FORMER EL DORADO MAYOR ARRESTED ON THEFT CHARGE
Griffin: ‘We are all equal under the law, and I will continue to enforce the law’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after special agents in his Public Integrity Unit arrested former El Dorado Mayor Veronica Creer on one count of theft of property, a C Felony:

“In October 2023, Veronica Creer closed out the bank account of El Dorado Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit organization for which she had previously been a board member. She withdrew all $23,544 in the account in the form of a cashier’s check, and a few months later she had the check redirected to another nonprofit, Parents United Against Youth Violence. Ms. Creer had not been active as a member of El Dorado Crime Stoppers’ board since 2016, though she was still listed as a signatory on the organization’s bank account. Her decision to withdraw the money and direct it to a different organization was not approved by anyone but her.

“Upon learning of Ms. Creer’s actions, the El Dorado Police Department notified Jeff Rogers, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District, who subsequently asked my office’s Public Integrity Unit to investigate. Special agents in my office arrested Ms. Creer this afternoon, and she was processed in Union County, where she will stand trial. The Special Prosecutions Division of my office will handle the case. 

“I appreciate the work done on this case by my office and the El Dorado Police Department, and the cooperation of Prosecuting Attorney Rogers. We are all equal under the law, and I will continue to enforce the law.”

 

ASMSA OPENS FALL 2025 ADMISSIONS CYCLE, INTRODUCES NEW MUSIC PROGRAM OF STUDY
HOT SPRINGS — The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts has opened the application process for the Classes of 2027 and 2028, and the school will offer a new music-focused pathway in Fall 2025.

The Music Program of Distinction (POD) will build on ASMSA’s existing music curriculum to offer a focused experience for students’ talents. It will allow students with a deep passion for music to explore fundamental principles while also focusing on studio time, private lessons and performances that reflect their own personal interests. Music POD students would spend approximately half their time and coursework on music-related activities.

The creation of the Music POD comes a year after ASMSA’s Wind Ensemble and choir earned top honors in Class 3A state competitions as well as the String Ensemble earning state honors for the first time in its history. It also follows the school’s introduction of the Visual Arts and Design Program of Distinction (POD) in 2022. The Art POD provides students with opportunities to take immersive courses in 2D, 3D and other traditional arts topics. The Music POD will follow a similar track for music courses.

“Our experienced and highly credentialed faculty coupled with a well-trained and innovative Student Life staff provide the resources and support needed to prepare all students for success,” said Jason Hudnell, director of admissions. “The expansion of the arts to include our new Music POD that complements our commitment to STEM education opens even more opportunities for students to thrive in our community of learning."

ASMSA is a public residential high school serving academically and artistically motivated students of all backgrounds from throughout the state of Arkansas. More than 250 students in 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades attend classes and live on the Hot Springs campus in a community of learning unlike any other in the state.

The school was recently named the top public high school in Arkansas for the third straight year and No. 31 in the nation by Niche.com, a website that provides in-depth profiles on thousands of colleges, school districts and individual K-12 schools across the nation. ASMSA was also named the best public high school for college prep as well as STEM education in the state.

For students interested in STEM subjects or other humanities topics, ASMSA offers a broad range of courses that are all taught at the college level, including 70 courses for college credit. Most students earn an average of 50 hours of college credit by the time they graduate with all students, including those in the Art and Music PODs, earning at least 30 hours — or a full year of credit. Housing, meals and books are provided to all students at no cost with support from the state.

“ASMSA empowers families of high-achieving as well as aspirational and motivated students all across Arkansas to choose a high school that best meets the needs of their students no matter their ZIP code or socioeconomic status," Hudnell said. 

Students apply to ASMSA through a competitive admissions process that evaluates high school coursework, ACT/SAT scores, responses to essay questions, recommendation forms and other accomplishments. Finalist candidates are invited to attend Interview Weekends in April. The process is similar to application to selective colleges and universities.

The rigorous applications process assists ASMSA in identifying for admission well-rounded young Arkansans who possess a strong sense of character, actively contribute to their communities and seek out the most challenging coursework available to them. Students must submit their completed application no later than March 1, 2025. To learn more about ASMSA’s application process and the requirements for admission, visit asmsa.org/admissions, email admissions@asmsa.org or call/text 501.622.5235.

About ASMSA: The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts is one of 17 public residential high schools in the country specializing in the education of academically gifted students. Located in historic downtown Hot Springs, the school is a campus of the University of Arkansas System. For more information about Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, visit asmsa.org or call 501.622.5100.
 

STATE AUDITOR DENNIS MILLIGAN HOSTS SEMINAR FOR BUSINESSES TO REPORT UNCLAIMED PROPERTY EDUCATION PROVIDED TO COMPANIES REGARDING THEIR DUTY TO REPORT PROPERTY TO STATE
October 1, 2024 (Little Rock) – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan hosted a seminar on Monday to educate businesses on how to report unclaimed property to his office. Companies and government agencies across Arkansas have a duty to remit unclaimed property to the auditors Office, and Milligan is in charge of ensuring these financial assets are returned to their rightful owners.

“I’m required by law to make people aware of this program and help return unclaimed property back to Arkansans. The flip side of this program is getting those financial assets remitted to my office, which is why you all are here today,” Milligan told attendees.

Unclaimed property can consist of any financial asset or account deemed abandoned or that has remained dormant for a period of several years. It includes, but is not limited to, checking or savings accounts; utility deposits that were not returned; overpayments; life insurance proceeds; stock or mutual fund shares, etc. In some cases, it includes tangible items left behind in safe deposit boxes.

“Unclaimed property comes from money that has been deemed ‘abandoned’ and often occurs as a result of someone moving or dying,” Milligan explained. “In most cases, it is some type of Financial property.”

Unclaimed property experts from around the country attended Monday’s seminar and spoke about the responsibilities companies have to report property to the state, the legal ramifications of being out of compliance, and legislative activities surrounding unclaimed property nationwide. About 40 people attended in person and more than 600 people viewed it online.

Unclaimed property ‘holders,’ (businesses or government agencies that have unclaimed property) are required to report and remit property annually by Nov. 1 to the state auditor’s office. The auditor’s office sends out thousands of letters each year to try and reconnect citizens with their unclaimed property.

“I want to be known as the state auditor who has given back the most money in unclaimed property of any state auditor in history,” Milligan said. “Since I took office in January 2023, we have processed more than 63,000 claims and returned more than $55.9 million in unclaimed property to citizens.” State statute requires the auditor’s office to hold unclaimed property “in perpetuity,” meaning until it is claimed by the rightful owner or heir.

The auditor’s office operates a website people can visit to check whether they are owed any unclaimed property: www.claimitar.gov.

Holders interested in viewing the seminar in its entirety may watch it live on the state auditor’s website: www.youtube.com/@ArkansasAuditorofState. Questions can be emailed to holders@auditor.ar.gov.Auditor

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN CO-LEADS CHALLENGE TO FEDERAL RULE THAT WOULD REDUCE MONITORING OF PRISONERS’ CALLS
Griffin: ‘Without proper security measures, what would stop inmates from conducting criminal operations over the phone?’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit on behalf of Arkansas, Indiana, and 12 other state attorneys general challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new rule that regulates phone service providers in prisons:

“The FCC can’t dictate to Arkansas prisons how they negotiate cost-sharing agreements with service providers, and it can’t arbitrarily and capriciously pre-empt state laws regulating prison operations. Funds derived from inmate phone use go toward covering needed security measures. Without proper security measures, what would stop inmates from conducting criminal operations over the phone? The FCC’s regulations are disconnected from the economic and practical reality of providing communication services to inmates, and they exceed the FCC’s statutory authority.

“If these regulations go into effect, no one will benefit because prisons won’t be able to provide adequate security for phone calls prisoners make, and prisons may simply discontinue existing communication services, which means inmates won’t be able to make calls at all.”

Prisons negotiate contracts with communications service providers based on rate caps set by the FCC and use their portion of the revenue from these contracts to fund security measures and services that benefit inmates, including access to online legal libraries and remote religious services. The FCC’s new rule drastically reduces the rate caps, thereby making it nearly impossible for prisons to continue to invest in security measures to monitor calls.

Joining Griffin and Rokita on the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.

 

SIX ARKANSAS COMMUNITIES SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN RETAIL ACADEMY PROGRAM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 2, 2024) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has selected six Arkansas communities to participate in the 2024 Retail Academy program. The participating communities include Crossett, Hope, Marion, Morrilton, Newport, and Stuttgart.

The Retail Academy program provides rural communities with online education, market research, and technical assistance to assist them with recruiting retail opportunities to their region. The program provides local leaders with the resources and knowledge needed to recruit and support retail and restaurant businesses in their communities.

“Attracting retail opportunities is a key element for keeping our local communities growing and vibrant,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “The Retail Academy program will provide the resources and knowledge that local economic developers need to recruit retail companies to their communities.”

Retail Academy was developed by Retail Strategies, a Birmingham, Ala.-based municipal consultancy firm focused on retail recruitment and downtown revitalization, and will be administered by AEDC’s Community Development Division. Specific services and resources offered during Retail Academy include customized training, peer analysis, demographic overviews, a retail marketing guide, networking opportunities, and access to online courses.

“Clint O’Neal and his team at AEDC are committed to the growth and prosperity of rural Arkansas communities,” said Lacy Beasley, president of Retail Strategies. “Many deserving communities need better restaurants, grocery stores and shopping options but don’t have the tools or experience to effectively take a proactive approach to recruiting those businesses.  Retail Academy empowers community leaders with custom retail recruitment plans, training, and ongoing support to demystify the process so they can take action.”  

The 2024 Retail Academy program begins October 1 and runs through September 30, 2025.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“Crossett is looking forward to participating in the Retail Academy Program sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission,” said Mike Smith, executive director of the Crossett Economic Development Foundation. “We see this as an opportunity to network with other communities and to learn best practices from other successful practitioners who have successfully recruited new retail into their local economies.”

"Hempstead County Economic Development in partnership with the Hope Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to receive the Retail Academy grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission,” said Anna Lee Powell, president of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation. “Education for our leaders in retail recruitment and data will play a crucial role in empowering our local businesses and retailers. This grant provides us with valuable tools and resources to strengthen the economic foundation of Hempstead County and ensure sustainable growth and opportunities for Southwest Arkansas. It’s a significant step toward rural development in Southwest Arkansas and enhancing opportunities for our regional economy."

“The City of Marion is excited to partner with Retail Strategies through the Retail Academy program,” said Beth Wilson, director of economic development for the City of Marion. “This opportunity will enhance our efforts to attract and support retail businesses in our community. We thank the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for awarding Marion the grant to participate in this initiative, which will help us drive economic growth and development.”

“Morrilton is so excited to have been chosen to participate in the Retail Academy program,” said Donnie Crain, president and CEO of the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce. “Retail is an important component of our larger community strategy – creating jobs, increasing our tax base, and enhancing our local quality of life. This program will allow us to better understand our community’s retail potential, attract new retail to complement our existing retailers, and develop a path for more success in the future.”

“The Newport Economic Development Commission is honored and excited to be part of this year’s group of communities selected to participate in the Retail Academy,” said Jon Chadwell, director of economic development for the Newport Economic Development Commission. “Our partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission continues to enrich Newport and Jackson County in so many ways.”

“We are thrilled to have been selected to participate in Retail Academy this year,” said Bethany Hildebrand, president and CEO of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. “Our commitment to fostering growth in our Delta community motivates us daily. Accessing affordable training and tools has always been a challenge, and we believe Retail Academy will equip us with invaluable insights to enhance our local businesses and networks. We can't wait to get started!”
 

CORKS AND CANVAS PRESENTS “BOOOOOQUET” OCT 17 AT THE SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER
The South Arkansas Arts Center invites art lovers and Halloween enthusiasts to join them for an exciting evening of creativity for the October Corks and Canvas event titled “Boooooquet.” This spooktacular gathering will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 6-9pm, featuring local artist Marla Tomlinson.

Get ready to unleash your inner artist while enjoying a festive atmosphere filled with Halloween spirit. Guests attending "Boooooquet" will have the opportunity to create their own 11x14 festive, acrylic "spooky" floral arrangement under the expert guidance of Marla Tomlinson. Known for her vibrant and engaging artistic style, Marla expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “I’m excited to host a Halloween-themed Corks and Canvas. This is definitely my jam, and I think the subject matter I’ve selected is fun and festive for everyone.”

Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite beverage to sip while they paint and socialize, making for a relaxed and enjoyable evening of creativity and community. SAAC provides the snacks and all the supplies. Spaces for this event are limited to 12 participants. Secure your spot today by registering on SAAC's website at www.saac-arts.org or by calling 870-862-5474. The workshop fee is $40.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a creative way. Join artist Marla Tomlinson for an evening filled with fun, art, and community spirit at the South Arkansas Arts Center! Get creative at SAAC, located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas. 

FIRST FRIDAY MARKET THIS FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN CAMDEN
First Friday Monthly Market in Camden, AR is ready for “Hometown Harvest” for the market on October 4th.   As the weather is finally cooling down it’s a great time for everyone to get out and enjoy an evening of great music, shopping, eating, looking at the scarecrows and visiting in Downtown Camden.

GLENN PARKER Will Take Camden’s FIRST FRIDAY STAGE from 6-9pm on October 6. Glenn Recently Retired from Touring with Country Music Singer and Grand Ole Opry Member, GENE WATSON. He has over 39 years of Entertaining from Camden to the Grand Ole Opry. Glenn has opened Shows for Garth Brooks. George Jones. Merle Haggard. Ray Price. Mark Chesnut. Tracy Lawrence and so many more. Come Ready to Be Entertained and Enjoy a fun Evening.   

Everyone can get your shopping in with a vast array of vendors set up along Washington St and Adams Ave selling everything from wood workings, clothing, jewelry, original artworks and more.   Special nonprofit groups and local organizations will be throughout the market to give you information on services, photo opportunities, games, beauty pageant winners and so much more.  You can also catch a ride on the Queen City Train which will load at Scott Alley next to Postmaster’s Grill.  You will find bakers & farmers located all throughout the market with delicious baked goods, vegetables and canned items! Enjoy the special food vendors set up during the market. We are very happy this month to have Smith’s Treats BBQ food truck as well as Spud Love to take care of your hunger pains.  But remember, we have 4 great restaurants right in the market area with wonderful food that never fails to meet all expectations.    

Downtown merchants will be open late for all your shopping convenience offering great First Friday specials. First Friday Monthly Market in Downtown Camden, AR,  October 4th  , 6PM – 9PM.  Come stroll, shop, nibble, browse and chat through downtown Camden… See you there!
 

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED IN 1995 MORGAN NICK KIDNAPPING CASE
ALMA, Ark. — The Alma (Arkansas) Police Department reports a significant development in its investigation into the 1995 kidnapping of 6-year-old Morgan Nick from a Little League ballfield.

Morgan was kidnapped from the parking lot of the Alma Little League ballfield at approximately 10:45 p.m. on June 9, 1995.  A suspect description was provided, as was the description of a red truck with a white camper shell that was allegedly involved.

Alma Police detectives, in cooperation with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials, have spent thousands of hours investigating more than 10,000 leads. That investigation continues to this day.

One of the early persons of interest was Billy Jack Lincks, a resident of Van Buren, Arkansas. Lincks was arrested on August 29, 1995 — roughly 12 weeks after Morgan’s disappearance — for sexual solicitation of a child. Lincks used his red truck during the offense. Police questioned Lincks regarding Morgan on August 31, 1995. He denied any knowledge of Morgan’s abduction and appeared to be truthful. Investigators moved on.

In July 2019, Alma Police detectives began a review of the early stages of the investigation. In doing so, their attention was drawn, once again, to Billy Jack Lincks.  They located the truck he owned in 1995, which had been sold several times in the years that followed. The current owner of the truck was not acquainted with Lincks and permitted detectives to conduct an in-depth examination of the vehicle for evidence.

On July 28, 2020, the FBI Evidence Response Team examined the truck. Among the collection methods the team used was that of vacuuming various locations within the vehicle. In doing so, they produced several “vacuum canisters” containing various forms of matter, including hair. The FBI retained custody of the evidence.

In July 2023, Alma Police Detective Shawn Taylor learned of advanced analysis processes available at Othram Laboratory, based in Texas. Detective Taylor retrieved evidence collected from the truck by the FBI and, on December 1, 2023, submitted it to Othram Laboratory for analysis.

On September 27, 2024, Othram Laboratory sent a report to Detective Taylor, stating, in essence, that they determined that hair contained in the evidence he submitted for analysis was that of Colleen Nick, one of her siblings, or one of her children.

Follow-up interviews of members of the Nick family revealed that none of them knew Billy Jack Lincks and that none of them had ever been in his truck.

Physical evidence collected from the truck that Lincks owned when Morgan was abducted strongly indicates that Morgan had been in his truck.

Billy Jack Lincks died in the year 2000.  Morgan Nick is still missing. Alma Police detectives have reached a point where they can concentrate on a single suspect to determine the circumstances surrounding Morgan’s abduction.

“An army of supporters, advocates and heroes have rallied to uncover the truth about her disappearance,” said Colleen Nick, Morgan’s mother. 

“He stole Morgan from me, her dad, Logan and Taryn. He didn’t see that he could never win. Because our love for Morgan – her memory, her voice – outlasted his life. And that love continues to shine. Morgan’s heart shines on.”

Alma Police asks that anyone with information that could help resolve this case, please call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST
(1-800-843-5678).

PIKE COUNTY DEPUTY CLEARED IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING OF PIKE COUNTY WOMAN
October 1, 2024
GLENWOOD, Ark. — On Monday, September 23, 2024, 9th West Judicial District Prosecutor Jana Bradford determined that the use of lethal force by a Pike County Sheriff's Deputy was justified in the officer-involved shooting on August 29, 2024, which resulted in the death of a Pike County woman.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) asked the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) to investigate the shooting.

On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the PCSO responded to a location on Highway 84 West near the Pike County community of Glenwood following reports of a woman with a knife. The woman, later identified as Jennifer Provence, 43, did not comply with a deputy's commands to drop the knife. The deputy fired his service weapon, hitting Provence, who died from her injuries at the scene.

ASP CID prepared an investigative file and submitted it to the prosecuting attorney, who determined the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas laws.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY AT MIKE MEAN'S BEGINNER ADULT PENCIL DRAWING WORKSHOP!
Are you ready to explore your artistic side? Join the South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) for an exciting opportunity to learn the fundamentals of pencil drawing with local, experienced artist Mike Means!

The workshop will take place on October 18-20, 2024. Over the course of three sessions, attendees will grasp the essentials of drawing in a fun and supportive environment. The workshop schedule is as follows: Friday, October 18, 6-8pm; Saturday, October 19, 1-4pm; and Sunday, October 20, from 1-4pm.

The workshop is limited to 12 participants, ensuring personalized instruction. The cost for the workshop is $75, which includes all necessary drawing materials — pencils, erasers, and paper. Feel free to bring any additional drawing supplies that you wish to experiment with during the sessions.

Mike Means emphasizes the importance of simplicity in learning. “I will be keeping it simple, basic, and easy to understand. It's all about the basics and having fun,” he shares. Whether you are a complete novice or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is perfect for adults eager to develop their artistic talents.

Originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, artist Mike Means served in the U.S Navy in the field of Graphic Design spending almost 10 years as a “Drafstman/Illustrator” for the Navy/Government. After leaving the service, Means worked as a Graphics Designer for several Companies and now works as an arts educator and a freelance design artist. 

In addition to his design work, Means is an "Artist in Education," collaborating with local elementary schools to enhance their art, science and theatre projects through innovative approaches. He has also been teaching classes at SAAC for the past 16 years, including computer art, pencil drawing and improv. With a passion for drawing, Means explores various art forms, including pastels, acrylics, pencil, 3D physical modeling, and digital art.

Don’t miss out on this chance to dive into the world of pencil drawing! To secure your spot or for more information, please visit the South Arkansas Arts Center’s website at www.saac-arts.org or call SAAC 870-862-5474.  The South Arkansas Arts Center is located at 110 E 5th Street in El Dorado.

Registration Link: https://saac-arts.org/pencil-drawing-oct-2024/

ASP LAUNCHES YOUR ARKANSAS STATE POLICE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
September 30, 2024
Starting Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Arkansas State Police will use in-house resources to feature important services provided by the agency. Each week for three months, videos produced by ASP’s Communications Team will highlight critical services and resources being provided by different ASP divisions.

Although ASP’s Highway Patrol Division is highly visible and widely known to the public, it is only one of dozens of valuable divisions advancing ASP’s mission, such as Internet Crimes Against Children, Criminal Investigations, SWAT and Air Support.

“We are funded by your tax dollars. We work for you. We are Your Arkansas State Police,” ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said.

Campaign videos will be posted on ASP’s social media platforms and on the Your Arkansas State Police page online once a week.

We encourage everyone to like and share Your Arkansas State Police videos by watching ASP’s Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. 

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS DONATES NEARLY $380,000 TO HELP VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS THIS SUMMER
“Beat the Heat” bill relief and resources help customers overcome the stress of high temperatures
Little Rock, Ark. – This summer, Entergy Arkansas provided nearly $380,000 through our “Beat the Heat” efforts, helping our low-income customers and communities stay cool and pay their bills throughout the summer. Through Entergy Arkansas’ “Beat the Heat” program, customers received bill payment assistance, fans, energy efficiency kits, home weatherization and invaluable support from local community partners.

"We are committed to helping our customers manage their energy costs during times of high usage by providing bill payment assistance, energy efficiency products and services and other resources," said Ventrell Thompson, vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas. “We understand the financial challenges many of our customers face, and we are here to support them."

For decades, Entergy Arkansas has partnered with local organizations to ease the burden of hot summer temperatures resulting in increased usage and higher energy costs for our most vulnerable customers. Year after year, this collaborative program provides our customers with energy bill assistance, tools and resources, and support during the critical summer months. Through this program the company:

Donated more than $300,000 in funds from Entergy shareholders, employees and customers to The Power to Care program, which provides energy bill assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities.

Provided customers with free access to Single Stop, an online resource that connects households in need with financial assistance and more.

Awarded more than $12,000 in grants to vulnerable customers to provide free resources like electric fans and home weatherization kits.

Donated to local organizations that weatherized homes for customers in need.

Held in-person customer service events in underserved communities, providing customers with assistance and resources to help manage their bills, energy efficiency kits, pro bono legal aid, Kids to College savings accounts and more.

Provided more than 600 free electric fans to help customers beat high temperatures and save on electricity bills throughout the summer.

Distributed 70 energy efficiency kits to customers. The kits included money-saving LED lightbulbs, advanced power strips, bathroom faucet aerators and V-seal weatherstripping.

Entergy Arkansas is dedicated to ensuring all customers have access to the resources and support they need to stay safe and comfortable year-round. To learn more about our customer assistance programs, visit billtoolkit.entergy.com.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE, YOUTUBE, AND PARENT COMPANY ALPHABET
Griffin: ‘YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has filed a lawsuit in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and parent company Alphabet, Inc. for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

“YouTube has deceived users and parents about the safety of its platforms for youth. YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive by using features to keep users engaged for as long as possible.

“Google has deliberately designed and marketed YouTube to exploit and addict young users, contributing to a mental health crisis in Arkansas. The majority of children aged 13 to 17 report using YouTube every day. 

“One of the gravest public health threats to children in the United States today is the soaring rate of mental and behavioral health disorders, including depression, self-harm, body dysmorphia, and increased suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide. This increase in mental health problems among children is the result of calculated efforts by social-media companies like YouTube to attract and addict youth to their platforms and to grow revenues without regard for the harmful effects that these companies know exist.”

This lawsuit continues Griffin’s commitment to protect children and families from the dangers of social media. In 2023, Griffin sued Facebook, Instagram, Meta, and TikTok for deceiving users and parents about the safety of their apps. Earlier this month, Griffin joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general in sending a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social-media platforms.

 

OFFICERS CLEARED IN JANUARY SHOOTING DEATH OF HOT SPRINGS MAN
September 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The 6th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney determined an Arkansas State Police (ASP) Trooper and three Benton Police officers were justified in the use of deadly force in the shooting death of Aaron Watson, 35, of Hot Springs that occurred on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Watson died after leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit from Benton to Little Rock.  

At approximately 2:04 p.m., the Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) notified ASP that they were pursuing a white 1996 BMW driven by Watson, traveling on the Interstate 30 service road near the 128-mile marker in Benton.

Troopers ended the pursuit using a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver on the Interstate 30 service road near the University Avenue exit. Watson fired at law enforcement officers, who returned fire, striking him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Watson was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and was driving a vehicle with fictitious plates.

ASP Troopers and Benton Police officers involved in the incident were not injured.
 

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM ADVISORY FOR HERITAGE PARK LAKE, CLAY COUNTY, AR.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s (E&E) Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory for Heritage Park Lake in Clay County, Ark.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the lake in the affected area. Cyanobacteria (the organism making up a harmful algal bloom) have been visually confirmed and supported by preliminary testing. Harmful algal blooms may produce toxic substances which could result in headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Be especially cautious of exposure in children, pets, and livestock. Wash animals off with clean tap water if exposure occurs and avoid letting them ingest toxins when cleaning their coats. DEQ is monitoring the water quality and will lift the advisory when the bloom dissipates.

If you suspect a harmful algal bloom, avoid contact with the water and report it. Contact DEQ at habs@adeq.state.ar.us or call 501.682.0744. More information can be found on DEQ’s website: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/pdfs/HAB-ResponsePlan-Manual-bookmarks-2019-12-12-Final.pdf.

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
September 27, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – When the legislature convenes in regular session in January, lawmakers will consider changing how district courts are funded.

The outcome will be important throughout the judicial system. It will influence how judges’ salaries are paid. It will impact the budgets of city, county and state governments. The legislature’s decisions will significantly affect people who are ordered to pay fines and restitution.

The blueprint for change was finalized last week by the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary, which have been working on potential reforms of court finances since last year’s legislative session. Act 38 of 2023 required the committees to study the issue and report its findings by October 1.

One proposal is to eliminate an existing agreement that has the state and local governments all share in paying judicial salaries.

Another proposal would repeal the current $10 a month fee charged to people who pay off fines and court costs in installments. The Judiciary Committees heard testimony that some people owe more because of accumulated $10-a-month fees than they owe for their original traffic fine.

County governments have a vested interest in this issue. According to the Association of Arkansas Counties, the 75 counties in Arkansas spend at least $46 million a year on the operations of local judicial systems. The amount is likely higher, because the $46 million figure was compiled 10 years ago.

Now, cities and counties contribute $58,650 toward the salary of each local district judge. That is half of the base cost of judges’ salaries. State government pays the other half.

Beginning January 1, there will be 70 full-time district judges in Arkansas. If the state pays their entire salaries, the state will incur an additional $4.1 million a year in costs, and local governments will save that amount.

The current system of collecting court costs and fees, although better than it was in the past, is a confusing patchwork. Fees and court costs go into a state Administration of Justice Fund, which last year provided $39.3 million in funding for 21 separate programs.

Some of those programs are connected to the court system, such as the Arkansas Judicial Retirement Fund. Others are not directly connected to operations of the judicial system, such as programs for traffic safety and drug abuse prevention. As Act 38 says: “Many of the court costs, fees, and fines assessed by the court system have little or nothing to do with the operations of an individual court or the court system…”

Eliminating disparities has been a legislative priority since 1995, when the General Assembly passed Act 1256 to provide for uniform filing fees and court costs. Act 1256 was prompted by the fact that the system of fees and fines created inequity in the level of judicial services available to Arkansas citizens.

Furthermore, according to Act 1256, the judicial funding system had become so complex as to make administration impossible. This mattered to law enforcement agencies because unreliable reporting of criminal statistics made it impossible to compile accurate data on crime rates.

It mattered to ordinary people who wanted to file a civil suit, or were defendants in a lawsuit. In some counties it might take six months to get a court date, but in a different county it might take more than a year.
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES ARREST OF LITTLE ROCK WOMAN ON FELONY MEDICAID FRAUD CHARGE
Griffin: ‘I congratulate my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for securing the arrest of someone stealing from the hardworking taxpayers of Arkansas’
 LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the arrest of Charlotte Dedmon, 48, of Little Rock, on a felony charge of Medicaid Fraud:

“I congratulate my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for securing the arrest of someone stealing from the hardworking taxpayers of Arkansas. A caregiver cannot marry a Medicaid beneficiary and then bill the state for services.

“I thank Special Agent Brandon Muldrow and Assistant Attorney General Gaby Davis-Jones for their work on this case in cooperation with Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones.”

Dedmon was arrested on September 19. She married a Medicaid beneficiary and billed the state $5,898 for services as his caregiver. When notified by the provider she previously worked with that she could not be a caregiver to her husband, she switched to a new provider and kept the relationship hidden to continue receiving payment.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN SECURES ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT DISMISSAL OF DRIVER’S LICENSE GENDER IDENTIFICATION LAWSUIT
Griffin: ‘The Department’s rule must comply with state law, therefore, today’s order is a win for the rule of law’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Arkansas Supreme Court entered an order in Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration v. Gallagher dismissing the lawsuit challenging the department’s emergency rule on driver’s license gender identification:

“I am pleased that the Arkansas Supreme Court granted my motion to dismiss this lawsuit against the Department of Finance and Administration, which has brought its driver’s license gender identification rule into compliance with the law. The Department’s rule must comply with state law, therefore, today’s order is a win for the rule of law.

“I congratulate Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni and Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs on their successful efforts in this matter.”
 

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF ARKANSAS DISPATCH 54 LINEWORKERS TO FLORIDA
Little Rock, Ark. — Sept. 25, 2024 — For the second time in September, AECI Utility Solutions crews have been dispatched to the Gulf Coast to assist with anticipated power outages.

AECI Utility Solutions, a division of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. of Little Rock, routed 54 lineworkers and equipment to Clay Electric Cooperative of  Keystone, Florida, to assist as Hurricane Helene makes its way to the panhandle. Crews will stage inland and commence assistance once the hurricane makes landfall and damage assessments are complete.

According to cooperative officials, additional crews are on standby to aid electric utilities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Crews include Mike Matty, Jay Verser, Jason Striplin, Mike Rogers, Mark Jackson, William Thompson, John Finley, Tyler Mays, Jamie Robbins, Joe Fowler, Logan Jewell, Mason Kinder, Levi Tryon, Clayton Kemp, Brandon Grinde, Justin Shull, Lucas Tanner, Colby Greene, Keshawn Blevins, Marcus Bramlett, Keaton Trout, John Nuckolls, Brayden Matty, Luke Wheeler, James Oliver, Alvest Prince, Ronnie Terrell, Kurt Lutz, Harley Jordan, John Miller, David Halcom, Duey Beirman, Brody Hausmann, Mason Stewart, Kenneth Holland, Clayton Grigg, Louie Langley, Blake Odom, Brett Manes, Devin Thompson, Richard Johnson, Troy Powell, Dylan Youngblood, Dalton Medlock, Steven Dolloff, Zach Ford, Joshua Gaither, Frankie Garcia, Brodie McDaniel, Tony Jeffries, Kaleb Moore, Cole Henniger, Ethan Heerdink and Kylan Sutton.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 1.2 million members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states.

ASP SEEKING INFORMATION ON PEDESTRIAN HIT-AND-RUN
September 24, 2024
MIDWAY, Ark. — Arkansas State Police (ASP) is asking the public for assistance in gathering information about a hit-and-run pedestrian accident that occurred the evening of Monday, September 23, 2024, on U.S. Highway 167 near the White County/Independence County line. The victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

At about 9 p.m., the White County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a pedestrian was hit on the highway between Simpson Lane and Ransom Smith Road. The victim, an 84-year-old white woman wearing a white tank top and blue jeans, was last seen near her home on Sweet Pine Lane between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Investigators believe she was walking south on te southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 167 when a vehicle struck her between 7:30 and 9 p.m.

Anyone with information about this incident should call ASP Troop B Dispatch at (870) 523-2702.

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS AWARDED 2024 ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY ENGINEERS REGIONAL AWARD FOR ENERGY PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Project for City Corporation in Russellville, Arkansas recognized for excellence
Little Rock, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas is pleased to announce that our Entergy Solutions team has been awarded a 2024 Association of Energy Engineers Regional Award for Energy Project of the Year in the Central & South US region. Entergy Solutions received the award for a project completed with City Corporation in Russellville, part of the Large Commercial & Industrial program.

The projects made upgrades to City Corporation’s digester system and aeration basin and represent significant strides in conserving energy in wastewater treatment. The digester system upgrades optimized sludge handling by implementing efficient pumps, blowers, and controls, resulting in substantial energy savings while maintaining effective treatment. Similarly, the aeration basin upgrade focused on reducing load by installing fine bubble diffusers, variable speed drive blowers, and automated control systems, minimizing energy usage while ensuring optimal dissolved oxygen levels. These innovations showcase the work of Entergy Arkansas' Large Commercial & Industrial program and City Corporation's commitment to energy efficiency.

“These annual plant and systems upgrades help us sustain longevity of our systems as well as provide annual savings and energy cost to keep customer rates sustainable in an ever-increasing economy,” said Taryn Childers, chief financial officer of City Corporation, “We are very thankful for the partnership and look forward to how we can implement future projects with Entergy Solutions.”

Combined, these projects resulted in 2,886,700 kilowatt hours in electric savings and $288,000 in total dollars saved. Entergy's incentives covered $410,152 of the total cost to implement these measures. The award will be presented at the AEE Regional Awards Ceremony, scheduled as part of the AEE World Energy Conference & Exposition on Tuesday, September 24th, at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN.

Entergy Arkansas provides incentives to commercial customers for undertaking energy efficiency upgrades via the Large Commercial & Industrial program within their Entergy Solutions portfolio. These cash incentives are awarded upon completion of specific projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency within businesses. Moreover, such initiatives can lead to increased cash flow through electricity savings and bolster the environmentally friendly image of these enterprises. Entergy also helps in crafting a customized energy savings strategy for buildings and integrates energy efficiencies and savings into operational procedures for their customers.

About the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
The Association of Energy Engineers is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional society with over 17,000 members in more than 125 countries. AEE offers a variety of informational outreach programs including training, conferences, chapters, journals, and certification programs. The mission of AEE is to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development.

About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

About City Corporation
City Corporation is a 501(c)(4) that manages the locally owned water and wastewater system and provides those services to approximately 13,500 customers in and around Russellville Arkansas.  City Corporation prides itself in providing the best tasting drinking water possible and has won state and national awards to solidify itself as having some of the best tasting drinking water both in the state and nation.
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES 2 ARRESTS IN SEPARATE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY INVESTIGATIONS
Griffin: ‘I will continue to bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after agents in his Special Investigations Division made two arrests within 24 hours in separate cases involving child pornography:

“Last night, agents from my office arrested Giovanni Ibarra, 25, of Sherwood on three federal felony charges: one count of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Our investigation into Ibarra’s activities started after we received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The production charge in this case came from materials Ibarra produced involving a toddler.

“In a separate case this morning, agents from my office arrested Darien Trigleth, 39, of Conway on 150 counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.

“Such unfathomable and despicable acts have no place in our society, and I will continue to bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice.”

Ibarra was booked into the Pulaski County Jail Tuesday evening and was released into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service today, when he made his initial appearance in federal court.

Trigleth was booked in the Faulkner County Jail.

ASP ARRESTS FORT SMITH MAN TRAFFICKING FENTANYL  AND OTHER ILLEGAL NARCOTICS
September 25, 2024
FORT SMITH, Ark. — A pursuit in Fort Smith by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) led to the arrest of a subject wanted by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office (SCSO).

On Monday, September 23, 2024, the 12th and 21st Judicial Task Force requested assistance from ASP to apprehend Dylan Anderson, 28, of Fort Smith, for an outstanding drug warrant.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Troopers found Anderson driving a green Chevrolet Cruze on Grand Avenue near North 32nd Street and initiated a traffic stop. Anderson fled east on Kinkead Avenue. Troopers used a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver on Anderson's vehicle, causing him to wreck in the 600 block of North 34th Street.

During the pursuit, Anderson threw a bag from his vehicle. Troopers recovered the bag, which contained over 100 Fentanyl pills, Psilocybin mushrooms, illegal marijuana, and 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine.

Anderson was treated for minor injuries at Baptist Health - Fort Smith and then transported to the Sebastian County Detention Center. He is being held on felony charges, including Trafficking a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fleeing, Driving on a Suspended License, Parole Violation, and other charges. 

FORMER MARION DISTRICT COURT CLERK PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF PROPERTY
September 25, 2024
MARION, Ark. — On Monday, September 23, 2024, Megan Goudy, 33, of West Memphis, pled guilty to Felony Theft of Property stemming from a July 2023 Arkansas State Police (ASP) investigation.

ASP Special Agents arrested Goudy, a former clerk for the Marion District Court, on July 24, 2023, on eight counts of Forgery and one count of Theft of Property. The investigation revealed that Goudy stole over $300,000 in court fines between 2019 and 2022.

Goudy was sentenced to 120 days in the Crittenden County Detention Center, 20 years of probation, and $384,000 in restitution to the City of Marion.

MASS SHOOTING SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES NATIONWIDE UNITE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF FORDYCE TRAGEDY
September 24, 2024 – Fordyce, Arkansas – Families and survivors of 21 of the most publicized previous mass shootings across the United States, united through VictimsFirst, have issued an urgent appeal for donations to support the victims of the tragic Fordyce shooting. The incident, which took place on June 21, 2024, left four people dead and eight others wounded, devastating the local community and marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in Arkansas history.

As survivors of mass shootings themselves, the signatories of the letter (below) understand the overwhelming grief and challenges faced by those affected. Their plea underscores the critical need to ensure that 100% of donations reach the victims directly, enabling them to manage their recovery as they see fit.

VictimsFirst, a nonprofit organization made up of mass shooting survivors and families from previous tragedies, supports the Centralized Victims Fund for the Fordyce shooting victims created by the Arkansas Community Foundation and administered by the Mass Violence Survivors Fund. Every dollar raised will go directly to those impacted—without any administrative fees or deductions. This direct financial assistance will help survivors and families cope and manage their lives in the aftermath of this horrific event.

We know first-hand the grief and suffering they have endured, and how vitally important it is to make sure donations meant for victims actually get directly to them in cash payments so they can manage and cope the way they need to. Only they know what they need," the letter states.

Donations to the Fordyce Survivors Fund can be made at arcf.org/fordycefund or by mail to:
Arkansas Community Foundation
Attn: Fordyce Survivors Fund
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110
Little Rock, AR 72202

The families and survivors who have signed this letter, having lived through similar mass violence, know the immense emotional and financial toll such tragedies take. In their closing message, they state: "We are all humbly asking for anything you can give to help them. We know all too well that they will sincerely need it."

Donations can also be made through the Fordyce Survivors Fund fundraising page on GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fordyce-survivors-fund

For more information on how to donate or to learn more about the Centralized Victims Fund, please visit victimsfirst.org or contact Melissa Holmes.

 

ASP CID INVESTIGATING FATAL SHOOTING IN DES ARC
September 23, 2024
DES ARC, Ark. — On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at around 5:46 p.m., the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was requested by the Des Arc Police Department (DAPD) to investigate a shooting in the 600 block of Chester Street.

Witnesses reported that a physical altercation took place between Jeremiah McMillen, 44, of Des Arc, and his mother, Donna McMillen, 65. During the confrontation, Jeremiah's son, Connor McMillen, 19, also of Des Arc, intervened and shot Jeremiah.

Connor McMillen contacted 911 and informed emergency personnel. When the DAPD arrived, Connor surrendered himself without incident.

Jeremiah McMillen died as a result of the shooting.

The prosecutor will make a determination regarding charges upon submission of the complete CID file to his office.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR ARVEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT COMPLIMENTARY ESTATE PLANNING WEBINAR
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 24, 2024) – October is national Financial Planning Month and registration is open for a complimentary Arvest Wealth Management estate planning webinar on Oct. 1 titled: “Protecting your Family Legacy: Understanding the Differences Between a Will & a Trust.”

During the virtual session, accessible via Zoom at either 10 a.m. or 6 p.m., Arvest Wealth Strategist Darin Drennan will cover such basics as:
·       How to get started
·       Documents needed for estate planning
·       Key differences between wills and trusts
·       Responsibilities of executors and successor trustees

“There are psychological and practical reasons that many people procrastinate when it comes to estate planning,” Drennan said. Some of those reasons are:

·       Discomfort – Thinking about death forces individuals to face their mortality and that of loved ones.
·       Intimidation – Estate planning can be complex and seem confusing but financial professionals can help make the process easy.
·       Cost – Many believe they will need to hire expensive lawyers and incur hefty legal fees, but there are affordable options.
·       Family dynamics – Discussing estate plans with family members can bring to the surface underlying tensions or spark disagreements, especially around inheritance or guardianship.  

“Also, some people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy, but ultimately, estate planning is an investment in peace of mind for yourself and your family,” Drennan said. “By confronting the discomfort and prioritizing action, individuals can protect their legacy, ensure their wishes are respected, and provide their loved ones with a secure future.”

To register for the webinar and receive the meeting link visit arvest.com/estateplanning.


JOIN SAAC FOR “AN A-Z EVENING” CELEBRATING ARKANSAS WOMEN IN MUSIC
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) invites the community to a remarkable celebration of art and musical heritage on Thursday, October 3, at 7pm. Titled "An A-Z Evening," this one-of-a-kind event will feature the author Stephen Koch and artist Katherine Strause as they discuss their groundbreaking book, “From Almeda To Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song” (Et Alia Press, 2024).

This book profiles influential Arkansas women in music whose stories have often gone untold or overlooked. From early pioneers to contemporary artists, these women have made significant contributions to the musical landscape both locally and globally. Notable figures highlighted in the book include Almeda Riddle, Zilphia Horton, Rosetta Tharpe, Dale Evans, Maya Angelou, and many others, showcasing their powerful legacies in American popular song.

During the event at SAAC, Katherine Strause will present her artistic process and the inspiration behind her vivid portraits that depict these cultural trailblazers. Strause’s 30 portraits that are featured in the book are currently on display through October 16 in the Lobby Gallery at SAAC, marking the first time they have all been displayed together. 

Author Stephen Koch, a musician and host of the popular public radio program “Arkansongs”, will perform some of the songs inspired by the significant figures featured in the book while discussing their cultural impact. 

"This book covers a wide array of musical genres and time periods, from the 1800s to this year. I'm looking forward to telling the stories of some of these incredible musicians featured in the book in El Dorado, as well as performing a few of their songs," the author said. "I've been working on a set that includes gospel by Rosetta Tharpe of Cotton Plant, blues by Grace Brim of Biscoe, and a calypso number by Maya Angelou, who grew up in Stamps."

Gay Bechtelheimer, a key figure in bringing this program to El Dorado said, “Erin Wood, the publisher of Et Alia Press, was one of my guests at the Governor’s Arts Awards in April, and it was then that she captivated my attention with her latest project. I know that anything Erin does, she does it with scholarship, substance, and style. Knowing that, I knew immediately that we had to host this presentation at the South Arkansas Arts Center.”

Following the program, a reception sponsored by Sherrel and Ben Johnson will be hosted in the gallery. Et Alia Press will have copies of “From Almeda To Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song” on hand for a book signing session with both Koch and Strause.

Tickets for the event are $15 for the general public and $10 for SAAC members with reserved seating. Tickets are free for students who call SAAC to reserve a seat. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the rich history of Arkansas women in music and celebrate their remarkable stories.

For additional information or to purchase tickets to “An A-Z Evening”, please call the South Arkansas Arts Center at 870-862-5474 or visit their website at www.saac-arts.org.  The South Arkansas Arts Center is located at 110 E 5th Street in El Dorado.

ASP SEIZES OVER 8 POUNDS OF COCAINE DURING HEMPSTEAD COUNTY STOP
September 23, 2024
HOPE, Ark. — On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at approximately 7:42 a.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a grey 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer around the 28-mile marker on Interstate 30 East in Hempstead County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the SUV and found three bricks of cocaine wrapped in tape in a baby wipes box.  

Troopers arrested the driver, Chris Alvarado, 32, of Dallas, Texas, and transported him to the Hempstead County Detention Center. Alvarado is charged with Felony Trafficking of a Controlled Substance

 

STATUE OF JOHNNY CASH TO BE PLACED IN UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Unveiling in Emancipation Hall Will Take Place on September 24th
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – An unveiling ceremony celebrating the completion of a bronze statue of Arkansas native and renowned music artist Johnny Cash and the placement of that statue in the United States Capitol building is set to take place in Emancipation Hall on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Arkansas artist Kevin Kresse was commissioned by the National Statuary Hall Steering Committee, chaired by Shane Broadway, and the Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission to create the bronze sculpture following the approval of Act 1068 of 2019, sponsored by Senator Dave Wallace and Representative Jeff Wardlaw of the Arkansas General Assembly. This statue, and a statue of civil rights leader Daisy Gatson Bates, replace Arkansas’s two former statues that remained in the U.S. Capitol for over a century. Bates' statue unveiling took place in May of this year.

"I could not be more proud to participate in this event, honoring another Arkansan who has had such an impact on American music and culture," said Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston. "Johnny Cash is truly a legend. I'm thankful to all who had a part in making sure his legacy will live on and represent our state in the nation's Capitol."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Arkansas's Congressional Delegation, Governor Sarah Sanders, Secretary of State John Thurston, and members of the Cash Family will be in attendance.

The unveiling ceremony will be available for viewing via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakerJohnson/streams.

 

BOX OFFICE OPEN FOR SAAC’S 2024 PENGUIN PROJECT: DISNEY AND PIXAR'S "FINDING NEMO, KIDS”
The South Arkansas Arts Center is delighted to announce the cast for its 2024 Penguin Project production, through special arrangement by MTI, of Disney and Pixar's "Finding Nemo, Kids," scheduled for Friday, September 27 at 7 PM and Saturday, September 28 at 2 PM. With tickets priced at $10 for the general public and $5 for students, this production promises to be an affordable and entertaining outing for families and individuals of all ages. 

Directed by Lynn Gunter with musical direction by Cassie Hickman, this enchanting musical follows the adventurous journey of Marlin, a timid clownfish, whose life is turned upside down when his spirited son, Nemo, is captured by a diver and placed in a fish tank.  The story emphasizes themes of bravery, friendship, and the importance of family, enlivened by an array of catchy songs and vibrant characters.

"The Penguin Project is near and dear to Lynn and me," said Hickman. "The shows always reflect our program, but 'Finding Nemo' shouts out loud, 'We all need each other; together we are better. We are all braver than we think and can accomplish more than we ever thought we could.' Our special needs actors and their mentors are doing just that! They are working together and overcoming both physical and emotional obstacles to show the community that if you 'Just Keep Swimming,' you can accomplish anything! This is a program you don't want to miss!"

The show features talented performers, including Tristan Hempstead and Gideon Moncrief as Nemo, CJ Sanchez and Ethan Mixon as Marlin, and Elizabeth Legg as Dory. The audience is sure to be delighted by all the sharks, turtles, tank fish, pelicans, and school fish that have been creatively costumed by Mikki Patterson and Jessica Paterson. 

The sharks are portrayed by Sam Jones and Braelyn Allen as Bruce, Timothy Hogue and Sydney Patterson as Chum, and Trace Miller and Luke Legg as Anchor, alongside A’Khiya Elliot and Tyana Hart as Shark Assistants. The turtles come to life with Jake Conner and Jake Cooper as Crush, Mia Miller and Channing Lee as Squirt, and Dani Legg as Kai. The tank fish include Rebekah Lee and Rosalie Alatorre as Bubbles, Ethan Parks and Addy Miller as Bloat, Kinsley Fricks and Kinley Rushing as Gurgle, Delaney Lee and Kylie Novak as Peach, and Gezus Holmes as Gill.

The pelican roles of Nigel, Sprit, and Jib will be played by Vanessa Murphree and Zy’Anna Miller, Jill Miller and Lily Langston, and Chapel Johnson and Victoria Rodriquez, respectively. The school fish will be represented by Paisley Hayes and Eva Johnson as Pearl, Keaton Rushing and Alexandria Ellen as Sheldon, Evie Johnson and Lily Rosser as Tad, and Bella Johnson, Lily Bergeron, and Katie Wyn Legg as Prof Ray.

The Penguin Project exemplifies its commitment to inclusivity by providing children with differing needs the opportunity to perform in a live stage production. Each artist is paired with a mentor of similar age, fostering a collaborative environment where they learn lines, dances, songs, and stage blocking together. This unique mentor-artist pairing allows for a meaningful experience that culminates in a shared performance on stage. 

Join SAAC for this heartwarming and inspirational production that celebrates creativity, camaraderie, and the joy of theater! For more information or to purchase tickets to “Finding Nemo, Kids,” please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474, visit our website at www.saac-arts.org, or drop by SAAC at 110 E. 5th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.
 

CAPITOL EXHIBIT FEATURES ART BY CAPITOL EMPLOYEES
Fourth Floor Exhibit on Display Through November 8^th
(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston invites visitors to the State Capitol to view the new Capitol Artists Exhibit.

The exhibit features the work of 14 artists and 36 pieces of art, including paintings, mixed media, photography, and digital art. Submissions from employees of the Secretary of State, State Capitol Police, Capitol Gift Shop, the Arkansas Senate, the Governor's Office, and the Office of the Commissioner of State Lands are displayed.

"This is a fun and unique tradition that we have started here at the Capitol. I'm always impressed to see what talents people have outside of the workplace," said Thurston.

The Capitol Artists Exhibit will be on display in the fourth floor gallery from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, from now until November 8th.

BOOZMAN, HEINRICH INTRODUCE EVERY KID OUTDOORS EXTENSION ACT
Provides Fourth Graders and Their Families Free National Park Access
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act to provide free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth graders and their families through 2031.

“Introducing young Americans to our national parks inspires an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our country. I’m proud to support this legislation that allows the next generation to discover our national treasures and explore the outdoors,” said Boozman. 

“As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know firsthand how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I’m so proud of the doors we have opened to our public lands for fourth graders and their families since we passed my Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago. Now, we can double down on this successful program, turning our national parks and other public lands into outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” 

Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. The authorization is scheduled to expire in 2026.

Full text of the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act can be found here.

The Every Kid Outdoors program has successfully encouraged tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters, historic sites and national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. 

The Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act has widespread support with endorsements from The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Outdoor Alliance for Kids. 

“Over the past nine years, hundreds of thousands of children have been able to enjoy our public lands with the support of the Every Kid Outdoors program. This program has helped to introduce and facilitate outdoors adventures and experiences to these children and their families during a critical formative period in their lives. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is eager to see this program continue to benefit families and communities for generations to come,” said Julia Hurwit, Campaign Manager for Outdoors Alliance for Kids. 

LITTLE ROCK MAN TO BE CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, AFTER WRONG-WAY FATALITY WRECK
September 19, 2024
A Little Rock man will be charged with First-Degree Murder and Felony Fleeing in the death of a 27-year-old Maumelle man following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 430 near Colonel Glen Road early this morning. Anthony B. Smith, 24, of Little Rock was driving the wrong way and fleeing from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 125 mph.

Clifford James Griffin, 27, was driving a 2018 Jeep south when Smith, driving a BMW 325, swerved and hit Griffin’s vehicle head on. Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported to a Little Rock hospital, where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the collision. When he is released, he will be taken into custody and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center.

 At approximately 2:46 a.m. today, the Benton Police Department requested assistance from Arkansas State Police because the suspect was fleeing east on Interstate 30 at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, Smith narrowly missed numerous vehicles and evaded law enforcement by driving over 100 mph through a construction zone and going the wrong way on I-30, I-430 and an exit ramp. A Trooper attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle using tactical vehicle intervention but Smith evaded the maneuver, accelerating north on I-430 South.

“The loss of this promising young man’s life is devastating,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. The suspect terrorized an untold number of motorists who should be able to travel our roadways in peace.”

The collision pushed both vehicles into the tree line, resulting in a fire. Little Rock Police Department, Little Rock Fire Department, Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, Benton Police Department, Bryant Police Department, Saline County Sheriff's Office and MEMS responded to the wreck.
 

FOUR TIPS FOR CYCLING SAFELY THIS FALL
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 19, 2024) – With designated trails and scenic routes, Arkansas has become known as a popular cycling destination. Before hitting the trail this fall, though, cyclists from beginners to experts should prioritize their safety. Here are four tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for safe cycling this fall.

 1. Know bike accident risk factors.
According to the CDC, most bicyclist deaths happen in urban areas, so be careful when cycling in larger cities like Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Jonesboro or Little Rock. If there is no bike lane on a section of road, use caution and stay alert. Mountain biking and other types of cycling can be more challenging and strenuous, so exercise caution and know your limits. Riding at night on an unlit or poorly lit trail is not a good idea, whether biking solo or cycling with a group.

 2. Wear protective and reflective gear.
Whether you are cycling in an area that enforces bicycle helmet laws or not, wearing a helmet while cycling is always a good idea. It reduces the risk of a concussion or head injury if you fall off your bike or are involved in an accident. Choosing to wear fluorescent cycling clothes or clothing with reflective strips while biking will increase cyclists’ visibility. Active lighting including front white lights or rear red lights can also improve visibility for road cyclists at night. Use the bike lane when possible, and use trails that are designated for cycling.

 3. Check the weather.
With cooler temperatures on the way, taking a look at the weather before heading out on a bike ride can help prevent accidents caused by rain, thunderstorms and other unfavorable weather conditions. Wear layers of warmer clothes to combat wind chill, and wear rain gear when planning to cycle in a light rain. Make sure you and your bike are prepared to handle any weather conditions you may encounter, and take all necessary safety measures before starting your ride.

 4. Stay on the trail.
“Stay on the trail” is one of the most important rules for any outdoor activity, and cycling is no different. Check the trail map before heading out, and make sure to follow all trail markers and signs. Use caution when cycling through mountainous or uphill terrain, keeping an eye out for large rocks and other potential hazards. Pay attention to emergency alerts or updates about trail conditions, such as warnings about downed trees or falling rocks. 

More cycling safety information is available at cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/bicycle-safety.html, and Arkansas State Parks has more information about biking in Arkansas at arkansasstateparks.com/activities/biking.

GOVERNOR SANDERS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS
 LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the following appointments:
Arkansas Beef Council
Michael McMillan, Hot Springs Village, to the Arkansas Beef Council.  Term to expire March 30, 2026. Replaces Terry Laster.

Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board
Richard Baxter, Cabot, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026.  Reappointment.
Robert Glennon, Lonoke, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Kenneth Francis.  
Bradley Graham, Portland, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Reappointment.
Steven Kueter, Paragould, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Reappointment.
Greg Moyers, Portland, to the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Reappointment.

Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board
Lendol Falwell, Newport, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Term to expire July 1, 2026.  Reappointment.
William Galloway, Augusta, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Term to expire July 1, 2026. Previously vacant position.

Arkansas Early Childhood Commission
Shelli Henehan, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Replaces Cheri Smith.

Arkansas Forestry Commission
Mary Clapp, El Dorado, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Term to expire January 14, 2028. Replaces Robert Parkes.
 
Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board
Tim Hill, Springdale, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Reappointment.
Brad Moore, Marion, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Replaces Damon Reed.
John Neal, Harrison, to the Arkansas Local Police and Faire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2027. Reappointment.
Jared Zeiser, Hot Springs National Park, to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System Board. Term to expire December 31, 2026. Replaces Andrew Branch.

Arkansas Public Defender Commission
Jason Wales, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. Term to expire July 1, 2029. Replaces John Mikesch.

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
Joshua Cureton, Cash, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Boyce Johnson, Maumelle, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Shannon Davis.
Matthew Roberson, Wynne, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026.  Replaces Russell Smith.
BJ Rogers, Ward, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2025. Previously vacant position.
Matt Smith, Blytheville, to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Douglas Hartz.

Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board
Becton Bell, Wilson, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Joe Christian.
Carl Phillips, Walnut Ridge, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces John King.
Paul Schwarz, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board. Term to expire June 30, 2026. Replaces Roger Pohlner.
 
Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Heidi Jansen, Little Rock, to the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Term to expire June 30, 2027. Replaces Colleen Sears.

Child Welfare Agency Review Board
Andrew Baker, Searcy, to the Child Welfare Agency Review Board. Term to expire March 1, 2027. Replaces Andrew Watson.

Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission
Douglas Elms, Rogers, to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Term to expire June 30, 2030. Replaces Sam Seamans.

Oil and Gas Commission
Phillip Norvell, Fayetteville, as Special Commissioner, to hear Docket No. 050-2024-09.
Ryan Stacks, Damascus, as Special Commissioner, to hear Docket No. 050-2024-09.

Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board
Dr. Samuel Moore, Little Rock, to the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board, who shall also serve as vice-chair. Term to expire July 1, 2027. New Position.

State Plant Board
Nathan Reed, Marianna, to the State Plant Board. Term to expire October 1, 2028. Reappointment.
Bruce Alford, Lewisville, to the State Plant Board. Term to expire October 1, 2028. Reappointment

Calhoun County Quorum Court
Michael Gardner, Hampton, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 9, for Calhoun County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of James Scarlett.

Johnson County Quorum Court
Evert Breeden, London, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 10, for Johnson County. Term expires December 31, 2024. Fulfills the remaining term of Jeremy Hatchett.

Pope County Quorum Court
Charles Tripp, Russellville, to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 10, for Pope County. Term expires December 31, 2024.  Fulfills the remaining term of Allan George.
 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
September 20, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – Most of the universities in Arkansas reported increases in enrollment for the fall semester.

The state’s funding formula for higher education no longer emphasizes enrollment, due to passage of Act 148 of 2017. It changed the focus of state funding to a model based on productivity. One measure is retention of students and graduation rates. Another factor is the university’s mission, and how much it emphasizes research.

For their official count of students, universities take a snapshot on the 11^th day of class. At the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, enrollment continued to increase for the fourth consecutive year, going up 4.6 percent more than enrollment during the fall of 2023.

Total enrollment was a record 22,600 students. Of those, 28.859 are undergraduates and 16,519 are from Arkansas.

Arkansas State University at Jonesboro also set enrollment records this fall. On the 11^th day of the semester enrollment was 16,687 students, which is 12 percent higher than last year.

The graduate school at ASU is the largest in Arkansas. Its enrollment increased by 9 percent, to 5,741students. Of the overall student population, 72 percent are from Arkansas.

ASU operates a campus in Mexico with 961 students. Although their degrees are considered to be from ASU, the university doesn’t request state funding to subsidize their educations, according to an ASU spokesman.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock reported enrollment of 5,434 undergraduates, up 3.7 percent from a year ago. However, the number of graduate students declined from 1,535 to 1,479 to make the overall increase about two percent.

The University of Central Arkansas at Conway reported a strong increase in enrollment, thanks in large part to a surge in its freshman class this year. Overall enrollment is 10,123 students, up 3.4 percent from 2023. This year’s incoming freshman class, with 2,183 students, is up 26 percent over last year.

Arkansas Tech at Russellville reported mixed results on the 11^th day of class. Its campus at Ozark had an increase of 7.4 percent over last year, to 2,115 students. On the other hand its main campus at Russellville saw a decreased headcount of 9,062 compared to 9,487 last year. University officials attributed the decrease to a change in scholarship procedures that were necessary to keep the program within budget.

Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia also reported a decrease in enrollment of eight percent, to 4,733 students, from last years’ record enrollment of 5,126.

SAU officials expected the decline, based on lower birth rates that resulted in lower numbers of high school graduates within the region. Also, the university saw a drop in international students because of unpredictable visa approvals. On the bright side, applications for business degrees and in the education department are both up dramatically.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello reported an increase of 92 students, from 2761 last year to 2853 this year.

Henderson State in Arkadelphia reported enrollment of 2,061 students, a decrease of 3.5 percent from last fall.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff reported an overall decrease on two percent, top 2,049 students. Enrollment at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith remained virtually unchanged from last year. UAFS has 5,512 students, just two fewer than last year.
 

SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR FOR FALL PRODUCTION OF "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) is thrilled to announce the upcoming production of the holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol," directed by the talented Rhett Davis. The production, sponsored of Nexans AmerCable and Southern Bancorp, is scheduled to run December 3-4 and 6-8 with auditions to be held October 7-8. This beloved tale, adapted from Charles Dickens' novel and written by John Jakes, promises to be a festive treat for audiences of all ages.

“The story is exactly what you grew up with, but the look, feel, and emotions will feel new and fresh," stated Davis, expressing his excitement. "One of the things that I really want to implement is a ghostly ensemble to help accompany our three spirits onto the stage and make the set feel alive. The production team is keen to blend classic elements with a twist of gothic whimsy, bringing to life the enchanting story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the iconic Spirits of Christmas.”

Davis has directed several successful productions at SAAC, including "Clue: On Stage" and "Once Upon a Mattress," and has worn many hats in theatre, ranging from producer to stage manager to performer. He has played Smee in "Peter and the Starcatcher," Rochefort in "Three Musketeers," and most recently Howie in "Rabbit Hole."  Davis has also served as Vice Chair and Chair on SAAC's Theatre Steering Committee for the past two years.

Joining Rhett in this venture is Assistant Director and Stage Manager Ruth Griffin, a multi-talented force in the local theatre community. Ruth recently directed the successful Second Stage Production of "The Odd Couple: Female Edition" and is known for her performances in "Once Upon a Mattress." With her background in teaching costume design and technical theatre at El Dorado High School, Ruth brings a wealth of creativity and insight to the production.

"A Christmas Carol" follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his ex-partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him about three spirits that will visit him: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Transformed by these experiences, Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day filled with joy and generosity, ultimately becoming a beloved and kind-hearted figure in his community.

Join SAAC this holiday season as Director Rhett Davis brings the warmth and joy of "A Christmas Carol" to life, celebrating a timeless story that resonates with audiences young and old. For further information about this magical holiday production or the upcoming auditions on October 7-8, please visit www.saac-arts.org or call SAAC at (870)862-5474. 

CONTINUANCE GRANTED FOR LITHIUM ROYALTY IN ARKANSAS
North Little Rock / El Dorado —Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Docket No. 050-2024-09, an application filed by Albemarle Corporation, Saltwerx LLC, SWA Lithium LLC, LANXESS Corporation, and TETRA Technologies, Inc. (“Applicants”), has been continued at the request of the applicants.

A motion for continuance was received by the applicants on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Hearing Officer Charles Moulton granted the motion as he “recognizes the rationale behind holding a pre-hearing because it seems that all the issues raised are matters of law.”

The Commission hearing to review this Application will be scheduled at a future date to be announced.   

The September hearing will still proceed for other regular Commission matters and be livestreamed via zoom from the El Dorado, Fort Smith and North Little Rock offices.

For more information and to stay updated on this application, please visit the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission website at aogc.state.ar.us.

 

COOPERATIVE FIBER NETWORK DELIVERS BROADBAND CAPABILITY TO OVER 1 MILLION ARKANSANS
Little Rock, Ark. — Sept. 19, 2024 —The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are celebrating a milestone in high-speed internet broadband access throughout the state, as cooperative fiber providers have delivered broadband capability to more than 1 million Arkansans.

More than 40,000 miles of fiber have been installed collectively by 17 cooperative broadband providers. The providers include 15 local broadband cooperative providers, a cooperative middle mile fiber company and a wholesale broadband provider. Upon completion of the current cooperative fiber projects, 53,000 miles of fiber will be installed in electric cooperative service areas and provide high-speed, dependable internet service to more than 1.2 million Arkansans.

According to Vernon “Buddy” Hasten, president/CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., much like the tremendous task of providing electricity to remote areas of the state, the locally owned electric cooperatives have overcome many challenges to deliver broadband services to areas that otherwise would not be served.

“The locally controlled cooperatives exist to improve the quality of life of the residents in their communities,” Hasten said. “Just like electricity transformed rural America and rural Arkansas back in the 1930s and 1940s, high-speed broadband is transforming rural Arkansas today. No longer does a person have to live in a metropolitan area to have access to lightning-fast internet service. No longer do young people have to leave their communities to work for a national or international company.”

He added that high-speed internet levels the playing field for rural Arkansans by providing equal access to educational services, medical services and enables small businesses to compete.

Nearly 80% of the cooperative fiber investments are self-funded without grant subsidies.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 1.2 million members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states.
 

FRIENDS OF OLD STATE HOUSE HOSTS ANNUAL SUPPER EVENT
Filmmaking: A Calling and A Gift
(LITTLE ROCK) — Help celebrate "Filmmaking: A Calling and A Gift" at the Old State House Museum Annual Supper fundraising event on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning with a reception and silent auction on the front lawn of the Old State House Museum with dinner at 7 p.m. 

Craig Renaud is an Arkansas filmmaker that has won numerous awards, including the film industry's most prestigious awards, including: a Peabody, Overseas Press Club, an IDA, a Webby, and an Edward R. Murrow. 

While documenting the refugee crisis in 2022, Brent Renaud, Craig's brother, was the first American journalist killed in Ukraine.  Craig is currently in production on a documentary about his late brother Brent. The Renaud Brothers are best known for documentaries like Dope Sick Love, Last Chance High, Off to War, and Meth Storm. 

Whether you are a fan of Arkansas history, filmmaking, or just the Old State House Museum, this promises to be an evening you won't want to miss. Craig will be joining us for a glimpse into a few of his amazing documentaries: Southern Storytellers which includes Mary Steenburgen, Off to War (where the Arkansas National Guard prepares for the war in Iraq), and Little Rock Central High School 50 years later. He'll also be sharing about his current project highlighting his brother. 

Seating is limited and early purchase of tickets is suggested. Tickets are $125 per person and corporate tables are available for $1,750 and can be purchased at www.friendsofoldstatehouse.com by mailing a check to P.O. Box 7640, Little Rock, AR 72217, or by calling 501-425-9641.

The museum is located at 300 W. Markham St. in Little Rock. A seated dinner and program will follow the reception in the museum’s historic 1885 House of Representatives Chamber on the second floor.

Stephens Inc, the Vogel Schwartz Foundation and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette are presenting sponsors of the event. Friday, Eldredge & Clark is Gold Sponsor.

Each fall, Friends of the Old State House Museum hosts an Annual Supper in the 1885 House of Representatives Chamber. This fundraising event features speakers of historical, political or regional importance. 

Friends of the Old State House Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Old State House Museum and its programs. Funds raised by the organization support programs and exhibits, such as the School Bus Fund, the Pillars of Power Exhibit and the First Ladies Gown Exhibit.

For more information, contact Rae Ann Fields at jfields@aristotle.net or call 501-425-9641.

The Old State House Museum
Construction on the iconic Greek Revival building that would house Arkansas’s first state capitol building began in 1833. The structure served numerous purposes until 1951 when the Old State House became the state’s museum dedicated to preserving the history of Arkansas from statehood to today. It received national accreditation in 1993, again in 2003, and most recently in 2024.

LAWRENCE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED IN OCTOBER 2023 FATALITY ACCIDENT IN JACKSON COUNTY
September 19, 2024
CASH, Ark. — On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested Charles Benham, 55, of Alicia, in connection to a 16-vehicle pileup that killed two people and injured six more in Jackson County on October 3, 2023. Benham has been charged with felony Reckless Burning. He was transported to the Jackson County Detention Center.

Smoke from nearby burning fields caused low visibility on Highway 67-167, blinding drivers and resulting in the pileup.  Thomas Blevins, 68, of Logan, Ohio, and Terry Lutz, 55, of Somerset, Ohio, died in the crash.

The vehicles involved in the accident were traveling north at the 99-mile marker when smoke covered all four lanes. As vehicles began to enter the smoke, a chain reaction crash occurred.
 

ASP CID INVESTIGATING DEATH IN I-55 CONSTRUCTION ZONE  
September 19, 2024
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The West Memphis Police Department (WMPD) requested the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate an incident that resulted in the death of a highway worker and the serious injury of another during a pursuit on Interstate 55 in West Memphis.

On Thursday, September 18, 2024, at around 10 p.m., the WMPD stopped a maroon Corvette for a traffic violation on East Broadway in West Memphis. The suspect fled from police at high rate of speed and entered I-55 South, heading into a construction zone near the 3-mile mark.

During WMPD's pursuit, the suspect vehicle struck two workers contracted by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The vehicle continued toward Memphis, Tennessee.  

The Crittenden County Coroner pronounced Justin Delgado, 36, of Lola, Texas, deceased at the scene. The other injured worker was transported to Regional One Health Hospital in Memphis, where he is in critical condition.

The suspect vehicle was found by the Memphis Police Department in the 200 block of West McKellar Avenue, in Memphis, fully engulfed in flames. The suspect remains at large.

The deceased was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where manner and cause of death will be determined. The investigation is ongoing.

ASP Troopers were not involved in the pursuit.
 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS AND INVENERGY ANNOUNCE START OF COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS AT WALNUT BEND SOLAR
Entergy’s fourth solar facility and Invenergy’s first developed project in Arkansas generates enough electricity to power 61,000 Arkansas Homes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Adding to its growing fleet of utility-scale solar generating facilities, Entergy Arkansas has announced the start of commercial operations at Walnut Bend Solar Energy Center. The 100-megawatt solar energy center is located in Lee County to the east of Brinkley, Arkansas. Entergy Arkansas acquired Walnut Bend from Invenergy, a leading privately held developer, owner, and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Invenergy led the development, engineering, and construction of the facility.

“Walnut Bend will be a valuable addition to our generation fleet, which, in turn, complements our diverse mix of generation sources that have been powering life in Arkansas for more than 100 years,” said Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux. “Our investments in these generation resources are a key part of keeping the rates our customers pay below the regional and national averages and enables us to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable service to our customers throughout the state.”

“Walnut Bend is another example of Invenergy’s successful track record of building clean energy solutions, and we are proud to support Entergy’s growing solar power portfolio,” said Mick Baird, Chief Development Officer at Invenergy. “We are grateful to the Lee County community for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing to develop projects in Arkansas to meet the state’s energy needs and invest in local communities.”

The Walnut Bend facility will generate an estimated $700,000 in annual property taxes for Lee County. It utilizes innovative technologies, including bifacial solar panels and racking equipment that tracks the sun. Bifacial panels capture sunlight on both sides of the panel, taking advantage of light reflecting off the ground, while the racking systems adjusts their tilt so that they follow the sun throughout the day, maximizing their energy production.

“I am pleased to welcome Walnut Bend Solar to my district,” said Arkansas Senator Ron Caldwell, District 10. “This facility represents a significant investment in Lee County that will provide economic benefits locally and throughout Arkansas.”

Walnut Bend is the fourth solar resource Entergy Arkansas has placed into service - all generating renewable, emission-free solar power for all Entergy Arkansas’ customers. The others are the 81-megawatt Stuttgart Solar, the 100-megawatt Chico Solar at Lake Village and the 100-megawatt Searcy Solar. The four facilities combined will generate 381 megawatts of power for Entergy Arkansas customers. Total investment is more than $300 million, with net customer benefits of more than $170 million over the life of the facilities.

Later this year, Entergy Arkansas will bring 430 additional MW of solar power facilities online: West Memphis (180MW) and Driver (250 MW), which it will own and operate. Two additional solar facilities are planned to come online in 2025: Flat Fork (200 MW) and Forgeview (200 MW), which will provide energy and capacity to Entergy Arkansas via long-term power purchase agreements.

“Walnut Bend Solar is a great addition to my district,” said Mark McElroy, Arkansas District 62 Representative. “The facility will generate economic benefits for Lee County and the surrounding communities.  This investment will strengthen our communities and help support economic development that will be good for Arkansas.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN’S FAMILY DOLLAR RAT INFESTATION LAWSUIT TO PROCEED 
Griffin: ‘Family Dollar knew about the prevalent rodent infestation in its West Memphis distribution center and failed to warn Arkansas consumers’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after a Pulaski County Circuit judge yesterday denied a motion to dismiss Griffin’s lawsuit against Family Dollar for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

“I applaud the court’s decision to permit this case to proceed. Family Dollar knew about the prevalent rodent infestation in its West Memphis distribution center and failed to warn Arkansas consumers that the goods they were purchasing had been exposed to thousands of rodents. I will continue to vigorously pursue this matter to hold Family Dollar accountable for these unconscionable acts.”

Between 2020 and 2022, Family Dollar’s West Memphis distribution center had a massive rodent problem. Between March 2021 and January 2022, 3,400 rodents were removed after state and federal inspectors intervened. The Office of the Attorney General sued Family Dollar for multiple violations of the ADTPA as well as negligence, strict liability, and unjust enrichment.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas accepted a guilty plea from Family Dollar in a federal criminal case related to rat infestation. Part of the plea agreement was a fine and forfeiture of more than $41 million.

 

 

WESTERMAN, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 AS NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate.

“Although millions of students face the social stigmas and learning challenges related to dyslexia every day, dyslexia rarely receives the proper attention it deserves. This important resolution recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month is an important step in ensuring educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and empowered to get their students the learning resources they need,” said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Westerman.  “I am proud to support this resolution once again, and I thank Senator Cassidy and my fellow Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Brownley, for making this a bicameral and bipartisan issue.”

“I began my career in public service to ensure that all children, including individuals with dyslexia like my daughter, have the resources and positive learning environments to live up to their full potential," said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Brownley. “In recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are bringing much needed attention to the challenges people with dyslexia face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Westerman and my colleagues to raise awareness and help those with dyslexia to succeed.” 

“Dyslexia impacts one in five Americans. With an early diagnosis by the end of kindergarten or beginning of the first grade, these students won’t be left behind and can reach their full potential,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we raise dyslexia awareness and continue to our work to ensure these bright children have the resources to achieve their dreams.”    

“Dyslexia impacts individuals in West Virginia and all across our country, which is why it is so important that we recognize the substantial challenges it poses to students and adults. I’m proud to join my colleagues once again to introduce this resolution, which will help us raise awareness around the need for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based solutions,” said Senator Capito. 

"Identifying dyslexia in early childhood is crucial to ensuring students in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.” s in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.”

SP SEIZES OVER 500 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA, 2 POUNDS OF MUSHROOMS 
September 12, 2024
LONDON, Ark. — On Monday, September 9, 2024, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a white 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van on Interstate 40 near the 76-mile marker in Pope County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the van and uncovered multiple duffle bags stowed inside crates inside the vehicle. Inside these bags, Troopers found 514 1-pound packages of illegal marijuana and approximately 2 pounds of Psilocybin mushrooms.

Troopers arrested the driver, Ismar Zubovic, 41, of Houston, Texas, and transported him to the Pope County Detention Center, where he is charged with two felony counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Zubovic told investigators he was traveling from California to New Jersey.   

 

DRAMA CLUB EMBARKS ON A WOODLAND ADVENTURE AT AUDITIONS FOR "INTO THE WOODS, JR."
The South Arkansas Arts Center's Drama Club invites students in grades 7-12 to audition for the captivating musical "Into the Woods, Jr." directed by Lynn Gunter and featuring musical direction by Cassie Hickman. This production, proudly sponsored by Southern Airways Express, is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Auditions will be held on September 17 and 19 at 6:30pm on both days.

"Into the Woods, Jr." offers a whimsical reimagining of classic fairy tales, inviting audiences to venture into a world where beloved characters such as Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, and others embark on a quest for their dreams while learning important life lessons along the way.

For auditions on Tuesday, September 17, participants are asked to prepare a 1-2 minute monologue and a 30-second song cut.  Talent is encouraged to shine, so auditioners may select a song from any musical number that best showcases their abilities. Be sure to bring the music accompaniment track to play at auditions.  On Thursday, September 19 the directors will hold callbacks for selected candidates and see new faces who could not attend auditions on Tuesday.  

Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, October 1, from 4:15-6:15pm, and will take place at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks, culminating in performances November 15-17.

Director Lynn Gunter expressed her enthusiasm for the production, stating, "I’m eager to implement the new directing techniques I learned in a recent workshop! I look forward to seeing our cast bring 'Into the Woods' to life on stage, allowing each young actor to explore their talents. Importantly, the Junior version we are presenting concludes at the end of Act 1, ensuring a family-friendly experience free of the darker themes found in Sondheim’s original Act 2."

Musical director Cassie Hickman echoed this excitement, adding, "This is an exceptionally clever show that puts a fresh spin on traditional fairy tales. What excites me most is the way this musical allows every student to shine. Each character, from the Baker and his wife to Cinderella, Rapunzel, and beyond, has numerous opportunities to showcase their talents. The lessons learned by the characters and audience alike about dreams and the journeys we undertake to realize them are truly valuable. We encourage all aspiring actors and actresses to audition; this production promises to be a spectacular experience for our community!”

For more information about "Into the Woods, Jr." or to download an audition form, please visit the SAAC website at www.saac-arts.org or drop by the SAAC at 110 E. 5th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas. 

 

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEET
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen met in regular session Tuesday, September10, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

Mayor Charlotte Young called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00 pm. The Invocation was offered by Rev. Brady Renix, Sr., Associate Pastor at Whitest Chapel Baptist Church, 1032 Cook  St., SW in Camden.    The invocation was followed by the Pledge Of Allegiance.

City Clerk City Clerk Donna Stewart called the roll. Aldermen Chris Aregood , Ed Winters, Gerald Castleberry, Joe Askew, Brady Renix Marvin Moore, William McCoy and L.E. Lindsey were all in attendance.

The Minutes of Regular Scheduled Meeting dated August 13, 2024 were presented in print. Motion was made and seconded. The Minutes passed by unanimous vote

The Financial Report for August 2024 was presented in print. Motion was made and seconded. There was discussion regarding supplies and a contract was also in question. This reporter was unable to determine who voted yes, who voted no and who abstained. It is believed that the Financial Report was not approved.

During the Mayor’s  Report
David Richardson, Camden Water Utilities, General Manager gave the Biannual Water and Sewer Report.

Thomas J. Holliday, PWS | Environmental Planning Manager gave a report regarding the Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment. There will be another public meeting regarding the project on September 26, 2024.

Ordinance No. 09-24, an ordinance amending section 6, Building and Building Regulations, Article II,   Plumbing of the City of Camden, Arkansas Code of Ordinances, adopting by reference the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code and the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; and for other purposes. This was the third and final reading. Motion was made and seconded. The Ordinance passed by unanimous vote.

Ordinance No. 11-24, an ordinance authorizing the assignment of certain duties to a private accountant; and for other purposes. Motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and put it up for a third and final vote. Alder man Lindsey, Castleberry, Renix, Askew, Winters, McCoy and Aregood voted yes. Alderman Moore abstained. The motion to suspend passed. Motion was made and seconded to approve the Ordinance. There was some discussion. Aldermen Aregood, Askew, Winters, Castleberry and Lindsey voted yes. Aldermen Moore voted no. Alderman McCoy abstained. The ordinance passed.

Resolution No. 43-24, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to retain an outside accountant; amending the 2024 Annual Operating Budget; and for other purposes.  Motion was made and seconded. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 36-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of Chip Seal Resurfacing for the Public Works Street Department. Motion was made and seconded to reconsider. Motion to reconsider passed by unanimous vote. The Resolution was discussed after a number of residents on Palisade were against the chip seal on their streets. Motion was made and seconded to approve the Resolution. The Resolution failed by unanimous vote.

The meeting adjourned at 9:14 pm.
 

LETTER REGARDING PROPOSED WATERSHED PROJECT IN THE CITY OF CAMDEN – PUBLIC FORUM UPCOMING REGARDING THE PROJECT
August 29, 2024
Subject: City of Camden, Arkansas Watershed Study Project; NRCS WFPO ID:
OPR.NW00.05.7003 and CEQ ID: EAXX-005-53-000-1723629475 Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment Notice of Availability

To whom it may concern:

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

(USDA-NRCS) in Arkansas, in partnership with the Arkansas Black Mayors Association (ABMA) and the City of Camden, as the project sponsor, and with cooperation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USA CE) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service), is proposing a project to implement flood prevention or flood damage reduction measures and works of improvement within the North Bayou-Two Bayou Watershed sub-basin in Arkansas.

The proposed project is located in the City of Camden, including the communities of Cullendale and Fairview, Arkansas. The proposed action (Preferred Alternative) involves construction, dredging, widening, and extending channels, ditches, and swales, and the construction of two detention ponds. The proposed action's purpose is to reduce flood damage through the year 2076 in the City of Camden within the North Bayou-Two Bayou Watershed. Flooding of homes, businesses, roads, and other infrastructure is a chronic issue in the study area.

The Preferred Alternative was selected after an evaluation of proposed alternatives developed during a watershed study of the Freeo Creek- Ouachita River and North Bayou - Two Bayou watersheds; and the Preferred Alternative is supported by the City of Camden. Communities located within the planning area studied include: Bragg City, Camark, Camden, Cullendale, Eagle Mills, Fairview, Harmony Grove, Herbert, Kent, Lester, Lester Junction, Lunet, Millville, New Hope, Ouachita, Rendezvous, Salem, Shumaker, Spring Hill, Tates Bluff, Vanduzer, and Warner.

The proposed project is located in the Freeo Creek-Ouachita River (HUC 10 - 0804010209) and North Bayou-Two Bayou (0804020105) watersheds, in the City of Camden, Arkansas.

A draft watershed plan-environmental assessment (Draft Plan-EA) has been prepared for the Project and is now available for public review and comment. The Draft Plan-EA was prepared under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act

(Public Law 83-566) and in accordance with section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190).

We are requesting your review of the Draft Plan-EA and invite you to attend an in-person public hearing on September 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Camden City Hall, 206 Van Buren in Camden.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEA IN ABUSE CASE
Griffin: ‘Using force and injuring those under your care is intolerable and despicable behavior
’LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing a guilty plea entered by Gabriel Fortenberry, 27, of Jonesboro on one count of Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person:

“My office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secured a guilty plea by a former caregiver at the Jonesboro Human Development Center. Using force and injuring those under your care is intolerable and despicable behavior.

“I congratulate Special Agent Laura Glover and Assistant Attorney General Gabby Davis-Jones for their work to secure this conviction. I also thank the office of Second Judicial District Prosecutor Sonia Fonticella for its assistance in this case.”

Fortenberry pleaded guilty to the Class D Felony on September 9. While employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Jonesboro HDC, Fortenberry pushed a client, causing him to fall and cut his forehead. He was sentenced to five years of probation, a $1,000 fine, and anger management training. He was also terminated from the Jonesboro HDC.

ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE’S INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN OKLAHOMA ARREST ON FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES
Griffin: ‘It takes a team effort to fight the reprehensible crime of sexually exploiting our children’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Austin Norris, 28, of Watts, Oklahoma, on a federal count of receiving or distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor:

“This arrest stems from an investigation by my office that began with a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. A special agent from my office investigating the case is also a task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations and worked with federal authorities to arrest Norris, who recently moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma.

“I offer my thanks to agents with HSI Fayetteville and HSI Tulsa, and troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for working with my office’s Special Investigations Division on this arrest. It takes a team effort to fight the reprehensible crime of sexually exploiting our children.”

Norris was arrested on September 9 on a federal arrest warrant for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(A)(2) - Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. A search warrant was also served at his residence. After his arrest, Norris’ digital devices were seized.

Norris is being held without bond in the Tulsa County jail, where he will be turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service and transported to federal court in Little Rock.

COTTON STATEMENT ON THE 23^RD ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks:

“Today, we remember the 3,000 Americans murdered on 9/11/2001. We honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to do so, as well as the brave men and women of our armed forces who fought to avenge their deaths. We have rebuilt what those terrorists destroyed, and we have killed or captured the leaders they served. Al Qaeda sought to break America, but it failed; America endures. We will never forget those we lost, and we will remain vigilant that nothing like that infamous day will ever happen again.”

 

BOOZMAN SHARES MEMORIES OF ARKANSAS VETERAN ON ALERT ON 9/11
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Kenneth Griffin in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.  

Griffin’s father served in the Air Force and the family moved around the world to support the mission.

“He would take me out to the airplanes when we were in California and Gaum, sit me in the cockpit and he’d say, ‘son you want to be an Air Force pilot’ so that was ingrained in my head from being a little kid,” Griffin said.

When his dad retired, the family moved to Batesville.

After graduating from Batesville High School he enlisted in the Air Force.

“It was exactly what I expected it to be,” he said about basic training. “They break you down to be the person that they want you to be.” 

While on temporary duty assignment in Germany he was tasked with supporting a two-star general recovering in the hospital who introduced him to the mission of aeromedical evacuation and how, using his skills as a medical technician on a “flying ambulance,” he could meet the pilots. After the assignment ended, he received orders to aeromedical evacuation training at Scott Air Force Base.

The general is one of several ‘angels’ who put Griffin on the path to becoming a pilot and gave him the confidence to be successful in the cockpit.

When Griffin’s original service commitment was nearly complete, he didn’t know what he wanted to do next. Through another ‘angel’ he met; Griffin accepted an ROTC scholarship to Southern Illinois University. Once he graduated he began pilot training.  

“Back then they called enlisted guys who wanted to be pilots, ‘wannabe’s’. At some point I got to tell the guys that I was a ‘gonnabe’ and I ended up being able to do it through their help steering me the right way.” 

One hurdle he experienced in achieving that goal was his vision. Griffin didn’t qualify medically because he didn’t have 20/20 vision. He needed a waiver, but those were rarely given.

Griffin went to an independent eye doctor who signaled that his vision was correctable to 20/20 allowing him to ultimately be granted the waiver. He credits that doctor as another ‘angel’ who helped him along the path to becoming a pilot.

He was not initially interested in flying fighter jets, but was selected to attend the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard Air Force Base. He trained with pilots and instructors from among European allies. At the end of this year-long training, he was assigned to fly an F-15c, the air-to-air version of the F-15 and flew under the call sign “Heater.”

In the early years of his pilot career, he was stationed with fighter groups in several different locations, but always wanted to get back to Arkansas.

When a position opened up at the 188^th in Fort Smith, he gladly accepted. It required him to transition to the F-16. Griffin said it was an easy switch but also an opportunity to learn new skills. “You have fighter experience, you just have to learn the specifics of that aircraft and any mission you didn’t do like dropping bombs, I had never dropped a bomb before,” he said.

Although he had already been deployed multiple times and faced stressful situations as a pilot, Griffin remembered 9/11 as the day everything changed. He was on duty at the 188^th that morning where he and Wing Commander JR Dallas were planning to practice fighter maneuvers. They were watching television as they prepared for the flight and saw the planes hit the World Trade Center towers.

“I immediately turned to him and said ‘Sir, we’re under attack.’”

Once it became clear what was happening, Griffin said Col. Dallas and everyone on duty set to work figuring out what to do. “Before the sun went down, we had missiles and bullets loaded on our aircraft,” he said. “By that evening we were set and alert in the cockpit.” 

As one of four pilots on alert that night, he had to prepare for all situations including the possibility that he would be ordered to shoot down an airliner full of Americans. They all had to sign paperwork agreeing to comply with that order if necessary. “That was tough,” he said. “Did I answer it honestly? I don’t know.”

Later that night he and another pilot were launched on a scramble order after a report of an unidentified aircraft in Oklahoma potentially poisoning the water supply.

“We got launched to get to Tulsa as fast as you can,” Griffin said. “We take off and we’re going above the mach. We’re breaking the sound barrier and the air traffic controller comes on and says you guys can go as fast as you want as high as you want wherever you want because you’re the only aircraft airborne in the United States.”

Fortunately, he didn’t have to take action on a plane that he later learned was a crop duster whose pilot hadn’t heard about the attacks.

For the next several days Griffin remained on alert and had to stay on the base. “We got launched a few times for different stuff,” he recalled. “You just had to be ready for anything.” 

In the conflict that followed, the 188^th deployed to Iraq in 2002 and again in 2005 to Balad Air Base. 

During his 30 years in uniform, Griffin completed eight combat tours and was an expert in flying the F-15c, F-15, F-16 and the A-10.

After retiring, Griffin became active in politics and served in Governor Asa Hutchinson’s administration as military advisor.

“Pick something that you’re proud about doing and you hope somebody asks you so you can tell them what you do. I got to do that. Everyday. I was very proud. I’m a very patriotic person. Devoted love for my country. I got to do that and there is no bigger honor,” he said. “Very, very rewarding. And I loved it every single day I did it.”

Griffin was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2023.

“Kenneth Griffin is a pillar of the Arkansas military and veterans community who has lived out his love for our country and state. I’m pleased his memories of service will now be preserved for future generations of to learn and gain inspiration from,” Boozman said.

Boozman submitted Griffin’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.

Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM ADVISORY FOR LAKE HOGUE, POINSETT COUNTY, AR.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s (E&E) Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory for Lake Hogue in Poinsett County, Ark.

The public is advised to avoid contact with the lake in the affected area. Cyanobacteria (the organism making up a harmful algal bloom) have been visually confirmed and supported by preliminary testing. Harmful algal blooms may produce toxic substances which could result in headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Be especially cautious of exposure in children, pets, and livestock. Wash animals off with clean tap water if exposure occurs and avoid letting them ingest toxins when cleaning their coats. DEQ is monitoring the water quality and will lift the advisory when the bloom dissipates.

If you suspect a harmful algal bloom, avoid contact with the water and report it. Contact DEQ at habs@adeq.state.ar.us or call 501.682.0744. More information can be found on DEQ’s website: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/pdfs/HAB-ResponsePlan-Manual-bookmarks-2019-12-12-Final.pdf.
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN JOINS BIPARTISAN CALL ON CONGRESS TO REQUIRE SURGEON GENERAL WARNING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Griffin: ‘As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he and 41 other attorneys general sent a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social media platforms:

“Social media platforms have become part of everyday life for most Americans, but it’s no secret that their algorithms are inherently addictive and can have devastating impacts on young people. That’s why I joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in support of the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent call for Congress to require that a warning be placed on all algorithm-driven social media platforms.

“The responsibility for protecting children begins and ends with parents, but we can all do more. As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online, including algorithms that entice them to consume unhealthy amounts of content that degrades their mental health.

“A Surgeon General’s warning on social media platforms isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a step in the right direction toward keeping our kids safe in digital spaces.”

Last year Arkansas was among the first states to file lawsuits against TikTok and Meta for deceiving consumers and pushing their addictive and harmful algorithms to minors. As noted in today’s letter to Congress, since Arkansas filed its lawsuits in the spring of 2023, a total of 45 states have now filed or joined similar lawsuits.

The letter was co-led by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee. In addition to Arkansas, joining in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Alabama, American Samoa, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

NEW NFIB SURVEY: SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMISM DIPS IN AUGUST
Main Street owners grapple with uncertainty as sales expectations decrease
LITTLE ROCK (Sept. 10, 2024) – The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell by 2.5 points in August to 91.2, erasing all of July’s gain. This is the 32^nd consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index rose to 92, its highest level since October 2020. Inflation remains the top issue among small business owners, with 24% of owners reporting it as their top small business operating issue, down one point from July.

“The mood on Main Street worsened in August, despite last month’s gains,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Historically high inflation remains the top issue for owners as sales expectations plummet and cost pressures increase. Uncertainty among small business owners continues to rise as expectations for future business conditions worsen.”

Although state-specific data is unavailable, NFIB State Director Katie Burns urged Congress to stop the massive tax hike on Arkansas job creators.

“Our small business owners remain very uncertain about the future. While Main Street grapples with increased cost pressures, lowered sales expectations, and unfilled job postings, it’s incumbent on Congress to stop the massive tax hike on our job creators, by making the small business deduction permanent.

Key findings include:

• The frequency of reports of positive profit trends was a net negative 37% (seasonally adjusted), seven points worse than in July and the lowest since March 2010.
• Twenty-four percent of owners reported inflation as their single most important problem in operating their business, down one point from July.
• The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes fell nine points in August to a net negative 18% (seasonally adjusted). Real sales volume expectations were the largest contributor to the decline in the Optimism Index along with earning trends and expected business conditions.
• A seasonally adjusted net 20% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up two points from July.
• The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell two points from July to a net 20% seasonally adjusted.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, a seasonally adjusted 40% of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in their current period, up two points from July. Of the 62% of owners hiring or trying to hire in August, 90% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.

Fifty-six percent of owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, up two points from July. Of those making expenditures, 40% reported spending on new equipment, 21% acquired vehicles, and 18% improved or expanded facilities. Eleven percent spent money on new fixtures and furniture and 5% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. Twenty-four percent (seasonally adjusted) plan capital outlays in the next six months, up one point from July.

A net negative 16% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes fell nine points to a net negative 18% (seasonally adjusted).

The net percent of owners reporting inventory gains was unchanged at a net negative 9%, seasonally adjusted. Not seasonally adjusted, 11% reported increases in stocks and 18% reported reductions.

A net negative 5% (seasonally adjusted) of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in August, down one point from July. A net negative 1% (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, down three points from July.

The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell two points from July to a net 20% seasonally adjusted. Twenty-four percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business. Unadjusted, 15% reported lower average selling prices and 34% reported higher average prices.

Price hikes were the most frequent in the finance (52% higher, 3% lower), retail (47% higher, 8% lower), construction (33% higher, 16% lower), and manufacturing (33% higher, 7% lower) sectors. Seasonally adjusted, a net 25% plan price hikes in August.

Seasonally adjusted, a net 33% reported raising compensation, unchanged from July and the lowest reading since April 2021. A seasonally adjusted net 20% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up two points from July. Nine percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem, unchanged from July and only four points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021. Twenty-one percent said that labor quality was their top business problem, remaining behind inflation as the number one issue.

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends was a net negative 37% (seasonally adjusted), seven points worse than in July and the lowest since March 2010. Among owners reporting lower profits, 31% blamed weaker sales, 17% blamed the rise in the cost of materials, 13% cited labor costs, and 10% cited lower selling prices. For owners reporting higher profits, 45% credited sales volumes, 35% cited usual seasonal change, and 10% cited higher selling prices.

Three percent of owners reported that all their borrowing needs were not satisfied. Twenty-six percent reported all credit needs met and 60% said they were not interested in a loan. A net 7% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts.

Four percent of owners reported that financing was their top business problem in August, up one point from July.

The NFIB Research Center has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in August 2024.
 

27 SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUPPORT EDUCATORS WITH PAID MATERNITY LEAVE AVAILABLE THROUGH LEARNS
LITTLE ROCK — Twenty-seven school districts are demonstrating their commitment to new mothers this school year by participating in the maternity leave program available through the LEARNS Act.

Through the voluntary program, districts can partner with the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to split the cost of filling a position when a staff member is on paid maternity leave. Participating districts determine the number of weeks they want to participate in the program (up to 12 weeks) and whether employees will receive full or partial compensation paid by the district during that time.

“Great education starts with great teachers, and recruiting and retaining those teachers is one of the key planks of the LEARNS Act," Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "Seventy percent of Arkansas’ teachers are women, so expanding maternity leave helps the majority of our teachers build a family and a great career at the same time.”

“Like with other portions of the LEARNS Act, the maternity leave benefit can be used to recruit and retain high-quality teachers to a district,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “These districts are not just showing their commitment to supporting teachers and staff, but also are providing a sense of security as they welcome a new child into the family.”

Governor Sanders signed the LEARNS Act in March 2023, raising starting teacher salaries from $36,000 to $50,000 – from 48th in the nation to first when adjusted for cost of living – and giving every teacher at least a $2,000 raise. It also launched the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, offering merit-based bonuses ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 to thousands of teachers a year. Thanks to LEARNS, Arkansas now offers expanded student loan repayment for educators in areas with a teacher shortage and scholarships for aspiring teachers.

The following districts submitted cost-sharing agreements to DESE for the 2024-25 school year: Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy, Beebe, Clinton, De Queen, Earle, Genoa Central, Greenbrier, Harrisburg, Helena-West Helena, Hope, Izard County, Jacksonville North Pulaski, Jonesboro, Kirby, Lawrence County, Lee County, Little Rock, Magnolia, Manilla, Marvell-Elaine, Nettleton, Pine Bluff, Rivercrest, Rose Bud, Searcy, Spring Hill, and Strong-Huttig.

Twenty-three districts participated in the program during the 2023-24 school year: Bay, Beebe, Clinton, Earle, Fordyce, Greenbrier, Helena-West Helena, Harrisburg, Hope, Jonesboro, Kirby, Lawrence County, Lee County, Magnolia, Marvell-Elaine, Mount Ida, Nettleton, Pine Bluff, Rivercrest, Rose Bud, Searcy, Spring Hill, and Two Rivers.

Several districts that participated in the first year positively reflect on their decisions to partner with the department.

Two Rivers: Investing in What They Value
The Two Rivers School District views its employees as family, and offering paid maternity leave is a tangible way to show how much they are valued and supported through all stages of life. Superintendent Harry Alvis believes it is one thing to say the district cares, but it is another to do something about it. Last school year, Alvis said four staff members took advantage of the new program and were able to take time off without worrying about the risk of financial hardships.

"Allowing me to have these past 12 weeks off while being paid has been a true blessing for my family,” First-Grade Teacher Katelyn Hodges said about her experience last school year. “I didn't have to worry one time about our financial situation while bringing another baby into the world, unlike my past maternity leaves. Instead, my district put me first as an employee and as a mother. They gave me a gift I'll never be able to repay—the gift of time and peace of mind.”

Positive experiences such as this are expected to increase both the morale and retention of educators. When considering the peace of mind this decision has given his employees, Alvis said the cost was money well spent. Being able to alleviate the financial burden on new parents, particularly newer teachers who have not accumulated many sick days, made the choice clear. Alvis encourages other superintendents to strongly consider participating in the cost-sharing agreement with DESE.

Pine Bluff: Supporting Staff Decisions
In the Pine Bluff School District, the decision to offer paid maternity leave came in response to a request from the Personnel Policy Committee. Although no employees have yet to take advantage of the new opportunity, the district is already advertising the benefit in recruitment efforts.

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Barbaree is grateful for the reimbursement provided by the cost-sharing agreement with DESE, allowing her district to offer this new benefit to faculty and staff.

“Women should not be forced to decide between choosing to be a mother and choosing to be a professional,” Barbaree said.

Like most districts, the only previous maternity leave option for staff was to take FMLA and use sick days and short-term disability, Barbaree said. The next woman to take maternity leave at Pine Bluff will have a much different experience.

Greenbrier: Giving Time Back to Teachers

Superintendent Darren Spainhour recognizes the time commitment of being a teacher, especially time away from one's family.

“We ask so much, and they give so much... it's the least we can do,” Spainhour said.

Offering paid maternity leave is a great benefit at Greenbrier School District for retaining current staff and recruiting new teachers. Spainhour points out that with the increase in teacher salaries across the state, this benefit can also help Greenbrier stay competitive.

After giving 13 staff members almost 600 days of paid maternity leave last school year, Spainhour believes this program is beneficial. Receiving personal thank-you emails from new mothers reinforced his belief that supporting families was the right decision.

LEARNS Act
To learn more about the LEARNS Act, visit https://learns.ade.arkansas.gov/. 

THE ARKANSAS RURAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP (ARHP) LAUNCHES THE ARKANSAS RURAL HEALTH ACADEMY TO MEET THE CRITICAL, IN-DEMAND TRAINING NEEDS OF RURAL HEALTH MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.
Lake Village, AR. For years, ARHP members have been faced with the conundrum of filling staff vacancies while training programs are few and far between. In rural communities, it is increasingly common to find needed training programs shuttering due to the inability to meet minimum class size requirements. Meanwhile, health workforce gaps at rural health organizations throughout the state continue to grow.

Born out of demonstrated need in member healthcare organizations, the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership recently designed a novel training approach while addressing common rural barriers (i.e. local availability of training, distance to training, cost, time constraints, etc.). The Academy utilizes existing infrastructure (i.e. ARHP health workforce mobile unit, ARHP member facilities, staff, telehealth equipment, etc.) to bring targeted training to rural residents. With this innovative model, a rural resident can simply go to their nearest ARHP member site and access live, in-person and/or distance learning training courses. Academy offerings continually adapt to the needs of member organizations. For example, if member hospitals need an influx of community health workers or medical assistants, the Academy can facilitate the training for any number of participants, from 5 to 50 individuals. In this way, the training needs of rural health members are met without delay and accommodate rural residents to successfully engage in and complete coursework.

The new, state-approved training center provides a diverse range of nationally recognized training opportunities for laypersons and healthcare professionals of all skill levels and career lengths. The Academy currently provides training for laypersons and/or health professionals, certification training for clinical & emergency medical service providers, and certificate & degree-path training programs. The Academy works in tandem with local educational institutions to ensure that training offerings do not duplicate or replace existing training programs. Whenever possible, the Academy partners with local community colleges to support efforts.

Arkansas Rural Health Academy Vision: Transforming rural healthcare, one student at a time. Arkansas Rural Health Academy Mission: Empower and train the next generation of the rural Arkansas health workforce through innovative, accessible, and affordable certificate and degree path programs, built for and by rural residents.

“We are thrilled to pioneer new ways to meet unique challenges facing our rural residents while also supporting the rural healthcare organizations that serve our communities. The Academy looks forward to continually steering innovation, collaboration, and creativity to best serve rural Arkansas,” stated Mellie Boagni, ARHP Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

 

ASP CID ASSISTING SEARCY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
September 6, 2024
ST. JOE, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is assisting the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) with a homicide investigation in St. Joe. The SCSO contacted ASP on Thursday, September 5, 2024, after locating Amanda Stansbery, 43, deceased in her home.

Officers conducted a welfare check at the Chipley Road home after her husband, Jeffrey Stansbery, 75, told staff at the Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri, that he had harmed his wife. Jeffrey Stansbery entered the hospital complaining of a medical condition.

Jeffrey Stansbery has been charged with Felony Capital Murder and Felony Abuse of a Corpse.  He is being held in Branson, Missouri, awaiting extradition to Searcy County.      
 

ADE RECEIVES $3.6 MILLION GRANT TO PROVIDE DATA LITERACY SUPPORTS TO EDUCATORS TO IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Education has been awarded $3.6 million to empower educators to use assessment data to improve instruction and student learning.

Arkansas is one of 10 states to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Competitive Grants for State Assessments program, which assists states with developing and implementing high-quality assessments that improve teaching and learning, as well as measure student progress.

“We are pleased to receive this grant to improve data literacy among educators in Arkansas,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “As we prepare to release test scores next month from the new assessment administered this spring, the grant will help us provide ongoing supports to educators to assist with understanding the results and using them to guide student learning.”

Winning this grant will further Arkansas’ commitments though LEARNS to support educators to deliver effective instruction and provide needed supports to struggling learners. With the grant, ADE plans to do the following:

partner with select districts to pilot new teaching and assessment practices;

develop professional learning that empowers educators to interpret and use test data to guide instruction and learning;

strengthen collaboration among educators who use and share data;

expand the program statewide; and

create micro-credentials in data and assessment literacy that educators can add to their licenses.

To learn more about the Arkansas Academic Standards, visit https://dese.link/AcademicStandards, and to learn more about the assessment system, visit https://dese.link/Assessment.
 

BENTONVILLE OFFICER CLEARED IN SHOOTING DEATH
September 9, 2024
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The 19th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney will not pursue charges against Bentonville Police Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt in connection with the July 11, 2024, shooting death of Nathaniel Mark Crabtree, 37.

The Bentonville Police Department (BPD) asked the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

“The investigation reveals that … Nathaniel Crabtree violently attacked two separate women in front of their homes,” wrote Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson in a letter to Arkansas State Police (ASP), dated September 6, 2024. “Considering the totality of the circumstances, Officer Nutt had a reasonable belief that Mr. Crabree would imminently use deadly physical force against him. Based upon the foregoing, Officer Nutt’s use of force was justified under Arkansas law.”

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., BPD officers responded to a 911 call from a Stoneburrow neighborhood resident reporting a disturbance on Southwest Castlewood Street. Officer Nutt located the suspect, identified as Crabtree, on Sandrock Road. During the incident, Officer Nutt discharged his weapon, striking Crabtree. Crabtree was transported to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Nutt, who began working for BPD in January 2022, was placed on paid administrative leave, per BPD protocol.

CAMDEN MAN ARRESTED AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE, FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES
Camden, AR – A Camden man is in custody after leading police on a high-speed chase through multiple jurisdictions on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The pursuit, which began following reports of shots fired, ended with the arrest of Tony Tyrell Askew, 36, on US Highway 79 in Fordyce, Arkansas.

The incident started around 3:48 p.m. when Officer Mark Ryan of the Camden Police Department was dispatched to Clifton Street in response to a shots-fired call. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a black Chevrolet Tahoe with California temporary tags leaving the area at a high rate of speed.

Upon investigation, Officer Ryan learned that the suspect, identified as Askew, had an active warrant with the Ouachita County Sheriff's Department. At approximately 4:22 p.m., Officer Ryan located a black Chevrolet Tahoe matching the description at a gas station on California Avenue. When Askew spotted the officer, he fled the scene, initiating a high-speed pursuit.

During the chase, Askew reportedly ran multiple red lights, including one at the intersection of Lincoln Drive and California Avenue, and reached speeds over 80 MPH within city limits. The chase continued onto US Highway 278 and US Highway 79 North, with Askew’s vehicle topping 100 MPH. Officers reported that Askew was driving recklessly, making dangerous lane changes and crossing into the left lane.

The pursuit was briefly called off by Lieutenant Bush near Ouachita Road 205 for safety reasons, but Askew’s vehicle was soon spotted by Bearden Police Officer James Bolton on US Highway 79 North. Officer Bolton resumed the chase as Askew approached Fordyce.

Askew eventually pulled over onto the median before encountering spike strips set up by the Fordyce Police Department. He was taken into custody without further incident. A search of his vehicle revealed several packages of suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a large quantity of fireworks.

Askew has been charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and third-degree assault. He is currently being held at the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office, awaiting his first court appearance.

The Camden, Bearden, and Fordyce police departments, along with the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office, worked together to safely apprehend Askew.

 

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN TO MEET
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen will meet in regular session Tuesday, September10, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

The agenda is as follows:

CALL TO ORDER

INVOCATION – Rev. Brady Renix, Sr., Associate Pastor – Whitest Chapel Baptist Church, 1032 Cook  St., SW, Camden, AR          

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
     1. Minutes of Regular Scheduled Meeting, August 13, 2024           

ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORT
     1. Financial Report for August 2024

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

MAYOR’S REPORT     
     1. David Richardson, Camden Water Utilities, General Manager – Biannual Water and Sewer Report
     2.   Thomas J. Holliday, PWS | Environmental Planning Manager – Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment

OLD BUSINESS         
     1.  Ordinance No. 09-24, an ordinance amending section 6, Building and Building Regulations, Article II,   Plumbing of the City of Camden, Arkansas Code of Ordinances, adopting by reference the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code and the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; and for other purposes. (Third & Final Reading)

NEW BUSINESS
     1. Ordinance No. 11-24, an ordinance authorizing the assignment of certain duties to a private accountant; and for other purposes.
     2. Resolution No. 43-24, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to retain an outside accountant; amending the 2024 Annual Operating Budget; and for other purposes.

OTHER BUSINESS
     1. Resolution No. 36-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of Chip Seal Resurfacing for the Public Works Street Department.

ADJOURNMENT

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
September 6, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – A legislative committee has signed off on stronger penalties against pharmacy benefit managers that fail to reimburse local drug stores according to rates established in state law.

The Senate and House Committees on Insurance and Commerce reviewed and accepted new rules proposed by the Arkansas Insurance Department. The rules govern reimbursements paid by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to pharmacies.

An important provision in the rules prohibits PBMs from reimbursing independent pharmacies at lower rates than they pay to pharmacies owned by or affiliated with the PBMs. Also, PBMs must reimburse local pharmacies at a rate known as NADAC, which stands for national average drug acquisition cost.

Legislators have been hearing concerns from local pharmacies about the disparities in reimbursements, and about their concerns that they may have to close if PBMs don’t adjust their reimbursement rates.

The Insurance Department receives about 1,500 complaints a month from local, independent pharmacies about alleged violations of the law. Regulators believe that many more possible violations are not reported because pharmacists just don’t have time to fill out the paperwork.

The Department may levy a $5,000 fine for each violation, with a cap of $50,000. However, under the proposed new rules there would be no cap on financial penalties.

The Department notified PBMs in March that stricter rules were being proposed. In August the governor and the state Insurance Commissioner announced fines of $1.47 million against four major PBMs.

Arkansas was one of the first states in the country to regulate PBMs, which are companies that negotiate contracts between manufacturers, health insurance providers and local pharmacies. In that role they act as a middle man, and they’re instrumental in the prices that consumers pay for prescription drugs.

Since the legislature passed Act 900 of 2015, the Insurance Department has regulated the reimbursements paid by PBMs to pharmacies. Act 900 was challenged in court by PBMs but was upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

In a 2018 special session the legislature strengthened the Insurance Department’s authority to license and regulate PBMs.

The first attempt to regulate PBMs in Arkansas was in 2003. The Senate passed a bill to regulate the companies, but it died in the House.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance
In 1993 the legislature approved Act 796 to change the law governing workers’ compensation insurance. At that time, rates were increasing and the availability of insurance was decreasing. A provision in the act requires the Insurance Commissioner to present a report each year to legislators about the market for workers’ compensation insurance in Arkansas.

The commissioner told legislators that the market is strong and profitable, and that rates in Arkansas were among the lowest in the country. In a nutshell, “that is good news for businesses buying coverage for employees,” he said.

Before passage of Act 796 there had never been a prosecution for workers’ comp fraud. Since then there have been 174 cases referred for prosecution by Department’s investigators, resulting in 123 convictions.

 

ASP CID INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST OF AUGUSTA MAYOR
September 5, 2024
AUGUSTA, Ark. – Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Special Agents arrested Augusta Mayor Jeff Collins, 61, on September 5, 2024, charging him with one count of Theft of Property, a Class A misdemeanor.  

In March 2024, the First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked ASP to investigate allegations of misappropriated funds within the City of Augusta.  The request for investigation was made after an audit conducted by Arkansas Legislative Audit for the period of January 2020 through December 2022 indicated areas of concern and potential theft.

Collins was booked into the Woodruff County Detention Center. Bond was waived, and Collins was released on his own recognizance. Collins has a first appearance date set for October 15, 2024.

 

GRANT WARNER APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ARKANSAS FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY
East Camden, AR – September 6, 2024: Southern Arkansas University Tech is proud to announce the appointment of Grant Warner as the new Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA), effective October 1, 2024. Warner brings a wealth of experience in fire training, safety management, and emergency services.

Warner is no stranger to the AFTA, having previously served as an Instructor from September 2021 to September 2022. He rejoined the AFTA in July 2023, following his tenure as a Safety Supervisor at Mid-South Environmental Services from September 2022 to June 2023.

With a career spanning over three decades, Warner's extensive background includes fifteen years of service with the Jacksonville Fire Department, where he rose to Division Chief in Training from March 2006 to August 2021. Before that, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Radiological Technologist from March 1992 to February 2016. Warner also gained international experience as a firefighter and Lieutenant with WSI in Iraq from February 2005 to February 2006.

In addition to his professional roles, Warner has been an active member of the Beebe Fire Department, volunteering from 2013 to 2021. He is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Arkansas Task Force One, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

"I feel honored and privileged to work with everyone at the AFTA for the fire service in Arkansas," said Warner. "I am looking forward to the future of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy."

Warner’s academic achievements include a certificate in Homeland Security from Martinsburg College (2014), an Associate’s degree in Fire Science (2019), and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration (2022), both from Columbia Southern University. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Homeland Security/Emergency Services Management from the same institution.

He also holds certifications and licenses for IFSAC Fire Instructor 3, Fire Officer 4, NCPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician, and IFSAC HazMat Technician.

 

BULL SHOALS MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
September 5, 2024
BULL SHOALS, Ark. — On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) executed a residential search warrant in Bull Shoals following a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) cyber tip.

During the investigation, Agents found the suspect, Kenzie Parnell, 63, of Bull Shoals, had initiated a graphic sexual chat with a 16-year-old girl. Parnell continued regular sexual chats with the girl for approximately two months. Nude images were requested by and sent to Parnell, and Parnell sent unsolicited nude photos to her.  

On Thursday, September 5, 2024, Parnell was arrested and transferred to the Marion County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with one count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and one count of Computer Exploitation of a Child, with a bond set at $75,000.

If convicted, Parnell faces a sentence of 10  to 40 years, or life in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

SEVEN-AG COALITION SECURES TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION’S LATEST ATTEMPT TO UNLAWFULLY CANCEL STUDENT LOANS
Griffin: ‘The Biden-Harris administration keeps trying to go around Congress, and they keep losing’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia granted a request by a seven-state coalition of attorneys general for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Education’s latest unlawful attempt to cancel student loans:

“The Biden-Harris administration keeps trying to go around Congress, and they keep losing. This is the third attempt this administration has made to unilaterally erase student debt on the backs of taxpayers who either paid back their student loans or never took one out. 

“I am proud to stand with my colleagues from Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota and Ohio to stop the election-year theatrics of the Biden-Harris administration and remind the administration once again that only Congress has the authority to change the law. I look forward to continuing this fight in court.”

The temporary restraining order was granted after the court found that “Plaintiffs have obtained documents revealing the Secretary [of Education] is implementing this forgiveness plan … without publication and has been set on doing so since May.”

The court scheduled a hearing in the case for Wednesday, September 18.

To read a copy of the court’s order, click here.

ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT DISMISSES ABORTION AMENDMENT LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY CONVICTED FELON
Griffin: ‘Oscar Stilley’s registration to vote in Arkansas was illegal because he is a convicted felon still on supervised release. … I thank the Arkansas Supreme Court for doing the right thing by referring the Special Master’s report to the prosecutor for the 21st Judicial District’ 
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Arkansas Supreme Court granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by convicted felon Oscar Stilley. The lawsuit sought to resurrect the Arkansas Abortion Amendment by overturning Secretary of State John Thurston’s rejection of signatures collected by paid canvassers who were not properly certified by the initiative’s sponsor under Act 1413 of 2013:

“Today’s decision confirms what we have said all along: Oscar Stilley’s registration to vote in Arkansas was illegal because he is a convicted felon still on supervised release, which means he lacks standing to bring this suit in support of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment. I thank the Arkansas Supreme Court for doing the right thing by referring the Special Master’s report to the prosecutor for the 21st Judicial District, where we hope to see appropriate action taken in response to Stilley’s illegal and fraudulent behavior.”

To read the court’s order, click here.
 

ASP APPREHENDS FAULKNER COUNTY RAPE SUSPECT AFTER PURSUIT
September 6, 2024
MAUMELLE, Ark. — On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at approximately 8:47 p.m., Conway Police Department (CPD) requested the assistance of Arkansas State Police (ASP) in the pursuit of a rape suspect.

Law enforcement located the suspect vehicle, a 2021 silver GMC Sierra, traveling at speeds of 120 mph on Interstate 40 eastbound at the 132-mile marker. The suspect vehicle took exit 142 and continued west. The vehicle failed to stop, and Troopers performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) just west of the exit ramp.

The suspect, Dan Joyce, 38, of Conway, was arrested and transferred to CPD custody.  Joyce was transported to the Faulkner County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with Felony Rape and Fleeing.      

 

 

UPDATE REGARDING YESTERDAY’S CAMDEN FAIRVIEW BUS INCIDENT FROM THE CFSD
The bus incident occurred at approximately 2:48PM on September 4. CFSD administrators learned of the incident at approximately 3:15PM, and we immediately began investigating. Student safety is always our top priority, and we have conducted a thorough review of yesterday’s incident to ensure we are doing all we can to keep students safe. Based on our investigation, we believe that the incident was caused by a bus striking a small object or curb as it turned at Grinstead and Adams Streets. A review of the bus’s video camera footage did not show any apparent injuries to any of the students on the bus.

There is minor damage to the rear passenger side of the bus. The video footage confirms that bus passengers experienced a bounce consistent with striking a curb but did not fall from their seats or hit the windows or ceiling.

When questioned by CFSD about the incident, the bus driver stated that he believed he hit a curb, and the video footage confirms that he continued the route as usual. A regular bus stop is located very near the incident location. A group of students exited the bus at the bus stop, and the bus resumed its route.

CFSD personnel spoke with family members of several students from the bus who chose to have their children evaluated at OCMC. We have spoken with other families today to answer questions and address the concerns those families are understandably feeling after hearing news of an incident on their child’s bus. We also know that information can take on a life of its own as it travels through the community. Our goal is to ensure proper safety procedures were followed and to provide accurate information in a timely manner to families and our community.
 

ASP ICAC TASK FORCE ARRESTS TWO MEN ON 200 COUNTS OF CHILD PORN
September 4, 2024
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Special Agents with Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) executed a residential search warrant in the Morningstar community of Garland County, following a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) cyber tip.

During the investigation, Agents found the suspect, John Earner, 33, of Hot Springs National Park, had uploaded Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to an online file hosting service.  A subsequent search of Earner's cellphone revealed numerous photos and videos of CSAM.

Earner was arrested and transferred to the Garland County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with 100 counts of Possession of CSAM, with a bond set at $250,000

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, ASP ICAC Taskforce agents executed a residential search warrant in Nashville related to the possession of CSAM based on an NCMEC tip.

Special Agents arrested Camren Scott, 20, of Hope, for downloading, viewing, and uploading CSAM and transferred him to the Howard County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with 100 counts of possession of CSAM with a bond set at $20,000.
 

SENDOFF FOR JOHNNY CASH STATUE AT ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL
Bronze Likeness of Famous Arkansas Music Artist Will Be Placed in U.S. Capitol
(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston is hosting a sendoff for a statue of famous Arkansas music artist Johnny Cash at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5th, in front of the Arkansas State Capitol, before it is transported to Washington, D.C., for unveiling and placement in the United States Capitol.  

Dedicated Logistics of Crossett will transport the statue and will have the crate loaded on their truck in front of the Capitol that day.

Secretary Thurston will welcome special guests, including members of the Legislature; Shane Broadway, Chair of the Arkansas National Statuary Hall Steering Committee; artist Kevin Kresse, who sculpted the statue; members of the Cash family; and others. 

The Secretary would like to offer special thanks to Allen Riels, the CEO of Dedicated Logistics, for his support of this project.

The unveiling ceremony is set for Tuesday, September 24th, in Washington, D.C. This is the second of two Arkansas statues going into the U.S. Capitol. A likeness of Daisy Gatson Bates was unveiled in National Statuary Hall in May.

Secretary Thurston said, "The skill and artistry that has gone into the sculpting of this statue is phenomenal. Arkansans can be proud that our contribution to the U.S. Capitol will be admired for years to come. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this extensive process to make this happen."

Members of the media and the public are invited to attend the sendoff on Thursday.
 

ARKANSAS WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS CELEBRATES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (September 4, 2024) – Arkansas Workforce Connections is proud to announce the celebration of September as National Workforce Development Month in the state of Arkansas. This month-long observance underscores the critical importance of workforce development in empowering individuals, strengthening businesses, and driving economic growth across the region.

Workforce development is vital to Arkansas' economic health. For individuals, it provides essential training and education that opens doors to new career opportunities, enhances job security, and fosters personal growth. By equipping people with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing job market, workforce development helps create a more skilled and adaptable workforce.

For businesses and industries, workforce development is a key driver of innovation and competitiveness. A well-trained workforce ensures that businesses can operate efficiently, adopt new technologies, and respond effectively to market demands. Moreover, it helps companies attract and retain top talent, which is essential for long-term success and growth.

“It’s our mission to support both individuals and businesses in their journey toward growth and prosperity,” said Cody Waits, Director of Arkansas Workforce Connections. “Arkansas’ investments in workforce development have consistently led to mutual success for workers and employers. This month, we’re celebrating those achievements and recognizing the professionals, partnerships, and programs that made them possible, underscoring the vital role workforce development plays in advancing Arkansas’ economy.”

National Workforce Development Month is also a time to recognize the dedication and impact of workforce development professionals. These individuals play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our state by helping workers gain the skills they need to succeed and by collaborating with employers to meet their workforce needs. Their efforts contribute significantly to reducing unemployment, closing skills gaps, and enhancing the overall quality of life in our communities.

"I want to give a big shoutout to our workforce development professionals," said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. "They're the ones equipping Arkansans with the skills and resources needed to find meaningful employment and thrive. Whether they're career coaches, counselors, training instructors, or employment specialists in career centers, high schools, community colleges, vocational schools, or elsewhere, they’re doing incredibly important work.”

Throughout September, Arkansas Workforce Connections and its partners will host events to celebrate Workforce Development Month. These events include job fairs, workshops, training sessions, and networking opportunities aimed at connecting job seekers with employers and providing valuable resources to both individuals and businesses.

Arkansas Workforce Connections invites all community members, job seekers, employers, and workforce development professionals to participate in the events and activities scheduled throughout the month. Together, we can continue to build a robust workforce that supports the prosperity of our state.

For more on Workforce Development Month in Arkansas, including state statistics and rankings, inspiring success stories, and a calendar of upcoming events, please visit bit.ly/ARWorkforceMonth.
 

ASP PURSUIT LEADS TO ARREST, SEIZURE OF 6 POUNDS OF FENTANYL
September 4, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 8 p.m., Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) requested assistance from Arkansas State Police (ASP) in the pursuit of a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro heading south on South University Avenue near 65th Street.

Troopers located the suspect vehicle as it entered a residential area near Baseline Road. The pursuit continued north onto Chicot Road and University Avenue. The suspect vehicle exceeded 110 mph to evade law enforcement, endangering the lives of other motorists.

Troopers performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) on the vehicle on South University, forcing the suspect off the roadway.

The suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers located and apprehended the individual in a tree-lined area off South University. LRPD transported the suspect, Clifford Siglar, 36, of Little Rock, to the Pulaski County Detention Center.

During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found a backpack containing approximately six pounds of Fentanyl. Officers also located a loaded handgun.

Siglar is charged with multiple felony charges, including Trafficking of a Controlled Substance, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Firearms by a Certain Person, Fleeing, and other traffic violations.

FIRST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN CAMDEN
As football is starting all over the area, First Friday Monthly Market is also onboard with its theme of “Downtown Tailgate” for the September 6 market.

This month you will have great choices from Mortuary BBQ and Nachyo Nachos with Specialty nachos, smothered burritos and more.  Rollin with the Homies LLC, TBOs Sno Shack with have the treats to cool you down.   Drinks by Erica’s Main Squeeze and River Rose will quench your thirst.  Many great offerings of sweets from cookies, banana pudding, fried pies, kettle korn, freeze dried candies, cotton candy and more can take care of all your snacking.  Wonderful baked good are also available.  

Vendors are in abundance with a little bit of everything from woodworking, jewelry, tumblers, clothing, hand thrown pottery, wreaths, home décor just to name a few.  Information booths and local businesses will keep you informed on medical information, how to join girl scouts, fundraisers, some will be selling snow cones while others will be handing out bottled water. 

 Joining us for live music is CS Dubb a rock and roll band hailing from Smackover, Arkansas, that has been a cornerstone of the South Arkansas music scene for over a decade. The band features Jeff Greer on bass, Zac Scott on guitar, and Joe Bethany on drums—three seasoned musicians whose chemistry is the product of over 20 years of playing together in various side projects. Known for their expansive improvisations, groove-laden rhythms, and a sound that blends classic rock influences with a modern psychedelic twist, CS Dubb has earned a reputation as a must-see live act in the region. Their music is a journey through sonic landscapes, where no two shows are ever the same, making each performance a unique experience.

Step over to Native Dog Brewing to catch live music with Christine DeMeo plus the NDB Pizza Truck will be open.

Competitive games are a definite must, so find the inflatable baseball game at this market located in the Farmer’s Bank Parking Lot.

Downtown merchants will be open late for all your shopping convenience offering great First Friday specials. First Friday Monthly Market in Downtown Camden, AR, September 6, 6PM – 9PM.

Come stroll, shop, nibble, browse and chat… See you there!

 

ARKANSAS VOTERS: IVOTERGUIDE.COM PROVIDES RATINGS AND THE MOST IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF CANDIDATES FOR NOVEMBER 5 GENERAL ELECTION
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The General Election is fast approaching, and iVoterGuide.com is helping to ensure that voters everywhere are informed before they head to the polls in perhaps our nation’s most important presidential election ever. In order to equip American voters with the information to vote according to their own personal beliefs on November 5, iVoterGuide.com provides accurate, helpful information on candidates on the Arkansas ballot for the November 5 General Election.

“We always say it, but the November 5 Election really IS the most important election of my lifetime, not just for president but for thousands of races down the ballot that will impact voters more directly. It is important that voters make informed and educated decisions in all these races,” said iVoterGuide President Debbie Wuthnow. “As candidates talk about what they will DO if elected, iVoterGuide researches what they have DONE in the past, which is the best predictor of their true agenda. iVoterGuide exists to equip Americans with honest, comprehensive facts about candidates through our online, personalized voter guide. In an age of misinformation and media censorship, voters need reliable information to make an informed choice, for races all across their ballot.”

WHO:      iVoterGuide.com

WHAT:    The General Election voter guide in Arkansas is personalized to each voter’s address and includes evaluations of candidates’ political philosophy (on a liberal to conservative spectrum) and sources for all the research (including legislative scorecards, positions on key issues, financial support and candidate questionnaires). Coverage includes federal, statewide, state legislative and Supreme Court run-off candidates. For Arkansas voters, the last day to register to vote is October 6.

WHERE:  View iVoterGuide’s Arkansas voter guide here.

WHEN:    General election is Tuesday, November 5

WHY:       iVoterGuide.com offers comprehensive research and evaluation of candidates, plus election dates, links to voter registration sites, polling locations and other information needed to help Americans vote wisely and identify candidates on the ballot who share their values. Related tools are also available to help family, neighbors and business associates vote wisely. iVoterGuide.com is helping to restore the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and traditional American values.

HOW:      Providing the most comprehensive, educational information on races across the country, iVoterGuide.com has researched thousands of candidates and offers personalized voting information and candidate evaluations. In 2022, iVoterGuide’s expert researchers gave an in-depth analysis — and overall rating — for 13,000+ candidates in 5,190 races nationwide. Learn more at iVoterGuide.com.

For those unsure of which candidates have earned their vote, iVoterGuide.com, a division of AFA Action, provides accurate, up-to-date information on thousands of candidates. iVoterGuide.com’s research and ratings can be extremely valuable in helping voters determine the distinctions between candidates who all run under the same party banner.

iVoterGuide.com is dedicated to equipping Americans to be informed, educated voters and is a one-stop resource for candidate ratings and election information. iVoterGuide.com is known for its accuracy and integrity in researching and evaluating candidates and equipping Christians to vote wisely and be good stewards of their citizenship.

For more information on iVoterGuide.com, visit iVoterGuide.com or follow iVoterGuide.com on Facebook, X or Instagram.

 

ASP ARRESTS ALABAMA MAN TRAFFICKING OVER 100 LBS. OF METH AND FENTANYL WORTH $4.8 MILLION
September 3, 2024
LONDON, Ark.— On Monday, August 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a rented 2024 Jeep Compass eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 78-mile marker in Pope County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the SUV and found 88 bundles of methamphetamine inside a large duffle bag and a suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle. The approximate weight of the bundles was more than 100 pounds. During the search, Troopers also found a backpack containing two pounds of fentanyl pills and a plastic bag of illegal marijuana.

The estimated street value of the illegal narcotics is approximately $4.8 million.

ASP arrested the driver, Anthony Reese, 52, of Midfield, Ala., and transported him to the Pope County Detention Center, where he was booked on felony charges of Trafficking Controlled Substance, Trafficking Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

ASP HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE LAUNCHES “EXTREME SAFETY” CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY
September 3, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —  To enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety on Arkansas roadways, the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office is launching a new campaign called “Extreme Safety.” Running from Sept. 3rd to the 16th, this initiative aims to address the pressing concerns surrounding safety for our most vulnerable road users.

According to recent data, pedestrian fatalities in Arkansas reached a 10-year high in 2020, with 82 tragic deaths. The 2021 statistics reveal that fatalities among black pedestrians were more than twice as high as those among white or Hispanic pedestrians. Urban areas remain particularly hazardous, accounting for 64% of pedestrian fatalities, with most incidents (74%) occurring between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

"Our goal is simple yet crucial — encourage motorists across the state to help protect the lives of pedestrians and cyclists who are often at a higher risk on our roads,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “By following safety guidelines and staying alert, together we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and ensure Arkansas roadways are safe for all.”

The "Extreme Safety" campaign will focus on critical safety tips for motorists and vulnerable road users. For motorists, the campaign highlights the importance of avoiding distractions, adhering to speed limits and being particularly cautious at crosswalks. Cyclists are urged to wear helmets, check their brakes and follow rules of the road, while pedestrians are reminded to use sidewalks, cross at designated areas and remain vigilant of their surroundings.

In addition to the "Extreme Safety" campaign, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office will run a second related campaign, "Fourth Wall," from October 7 through October 19, aligning with National Pedestrian Safety Month. The campaign will further amplify the message of road safety and the shared responsibility among all road users.

For more information on pedestrian and bicycle safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety and https://www.nhtsa.gov/road safety/pedestrian-safety or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
 

TROOPER AWARDED PURPLE HEART FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING 2020 MISSILE ATTACK IN IRAQ
August 30, 2024
FORT SMITH, Ark. — Arkansas State Police Sergeant Greg Smith was awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith.

U.S. Senator John Boozman presented Sgt. Smith with the award because of injuries he sustained while in service to our nation during an attack at the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq on Jan. 8, 2020. Smith was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Sgt. Smith was one of about 1,000 U.S. service members who were located at the base, which hosts U.S forces in western Iraq, during the missile attack. The missile bombardment lasted 80 minutes. Iranian forces fired 16 missiles, 11 of them landing at Al-Asad.

Sgt. Smith has been an ASP Trooper for 22 years and has served in law enforcement for 28 years. He retired from the Army Reserve in September 2023 with 20 years of service.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who have been wounded or killed in service to our nation. The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces and is the nation’s oldest military award still presented to American service members.
 

ASP SEIZE 7 KILOS OF COCAINE DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN CRITTENDEN COUNTY
August 30, 2024
LEHI, Ark. — On Thursday, August 29, 2024, around 6 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a 2024 Honda HRV on Interstate 40 East at the 271-mile marker in Crittenden County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found seven kilo bundles of cocaine hidden in the spare tire area of the trunk of the vehicle.

Troopers arrested the driver, Angel Lazala Soto, 59, of New York, and transported him to the Crittenden County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with felony Trafficking of a Controlled Substance.
Lazala Soto told investigators he was traveling from Austin, Texas, to New York.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN LEADS 20-STATE COALITION IN AMICUS SUPPORTING TENNESSEE SUIT AGAINST UNLAWFUL BIDEN-HARRIS TITLE IX RULE
Griffin: ‘The Biden-Harris Title IX rule breaks the law Congress has written and violates the Constitution’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he and 19 other state attorneys general have filed an amicus brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in support of a Tennessee-led coalition’s lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration’s Title IX rule:

“Congress enacted Title IX to protect and promote educational opportunities for women and girls. I am proud to have filed our successful lawsuit challenging the Biden-Harris administration’s election-year effort to go around Congress and allow men into women’s and girl’s locker rooms, restrooms, and showers. That is also why I am leading this coalition of states to bolster our fellow states’ efforts to halt this unlawful Title IX rule.

“The Biden-Harris Title IX rule breaks the law Congress has written and violates the Constitution.”

In June, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti secured a preliminary injunction against the implementation of the Biden-Harris Title IX rule for his state and the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, and West Virginia. Griffin’s amicus brief asks the Sixth Circuit to affirm the preliminary injunction and rule that the new attempt to rewrite Title IX is unlawful.

In July, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri issued a preliminary injunction in Arkansas v. U.S. Department of Education to stop the Biden-Harris administration’s new Title IX rule from being implemented in Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

To read the amicus brief filed by Griffin and the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, click here.

ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL ARKANSAS’S BEST BURGER CONTEST
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Beef Council is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest, a statewide competition celebrating 100% beef burgers prepared in Arkansas restaurants. This contest aims to highlight the use of high-quality beef and culinary creativity in Arkansas’s burgers.

Beginning September 1, 2024, burger enthusiasts across the state can nominate their favorite burger online at arkansasbeef.org. Nominations can be submitted once per day from individual email addresses, giving fans the opportunity to support their top picks daily. The nomination period will close on September 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

“We are thrilled to launch this contest and put a spotlight on the incredible burgers being made right here in Arkansas,” said Beef Council Administrator Tillman Treat. “This is a fantastic way to promote the beef industry and get the community involved while showcasing restaurants that are going above and beyond in crafting delicious 100% beef burgers.”

To qualify, the nominated burger must be made from 100% beef and be available on the restaurants’ regular or special menu during the contest period. The top two burgers with the highest number of nominations will be selected as finalists from each of the five regions within the state. Restaurants with multiple locations will have their nominations counted separately for each site.

An anonymous panel of judges will travel to each restaurant to score the top 10 burgers. The winner will be named by the end of October.

Arkansas is home to over 20,900 cattle operations that contribute $500 million to the economy annually.

The mission of the Arkansas Beef Council is to coordinate and implement a program of promotion, research, and market development to enhance the image of beef and improve the potential of Arkansas's cattle industry.

DRIVER OF STOLEN BUS APPREHENDED
August 29, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After a morning pursuit, Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested a Lonoke County man on August 29, 2024, in a North Little Rock rail yard. The man fled from Troopers while driving a motorcoach bus stolen from Little Rock earlier in the morning.

The incident began at approximately 7:40 a.m., when Elvin Richard, 29, of Lonoke County, fled from Troopers on Interstate 40 east before turning onto Highway 161 and then onto railroad tracks. The bus had been stolen from Little Rock at approximately 3 a.m.

The suspect drove the bus into the Union Pacific Rail Yard Terminal, located at 1020 West Bethany, North Little Rock, where a Trooper disabled the bus by shooting its tires. Richard, who was not injured, was taken into custody and transferred to the Little Rock Police Department. Richard was transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the officer-involved shooting, while the Little Rock Police Department is the lead agency in the theft investigation.

 

CID INVESTIGATING OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING FATALITY IN PIKE COUNTY
August 29, 2024
GLENWOOD, Ark. — Special Agents with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are investigating the shooting death of a Pike County woman by a Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy.

At approximately 9:28 a.m., PCSO responded to a location on Highway 84 West near the Pike County community of Glenwood due to reports of a woman with a knife.  The woman, later identified as Jennifer Provence, 40, did not respond to a deputy’s commands to drop the knife, according to preliminary reports.  The deputy fired his service weapon, striking Provence, who succumbed to her injuries on the scene.

ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Pike County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the sheriff’s deputy was consistent with Arkansas laws.

 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
August 30, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – The state has begun a new campaign to make people aware of the variety of Medicaid services for which they may be eligible, especially if someone in their family has a disability.

The intent is to help people with disabilities live more independently by getting services in their own home or in their local community, rather than in an institutional setting such as a long-term care facility or a hospital.

Medicaid is a public health insurance program administered by the state Department of Human Services. It’s funded by the state and federal governments. On any given day, almost a third of the people in Arkansas qualify for some type of services.

Medicaid covers payments for half of the births in Arkansas and 75 percent of nursing home services. It pays for 80 percent of behavioral health services provided in Arkansas and for 83 percent of services for people with development and intellectual disabilities.

A central feature of the promotional campaign is a new website at this Internet address: ar.gov/HCBS.

The site has information about specific programs and about who is eligible for them. It has instructions on how to fill out applications.

The legislature increased funding to shorten the waiting list for Medicaid waivers that allow recipients to get home and community-based services rather than institutional care. In the past three years the waiting list for waivers has decreased from 3,204 to 1,613 people.

One waiver benefits children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, providing them services such as one-on-one intervention treatment.

Parents and guardians learn how to participate and help develop their child’s skills and improve their communication, socialization and appropriate behavior.

Other waivers help people who depend on ventilators, people who need intravenous medication and people who need help being fed. It’s the Private Duty Nursing option for people with developmental disabilities. A registered nurse visits their home to provide ventilator care, oxygen support, intravenous drugs, feeding tube care and tracheostomy care.

People with a physical disability and people 65 and older may be eligible for ARChoices, for help with bathing, dressing, shopping, laundry and meal planning. They have one meal a day delivered to their home. A respite care option sends a worker to provide temporary care to people who cannot care for themselves. That gives some rest to their primary caregivers.

People enrolled in Medicaid may qualify for visits from home health aides who help with bathing, dressing and food preparation. Also, Medicaid beneficiaries may qualify for visits from nurses and therapists.

Assisted living waivers allow beneficiaries to live independently in apartment-style units while receiving help with everyday tasks and personal hygiene. They get help managing their prescription drugs.

Counseling is available for people with mental illness, people who abuse drugs and people with behavioral issues caused by a lack of coping skills. To qualify, beneficiaries must have a mental health diagnosis, a psychiatric assessment or a substance abuse assessment.

The TEFRA program helps people pay for medical services if they have children with substantial disabilities. TEFRA stands for the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The amount of financial help is determined by the family’s income.

 

FROM ALMEDA TO ZILPHIA: ARKANSAS WOMEN WHO TRANSFORMED AMERICAN POPULAR SONG
An Inspiring Exhibit by Katherine Strause 
The South Arkansas Arts Center is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibit, "From Almeda To Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song", featuring the captivating work of Little Rock artist Katherine Strause. The exhibit showcases oil paintings of 30 remarkable Arkansas women who have had a significant impact on the world of music. The collection of portraits, which are also featured in a new book published by Et Alia Press, will be on exhibit from Sept 10-Oct 16, 2024 in the Lobby Gallery. 

An artist reception will take place Thur, Sept 12, 5:30-7:00pm. This event offers a unique opportunity to meet Katherine Strause and delve into her vibrant portrayals of these extraordinary women.

Katherine Strause’s portraits are the product of extensive research that delves into the lives and artistic expressions of women with Arkansas roots who have shaped the landscape of American music. The exhibition features figures from diverse genres including gospel (Rosetta Tharpe), opera (Marjorie Lawrence), blues (Sippie Wallace), folk ballads (Almeda Riddle), dance-pop (Beth Ditto), classical (Florence Price), and country (K.T. Oslin). 

Inspired by the quote, “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion,” by Albert Camus, Strause demonstrates, through her art, the courage and strength of these women who confidently assert their place in the music industry. “I look for liberty in the attitude of the subject,” she states, “I want to show them shaking off constraints. These women are in charge, and through their music, they are taking control in subversive and playful ways.”

Katherine Strause, a prominent artist and educator, has a rich background in the arts. She currently serves as the Artist in Residence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and is a 2023-2024 Catalyze Fellow with the Mid-America Art Alliance. Additionally, she is on the Juried Artist Registry of the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Over her career, she has held various teaching positions and has been instrumental in promoting art across the region.

The portraits in this exhibit are also featured in a new book titled "From Almeda To Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song", authored by Arkansan Stephen Koch and published by Et Alia Press. The book documents the impactful stories of the women portrayed in Strause's art. A special celebration of the book "An A-Z Evening" will be held on Thur, Oct 3, at 7pm, featuring stories and songs from the book, as well as a book signing and refreshments. Seating for this event will be limited, and tickets are priced at $15 for the general public, $10 for members, and free for students.

Join us in honoring the legacy and contributions of Arkansas women in music through Katherine Strause's powerful exhibit of resilience, creativity, and inspiration. 

For more information, about Strause's exhibition or "An A-Z Evening" event on Oct 3,  please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org.  This exhibit is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

ARTIST VIRMARIE DEPOYSTER BRINGS 'BEYOND LABELS' EXHIBITION TO THE SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) proudly announces the upcoming exhibition "Beyond Labels" by Puerto Rican artist and current North Little Rock resident with El Dorado roots, Virmarie DePoyster, showcasing her pastel portraits in the Merkle and Price Galleries from September 10 to October 16, 2024. An artist’s reception will be held on September 12 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

 

DePoyster, a bilingual artist born and raised in Puerto Rico until her family moved to El Dorado, Arkansas in 1983, uses her art to foster community connection. The "Beyond Labels" exhibition features a series of pastel portraits that delve into the complexities of identity in an increasingly diverse world. DePoyster’s focus is on encouraging viewers to look beyond superficial labels and recognize the intrinsic beauty within each person.

To create this impactful exhibition, DePoyster interviewed members of her community—both friends and strangers—inviting them to share personal items or personas that represent their identities. Through these conversations, she addresses the significant labels that shape our perceptions and encourages a dialogue about connection and acceptance.

“These pastel portraits aim to illustrate the meaningful selectivity we use in deciding which of our layers we peel back to show the world and which we keep concealed. As always, color is a technique, a tool, and a language I use to emphasize an overall feeling,” DePoyster explains.

When viewers first enter the exhibit, they will be introduced to a collage of DePoyster’s sketchbook pages, which include drawings, notes, interviews, and photographs that precede her final portraits. This section highlights her creative journey, revealing a contrast between chaotic early ideas and polished finished works.

DePoyster’s exhibition also offers three interactive experiences designed to deepen audience engagement with her portraits and to clarify the intent behind her project.

On one wall, DePoyster recreates the portrait photography studio set-up that she used to photograph and interview each of the participants. The photography lighting and backdrop provides a space for visitors to take their own photos, accompanied by a sign that encourages them to consider, “How would you pose for a portrait? Capture a shot hitting your best portrait pose.”

Two stations invite the viewer to contribute to the exhibition. Guests are encourages to examine their own perceptions by responding to the prompts, “What adjectives do others apply incorrectly to you?” and “How are you misunderstood?” Guests can share their thoughts and post them anonymously on the wall. To foster a communal artistic atmosphere, DePoyster also invites visitors to create sketches of themselves or others and display their drawings. Paper and pencils are provided for everyone to use.

Virmarie DePoyster is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community leader. Through her art, she delves into the complexities of identity, while also developing therapeutic art programs that create safe spaces for self-reflection. As an advocate for equality and inclusion, she actively contributes to her community.

DePoyster's artworks are held in both private and public collections worldwide, including throughout the United States. In October 2022, her latest exhibition, “Beyond Labels,” opened in Pine Bluff at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, and then traveled to the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum in November 2023. In September 2024 it will open at the South Arkansas Arts Center. DePoyster resides in North Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband David, where they enjoy visits from their adult children, Grant and Anna.

Visit SAAC for the opening reception Sept. 12 to celebrate DePoyster’s work and engage with the themes of community, identity, and appreciation of uniqueness.

For more details about the "Beyond Labels" exhibition and other events at the South Arkansas Arts Center, please contact the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit our website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

ASP ARRESTS CALIFORNIA MAN TRANSPORTING MORE THAN 100 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL,
HIGH-GRADE MARIJUANA ON I-40   
August 29, 2024
BLACKWELL, Ark. —  On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a rented black 2023 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 104-mile marker in Conway County for a traffic violation.

Upon searching the vehicle, Troopers discovered multiple large trash bags in the trunk that contained vacuum-sealed bundles of illegal high-grade marijuana, weighing a total of 105 pounds.

Troopers arrested the driver, David Willis, 44, of Lower Lake, California, and transported him to the Conway County Detention Center.

Willis was charged with felony Possession with Intent to Deliver and felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Willis told investigators he was traveling from California to Knoxville, Tennessee.

EL DORADO MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
EL DORADO – An El Dorado man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.

According to court documents, Wallace Kenya Cutter Sr, a/k/a “Kilo”, age 47, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in El Dorado, Arkansas area.

During March of 2023, investigators were able to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Cutter.

 On March 27, 2023, a search was conducted at Cutter’s residence, resulting in investigators locating and seizing approximately 1,162.79 grams of pure methamphetamine.  The methamphetamine seized during the search warrant and from the controlled purchases was subsequently forwarded to the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory for confirmatory testing.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Daniels and Graham Jones prosecuted the case.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. 

SHOOTING POWER AND FIBER LINES IS ILLEGAL
Little Rock, Ark. — Aug. 29, 2024 — Arkansas dove hunting season is around the corner, and while hunters are excited about the season, don’t forget to keep electrical safety a priority.

Doves often perch on power lines and fiber lines, becoming enticing targets for hunters. The risks of damaging electric and fiber-optic equipment, as well as causing potential physical injury, far outweigh the rewards of hunting.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas reminds hunters it is illegal to shoot near or toward power lines, fiber lines, utility poles, transformers or substations.

Stray pellets could damage equipment, possibly interrupting electric or internet service and causing physical risks to those nearby.

Hunters should never trespass onto or hunt in the immediate area of utility property or infrastructure, as they may face civil or criminal liability for doing so.

For your safety, follow these additional tips:
Familiarize yourself with the area before heading out to hunt. Take note of power lines and equipment, especially when hunting in densely wooded areas.
Observe all signs or postings that advise electrical safety, especially when scouting out a location for your tree stand.
Look up and look out for power lines, and do not come within 10 feet of an overhead line or pole when setting up or taking down a stand.
Never climb a utility pole.
Do not place dove decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Nonelectrical attachments can pose an obstruction and serious hazard to our lineworkers.

The 2024-2025 Arkansas Dove Season is Sept. 7 through Oct. 27 and Dec. 8 through Jan. 15, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 600,000 members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states.

ARKANSAS PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION KICKS OFF PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation (APCF) and prostate cancer survivors will join together on September 3 to kick off Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The September month-long effort includes a statewide awareness campaign and FREE screening events to help ensure that no man has to face prostate cancer alone.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, but it’s nearly 100% survivable IF detected early. Pandemic lifestyle changes resulted in many men putting off their regular health exams, potentially allowing a treatable condition to grow deadly. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that 2,950 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Arkansas this year, the third year in a row with new diagnoses running this high in Arkansas, and elevating prostate cancer to the most newly diagnosed cancer in Arkansas this year. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the disease and the risk of prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. Additionally, according to Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, “the incidence rate of prostate cancer in African American men is 70% higher than in White men and prostate cancer mortality rates in Black men are approximately two to four times higher than those in every other racial and ethnic group.”

“Prostate cancer screening can be as easy as a simple blood test and we know it can save lives,” said Chris Collier, executive director of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. “The key to surviving, though, is catching it early. We hope communities across the state can join us this September to make sure that no Arkansan has to face prostate cancer alone.”

About Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation is the only statewide organization dedicated entirely to prostate cancer awareness, education, timely detection, and survivorship. The organization sponsors awareness campaigns, conducts public education events, hosts survivor support groups, and organizes screening programs throughout the state, in addition to providing one-on-one patient navigation services and financial assistance to those in need. The Foundation believes that access to information and treatment should be available to all men in Arkansas. Learn more at: www.arprostatecancer.org.

In 2023, APCF was recognized by both the American Cancer Society for health screening efforts, and the National Association of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions (NASPCC) as their outstanding state organization, with Collier being invited to serve in national roles with both organizations.
 

ASP CID INVESTIGATING DEATH OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE WOMAN
August 28, 2024
CHEROKEE VILLAGE, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the death of a Cherokee Village resident identified as Dana Deprow, 54.

On July 8, 2024, the Cherokee Village Police Department requested ASP investigate a death that occurred at 8 Saginaw Circle.

Special Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence and found the remains of Deprow in the home.

Deprow’s remains have been taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.

LEGACY: MOTOWN & MORE TO PERFORM IN CAMDEN, AR ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
Live On Stage, Inc. and the Ouachita County Community Concert Association announce Motown tribute act as part of their 2024 - 2025 Concert Season
CAMDEN, Ark. – (August 31, 2024) – Sing and dance the night away with LEGACY as they perform some of the biggest Motown hits of all time in a special, high-energy concert at the Event Center at Fairview Park on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.  Children 12th grade and under will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paid adult.  For more information, please call 870-807-6915 or 870-818-2131, or visit www.camdenliveonstage.com.

LEGACY, an international male vocal group hailing from New York City, boasts members from Broadway’s acclaimed production, “Motown The Musical.” These remarkable entertainers deliver show-stopping performances featuring iconic concert hits spanning from the Jackson 5 to Bruno Mars and everything in between. With dynamic performances witnessed all over the world in theaters, luxury cruise lines, performing arts centers and corporate events, LEGACY’s shows are filled with powerhouse vocals, smooth dance moves and genuine charm. Their signature show, “Motown & More,” invites audiences on a high-energy musical journey through the decades, offering something for everyone. Get ready to sing along and dance in your seats to the sounds of The Temptations, Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire, Smokey Robinson and so much more. Click Here To View A Video Of LEGACY: Motown & More

The Ouachita County Community Concert Association has been presenting world-class entertainment to the Camden community since 1947! An enthusiastic group of volunteers work tirelessly to provide family entertainment and educational outreach performances to educate and entertain adults and students alike.

Live On Stage, Inc. provides excellent, affordable, entertainment attractions and support services to an American community of concert presenters.  View a video about Live On Stage.  
 

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY AT SAAC'S SEPTEMBER CORKS AND CANVAS CLASS!
Get ready for an evening of artistic fun at SAAC with our "Playin’ with Paper" Corks and Canvas class, led by talented local artist Rhonda Hicks! Join us on Thursday, September 19, from 6 PM to 9 PM for a night filled with crumpling, cutting, gluing, and painting.

This class is perfect for anyone looking to tap into their creative side. Rhonda will lead participants in crafting unique paper collages on 12x12 canvases. “You don’t need to be an artistic genius to enjoy this,” Rhonda emphasizes. “Just play with colors and papers to create your own one-of-a-kind masterpiece. I’ll bring a variety of fun papers to inspire your creativity and ensure everyone has a blast!”

No previous art experience is required—just gather your friends and come ready to relax and enjoy yourselves! All materials will be provided, and SAAC will have snacks available to keep the creative energy flowing. Feel free to bring along your favorite beverages to sip while you work on your art.

With space limited to just 10 participants, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Secure your spot today by registering on SAAC's website at www.saac-arts.org or by calling 870-862-5474. The workshop fee is $40.

Get creative at SAAC, located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas. 

BOOZMAN CELEBRATES POLAND F-35 ROLLOUT
Marks Critical Step Before Aircraft Arrival in Fort Smith
WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) celebrated the rollout of Poland’s F-35s that will soon arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, the new home of the Foreign Military Sales mission for the aircraft.

Boozman joined officials from the United States and Poland as well as Lockheed Martin leadership to applaud the unveiling of the first Polish F-35 at the company’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday. This marks a critical step in advancing Arkansas’s role in protecting the interests of our country and allies.

“Developing these capabilities side by side is critical to ensuring global security. Now more than ever we can see the advantages of interoperability between partner nations, and this event only furthers the already strong relationship between Poland and the U.S.,” Boozman said. “The Fort Smith community is truly excited to see Polish pilots and jets soon fly in The Natural State.”

 

In March 2023 the Air Force announced Ebbing Air National Guard Base as home of the foreign military pilot training center. Boozman, along with Arkansas Congressional Delegation members Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack, worked to secure the mission and are continuing to champion federal investments that serve to enhance the installation and community.

As ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, Boozman has shepherded legislation through the Senate allocating funds over multiple years to prepare Ebbing to successfully host the program and allied partners.

In Fiscal Year 2024 Boozman, Cotton and Womack delivered $83 million to the base and are committed to supporting continued investment in Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond.
 

U.S. SUPREME COURT DENIES BIDEN-HARRIS EFFORT TO OVERTURN INJUNCTION IN MISSOURI-ARKANSAS LAWSUIT AGAINST UNLAWFUL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS ATTEMPT
Griffin: ‘No matter how many times or how many ways they try, the Biden-Harris administration can’t circumvent the law’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court denied an application from the Biden-Harris administration to vacate an injunction blocking the administration’s unlawful student-loan forgiveness program:

“No matter how many times or how many ways they try, the Biden-Harris administration can’t circumvent the law and unilaterally cancel student loans. For the federal government to take such action, Congress would have to vote on it.

“This is another win in the lawsuit I filed with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.”

The Supreme Court’s order today declined to vacate a preliminary injunction that was issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on August 9.

OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY BULLETIN
The State of Arkansas will observe Labor Day as an official state holiday on Monday, September 2, 2024.  

 State Capitol offices and state buildings will be closed.  However, the State Capitol building will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  

 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS VOLUNTEERS ON TRACK TO MEET OR EXCEED 25,000 HOURS
Grant dollars awarded total nearly $500,000 so far in ‘24
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The day-to-day business at Entergy Arkansas is to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our customers. The mission as a corporation is to continually improve the communities served through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.

Across the company, those efforts are focused primarily on the broad pillars of poverty solutions, education and workforce development, and environmental programs. Additionally, the areas of healthy families, arts and culture, and community enrichment are part of the overall strategy to contribute to a society that is healthy, educated, environmentally safe and productive.

“As a corporation, Entergy Arkansas invests in solutions and partners with nonprofits, schools and government organizations to provide opportunities and programs that create sustainable value and quality of life,” said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our employees do this each day as well, giving of their time and resources to help those who are disadvantaged, as well as the elderly and disabled.”

To qualify for volunteer service and grants from the company, organizations must be:
A public charity or private foundation that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
A state or local government, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
A school, hospital, or religious institution that holds nonprofit status similar to that of 501(c)(3) organizations, but only if the volunteer service/donation thereto benefits the public at large.
Certain tax-exempt war-veterans’ organizations, domestic fraternal societies and volunteer fire departments.

The company has awarded nearly $500,000 in shareholder profit and donations to scores of nonprofit partners in Arkansas during the better part of the year. Programs funded range from emergency response and relief services to scholarships and youth services, food pantries and community safety events. Entergy Arkansas employees clocked 29,000 volunteer hours in 2023 based on a goal of 25,000 and hope to meet or exceed that number this year.

Focusing on literacy and education
A few of the largest endeavors so far this year included education and literacy projects, including a statewide partnership with the Arkansas STEM Coalition. In preparation for the April 8 total solar eclipse, Entergy Arkansas partnered with the Coalition to purchase and distribute free eclipse glasses to all public schools in our service territory. A grant from Entergy Arkansas helped fund the purchase of more than 625,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, enough for all preK-12 students, teachers and staff. Volunteers from the STEM Coalition, Entergy Arkansas and other groups worked for more than six weeks to sort and deliver the glasses.

The company also partnered with the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas for the Girls of Promise “Full STEAM Ahead” conference, which introduced 8th grade girls across the state to potential STEAM careers. Nearly 150 girls from 20 counties were able to meet women leaders in the fields of engineering, finance and more. The goal is to increase the number of girls in higher-level STEAM courses and careers to put them on the path to achieving economic security as adults.

Other literacy, education and workforce program recipients included:
American Association of Blacks in Energy – Careers in Energy Student Summit
Food Jobs Work Foundation – Culinary Training Program
Junior Achievement of Little Rock
Oscar J. Washington Scholarship Fund
North Arkansas College Foundation
Searcy Foundation for the Future
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
West Memphis Boys and Girls Club

Attacking root causes of poverty
Research shows the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one the nation’s most effective means of lifting Americans out of poverty. IRS-certified volunteers with Entergy Arkansas and other nonprofit partners provided free tax return preparation for qualified customers as part of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and other services at Super Tax Day events throughout tax season. Partners across the state included Arkansas Asset Funders, Central Arkansas Development Council, Forrest City Public Library and Southern Bancorp, who provided trained volunteers to help customers determine if they were eligible for EITC and other tax credits to maximize their refunds.

Supporting the arts, culture
By cultivating creativity, Entergy Arkansas helps create a community of inclusion and inspiration. For many years, the company has supported The Repertory Theatre’s regular season as well as student workshops, along with the Arkansas Fine Arts Museum, both of which have Entergy Arkansas employee on the respective boards of directors. A longtime partnership with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra also provides for free tickets for all students. Other organizations and programs supported this year include:

Arkansas Cinema Society
Arkansas Committee Of The National Museum Of Women In The Arts
Cross County Foundation – Downtown Arts Festival
Friends Of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center - Juneteenth in Da Rock
Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation – Cherry Blossom Festival
Sculpture in the River Market

For more information about how to apply for grants or create volunteer opportunities for Entergy Arkansas employees, visit www.entergy.com/csr/giving/.

“We’re proud to say that every dollar and employee volunteer hour makes a difference in achieving our goals to improve the places where we work and live,” Hinkle said, “and we’re always looking for new ways to engage our employees and customers.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN LEADS BIPARTISAN COALITION SECURING NATIONWIDE $190 MILLION UNCLAIMED PROPERTY SETTLEMENT WITH DELAWARE
Griffin: ‘I look forward to reuniting the people of Arkansas with their money’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Wisconsin—on behalf of a bipartisan coalition of 30 states—have agreed to a settlement with officials from Delaware to end the outstanding damages phase of an unclaimed property dispute won by Arkansas before the United States Supreme Court in 2023:

“This settlement concludes nearly eight years of litigation over unclaimed Official Checks and returns more than $190 million to the people of Arkansas, our coalition partners, and other states. I’m proud of our work on this important case, and I’m grateful to our coalition partners—particularly the attorneys general of California, Texas, and Wisconsin, and attorneys for Pennsylvania—for their hard work on this matter.

“I want to express my appreciation to Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni, who argued the case before the United States Supreme Court. I look forward to reuniting the people of Arkansas with their money.”

The settlement effectively ends the remaining damages phase of the consolidated actions Delaware v. Pennsylvania and Arkansas v. Delaware. Arkansas’s share of the settlement totals $761,907.91 plus interest earned and expenses.

In February 2023, the United States Supreme Court unanimously agreed with Arkansas’s arguments in Arkansas v. Delaware, which centered on which state is entitled to take custody of funds payable on unclaimed official checks sold by MoneyGram, a money transfer services company that operates in all 50 states and internationally.

In 2016, Arkansas brought an original jurisdiction action in the Supreme Court seeking more than $250 million in unclaimed funds from uncashed MoneyGram official check products that were wrongly handed over to Delaware.

Under the Federal Disposition Act, proceeds on unclaimed money orders, traveler’s checks, and similar items must be turned over to the state where the item was purchased. Yet since 2005, MoneyGram has turned those funds over to Delaware, as its state of incorporation. 

In the opinion issued by Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a unanimous court agreed that those funds are governed by the Federal Disposition Act and that MoneyGram should have turned those funds over to Arkansas and its coalition partners, not Delaware. As a result of that opinion, since February 2023, MoneyGram has been required to report sums on unclaimed unofficial checks to the state of purchase and funds associated with instruments purchased in Arkansas have been deposited with the Auditor of State’s unclaimed property fund. 

The settlement resolves what happens with money deposited with Delaware prior to the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion. Under the terms of the settlement, Delaware will transfer more than $102 million of the property that MoneyGram reported to Delaware from 2011 to 2017 to the coalition states, based on each monetary instrument’s place of purchase. Delaware’s transfer represents roughly half of the report years disputed in the litigation.

In addition, approximately $89 million deposited by MoneyGram in a litigation escrow account from 2018 to 2022, plus interest earned, will be distributed among all 50 states based on each instrument’s place of purchase. The coalition states will receive nearly $55 million, plus interest earned, from the escrow account. 

States will assume custody and responsibility to return any property received under the terms of the settlement or from the escrow account to the owners, including paying any claims of property. The settlement and escrow funds will be deposited with the Auditor of State’s unclaimed property fund, where they can be reclaimed by Arkansans.

To read the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion, click here.

To read the agreement, click here. 

CITY OF CAMDEN AND OUACHITA COUNTY ANNOUNCE LABOR DAY SCHEDULES
The City of Camden Offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, to observe Labor Day. Trash pickup will run the regular route. Class 4 Landfill will be closed that day.

Monday, September 02, 2024 the Ouachita County Courthouse and Home Extension Office will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday. The County Sanitation will run on regular schedule. They will not take the Holiday.
 

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS SATURATION LEADS TO DWI, ILLEGAL NARCOTICS, AND OUTSTANDING WARRANT ARRESTS  
August 27, 2024
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —On Friday, August 23, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) conducted an eight-hour operation in Northwest Arkansas to significantly reduce the number of impaired and reckless drivers posing a danger to themselves and others.

Between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., Troopers arrested five individuals for Driving While Intoxicated, issued 47 speeding citations, and made 39 criminal arrests. Additionally, Troopers issued citations for hazardous traffic violations (29), non-hazardous traffic violations (114), not wearing seat belts (4), and not correctly restraining children (3).

Along with those citations, 33 arrests were made of individuals with outstanding warrants. Troopers initiated two pursuits, and one person was arrested for possessing illegal narcotics. Troopers contacted 456 individuals during the initiative, and 241 citations were issued.

The focused enforcement campaign coincides with the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest times of the year due to drunk driving fatalities.
Now through Sept. 2, including the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is partnering with Arkansas law enforcement for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" high-visibility enforcement campaign.

The Arkansas Highway Safety Office offers several recommendations to ensure your safety:
- Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1.
- If you know someone about to drive while impaired, help them find another way to reach their destination.
- Always wear your seat belt. It's your best defense against a drunk driver.

ASP CID ARRESTS FORREST CITY DOCTOR ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE
August 26, 2024
FORREST CITY, Ark. — On Monday, August 26, 2024, Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division arrested Dr. Sudesh Banaji, 60, of Forrest City, on six felony counts of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree and one felony count of Rape.

In August of 2023, the 1st Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office requested ASP to investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with female patients during examinations at Banaji’s medical clinic in Forrest City.

Banaji is being held at the Cross County Sheriff’s Office on a $35,000 bond. 

“OPERATION BRIGHT” COMBATS HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN LITTLE ROCK
 August 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Sixteen adults believed to be victims of human trafficking were offered services, and another 79 local victims were identified as part of Operation BRIGHT (Bringing Rescue and Intervention to Give Hope and Triumph), which took place in Little Rock this month. One suspected trafficker was identified.

Arkansas State Police (ASP) and members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council conducted the recovery operation over a single day, offering victims services such as food, lodging, on-site medical services, counseling, therapy, and drug rehabilitation.

“Because of the hidden nature of human trafficking, it is extremely difficult to locate and reach out to victims,” said ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar. “We have a moral obligation to extend services and support to those who have fallen victim to the manipulation, lies and violence of traffickers. The law enforcement community must work collectively to provide resources to this vulnerable population.”

The multidisciplinary operation consisted of law enforcement and victim service providers from around the state, working together to combat human trafficking, recover victims, and detain traffickers to make our communities safer. Before and during the operation, intelligence analysts and law enforcement officers identified local victims. Leading up to the operation, two children were removed from exploitative, vulnerable, and unstable situations. All minors were taken into protective custody.

The operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of representatives from federal, state, local, and non-government organizations, including the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Little Rock Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cabot Police Department, Benton Police Department, Harrison Police Department, Arkansas Fusion Center, along with victim advocates and medical personnel from the Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation “RISE,” The Genesis Project, Into the Light, ACASA, Saline County Safe Haven, Lonoke County Safe Haven, and the NWA Forensic Nurse Team.

During a similar Hot Springs operation in May, 25 adults were identified, and seven were contacted and offered services.

Operation BRIGHT was a part of a multi-state human trafficking operation, Coast to Coast.

Law enforcement agencies and service providers from Arkansas, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, New Mexico, California, Minnesota, and Washington were involved. Private organizations also assisted including the Human Trafficking Training Center, Safe House Project, and Nurses Against Trafficking.   

During the operation 94 adults were contacted and offered services including food, lodging, medical services, drug rehabilitation, counseling/therapy and childcare. 1 juvenile under age  was taken into protective custody before being turned over to state social services. 39 adults were contacted, detained or identified as part of the operation. 

ASP cannot release any further details now as the investigation is ongoing.

Human Trafficking continues to be a problem in Arkansas and across the United States, and law enforcement will continue to take it seriously. If you have information or suspect human trafficking in your area, please get in touch with the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council at reportht@asp.arkansas.gov or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

SAAC PLANS 24-25 ART TALKS WITH GAY BECHTELHEIMER
The South Arkansas Arts Center will launch the 2024-2025 season of Art Talks with Gay Bechtelheimer on September 5 at 6:30 pm. For the first lecture of the series, Bechtelheimer will take a deeper look at one of her first subjects: painter John Singer Sargent.

When the lecture series began in 2020, Sargent was one of the earliest artists Bechtelheimer shared with her audience, and SAAC patrons have often asked to revisit his work. Rather than repeat the talk in its entirety, Bechtelheimer will take a deeper look at Sargent and his work’s place in our larger culture in her September presentation.

“As with all masterpieces, the facts and stories behind them add to their allure,” she said. “I cannot think of another artist more suited to our attention than John Singer Sargent, one of the nineteenth century's most brilliant artists. With technical virtuosity and psychological insight, he portrayed the essence of his times. At this lecture, we will experience the trajectory of his career, the personalities of his subjects, and the stories behind their lives.”

For the following lectures, scheduled for November 7 and January 16, Bechtelheimer has planned a two-part series on the work of the Post-Impressionist movement, including Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gaugin.

These free, relaxed lectures are intended to present art and art history in an entertaining and enjoyable format to people of all ages and backgrounds. The evening begins with refreshments in the gallery, before Bechtelheimer’s presentation from the stage.

The event is free of charge and is presented with open seating. Reservations are encouraged; call 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.

 

AEDC ANNOUNCES NEW ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM: 75STRONG
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 27, 2024) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) announced today the development of 75Strong, a new statewide program designed to train economic developers and community leaders on entrepreneurship and small business development and to provide direct technical support for small businesses throughout Arkansas.

“Arkansas is the state where a man took a small town five and dime and turned it into the largest company on earth,” said Governor Sanders. “Entrepreneurship is part of our DNA, and I’m proud to help Arkansas’ small business owners build the great companies of the future. 75Strong will play a key role in that and connect local innovators with the support they need.”

As a statewide program, 75Strong will connect all regions in Arkansas – especially rural and underserved areas – with entrepreneurial ecosystem support. The program will connect rural communities and businesses in these areas with resources and support, in addition to providing direct support to businesses within and related to Arkansas’ target industries.

“At AEDC, supporting the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs is one of our major areas of focus, and the 75Strong program will play an important role in helping these businesses succeed in Arkansas,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “This new program will provide the tools, resources, and training to help community leaders across the state grow their small business and entrepreneurial ecosystems – which will lead to more jobs and investment in the years to come.”

The mission of the three-year program is to empower Arkansas communities through entrepreneurship by equipping and deploying community leaders throughout the state as Entrepreneurial Developers, providing business-building support to local businesses, and organizing a statewide network of entrepreneurial support resources.

”Equipping our economic developers, chamber executives, and community leaders with a strong foundation for growing small businesses and entrepreneurs in their communities is a must for our entrepreneurial development strategy.” said Esperanza Massana Crane, director of AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division. “The 75Strong program will provide communities in Arkansas – especially rural communities – with the tools to help these businesses succeed and create more economic opportunities in their regions.”

Key outcomes for the program include selecting 30 to 50 economic developers to pursue and receive the Entrepreneurial Development Professional (EDP) certification from the International Economic Development Council, selecting 20 communities to conduct Community Assessments through the Venture Ecosystem-Building Canvas, create and launch Entrepreneurial Development Strategic Plans for 10 or more communities, and launch Entrepreneurial Development Steering Teams for five or more communities.

As part of the Business Building Curriculum segment of the program, Entrepreneurial Developer participants will each recruit two to three companies meeting pre-determined criteria that will participate in the 12-month business-building curriculum. These companies will complete customized strategic growth plans with an expectation of increasing revenue and creating jobs.

“To create sustainable economic growth across our entire state, we must be vigilant about directly supporting the growth and development of rural entrepreneurs and small business owners,” said Jeff Standridge, managing director of the Conductor. “We are so excited about the long-term impact the 75Strong program will have on local communities throughout Arkansas as we place an intense focus on equipping and connecting a new cadre of Entrepreneurial Developers, and providing direct business-building support to local businesses.”

The program will be managed by Startup Junkie and Conductor, in partnership with AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN LEADS 24-STATE COALITION URGING BROWN UNIVERSITY TO REJECT ISRAELI DIVESTMENT VOTE
Griffin: ‘Arkansas’s law places our state among those aggressively combating antisemitic conduct’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he and 23 other state attorneys general sent a letter urging Brown University to reject a proposal that the university divest from certain companies because they do business with Israel, thus triggering anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) laws in several states:

“Nearly three-fourths of the states have laws that prohibit them from contracting with, investing in, or otherwise doing business with entities that discriminate against Israel, Israelis, or those who do business with either. Arkansas’s law places our state among those aggressively combating antisemitic conduct, and it has survived federal court challenge.

“If adopted, the Brown Divest Now proposal will have immediate and profound legal consequences. We urge the Brown University Corporation to reject this antisemitic and unlawful proposal that stems from the violent threats against Jewish students at Brown last spring.”

Brown University President Christina H. Paxson, who in previous years had rejected calls to implement other BDS proposals, has promised that the Brown Divest Now proposal will be on the agenda at the October 2024 business meeting of the Brown University Corporation, adding that the “Corporation is fully committed” to voting on the measure and that the vote “will not be delayed or deferred.”

The Brown Divest Now proposal calls on Brown to divest from companies including Textron, Safariland, Volvo Group, Airbus, Boeing, General Dynamics, General Electric, Motorola, and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon and United Technologies) because they do business with Israel.

Act 710 of 2017 prohibits the State of Arkansas, its agencies, and its colleges and universities from contracting with or investing in any entity engaged in a boycott of Israel. The full Eighth Circuit upheld that statute against a challenge brought in Arkansas Times LP v. Waldrip.

Joining Griffin in the letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

To read the letter, click here.

BALLOT DRAWING FOR OUACHITA COUNTY
Ouachita County Clerk Sherri Hunter has announced ballot drawing for the upcoming General Election will be held on Friday August 30th at 12:00 noon at the courthouse. Candidates and the public are invited to attend.

ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL TO ANNOUNCE INAUGURAL ARKANSAS’S BEST BURGER CONTEST AT TAILGATE EVENT
WHAT:
The Arkansas Beef Council will kick off the inaugural Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest with a tailgate event at the University of Arkansas vs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) football game. Join us to celebrate and promote 100% beef burgers made in Arkansas restaurants and learn more about how you can nominate your favorite burger for the title of Arkansas’s Best Burger.

WHEN:
Thursday, August 29, 2024
WHERE:
War Memorial Stadium
University of Arkansas Razorbacks vs. UAPB Golden Lions
Little Rock, AR

DETAILS:
Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious burgers, meet local beef producers, and receive information about how to participate in the Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest. Nominations for the contest will be open from September 1 through September 30, 2024, with the top 10 finalists announced on October 11.

The contest encourages Arkansans to support local restaurants and celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage by highlighting the best 100% beef burgers available.

Please RSVP with Director of Marketing and Communications, Shealyn Sowers, for tailgate location.

For more information on the contest, visit www.arkansasbeef.org

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN PRAISES ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT’S REJECTION OF MOTION BROUGHT BY CONVICTED FELON
Griffin: ‘This attempt to retry his conviction has done nothing but waste the court’s time and taxpayers’ money’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Arkansas Supreme Court last night rejected as moot an emergency motion brought by convicted felon Oscar Stilley:

“Convicted felon Oscar Stilley’s emergency motion sought to resurrect the abortion amendment ballot petition by compelling the Secretary of State to provisionally certify it for the November general election. I applaud the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision to deny Stilley’s motion as moot after the court had correctly denied the attempt by the sponsor of the abortion amendment to get on the ballot.

“Stilley has no legal standing to bring this lawsuit in the first place. In fact, his filings have made it clear that he cares more about re-litigating his federal felony conviction. This attempt to retry his conviction has done nothing but waste the court’s time and taxpayers’ money.”

 

APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN FOR EAST INITIATIVE GRANT FUNDING
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 22, 2024) – The EAST Initiative on Wednesday announced the opening of the 2025‐2026 EAST recruiting season for consideration in awarding the Department of Secondary Education/Arkansas Department of Education‐EAST Grant.

Startup funding is available for more than 10 new EAST programs for the 2025‐2026 school year. Funding from the grant will cover technology needed to install a full EAST classroom, and will cover some educator professional development costs that is required in the EAST curriculum.

All Arkansas public or charter schools are eligible to receive grant funding. Districts considering implementation of EAST as part of their curriculum for the next school year should fill out the form found at https://news.eastlink.me/nextstep.

Applications for the first round of funding will be accepted through close of business on Friday, December 13.

“EAST is excited to continue expanding our network and to continue empowering students to identify and address challenges beyond the classroom,” said EAST Chief Executive Officer Matt Dozier. “When students are given the chance to transform their innovative ideas into real‐world solutions, they are better equipped for success in their communities.”

The educational non‐profit earlier this month released to their EAST programs a Community Service Learning (CSL) database which tracks the number of CSL hours earned by students through EAST; the type of hours earned according to state standards; and the stage of service at which the hours were earned. This robust database will result in easier reporting for EAST programs, and seamlessly links CSL hours as reported in the system to individual partners,
creating additional resources for students, said Rinda Hall, EAST’s Program Coordinator for Site Support.

Hall said that a limited number of EAST programs participated in beta testing the database during Spring 2024, noting that thousands of CSL hours were logged by the handful of EAST programs participating in testing, including:

• Ahlf Junior High (Searcy) where 61 EAST students logged 490 CSL hours;
•  Searcy High School’s EAST students averaged more than 19 hours per student;
• Twenty‐one EAST students at Midland Elementary School added 308 hours to the database;
• and Vilonia High School’s EAST students logged 2,915 hours, averaging more than 69 hours per student.

EAST students are engaged and excited about learning, Hall said, pointing to data released by the Arkansas-based nonprofit. In a survey of more than 3,400 students across 42 schools, data showed that the EAST experience is 22% more engaging than other core courses. The survey was conducted through a tool called the Wellington Engagement Index (WEI). Created by educators, WEI was designed to measure student engagement, and to give administrators and teachers opportunities for reflection as they challenge students to solve real problems in their
communities.

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
August 23, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – The Senate and House Education Committees are close to finalizing next year’s school funding formula.

They have worked all year on the formula, in order to comply with the mandate in the Arkansas Constitution that requires the state to provide all children with an adequate and equitable education.

Committee members have gone over hundreds of pages of data to prepare an adequacy report. Their recommendations will be an essential starting point when the entire legislature convenes in regular session in January and considers a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2025.

School districts in Arkansas get about $7 billion a year from federal, state and local sources. In 2023 Arkansas schools spent about $2 billion to pay classroom teachers.

Last year the legislature approved the governor’s proposal to increase the minimum teacher salary to $50,000. According to a study by researchers at the University of Arkansas, the increase went a long way toward narrowing the salary disparities between prosperous schools and schools in poor, rural areas.

The state provided all the funding for the salary increase, about $181 million. The majority of that new funding went to poor, rural areas because that is where teacher salaries generally are lowest.

Statewide, the average retention rate for teachers was 74 percent. In rural areas it was 76 percent and in urban schools it was 70 percent.

The retention rate was lower in poor areas, as measured by the number of students who qualify for free lunches. It also was lower in schools that got an “F” on school report cards.

There are about 33,000 teachers in Arkansas and about 5,000, or roughly 15 percent of the total, completed a survey by legislators about recruitment and retention. Also, 807 principals completed the survey and they represent 77 percent of the state’s principals.

There are 12 teacher education programs at state colleges and universities, and the majority of new teachers go through them.

People also can become teachers by an alternative route, if they already have a bachelor’s degree and are knowledgeable in the area in which they want to teach.

Research indicates that turnover is higher among those who have taken the alternative route to become teachers. That may be due to less preparation for the challenges of teaching. However, it also may be due to the fact that those teachers are often hired for the hardest to fill vacancies with the most challenging conditions for a new teacher.

Salaries and health insurance help retain teachers. So do strong training and preparation, along with the presence of veteran teachers who actively mentor younger teachers. It helps more when the mentor teaches the same subject as the new teacher, and when they share time planning lessons.

Last year, the average length of experience for Arkansas teachers was 11.8 years. About 49 percent have a bachelor’s degree only and 42 percent have earned a master’s degree.

Statewide, three percent of teachers have emergency or provisional credentials, which means they are still working on certification in the subject or grade level they teach.

TRAVIS POSEY HAS COURT APPEARANCE
Travis Posey, charged with killing four people and injuring 11 others during the mass shooting on June 21, entered a not-guilty plea during his first court appearance.

On Wednesday, August 22, Posey attended his second hearing, which was closely watched by a large group of people at the Dallas County Courthouse, including family, friends, and victims affected by the tragic incident.

Posey, who is currently detained at the Ouachita County Detention Facility, participated in the hearing remotely via a closed-circuit video link, accompanied by one of his three attorneys, Greggory Parrish.
The hearing was presided over by the Honorable Spencer Singleton, with James Wyatt representing Posey in the courtroom. The video link used is a proprietary government version of platforms like Zoom, ensuring secure and private communication between the detention facility and the courtroom.

During the hearing, Jeffery Rogers, representing the State of Arkansas, informed the court that the investigation is ongoing. Rogers noted that Arkansas State Police Special Agent Justin Starnes is actively gathering and reviewing evidence, which will be made available to the defense for discovery. However, Wyatt indicated that the delay would require additional time to review the volume of the evidence involved.

The defense, seeking ample time to thoroughly review the discovery materials, requested a continuance until November 20, 2024. The State objected to the extended timeline, advocating for an earlier date of October 11, 2024, to expedite the proceedings. After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Singleton granted the continuance, scheduling the next court date for October 11, 2024.

This case has garnered significant attention due to the seriousness of the charges and the impact on the local community. As the legal process continues, Posey will remain in custody at the Ouachita County Detention Facility. His participation in future court proceedings is expected to continue via the video link unless the court orders otherwise, minimizing the need for his physical transport to Dallas County.

 

MUSICFEST EL DORADO TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
EL DORADO, AR (August 16, 2024) — Main Street El Dorado is inviting you to celebrate thirty-six years of live music, attractions, food and fun. MusicFest 2024 which is set for Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, in historic Downtown El Dorado! 3 Stages, 2 Days, 1 Ticket!

What began as a one-day event in 1987 has grown into one of the largest outdoor festivals in South Arkansas and a highly anticipated weekend event that has been named Festival of the Year a record-setting seven times by the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association.

As the principal fundraiser for Main Street El Dorado, Musicfest plays a vital role in sustaining our yearly events and operations.This cherished event not only brings the community together through music, but also ensures the continued vibrancy and growth of our organization and downtown efforts.

Join Main Street El Dorado for an unforgettable weekend of music featuring 30 + acts over three stages across two days! Enjoy a diverse lineup of local talent, a school band showcase, and a variety of genres that will keep the energy high. From rock to blues to country, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this celebration of music and community!

Music
The Delek Hope Main Stage will feature performances by Windstorm, Nic Parr & The Selfless Lovers, and The Rodney Block Collective on Friday night. Vertical Horizon, Jake Miller, Blacktop Mojo, Dauzat St. Marie and Brody McKinney will take the stage on Saturday night.

Local and regional acts will round out the PJ's Coffee and the Acoustic stages. The lineup includes Almost Guilty, The Bennett Hall Band, Black Dog Friday, Blackstrap featuring JT Lee, The Clay Logan Band, Jayy Tune, Lucas Vines, Luke Johnson, Mary Beth Bird, Mr. Taylormade & the Taylormade Band, Roots & Revolt, SOTS,The Trey Gauthreaux Band featuring Dane Von Hagen, The Waymores, and El Dorado School Bands and Choirs.

Vertical Horizon
In 1999, Vertical Horizon released their breakout album, Everything You Want, which went on to sell more than two million copies. The title track captured the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts, and became Billboard’s Most Played Single of 2000.

Nik Harrison
Retired teacher turned content creator from North Louisiana, Nick Harrison has quickly amassed more than 2 million followers with his family-friendly content full of music, humor, and education. He began taking his stand up act on the road in the summer of 2024 to great success, and continues to grow his following world-wide.

Jake Miller
Jake Miller is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Weston, Florida. He started off his career as a hip-hop artist in 2011 and his debut album 'Us Against Them' peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Blacktop Mojo
From the small East Texas town of Palestine, Blacktop Mojo's fiery blend of sludgy grooves, classic rock guitar riffs, and southern metal shredding falls somewhere between Soundgarden and Lynyrd Skynyrd to form a sound deemed by some as “Texas Grunge”.

Dauzat St. Marie
This seasoned duo, Heather St. Marie and Mat Dauzat crafts soulful Americana tales, captivating audiences with their tight harmonies and electrifying stage presence. With Heather's powerful vocals soaring over Mat's intricate guitar work, Dauzat St. Marie's music paints vivid landscapes of the heart.

Brody McKinney
El Dorado Native Brody McKinney started on a small makeshift stage on Jefferson Street in Downtown El Dorado. American Idol Season 24 saw Brody in Hollywood. Opening for some big names at the Walmart Amp and Brody joined Cadillac Three on the MusicFest stage in 2023. Making his solo debut on the MusicFest Main Stage, hometown fans can’t wait.

Windstorm
Windstorm band, a Shreveport, LA, powerhouse brings nearly 40 years of electrifying energy to the stage. With a repertoire spanning Motown, old-school funk, R&B, rock, country, and more, this 9 piece ensemble delivers a non-stop party every time.

Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers
Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers tour actively with over one hundred and fifty shows per year around the country; making fans across their home state of Texas, the Southeast, the Midwest and all the way out to the Rocky Mountains featuring piano-driven rock and roll.

Rodney Block
Rodney Block, a Dumas, AR, native has been thriving in the regional music scene for the past ten years. Block has been featured and performed in various festivals and venues across the globe and built a niche in the genres of jazz and hip hop.

Attractions and Kidz World
MusicFest weekend will not only feature an impressive array of musical talent but also offer a variety of attractions and activities for families and children sponsored by Red River Credit Union. One of the new thrills this year is a Giant slide and bringing back the rock climbing wall, laser tag, and putt-putt. New this year, we are excited to announce an exciting partnership with South Arkansas College to bring engaging, hands-on STEM activities. Come explore science, technology, engineering, and math through fun experiments and cool projects. Don’t miss out on this chance to unleash your inner scientist and engineer! Furthering our hands-on exhibits, we will also have a large petting zoo on Saturday! Kidz World will offer a host of free activities, including face-painting, archery and more!

Returning to the festival this year will be the Roseburg GlowFest, the Friday Night Glow-Foam dance party for children ages 8 - 15.

Food
To keep things fresh and exciting, we have another new partnership this year- DP’S Food Truck park will sponsor food trucks for our event! Get ready for “DP's Food Truck Alley” -from the guys who know food trucks best!- on Main Street from Washington to Jefferson, featuring a variety of trucks with BBQ, hot dogs, rolled ice cream, and more. Come hungry and enjoy the feast!

More
We put the FEST in MusicFest! We have a 5/10K, an original commemorative necklace, the Miss MusicFest pageant and MORE. Separate release coming soon.

Volunteers
Volunteers are needed for MusicFest XXXVI to work three or six+ hour shifts on both days. Volunteers who sign up for 3 hours will receive a volunteer t-shirt and those working 6 will also have a choice of wristband for admission or unlimited access to attractions.

To sign up to volunteer, please visit musicfesteldorado,com and click on the “Be a Volunteer” tab. There you’ll find complete information and be able to sign up.

Tickets
Tickets for MusicFest XXXVI are on sale now! Purchase at musicfesteldorado.com. New this year there is one General Admission Weekend ticket that includes both days for just $40.00. The VIP Weekend ticket offering a premium experience with no huge crowds, air conditioned-private bathrooms, tables, chairs, unique MusicFest swag, hors d'oeuvres to snack on, two drink tickets(per night) per purchased ticket and an opportunity for a meet and greet with The Professor Nick Harrison is $100.VIP is only available to ages 21+.

Tickets will also be available at the gate during the festival. Admission is free until noon on Saturday, October 5. Children who are 10 and younger are admitted free all weekend with an Adult ticket purchase.

MusicFest Sponsors

Stage Sponsors:
PJ’s Coffee
Delek Hope

Special Event Sponsors:
All About Flowers - VIP Area
Cole’s Jewelers - Miss MusicFest Pageant
DP’S Food Truck
Murphy Pitard Jewelers - Commemorative Jewelry Drawing (3rd Annual)
Mustard Seed Wealth Management - Announcement
RRCU - Kidz World
Roseburg MFG - GlowFest-Glow-Foam Dance Party
South Arkansas Regional Hospital - 5/10K Run-Walk

Gold Sponsors:
Candlewood/Hampton Inn
El Dorado A&P Commission
Hepco/ Michelob Ultra KTVE
Lawrence Electric
Mac's Tree Service
Murphy USA
Noalmark

Hall of Fame Sponsors:
I ❤ El Dorado
KATV
KSLA
KTBS
Oconnor/3 Rivers- Miller Beer
Potlach Deltic
Radioworks
Standard Lithium
STP Machine

Legendary:

Cadence Bank
Diversified Construction and Design
Entergy
First Financial Bank
Glenn Mechanical Co
H&E Equipment Services
Ideal Construction
Lapis Energy
LSB
Nexans Amercable
Southern Aluminum

There is time to make the August 29 Deadline to sponsor! Contact director@mainstreeteldorado.org.

Main Street El Dorado
Main Street El Dorado is a nonprofit organization accredited by Main Street AmericaTM, dedicated to downtown revitalization, economic development, and historic preservation. Our efforts focus on Economic Vitality, Quality Design, Effective Promotion, and Sustainable Organization. Recognized as a leading program within the national network, we meet the National Main Street Center's standards for preservation-based economic development, contributing to stronger communities and high-quality places.

Event Location:
111 West Main Street
El Dorado, AR 71730

Contact:
For more general information or sponsorship opportunities, contact:
Beth Brumley: director@mainstreeteldorado.org
Krystal Swint: events@mainstreeteldorado.org
870-862-4747
Musicfesteldorado.com / www.facebook.com/musicfesteldorado

HOT SPRINGS WOMAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs woman was sentenced on August 20th to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court documents, Crystal Megan Huckaby, age 39, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in Hot Springs, Arkansas area.

In March of 2022, while conducting a narcotics investigation on Huckaby, detectives with the Hot Springs, Police Department (HSPD) and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), were able to complete a controlled purchase of 54.68 grams of pure methamphetamine from Huckaby.

 U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Hot Springs Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. 

ASP ARRESTS YELL COUNTY WOMAN FOR THEFT
August 21, 2024
DANVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas State Police (ASP) has charged a Yell County woman with Theft of Property, a Class B felony, following an investigation into approximately $40,000 missing from accounts she managed while employed at the Yell County Sheriff’s Office.

ASP arrested Chasity Gault, 49, on August 21, 2024, after she surrendered at the Yell County Detention Center. She was booked and released on personal recognizance by Special Judge Randy Wright.  Gault is the wife of Yell County Sheriff Nick Gault.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN SECURES DEFAULT JUDGMENT IN BIG COUNTRY CHATEAU CASEGriffin: ‘The former owners of Big Country Chateau continued their disregard for the court and its authority by failing to show up today’ 
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after a Pulaski County Circuit Court granted a default judgment against the former owners of Big Country Chateau apartments in Little Rock:

“The former owners of Big Country Chateau continued their disregard for the court and its authority by failing to show up today. Today’s default judgment allows my office to seek relief and hold them accountable for their detestable behavior against Arkansans.

“I am grateful for the efforts of Assistant Attorney General Amanda Wentz and thank her for her diligence in seeking justice in this case.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS SECRETARY OF STATE IN ABORTION ADVOCATES’ LAWSUIT
Griffin: ‘The people rule in Arkansas, through the law’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the Arkansas Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision in Cowles v. Thurston confirming the Arkansas Secretary of State properly rejected the paid canvasser signature submissions supporting the Arkansas Abortion Amendment:

“The people rule in Arkansas, through the law. Changing the Arkansas Constitution involves a rigorous process requiring strict adherence to the law. The Arkansas Supreme Court confirmed today that the abortion advocates failed to follow the law that other ballot committees had successfully followed for over a decade since Governor Mike Beebe signed the law governing paid canvassers in 2013. This is a win for the rule of law in Arkansas and for those who have followed the rules for years to participate in the state’s ballot initiative process. 

“I thank and congratulate Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni, Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs, and Senior Assistant Solicitor General Asher Steinberg for their tireless work and diligence to successfully defend the law of our state.”

LABOR DAY DWI PREVENTION CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF WITH JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT SATURATION IN EAST ARKANSAS
August 21, 2024
WYNNE, Ark. -- On Friday, August 16, 2024, from noon to 11:59 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP), along with the Cross County Sheriff’s Office and the Wynne Police Department, performed a joint operation to crack down on impaired driving. During the initiative, law enforcement arrested six drivers for Driving While Intoxicated and issued 120 citations, including 22 for speeding, three for not wearing seat belts, five for hazardous violations and 56 non-hazardous violations. During the 12-hour operation, law enforcement seized illegal narcotics that included marijuana and methamphetamine.

Twenty individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants, including five for felony warrants. Troopers and partnering law enforcement officers made contact with more than 350 motorists.

From August 16 to Sept. 2, 2024, spanning the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is joining forces with Arkansas law enforcement for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. This initiative seeks to deter individuals from driving under the influence and to prevent the recurrence of tragic events witnessed during previous Labor Day weekends.

In 2022, there were 643 traffic fatalities. Out of these, 153 involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. During the 2022 Labor Day Holiday period, there were five traffic fatalities, with one involving a drunk driver.
 

ASP SATURATES PULASKI COUNTY SCHOOL ZONE ON FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
August 20, 2024
On Monday, August 19, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) conducted a targeted school zone enforcement on Arkansas Highway 10 in western Pulaski County near Joe T. Robinson Schools. Monday was the first day of school in the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) and near the first anniversary of the death of PCSSD school security officer Victor Montgomery.

From 7 to 9 a.m., ASP issued 16 citations: nine for speeding and seven for non-hazardous traffic violations. During the 2-hour school zone saturation, Troopers made 22 contacts with motorists.

On August 14, 2023, Montgomery was directing traffic at Joe T. Robinson Elementary School on the first day of school when he was suddenly struck by a vehicle and dragged several yards before coming to a stop. Montgomery was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later passed away. Montgomery had served with PCSSD for seven years at the time of his death.

In January of 2024, ASP and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office arrested Desmond Chukwunwike Nkala, 55, charging him with manslaughter in connection with Montgomery’s death. Nkala is scheduled for a jury trial on October 2, 2024.

WORLD’S LARGEST BREWERY COLLECTIBLES SHOW!
The world’s largest beer cans and brewery collectibles show is coming to Little Rock, Arkansas. Our collecting Trade Floor is the highlight of the 53rd., CANvention of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America. A show open to the public will be held on Friday & Saturday, August 30 & 31, 2024, in the Governors Hall of the Statehouse Convention Center and the Marriott in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Anyone interested in brewery advertising, beer cans, “Man Cave” decorations or brewery history — from ardent collectors to the curiosity seekers — will have an opportunity to see this unique hobby in action. It is called a CANvention because the founders began by collecting beer cans.          

Dazzling displays of beer-related collectibles will fill tables on the show floor:

*Beer cans: From every era since 1935 — the first commercial beer can was marketed in Richmond, VA that year— including those issued by craft breweries.
*Beer advertising: Neon, light-up and metal signs, tap handles, mugs, steins, trays and much more that were issued by craft and defunct traditional breweries. We call it breweriana! 

Beer-related items from breweries based in Little Rock — Vino’s, Lost Forty, Diamond Bear, and Flyway — will be available, as well as collectibles from Arkansas’s dozens of craft breweries and other breweries and beer brands the world over.

Expert collectors and brewery historians will be available to answer questions about the breweriana and the BCCA.

The show’s most unusual spectacle is the always-entertaining Rusty Bunch Chapter beer can dump. Starting at noon in the Statehouse Convention Center, collectors young and old will frantically wade into a gigantic pile of thousands of empty beer cans to gather as many as their hands, boxes or bags can hold.

Well over 400 U. S. and international BCCA members and their guests will travel to Little Rock.

What:              Brewery Collectibles Club of America’s 53rd CANvention public show
Where:            The Statehouse, 426 W Markham St., Main Hall, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
When:              Friday-Saturday, August 30-31, 2024 
Hours:              Friday: Noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.  

Admission:  $20 for Friday and Saturday; $10 for Saturday only, payable at the registration table near the Grand Ballroom. $10 of the admission fee can be applied towards an annual BCCA membership when joining during this CANvention. Walk-in visitors will receive a badge that must be worn at all times while attending CANvention. NO outside collectibles are allowed to be brought onto the trade floor by walk-in visitors.                                                                                                                                       

SEMINAR FACTS
Friday, August 30, 2024Educational seminars are an integral part of CANventions. They are not open to the
general public, but media representatives and Walk-Ins are welcome to attend.   This year’s seminar, A History of Beer & Southern Brewing will be presented by Scott Mertie on Friday August 30, from 1-2 p.m. near the Main Ballroom. Scott Mertie is the owner of the Nashville Brewing Company as well as being a long time Southern Beer Historian and Author.                                          

BCCA FACTS
On April 15, 1970, seven St. Louis collectors founded the Beer Can Collectors of America. To reach out to collectors of beer advertising and related items, the name was changed to the Brewery Collectibles Club of America in 2003.

The BCCA is a non-profit, international organization. Its primary mission is to inform and educate its members about beer collectibles and the history of breweries, including the cultural roles they have played. We welcome anyone to become a member.

It has more than 3,000 members from the United States, Canada and 17 other countries; 94 active chapters: 89 in the U. S., three in Canada and one each in Australia and Brazil. Six members of the Tontine Chapter will be attending their 53rd. consecutive CANvention: five from the Playboy Chapter their 52nd.  Both are remarkable accomplishments!

 The BCCA publishes the Beer Cans & Brewery Collectibles magazine six times a year.  It is filled with feature stories, commentaries, and photographs.  The BCCA website www.bcca.com provides a list of all known U. S. craft breweries, breweriana show listings, feature stories and links to other beer collectibles and brewery history websites.

 
HOT SPRINGS WOMAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENSE
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs woman was sentenced yesterday to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute More Than Fifty (50) Grams of Methamphetamine.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court documents, Teri Lee Patton, age 41, was identified by law enforcement to be distributing methamphetamine in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area.

Between the months of February of 2023 and March of 2023, investigators were able to conduct multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Patton.

On March 15, 2023, a search was conducted at Patton’s residence, resulting in investigators locating and seizing approximately 448.54 grams of pure methamphetamine.  The methamphetamine seized during the search warrant and from the controlled purchases was subsequently forwarded to the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory for confirmatory testing and determined to be a total of 523.27 grams of pure methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Hot Springs Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES ARREST OF FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDER FOR THEFT
Griffin: ‘Corruption in any form is reprehensible, but violating the trust that Arkansans have in public servants is particularly egregious’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after an investigation by his office’s Public Integrity Unit led to the arrest of Melissa Ann Anthony-Ratliff, 36, a former employee of the city of Alexander, in Memphis, Tennessee:

“I commend the agents in my office’s Public Integrity Unit who worked diligently to investigate this case. Corruption in any form is reprehensible, but violating the trust that Arkansans have in public servants is particularly egregious.”

Anthony-Ratliff’s arrest came after Public Integrity Unit agents and staff at Arkansas Legislative Audit conducted a financial review showing that, in 2021 and 2022, she claimed to have worked many more hours than she actually did. Those false claims led to her being paid more than twice her annual salary over those years. 

Anthony-Ratliff was arrested on July 25 and charged with theft of property, a class B felony. She was extradited from Memphis to Pulaski County, where she is currently incarcerated at the Pulaski County Jail being held on a $10,000 bond.

CAMDEN FAIRVIEW SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET
The Camden Fairview Board of Education will have their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. At Garrison Auditorium

The agenda is as follows
*Introduction of new employees
Call to order
Student hearings
Approval of minutes of previous meetings

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation to join Arkansas School Board Association.
Recommendation to fund band and athletic budgets for the 24-25 school year.
Presentation and recommendation of resolution for 7.20 electronic fund transfers.
Presentation and recommendation to approve changes to licensed personnel policies.
Presentation and recommendation to approve changes to classified personnel policies.
Presentation and recommendation to add cross country to the list of stipends. The amount of the stipend is $2000.00.
Presentation and recommendation of School Resource Officer contracts for the 24-25 school year.
Presentation on legislation affecting school athletic facility rentals- Andre Toney
Facility Rentals
Data and performance- Tara Armstrong
Superintendent’s report to the Board
Financial report
Personnel
Hiring
Resignation

STUDENT ART COMPETITION AT THE SOUTHARK EXPO
Join us at the Hero Student Art Contest, sponsored by The Systems Group, in Commemoration of Our Heroes at the 25th SouthArk Outdoor Expo. The contest is open to K-12 students from Union County Schools.

All entries will be displayed at the Outdoor Expo on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in the El Dorado Conference Center.

Theme: Students are encouraged to use critical thinking skills in

their works of art to address the question “Who is My Hero?” Each student’s work must somehow incorporate a creative acknowledgment of their “hero” whom they view as courageous. This could be military personnel, first responders, health professionals, or their own family member or personal friend whom they view as a “hero.”

ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ICAC ARRESTS WARREN MAN ON CHILD PORN CHARGES
August 16, 2024
WARREN, Ark. — On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Special Agents arrested Rocky Goodwin, 86, of Warren, for Distributing, Possession, or Viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.

In May of 2024, agents with ASP’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) executed a search warrant at Goodwin’s residence in Warren after multiple Cyber Tips were reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

A laptop computer located at the home was seized and analyzed during the investigation. That analysis identified several known Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images along with an internet history related to CSAM material.

Goodwin was transported by ASP to the Dallas County Detention Center, where his bond was set at $150,000.
 

ARKANSAS STATE POLICE AND U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE CLEARED IN FATAL SHOOTING OF LITTLE ROCK MAN IN DEVALLS BLUFF STANDOFF
August 16, 2024
The 17th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney, Rebecca Reed McCoy, determined Arkansas State Police (ASP) and the U.S. Marshals Service used appropriate and reasonable deadly force in the shooting death of Darrell Lawayne Esau II after a standoff in DeValls Bluff on July 25, 2024.

U.S. Marshals and ASP attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Esau, 32, of Little Rock, around 9 a.m. on July 25. Esau was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Little Rock, Sherwood, and Pulaski County and was sought as an absconder by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (ACC). Active warrants included four counts of terroristic act, felon in possession of a firearm, and battery in the first degree. Esau had previously been convicted of homicide charges.

Due to the violent nature of the charges in the arrest warrant, officers used a public address system in an attempt to call Esau out of his residence. Esau did not respond to the demands to exit the residence. Within approximately 15 seconds of officers breaching the front door of the residence, Esau fired three shots through the roof of his mobile home, and in less than one minute, Esau began shooting at officers.

Members of the ASP Emergency Response Team, SWAT, and hostage negotiation teams arrived on the scene. The ASP SWAT team attempted to negotiate with Esau and made multiple attempts to get him to surrender; however, the efforts for a less-than-lethal resolution to the standoff were unsuccessful.

A numerous amount of spent shell casings of various calibers were also discovered in multiple locations in the residence from six different weapons, which included fully automatic and high-powered rifles, commonly referred to as "assault weapons." Those firearms were used at various times by Esau to fire at officers, their vehicles, and the ASP armored BearCat.

At approximately 1:02 p.m., ASP SWAT officers fatally shot Esau.

STATE AUDITOR DENNIS MILLIGAN FINDS MONEY FOR ARKANSAS NONPROFITS
Unclaimed money totals over $115,000
August 16, 2024 (Little Rock) – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan, whose office administers the state’s unclaimed property program, the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, recently located more than $115,000 for nonprofit organizations across the state.

“In advance of National Nonprofit Day, I asked my team to prioritize finding unclaimed property belonging to nonprofit organizations within the state,” Milligan said. “During this search of our database at ClaimItAR.gov, I found more than $115,000 belonging to nonprofits that serve our communities.

“I mailed letters to several nonprofits throughout the state on Aug. 7 notifying them of their unclaimed property,” Milligan continued.

National Nonprofit Day is August 17^th.

To help recognize National Nonprofit Day, Milligan delivered a check worth $40,858.10 to United Methodist Children’s Home in Little Rock on Aug. 13.

“We’re eager to work with Arkansas nonprofits to get their money back to them where it belongs,” Milligan said, adding that organizations can visit the state’s unclaimed property database at www.claimitar.gov to see if they have money to claim.

Unclaimed property consists of financial accounts, including (though not limited to): abandoned checking or savings accounts; utility deposits that were not returned; overpayments; life insurance proceeds; stock or mutual fund shares, etc. In some cases, it includes tangible items left behind in safe deposit boxes.

Milligan explained that when owners abandon an account – typically through a move or a death – and the original company (e.g., a bank, an electric company, etc.) cannot locate the owner, the money or properties from the abandoned account are deemed “unclaimed” and submitted to his office.

“I am required by state law to try to return these unclaimed funds to their rightful owners,” Milligan said. “Since I took office in January 2023, we’ve returned more than $52 million to citizens through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt.”

To see if you or your organization might have unclaimed property in the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, visit www.claimitar.gov.
 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
August 16, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Transportation estimates that in 2027 and 2028 about $2.2 billion of new projects will be added to its list of highway improvements.

That estimate comes from the department’s chief engineer for preconstruction, in an interview in the summer issue of the agency’s magazine.

Of all state agencies, the Transportation Department has perhaps the most active communications office.  For safety reasons, the public has to be kept up to date about the status of highway projects and changes in road conditions due to bad weather.

One example is I Drive Arkansas, an app that is found at @idrivearkansas. It allows you to check road conditions, and plan trips around construction projects or winter weather.

The department sends out more news releases than other state agencies, because of the need to notify the public ahead of time about roadwork that requires the closing of lanes, ramps or sections of highway. For example, already in August the department has sent out 17 press releases.

Department officials hold numerous public hearings to gather input about proposed highway projects and those must be publicized. The department also keeps contractors up to date on projects so that they can submit bids for work. That entails providing contractors with mountains of accurate information, ranging from specifications for different types of asphalt that must be used to the financial requirements a contractor must comply with in order to be bonded.

One of the go-to sources of information for legislators, highway officials and the general public is the department’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

The document outlines what the department is working on, over a four-year period. The federal government, which provides hundreds of millions in grants for highway projects, requires all 50 states to maintain a version of STIP that covers four fiscal years. Federal funds cannot be spent on any highway projects that have not been listed in the STIP.

The STIP is fiscally conservative, because it cannot include more projects than the Transportation Department can afford to complete.

The current STIP covers fiscal years 2023 through 2026 and includes 814 projects costing about $4.4 billion. They cover 4,100 miles of highway and 270 bridges.

In Arkansas the STIP is updated every two years, so the next version will include new projects that will be added in 2027 and 2028.

Traditionally, highway projects fall into three major categories – improvements for safety reasons, maintenance to preserve the integrity of the existing highway system and capital improvements/economic development.

When the new projects for 2027 and 2028 are added to STIP, funding will be distributed with 75 percent going for maintaining the existing highway system and 25 percent going for capital improvement, economic development projects.

A lot of input is gathered before a project is officially listed in STIP. The public and civic leaders offer their opinions. The department’s traffic safety division and local police departments collect and submit data about wrecks and traffic accidents.

Another division submits data about traffic flow, such as the number of vehicles that use a stretch of highway and how many of those are heavy trucks. Staff must consider whether or not a section of highway should be widened, because it may not be able to safely handle the increased volume of traffic.

 

ARKANSAS’ UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS STABLE AT 3.3% IN JULY
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 16, 2024)— Today, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, announced Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 3.3% between June and July. The United States jobless rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point, increasing from 4.1% in June to 4.3% in July.  

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:
The size of Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 5,129 in July, as the number of employed rose by 4,918 over the month. Civilian labor force and employment both remain at record high levels for a fifth consecutive month, as the labor force participation rate rose to 57.9% in July.

Compared to July 2023, there are 18,622 more employed Arkansans. The civilian labor force is up 20,847, with an additional 2,225 unemployed residents actively looking for work. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is up three-tenths of a percentage point, rising from 57.6% in July 2023 to 57.9% in July 2024.

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
Nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 15,000 in July, attributed in large part to seasonal declines related to summer break at schools. Jobs in Government are down 11,000, all in local (-9,700) and state (-1,500) educational services. Declines were also posted in Other Services (-2,000), Professional and Business Services (-1,700), and Construction (-1,500). Hiring occurred in Financial Activities (+900) and Information (+500).

Compared to July 2023, nonfarm payroll jobs are up 31,400. Private Education and Health Services added 10,900 jobs, mostly in Health Care and Social Assistance (+8,600). Notable growth was also reported in Professional and Business Services (+6,300), Leisure and Hospitality (+3,700), Construction (+3,400), and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (+2,900).

USACE VICKSBURG DISTRICT’S LAKE OUACHITA TO HOST VOLUNTEER CLEANUP DAY
MOUNTAIN PARK, Ark. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District’s Lake Ouachita Field Office, in partnership with Friends of Lake Ouachita, Lake Ouachita State Park, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful, will host a Lake Ouachita cleanup on Saturday, September 14th, 2024.

Volunteers may choose to meet at one of two locations on Ouachita. On the west side of Lake Ouachita, volunteers will meet at Tompkins Bend day use area at 8:00 a.m. and the cleanup will be held from

8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Boaters are encouraged to assist in the cleanup by cleaning islands and coves near Shangri La Resort. Volunteers may also hike and clean the shorelines near Tompkins Bend or the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.         

Volunteers wishing to clean the east side of Ouachita will meet at Lake Ouachita State Park marina boat ramp. The state park will provide a boat for the cleanup which will depart at 8:00 a.m. and return at 11:00 a.m.       

Community leaders, scout groups, and all community volunteers wishing to help keep Ouachita clean and accessible to our families and visitors will be provided gloves, bags, and bottles of water at check in.

In addition, volunteers may take part throughout the year by picking up free trash bags at one of the Lake Ouachita boat ramps. Simply look for the Grab-A-Bag sign and clean throughout the year.

For additional information on Lake Ouachita State Park cleanup, please contact Emily Stubblefield at (501) 293-3375 to sign up or email her at emily.stubblefield@arkansas.gov.

The address for Lake Ouachita State Park is: 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine, AR, 71956

The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.

 

BOOZMAN SHARES MEMORIES OF ROGERS VETERAN
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Chris Traxson in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans. 

Traxson was born in Rogers and graduated from Rogers High School in 1999. He attended Northwest Arkansas Community College before enrolling at the University of Arkansas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. 

He served as a police officer for his hometown and, after a year in that role, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. 

Traxson is from a family with a history of military service, including his dad who was drafted during the Vietnam War, and was inspired to help in the War on Terror. 

“It was a time when I felt like I wanted to do more. There was a lot going on in the Middle East,” he said. “I just felt like I was in a place in my life from the physical fitness standpoint and maturity level where I thought I could go in and help with the effort.” 

Traxson was encouraged to join the Marines by some of his law enforcement colleagues who were veterans of the branch. He wanted to serve on the frontlines and was convinced the Marine infantry division was the quickest path to combat. He also appreciated its proud tradition.

He was 24 years old when he attended bootcamp, “I was definitely the old man, they kinda came to me for that fatherly guidance even though I wasn’t a father. And it was the same in infantry school as well.”

In 2006 he learned his unit was attaching to another from Detroit as part of a large battalion build up that would eventually be deployed to Fallujah, Iraq.

Traxson arrived in Fallujah two years after the battles of 2004 and said the locals were just beginning to return to the city. However, there was severe property damage and a lot of hostility.

“In the first two weeks we were there it was extremely quiet and then after that two-week period things started popping off. We were getting enemy contact almost every day. And I had to ask, ‘Why was it so quiet those first two weeks?’ and they informed me that they were watching us,” Traxson recalled. “They knew we were a new unit.”

Traxson said he had to be ready to go at a moment’s notice, so after long days out on a mission, the marines had to have their gear and vehicles prepared for the next time they would be called upon. His assignment was to ride in the turret of the Humvee operating the machine gun and watching the roadway for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

He’d only been in Iraq four weeks when he was injured by an IED.

“I wasn’t even supposed to go out that day,” he said. He was given the option to sit out for 48 hours because his team had rolled over an explosive device on its last mission. However, he was cleared to participate and decided to join. 

He doesn’t remember a lot about the explosion but recalled the doors of the vehicle blew off. “I had taken off running because I was on fire,” he said.

The marines in his Humvee were loaded onto a truck and taken to the hospital. Three weeks later he woke up at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

He had third-degree burns on 56 percent of his body. In the two years of recovery, he had more than 70 surgeries.

His mother, a nurse, quit her job in Arkansas to help take care of him and advocate on his behalf while he was in recovery. “She wanted to make sure I had somebody to speak for me,” he said. 

During his recovery, he received letters from his fellow marines updating him on friends in his unit. “Obviously, [we’d] suffered casualties and they would let me know about who those were,” he said. “Some of them I was close to so it was hard not being able to go to their funerals.” 

Traxson received a Purple Heart for his sacrifice. “No one wants to get a Purple Heart, but I’m happy to accept it.”

He was discharged in 2009 and worked part-time at a local store as he continued his healing while also serving as a security guard at Northwest Arkansas Community College for eight years. He graduated from business school in 2013 and today works at the Benton County Veterans Service Office where he helps veterans in getting the benefits and services they’ve earned. “My experience makes it a lot easier for them to talk to me.”

He has been honored to talk to students about his journey and encourages them to be optimistic in addition to aspiring to a lifetime of public service whether in the military or other civic engagement. 

“Some of the best people I ever met were people in uniform,” he said. “They came from all over the country. They were all different colors, religions and that’s the thing I like about the military is that when you go in there, we all wear the same uniform. We’re not anything else but the uniform we wear. I learned a lot from the people I served with. They made me better.”

“Chris Traxson honorably served his country and has made a great sacrifice. His perseverance and determination are an inspiration to us all. I’m proud to capture and preserve his memories of his service for the benefit of future generations,” Boozman said. 

Boozman submitted Traxson’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.

Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEET
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen met in regular session Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

Mayor Charlotte Young called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00 pm. The Invocation was offered by Rev. Scott Knight, Pastor of the Cullendale Assembly of God Church located at 3250 Cash Rd SW in Camden. The invocation was followed by the Pledge Of Allegiance.

City Clerk City Clerk Donna Stewart called the roll. Aldermen Chris Aregood , Ed Winters, Gerald Castleberry, Joe Askew, Brady Renix and L.E. Lindsey were all in attendance. Aldermen Marvin Moore and William McCoy were absent but both arrived after the Pledge just prior to the roll call.

The Council had two sets of minutes to approve. The Minutes of Regular Scheduled Meeting dated July 9, 2024 were presented in print. Motion was made and seconded. The Minutes passed by unanimous vote. They then moved to the Minutes of Special Called Meeting dated July 11, 2024. The minutes were presented in print.  The Minutes passed by unanimous vote.

The Financial Report for July 2024 was presented in print. Motion was made and seconded.  There was some discussion.  The vote was split and the financial report was not approved.

During audience participation and number of residents spoke regarding the financial reports that have not been approved for several years. They all voiced the same concern with several calling for a forensic audit.

The Mayors Report included a presentation by (TRM&P) Turner, Rodgers, Manning & Plyler, PLLC – Accounting Services for the City of Camden.  Jake Plyler gave a brief overview of the company. There was a lengthy discussion. The question of a forensic audit was again broached.

The Mayor then stated that the yearly Legislative audit is upcoming and it will be a forensic audit.

Additional checks are being made in the Housing Areas.

There was on one item under old business Ordinance No. 09-24, an ordinance amending section 6, Building and Building Regulations, Article II,   Plumbing of the City of Camden, Arkansas Code of Ordinances, adopting by reference the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code and the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; and for other purposes. This was the second reading. Motion was made and seconded. The Ordinance will be up for a third and final vote next month.

The Council then moved on to new business.  Ordinance No. 10-24, an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 7-02 assessing a lien on certain property located at 1049 Cook Ave. Motion was made and seconded to move the ordinance to the final reading. The motion passed. Motion was made and seconded to approve the ordinance. There was a short discussion regarding Amending the amount from $800.00 to $900.00. Motion was made and seconded to approve as amended. The Ordinance passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 36-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of Chip Seal Resurfacing for the Public Works Street Department. Motion was made and seconded. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 37-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of 2” Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay for the Public Works Street Department. Motion was made and seconded. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 38-24, a resolution awarding the bid for oils and lubricants. Motion was made and seconded. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 39-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2024 F150 Crew Cab Pickup for the Code Enforcement Department. Motion was made and seconded. This was for a truck that was involved in an accident last year. Insurance covered about half of the cost. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Resolution No. 40-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2024 F150 Regular Cab     Pickup for the Public Works Parks Department. Motion was made and seconded. There were questions as to why this truck was needed. It was explained that there are old trucks that are in need of repair. There was a discussion as to how the trucks are being driven. There are 39 people and trucks are driven by different employees day in and day out. The Resolution failed as Aldermen Lindsey, Castleberry, Winters and Aregood voting for and Aldermen Moore, Renix, Askew and McCoy voting no.

Resolution No. 41-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2024 F450 Crew Cab Pickup with platform service bed for the Public Works Street Department. Motion was made and seconded.. The Resolution passed with the Mayor had to cast a tie breaking vote. Aldermen Lindsey, Castleberry, Winters and Aregood voted for the Resolution and Aldermen Moore, Renix, Askew and McCoy voted no.

Resolution No. 42-24, a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease extension with the Women’s  Crisis Center of South Arkansas, Inc.  Motion was made and seconded. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote.

There was a discussion regarding the Camden Fire Department Short Term Position. Chief Covington had a letter in the Aldermen’s packet detailing his request. It is a temporary position. Motion was made and seconded. Passed by unanimous vote.

L. E. Lindsey asked that the Council find a way to honor L. C. Buckshot Smith. Renaming a street or building after him are some ideas. The consensus was to name the PD after him. A Resolution will be on the agenda next month.

The meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM. The next scheduled meeting will be on September 10, 2024.

CHRISTIAN HEALTH CENTER/HUB TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE
The Christian Health Center / The Hub is hosting a LifeShare Blood Drive next Tuesday, August 20^th, from 3:
00 PM until 6:00 PM.  Attached are flyers with more information. You may sign up through this link: https://donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/274363. Everyone is encouraged and challenged  to donate if possible to help save lives. We never know if we or one of our loved ones will need blood. See Christian Health Center and The Hub’s Facebook page for more information.
 

REMINDER: DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER
August 14, 2024
From August 16 through September 2, which includes the Labor Day holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign. The goal is to deter impaired driving and prevent the tragedies seen in previous Labor Day weekends from happening again. 

During the 2022 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. September 2 TO 5:59 a.m. September 6), there were 490 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 490 traffic fatalities, 39% (190) involved a drunk driver, and a quarter (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2022, 47% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

"Our first priority is to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “Drunk driving is illegal, and it takes lives. Help us protect our state and put an end to this senseless behavior.”

Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get home. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive and help them get a sober ride home.

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 while impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.
Always buckle up. Your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities. 
 

MOTHER PLEADS GUILTY IN BOY'S DEATH, GIRL'S INJURIES
August 13, 2024
MARIANNA, Ark. — On Thursday, August 8, 2024, Ashely Rolland, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of Permitting Abuse of a Minor in Lee County Circuit Court in connection with the 2022 death of her 5-year-old son in the Moro community, west of Marianna in Lee County. Rolland was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

The body of Blu Rolland, 5, was uncovered beneath a floor inside his family’s home on December 16, 2022, the day he would have turned 6. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police’s (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division.

Special Agents also investigated injuries sustained by her 6-year-old daughter who lived in the home.

ASP arrested Nathan Bridges, 34, and Rolland and transported the couple to the Lee County Detention Center.

On Monday, July 15, 2024, Bridges pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder and First-Degree Battery in the 2022 death of the 5-year-old. Bridges was sentenced to 60 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN CLEARS OWNERS OF FORT SMITH PROPERTY NEAR EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the results of his investigation into the ownership of property near Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith:

“In my investigation into the ownership of 4811 S. Zero Street in Fort Smith, I determined that there is no violation of Act 636 of 2023. 4811 S. Zero Street, LLC is not owned by, controlled by, or associated with any ‘prohibited foreign-party-controlled-business.’

“I thank the Secretary of Agriculture for alerting me to this issue and to the owners of 4811 S. Zero Street, LLC for their cooperation in the investigation. I also praise the diligence of the attorneys and agents in my office who handled this case.”
 

‘PORCH: AN ARCHITECTURE OF GENEROSITY’ EXHIBITION TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES AT THE 2025 VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE
The Department of State announces the selection of The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas, in partnership with Design Connects and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to represent the United States at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2025 with their exhibition, “PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity.”

The exhibition will focus on the representation of the United States through the contemporary manifestation of the porch in American architecture – a quintessential constructed place that is at once social and environmental, tectonic and performative, hospitable and intimate, generous and democratic. The porch is an unheralded American archetype, found at all scales in cities and towns, in every region of the country.  Through an exhibition design of multiple scales, experiences, media, and engagements, the commissioners and design team intend to spotlight the character, value, and contemporary purpose of the porch in American culture across the nation.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs supports and manages the official U.S. participation at the Venice Arts and Architecture Biennale.  U.S. representation at this global event ensures that the excellence, vitality, and diversity of the arts in the United States are effectively showcased abroad and provides an opportunity to engage foreign audiences to increase mutual understanding.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN LEADS 26-STATE AMICUS SUPPORTING WEST VIRGINIA TITLE IX APPEAL TO U.S. SUPREME COURT
Griffin: ‘I will continue fighting to protect girls’ sports teams and the opportunities of female athletes’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 25 other state attorneys general calling on the United States Supreme Court to take up West Virginia’s appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s law protecting girls’ sports: 

“Like Arkansas, West Virginia has a strong interest in safeguarding the benefits of equal access to athletic opportunities for women and girls. They deserve the opportunity to shine on a level playing field. Biological males should not be robbing females of their opportunity to compete for athletic accolades or scholarships, nor should they be threatening the safety of women in competition. I will continue fighting to protect girls’ sports teams and the opportunities of female athletes.”

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit blocked West Virginia’s “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which bans male athletes from playing on girls’ sports teams, saying the law violated Title IX. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to hear his appeal.

Griffin is leading the amicus brief with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall supporting the West Virginia appeal. They are joined by the state attorneys general of Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

OAKLAWN PRESIDENT LOUIS CELLA ANNOUNCES $500,000 DONATION TO RAZORBACK FOUNDATION, CHALLENGES ARKANSAS BUSINESSES TO CONTRIBUTE
Calling it an example of one great Arkansas sports institution lending a hand to another, Louis Cella announced today that Oaklawn has made a $500,000 contribution to the Razorback Foundation at the University of Arkansas.  In addition, he is asking for other Arkansas businesses to consider also making a contribution to support the Razorbacks.

Cella, a graduate of the University’s Law School, said it’s no secret these are tough financial times for college sports, especially those at the University of Arkansas.  “They are competing in the toughest conference in the nation, and regularly going up against schools with far greater resources,” said Cella.  “If the Razorbacks are going to remain competitive, it’s going to take backing from all of us.”

“The University sincerely appreciates what Louis and other business leaders are doing,” said Razorback head football coach Sam Pittman, “and Louis is correct.  This is what it is going to take for us to compete in the SEC and nationally.”

For more than 100 years, the two largest sports programs in Arkansas have been the Razorbacks and Oaklawn.  Cella pointed out it wasn’t that many years ago when Oaklawn was struggling itself, trying to somehow find a way to compete with all the changes in the racing industry.  “We know what it is like to feel outgunned,” he said.  “So I’m pleased to now be in a position where we can help.  I realize this doesn’t solve the financial crunch for U of A athletics.  But if more Arkansas businesses will consider pitching in too, it will be a huge step in the right direction for Razorback nation.”

Moving forward, Oaklawn is working on adding the Razorback Foundation to the Everi Cares Giving Module that is already installed on our gaming voucher kiosks which our patrons use to donate to local charities.

 

NEW NFIB SURVEY: INFLATION CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MAIN STREET
Inflation remained the number one operating issue for small business owners in July
LITTLE ROCK (August 13, 2024) – The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.2 points in July to 93.7, the highest reading since February 2022. However, this is the 31st consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. Inflation remains the top issue among small business owners, with 25% reporting it as their single most important problem in operating their business, up four points from June.

“Despite this increase in optimism, the road ahead remains tough for the nation’s small business owners,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Cost pressures, especially labor costs, continue to plague small business operations, impacting their bottom line. Owners are heading towards unpredictable months ahead, not knowing how future economic conditions or government policies will impact them.”

Though state-specific data is unavailable, NFIB State Director Katie Burns urged Congress to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent to provide Main Street with greater certainty in the months ahead.

“Inflation remains the single biggest problem facing small business owners here in Arkansas and across the country. As Main Street feels the squeeze of rising costs, the uncertainty of future economic conditions and government policies exacerbates the challenges of owning and operating a small business. Congress can help relieve the uncertainty by making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.”

Key findings include:
Seasonally adjusted, a net 33% reported raising compensation in July, down five points from June and the lowest reading since April 2021.
A net 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, up four points from June. The last time inventory investment plans were positive was in October 2022.
The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes rose four points in July to a net negative 9% (seasonally adjusted), the highest reading of this year.
The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell five points from June to a seasonally adjusted net 22%.
Seasonally adjusted, a net 24% plan price hikes in July (down two points). This is the lowest reading since April 2023.
Thirty-eight percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up one point from June.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, a seasonally adjusted 38% of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in their current period, up one point from June. Of the 57% of owners hiring or trying to hire in July, 86% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.

Fifty-four percent of owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, up two points from June. Of those making expenditures, 36% reported spending on new equipment, 22% acquired vehicles, and 15% improved or expanded facilities. Ten percent spent money on new fixtures and furniture and 7% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. Twenty-three percent (seasonally adjusted) plan capital outlays in the next six months, unchanged for the third consecutive month.

A net negative 16% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes rose four points to a net negative 9% (seasonally adjusted), the highest reading of this year.

The net percent of owners reporting inventory gains fell six points to a net negative 9%, the lowest since August 2020. Not seasonally adjusted, 11% reported increases in stocks and 17% reported reductions.

A net negative 4% (seasonally adjusted) of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in July, down two points from June. A net 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, up four points from June. The last time this was positive was in October 2022.

The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell five points from June to a net 22% seasonally adjusted. Twenty-five percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business. Unadjusted, 13% reported lower average selling prices and 36% reported higher average prices.

Price hikes were the most frequent in the finance (57% higher, 6% lower), wholesale (47% higher, 9% lower), retail (40% higher, 14% lower), and construction (38% higher, 7% lower) sectors. Seasonally adjusted, a net 24% plan price hikes in July. This is the lowest reading since April 2023.

Seasonally adjusted, a net 33% reported raising compensation, down five points from June and the lowest reading since April 2021. A seasonally adjusted net 18% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down four points from June. Nine percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem, down two points from June and only four points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021. Nineteen percent said that labor quality was their top business problem, remaining behind inflation as the number one issue.

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends was a net negative 30% (seasonally adjusted), one point worse than June. Among owners reporting lower profits, 33% blamed weaker sales, 17% blamed the rise in the cost of materials, 11% cited labor costs, and 10% cited lower selling prices. For owners reporting higher profits, 45% credited sales volumes, 31% cited usual seasonal change, and 11% cited higher selling prices.

Two percent of owners reported that all their borrowing needs were not satisfied. Twenty-five percent reported all credit needs met and 62% said they were not interested in a loan. A net 6% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts.

Three percent of owners reported that financing was their top business problem in July, down one point from June.

The NFIB Research Center has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in July 2024.

SIBLINGS, AGES 7 AND 11, REPORTED MISSING FROM CAMDEN
** FOUND SAFE **
August 12, 2024 
CAMDEN, Ark. -- Authorities have reported that siblings reported missing yesterday from Camden in Ouachita County have been safely returned to their custodial parents.

Marcus Epps Jr., 11, and his sister, Armonii Epps, 7, were reported missing after last being seen at their grandfather’s residence on Buchanan Street in Camden around midnight on August 10, 2024, when their mother, Keibreana Mitchell, removed the children from the home. Mitchell, who has no custodial rights to the children, are unknown. There is a warrant for Mitchell’s arrest on two counts of Kidnapping.

 

ARREST MADE IN MARCH HOMICIDE IN CLARENDON
August 9, 2024
CLARENDON, Ark. – Arkansas State Police (ASP) Company A Special Agents arrested Antonio Jose Aldridge, 30, of Conway, charging him with First-Degree Murder in the death of Steven Anthony Tyler, 29, of Clarendon, which occurred in Clarendon on March 14, 2024.

Aldridge, who was also charged with Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons, was transported to the Monroe County Detention Center.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division was requested on March 14 after two victims were discovered shot inside a vehicle parked at 501 Harris Street in Clarendon. The second victim, a 61-year-old Clarendon man, was treated and released from a local hospitals.


ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN APPLAUDS SUCCESS IN SUIT HE CO-LED AFTER COURT BLOCKS UNLAWFUL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM
Griffin: ‘I will continue to…ensure that hardworking Americans aren’t stuck with the bill for loans that aren't theirs’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Biden-Harris administration’s unlawful student loan forgiveness program:

“The Eighth Circuit has once again blocked the Biden-Harris administration from implementing a blatantly illegal program that sought to erase student loans with no regard for the cost to taxpayers. The Biden-Harris administration is now 0-3 in its attempts to bypass Congress’s authority and unlawfully forgive student debt to score political points with the electorate.

“If the Biden-Harris administration continues to thwart the Constitution, I will continue to sue them and ensure that hardworking Americans aren’t stuck with the bill for loans that aren’t theirs.”

Griffin co-led the lawsuit challenging the unlawful program with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. They were joined in the suit by the attorneys general

BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS BACK-TO-BASICS SAFETY
August 9, 2024
August has arrived in Arkansas, marking the beginning of the new school year.

Arkansas State Police (ASP) wants to remind Arkansans that school days bring heavier traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons when school buses are picking up riders, parents are hurrying to drop off their kids before heading to work, and new drivers are hitting the roads, many for the first time in rush hour traffic.

On any given day during the school year, 350,000 children are riding school buses on Arkansas roadways.

ASP recommends the following guidelines for driving near school buses:
-- Always be cautious and attentive, especially before and after school hours.

-- If driving behind a school bus, maintain a greater following distance than behind a car. This will give you more time to stop when the yellow lights start flashing.

-- Never pass a school bus from behind or from either direction if you are on an undivided road and the bus has stopped to load or unload children. In Arkansas, drivers can be fined up to $2,500 or face up to 90 days in jail for illegally passing a stopped school bus.

-- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. This is a critical zone where alertness can prevent accidents.

-- Stop far enough back to allow school bus riders space to enter and exit the bus safely.

-- Be alert, as children are often unpredictable and may take risks when crossing the road to their destination.
Be attentive and patient with young, inexperienced drivers on the road. Remember, they are still learning and need understanding. ASP recommends that parents practice driving routes to school with new drivers to help them become familiar with traffic flow and potential dangers.

"Troopers will be diligently enforcing a strict zero-tolerance policy for any drivers who unlawfully pass a stopped school bus," said ASP Capt. Brad Lann. "There is no destination important enough to justify passing a stopped school bus and endangering the lives of children."

ASP also encourages commuters to leave a few minutes earlier than usual and anticipate increased traffic and potential delays during the school drop-off and pick-up times.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) IDrive app is an excellent source of information for checking for traffic delays and congested areas.

Capt. Lann will be available for on-camera interviews today from 2:30 to 4 p.m. To schedule an interview, contact Public Information Manager Nick Genty at Nick.Genty@ASP.Arkansas.gov or (501) 618-8234. 
 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
August 9, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – More than 3,000 families applied for Education Freedom Accounts during the first week of August, bringing the total number of applicants statewide to 15,365.

The Internet portal for applications had been closed over the summer and re-opened on July 29, when about 12,000 applications had been approved.

There is no scheduled deadline, as long as funding is available under the Arkansas LEARNS Act. The accounts expand school choice options by helping families pay tuition at private or parochial schools.

Last year the governor proposed and the legislature approved Act 237 of 2023, also known as the LEARNS Act. The 2024-2025 school year is the second year it has been in effect. It is being phased in over three years.

Last year students were eligible if they were first-time kindergarteners, or if they attended schools that got an “F” on school report cards or were enrolled in districts ranked at Level 5 for academic distress. Also eligible were children of active duty military members, as well as children with disabilities and children enrolled in kindergarten for the first time.

For the upcoming school year, eligibility is expanded to include students from a school that got a “D” on school report cards, children of military veterans and the children of emergency responders. Current or former foster children are eligible.

Also eligible are students from the Succeed Scholarship Program, which existed before the LEARNS Act was created.

Next year, the third year of the phase-in of the Education Freedom Accounts, all children are eligible.

Another way the LEARNS Act expands school choice is by repealing previous limits on the number of charter schools in Arkansas.

The LEARNS Act also provides bonuses of up to $10,000 for teachers as merit incentives. In June, the state announced that 3,000 teachers qualified for the bonuses because their students showed remarkable academic improvement or they acted as inspiring mentors to new teachers.

Also, they qualified if they taught in a part of the state, or in a subject matter, with a critical teacher shortage. The state Education Department has listed those subjects in which there is a critical shortage of teachers. They are computer science, foreign language, secondary math, secondary science and special education.

The act raised the minimum salary for teachers from $36,000 to $50,000, which benefited more than 15,240 teachers. Also benefitting were teachers who already earned $50,000 or more, because they received raises of $2,000.

Also, the LEARNS Act provides teachers 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Other provisions in the LEARNS Act expanded opportunities for high school students to enroll in college-level concurrent courses and receive college credits for passing them. Surveys indicate that students who take concurrent courses are more likely to obtain a college degree or certificate.

Under the LEARNS Act, Arkansas schools will recruit an additional 120 literacy specialists. The act provides $500 for families of students struggling to learn how to read in kindergarten through third grade, so they can hire a tutor.

The LEARNS Act requires high schools to develop a career-ready pathway towards a diploma, to prepare students for well-paying jobs if they choose not to go to college.
 

THE PENGUIN PROJECT HOSTS OPEN CALL FOR DISNEY’S “FINDING NEMO, KIDS” AUG 20 AT SAAC
The South Arkansas Arts Center is excited to announce an open call for the Penguin Project production of Disney’s “Finding Nemo, Kids,” designed for actors of differing needs and their peer mentors. Registration day will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 4:15-5:45pm, and is open to actors in grades 3-12 and to mentors grades 5-12. This inspiring event is under the direction of Lynn Gunter, with Music Director Cassie Hickman.

From its starring roles to its ensemble, The Penguin Project allows children with differing needs to perform in a live stage production in front of an audience. Each artist is paired with a mentor of a similar age who guides them through the production from start to finish helping them to learn lines, dances, songs, and stage blocking.  Each artist and their mentor operates as a symbiotic pair throughout the entire process, including appearing on stage together.

"We invite students to join us in the 'Big Blue World' starting August 20 for Registration Day." said Hickman. Students can register in the SAAC lobby from 4:15-4:45pm, followed by a cast meeting and theatre games for both actors and mentors from 4:45-5:45pm. The directors have planned some fun and creative theatre games designed to help identify which roles best suit each actor's talents and to make the best matches for the artist/mentor teams. 

Rehearsals will begin on Thursday, August 22, from 4:15-6:15pm, and will take place at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday for six weeks, culminating in performances Sept. 27 -28. Mentors can earn up to 40+ community service hours through their participation. 

"Finding Nemo, Kids" is a musical that follows the adventurous journey of a timid clownfish named Marlin and his spirited son, Nemo, who is captured by a diver and placed in a fish tank. With the help of Dory, a forgetful but friendly blue tang, Marlin embarks on a quest across the ocean to rescue his son. Along the way, they encounter various sea creatures, face challenges, and learn valuable lessons about bravery, friendship, and the importance of family. The musical features catchy songs, vibrant characters, and a heartwarming message.

“When I consider directing the Penguin Project, I can't help but think of the amazing faces of all the actors who have taken part in our program,” Gunter expressed. “I reflect on the obstacles they’ve overcome to make it to opening night and the immense pride they felt as the audience celebrated their performances. The joy and emotion from the parents are truly unforgettable. What do I cherish most about the Penguin Project? I love witnessing your children shine!”

For more information about The Penguin Project and to get involved, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474, visit our website at www.saac-arts.org, or drop by the SAAC at 110 E. 5th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN TO MEET
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen will met in regular session Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

The agenda is as follows:
CALL TO ORDER
B.  INVOCATION – Rev. Scott Knight, Pastor – Cullendale Assembly of God Church, 3250 Cash Rd SW, Camden, AR          
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. ROLL CALL
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
     1. Minutes of Regular Scheduled Meeting, July 9, 2024           
     2. Minutes of Special Called Meeting, July 11, 2024
F.  ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORT
     1. Financial Report for July 2024
G. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
H. MAYOR’S REPORT     
I. OLD BUSINESS         
     1.Ordinance No. 09-24, an ordinance amending section 6, Building and Building Regulations, Article II,   Plumbing of the City of Camden, Arkansas Code of Ordinances, adopting by reference the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code and the 2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code; and for other purposes. (Second Reading)
J.  NEW BUSINESS
     1. Ordinance No. 10-24, an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 7-02 assessing a lien on certain property located at 1049 Cook Ave.
     2. Ordinance No. 11-24, an ordinance rezoning certain properties located in Section 16, Township 13, Range 17 west, of the City of Camden, Arkansas.
     3. Resolution No. 36-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of Chip Seal Resurfacing for the Public Works Street Department.
     4. Resolution No. 37-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the installation of 2” Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay for the Public Works Street Department.
     5. Resolution No. 38-24, a resolution awarding  the bid for oils and lubricants.
     6. Resolution No. 39-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2024 F150 Crew Cab Pickup for the Code Enforcement Department.
     7. Resolution No. 40-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2024 F150 Regular Cab     Pickup for the Public Works Parks Department.
     8. Resolution No. 41-24, a resolution awarding the bid for the purchase of one(1) 2024 F450 Crew Cab Pickup with platform service bed for the Public Works Street Department.
     9. Resolution No. 42-24, a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease extension with the Women’s  Crisis Center of South Arkansas, Inc. 
K. OTHER BUSINESS
     1. Camden Fire Department Short Term Position
L.  ADJOURNMENT

FIVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL HEALTH CHECKLISTS
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 8, 2024) – Many Arkansas students will be returning to school next week, and many parents are busy preparing their children for the new academic year. While shopping for supplies and organizing schedules are important, ensuring your child stays healthy is equally crucial.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidelines to help parents address key health-related concerns before school starts. Here are five items to focus on to prepare your child for a safe and successful school year.

1. Updated Immunizations and Health Screenings
According to the CDC, keeping your child's immunizations up to date is one of the most effective ways to protect them and their classmates from vaccine-preventable diseases. Schools often require proof of vaccination before attendance, including shots for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio and chickenpox. In addition to immunizations, it is important to schedule routine health screenings, such as vision, hearing and dental checks. Detecting issues early can prevent them from interfering with your child’s learning.

2. Promoting Healthy Sleep Patterns
The CDC emphasizes that adequate sleep is crucial for children's physical health, emotional well-being and academic performance. However, many children do not get enough sleep, which can lead to difficulties with attention, behavior and learning. School-aged children typically need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, depending on their age. As the school year approaches, it is important to establish a consistent bedtime routine to help your child transition back to a school-friendly sleep schedule.

3. Focusing on Nutrition and Physical Activity
A balanced diet and regular physical activity are key components of a healthy lifestyle. The CDC recommends that children eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to support their growth and development. Breakfast is particularly important as it provides the energy needed for learning and concentration throughout the school day. Additionally, regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, building strong bones and muscles and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

4. Managing Stress and Mental Health
The CDC acknowledges the growing importance of mental health in children’s overall well-being. The start of a new school year can be stressful, particularly if your child is facing challenges such as adapting to a new school or dealing with academic pressures. It’s important to monitor your child for signs of stress or anxiety, which can manifest as changes in behavior, sleep disturbances or physical complaints like headaches or stomach aches.

5. Reinforcing Hygiene Practices to Prevent Illness
The CDC emphasizes the importance of teaching children proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness, particularly in school settings where germs can spread quickly. Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. If soap and water are not available, using hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Additionally, teach your child to avoid touching their face, particularly their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

From keeping immunizations current to reinforcing healthy sleep and hygiene habits, these proactive steps will set the stage for a successful school year. Taking care of your child's health now will not only benefit them but also contribute to the well-being of their classmates and school community. Learn more at cdc.gov/healthyschools.

About QualChoice Health Insurance
Since 1994, QualChoice has provided the best value in health benefits for Arkansas businesses. They’re committed to transforming the health of their community one person at a time and strive to make health insurance simple with an approach based on the core belief that quality healthcare is best delivered locally. 

QualChoice health plans and services are offered through QCA Health Plan, Inc. (QCA), a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Inc. (QCLHIC), both licensed with the State of Arkansas. All QualChoice entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC).

More information can be found at qualchoice.com.

ENTERGY ARKANSAS PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDING BACK-TO-SCHOOL NECESSITIES
Statewide efforts include school supplies, haircuts and new shoes
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The start of the new school year is just around the corner, and Entergy Arkansas hopes to help students start off on the right foot. Nearly $20,000 in charitable grants to nonprofits and school organizations will be used for local school supply and shoe drives, along with free haircuts. In addition, employee volunteers will assist with drop-offs and pickups at campuses across the utility’s 63-county service territory the first two weeks.

“A new semester brings a lot of excitement and opportunity for students, but sometimes hardships, too,” said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. “Helping to provide resources like school supplies, shoes or haircuts to those in need can alleviate some of the stress that families face in setting up their kids for success. Education plays a critical role in ensuring all individuals realize their full potential, build a future and contribute to society, which is why our charitable foundation focuses a large portion of resources on education and workforce development initiatives.”

Entergy Arkansas gives back to communities across the state by donating dollars, volunteering hours and advocating for policies to improve the lives of customers. Our back-to-school efforts are just the beginning of our commitment to further education in our communities. Entergy Arkansas is proud to be part of the Academies of Central Arkansas, as well as providing scholarships for students, supporting STEM education and enhancing opportunities for workforce training throughout the state.

For the second year in a row, Entergy Arkansas partnered with Hope Connectionz to provide haircuts to area students at Skillz Barbershop in Little Rock and JMyles Barbershop and Salon in Searcy. We also joined forces with the Boys and Girls Club to pass out free boxes of tissue and sanitizing wipes to students at the Malvern Chamber of Commerce back-to-school block party last week.

This past weekend, Entergy Arkansas volunteers were on hand at St. Mark Baptist Church, which held a school health fair and provided dental hygiene kits, vision and hearing tests, physical checkups and immunizations.

Students were given backpacks and meals, as well as information on the Kids to College powered by Entergy child savings plan. The no-cost savings account allows families to put money aside for post-secondary education, and qualified Entergy customers receive $50 for free, plus a match of up to $365 this year for every student 16 and younger in their household. For more information, visit www.entergy.com/csr/kids/ or call 501-372-0807 for assistance with the online registration process.

Remaining school supply events sponsored in part by Entergy Arkansas donations and volunteers include –

Aug. 7 – Douglas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 969 Smackover Hwy, El Dorado – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Aug. 9 – Arkansas County Enrichment Center, 702 E. Michigan St, Stuttgart- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 11 – Second Baptist Church, 1709 John Barrow Rd, Little Rock - 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 – Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits, 2512 State St, Little Rock- 1 p.m.to 3 p.m.
Aug. 11 – Lifeline Church, 7601 Baseline Rd, Little Rock- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 15 – Elaine School District, 100 College Ave, Elaine- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Aug. 17 – Main Street El Dorado, Downtown El Dorado- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For anyone still wanting to donate school supplies, “Stuff the Bus” donations can be dropped off at any Ouachita County Walmart store until Aug. 11.

Parents and students should also be on the lookout for Entergy Arkansas bucket trucks, along with line workers and others, who will be volunteering at several campuses during the first few days of the school year during morning drop-offs.

“A little encouragement can go a long way toward having a good day and a great start to the school year,” said Hinkle, “We want to provide smiles, supplies and a helping hand where we can.”

Heating and cooling costs make up more than 55% of an average customer’s electric bill. Entergy Arkansas’ Bill Toolkit has ways for customers to manage their energy usage and take more control of their electric bills. From Entergy Solutions programs to customized bill payment options, the toolkit can lead to bill savings for customers.

For more information, visit BillToolkit.entergy.com for the tools and resources you need to understand your bill, reduce your usage or look for assistance programs and services available to you.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN LEADS 14-STATE AMICUS IN SUPPORT OF TEXAS SUIT AGAINST BIDEN-HARRIS OVERTIME RULE
Griffin: ‘The rule is another example of the Biden-Harris administration trying to rewrite laws passed by Congress’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 13 other state attorneys general in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas supporting Texas’s motion for summary judgment in its suit against the U.S. Department of Labor and its rule regulating overtime pay for exempt employees: 

“The rule is another example of the Biden-Harris administration trying to rewrite laws passed by Congress. The new rule drives up costs for private businesses and forces state governments to increase budgets—hitting Americans’ pocketbooks twice.

“Texas has already secured a preliminary injunction stopping this rule, and I am proud to lead this coalition of states in supporting our neighbor asking to vacate this latest effort by the Biden-Harris administration to go around Congress in an election-year giveaway.”

Federal law exempts workers with “executive, administrative, and professional” duties from receiving overtime pay. For decades, the Labor Department has used salary as one factor in deciding when that applies. The new rule requires employers to provide overtime pay to salaried professional, administrative, and executive employees who are already highly paid and were previously exempt from overtime requirements by conditioning overtime exemptions primarily on workers’ pay rather than their duties.

Griffin is joined in the amicus brief by the attorneys general of Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

CADC TO DISTRIBUTE USDA COMMODITIES AUGUST 14 & 15, 2024 IN OUACHITA AND CALHOUN COUNTY
Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute USDA Commodities in Ouachita and Calhoun Counties Wednesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 15, 2024,  Distribution will begin at 9 am.

Food Items May Include:
UHT Milk, Grape Juice, Applesauce, Raisins, Spinach, Cream of Mushroom, Tomato Sauce, Dry Pinto Beans, Peanut Butter, Farina Wheat, Beef Stew, Can Pork, Can Chicken, Can Beef, Can Salmon, Macaroni

In Ouachita County, commodities will be distributed at the following location:
CARNES PARK, Carnes Park Dr, Camden

In Calhoun County, commodities will be distributed at the following location:
CADC Office, 210 South Lee Street, Hampton, AR (870) 626-0553

All customers receiving commodities must present identification. Photo ID Preferred

Must Meet Income Guidelines

MARKETING MASHUP - HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS CHANNELS OFFERED BY ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESS ANO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Discover the power of combining online and offline marketing strategies to enhance your brand's reach and customer engagement. This presentation will provide practical insights and actionable tips on how to create a seamless and unified marketing approach, ensuring consistent messaging, broader audience reach, and improved customer relationships. Join us to learn how to integrate the strengths of both digital and traditional marketing to drive business growth and success.

The Seminar will be August 13th from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at OPED located at 570 Ben Lane Camden.
 

‘ARKANSAS TREASURES’ RETURNS FOR SEASON 2 FILMING
Arkansans offered unique opportunity to bring antiques, collectibles for professional evaluation
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS is looking for more extraordinary and unexpected collectibles and antiques for a second season of “Arkansas Treasures” filming April 12-13, 2025, at the network’s studios in Conway. Registration for the event is required at myarpbs.org/arkansastreasures.

“Arkansas Treasures” encourages supporters from across the state to bring treasures from their attics, basements, barns and beyond to be evaluated by an expert (for entertainment purposes only) and potentially have their stories shared for the Season 2 broadcast. The series will feature several professional evaluators meeting with individuals to learn more about their heirlooms, collectibles and garage sale finds and viewers will get to hear the stories of how they acquired these items and how much each is potentially worth. Amory LeCuyer, owner and lead appraiser for Hampton House Auctions in Yorktown, Virginia, serves as lead appraiser for the production.

To provide a fair, secure and efficient experience, all attendees are required to register in advance. Admission for two people and evaluation of up to two items total is now available for a donation of $120 to Arkansas PBS Foundation; admission for two people and evaluation of three items is available for a donation of $150. As an added value for attendees, the donation for admission also includes a one-year Arkansas PBS membership; access to a rich collection of programs on-demand with Arkansas PBS Passport; and one year of Arkansas PBS Magazine featuring the network’s latest programming, news and highlights.

Due to occupancy restrictions, walk-ins cannot be accommodated, and registration is required for the event. A limited number of free lottery tickets will be made available closer to the April 2025 tapings.

EVENT GUIDELINES:
A list of frequently asked questions and more information can be found at myarpbs.org/arkansastreasures.

Items cannot exceed 50 pounds and must be easily carried by hand. For liability reasons, Arkansas PBS’s staff and volunteers are not permitted to assist with items. No items may be left unattended. Arkansas PBS’s professional evaluators will not evaluate coins, currency, stamps, vehicles, explosives, ammunition of any kind, glass fire extinguishers or items containing hazardous materials. Antique firearms must not be loaded; antique firearms and edged weapons will be inspected upon arrival.

Collectibles from anywhere around the world are welcome and do not need to have a local tie to Arkansas. A collection may be considered as a single item. However, if objects of the collection are bulky, attendees should bring a representative sampling of the collection. 

Examples of items that can be brought for evaluation include: artwork, antique firearms, books and historic documents, jewelry, toys and games, Civil War memorabilia, mineralogy and gemstones and agricultural collectibles.

 

ASP SEIZES 7,000 FENTANYL PILLS, PROMETHAZINE, MARIJUANA DURING I-40 TRAFFIC STOP
August 5, 2024
VAN BUREN, Ark. — On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at approximately 2 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) conducted a traffic stop on a 2024 White Nissan Altima near the 3-mile marker on Interstate 40 eastbound. During a search of the vehicle, Troopers discovered approximately 7,000 pills of Fentanyl,18 pints of promethazine/codeine syrup and illegal marijuana.

ASP took the driver and the passenger into custody. The two individuals told investigators they were traveling from Riverside, Calif., to Memphis, Tenn.

GOVERNOR SANDERS JOINS AEDC’S RURAL SERVICES DIVISION TO AWARD $334K TO 33 ARKANSAS COMMUNITIES
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 6, 2024) – The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services awarded $344,728.69 in grants to 33 Arkansas cities and counties.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented the grants, alongside AEDC officials, during an award ceremony at the Governor's Conference Room in Little Rock. Representatives from the Arkansas communities attended to accept the Rural Community Grant Program awards.

“These grants go a long way toward making sure that every corner of Arkansas – not just a few big cities – is taken care of,” said Governor Sanders. “These 33 recipients come from across our state, from Yellville to Mulberry. Each one of these grants provides their communities with the tools they need to make Arkansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The Rural Community Grant Program is one of the Division of Rural Services’ programs, which is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, walking trails, and baseball fields. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under the program.

“Rural communities play a major role in the economic success of our state,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “The grants awarded by AEDC’s Division of Rural Services will help rural communities throughout the state improve their infrastructure and quality of life amenities to benefit Arkansans.”

The grants are part of the Division of Rural Services’ second cycle of Fiscal Year 2024 grants. AEDC previously awarded $806,125 in grants to 29 Arkansas cities and counties during the 2024 Rural Development Conference in May.

“We are committed to working with and supporting rural communities in Arkansas to help them succeed,” said Becca Caldwell, director of the Division of Rural Services. “With the latest Rural Community Grant Program awards, thirty-three Arkansas cities and counties have additional resources and funding for important projects that will increase quality of life in their communities.”

For cities and counties interested in applying for Fiscal Year 2025 grants, the next application cycle deadline is August 8, 2024. More information about the programs, as well as deadlines, can be found at www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division.

These are the Arkansas communities receiving grants:
Center Hill Fire Department, $15,000
City of Foreman, $15,000City of Lakeview, $1,946.78
City of McNeil, $6,160.36
City of Mulberry, $3,847.84
City of Strong, $15,000
City of Sulphur Springs, $8,588.60
City of Winthrop, $15,000
City of Yellville, $6,098.75
Cord Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000
Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District, $14,433.08
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, $14,801.93
Etowah Volunteer Fire Department, $3,002
Grayson Fire Department, $15,000
Highfill Volunteer Fire Department, $14,915.92
Highway 250 Volunteer Fire Department, $5,718.31
Huntsville Fire Department, $6,562.50
Keo Fire Department, $13,244
Lake City Fire Department, $7,169.97
Leslie Volunteer Fire Department, $13,724.85
Lincoln Fire Department, $15,000
Lutherville-Holman Community, $11,162
Luton-Pelsor Volunteer Fire Department, $9,750
Norfork Fire Department, $14,406.04
Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District, $15,000
Pangburn Volunteer Fire Department, $7,124.25
Pike County, $4,041.52
Prim Fire Department, $14,630
Stone County, $15,000
Town of Franklin, $8,347.80
Tyronza Volunteer Fire Department, $3,832.20
Waldron Rural Fire Protection District, $1,250
Washington Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000


ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN PRAISES ‘WIN FOR ARKANSANS’ IN LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE
Griffin: ‘This ruling is a win for Arkansans and should send a message to all businesses that unlawful and unfair practices will not be tolerated’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled yesterday that Google had broken the law when it tried to ensure its market dominance in a lawsuit that Arkansas, the U.S. Department of Justice, and 13 other state attorneys general brought against the tech giant:

“This victory holds Google accountable for its anticompetitive acts that resulted in a stranglehold on online search markets. This ruling is a win for Arkansans and should send a message to all businesses that unlawful and unfair practices will not be tolerated. Now that liability has been determined, I will continue to push forward with this lawsuit to seek injunctive relief that benefits Arkansans and provides space for competition among internet search engines.”

The court found that Google violated federal antitrust laws by entering into exclusionary contracts, making Google the default and exclusive search engine for browsers, mobile devices, and wireless carriers in exchange for a percentage of the revenue Google earned through such placement. This case was consolidated with another enforcement action filed by 38 other attorneys general. 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held Google liable in both lawsuits. The court found that Google’s default distribution contracts are anticompetitive, that Google has no procompetitive justification for these contracts, and that Google has monopoly power in multiple online search markets.

 

COTTON ACCEPTING SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. To be considered for a nomination, applicants must submit by Friday, November 1, 2024.

 "Students who attend U.S. service academies and go on to serve their country in uniform are the pride of Arkansas, and I encourage each young Arkansan with a sincere interest to apply," Senator Cotton said.

Interested students can find the application, along with information on eligibility and other requirements, here. Please contact Nicole Millar (501) 223-9081 for any additional questions.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: L.C. "BUCKSHOT" SMITH'S FUNERAL SERVICE FROM THE CAMDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
We would like to inform the community that the funeral service for L.C. "Buckshot" Smith will be held tomorrow at 2:30 PM at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church. Due to this event, traffic in the area will be quite hectic before and after the service.

The Camden Police Department will have officers directing traffic to ensure safety and smooth flow. Please pay attention to their instructions.

Parking Information:
Law Enforcement Vehicles: Please Park at America's Best Value Inn parking lot and the parking lot adjacent to it (formerly Guadalajara Restaurant).
Friends and Guests: Please Park at Carnes Park.
The Camden Police Department will run a shuttle service to and from Greater St. Paul Baptist Church for your convenience.

Traffic Advisory:
If you are not attending the service, it is advisable to avoid the area until the roads are clear to prevent getting stuck in traffic.
Let's come together to honor L.C. "Buckshot" Smith while keeping safety and order in mind. Thank you for your cooperation.
 

AUGUST PROCLAIMED AS CATFISH MONTH IN ARKANSAS
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce that Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially proclaimed August as Catfish Month in Arkansas. This proclamation celebrates the significant contributions of Arkansas's catfish industry to the state's economy and highlights the importance of catfish farming within our agricultural sector.

Today, Secretary Wes Ward celebrated by presenting the proclamation to Travis and Jessica Hester, the owners of Eat My Catfish, one of Arkansas’s seven restaurants featured on the U.S. Catfish Trail. Secretary Ward was joined in the celebration by fellow Arkansas Cabinet Secretaries, members of the catfish industry and Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board.

NFIB Jobs Report: Main Street Compensation Plans Fall As Labor Costs Grow
Small businesses hiring plans remain stable while fewer plan to raise compensation
LITTLE ROCK (Aug. 2, 2024) – NFIB’s July jobs report found a seasonally adjusted net 33% of small business owners reported raising compensation in July, down five points from last month and the lowest reading since April 2021. A net 18% (seasonally adjusted) plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down four points from June.

“Fewer small business owners are planning to raise compensation in the coming months, and plans to hire remain stable,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “July marks the second month of net gains in employment on Main Street, and the number of firms with open positions remains exceptionally high.”

“As costs remain elevated, small business owners have been topped out in wage increases,” NFIB State Director Katie Burns said. “Despite these challenges, Main Street will continue to try to fill their open job postings.”

The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem was unchanged from June at 19%, although labor quality as the top problem has eased considerably over the last two quarters. Labor cost reported as the single most important problem for business owners fell two points to 9%, four points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021.

Thirty-eight percent (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in July, up one point from June.

A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, unchanged for the third consecutive month.

Overall, 57% of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in July, down three points from June. Forty-nine percent (86% of those hiring or trying to hire) of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. Twenty-nine percent of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 20% reported none.

Thirty-two percent have openings for skilled workers (up one point) and 16% have openings for unskilled labor (unchanged).

Job openings in construction were up four points from June and over half of them (55%) have a job opening they can’t fill. Job openings were the highest in the construction, transportation, and retail sectors, and the lowest in the agriculture and finance sectors.

CLICK HERE to view the entire NFIB Jobs Report.
 

HOT SPRINGS MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
HOT SPRINGS - A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute of More Than Fifty Grams of Actual Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court documents, on March 15, 2023, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by Stacy Childs, age 33, after Childs delivered fentanyl to another individual.  A search of the vehicle yielded a total of 3,416.15 grams, or approximately 7.53 pounds, of pure methamphetamine, the bulk of which was concealed in a compartment underneath the center console of the vehicle.  Childs was arrested on a Federal Complaint and later indicted by a Grand Jury seated in the Western District of Arkansas.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hot Springs Police Department, Special Investigations Division, investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF

 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
August 2, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – As the 2024-2025 school year begins, the state Education Department is making grants available to Arkansas school districts to help implement cell phone restrictions in the classroom.

Prohibiting or restricting cell phone use by students is complex, because they can be necessary for learning and doing research.

However, recent studies clearly indicate that the mental health of some young people can be adversely affected by the amount of time they spend every day watching a screen. Rather than socializing face-to-face with fellow students and teachers, they are immersed in social media. They can be more vulnerable to bullying, and their self-confidence can be fragile.

In early July the governor and the Education Secretary announced that the state would make grants available to local schools to alleviate the unfolding crisis of “youth depression, anxiety and isolation” caused by excessive cell phone use among juveniles.

The grants can be used to pay for mental health services, via telehealth technology. It also is being used for secure pouches in which students lock away their cell phones during the day. Each pouch costs about $30. Teachers and other school personnel will have special magnets that unlock them.

According to a spokesman for the Education Department, more than 200 Arkansas school districts are interested in taking advantage of the grant program. Many schools already had policies limiting students’ use of cell phones for non-academic activities.

The enrollment in Arkansas schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade is about 475,000. In the upcoming school year an estimated 200,000 students will be in pilot programs that limit cell phone access during the day.

Accurately measuring results will be a key component of the policy to restrict cell phone, and that takes time. There are studies, and plenty of anecdotal evidence, indicating that students improve their academics if they’re more engaged with their teacher and fellow students.

However, in order to fully measure any benefits from restricting cell phones, it will take at least one full school year and probably more to compile changes in test scores. The effect on students’ mental health is even more difficult to accurately gauge.

Therefore, the pilot program includes an ongoing survey by the Office of Education Policy at the University of Arkansas to examine how restrictions on cell phones affect the mental health of students. The theory is that limiting young people’s exposure to social media will improve their mental health.

School districts that have already limited cell phones in classrooms report positive results, not just in academics but also in student behavior. Some school districts will begin by limiting cell phones in middle schools because that is when many students get their first devices, and begin forming online habits.

School Lunches
School districts implement a policy every year for collecting money from students for lunches and snacks. It is not as simple as it may appear at first glance because some students get behind in their payments, and schools must continue to provide them with the same meals that all students get.

Schools may not stigmatize students who are behind in payments, such as by making them wear wrist bands. School nutrition policies must comply with Act 428 of 2019, the Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act.

APPLICATIONS FOR WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION KITS ACCEPTED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through September 30, 2024. The application can be found here. 

The Forestry Division has requested, through a United States Forest Service grant, to provide 85 kits this year to rural volunteer fire departments across the state. Since 2014, more than 757 wildland fire suppression kits have been distributed.

Volunteer fire departments are the primary partner to Forestry Division crews in wildfire response and suppression, but they are often in need of specialized equipment and gear necessary for safe wildfire suppression. The necessary equipment and gear in the kits include: lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, wildland gloves, rakes, backpack water pumps, and leaf blowers.

Rural volunteer fire departments are encouraged to apply online, but paper applications are available upon request. Applications are scored according to specific criteria to include the population of the fire district, the number of square miles covered, the average number of wildfires a department responds to annually, and other factors.

The selected departments will be notified in November and kits will be delivered in the spring of 2025 or as soon as supplies are received. 

Fire departments may contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or (501) 679-3183 with questions. More information about the program can be found at the Department’s website. 
 

ENTERGY ARKANSAS CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE A ONE-TIME BILL CREDIT IN AUGUST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – At a time when budgets may be tight with back-to-school shopping and higher summer expenses, Entergy Arkansas customers will be getting a break on their August bills.

A residential customer will receive a one-time bill credit of approximately $78 – a decrease of about 63% for a residential customer using 1,000 kwh. Commercial and industrial customers will also receive a one-time bill credit in August. Small General Service customers will receive a credit of approximately $221, and Large General Service customers will receive a credit of approximately $12,158.

The bill credit is applied in August and coincides with July energy consumption, which is usually one of the highest months from an energy usage and bill amount standpoint.

It also comes months after residential customers saw their bills decrease an average of 7.5% in April, or about $10 a month, because of lower prices for the fuel used to generate electricity for our customers. Commercial and industrial customers saw anywhere from a 1.6% to 17.7% decrease, depending on their usage.

“We work hard each day to provide reliable and affordable energy by keeping our costs as low as possible for our customers,” said Ventrell Thompson, vice president of Customer Service for Entergy Arkansas. “We know that higher costs for groceries and other everyday living expenses can be tough for some of our customers, especially during the summer months. We are pleased that the timing of these bill credits will allow our customers to spend their money on other needs, such as back-to-school shopping.”

The credit, known as the “Grand Gulf Bill Credit,” stems from a lawsuit settlement between the Arkansas Public Service Commission and System Energy Resources Inc., which operates the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. Other Entergy operating companies in Mississippi and New Orleans also settled the lawsuit under the same terms as Arkansas.

Only current Entergy Arkansas customers who began service in December 2023 or earlier will qualify for the bill credits. If the August bill credit exceeds a customer’s total bill charges, any remaining bill credit amount will apply toward their subsequent bills.

As noted in an earlier release, Entergy Arkansas has also recently debuted a new bill toolkit for customers looking to save money on their electric bills.

The new Bill Toolkit site helps customers find ways to manage energy usage, get assistance paying their utility bills and find other ways to save through energy efficiency, including no cost or low cost Entergy Solutions programs.

For more information, visit BillToolkit.entergy.com for the tools and resources you need to understand your bill, reduce your usage or look for assistance programs and services available to you.
 

McGEHEE MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH DECEMBER 2023 WILMAR DOUBLE HOMICIDE
July 31, 2024
LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. - On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at approximately 7:25 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a black Dodge Charger at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 56 and 82 in Lake Village for a traffic violation.  A passenger was identified as Taiwan Collins Jr., 25, of McGehee, who was wanted by the Monticello Police Department in connection with a double homicide investigation that occurred in Wilmar in early December 2023.

ASP arrested Collins and transported him to the Drew County Detention Center, where he is being held on two counts of Capital Murder.

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, the Drew County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m., arriving at the old Wilmar School on North 5th Street to find two deceased men. Suquorey Pitts Jr., 25, of Dumas, was found in the front passenger seat of a vehicle parked in the school's driveway. Independence Young, 21, of McGehee, was found lying on North 5th Street.

ASP Criminal Investigation Division Company B investigated the homicides.


ARKANSAS MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR FIREARM POSSESSION
HOT SPRINGS – A Little Rock man was sentenced yesterday to the maximum sentence of 120 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.

According to court documents, on June 23, 2022, a deputy with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Grand Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  The deputy made contact with the driver, and sole occupant, of the vehicle Chantze T. Howze, age 30.  As the deputy returned to his vehicle to investigate the information provided by Howze, Howze fled the scene in his vehicle.  The deputy began pursuing Howze at speeds more than 100 miles per hour. 

A trooper with the Arkansas State Police assisted in the pursuit of Howze, whose vehicle traveled in and out of traffic and traveled into the oncoming lane.  Howze ultimately lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a motel located at the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Coy Street in Hot Springs causing damage to the building.  A search of the vehicle yielded 795 grams of marijuana and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 18 live rounds. Howze was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction of Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance Schedule IV and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Manufacture.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Garland County Sheriff’s Department, 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police and the 18th East Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. 

 

GET READY TO BOOGIE AT SAAC’S AUGUST CORKS AND CANVAS CLASS!
Join SAAC for a groovy evening of creativity and fun at our “Disco Daze” Corks and Canvas class, led by local artist Marla Tomlinson. This event will take place on Thursday, August 15, from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Perfect for those who have always wanted to explore their artistic side, Corks and Canvas combines creativity with a relaxed atmosphere. This month, Marla will guide participants in creating a “far-out” acrylic painting of a disco ball on 12-inch round canvases, “I wanted to do something fun and colorful with the class, and what says fun more than a disco ball?!?! I also love the idea of painting the round canvases to look like disco balls versus painting a round disco ball on a square or rectangle canvas. Look forward to a fun night at SAAC.”

No prior art experience is needed—just bring your friends and a willingness to unwind and have fun! All painting supplies, including paints and brushes, will be provided, and SAAC will offer snacks to enjoy during the class. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite drinks to sip on while they paint.

Spaces are limited to 12 participants, so don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Register now through SAAC's website at www.saac-arts.org or by calling 870-862-5474. The workshop fee is $40.

SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas. 
 

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES BOOZMAN LANGUAGE TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Senator Advocates Enhanced Engagement with Stakeholders
WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) succeeded in pushing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to further examine potential unintended consequences of its Emergency Response Standard proposal to ensure communities in Arkansas and across the country continue to have access to volunteer firefighter services. The senator’s language was added to the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and encourages OSHA to conduct listening sessions and outreach with stakeholders to fully understand the impact of new requirements on volunteer fire departments.

“We must ensure firefighters have the tools and training to safeguard themselves and the community, which means any adjustments to the standards applied to them must be carefully considered. OSHA’s current one-size-fits-all proposal could jeopardize volunteer fire departments’ ability to continue operating or drastically limit their resources and personnel capacity. I’m hopeful the plan can be revised with feedback from stakeholders,” Boozman said.

Arkansas has 1,003 fire departments and 974 are at least partially staffed by volunteers.

In February, OSHA announced its proposal to modernize safety requirements for emergency responders, but volunteer fire departments in Arkansas and across the country have shared their apprehensions with Congress that parts of the plan could cause unintended consequences and lead to increased costs resulting in potential cuts to services.   

Boozman recently responded to the proposed rule and assured Arkansans of his commitment to protect volunteer fire departments from unfunded mandates. In July, members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation voiced their concerns about the rules to the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

NOTICE OF CONFIRMED CASE OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS IN OUACHITA COUNTY
LITTLE ROCK, AR – A positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) has been confirmed in Ouachita County. 

No other horses were exposed to the infected horse. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Division’s Animal Health Section communicated with the primary party and notified other officials of active equine venues within the area.

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is an extremely rare but serious and fatal infection that causes encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain. The disease is spread by biting insects, primarily mosquitoes and flies, that have bitten birds infected with the EEE virus. Insect control and vaccination are the recommended preventative measures.

This disease can infect a wide range of animals other than horses, including other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. While humans can also contract the disease through biting insects, they cannot get the disease through direct contact with an infected animal.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division is urging owners to closely monitor their equine for early clinical signs, which include loss of appetite, decreased activity, and depression. Clinical signs can be subtle and progress to tremors, paralysis, altered mental state, and stumbling (ataxia). Some affected horses die within a few days. Surviving animals may have residual nerve deficits.

The disease is preventable through regular vaccinations and by developing a good pest management program. Owners should contact their regular veterinarian for more information and to report any nervous system signs. Those without a regular veterinarian should call the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Division at 501-225-1598 if any horses show clinical signs.

 

ASP REMINDS PARENTS AND TEENS TO BE ON GUARD WHEN CONNECTING ONLINE
July 31, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As summer ends and schools prepare to reopen, Arkansas State Police (ASP) is reminding parents to be vigilant in identifying and stopping sexual predators who target children through online connections.

This summer, ASP has issued several Missing/Endangered Advisories for missing children and teens, including five Amber Alerts since May. In recent months, multiple Arkansas teens have been lured away by predators they met through online messaging apps.

"The internet provides a type of anonymity that allows people to conceal their true identities or assume false ones. This creates a playground for predators and poses a significant threat to children and teenagers who use the internet," said Major Stacie Rhoads, ASP Criminal Investigation Division commander. "Online predators may attempt to engage kids and teens in sexual conversations or even arrange to meet in person. They may also send explicit material or request that children send pictures of themselves. It is crucial to educate your children about the importance of staying cautious while online."

ASP serves as the coordinating law enforcement agency in Arkansas to alert the public of missing or abducted children, using a statewide notification system known as the Arkansas AMBER Alert System. Local law enforcement agencies must request advisories and alerts and AMBER Alerts are only issued when ASP determines a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger.

For tools to help parents protect their children against technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes, visit aricac.org. Online safety presentations may also be requested by schools, civic groups, and other organizations through this site.

To report suspicious online activity, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
 

ASP SEIZES OVER 345 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA DURING TWO TRAFFIC STOPS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY  
July 31, 2024
OZARK, Ark. — On Monday, July 29, 2024, at approximately 8:17 a.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a 2020 black Chevrolet Silverado on Interstate 40 eastbound around the 43-mile marker for a traffic violation. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of seven large trash bags in the truck bed containing 145 pounds of illegal marijuana.

Troopers arrested the driver of the vehicle, Steven McGee, 34, of Halstead, Kan., and transported him to the Franklin County Detention Center, where he was booked on felony charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver and Drug Paraphernalia. 

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 11:47 a.m., Troopers stopped a black 2014 Dodge pickup eastbound on I-40 around the 40-mile marker in Franklin County for a traffic violation.  

Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered seven large trash bags in the bed of the pickup truck filled with 202 pounds of illegal marijuana.

Troopers arrested the driver, Brent Pope, 42, of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., and transported him to the Franklin County Detention Center, where he was charged with felony Possession with Intent to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

STOLEN GUNS, DRUGS, AND DWI DRIVERS TAKEN OFF THE STREET DURING CRITTENDEN COUNTY OPERATION
July 30, 2024
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP), along with law enforcement agents from the 2nd District Drug Task Force, West Memphis Police Department, and the Marion Police Department, conducted an 11-hour operation targeting criminal activity in Crittenden County.

During the operation, ASP seized seven firearms, including a fully automatic Blackout AR rifle and two stolen weapons. Additionally, ASP seized illegal narcotics, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Law enforcement agents made 637 officer/violator contacts, resulting in 37 people being arrested and taken into custody. Six felony warrants were served, 13 people were cited for Driving While Intoxicated and 26 speeding citations were issued.

“This is another great example of the relationship the Arkansas State Police has with our law enforcement partners and the commitment each of us shares in protecting the citizens of the State of Arkansas,” said Captain Philip Hydron, ASP Troop D Commander.
 

BOOZMAN HELPS PRESERVE MEMORIES OF ARKANSAS VETERANS IN LIBRARY OF CONGRESS COLLECTION
Senator’s office surpasses more than 100 interviews submitted
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a champion of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), presented interviews with Arkansans for preservation in the national collection. The new submissions mark more than 100 interviews conducted by Boozman’s office.

“The Veterans History Project is a unique collection of personal reflections that teaches our nation’s history from the perspective of those who have stood in defense of our freedoms. It also represents an opportunity for families to learn more about the selflessness of their loved ones, which is something I personally understand as the son of veteran of WWII who served in the Air Force for 23 years yet didn’t share much about his experiences in the military. This initiative preserves these patriotic Americans’ legacies so they live on for future generations. I’m honored to be part of this rewarding endeavor, ” Boozman said.

The senator submitted seven interviews conducted by his staff with veterans of the Cold War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and War on Terror.

In 2000, Congress established the VHP to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.

Boozman’s staff has conducted dozens of interviews and trained more than 1,200 Arkansans to participate and raise awareness about this initiative. The senator regularly highlights the conversations in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting memories of their time in uniform. 

COTTON INTRODUCES BILL TO UNMASK IRANIAN ELECTION INTERFERENCE
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Unmasking Networks of Virtual Election Interference and Lies (UNVEIL) Act, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to publicly reveal the Islamic Republic’s interference in U.S. domestic politics from October 7, 2023. Senator Cotton’s bill introduction follows reports that the Iranian government is using covert social media activity and other influence operations to interfere in the 2024 presidential election.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s weakness has emboldened and enriched Iran. It’s no wonder that the ayatollahs prefer four more years of appeasement. Americans deserve to know the extent to which Iran is interfering in our election against President Trump,” said Senator Cotton. 

 The UNVEIL Act would: 
Require a list of the social media accounts being run by Iran.
Require a description of protestors to whom Iran has provided financial support.
Require a description of any Iran-led email campaigns targeted at government officials or voters. 

OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING ON I-49 IN ROGERS LEAVES GUATEMALAN MAN INJURED
July 28, 2024
ROGERS, Ark. – A Guatemalan man was injured after resisting arrest and assaulting a Trooper during a traffic stop on Interstate 49 Saturday, July 27, 2024.

At approximately 7:43 p.m., a Trooper stopped a suspect on I-49 southbound after the suspect was observed traveling at a high rate of speed in heavy traffic near the 80-mile marker. The driver, Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, refused to exit the vehicle and resisted the Trooper’s efforts to remove him. The Trooper deployed her taser when he refused to comply. Zapet-Alvarado wrestled the Trooper’s taser from her hands and threw it into interstate traffic.

A 31-year-old female motorist who witnessed the altercation stopped her vehicle and tried to assist the Trooper. The Trooper used her service weapon to fire one round at Zapet-Alvarado, wounding him in the right temple.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been briefed on the incident.

“These two women who put their lives on the line to make sure their communities are safe, are heroes and thanks to their quick, brave action, a criminal illegal immigrant is in custody and off the streets. Even though they deny it and the media covers it up, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have created the worst border crisis in history and they must be held responsible,” Gov. Sanders said.

Col. Mike Hagar said, “I pray every day for the safety of our Troopers as they sacrifice their own safety for the sake of our innocent civilians. I thank God today that He kept our Trooper alive and that He placed an unbelievably brave civilian by her side during her time of need."

"I have the same fear and frustration any time someone assaults one of our Troopers, but it’s even more disturbing that this suspect is an undocumented, illegal immigrant from Guatemala," Col. Hagar said. "That shows another level of lawlessness that will not be tolerated in our state.”

Zapet-Alvarado was transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, where he was treated and released to law enforcement. He was transported to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and charged with Second-Degree Battery and placed on hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). Additional charges are pending.

The Trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries she sustained when Zapet-Alvarado assaulted her.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident.

An investigative case file will be presented to the prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.
 

ASP IDENTIFIES FUGITIVE SUSPECT KILLED IN DeVALLS BLUFF INCIDENT, BRIEFS MEDIA
July 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, July 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Colonel Mike Hagar and U.S. Attorney Jonathon Ross briefed the media on the latest developments related to a 4-hour standoff that occurred on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in DeValls Bluff, which resulted in the death of fugitive suspect Darrell Lawayne Esau II, 32, of Little Rock. (View briefing HERE.)

The U.S. Marshals Service had been searching for Esau for over a year and a half.  Esau was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County, and was being sought as an absconder by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (ACC). Active warrants included multiple counts of First-Degree Battery, multiple counts of Terrorist Act, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Aggravated Residential Burglary, and Domestic Battery. Esau had previously been convicted of homicide charges.

Agents from ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined Esau’s whereabouts on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, which includes ASP personnel, went with additional Troopers to the DeValls Bluff address in an attempt to take Esau into custody around 9 a.m. Thursday. The suspect opened fire on the team when they arrived.

ASP’s SWAT, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical/Air Support and Drone teams were activated.  ASP personnel contacted Esau by phone and attempted to negotiate his surrender for over two and a half hours. Esau died after an exchange of gunfire with members of the ASP SWAT team.

Investigators have determined that Esau fired at least 169 rounds from six different weapons, which included fully automatic and high-powered rifles, commonly referred to as “assault weapons.” More than 400 rounds were exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division will lead the investigation, the FBI will assist with evidence recovery and the ATF will process the weapons for further analysis. 

“This is just one more example of local, state, and federal partners working together for the overall mission of keeping the citizens of Arkansas safe,” said ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar. “I would like to take this opportunity to remind our citizens that we are YOUR Arkansas State Police. We want you to know that law enforcement operations are conducted daily in the most rural parts of Arkansas, including a town like DeValls Bluff, which has a population of 500. We thank God no innocent civilians or law enforcement officers were injured due to the collective resources applied. Our sole mission is and always will be public safety. We are committed to keeping our citizens safe and will always put your safety above our own.”

U.S. Marshal Cory Harris; Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Sanders (both for the Eastern District of Arkansas); and Supervisory Special Agent Clayton Merrill from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives participated in the briefing.Other assisting agencies included Hazen Police Department, Prairie County Sheriff’s Office, Des Arc Police Department and ACC.
 

LAKE OUACHITA CLEANUP 2024
For more on these and other storis visit www.yesradioworks.com/news
VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ouachita Field Office in partnership with Friends of Lake Ouachita and Keep Arkansas Beautiful will be hosting a Lake Ouachita cleanup on Saturday, September 14th, 2024.

Volunteers will meet at Tompkins Bend Day Use Area at 8:00 AM and the cleanup will be held from 8:00A.M.-11:00 A.M.  Boaters are encouraged to assist in the cleanup by cleaning islands and coves near Shangri La Resort.  Volunteers may also hike and clean the shorelines near Tompkins Bend or the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.

Community leaders, scout groups, and all community volunteers who wish to help in keeping Ouachita clean and accessible to our families and visitors will be provided gloves, bags, and bottles of water at check in.  If you cannot join us in September, you can participate throughout the year by picking up free trash bags at one of the Lake Ouachita boat ramps…just look for the Grab-A-Bag sign, and clean throughout the year.

For more information, please contact the Lake Ouachita U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Field Office at 501-767-2101.  The address for Tompkins Bend Day use is: 15 Tompkins Bend, Mount Ida, AR  71957

The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.

OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING ON I-49 IN ROGERS LEAVES GUATEMALAN MAN INJURED
July 28, 2024
ROGERS, Ark. – A Guatemalan man was injured after resisting arrest and assaulting a Trooper during a traffic stop on Interstate 49 Saturday, July 27, 2024.

At approximately 7:43 p.m., a Trooper stopped a suspect on I-49 southbound after the suspect was observed traveling at a high rate of speed in heavy traffic near the 80-mile marker. The driver, Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, refused to exit the vehicle and resisted the Trooper’s efforts to remove him. The Trooper deployed her taser when he refused to comply. Zapet-Alvarado wrestled the Trooper’s taser from her hands and threw it into interstate traffic.

A 31-year-old female motorist who witnessed the altercation stopped her vehicle and tried to assist the Trooper. The Trooper used her service weapon to fire one round at Zapet-Alvarado, wounding him in the right temple.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been briefed on the incident.

“These two women who put their lives on the line to make sure their communities are safe, are heroes and thanks to their quick, brave action, a criminal illegal immigrant is in custody and off the streets. Even though they deny it and the media covers it up, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have created the worst border crisis in history and they must be held responsible,” Gov. Sanders said.

Col. Mike Hagar said, “I pray every day for the safety of our Troopers as they sacrifice their own safety for the sake of our innocent civilians. I thank God today that He kept our Trooper alive and that He placed an unbelievably brave civilian by her side during her time of need."

"I have the same fear and frustration any time someone assaults one of our Troopers, but it’s even more disturbing that this suspect is an undocumented, illegal immigrant from Guatemala," Col. Hagar said. "That shows another level of lawlessness that will not be tolerated in our state.”

Zapet-Alvarado was transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, where he was treated and released to law enforcement. He was transported to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and charged with Second-Degree Battery and placed on hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). Additional charges are pending.

The Trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries she sustained when Zapet-Alvarado assaulted her.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident.

An investigative case file will be presented to the prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

ASP IDENTIFIES FUGITIVE SUSPECT KILLED IN DeVALLS BLUFF INCIDENT, BRIEFS MEDIA
July 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, July 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Colonel Mike Hagar and U.S. Attorney Jonathon Ross briefed the media on the latest developments related to a 4-hour standoff that occurred on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in DeValls Bluff, which resulted in the death of fugitive suspect Darrell Lawayne Esau II, 32, of Little Rock. (View briefing HERE.)

The U.S. Marshals Service had been searching for Esau for over a year and a half.  Esau was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County, and was being sought as an absconder by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (ACC). Active warrants included multiple counts of First-Degree Battery, multiple counts of Terrorist Act, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Aggravated Residential Burglary, and Domestic Battery. Esau had previously been convicted of homicide charges.

Agents from ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined Esau’s whereabouts on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, which includes ASP personnel, went with additional Troopers to the DeValls Bluff address in an attempt to take Esau into custody around 9 a.m. Thursday. The suspect opened fire on the team when they arrived.

ASP’s SWAT, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical/Air Support and Drone teams were activated.  ASP personnel contacted Esau by phone and attempted to negotiate his surrender for over two and a half hours. Esau died after an exchange of gunfire with members of the ASP SWAT team.

Investigators have determined that Esau fired at least 169 rounds from six different weapons, which included fully automatic and high-powered rifles, commonly referred to as “assault weapons.” More than 400 rounds were exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division will lead the investigation, the FBI will assist with evidence recovery and the ATF will process the weapons for further analysis. 

“This is just one more example of local, state, and federal partners working together for the overall mission of keeping the citizens of Arkansas safe,” said ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar. “I would like to take this opportunity to remind our citizens that we are YOUR Arkansas State Police. We want you to know that law enforcement operations are conducted daily in the most rural parts of Arkansas, including a town like DeValls Bluff, which has a population of 500. We thank God no innocent civilians or law enforcement officers were injured due to the collective resources applied. Our sole mission is and always will be public safety. We are committed to keeping our citizens safe and will always put your safety above our own.”

U.S. Marshal Cory Harris; Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Sanders (both for the Eastern District of Arkansas); and Supervisory Special Agent Clayton Merrill from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives participated in the briefing.Other assisting agencies included Hazen Police Department, Prairie County Sheriff’s Office, Des Arc Police Department and ACC.
 

LAKE OUACHITA CLEAN UP 2024
VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ouachita Field Office in partnership with Friends of Lake Ouachita and Keep Arkansas Beautiful will be hosting a Lake Ouachita cleanup on Saturday, September 14th, 2024.

Volunteers will meet at Tompkins Bend Day Use Area at 8:00 AM and the cleanup will be held from 8:00A.M.-11:00 A.M.  Boaters are encouraged to assist in the cleanup by cleaning islands and coves near Shangri La Resort.  Volunteers may also hike and clean the shorelines near Tompkins Bend or the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.

Community leaders, scout groups, and all community volunteers who wish to help in keeping Ouachita clean and accessible to our families and visitors will be provided gloves, bags, and bottles of water at check in.  If you cannot join us in September, you can participate throughout the year by picking up free trash bags at one of the Lake Ouachita boat ramps…just look for the Grab-A-Bag sign, and clean throughout the year.

For more information, please contact the Lake Ouachita U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Field Office at 501-767-2101.  The address for Tompkins Bend Day use is: 15 Tompkins Bend, Mount Ida, AR  71957

The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
July 26, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas sales tax holiday this year will be on the first weekend in August, Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4.

Consumers will not have to pay sales tax on any articles of clothing that cost less than $100.

The exempted items include pants, shirts, dresses and shoes. Also free from sales tax are bathing suits, baby blankets, underwear, raincoats, uniforms, hats and caps, aprons, neckties, scarves and steel-toes boots.

Diapers, even disposal diapers, are included on the list of exempt items. However, sports equipment will not be exempt, so you will pay sales tax on cleats, baseball gloves, goggles, life preservers, shin guards and shoulder pads.

Accessories are also on the list of exempted items, as long as they cost less than $50. The list of articles is extensive, and includes handbags and purses, sunglasses, jewelry, hair notions, wallets, watches and wigs.

More than 65 categories of cosmetics are exempt from the sales tax, such as mascara, many types of hair products, fingernail polish and fingernail remover, bath salts, artificial eyelashes, perfume and stretch mark cream.

School supplies will be exempt from the sales tax. Officially the first weekend of August is called the sales tax holiday, but many people refer to it as the “Back to School” sales tax holiday. That’s because the legislature intentionally scheduled it for early August, to benefit families with children going to school.

School supplies include pens, pencils and paper as well as art supplies.

Thanks to Act 944 of 2021, approved by the legislature earlier this year, some electronic and computer equipment were added to the list of tax exempt items.

Laptops, desktops, tablets, printers, keyboards, calculators, cell phones, e-readers and monitors are exempt from the sales tax.  However, video games, stereos and televisions are not included.

Arkansas families will save an estimated $2.6 million on purchases of electronic and computer equipment.

The sales tax exemption applies to single articles, and is not based on the overall cost of everything you buy. For example, you can buy three shirts $25 each and a pair of pants for $50 and you will not be charged the sales tax, even though the total is $125. Because each item is less than $100, the exemption is applied.

However, if you buy a pair of shoes for $120, you will have to pay the sales tax on the full amount of the purchase.

When you take advantage of a sale that allows you to buy one item and get another for a reduced price, the holiday exemption applies only to the items costing less than $100. For example, a store may offer a pair of jeans for $120 and you can get a second pair for half price, or $60. The sales tax exemption will apply only to the second pair.

The exemption applies to all sales taxes, not just state sales taxes. That means exempt items are free of all city, county and local sales taxes.

All retailers have to participate. Articles cannot be separated in order to lower their price under the $100 and $50 thresholds. Men’s suits and pairs of shoes, which normally are sold as one unit, cannot be split into separate purchases.

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN NAMES ARKANSAS CHEF TO COMPETE IN 20TH ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF
Griffin: ‘Arkansas, with its abundance of quality ingredients and unique culinary traditions, has produced some of the best chefs around’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has nominated Executive Chef Payne Harding, owner of Cache restaurant in Little Rock, to represent Arkansas in the 20th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off on August 3, 2024, in New Orleans: 

“Arkansas, with its abundance of quality ingredients and unique culinary traditions, has produced some of the best chefs around. I look forward to Chef Harding continuing the tradition of Arkansas chefs participating in this competition, which is hosted by my good friend Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

“Chef Harding’s attention to detail—both in the running of Cache and his use of ingredients—has made his restaurant a ‘go-to’ place in Little Rock. I fully expect him to apply that same level of skill in this competition and help highlight the culinary excellence that Arkansas has to offer the nation.”

Harding opened Cache in 2014. He is a 2009 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and a 2012 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. He was also named a Certified Executive Chef by the American Culinary Federation in 2019. 

TEMPORARY CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISH ADVISORY ISSUED NEAR SMACKOVER 
EL DORADO – Anglers fishing Holmes Creek and Smackover Creek should temporarily  refrain from keeping or eating fish caught from portions of these Union-County waters due to the recent oil spill in the area. The Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality have jointly issued a temporary catch-and-release fish advisory for Holmes Creek downstream from the release site north of the intersection of Gas Plant Road and All Gulf Road to downstream of Smackover Creek below the Welsco Bridge. 

The precautionary advisory comes after an oil pipeline released an estimated 2,500 barrels of crude oil into portions of Holmes and Smackover Creek in June. It does not apply to areas upstream from the release site or downstream from the confluence ove Smackover Creek with the Ouachita River. Fish caught in these areas are still considered safe for consumption. 

Contaminants from the spill may include contaminants suspected to be carcinogenic. These contaminants could accumulate over time in fish causing issues with consumption. As a precautionary measure, ADH, AGFC and E&E recommend this temporary catch-and-release fish advisory. This advisory will be lifted once the clean-up of the oil spill is completed and more sampling is conducted. 

 

FUGITIVE SUSPECT DEAD AFTER 4-HOUR STANDOFF IN DeVALLS BLUFF
July 25, 2024
DeVALLS BLUFF,  Ark. – A 32-year-old Little Rock man is dead after an exchange of gunfire with members of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) SWAT team. The fugitive suspect barricaded himself inside a home on East Walnut Street in DeValls Bluff at approximately 9:30 a.m. and initiated an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, including ASP Troopers and U.S. Marshals.

The suspect was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County. No Troopers were injured during the 4-hour standoff.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division will lead the investigation, and the FBI will assist with evidence recovery.

 

ASP APPREHENDS SUSPECT WANTED IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT OF A CHILD 
July 25, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, around 10:08 a.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a red Dodge Charger on Interstate 40 westbound at the 156-mile marker for a traffic violation.

The driver of the vehicle, Elmer Alvarado-Lopez, 36, was wanted out of Lynn, Mass., for two counts of Rape of a Child under 16 by Force and two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery upon a Child under 14.

Troopers transported Alvarado-Lopez to the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he is currently being held for the Lynn Police Department on a nationwide warrant
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN HAILS DECISION IN TITLE IX CASE AS A WIN FOR ARKANSAS WOMEN AND GIRLS
Griffin: ‘Yet again a federal court has stopped the Biden-Harris administration from going around Congress’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement regarding the preliminary injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in Arkansas v. U.S. Department of Education halting the implementation of the Biden-Harris administration’s new rule interpreting Title IX:

“Today’s ruling is a victory for women and girls in Arkansas and across the nation as yet again a federal court has stopped the Biden-Harris administration from going around Congress to implement a ridiculous, nonsensical, and illegal election-year move.

“Congress enacted Title IX to protect and promote educational opportunities for women and girls. This preliminary injunction halts the administration’s plan to allow men into women’s and girls’ locker rooms, restrooms, and showers. It stops the administration’s plan to allow males onto girls’ sports teams. It also protects teachers, administrators, and students from the threat of investigation or sanction for disagreeing with the gender ideology of the Biden-Harris White House. And it comes just in time before the start of the new school year.

“I congratulate Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni and Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs for their diligence that led to today’s victory.”

Griffin filed the suit on May 7 and was joined by the attorneys general of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and an Arkansas high-school athlete.

SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER TO HOST TWO DANCE CAMPS
While fall may be just around the corner, there is plenty of summer still to be enjoyed at the South Arkansas Arts Center! In the last few weeks of summer vacation, SAAC will host two day-camps for aspiring dancers and performers, both hosted by Arts Academy alumni. July 29 through August 2, Bekah Gunter Cartwright will host Musical Theatre Dance camp, and Stephanie Lowrey and Cami Lowrey will return to SAAC August 5-8 for Ballet Camp.

Cartwright, now a senior at Williams Baptist College, is thrilled to be dancing on stage at SAAC again. “I began dancing at ten years old in the SAAC ballet program, and I continued with it until I graduated high school,” she said. “During those years, I learned how to choreograph and was given my first opportunity as a choreographer for children’s musicals at age thirteen. Since then, I have choreographed over ten musicals and productions within ten years as well as several ballets.”

In this year’s musical theatre dance camp, students will be immersed in the world of Oz as they tell the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West through the songs of “Wicked.” By combining different styles of dance, students will learn both basic steps that could be expected of them at their next audition and combinations that will challenge and build their repertoire. In addition to learning technique, students will also have the opportunity to sharpen their acting skills as they portray different characters through dance.

Camp sessions will be held Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday until a parent showcase at 6:00 p.m. Bring a lunch each day. Tuition is $120, and students can register at www.saac-arts.org.

Mother-daughter duo Stephanie Lowrey and Cami Lowrey were SAAC’s beloved ballet team for many years, and we are excited to welcome them back into the studio this summer. This year, they will mount a “Where the Wild Things Are” inspired ballet August 5-8.

Cami and Stephanie invite dancers new and old to jump into the theatrical side of ballet. “SAAC Ballet Camps offer the unique opportunity to take not only classical ballet classes to develop technique, but also perform in an original mini-ballet, to help dancers cultivate expression and artistry,” says Stephanie. “Dancers will be involved in all aspects of the production including costume design, set construction, and developing choreography.”

Former SAAC dancers and dancers from all studios are welcome at Ballet Camp for the summer show, but no prior experience is required. Monday through Wednesday, camp will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for dancers entering 6th grade through young adult, and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for dancers entering 1st through 5th grade. Older dancers who can work independently may bring a lunch and work on set and costumes during the afternoon. On Thursday, all dancers will stay through the 6:00 p.m. showcase performance. Tuition is $120, and students can register at www.saac-arts.org.

For more information, visit SAAC at 110 E. 5th Street in El Dorado, visit www.saac-arts.org, or call 870-862-5474.

TROOPER TVI ENDS HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT OF STOLEN VEHICLE
July 23, 2024
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — On Saturday, July 20, 2024, at approximately 11:36 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) pursued a black 2021 Ford Mustang that witnesses reported driving recklessly and nearly causing collisions. The pursuit occurred as the vehicle disregarded the motoring public, passing through the Broadway Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive (MLK) intersection in West Memphis at speeds over 100 miles an hour.

“We are taking every opportunity to warn the public about the dangers of fleeing from law enforcement. Fleeing is reckless and selfish,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. "ASP Troopers will not tolerate activity that risks the lives of innocent civilians. We will stop fleeing suspects, and the consequences will be severe."

Troopers continued to pursue the vehicle on the Interstate 55 South Service Road. The suspect vehicle turned north and traveled onto the North Service Road as it continued to attempt to flee.  As the suspect vehicle approached the intersection of the I-55 North Service Road and MLK, which has both heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, Troopers performed a successful tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) to end the pursuit.

Both occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a grassy field.

Troopers, assisted by the West Memphis Police Department (WMPD), secured the area and located the two individuals.

Troopers arrested the driver, Kylan Cunningham, 23, of Drummonds, Tenn., and the passenger, Tre’Von Burnett, 23, of Covington, Tenn., and transported them to the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Inside the vehicle, Troopers found a loaded black Tauras handgun, multiple vehicle key fobs, a vehicle key programming device, and illegal marijuana. The suspect vehicle and the seized handgun had been reported as stolen.

Cunningham has been charged with multiple felony counts, including Possession of Firearms by a Certain Person, Fleeing, Theft by Receiving, and Criminal Conspiracy, along with other charges.

Burnett has been charged with felony Theft by Receiving and Criminal Conspiracy, among other charges.
 

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION BY ARKANSAS SECRETARY OF STATE AND U.S. MARSHALS MUSEUM:
Formal Portrait of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves  for Display at the Arkansas State Capitol
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston and the U.S Marshals Museum are seeking exceptional artists to paint a formal portrait of legendary Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. Upon completion, the portrait will be displayed in the Arkansas State Capitol where he will be the first African American, and the first non-Governor, to have a portrait in the Capitol building.

Born in Crawford County, Arkansas, in the 1840s, Bass Reeves is now one of the most widely-known deputy United States marshals of 1800s American Western lore. His colorful life story and career as a lawman have recently become the subject of several popular documentaries, films, and television shows. Secretary Thurston said, "We must not forget our history. I look forward to honoring this American legend with a special portrait in the Arkansas State Capitol." 

To facilitate this project, Secretary Thurston and the U.S. Marshals Museum are issuing a request for quotation (RFQ) to invite all qualified respondents to compete for the honor of creating this portrait to submit a response. Initial responses will be reviewed by the Museum, and a determination by the Museum in consultation with the Secretary will be made whether any of the
responses warrant further consideration. If a response meets with the approval of the committee, the respondent shall be invited to submit samples of their previous works alongside a written narrative outlining their experience and qualifications for this project. Once an artist has been chosen, the artist will then be presented to the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission for final approval.

The deadline for respondents is August 23, 2024.
 

HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) ALERT FOR DAIRY CATTLE
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Since late March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state veterinary and public health officials have been investigating the detection of HPAI in dairy cows. A Federal Order was issued on April 24, 2024, to mitigate the spread of the virus.

As of now, the influenza virus has not been detected in livestock within Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the USDA and the Arkansas Department of Health, remains vigilant in monitoring this potential threat.

Arkansas fairs and exhibitions provide a valuable opportunity for the youth of our state to showcase their animals. However, these events also pose a risk for the spread of illnesses among animals. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division, in collaboration with other state and federal agencies, encourages adherence to USDA requirements and recommendations to minimize the risk of influenza transmission.

Click here for the full list of Recommendations to Minimize Influenza Transmission at Dairy Cattle Livestock Exhibitions

The list includes:
Intrastate Movement
Testing: Prior to intrastate movement, lactating dairy cattle are recommended to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory using a NAHLN approved assay.

Documentation: The intrastate movement of all lactating dairy cattle must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

Interstate Movement
Testing: Prior to interstate movement, lactating dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved NAHLN laboratory using a NAHLN approved assay.

Documentation: The interstate movement of all lactating dairy cattle must be accompanied by a CVI.

Exhibition Requirements: Animals moving by interstate to an exhibition, show, or sale must have a negative test result from samples collected within seven days of movement. These animals may return to their home herd using the same negative test result, provided the event does not exceed 10 days.

Permitting: All dairy cattle entering Arkansas from states affected by HPAI in dairy cattle will require a permit from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Permits can be obtained here. 

Disposal of Milk
Negative HPAI Test: Lactating dairy cattle that have a negative HPAI test will be able to dispose of milk following state, federal laws, and rules, and regulations.
No HPAI Test: Lactating dairy cattle that do not have a negative HPAI test should follow the USDA recommendations for milk disposal.

Additional Precautions
Equipment and Tools: Equipment and tools should not be shared between exhibitors.
Isolation Area: Each exhibition should prepare an isolation area for animals that develop symptoms.

By following these requirements and recommendations, we can help protect our livestock industry and maintain the health and safety of animals at our events.

SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER SEEKS DIRECTOR FOR "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
The South Arkansas Arts Center is currently looking for a director for its upcoming holiday production of "A Christmas Carol."  Individuals interested in helming this classic Christmas tale, based on the novel by Charles Dickens, should contact SAAC by September 3.  Sponsored by Nexans Amercable and Southern Bancorp, auditions for the play will be held in October with the production in December of 2024.

After a 9-year hiatus, SAAC is bringing back the beloved holiday theatre production for the 2024/2025 season. “A Christmas Carol” is the classic Christmas story with an important message about the true wealth of love. A mean-spirited, miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley as well as by the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. During this process, Scrooge transforms into a kinder, gentler man.

To apply, interested individuals should submit a letter of intent, resume, and a short production proposal. Qualified applicants should have a working knowledge of community theatre and experience working with all ranges of talent, including beginners. Director submissions are also being accepted for the spring production of "The Play That Goes Wrong" and the summer musical "Hairspray."

"The Play That Goes Wrong," written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, will take the stage in April 2025. This hilarious comedy play follows the misadventures of a theater company as they attempt to put on a murder mystery play, with everything that can go wrong doing just that. The production is sponsored by Murphy Pitard Jewelers and All About Flowers. 

Rounding out the 2024-2025 season is the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," presented in July 2025 through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Sponsored by Murphy USA, this energetic and heartwarming show tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a 1960s teenager who dreams of dancing on a popular TV show and becomes an advocate for racial integration.

For more information about directing a production at the South Arkansas Arts Center, contact the SAAC office at 870-862-5474. Send submissions to direct "A Christmas Carol" by September 3rd to SAAC at 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado, AR 71730, ATTN: Executive Director, or emailed to Laura Allen at laura@saac-arts.org. 

CAMDEN POLICE REPORTS
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
On July 21, 2024 at 2:09 AM Officer Daisy Smith was at 139 Grinstead for an unrelated incident when she took Jacob Utsey into custody for disorderly conduct. While investigating a separate incident Utsey refused to identify himself. During the process of identifying other  individuals on scene Utsey told others not to identify themselves. Other officers on scene were able to identify Utsey. Utsey continued to argue with others on scene when the others were trying to tell him to calm down. Several Officers witnessed Utsey yell at the homeowner. Utsey was told more than one time by Lieutenant Kayla Reynolds to calm down and stop yelling. Utsey began using profanity towards others in the yard causing other subjects in the yard to yell back at Utsey. It was clear Utsey was causing the scene to turn into a loud disturbance while the situation was already very tense. Lieutenant Reynolds gave the command to arrest Utsey for disorderly conduct. She also advised Utsey never gave his date of birth while on scene identifying himself. The only reason Officer McDowell was able to identify Utsey on scene was due to dispatch eventually finding Utsey's DOB in our records at the station. Utsey was placed under arrest by Officer McDowell. Officer Smith transported Utsey to the Camden Police Department and completed booking procedures. I issued Utsey a citation for Disorderly conduct.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION
FLEEING ON FOOT
On Thursday July 18, 2024 at 193 5 hours Officer McMahen was dispatched to Grinstead Street in reference to a man throwing stuff at cars holding a brown paper bag. Officer Joffrion, was close to that location so he responded.

Officer Joffrion arrived first on scene and observed a man wearing a grey muscle shirt and khaki shorts place a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag down on some steps, located at 209 Grinstead, and begin to walk away. The Office got out and told him to stop. The suspect continued to walk away he was being told to stop. Officer McMahen arrived on scene as the man was heading south on Newton A venue. Officer Joffrion was attempting to catch up to the suspect when he noticed Officer McMahen come over the tracks on Grinstead Street. The suspect then began to run. Officer Joffrion was able to catch the suspect in an empty lot near Newton and Pine. Officer McMahen drove in front of the subject and jumped out to assist. While attempting to detain the suspect he began turning away from Officer Joffrion and then dropped to his knees. Officers were able to get the suspect into custody and he was transported to the Camden Police Department by Officer McMahen. Officer Joffrion collected the bottle on the way back to his unit and  identified it as a bottle of Quality House Vodka. The suspect was identified as Brandon Champion. He was given a Citation for Public Intoxication and Fleeing on Foot..

PUBLIC INTOXICATION
On July 20, 2024 Officer Gabriel McDowell was dispatched to 1136 Cook St in response to a black female attempting to steal an air conditioning unit out of a window. Upon arrival Officer McDowell spoke with a witness who stated that a black female with a white shirt, black pants and a weird hat attempted to steal a window unit out of 1117 Cook St. The witness told the Officer she yelled at the woman to leave it alone. The woman left the yard heading northbound on Cook St. The witness then pointed out Synicia Madison, who I observed to be stumbling around in the road. When the Officer approached her he could smell a strong odor of intoxicants. When asked her for her name and what she was doing, the Officer noticed that her speech was slurred to the point of being unintelligible.  The Officer asked Madison if she knew anything about the window unit in the house down the road, and she denied having anything to do with it. The Officer was then advised by dispatch that she had an order for arrest with Ouachita County Sheriffs Department. Madison was arrested for public intoxication. She had difficulty walking to the vehicle and was mildly resistant due to being unable to comprehend instructions. Madison was transported to Camden Police Department where standard booking procedures were followed. Madison was charged with public intoxication before being transported to OCSO for detox.

 

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RAISES AWARENESS ON INVASIVE SPECIES: COGONGRASS, MANCHURIAN WILD RICE, AND WATER HYACINTH
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is issuing a public service announcement to raise awareness about the presence and potential threats posed by invasive species recently identified in Arkansas: cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), Manchurian wild rice (Zizania latifolia), and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

Invasive species, whether plants, animals, or other organisms, are non-native to an ecosystem and can cause significant economic, environmental, or health-related harm upon introduction. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, through various programs and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program, actively monitors and surveys for invasive species to mitigate their impact.

"We urge Arkansans to remain vigilant against the spread of these invasive species," said Scott Bray, Director of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Plant Industries Division. "Through ongoing surveillance and public awareness efforts, we aim to protect our state's natural resources, agricultural lands, and native ecosystems from the harmful impacts of invasive species."

Initially discovered along Highway 49 near Helena-West Helena in June 2021, cogongrass is a perennial grass native to Southeast Asia. Known for its aggressive spread via rhizomes and wind-borne seeds, this invasive plant has become a serious threat to pastures, fallow fields, and natural habitats across the Southern United States. Efforts to eradicate cogongrass in Arkansas are ongoing, highlighting its persistence and destructive potential. The ornamental variety known as Japanese blood grass or Red Baron poses a similar threat, as it can revert to its invasive parent form and rapidly invade yards and gardens.

 

Recently discovered growing in a vacant lot in Stuttgart, Manchurian wild rice is a large perennial aquatic grass native to Asia. It can reach heights of up to 12 feet and thrives in stagnant ponds and poorly drained soils. Efforts to eradicate this invasive species are underway due to its potential to disrupt native wetland ecosystems and impact agricultural areas, including rice production zones. Although genetically distinct from domestic rice (Oryza sativa), concerns remain about potential cross-contamination and the introduction of new diseases or pests harmful to Arkansas's rice industry.

 

Discovered being illegally offered for sale via social media platforms by Arkansas residents, water hyacinth is a floating aquatic plant native to South America. Despite misconceptions about its winter hardiness in Arkansas, this invasive species can survive and overwinter in various parts of the state, forming dense mats that choke water bodies and disrupt local ecosystems. It is illegal to buy, sell, trade, gift, or use water hyacinth in landscaping due to its rapid spread and ecological impact. 

 

Residents are urged to properly dispose of any water hyacinth and prevent its further spread by avoiding transportation via boats or equipment that may inadvertently introduce it to new locations. Do not buy or sell this plant. If you already have some, remove it from any water to allow it to dry and dispose of it in the trash. Never add any water hyacinth to any location where it can escape and overtake an area. If you are boating in a location with water hyacinth, make certain that you never transport it through propellers, trailers, or live wells.

If you possess or suspect the presence of an invasive species anywhere in Arkansas, please call (501) 225-1598 or submit a removal request here. Find additional information on invasive species management here.
 

PARAGOULD, ARKANSAS ARTIST MANDY MAXWELL MOONEYHAM COMING TO SAAC
The South Arkansas Arts Center welcomes Paragould, Arkansas artist Mandy Maxwell Mooneyham and her exhibition “Chree Journeys” to the Lobby Gallery.  The Opening Reception will be July 27, 6-7:30pm with the exhibition running through September 5, 2024.

Inspired by the symbiotic connection between trees and chairs, Mooneyham's "Chree Journeys" represent the dynamic interplay between our grounded existence and the boundless growth and transformation of our thoughts. Each piece in this series is a visual metaphor for the human thought process, where trees symbolize the adaptability and resilience of the human mind, and chairs embody the constructed nature of our recollections.

Mooneyham's artistic journey began in rural Arkansas, where she taught herself to draw and paint by studying masterpieces from old library books. She later honed her skills at Arkansas State University, where she discovered her love for surrealism and printmaking. Her fascination with “Chrees” started with her first piece, "Such Great Heights," in 2009, and has since become an all-consuming passion.

Throughout her career, Mooneyham has received numerous accolades and exhibited her work in venues such as the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis and the Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery. Her most recent achievement is being recognized as a touring artist with the Arkansas Small Works on Paper 2023 exhibition.

Mooneyham’s exhibition invites viewers on a journey of introspection and contemplation, allowing them to delve into the complexities of the human mind. Her artwork is a testament to her dedication to capturing the intricate nuances of human existence through her unique “Chree” concept. With each piece, she aims to evoke a sense of wonder, ignite introspection, and illuminate the profound marvels that lie within the captivating realm of “Chree.”

The Opening Reception will be held Saturday, July 27 from 6:00-7:30pm in conjunction with “Lines & Layers: The Art of Gary Bachers & Christopher Bachers” that is showing in the Merkle and Price Galleries. SAAC gallery exhibits are free and open to the public 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

For more information about exhibits at the South Arkansas Arts Center, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

LEE COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN DEATH OF 5-YEAR-OLD BOY
July 18, 2024
MARIANNA, Ark. — On Monday, July 15, 2024, Nathan Bridges, 34, pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder and First-Degree Battery in the 2022 death of a 5-year-old boy in the Moro community, west of Marianna in Lee County.

Bridges was sentenced to 60 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

The body of Blu Rolland, 5, was uncovered beneath a floor inside his family’s home on Dec. 16, 2022, the day he would have turned 6.  The Lee County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police's (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division.

Special Agents also investigated injuries sustained by a 6-year-old girl who lived in the home.

ASP arrested Bridges and Ashley Rolland, 30, the mother of the children, and transported the couple to the Lee County Detention Center.

Rolland faces multiple felony charges, including Capital Murder, Permitting Child Abuse, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Battery. Her case is still awaiting trial in Lee County.

 

NEW REPORT FINDS THAT ARKANSAS’S HOSPITALS HAVE A TOTAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MORE THAN $18 BILLION
The total annual economic impact of hospitals in Arkansas is more than $18 billion, according to a report released this week by the Arkansas Hospital Association. The study compiles statewide data on hospitals’ employment, payroll, purchasing, and other spending to illustrate the pivotal role they play in the state’s economy. The report breaks down the estimated annual economic impact of the state’s hospitals as follows:

Employment: Arkansas hospitals employ 48,200 individuals, with an annual combined payroll expenditure of just over $4.3 billion.

Economic Activity of Hospital Employees: The earnings of hospital employees generate approximately$8 billion in economic activity in the state, which creates an additional estimated 46,200 jobs.

Non-Salary Expenditures: The total impact of hospitals’ $5 billion in other non-salary expenditures is estimated at $9.2 billion per year.

Charity Care: The report also indicates that hospitals provided $466 million in charity care in 2022, for patients who could not afford to pay for the cost of their services.

The report also notes that, while providing health care services is their core contribution, hospitals also serve their communities in a variety of other ways, including health promotion outreach, mobile disease screening, programming to combat food insecurity, health insurance access, medical-legal partnerships, and much more.

“The information provided in this year’s Economic Impact Report underscores the essential economic contributions of hospitals to our state,” said Bo Ryall, President and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association. “This report is crucial for understanding our advocacy mission at AHA. It illustrates how our hospitals are not only health care providers but also key drivers of economic growth and stability in Arkansas. By supporting our hospitals, we are not only protecting access to quality health care for all – we’re investing in the health and economic well-being of our state’s communities.”

About the AHA
The Arkansas Hospital Association has 105 member hospitals and health care organizations that serve Arkansans living in cities, towns, and communities located throughout the state. For more than 90 years, the AHA’s leadership has focused on advocacy that promotes initiatives to improve health care access, quality, value, service, and safety. In partnership with our members and stakeholders, the association also provides resources, builds alliances, and develops services that support Arkansas hospitals as they strive to deliver superior health care to all Arkansans.

To read the report, visit www.arkhospitals.org or https://bit.ly/2024-economic-impact-report. A technical addendum to the reported data is available upon request.

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
July 19, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – The state Department of Finance and Administration has published new income tax withholding tables.

That’s good news for 1.1 million Arkansas taxpayers, because it means they will take home more money on their next paycheck.

The adjustment to the tables was sent to about 80,000 businesses that employ more than a million Arkansans. The income tax cut was the major achievement of a recent special legislative session. The legislature approved the governor’s proposal to reduce the state’s top individual income tax rate from 4.4 percent to 3.9 percent.

The legislature has approved numerous income tax cuts over the past several years, but the current tax reduction took effect immediately and applies to tax year 2024. The tax cut will save Arkansas residents more than $256 million every year.

Most legislators and the governor say that Arkansas income taxes need to be lowered or repealed altogether, in order for Arkansas to compete economically with neighboring states. Every tax reduction makes it easier for the state to recruit industry.

The top corporate income tax rate is going down from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent, saving 7,800 businesses based in Arkansas about $66.2 million every fiscal year.

In a recent speech the president of the state Chamber of Commerce said that Arkansas is more economically competitive than it has ever been, largely due to recent tax reductions that have allowed businesses to pay higher wages and make more capital investments.

He also gave credit to recent positive changes in the collection of unemployment insurance taxes and favorable workers’ comp rates.

However, one issue continues to concern policy makers– the lack of skilled labor in certain sectors. It’s a reason legislators and officials of Arkansas colleges and universities support programs to recruit and retain more college graduates.

New Mississippi River Bridge
Arkansas and Tennessee received grants totaling $393 million for their joint project to replace the Interstate 55 bridge across the Mississippi River at West Memphis. The bridge is 75 years old, and is narrower than the Interstate 40 bridge that crosses the river from West Memphis to downtown Memphis.

It is the largest grant ever received by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The total cost of replacing the I-55 bridge is an estimated $800 million. In addition to the federal grant, Arkansas and Tennessee have each pledged $250 million toward the project.

Replacing the aging bridge is important to all Arkansas citizens, not just those in West Memphis, because of its statewide economic impact. As the governor noted when the grant was announced, West Memphis is where “America’s road, river and rail infrastructure meet.”

The confluence of highway, railroad and barge traffic was a factor in the growth of the northeast Arkansas steel industry.

Improving traffic across the river along I-55 will solidify Arkansas’s role as a leader in transportation and logistics, the governor said.

Currently, traffic across the bridges averages about 48,000 vehicles a day, and by 2050 it will increase to an estimated 64,000 vehicles a day.

The new bridge will be larger than the existing one, and it will have more features to withstand earthquakes.

A LEGACY OF LOVE AND CREATIVITY: THE ART OF GARY AND CHRISTOPHER BACHERS COMES TO SAAC
The South Arkansas Arts Center is proud to present the exhibition “Lines & Layers: The Art of Gary Bachers & Christopher Bachers” at an opening reception on Saturday, July 27 from 6:00-7:30pm. This unique father-son duo, both artists from Texas, will be featured together for the first time ever in this special exhibition continuing through September 5, 2024 in the Merkle and Price Galleries.

The exhibition "Lines & Layers: The Art of Gary Bachers & Christopher Bachers" from July 27 – September 5 in the Merkle and Price Galleries. This unique father-son duo, both artists from Texas, will be featured together for the first time ever in this special exhibition. An artists' reception will be held in conjuction with Mandy Mooneyham’s reception on Saturday, July 27 from 6:00-7:30pm. 

Gary Bachers, a former medical doctor and accomplished artist, suffered a massive stroke at age 38, leaving him with right-sided paralysis and global expressive aphasia, which prevented him from speaking or writing. Despite this, he found a new form of expression through art, using his left hand to create intricate and detailed works with colored pencils. His art became his "language" and a way to communicate with the world. Gary's art features themes of the full moon, seasonal changes, botanical mandalas, and children, which represent the predictable and cyclical nature of life. He won numerous awards and has been featured in exhibitions and documentaries.

Gary's son and the oldest of three siblings, Christopher Bachers grew up surrounded by his father's art and was exposed to the art world from a young age. Christopher pursued a career in English and American literature, but began painting as a hobby during his graduate studies. He has developed his own unique style, combining vivid colors and abstract lines to create enigmatic compositions that explore themes of communication and self-expression. Christopher has won several awards for his art and has participated in various exhibitions, including the same regional show where his father started his career.

Gary Bachers passed away in August of 2023, but his wife Gabrielle and their son Christopher wanted to carry on with this exhibition. “People always say we’re a creative family. Not only my dad and I, but my mother, brother, and sister are all artists in their own areas. Looking back, it’s clear that we were all inspired by Dad. We lived alongside his daily art practice, watching his compositions and second career steadily develop over the years. It’s a small example of how art can make meaning and transform lives,” said Christopher.

The opening reception will be held in conjunction with Paragould, Arkansas artist Mandy Maxwell Mooneyham and her exhibition “Chree Journeys” on Saturday, July 27 from 6:00-7:30pm. The galleries are free and open to the public 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. For more information on the exhibitions, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit our website at www.saac-arts.org. The South Arkansas Arts Center is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER AND BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF EL DORADO JOIN FORCES TO HOST INTERNET SAFETY FAMILY NIGHT
The South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado are proud to co-host an Internet Safety Family Night, in partnership with the El Dorado Police Department and the Children's Advocacy Centers of South Arkansas. This free event will take place on Thursday, July 25 at 5:30pm at SAAC, which is located at 110 E 5th Street in El Dorado.

In today's digital age, the internet can be a valuable tool for learning, communication, and entertainment. However, it also poses significant threats and dangers to users, particularly children and families. To help educate parents and guardians on how to navigate these risks, the El Dorado Police Department will present valuable information on internet safety and digital footprint awareness.

During this interactive and informative evening, families will learn about the importance of online safety tips for kids, how to create a safe online presence, identifying potential online threats, strategies for mitigating cyberbullying and online harassment, and creating a digital footprint that promotes positive online behavior.

"We are excited to have the Children's Advocacy Centers of South Arkansas and the El Dorado Police Department to present this critical information to our community," said George Cotterman, Director of Safety and Compliance at the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado. "As a community hub, we believe it is essential to provide resources that empower families to make informed decisions about their online activities."

For more information, please contact the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado at (870) 863-8753. Join us on July 25th at 5:30pm at SAAC to take control of your online presence and create a safer digital future for yourself and your family. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

CONSUMER ALERT: BEWARE FRAUDULENT CALLERS CLAIMING TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Griffin: ‘ Preying on the trust Arkansans have in the law enforcement community is especially heinous’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement warning Arkansans about a common scam in which callers claim to be a law enforcement officer and demand payment to resolve an alleged criminal matter:

“I have received reports of an uptick in fraudulent phone calls to Arkansans involving scammers representing themselves as law enforcement officers. These unscrupulous individuals, whether live or in a pre-recorded message, employ common tactics: They claim that the person they have called has committed a criminal offense and pressure them into paying money under threat of being arrested. Or they offer a recently arrested individual the opportunity to enroll in a fake rehabilitation program.

“Any attempt to defraud consumers is disgusting, but preying on the trust Arkansans have in the law enforcement community is especially heinous. I encourage anyone who receives this type of call not to fall for the scam, hang up on the scammer, and report them to my office for investigation.”

Griffin advises consumers to follow these tips to help protect themselves against such fraudulent calls:
Law enforcement agencies and their employees do not call asking people to send money for fees or fines using a wire transfer, a prepaid debit card or gift card.

Bitcoin is never a legitimate form of payment.

Don’t assume the caller is who you think it is, even if the Caller ID indicates it is Arkansas State Police or your local police department. Verify the caller’s validity by independently calling the listed number for the agency they represent and asking for that individual.

If asked to meet, only go to the designated police station, and only agree to meet INSIDE the station.

Do not give any personal information—Social Security number, bank information, driver’s license number, etc.—over the phone.

Scammers blast illegal robocalls to consumers using identical or nearly identical messaging and calling patterns. They use caller ID spoofing to mislead and defraud victims, use pre-recorded messages without prior consent of call recipients, and target phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry violating federal and state consumer protection laws.

Griffin invites consumers to go beyond merely reporting that a call is unwanted and provide information that can assist in identifying the entity that is perpetrating the fraudulent and ongoing calling activity, including the following: date, time of the call(s), calling number(s), and message or description of the call(s). A form to report this information is available on our website.

For more information or to file a Consumer Complaint, please contact the Office of Attorney General at (501) 682-2007 or oag@arkansasag.gov, or visit the website www.ArkansasAG.gov.

THE OPED BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD TO MEET
The OPED Board of Directors Board will meet on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the OPED Training Room located at 570 Ben Lane in Camden.

The agenda is as follows:
Call to Order                                                                    Jim Golden
Audience Participation                                                    Jim Golden
Approval of Minutes – May 2024                                  Karmen House
Financial Reports – May, June 2024                              Mark Smith
Committee update for Housing Incentives                    James Lee Silliman
Overview of Contacts-Ext. Director                              James Lee Silliman
Resignation of Bill Archer-Ex-Officio                          James Lee Silliman
Industry Workforce Training Advisory Board

Old Business
Open Discussion                                                           Jim Golden            
Placer.ai update                                                             James Lee Silliman
Adjournment                                                                 Jim Golden

The next scheduled Board Meeting is August 28, 2024

The meeting is open to the public.

STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATES IN RESPONSE TO FLOODING EVENTS IN ARKANSAS
July 17, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) has activated its State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to a Level 1 in response to flash flooding across the state.

Several counties in Arkansas have reported damages to infrastructure, road closures, and evacuations. We encourage individuals to continue to monitor the weather and take necessary precautions. Please report any damages to your local office of emergency management.

The following counties have reported impacts due to flooding:
Baxter
Cleburne
Conway
Faulkner
Lawrence
Marion
Searcy
Stone

The Creekside Health and Rehabilitation Senior Facility in Yellville reported 80-plus evacuees due to flooding. Residents were taken to the Marion County Community Center.

Thirty (30) to 40 individuals in Flippin were evacuated from their homes due to flooding. The American Red Cross is establishing a shelter where Flippin residents will be housed.

Greenbrier Gardens Apartment Complex reported that 30-plus residents were evacuated due to flooding.

Round Bottom Road at Herpel Road near Mountain View is flooded and residents are being evacuated.

Please utilize the following tips to stay safe during flooding:
Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
Never drive around barricades because first responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas. Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911.
Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only go to the roof if necessary. Once there, signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwaters. 

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.
 

ARREST MADE IN MAY 2023 DEATHS OF TWO TEENS IN SCOTT
July 17 2024
SCOTT, Ark. — On Monday, July 15, 2024, Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) served arrest warrants for two counts of Capital Murder on Devontea Clay, 25, in the deaths of two North Little Rock teens.

On May 23, 2023, ASP received a call about an individual lying on State Highway 161, south of Scott. Medical personnel arrived at the scene and discovered that the person had been shot multiple times. The victim, identified as LaMarion Gilliam, 19, was taken to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences but later succumbed to his injuries. As law enforcement secured the scene, another victim, identified as Sucram O'Donald, 16, was found deceased in a nearby field in the same area where Gilliam was located. O'Donald had also suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The arrest warrants were served on Clay at the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he is being held on unrelated charges. 

CALL TO ACTION: VOTE ARKANSAS 2024 “BEST LOOKING CRUISER”
July 16, 2024
Night or day, Arkansans can count on our Troopers. It is a rare day when Arkansas State Police asks for a small favor in return.

Votes are being accepted for the 2024 “Best Looking Cruiser” contest, sponsored by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST).

Please give a Big Hat vote for Arkansas! Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BestLookingCruiser2024, then scroll through the photos and select "Arkansas" from the drop-down. You can only vote one time per device. This year there will be a second captcha question that must be answered in order to submit your entry.

The top vote getter will be featured on the cover of the 2025 Trooper Cruisers Wall Calendar. Each month will highlight one of the top 12 finishers. Calendar proceeds will benefit the AAST Foundation

Votes will be accepted through July 29th, 2024, at 11 a.m. (CT) One vote per device, per person. 

ASP CID INVESTIGATING SHOOTING IN WEST HELENATHAT LEFT TWO MEN INJURED
July 16, 2024
HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. —  The Helena-West Helena Police Department has requested the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigate a shooting that took place on Monday evening, July 15, 2024, at the Exxon station located at 670 Sebastian Street in West Helena.

According to witnesses, a man identified as Fredrick Coleman, 21, of Helena, verbally confronted Nathaniel Harvey, also 21 and from Helena, in the store and shot him as he left. Witnesses reported that Harvey retrieved a weapon from his vehicle and shot back, striking Coleman multiple times.

Both men were air-lifted to Regional One Hospital in Memphis and are in critical condition.

CID Agents will prepare a file for the prosecutor to recommend any charges. 

 

STUDENTS AT THE HEART OF HISTORIC $1.5 MILLION U.S. FOREST SERVICE GRANT TO ADVANCE URBAN FORESTRY IN RURAL ARKANSAS
Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $1,563,071.00 grant from the U.S. Forestry Department through its Urban & Community Forestry Program to implement a collaborative pilot program entitled Pathways to the Future.  The grant will be monitored by USDA, Forest Service, Southern Region and the project will support workforce development activities in four counties in eastern Arkansas, including Lee, Monroe, Phillips and St. Francis.  Establishment of a Workforce Advisory Board, implementation of a summer youth employment program, and providing workforce preparation services to youth are objectives of the grant.  Encouraging Arkansans to consider forestry occupations and engage in urban forestry planning, planting and management is the overall goal of the initiative.

A consortium of training providers will implement the services under the initiative.  AHDC is the recipient grantee and will take the lead on administration, final eligibility determination and program submission and the following collaborative organizations: East Arkansas Regional Youth Employment Initiative; FDC Holdings, Inc; Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative; and, Minorities in Conservation, Inc. will implement the local operations plan, including but not limited to outreach and recruitment, partner and employer recruitment, initial eligibility review, follow-up, establishment of various advisory groups, collection of data for programmatic reporting, issue  resolution and coordination with the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

The program began in earnest in April 2024 and approximately 140 youth between the ages 16-18 and residing in one of the four counties referenced above have been determined eligible to participate in the summer youth employment component.  We are grateful to the cities, counties, community-based organizations and forestry related employers who’ve agreed to provide training opportunities and oversight of the youth.
 

BOOZMAN RECOGNIZES MILITARY SERVICE OF LATE BELLA VISTA VETERAN
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of the late Marvin Trigg in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans. 

Trigg grew up on his family’s farm in rural Missouri. He was put to work at an early age milking cows and using a two man crosscut saw to harvest wood. 

“I helped my dad because we heated with wood, I many times went out with him,” Trigg recalled. “I’d be on one end and he’d be on the other.”

Trigg said he walked to school until high school when he was bussed to school. He had to make sure he was finished milking the cow before the bus came.

Trigg enlisted in the Army in 1955 when he was 21 years old.

“They sent me to Fort Eustice, Virginia,” Trigg said. “Flew me out there and then decided they didn’t have anything for me so they put me on a pullman car to send me back.”

His family was supportive of his decision to enlist. “They thought it was a good idea.”

He was first stationed at Fort Chaffee.

Trigg served as an aircraft maintenance crewman. In addition, he said one of his responsibilities included mowing the grass at Fort Knox.

Once he finished his military commitment he used his GI Bill benefits to attend aviation school and earned his pilot’s license.

He worked for a local company in his hometown flying across Missouri transporting canned goods. 

Trigg said his favorite part of military service was seeing different parts of the country.

“I am grateful for Marvin Trigg’s dedication and service to our nation. His memories of his military service are an important part of our history, and I am pleased to be able to collect and preserve his stories for future generations,” Boozman said.

Sadly, Trigg passed away December 20, 2023, but his interview will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.

Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.

FLAGS TO FLY HALF-STAFF
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has directed the United States flag and the Arkansas State flag to fly at half-staff in memory of former Congressman Tommy Robinson. Congressman Robinson passed away at the age of 82 on July 10. Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the day of Robinson's interment.

CAMDEN AIRPOERT COMMISSION TO MEET
The City of Camden Airport Commission will have their regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at the Airport Terminal located at 255 Airport Road, Camden, Arkansas

ARKANSAS' CHANGES TO CHILD CARE GRANT PROGRAM GIVE MORE FAMILIES ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
LITTLE ROCK — In an effort to increase families’ access to high-quality early learning experiences under the LEARNS Act, the Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce changes to the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy program.
 
The CCDF program is the largest federal funding source for states to assist low-income families with child care, with the department awarding more than $125 million to needy families in 2023. The supports from the program allow families to work, attend school, or participate in job training.
 
“Research shows that access to high-quality child care increases a child’s readiness for school and success later in life,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “Through LEARNS, the focus on improving access has become a priority. These changes to the CCDF grant program serve as another opportunity for more Arkansas families to achieve the necessary early learning supports for their children while they work to support their families.”

The changes below, which became effective on July 1, are the result of efforts by the State Board of Education Committee on Early Learning and local early childhood lead organizations and their continued engagement with stakeholders.

Required work hours: Families must now show they completed 20 hours of work each week, a reduction from 30 hours. This change expands access to high-quality early childhood opportunities, making it easier for working families to balance work and home life.

Household income determination: Instead of updating the eligibility-based state median income every two years, ADE will update this criteria every year. This ensures eligibility determinations are more accurate.

Family Co-Payment: Arkansas now waives family co-payments for families at or below 75 percent of the state’s median income. This is a change from 40 percent, so more families can afford high-quality early childhood opportunities for their children.

Removal of lifetime limit: The previous 60-month limit to receive benefits has been removed, allowing eligible families to now qualify indefinitely.

Unified application: Families can now use one application for both Arkansas Better Chance and CCDF programs.

To learn more, visit https://dese.link/childcareassistance.

 

FOUR TIPS FOR IMPROVING SOCIAL WELLNESS
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 11, 2024) – July is Social Wellness Month, and good social health can play a part in improving mental health. However, forming and maintaining relationships can be challenging for those with who struggle with social anxiety and mental illnesses like depression.

 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) underscores the importance of having deep, genuine friendships, stating “positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically.” Use these four tips to work on improving your social wellness this month.

1. Make connections and build healthy relationships.
Actively look for ways to connect with others, and focus time spent with others on activities or hobbies you collectively enjoy, like participating in a yoga class or going to a sporting event. For relationships that are well-established, look for ways to deepen those connections. Sharing feelings honestly, learning how to disagree respectfully and being caring and empathetic will help strengthen your bonds with friends, family members, romantic partners and other loved ones.

2. Get active together.
It may be a struggle to work out or be active consistently, but having a social support group can make it a bit less difficult. Gather some friends and play pickleball or set aside time to play outside with your kids after work. Go on a walk with coworkers during your lunch break or form a recreational sports team with your office. Social support groups can provide motivation to help achieve fitness goals and improve overall social well-being.

3. Take care of yourself.
Caregivers can often experience burnout if they do not adequately care for themselves, which negatively impacts social wellness. Everyone handles self-care differently, and not all self-care methods work for everyone. Find the best ways to care for yourself and stick with them. Make sure you eat healthy, balanced meals and take breaks as you need them. Exercise as often as possible, and get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Reach out to others for help or join a support group. If you need more serious support, you can call the Arkansas Crisis Center’s hotline by dialing 988 to find mental health resources in your area.

4. Create a healthy atmosphere at home.
Parents are responsible for their own social wellness, as well as their kids’, so it’s important to make your home a safe space for your family. Make requests and give instructions in a positive, kind tone of voice, and incorporate positive, loving interactions with kids and other family members throughout the day. Limiting screen time for the whole family can help everyone connect with each other and promote spending time together that isn’t centered around technology. 

Honesty is the key to social connection. Be genuine in connecting with others around you, and look for ways to deepen those connections. Find more of the NIH’s social wellness strategies at nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit.

ASP CID INVESTIGATING DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN McGEHEE
July 12, 2024
McGehee, Ark. – The McGehee Police Department (MPD) has asked ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division to investigate a double homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, July 12, 2024.
At approximately 12:36 a.m., MPD dispatch received a 911 call of shots fired near Cypress and 3rd streets. When officers arrived, they discovered a black male victim lying beside 3rd Street.  Later, ASP Special Agents located a second victim, a white male, in a nearby wooded area. Both men had been shot and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased were transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab, where manner and cause of death will be determined.

ASP CID INVESTIGATING BENTONVILLE PD OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING FATALITY
July 12, 2024
Bentonville, Ark. — Special Agents with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) are investigating the shooting death of a 37-year-old Bentonville man by a Bentonville Police Department (BPD) officer.

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., BPD officers responded to a 911 call from a Stoneburrow neighborhood resident reporting a disturbance on Southwest Castlewood Street. Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt located the suspect, identified as Nathaniel Mark Crabtree, on Sandrock Road. During the incident, Officer Nutt discharged his weapon, striking Crabtree. Crabtree was transported to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Nutt, who began working for BPD in January 2022, has been placed on paid administrative leave, per BPD protocol.
ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the officer was consistent with Arkansas laws.

The deceased was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where the manner and cause of death will be determined.

CAMDEN POLICE REPORTS
On July 9, 2024 at 12:41 AM Officer Sharlotte Canada was patrolling in the area of Tate Street near Avon. While in the area, Officer Canada observed a black male riding a bicycle around in the area trying to avoid the Officer on Pierce Street. The male was wearing dark clothing and a hat. He looked suspicious; therefore, I attempted to make contact with him.

Officer Canada exited the patrol vehicle and asked the male to stand in front of the Officers vehicle. The man was identified as Jimmy Hildreth. He was where he was coming from and he said he was looking for a woman. When asked who he was looking for he told the Officer “he was grown.” The Officer told him the reason for making contact with him was due to crimes being committed late at night and suspicious activities. Hildreth again said he was looking for a woman. He was where he lived and he stated he lived at 20 l Ratcliff, which was across town.

A warrant check was conducted through dispatch. While waiting Hildreth was advised to keep his hands in front of him. He stated he had a machete on his person for protection. Dispatch advised Hildreth had a warrant with county.  As Officer Canada attempted to take Hildreth into custody, he stated he was not going to jail. The Officer grabbed Hildreth and held on to him. Hildreth kept tensing up, but Officer Canada was able to hold on to him until Officer Joffrion arrived on scene as back up.

Hildreth was taken into custody without incident. A search of his person was conducted. He had the machete, longer than 3 inches, a pocketknife, and several unused syringes. Hildreth was escorted to Officer Joffrion's patrol vehicle and transported to the station. At the station, Officer Joffrion located a clear plastic baggie of a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana in his left sock. It was collected as evidence.

Hildreth was charged with Carrying a Knife as a Weapon due to the knife being readily available to use against a person and Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana). He was issued a criminal citation District Court date.

Hildreth was turned over to Ouachita County Deputies for unrelated charges.

On 7/10/2024 at approximately 11:29 AM Officer Mark Ryan was dispatched to Cleveland Avenue near Washington Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The occupant, Thurman Leak was found to have an active warrant. Leak was arrested pursuant to that warrant.

Due to Leak's arrest and the vehicle being disabled and in the roadway, Kelly's Wrecker Service was dispatched to the scene to take possession of the vehicle. An inventory of the vehicle prior to the vehicle being towed was completed per department policy. During the Inventory, a purple bag was located on the passenger side of the vehicle. When I looked inside the bag, I located a glass pipe with suspected drug residue inside, a small package containing suspected methamphetamine, and a small baggie containing suspected Marijuana. I also located several ID cards, credit/debit cards, and social security cards that belonged to multiple different people.

Leak was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance- Felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance - Misd, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. After booking procedures were completed, he was transported to the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Department to be held until First Appearance.

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN HOLD SPECIAL SESSION
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen met in special session Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

were all in attendance. Alderman William McCoy ws absent.

Resolution No. 35-24 was the reason for the meeting.

RESOLUTION NO. 35-24
A RESOLUTION RESTRICTING THE RENTAL OF THE TEEN TOWN COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING AT CARNES PARK; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, Camden owns the “Teen Town Community Center” building located at Carnes Park; and

WHEREAS, the building was previously rented to the public for family gatherings and special events; and

WHEREAS, the building is in need of repairs; and

WHEREAS, the City is seeking grants and other funding to renovate the building; and

WHEREAS, the City by voice vote at its regular meeting on July 9, 2024, suspended further rentals of the building until the renovations were completed; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to honor the reservations that have been previously made for the of the building; and

WHEREAS, the City desires Aldermen Chris Aregood, Marvin Moore, Ed Winters, Joe Askew, Brady Renix, Gerald Castleberry and L.E. Lindsey to suspend further rentals of the building until the renovations can be completed.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAMDEN, ARKANSAS, THAT:

SECTION 1. The reservations previously made for use of the Teen Town Community Center building at Carnes Park shall be honored and remain in effect.

SECTION 2. Future use of the Teen Town Community Center building shall be suspended pending completion of the renovations of the building.

Aldermen Aregood, Winters, Askew, Renix, Castleberry, Lindsey voted yes. Alderman Moore abstained. The Resolution passed.

HOPE MAN CHARGED WITH 100 COUNTS OF DISTRIBUTING  CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIALS
July 12, 2024 
HOPE, Ark. —  On Monday, July 8, 2024, agents with ASP’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested Rodney Lee Watson, 71, of Hope, following a search warrant stemming from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The investigation led to Watson being charged with 100 counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing material depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.

ICAC Agents arrested Watson and transported him to the Hempstead County Detention Center. Watson’s bond was set at $250,000.

 

ASP APPREHENDS TWO TEXAS MEN SUSPECTED IN MULTI-STATE BARCODE SWAPPING THEFTS 
July 12, 2024
OMAHA, Ark.— On Monday, July 7, 2024, around 6:15 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a silver 2017 Ford pickup on U.S. Highway 65 near Tower Road in Boone County for a traffic violation. 

During a vehicle search, ASP Troopers discovered 22 unopened garage door openers in the truck bed and rear floorboard. Each opener retails from around $200.  The vehicle's occupants, identified as Terry White, 52, of Pasadena, Texas, and Robert Diaz, 34, of Spring, Texas, could not provide receipts or proof of purchase for the openers.

The shipping labels indicated they had originated from a Lowe’s store in Bentonville.  Further investigation revealed evidence that the men may have been involved in a multi-state barcode swapping scheme.

White had multiple active warrants for retail theft in Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky. Troopers transported both men to the Boone County Detention Center, where they were charged with Felony Theft by Receiving.

Special Agents with ASP's Criminal Investigation Division collected evidence tying the men to items stolen from multiple states, valued at more than $160,000

 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
July 12, 2024
LITTLE ROCK – More than 870,000 Arkansas residents receive some type of health care through Medicaid, which is operated by the state Department of Human Services.

The department has made public a variety of cost-cutting ideas and has been gathering input from people who would be affected by them. Stakeholders include physicians and clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, therapists, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities.

Last year the department trimmed the number of Medicaid recipients in Arkansas, after the expiration of the national public health emergency caused by the Covid epidemic. During the pandemic Arkansas Medicaid rolls reached a high of more than 1,151,000 people.

After a six-month period of redetermining eligibility of recipients, the program now serves about 245,000 adults, 394,000 children and 250,000 adults in ARHOME. That is a health care program for adults who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The department uses Medicaid dollars to subsidize their private health insurance.

Many people drop off the rolls and get back on again, depending on their financial circumstances. On a particular day the number of Medicaid enrollees is about 870,000 people, but over the course of last year more than a million Arkansas residents received some type of health care through the program.

The steady growth in the cost of the program is a concern for legislators. Last year the state and federal governments combined to spend $9 billion on the Arkansas Medicaid program. Federal funding accounts for 72 percent of the total, but in October that will go down to 71.14 percent. If Medicaid spending stays the same, this change will shift $55 million in costs from the federal government to the state.

State spending on Medicaid has been dramatically increasing, both in total dollars and as a percentage of the overall state budget. From Fiscal Year 2018 to 2023 state funding of Medicaid rose by 41 percent. As a percentage of state general revenue spending it increased from 20 percent to about 23 percent.

According to an analysis recently published by the department, there are several factors driving up the cost of Medicaid that state officials cannot control. For example, during the pandemic more people became eligible because they lost their jobs. Also, the federal government required states to keep people enrolled during the pandemic, which was a major reason that Arkansas Medicaid reached an overall high of 1.15 million people.

States have flexibility to determine eligibility for some medical procedures, but are required to pay for numerous mandatory benefits, such as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, home health and the cost of transportation to clinics and physicians’ offices.

In 2019 Medicaid spent an average of $6,046 per beneficiary. In 2023 that amount had gone up to $7,280.

The department’s 128-page analysis provides a list of options to lower costs, but does not make any recommendations. The legislature, the governor and the department will gather input from health care providers and beneficiaries before making any final decisions on which options, if any, the state will choose.

Those decisions will require lengthy study because they will affect so many people’s access to medical care, and will influence how hundreds of millions of dollars are spent.

CAMDEN POLICE AND OUACHITA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ANSWER CALL REGARDING DOMESTIC DISPUTE
At approximately 2:51 AM Officers of the Camden Police Department responded to 1005 Fairview Road in reference to a domestic incident. A female victim was treated at the Ouachita County Medical Center for a cut/stab wound. A male resident of the house had barricaded himself in the residence and was believed to be armed with possibly a handgun and a sword. It was also reported that shots had been fired during the domestic incident. Entry was made by officers, assisted by members of the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office.  A 49-year-old white male was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center pending further investigation and court proceedings. The victim was treated and released from the hospital. The investigation is on-going.


CITY OF CHIDESTER TO RAISE WATER RATES
The City of Chidester has had a rate study done by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and have decided to raise the water rates and the sewer rated effective 8-1-2024.
 

ARKANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT URGE DRIVERS TO STOP SPEEDING
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Arkansas Highway Safety Office are teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to keep everyone on the road safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits. From July 10 through July 31, Arkansas State Police Troopers, city police and sheriff’s deputies will be stopping drivers that violate Arkansas speed limit laws and will be issuing tickets as part of the Speeding Slows You Down high-visibility enforcement campaign. 

Speeding can have real consequences for not only your wallet, but for your safety as well. In 2022, there were 12,151 fatalities in speeding-related crashes nationwide, accounting for 29% of total traffic fatalities. Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially susceptible to high speeds, and they represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes. In 2022, 35% of male drivers and 19% of female drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal traffic crashes were speeding. Thirty-five percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding. Motorcycle riders 21 to 24 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 51%. NHTSA and Arkansas law enforcement officers remind drivers that, no matter how experienced you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.

“Speed limit signs are not suggestions. They are the law,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar.  “They are posted for the safety of the driver and others in and around the roadway. Unfortunately, we see people speeding every day. If you’re killed in a crash, or if you kill someone else, there’s no second chance. Speeding is not worth the risk.”

Much like impaired driving, speeding is a selfish choice that has deadly consequences for the driver, passengers, and other vulnerable road users, like pedestrians and bicyclists. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in reducing the odds of a crash and the injuries or death that may result. 

According to NHTSA, local roads are more dangerous than highways for speeders. It's a common misconception that speeding is an interstate-related issue: In fact, in 2022, 87% of all U.S. speeding-related traffic fatalities occurred on routes other than interstates. No matter the roadway type, driver’s age, or vehicle you are driving, speeding is dangerous for everyone involved.

“We are asking our community to please slow down,” said Colonel Mike Hagar. “Our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert — the posted speed limit is the law. No excuses.”
For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities. Remember, Speeding Slows You Down.
For more on these and other stories visit www.yesradioworks.com/news.

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities. Remember, Speeding Slows You Down.

CONSUMER ALERT: RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ARKANSANS AFFECTED BY CHANGE HEALTHCARE CYBERATTACK
Griffin: 'Because Change Healthcare has not yet provided notice to individuals, the safest course of action is for Arkansans to use some of the resources available such as free credit monitoring'
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement alerting Arkansans to the availability of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services after Change Healthcare’s February data breach:

“In March, I launched an investigation into the cyberattack against Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, Inc., to determine whether Arkansans’ confidential medical and personal information was compromised and whether other laws were violated.

“Unfortunately, after publicly stating that the data breach could impact up to one-third of all Americans, Change Healthcare has not yet provided individual notice to consumers. The delay in notifying Arkansans affected by the breach is unacceptable, and I am issuing this alert regarding Change Healthcare’s public offer of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

"Because Change Healthcare has not yet provided notice to individuals, the safest course of action is for Arkansans to use some of the resources available such as free credit monitoring."

Change Healthcare is the nation’s biggest electronic data clearinghouse. Change Healthcare’s technological infrastructure is used by tens of thousands of providers, pharmacies, and insurers to verify insurance, confirm pre-authorization of procedures or services, exchange insurance claim data, and perform other administrative tasks essential to the delivery of health care.

Change Healthcare is offering all Arkansas residents who believe they may have been impacted free credit monitoring and identity theft protections for two years. The dedicated website and call center will not be able to provide details to individuals about whether their data was impacted, and Change Healthcare has not determined the actual number and identity of affected consumers. Griffin encourages Arkansans to use the following resources Change Healthcare has offered:
For information on the breach, visit http://changecybersupport.com. 
To enroll in credit monitoring, visit http://changecybersupport.com or call (888) 846-4705.
For additional support from Change Healthcare, call (866) 262-5342. 

Griffin also encourages consumers to be aware of potential warning signs that someone is using their medical information. The signs include:
A bill from their doctor for services that they did not receive;
Errors in their Explanation of Benefits statements;
A call from a debt collector about a medical debt that they do not owe;
Medical debt collection notices on their credit report that they do not recognize;
An unexpected notice from their health insurance company indicating they have reached their benefit limit;
Denial of insurance coverage because their medical records show a pre-existing condition that they do not have.
 

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS ARREST FIVE FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING
Griffin: ‘I am proud to see my Special Investigations team help shut down these operations and bring these criminals to justice’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after five people were arrested in Bradley County on charges related to illegal gambling:

“Agents in my Special Investigations Division worked with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and the Warren Police Department in a joint investigation of multiple illegal gambling operations in and near the city of Warren. The investigation led to the arrest of five individuals and the confiscation of nearly $40,000 in illegal funds.

“I have long said that my office serves as a resource for law enforcement agencies across Arkansas, so I am proud to see my Special Investigations team help shut down these operations and bring these criminals to justice. I appreciate Bradley County Sheriff Herschel Tillman and Warren Police Chief Shaun Hildreth for inviting us to be part of this investigation, and I congratulate them on their good work.”

After a months-long investigation during which probable cause was established that illegal gambling was taking place inside Que Lindo Michoacan in Warren and Spanky’s in Bradley County, warrants were executed at both locations Monday by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General, Arkansas State Police, and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force. 

At Que Lindo Michoacan, Pablo Ceja, 32, of Warren was arrested and charged with one count of Keeping a Gambling House, a Class D felony, and one count of Gaming Devices-Prohibition, an unclassified misdemeanor. Authorities seized $15,000 and confiscated five electronic gambling machines.

At Spanky’s, Kaysie Miskell, 44, of Pine Bluff, Sandra Huntley, 41, of Kingsland, and Shony Penister, 36, of Warren, were all arrested and each charged with one count of Keeping a Gambling House. Keithron Gibbs, 39, of Warren, was arrested and charged with one count of Gaming Devices-Betting, a violation classified as neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. Authorities seized $24,150 and confiscated 41 electronic gambling machines.

BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO STUDY IMPACT OF CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), David Trone (MD-06), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Focus on Learning Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms and its impact on students’ mental health and academic performance.

“Any parent, teacher, or administrator can tell you that cell phones are the leading distraction and source of anxiety for students in school. Our Focus on Learning Act is a bipartisan solution to bridge the gap in data of the real-time effects of cell phone usage in schools so we can support local communities in alleviating those distractions and cultivating the best possible learning environment for our students,” said Congressman Westerman. “I’m proud to lead this bicameral effort with my friend and fellow Arkansan, Senator Cotton, and I look forward to continued collaboration on this important issue.” 

“Prioritizing student mental health is how we ensure young folks receive the best education possible. The Focus on Learning Act aims to do just that by conducting a study on cell phone use in schools,” said Congressman Trone. “By limiting cell phones in schools, we could also limit one of the main causes of stress and anxiety for students. In Congress, I’ll always work to ensure young people are set up for success.”

“It is critical to the development of our children that we understand the impact that cellphones have on their mental health and academic performance,” said Congressman LaTurner. “The Focus on Learning Act will help ensure that schools are free of distractions that may hinder a student’s education.”

"As a Dad, I’m concerned about the impact of cell phone use on our kids' mental health and academic success," said Congressman Crow. "Proud to lead the Focus on Learning Act with Rep. Westerman to research the effects of increased phone use and give our kids the best opportunity to succeed.”

BACKGROUND:
Since 2012, test scores have steeply declined nationwide, presumably correlated with the increased presence of cell phones in schools.

Recent students show that three-quarters of U.S. teens feel more happy/peaceful when they are away from their phones.

As research is being conducted in scholarly settings, there’s a gap in data on the real-time effects of cell phone usage in classrooms and its impact on the learning and mental health of students.

FOCUS ON LEARNING SUMMARY:
Requires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms on students’ mental health and academic performance.
Authorizes $5 million annually for the next five years for a pilot program that provides students with secure containers to store cell phones during school hours.
The pilot program will allow exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities, and non-English speakers.
Participating schools will have a communication system in place to allow teachers, students, and administrators to communicate with local emergency responders in case of an emergency.

U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) are cosponsors of the Senate companion Focus on Learning Act.
 

COTTON, BANKS: BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RULE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST FAITH-BASED FOSTER ORGANIZATIONS
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced a resolution to remove a Health and Human Services (HHS) Department rule that would make it harder for faith-based organizations and families to provide homes for foster children. HHS finalized its rule in April.

Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced the resolution in the House.

“Faith-based groups lead the effort in Arkansas to provide safe foster homes. The Biden administration’s rule will only hurt children that need a home and the religious organizations that provide this incredibly important work,” said Senator Cotton.

“Despite a nationwide shortage of foster families, the Biden administration’s rule discards well-established, faith-based care providers as second-class placement services, forcing states to invest time and resources into recruiting so-called gender-affirming providers. This is an attack on religious liberty and common sense, and worst of all, it is the children in need of a safe and loving home who will suffer most from this administration’s radical agenda,” said Congressman Banks.

COTTON DEMANDS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROTECT AMERICANS’ DATA FROM SHEIN
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to take action against Shein, a Chinese fashion retailer that has ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Senator Cotton requested the Biden administration provide a plan to protect Americans’ data from Shein and identify whether Shein is complying with U.S. laws.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:
“As a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes.”

Full text of the letter may be found below.

July 10, 2024
President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500                 

 Dear President Biden:

 I write to urge your administration to take action to prevent the Chinese company Shein from selling potentially fraudulent supply-chain technology to U.S. companies. Your administration must ensure that data from U.S. companies is not harvested by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through the purchase of Shein software and technology.

As a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes.

While Shein moved its headquarters to Singapore and claims to store U.S. data in the U.S., it is still owned by the Chinese. As we’ve seen with companies such as LOGINK in U.S. ports and TikTok, any amount of CCP access to U.S. data poses a national security risk.

The spread of Shein’s supply-chain technology could provide the CCP with a vast trove of data about global and U.S. supply chains, as well as with details about U.S. citizens. The CCP would almost certainly use that data to subvert U.S. interests. This is unacceptable.

Please provide the following information no later than August 1, 2024:                
Is your administration tracking the possible sale of Shein supply chain software to U.S. companies? Have you taken steps to warn U.S. companies of the possible danger?

Has your administration identified any instances of the CCP viewing or utilizing data gathered by Shein?

Are Shein operations in the United States in compliance with all relevant data protection laws, regulations, and standards? Please provide details on their level of compliance.

Has your administration evaluated the possible national security risk posed by the spread of Shein’s supply chain technology? If so, please provide details. If not, why? 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 Sincerely,
Tom Cotton
United States Senator

ARMED SUSPECT PROMPTS LOCKDOWN AT SAU TECH CAMPUS
SAU Tech Campus was placed on lock down earlier in this afternoon following reports of an alleged armed person in the woods near the Arkansas Fire Training Academy. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, SAU Tech Police, Ouachita Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, and Arkansas State Police, were on scene and actively searching for the suspect.

SAU Tech lifted the lockdown about 2:30 pm after the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office declared the area safe. Despite an extensive search, the suspect was not located, and the area has been cleared.

Earlier reports indicated an individual was seen armed in the woods at another location leading to the manhunt near the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, placing SAU Tech on lock down. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the vicinity around the academy is now secure.

 

OVER 1,100 POUNDS NARCOTICS AND 19 GUNS SEIZED IN RECENT ASP TRAFFIC STOPS
July 8, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, around 8 a.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a rented 2023 white Suburban on Interstate 40 Eastbound at the 1-mile marker in Crawford County, near Van Buren, for a traffic violation.

A search of the Suburban resulted in the seizure of nine trash bags and one duffle bag filled with 325 pounds of illegal marijuana, with an estimated street value of more than $487,000.  ASP also seized over $25,000 cash from the two occupants.

ASP arrested the driver, Christian Nichols, 50, of Hopkinsville, Ky., and the passenger, Giovanni Capozzi, 21, of Fresno, Calif., and transported them to the Crawford County Detention Center.

Both men were charged with felony Possession with Purpose to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  On Friday, June 21, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m., ASP stopped a white 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck on U.S. Highway 49 southbound near County Road 253, near Barton, for a traffic violation. A search of the truck revealed a Savage 93 bolt action .17HMR rifle with a Banish Suppressor and a .22 caliber Ruger Mark IV pistol with an unmarked black suppressor.

Troopers arrested the driver, Dallas Young, 30, of Poplar Grove, and transported him to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with two counts of felony Criminal Use of Prohibited Weapons, Resisting Arrest, DWI, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and other charges.

Two days later, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Lonoke, at around 7:45 a.m., ASP stopped a gray Ford F-150 traveling eastbound near the 173-mile marker for a traffic violation. Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered 23 cardboard boxes containing approximately 682 pounds of THC products and 99 pounds of Psilocybin Mushroom products.

Troopers arrested the driver, Joshua Burgess, 35, of Monroe, N.C., and the passenger, Cynthia Nickolaisen, 26, of Charlotte, N.C., and transported them to the Lonoke County Detention Center. Burgess and Nickolaisen were charged with two counts of felony Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

Also, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, around 9:45 p.m., ASP stopped a 2019 black Dodge Challenger northbound on Highway 61 near Sandy Ridge in Mississippi County for a traffic violation. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 17 firearms, multiple fully loaded magazines, and a backpack full of ammunition.

Troopers arrested the driver, Tyree Speed, 24, of Blytheville, and transported him to the Mississippi County Detention Center, where he was charged with DWI, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, among other charges.    

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, around 2:12 p.m., ASP stopped a rented 2023 gray Nissan Rogue at the 16-mile marker on Interstate 40 Eastbound in Crawford County for a traffic violation.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found three duffle bags containing 92 pounds of illegal marijuana.

ASP arrested the driver, Wenchao Zhen, 45, of Rowland Heights, Calif., and the passenger, Muayad Yasin, 53, of Los Angeles, Calif. The two men were transported to the Crawford County Detention Center, where they were charged with felony counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The men told investigators they were traveling from California to Atlanta, Ga.  

 

SURVEY: INFLATION REMAINS TOP PROBLEM FOR MAIN STREET
Small Business Optimism Index Shows Main Street Still Pessimistic on Future of Economy
LITTLE ROCK (July 9, 2024) – NFIB State Director Katie Burns says the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index highlights how inflation affects Arkansas’ small, independent businesses.

“Inflation remains a serious challenge for small businesses and their consumers,” Burns said. “While costs remain elevated, our Main Street businesses have openings they simply can’t fill. These challenges underscore the importance of lowering the tax burden for hardworking Arkansans and fully eliminating the state income tax. The special session tax cuts passed in June will allow employers to invest in their businesses, expand their benefits, and create more jobs amid this economic uncertainty.”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index reached the highest reading of the year in June at 91.5, a one-point increase from last month. The last time the index was higher was in December of 2023 when it reached 91.9. Even so, this marks the 30th month below the historical average of 98. Inflation is still the top small business issue, with 21% of owners reporting it as their single most important problem in operating their business, down one point from May.

“Main Street remains pessimistic about the economy for the balance of the year,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Increasing compensation costs has led to higher prices all around. Meanwhile, no relief from inflation is in sight for small business owners as they prepare for the uncertain months ahead.”

Key findings include:

Seasonally adjusted, a net 22% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up four points from May.

A net negative 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in June, up six points from May’s lowest reading since October 1981.

A net negative 2% (seasonally adjusted) plan inventory investment in the coming months, up four points from May.

Fifty-two percent reported capital outlays in the last six months, down six points from May and the lowest reading since August 2022.

Four percent of owners reported that all their borrowing needs were not satisfied, up one point from May and the highest reading since August 2022.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, a seasonally adjusted 37% of all small business owners reported jobs openings they could not fill in their current period, down five points from May. Of the 60% of owners hiring or trying to hire in June, 85% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.

Fifty-two percent of owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, down six points from May and the lowest reading since August 2022. Of those making expenditures, 35% reported spending on new equipment, 22% acquired vehicles, and 14% improved or expanded facilities. Ten percent spent money on new fixtures and furniture and 5% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. Twenty-three percent (seasonally adjusted) plan capital outlays in the next six months, unchanged from May.

A net negative 12% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes was unchanged at a net negative 13% (seasonally adjusted).

The net percent of owners reporting inventory gains rose four points to a net negative 3%. Not seasonally adjusted, 17% reported increases in stocks and 16% reported reductions.

A net negative 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in June, up six points from May, which was the lowest reading since October 1981. A net negative 2% (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, up four points from May.

The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose two points from May to a net 27% seasonally adjusted. Twenty-one percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business. Unadjusted, 12% reported lower average selling prices and 41% reported higher average prices.

Price hikes were the most frequent in the construction (55% higher, 5% lower), retail (49% higher, 8% lower), wholesale (46% higher, 17% lower), finance (38% higher, 7% lower), and services (37% higher, 9% lower) sectors. Seasonally adjusted, a net 26% plan price hikes in June.

Seasonally adjusted, a net 38% reported raising compensation, up one point from May. A seasonally adjusted net 22% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up four points from May. Eleven percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem, up one point from May and only two points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021. Nineteen percent said that labor quality was their top business problem, remaining behind inflation as the number one issue.

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends was a net negative 29% (seasonally adjusted), one point better than May, but still a very poor reading. Among owners reporting lower profits, 34% blamed weaker sales, 17% blamed the rise in the cost of materials, 12% cited labor costs, and 9% cited lower selling prices. For owners reporting higher profits, 37% credited sales volumes, 27% cited usual seasonal change, and 20% cited higher selling prices.

Four percent of owners reported that all their borrowing needs were not satisfied. Twenty-four percent reported all credit needs met and 61% said they were not interested in a loan. A net 7% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts.

Four percent of owners reported that financing was their top business problem in June, down two points from May.

The NFIB Research Center has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in June 2024.

CITY OF CAMDEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN TO MEET
The City of Camden Board of Aldermen will meet in regular session Tuesday, July 09, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building located at 203 Van Buren NE.

ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CONVICTIONS IN TWO COUNTIES
LITTLE ROCK, AR – A Hot Spring County man has been convicted of two counts of criminal mischief in the first degree following an investigation by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Section. The convictions took place in Hot Spring and Howard Counties.

On June 28, James Barrett Hall pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mischief in the first degree in Howard County Circuit Court. This follows a previous conviction in November 2023 when Hall pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mischief in the first degree in Hot Spring County Circuit Court.

In 2022, Hall entered into an agreement to care for cattle brought from Texas. On January 7, 2024, special agents with the Department received a report regarding the loss of cattle due to starvation and lack of care.

Following the Department’s investigation, Hall was sentenced in the Hot Spring County case to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He received 20 years suspended imposition of sentence in the Howard County case, to be served consecutively with the Hot Spring County sentence. Hall was also ordered to pay a total of $126,000 in restitution.

The Department’s six law enforcement agents investigate agricultural crimes that affect any part of Arkansas’s diverse agricultural industry including wildfire arson, timber theft, livestock theft, agricultural and forestry equipment theft or vandalism, and foreign land ownership.

 

HEAD START SERVICES TO CONTINUE IN CLARK, HOT SPRING, MONTOMERY, PIKE, AND SALINE COUNTIES
Benton, Arkansas – The Office of Head Start, through the Designation Renewal System (DRS), has named Arkansas Early Learning Inc (AEL) to provide services within Clark, Hot Spring, Montgomery, Pike, and Saline Counties. Therefore, on August 1, 2024, the administration of the program will be the responsibility of Arkansas Early Learning.

Message from Grant Recipient

Arkansas Early Learning, headquartered at 1901 Woodsprings Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401, has been a trusted provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services throughout the state since 2013.

"We are thrilled to extend our commitment to early childhood education and family support to these five counties," said Nelson Walter, CEO of AEL. "We are deeply committed to supporting the healthy development of young children and empowering families. In addition to continuing the existing preschool Head Start program, we are excited to introduce Early Head Start services for infants and toddlers, providing a continuum of care for children from birth to age five. Our team is eager to partner with families and communities to create nurturing and enriching environments where children can thrive."

Families interested in enrolling in the Head Start or Early Head Start program can apply online at www.arearlylearning.org. Contact AEL at (800) 499-9391 with any questions about enrolling.

Message from Incumbent Grant Recipient

Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) has been honored to serve children and families for over 59 years, making a positive impact in our community. While we will no longer operate the Early Head Start/Head Start/Arkansas Better Chance program in Clark, Hot Spring, Montgomery, Pike, and Saline Counties, CADC remains committed to offering a variety of other programs and services within our 19-county service area. For more information about our ongoing programs and services, please visit our website at www.cadc.com. We are confident that Arkansas Early Learning (AEL) will continue to provide important, and quality Early Head Start and/or Head Start services. We offer them our best wishes for success.

Joint statement:
AEL and CADC are collaborating closely to ensure a smooth transition for children, families, and staff. We are committed to minimizing any disruptions and maintaining the high quality of Head Start and

Early Head Start services in the community. AEL will maintain current Head Start services for preschool-aged children and will also introduce Early Head Start services for infants and toddlers.

In the coming week, AEL and CADC will provide more detailed information to families and community stakeholders about the transition process.

At Arkansas Early Learning, we understand that the earliest years of a child's life lay the foundation for their future success. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for children who need it most, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Through our work, we are not only changing individual lives but also building a stronger, more resilient community. We are more than a non-profit organization – we are a beacon of hope for children and families facing adversity. We passionately believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves a chance to reach their full potential. Our mission is to nurture the dreams of vulnerable children and empower their families with the tools they need to build brighter futures. Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we provide high-quality early childhood education, comprehensive family support, and a nurturing environment where children can thrive. Together with the resolve and support of our community, we are creating a brighter tomorrow for the children of Arkansas, one small step at a time.

AEL’s Mission: Building a stronger community by empowering children and families with skills essential to their success.

Founded in 1965, Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) has been a beacon of community action, transforming lives, embodying hope, and improving communities to make America a better place to live. At CADC, our mission is to develop and deliver programs and services that meet the needs of hardworking low-income families and rural communities. Our purpose is to encourage and empower individuals to take action, identify problems, create solutions, and achieve tangible results in the fight against poverty. We believe that to make a significant impact, we must expand educational opportunities, provide comprehensive support for the elderly and youth, advocate for change with public officials, and educate our stakeholders about the needs of our hardworking neighbors and friends. We value the importance of cultivating partnerships for long-term impact and maximizing the use of volunteers in meaningful efforts to assist those in need. Our diverse range of programs and services includes, but is not limited to, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Family and Community Development, USDA Commodities, Tax Preparation Programs, and Homeless Initiatives.

CADC’s Mission: 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.

GET READY TO SOAR WITH "LET'S GO MAKE A KITE" WORKSHOP AT THE SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER
The South Arkansas Arts Center is excited to announce a fun and creative workshop, "Let's Go MAKE a Kite," with local artist Mr. Mike Means. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, July 16 from 1pm to 4pm at the SAAC.

In this interactive and engaging workshop, participants will learn the art of kite-making with Mr. Mike's expert guidance. The class is designed for anyone aged 8 to 18+, with a special encouragement for parent and child groups to participate together. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity and take home your very own handmade kite.

"I've always been told to 'go fly a kite,' so I decided it was time to make it happen!" said Mr. Mike Means, instructor for the workshop. "With SAAC's summer musical production of 'Mary Poppins' just around the corner, I thought this was the perfect timing to share kite-making with the community."

The cost for the workshop is $30 per participant. To secure your spot, please sign up on SAAC's website at www.saac-arts.org or call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends while creating something truly special. Join us at the South Arkansas Arts Center for "Let's Go MAKE a Kite" on July 16 and take to the skies!

EXPLOSION AT GENERAL DYNAMICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY
This morning, around 8:30, the Radio Works News Room received word of an explosion at General Dynamics in Calhoun County.

While the specific time of the incident has not been disclosed, initial reports suggested an evacuation, with two people unaccounted for, individuals being airlifted to hospitals, and the area being blocked off.

Here’s what we can confirm: There was indeed an explosion at General Dynamics, though the official cause, intensity, and extent of the damage remain unknown. Contrary to early rumors, there has been no evacuation, and public access roads to the area remain open. As for the status of the two missing individuals, we are still unable to verify this information, as we continue to receive unofficial updates from local listeners.

Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt spoke with Y95's Morning Show Host, revealing that one person has been mediflighted to Little Rock, and others have been transported to Ouachita County Medical Center. Additionally, Ouachita County Sheriff David Norwood mentioned that a "call to aid" was not issued but confirmed that helicopters had landed at Camden Municipal Airport.

Radio Works was on the scene and spoke with security personnel, who directed them to contact the Vice President of Communications for more information. As of this report, Radio Works has not received an official response to share with our listeners.

Social media is abuzz with various accounts and rumors about the incident. At Radio Works, we are committed to providing you with accurate and verified information, dispelling any misinformation circulating online.

This is a developing story, and we will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available. Stay tuned to Radio Works, visit our website at yesradioworks.com, and follow right here for the latest updates.

 

REHABILITATED WILDLIFE RELEASED IN OUACHITA RIVER FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY 
SMACKOVER — Members of a coordinated response team were able to release just over a dozen turtles, frogs and other reptiles recovered from the recent oil spill near Smackover into the Ouachita River yesterday. The animals were cleaned and monitored by professional oil recovery contractors before release.

The spill, which affected portions of Holmes Creek and Smackover Creek, occurred June 15, was caused by a leaking manifold from the Martin Operating Partners facility, releasing an estimated 2,500 barrels of crude oil.

Cleanup efforts are ongoing, and the general public is encouraged to enjoy the nearby Ouachita River for boating, angling and other recreation. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, no evidence indicates a potential risk to public health from chemicals that may be in the air from the incident. Volatile organic compounds may be present and have an associated odor, but that odor does not indicate a level of risk from inhalation.

Anglers and boaters should also be aware that the entrance to Smackover Creek from the Ouachita River is blocked with a containment boom and no access to Smackover Creek is allowed for the general public’s safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency is leading the oil spill cleanup. Updates regarding the effort are available at https://www.response.epa.gov/MartinOilPipelineSpill. 

Please email emergencyresponse@adeq.state.ar.us if you have any environmental concerns. 

Questions or concerns regarding fish or wildlife consumption advisories as well as general health-related questions should be directed to the Arkansas Department of Health at ADH.TS@arkansas.gov. If you are experiencing any potential health effects that could be related to this site, please consult a physician or health care professional.

Questions or concerns regarding impacts to fish or wildlife in the area should be sent to agfc.health@agfc.ar.gov. 
TURTLE RELEASE
More than a dozen turtles were part of the first release of animals recovered from the Smackover Creek oil spill. 

 

TAKING NOTES
Details about the animals released from the spill were recorded for future observation.

FROG IN HAND
This frog was one of many animals found near Smackover Creek and rehabilitated.

 

STATE CAPITOL WEEK IN REVIEW FROM SENATOR MATT STONE
The Arkansas Agriculture Department has completed a series of public hearings on updates to the statewide water plan, which hasn’t been modified in 10 years.

For the first time, the water plan developed this year will include ways to prepare for floods and to mitigate as much damage as possible caused by flooding.

In an executive order last year the governor directed the department to update the statewide water plan to account for population growth and the demands that growth has imposed on area water systems. The goal is to guarantee long-term supplies of clean drinking water, while also ensuring that agriculture and industry have the water resources they need.

The new water plan must factor in aging infrastructure, an issue throughout Arkansas whether the area is densely or sparsely populated.

State officials are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has vast experience in flood control, navigation and irrigation projects.

The plan is not limited to the use of surface water in rivers, streams and lakes. It includes ground water pumped by wells, which accounts for 71 percent of the water use in Arkansas. Legislators on the Senate and House Committees on City, County and Local Affairs heard a progress report on the new water plan at a recent meeting.

Crop irrigation accounts for 80 percent of the demand for ground water, while 3.5 percent of ground water is for municipal drinking water. Manufacturing and power plants use the rest.

In a 10-year period ending last December, Arkansas farmers drilled more than 9,700 wells. Livestock and poultry growers drilled another 1,055 wells. In that period homeowners drilled more than 6,400 wells and 58 wells were drilled for public water supplies. Commercial entities drilled 104.

Arkansas has legally binding, multi-state compacts with neighboring states that govern our use of rivers and waterways. For example, we are in a compact with Oklahoma that protects the quality of the Arkansas River. A multi-state compact with Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico protects the quality of the Canadian River before it flows into waterways that enter Arkansas from the west.

Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas are in a similar compact to protect the Red River before it flows into Louisiana.

It is costly and time consuming to build systems that deliver clean water and that safely process waste water. Act 605 of 2021 addresses the challenge of requiring water systems to plan for future needs by conducting rate studies, to determine whether water bills are sufficient to pay for needed, and expected, long term repairs.

Act 605 requires eight hours of training for everyone on the boards that oversee water systems. The individuals in charge need to know what it takes to operate a utility.

Under the act, state authorities will be notified if a system falls into financial distress, and the state will recommend measures to make it solvent.

Arkansas is blessed with an abundance of water, especially when compared to western states. Even so, it can be politically controversial to set priorities over the use of water because it affects so many people’s health and their livelihoods.
 

SAAC HOSTS RECEPTION FOR 2024 JURIED ART COMPETITION JULY 13
The South Arkansas Arts Center's 2024 Juried Art Competition and Exhibition is now open for viewing in the Merkle and Price Galleries. This exhibition brings together a diverse range of artistic talents from around the country, featuring a curated selection of 42 pieces created by 33 artists. Join SAAC for an evening of art, refreshments, and celebration to honor these talented artists at a reception on Saturday, July 13 from 6pm to 7:30pm with the award presentation at 6:30pm.

Juror David Houston, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi, has selected a broad array of works that showcase the artistic excellence of artists from across the nation.  The exhibition features artists from Arkansas, New York, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama. Of the 33 artists’ works included in the exhibition, 13 of those artists coming from south Arkansas and north Louisiana.

The exhibition represents a variety of artistic styles and mediums including everything from charcoal, acrylics, oil, photography, to video, just to name a few. From traditional fine art to contemporary mixed media, the exhibition is sure to delight art enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

"We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to our community," said Katherine McDonald, SAAC’s Visual Arts Committee Chairperson. "David Houston's expertise has resulted in an outstanding selection of artworks that showcase the talents of artists from across the country. We invite everyone to come and experience this incredible exhibit for themselves."

The Juried Art Competition, hosted by SAAC, is juried by nationally recognized art professionals and is open to all artists across the nation ages 18 and older who work in two-dimensional and three-dimensional fine arts media. One piece from the competition selected by the juror will be purchased by SAAC to become part of their permanent art collection. The Annual Purchase Award is made possible through an endowment from the family of Wilma Riley in memory of her commitment to the arts, her community, and SAAC. 

While attending the exhibit please cast your vote for The People's Choice Award, the only award in the competition selected by the viewing public. During the reception, over $2000 in prize money will be presented by juror David Houston for best of show, first through third place, honorable mention, and the purchase award.

This exhibit will hang in the Price and Merkle Galleries through July 23 and is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. For more information about the Juried Art Competition Exhibition or the awards reception, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

 

CAPTURE A MOMENT IN TIME WITH LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER LISA BURTON TARVER
Get ready to capture the beauty of a moment with local photographer Lisa Burton Tarver's "Capturing a Moment in Time" Photography Portrait Workshop. The workshop will take place at the South Arkansas Arts Center on Saturday, July 27 from 10am to 3pm. The cost of the workshop is $50.

In this unique and interactive workshop, participants will have the opportunity to use professional lighting and backdrops to take stunning portraits of their own subjects. Using their camera or phone, participants will take pictures and then mat them to create a beautiful 4x6 portrait.

The workshop begins with participants learning the basics of portrait photography and gaining hands-on experience with taking and printing their own photographs. After lunch, participants are invited to have a family member or a friend join them for the hands-on portion of the workshop. So...get ready to capture memories that will last a lifetime and join in the fun!

"I'm thrilled to share my passion for photography with others and help them capture their special moments," said Lisa Burton Tarver. "I love taking portraits and capturing those perfect and special moments with my camera. It is such an exhilarating feeling when you know you’ve captured that very moment in time."

The workshop is open to all skill levels and no prior photography experience is necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring their iPhone, Android or any digital camera with an SD card.

Don't miss this opportunity to capture a moment in time and take your photography skills to the next level. Register now for Lisa Burton Tarver's "Capturing a Moment in Time" Photography Portrait Workshop at the South Arkansas Arts Center on July 27.

To register or for more information, please visit SAAC’s web site at www.saac-arts.org or call us at 870-862-5474. Join us for an unforgettable day of photography and create memories that will last a lifetime.

JONATHAN HICKS ARRESTED AFTER INTENSE FOOT PURSUIT IN CAMDEN
Camden, AR — On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Johnathan Hicks was arrested following a dramatic sequence of events that began at approximately 8:30 a.m. Camden Police Officer Daisy Smith arrived at a residential home to serve a warrant for domestic violence. Upon encountering Hicks, he became resistant and combative, leading to a distress call for assistance.

Radio Works, intercepted police radio transmissions indicating an officer in distress. The transmission revealed Officer Smith, a female officer, struggling to communicate due to being out-of-breath, reporting a physical altercation with Hicks, who then fled on foot into a wooded area.

The Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office and additional Camden Police units quickly responded to the scene. A coordinated on-foot pursuit began as law enforcement combed the area and the edge of the woods in search of Hicks. However, the initial manhunt was called off around 9:40 a.m. due to Hicks evading capture.

Later, at approximately 10:00 a.m., another female police officer conducted a security check off Mary Street. Around 10:30 a.m., an officer spotted Hicks in the vicinity, prompting another foot pursuit. Law enforcement officers successfully apprehended Hicks after he was reportedly tased and subdued.

Hicks was promptly brought before Judge Ryan Phillips for his first court appearance. This initial appearance was not to enter a plea but to inform Hicks of the charges being filed against him, which include:

1. Domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor,
2. Obstruction of governmental operations,
3. Felonies for assault on an officer and fleeing.

Judge Phillips set Hicks' bond at $1,000 for the misdemeanor charge and $100,000 for the felony charges. The court date for the misdemeanor charges is scheduled for September 4th, while the date for the felony charges remains unknown.

The Camden Police Department and the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the incident, emphasizing their commitment to public safety and the enforcement of the law.
 

DON’T TRADE FIREWORKS FOR FLASHING LIGHTS: DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER
 July 1, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On this Independence Day, honor the ideals of America by making a conscious choice to drive sober or get a sober ride home. The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office, along with state and local law enforcement, will partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The goal is to deter impaired driving, and prevent the tragedies seen during previous Fourth of July holidays from happening again.

Every year, the Fourth of July holiday stands out as one of the deadliest times on the nation’s roads. From 2018 to 2022 during the holiday period, there were 1,414 drivers killed in traffic crashes across the nation. Thirty-nine percent (545) of those drivers were drunk. Of the 1,414 drivers killed, the 21-34 age group had the highest percent (50%) of drunk drivers.

"We want to make it clear that on this Fourth of July holiday, we will have a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “Troopers are well-trained to identify signs of drunk driving on the road. Driving under the influence is a reckless act that puts the lives of drivers, their passengers, and others on the road at extreme risk. We urge everyone to make responsible choices for a safe holiday.”

Drivers should plan ahead if they intend to drink. Don't wait until after drinking to make arrangements for getting home because impairment clouds a person’s judgment. A few dollars spent on a ride is a lot cheaper than a DWI, which can cost up to $10,000.

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 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, help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.
-- Always buckle up. Your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities.

 

MARY POPPINS BOX OFFICE OPEN AT SAAC
Box Office is open for the South Arkansas Arts Center's upcoming summer musical production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s "Mary Poppins." The production, sponsored by Murphy USA, will take place from July 11-14 and 18-21 with all performances beginning at 7:30pm, except for Sunday matinees on July 14 and July 21 at 2:30pm. 

Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.saac-arts.org. Prices are as follows: $25 for general public, $15 for SAAC members, and $10 for students and children. Seats can be reserved online or by calling the SAAC office at 870-862-5474.

"I love seeing the growth of the Banks family in Mary Poppins and how the show overall portrays how families can grow in love with each other. The music is extremely memorable, singable, and is delightful in every way," said Ian Aipperspach, Ph.D., Director of the production and Lecturer of Music and Music Director for Musical Theatre at Ouachita Baptist University.

"Mary Poppins" is a classic Disney musical that follows the story of the Banks family and their journey with the magical nanny Mary Poppins. The show features iconic songs such as "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," and "Let's Go Fly a Kite."

The roles of Jane and Michael Banks are double cast. The performance dates are July 11-12, 20-21 for Kaylee Sullivant and Jai Durvasula, with Kathryn Legg and Luke Louden on July 13-14, 18-19. For more information or to make reservations, please visit the SAAC website at www.saac-arts.org or call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474. 

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of "Mary Poppins" on stage. Get your tickets today and join the Banks family on their unforgettable adventure! SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

CIRCUIT COURT DENIES TIKTOK’S MOTION TO DISMISS, DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES LAWSUIT WILL CONTINUE IN UNION COUNTY
Griffin: ‘I will continue to stand up for Arkansans and ensure TikTok keeps our private information out of the hands of the Chinese government’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Union County Circuit Court denied a motion by TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to dismiss Griffin’s lawsuit against the social media platform:

“I applaud the court’s decision to allow our lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance to proceed. This marks the third time this year that a lawsuit I have brought against a social media platform has cleared this important legal hurdle.

“TikTok argued that the court did not have personal jurisdiction over the defendants in this case, that our claims under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act should fail, and that the claims are preempted. The court rightfully rejected all three arguments.

“Arkansas is leading the way in holding social media platforms accountable for how they represent themselves to customers and the type of content and algorithms they contain. I will continue to stand up for Arkansans and ensure TikTok keeps our private information out of the hands of the Chinese government.”

ARKANSAS CAL RIPKEN T-BALL & 9-YEAR-OLD STATE TOURNAMENT TO BE PLAYED IN CAMDEN
The City of Camden welcomes the Arkansas Cal Ripken T-Ball & 9 Year old State tournament July 5, 6 & 7, 2024. 

Tournaments will be played at the Camden Sportsplex Facility, 2708 Mt Holly Road. Teams for the tournament will be coming from Bryant, Greenbrier, Little Rock, Lakewood, Sylvan Hills, Lafayette County, Benton, Des Arc, Stuttgart, Star City, Lonoke, Monticello, El Dorado and the home team of Camden.

Concessions will be available at the tournament site and will be run by the Ouachita County Fair Association.  Tournament play will begin on Friday, July 5th and playing through Sunday, July 7th Tournament passes can be purchased for $20.00 or Day passes for $10.00 each at the gate.  Tournament play will be 3PM till 9PM on Friday and 10AM till 5PM on both Saturday and Sunday. 
 

CARNES PARK POOL UPDATE
The Swimming Pool in Carnes Park opened, Thursday, June 27, 2024, admission is $5.00, free for 3 years and under. 

The pool will be open six days a week – Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. 

Swimming lessons and water aerobics will start this week. 

Water aerobics will be given Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00am until 9:00am each week.  The cost is $3 per session;  Water Aerobics will be taught by Ashton Priddy. 

Swimming lessons will be given Tuesday through Saturday from 9am until 10am.  The cost is $35.00 for 3 sessions.

Hours of operation are as follows:
11am until 7pm Tuesday through Friday
11am until 8pm on Saturdays
1pm until 7pm on Sundays

OUACHITA COUNTY INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY
July 1, 2024
The Ouachita County Courthouse and the Ouachita County Extension Office will be closed Thursday July 4, 2024 and Friday July 5th, in observance of the holiday.
The Ouachita County Sanitation Department will run on regular schedule, they will not observe the holiday.

ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES FORDYCE SURVIVORS FUND
Accepting donations to support victims, recovery efforts following mass shooting
Little Rock, Ark. (July 1, 2024) – Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF) has established the Fordyce Survivors Fund in response to the devastating mass shooting event on June 21 in Fordyce, Arkansas. 100% of donations to the fund will provide financial support for survivors of the shooting.

“Like so many, we are shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy. A shooting isn’t something you want to plan for,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. “But we have gained experience in helping rebuild communities following other disasters over the years, and we work with partners that have vast experience in mass shootings. The death of four Arkansans and the recovery needs of the survivors gives us an unfortunate reason to put some of the lessons we’ve learned to use.”

More information can be found by visiting www.arcf.org/fordyce.

“We are heartbroken at this senseless violence, right here at home,” said Sen. Matt Stone, District 2. “None of us ever imagined we would have to respond in the aftermath of a shooting in a peaceful town like Fordyce. But we’re determined to rally around this community to help it recover and heal. Working with the Community Foundation is an important step in that recovery.” 

Donations may be made to victims and survivors at arcf.org/fordycefund or by mail to:

Arkansas Community Foundation
Attn: Fordyce Survivors Fund
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110
Little Rock, AR 72202

Contributions to the Fordyce Survivors Fund will be distributed with guidance from the Community Foundation and a community-led steering committee of Fordyce residents and local leadership.

The Community Foundation will be partnering with Victim’s First, a volunteer-led nonprofit helping with immediate needs, along with the Mass Violence Survivor’s Fund led by Jeff Dion, both national entities with experience serving communities following more than 50 mass shootings nationwide. The Community Foundation and these two organizations will ensure that the funds are managed in a way that is transparent, victim-centered and trauma informed.

The Foundation’s normal administrative fees will be waived and 100% of the donations will go to support victims. *A credit card company fee of approximately 3% will be applied to donations made by credit card.

For more information, visit arcf.org/Fordyce or contact Jessica Ford at 501-372-1116 or jford@arcf.org

4TH OF JULY SAFETY AND LITTER PREVENTION
As we gear up for the 4th of July celebrations, Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB) reminds everyone to prioritize safety and environmental consciousness. Fireworks, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings are hallmarks of this holiday, but they also contribute to increased litter and potential hazards. To ensure a safe and clean celebration, follow these guidelines: 

1. Dispose of Fireworks Properly: 
After the show, soak used fireworks in water before discarding them in a metal trash can. Avoid leaving spent fireworks on the ground, as they can cause fires or injuries. 

2. Practice Responsible Grilling: 
Keep grills at a safe distance from structures and always supervise them. Ensure that all coals are fully extinguished before disposal to prevent fires. 

3. Clean Up After Gatherings: 
Bring enough trash bags to your outdoor events and encourage guests to use them. Recycle bottles, cans, and other materials whenever possible. 

4. Keep Waterways Clean: 
If celebrating near lakes, rivers, or beaches, be mindful of littering. Plastics and other debris can harm wildlife and degrade natural beauty. 

By following these tips, we can all enjoy a festive and safe Independence Day while keeping Arkansas beautiful. Let's celebrate responsibly and leave no trace behind.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN SUES JONESBORO COUPLE OVER SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT OF FEMALE RENTERS
Griffin: ‘Subjecting women seeking housing for themselves and their families to sexual discrimination and harassment is abhorrent and a violation of state law’
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing his lawsuit against property owners Charles and Judy Warren of Jonesboro for violations of the Arkansas Fair Housing Act related to sexual discrimination and harassment of female renters:

“Preying on women seeking housing for themselves and their families by subjecting them to sexual discrimination and harassment is abhorrent and a violation of state law. My office will pursue all available penalties and damages against the defendants for violating the Arkansas Fair Housing Act.”

The lawsuit, filed in Craighead County Circuit Court, alleges that, since at least 2019, the defendants subjected female tenants at their properties to sexual discrimination and sexual harassment, including:
Offering to grant tangible housing benefits, such as reducing rent, to female tenants in exchange for sexual acts;
Subjecting female tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, including touching their breasts and buttocks;
 Subjecting female tenants to indecent exposure, including unwelcome exposure of genitals;
 Making unwelcome comments and sexual advances to female tenants, including commenting on tenants’ bodies and inviting them to engage in sexual acts;
 Menacing female tenants by entering their homes without their permission and with no apparent legitimate reason; and,
 Taking adverse housing actions, or threatening to do so, against female tenants who objected to or refused sexual advances.

Griffin is seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, and compensatory and punitive damages through a jury trial, including monetary damages for victims and civil penalties.

GET READY TO SOAR WITH "LET'S GO MAKE A KITE" WORKSHOP AT THE SOUTH ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER
The South Arkansas Arts Center is excited to announce a fun and creative workshop, "Let's Go MAKE a Kite," with local artist Mr. Mike Means. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, July 9 from 1pm to 4pm at the SAAC.

In this interactive and engaging workshop, participants will learn the art of kite-making with Mr. Mike's expert guidance. The class is designed for anyone aged 8 to 18+, with a special encouragement for parent and child groups to participate together. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity and take home your very own handmade kite. 

"I've always been told to 'go fly a kite,' so I decided it was time to make it happen!" said Mr. Mike Means, instructor for the workshop. "With SAAC's summer musical production of 'Mary Poppins' just around the corner, I thought this was the perfect timing to share kite-making with the community."

The cost for the workshop is $30 per participant. To secure your spot, please sign up on SAAC's website at www.saac-arts.org or call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends while creating something truly special. Join us at the South Arkansas Arts Center for "Let's Go MAKE a Kite" on July 9 and take to the skies!

BALLOT INTEGRITY ALERT: ATTORNEY GENERAL GRIFFIN REMINDS VOTERS, CANVASSERS OF RULES GOVERNING SIGNATURE COLLECTION FOR BALLOT INITIATIVES
Griffin: ‘It is imperative that both voters and canvassers understand and adhere to Arkansas’s laws on the collection of signatures for ballot initiatives’
LITTLE ROCK – With the deadline for submittal of signatures on statewide ballot initiatives fast approaching, Attorney General Tim Griffin reissued guidance on the rules that govern the collection of signatures:

“As the July 5 deadline for signature submission draws near, there will likely be many people across the state this week making a final push to collect signatures for various ballot measures. It is imperative that both voters and canvassers understand and adhere to Arkansas’s laws on the collection of signatures for ballot initiatives. This benefits all involved; it protects the signatures from being challenged legally and upholds faith in our democratic process.”

The law requires that canvassers:
Be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen, AND an Arkansas resident.
Personally witness all signatures on the petition.

It is a felony for a canvasser to:
Sign someone else’s name to a petition;
Print someone else’s name, address, or birth date. If the signer requires assistance due to disability, a person other than the canvasser may print the signer’s name, address, birth date, and the date of signing. The person providing assistance must sign and print his or her own name in the margin of the petition;
Ask for or obtain a signature when the canvasser knows that the person signing is not qualified to sign the petition;
Pay someone to sign;
Knowingly misrepresent the purpose and effect of the petition or the measure in order to persuade someone to sign; or
Falsely swear to have witnessed all signatures on the petition page.
If you are approached by a canvasser, remember that:

Only registered voters may sign a petition;

All signatures must be in the signer’s own handwriting and must be given in the presence of the canvasser;

Because petition parts are separated by county, signers should only sign petition parts for the county in which the signer is registered to vote;

Arkansas law requires that a full and correct copy of the popular name, ballot title and text of the initiated or referred measure be attached to every petition at all times during a petition’s circulation. This is so potential signers may read the full text of what they are being asked to sign;

The information a signer provides on a petition may be disclosed in response to a records request made under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

We have received reports of canvassers leaving petitions unattended in public places. What is the effect of someone signing an unattended petition?

This is a canvasser violation only if (1) someone signs that petition while the canvasser isn't there and (2) the canvasser signs the affidavit in the bottom corner of the signature page. If both the foregoing happen, then two legal consequences occur: (1) people attacking the petition can argue that every signature page gathered by that canvasser be tossed out; and (2) the canvasser can be convicted of a felony for falsely swearing to have witnessed the signatures that occurred in his or her absence.

Regarding the collection of signatures on private property:

Signature collectors should ensure that their ballot-related activities comply with any posted signs and are conducted with the consent of private property owners.

Any complaints or allegations of misconduct in the ballot-initiative process should be directed to the Election Integrity Unit, Office of the Attorney General, at (833) 995-8683.

 

FIRST FRIDAY MARKET COMING JULY 05, 2024
First Friday Monthly Market in Camden, AR invites you to downtown Camden to “Freedom Friday:  Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie” on July 5th.

Once again we have a great line-up of vendors!  Vendors will be selling everything from leatherwork, woodwork, resin art, metal art, jewelry, and so much more.  Be sure to catch a ride on the Queen City Train Rides, loading will be near the Farmer’s Bank drive thru.

We have a great variety of food with Spud Love – the best of Faulkner County 2021 serving up great loaded potatoes, Bills and Dimes with Authentic Mexican, QnCs kitchen with Empanadas, burgers, Turkey Bacon Melt, patty Melt, philly cheesesteak, chicken fajita salad and Joe’s BBQ with BBQ plates, (ribs, chicken) pull pork nachos.    Plenty of varieties to cool off too with shaved ice and bubble tea, freeze dried candies, rolled ice cream, kettle corn, lemonade and so much more!  If baked goods are what you are craving, we have homemade goodies that will certainly meet the need.

Live music this month will be Saving For Tuesday. The rock band from South Arkansas has been together for several years, creating and performing music that resonates with their audiences. Their long-standing partnership has allowed them to cultivate a unique sound, blending elements of various rock genres with their personal flair. The band members' dedication and passion for music shine through in their energetic performances, captivating fans and leaving a lasting impression. From small local venues to larger stages, their talent has garnered them a dedicated following, and their music continues to touch the hearts of listeners. With each passing year, this South Arkansas rock band strengthens their bond, evolving their sound and expanding their reach. Their commitment to their craft is evident, and they are poised to make an even greater impact in the world of rock music. Be sure to stop by, sit awhile and enjoy the evening.

Downtown merchants will be open late for all your shopping convenience offering great First Friday specials. First Friday Monthly Market in Downtown Camden, AR, July 5, 6PM – 9PM.

Come stroll, shop, nibble, browse and chat… See you there!

ARKANSAS STATE TROOPERS AND STAFF AWARDED HONORS AT ANNUAL BANQUET
June 27, 2024
BENTON, Ark. — Arkansas State Trooper Austin Duncan was awarded the prestigious Arkansas State Trooper of the Year Award for 2023 at the annual Arkansas State Police awards ceremony today hosted by the Arkansas State Police Foundation.

Trooper Duncan, an Arkansas State Trooper since 2020, was honored for his bravery and quick thinking in stopping a suspect vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 630 in Little Rock in September of 2023. He placed his patrol unit in the vehicle's path, preventing a head-on collision with another motorist at high speed. The suspect vehicle's driver swerved to avoid Trooper Duncan's patrol unit, and Trooper Duncan turned his patrol unit again into the path of the suspect vehicle, causing a head-on collision with the suspect vehicle. His actions exemplify the mission of the Arkansas State Police.

During the ceremony, Arkansas State Police Foundation President Elizabeth Anderson introduced the keynote speaker, retired ASP Director J.R. Howard. Howard was named ASP Director in 2011 after serving as a U.S. Marshal and Arkansas State Crime Lab Director. Howard began his law enforcement career as an Arkansas State Trooper in 1971 and spent 15 years in the Criminal Investigation Division.

Others recognized in today’s ceremony:
Official Commendations
Corporal Matt Price
Corporal Michael Bowman
Trooper Tyler Grant
Telecom Operator Cindy Ball-Dye
Sergeant Chase Melder
Corporal Deston Linkous
Telecom Supervisor Jorge Mendoza
Telecom Operator Iris Alvarado
Special Agent Matthew Foster
Senior Corporal David Smothers
Special Agent Joe Pickett
Special Agent David Moss
CACD Sr. Investigator Mary Pifer
CACD Sr. Investigator Cassie Johnson

Lifesaving Awards
TFC Marcus Simpson
Trooper Kirt Williams
Corporal Kevin Helm
Corporal James Mitchell

Distinguished Service Awards
Pope County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Rodney McNeese
Pope County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Charles Brown
Keevil Constable James Capshaw
Monroe County Sheriff Michael Neal

Distinguished Meritorious Service Awards
CACD Hotline Operator Amanda Whitlock
Special Agent Matthew Foster

Medal of Valor
Trooper Ronald Grace
TFC Nathan Williams
Trooper Michael Kyle Ellison
Sergeant Alan Johnson
Trooper Austin Duncan

Trooper's Cross Award
Trooper Matt Sanford
Special Agent Matthew Foster

Ouachita County Community Concerts are bringing you Billstown at the event center at Fairview Park, Saturday, October 5^th at 6 pm. Call 870-807-6915 for all the information. Kids get in free with adult tickets so the whole family can have a fun evening without breaking the bank!