen lose their life because of the type of poeple we have in our community today. I'm sending this message from Tokyo, Japan.

V/R
Charles E. Caldwell, MSgt,USAF

[resident of Dermott]

I have lived here for a while now and I have found a lot of good people here. You just can't say this is a town for troublemaker and people that don't want anything. People like you have made it impossible for the people make a good living and have good jobs because you are always putting the town and it's people down. My question to you is, what did you do while you were here to help turn the town around former resident of Dermott? It's not like we have a lots to look forward to. The one thing that you forgot is that this muderer was not from Dermott.

[Former Dermott resident]

I was very saddened to hear of the death of one of my former Dermott High School classmates, Yolanda Jordan Jones. She was a smart and wonderful person. I remember my high school years in Dermott with fondness. That was over twenty years ago, and things have changed dramatically. The economy in the whole area is dying and I regretfully say that I would never want to move back to Dermott with my family. The quality of life and the feeling of safety is not there anymore, and hasn't been in many years. I know it wasn't a person from Dermott that murdered one of my classmates. Yolanda Jordan Jones will be remembered with fondness. She was a good part of Dermott.

[DERMOTT]

Let's get to the point DERMOTT charity start's at home.We the citizen's of here need to be difference in our community.The mayor an council need to support ideas to promote an better our town instead of thinking everything is ok as long as i satisfy a few.Place the focus on problems an come up with useful solutions to solve them give our youth a chance to be respectful young men an women.It won't be completed over night but we must start some where.It is some here that care.All churches should come together an work on 1 accord not to say this is what i've done.Think about it seriously this is a charge to all that is concerned starting with the leader's of this town!Thank you an put GOD first!!!!!!

[Conway AR]

I also am very saddened to hear of the cruel and senseless death of Yolanda Jordan Jones. She was a very good friend of my daughter, who attended Dermott High School with her. It doesn't matter if the killer was from Dermott or where, he took a very good person from her family and friends. There are still some very good people left in Dermott and I am proud to call a lot of them my friends. I hope someone in authority, like the mayor and city council wake up and figure out something to help the city before it's too late, if it's not already. If this sounds like I am angry, well it's because I am. This senseless killing took away someone I have known and cared about for many year.
I will miss you YoYo.

[former Dermott resident]

I think that Dermott was a great place to grow up and live. I graduated from Dermott almost 20 years ago, but would I want to live there now.. I'm saddened to say, NO. I agree with the other former resident that said that the economy is dead. It is. No businesses mean no way to support a family. Charles, I agree with you 100%. The youth do need to see that they can rise up and become someone of importance that can lead a successful life. I feel the way Charles does. The teachers at Dermott were great.(I can't say that now, as I don't know many of them anymore.) I'm glad to see that some of them are still trying to make a difference by staying in the school system. Carol Gunnells, Betty Gammel (Withers) and Coach Parker, just to name a few, were/are an important part in many kids lives. The number of hours that Coach Parker and Betty Withers put in trying to give the youth something to look forward to with Cheerleading and Basketball just seems an impossible task. Mrs. Gunnells was the reason I went into education. I was saddened to hear that she had passed also. I have always been proud to say I am from Dermott. I loved it there. It was my home for 31 years. I never thought I would leave, I always questioned former classmates on the reason they moved away. "Why would you want to live somewhere else?" I would ask. After moving I knew the answers to that very same question I had asked so many times.

[Once a Dermott Resident]

I too lived in Dermott. I hate to agree, but that place is not changing for the better. I had alot of good times there and meet alot of good people. If I could, I would love to help cean it up and put things back the way it should be. If I ever win a LOTTO or just get rick, I would love to buy the whole town and put the people back in good jobs. The only hope for some of those kids in the area to have half a chance at a better life, is to join the military.

[Carla Reynolds-Ziesmer]

Yo-Yo and I worked together for several years, I was at the birth of of her first 2 children. How anyone could hurt Her is beyond my comprehension. She was the hbest person you would ever want to meet. To her family, Darrel, Earnest (My god-son) and the others, I love you all, and I loved Yo...she will be missed.

[Carla Reynolds-Ziesmer]

dermott resident wrote:

Once again another good citizen of dermott has been murdered, it is a shame that some people are still walking the streets in this city, namely some of the higher archy of this city.

Can we say Mickey Mouse Police Department?

[Bobby Hawkins]

I do believe that the leadership has failed miserably but, we the citizen have to bear some of the blame. What are we doing to improve the situation other than complaining? If the leaders are not performing let them know with your vote! We as private citizens must be responsible not irresponsible, we can't rely on someone or something else to solve the problems created by us. Corrections start by looking in the mirror and saying to oneself "What have I done to better myself, community, school, church, and ultimately my fellow brother and sister.

I played basketball with Charles Caldwell, we had fun in our beloved town. We had pride about our community. We were a loving community!! What happened? Whenever I go back home it is very depressing. You have people walking around with no sense of purpose or direction. If your purpose each day is to find a rock, joint, or bottle than you are part of the problem not part of the solution. If you are not working and just sitting at home waiting on the government to feed and clothe you, than you are part of the problem. Get control of your community. Let the druggies and criminals know that you want your community back!!

Lastly, for the so called leadership in Dermott, what are you doing!?!?! It appears to me that you are just figure heads and collecting what monies you can collect. Whoever you are, be what the people expect you to be a LEADER!!

I pray for the bereaved family, I love you all!! Ricky is one of my best friends and I hurt for him and his family. God is able to cure all, just have faith in him and things will work out.

Love,

Bobby R. Hawkins

[Charles Caldwell]

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RICH, A CELEBRITY OR ANYONE SPECIAL TO BECOME A MENTOR, ALL IT TAKES IS FOR PEOPLE WHO CARES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNNITY AND CHILDREN TO START TYRING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG HAPPENING,REPORT IT,OR SAY SOMETHING TO THAT PERSON, DON'T JUST SAY IT'S NOT MY BUSINESS, THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THERE'S ANOTHER MURDER THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PERMITTED. TO THE JORDAN FAMILY; I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO LOSE A LOVE ONE, I LOST MY BROTHER 01 DECEMBER,99 TO A HORRIBLE MURDER, LIKE BOBBY HAWKINS SAID, GOD WILL FIX IT. JUST KEEP HIM IN YOUR DAILY FAITH.

[Someone concerned]

I work in the schools at Dermott. I do know the teachers try very hard to instill in the students here to learn. The problem is the students have no respect for the teachers. And when the the teachers try to do anything about the attitude's we have irate parents come to school and jump on the teacher. If the parents would try to work with the teacher's and help change the students attitude for the better we might have some students with what it takes to change this town. I think Mrs. Jones was one of those parents who helped make things better by the way she has raised her children. But one parent alone doesn't make alot of difference.
May God bless the family and help you through this horrible time. You are in our prayers daily.
We still have some good teachers here but that may change if something doesn't give.

[another former resident]

I was deeply, deeply saddened when I heard the news about Yolanda. I have memories of her that go way back to elementary school, when her mom would bring her to girl scout meetings, In high school she was kind and friendly, how nice she was when I called her shop to order flowers; she sent the flowers that I ordered and just sent me the bill in the mail later. Our families have known each other before either of us were born. She was a very good person. She was taken away from her family so senselessly. I’m very angry about what has happened. I agree with you 100% Bobby. A memorial fund for Yolanda has been set up at Simmons First Bank in Dermott, I’m not sure if I can post the information here, but if you call, they will give you more information if you would like to make a contribution. I pray for strength for the family at this very difficult time.

[Sammie Hawkins]

I am so hurt that people could do something so horrible to such a good person. It is just wrong. I am angry about this. The city of Dermott need to step up and protect its citizens. This person had no business being out of jail in the first place. City of Dermott protect us, it is our right to feel safe in our home and town. God bless you Darryl and the kids. I love you.

[Roy Hawkins Jr 1980]

I couldn't disagree more. Any movement starts with a few people willing to stand up (with the understanding this will not be easy) and do something. If you recall history, it was the Emmett Till murder that sparked the civil rights movement (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/ ). As a result, Dr King and others joined and you see the results of a few people doing something in the face of over whelming adversity. There is a quote that says, " all that is require for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing". I hope you are wrong and the good people of Dermott (my birth place) "do something".

[DERMOTT CITIZEN]

IT WAS SUCH A TRAGEDY WHAT HAPPENED TO YOLONDA, MY HEART FELT SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY.I HAVE KNOWN HER A VERY LONG TIME, SUCH A SWEET AND KIND SPIRITED LADY WHO DEFINITELY SHOWED LOVE FOR HER FAMILY.AS A CITIZEN OF DERMOTT,WE HAVE TO REGAIN WHAT HAS BEEN LOST- RESPECT AND LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.THE LORD DEMANDS THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER WHICH IS HIS GREATEST COMMANDMENT TO MANKIND.WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.THE SCRIPTURE SAYS IF WE WOULD HUMBLE OURSELVES AND PRAY , AND SEEK HIS FACE THEN WILL WE HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND THE LORD WILL HEAL THE LAND. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SPIRITUAL HEALING IN DERMOTT!

[Former Citizen]

I guess that I feel as if I need to respond to the many concerned present and past citizens of Dermott. I too strongly believe that the justice system in Dermott is lacking at the time. I was so saddened to learn about Yolanda. I have a connection to this because the alleged murderer is also under investigation for the asault of my parents there in Dermott. My parents are in their 80s and allowed this individual into their home under false pretenses on his behalf (vehicle broken down and needed to use the phone)and he jumped my parents and beat them viciously, leaving them for dead. Later my family learned that this individual was suspected, but pending DNA and fingerprint results. During this time, this same individual assaulted another citizen of Dermott, but was released on bail. As a result of that bail releasing he did this to Yolanda. Tell me, is Deen and his law enforcement lacking? You decide.

[resident of Dermott]

Teacher from Monticello, why are you lying about the parents jumping on the teacher? Just name one incident like that. If you feel like that then why are you working in Dermott and not Monticello. If you can't get a job in your own town than what is wrong with your teaching ability?