Early Morning Fire At Alma Business

Early Tuesday, April 28, Alma firefighters responded to a call to Auto Plex Collision Repair & Towing.  The business is located at 215 Commerce Drive.  It took fire crews around an hour to get the flames under control.

According to Eddie Wakefield, Alma Fire Chief, the fire appeared to have started in an area that was being remodeled on the north side of the building.  The office and storage area suffered most of the damage from the fire, with the shop receiving some smoke damage.

Wakefield said responding to the scene were twenty-one Alma firefighters, a heavy rescue truck and two pumper trucks.  They cut a hole in the building's metal roof for ventilation.  He also said one firefighter fell and injured his elbow while putting out the blaze.  He was treated at a hospital and then released.  No one was inside when the fire started.

Danny Kimes, the owner, said he has owned the business for approximately twenty years.  He also said it was insured and would probably be re-built.

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City Of Ft. Smith Faces Fines

According to a letter written to Ft. Smith Board of Directors by Steve Parke, Utilities Di- rector, on February 9, while remodeling a building at 100 N. 23rd St near Northside High School, problems were discovered,  Parke wrote "City crews determined that the service   line was not connected to a sanitary sewer main.  Instead, it was connected to the 36-    inch diameter storm drain along the south side of Roger's Ave".

Sewage was found to be discharged into the storm sewer from six other buildings in the area.  Because of this issue, officials say the city is exposed to fines for six separate violations, which could be up to $500 per day per violation.  The 100 N. 23rd St area's   water and sewer services are not active, keeping the number to six.

An ordinance was passed on April 21 to spend $317,970 on the construction of a sewer line running from 2200 - 2321 Rogers Ave.  According to Ray Gosack, City Administrator, the competitive bidding was waived in order to get construction started as soon as possible.

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Moratorium Suggested Regarding Speed Bumps In Ft. Smith

Ft. Smith Ward 3 Director Mike Lorenz suggested during a study session Tuesday, a 6-month moratorium regarding speed tables be imposed.  Lorenz represents the neighborhood that requessted the speed bumps.  He is wanting to gather more input from the public.

Installation of six speed tables is planned by the city.  They will be located on a 30 mph stretch of Cliff Drive between Old Greenwood Road and S 30th Street.  According to Stan Snodgrass, Engineering Director, after the testing period, consideration of the adoption of an official speed table policy for residential streets would be taken.  The test area will cost the city between $8,000 to $30,000.  The proposed moratorium was pushed to next Tues- day's voting agenda by the Board of Directors.

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Spring Cleanup In Sebastian County

A county-wide spring cleanup is going on in Sebastian County.  The schedule and locations are as follows: 
On May 2 in Milltown, it will be at the Volunteer Fire Department Community Building.  In Greenwood, residents may use trash bins at the Greenwood Street Department north of the shop at the Recycle Center located at 104 Bell Road daily from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. on May 2 and May 9.  They also can go on May 4 thru May 8 from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Rural Greenwood resi- dents will go to the County Road Department.

On May 9, locations will be the City Hall in Central City, the intersection of Jenny Lind Loop and Gate 9 Road in Jenny Lind.

There will be a designated area for white goods such as refrigerators and stoves, as well as electronics such as televisions and computers, which will be picked up later.  A news release states that to assure that only acceptable waste is disposed of, all collection sites will be staffed.  Local volunteers are needed for litter pick up during the scheduled cleanup days.  For information, call the Sebastian County coordinator at 479-452-4104 or the County Judge's office at 479-783-6139.

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Arkansas Library Funding Cut By $1 Million

The Arkansas Legislature reduced state funding for libraries in their last session by $1 mill- ion.  This means the library system in Ft. Smith will see a cut of $34,000.  According to Jen- nifer Goodson, Ft. Smith Library Director, they will experience a $17,000 reduction in the current budget, with the other $17,000 showing the first half of next year's.  This is due to the Ft. Smith Library follows a fiscal year of January - December, whereas the state follows the July - June fiscal year.

During a Board of Trustees meeting, Goodson stated services and materials will be impacted by the $34,000 loss.  There are reserve funds of $130,000 that the library is relying on to reach their budget.  There has been a 5-10% reduction in expenditures for such things as DVDs, books and magazines in an effort to help.  Also, several electronic resources and part- time hours have been cut.

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Police Searching For Stabbing Victim & Suspect

Early Sunday morning, Ft. Smith Police responded to a call that a female had ran inside Sparks Regional Medical Center, saying someone outside had been stabbed.  Cameron  Smith, 38, had been stabbed ten times.  A news release stated Smith said he was attacked by a black suspect who got out of a white Cadillac and proceeded wrestling with him, stab- bing Smith during the fight.  The incident took place downtown at the El Azteca, a Spanish club, located at 917 N. 'A' Street.

It was also stated in the release that before Smith arrived at the hospital, police interviewed a witness that indicated Christopher Palmer, 31 of Little Rock, is the one who stabbed Smith.

Authorities said it was learned by police that there was a warrant out for Smith for a pa-  role violation.  The security staff at Sparks Regional Medical Center was notified that a   hold order was placed on Smith.  Officers found out late Sunday, that Smith had gone out    to smoke and did not return, according to the release.  Smith now faces potential escape charges.

Police said they are now searching for Smith and Palmer.

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Wrongful Death Lawsuit Amended In Death Of Inmate

A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed on December 23, 2014 alleging that Amanda Potter, 39, an inmate in the Sebastian County Detention Center, died due to the staff failed to provide her medical attention.  Gordon Potter, Potter's ex-husband, filed the lawsuit.  It was deter- mined by District Court Judge P. K. Holmes III, in March, that Gordon Potter had been a- ppointed in error as administrator of Amanda Potter's estate.  Holmes then allowed Scott Courtney, Amanda Potter's father, to become the plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Matthew Campbell, Courtney's attorney from Little Rock, has had the motion to file an a- mended complaint granted by Holmes.  Those named in the amended complaint are the detention center, Corporal Donna Neal, deputies Chris Lawler, Zachary Krieger and Steven Christenson, Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck, Cindy Moore-detention center nursing manager, as well as four unidentified males and three unidentified females.

Potter's death on July 19 of 2014, was determined by an autopsy to have been accidental, caused by "combined drug toxicity".

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Man Shot By Wildlife Officer Identified

An Arkansas man that was shot Sunday after a struggle with a wildlife officer, has been i- dentified as Billy Joe Patrick.  According to the OSBI, Patrick, 29, and two other men were fishing at approximately 11:10 a.m. near Bunch in Adair County when they were approached by a state wildlife officer.

It was discovered by the officer after he asked to see their fishing licenses, that there had been a parole violation arrest warrant issued in Arkansas for Patrick.  As he attempted to take the suspect into custody, Patrick began to struggle with the officer, causing them both to fall into the water.  The man then tried to hold the officer's head under water.  The off- icer, however, fought his way above the water and then shot Patrick, who was pronounced dead at the scene.  A news release stated the wildlife officer received minor injuries.  He was taken to a local hospital, where he treated.

An investigation is being conducted by OSBI agents and the Adair County Sheriff's Depart- ment. 

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Van Buren Veterans Memorial Park Planned

A Veterans Memorial Park is being developed in Van Buren.  It will be located at Main St & Cane Hill.  A $40,000 engineering contract was authorized on April 20th by the City Council which will go toward the park project.  This is part of the continued beautification and re- vitalization effort of the city's historic downtown.

A $46,405 contract was approved by the aldermen in a 4-0 vote.  The contract is with CEI Engineering which is based in Bentonville.  $41,429 of that contract was raised several years ago by a tax.  According to Bob Freeman, Van Buren Mayor, park bond proceeds will pay for the balance of the contract.

Two of the features of the Veterans Memorial Park will be an area in which visitors and re- sidents can pay tribute to veterans and space for farmers market vendors.  The park will also be used as a venue where the city can have different functions.

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Recommendation Of Park Name

A name has been agreed upon for recommendation to the Ft. Smith Board of Directors for one of the new parks.  The name of McGruder Park will be presented for the Board's approval for the park that will be located at the corner of Fianna Way & Ark 253.  In 2014, the McGruder family donated the land for the park.  According to Jeff Dingman, Ft. Smith Deputy City Administrator, the 2.5 acres was purchased by the family specifically to donate.  Fianna Highlands Park, Ft. McGruder Park at Fianna and Stephens Mountain Park are some of the names that were suggested.

Due to the lack of suggestions from the public, the new park to be located at the southwest corner of the city limits on Texas Road, will not be named right now.  It is being considered by commissioners to ask school students in the area to assist in naming the park.

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Groundbreaking For New ArcBest Headquarters

A groundbreaking ceremony was held April 15 for the new corporate headquarters of Arc- Best.  The Ft. Smith-based corporation is constructing the new building at Chaffee Cross- ing.  In attendance with local dignitaries was Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

The four-story building will be built near McClure Amphitheater on a forty-acre tract.  It will be 200,000 square feet.  Construction is expected to start in July and be finished in late 2016.  It was said earlier by officials that it will support the creation of 975 jobs in the area thru the year 2021.  ArcBest was applauded by Hutchinson for their commitment to the area.  They were also commended by Ft. Smith Sandy Sanders.  In Ft. Smith, approximately 1200 people are employed by the company.  Nationwide, they employ over 11,400 workers.

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Arrest Made In LeFlore County Shooting

An arrest has been made by Ft. Smith Police in connection with a shooting that took place Saturday, April 18 in LeFlore County.  Felisha Louann Raymond aka Felisha Carshall, 23 of Spiro, is the prime suspect in the shooting of 24 year-old Tyler Dunnigan.  The incident took place east of Spiro on Cowshed Crossing Road at around 7 a.m.

A news release stated that Raymond went into Dunnigan's home and shot him in the back of the head.  She then allegedly went to another house in the area and stole a vehicle. Accord- ing to Ft. Smith Police Corporal Barbara Williams, Raymond was found in the attic of a house on Bradley Drive by Officer Dan Karper.

Kendall Morgan, LeFlore County Undersheriff, said charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to harm will be sought by the County due to the state of Okla- homa does not have an "attempted murder" charge.

Dunnigan was taken to Mercy Hospital in Ft. Smith where he was treated.  He was then re- leased into the custody of authorities at the Sebastian County Detention Center for outstan- ding warrants.
 
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Van Buren School Board Terminates Teacher

The Van Buren School Board made the decision at their meeting on April 14 to terminate teacher Denan Cagle.  On February 2 of this year, Cagle, former science teacher at North- ridge Middle School, was placed on administrative leave after being accused of slapping a student.  This was the second accusation against her.  The first one came in November of 2014 from a student saying he was hit in the face by Cage.

Following the February incident, she was charged with third degree battery.  According to court records, on the 27th of February a not-guilty plea was entered on her behalf.  A date  of May 7 has been scheduled for her trial.

The school board deliberated for over three hours regarding Cagle's termination.

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Allegations Brought Against Pocola School Employee

An investigation is being conducted by the Pocola Police Department into allegations made against an employee of the Pocola School.  According to Monty Guthrie, School Superinten- dent, on Tuesday afternoon, April 14, the first allegation was made against the employee.  He said he held a meeting regarding the accusations, after which he immediately notified the police.  Then, on Wednesday, the employee resigned.

Guthrie declined to discuss the name, gender and position of the employee citing the confi- dentiality rights of employees and the ongoing investigation.  He said no arrests have been made so far and that the Pocola Police Chief said he would be releasing more information in the coming days.

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Memorial Service For Drowning Victim

There will be a memorial service Sunday, April 19 for Stacey Hernandez.  Hernandez, 21 from Rogers, drowned on March 24 while with her family on Beaver Lake.  According to authorities, three of the five family members were in a canoe with the other two in a pad- dle boat, when the paddle boat started taking on water.  The ones in the canoe attempted  to help the others in the paddle boat, causing the canoe to tip over.

The family became separated, authorities said, when everyone swam off in different direc- tions, trying to reach the shore.  Two of the group were juveniles.  Three of the family had worn life jackets.  The incident took place in the Coppermine Acres area.  Hernandez's body was discovered on April 7 by the Benton County Dive Team.

The service will be held at the New Hope Assembly of God located at 2626 W. New Hope Road in Rogers at 2 p.m.

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Survey Shows Decrease In Homeless

The results of the Old Fort Homeless Coalition's 2015 Point-In-Time count have been re- leased.  The survey, taken January 22, showed a 28% decrease in the overall number of homeless in the past year.  However, there was an 11% increase in the number of unshel- tered homeless.  In the area defined as the River Valley, 179 were shown to be homeless, with 92 of them being unsheltered.  A majority of the people that participated in the count are referred to as "chronically homeless".  18% surveyed said they were veterans.

According to Violet Adams, policy and program developer for AmeriCorps VISTA locally, most people who have become homeless have overriding factors such as domestic violence, trau- matic events in their life or economic conditions.

Fundraising for the proposed Riverview Hope Campus, a shelter for the homeless, conti- nues.  It will be located at 301 S. 'E' Street.

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Elementary Receives $40,000

The James R. Tate Elementary School in Van Buren received $40,000 Wednesday, April 8 from Dollar General.  According to a news release, Dollar General's director of community initia- tives, Denin Torr, said the donation is part of a new program they have called Reading Revo- lution.  It helps to provide schools with resources that will assist the schools to enhance their literacy and reading programs.  This includes purchasing books, computers and other educa- tional supplies.

The release stated that Tate Elementary was chosen due to the strong community contribu- tions to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation through the Cash Cube program available in stores, particularly at the Kibler Road location.  Donations to other schools through the pro- gram are planned by Dollar General.

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Ark. National Guard To Close Road During Training

It was announced by the Arkansas National Guard that public access will be closed to Rattle- snake Canyon Road from May 8 to August 9.  The road is located at the eastern perimeter of the Ft. Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center.  The closure is due to annual summer train- ing that will be held in that area.

Public Affairs Officer for the Arkansas National Guard, Joel Lynch, stated in a news release that a driving hazard is created when considerable dust is stirred up by vehicles during the dry summer months.  Rattlesnake Canyon Road is not maintained to county standards, but  to those of the military.

During the 94-day period, there are more than twenty-five units scheduled for different types of training at Ft. Chaffee.  The release also stated that convoys and training support vehicles will be routed along the road frequently, even though it won't be used every day by each unit.

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Arrest Made In Connection With Death Of Mentally Disabled Man

44 year-old Shawn Edward Howard was arrested Wednesday, April 8 in connection with the death of a Ft. Smith man in February.  On February 10, Howard reported Jimmy Don Abner missing, at which time a Silver Alert was issued.  He was the live-in caretaker for Abner, 57, who had the mental capacity of a five year-old.  Abner also suffered from Alzheimer's.

Abner's body was found on February 12 in Cedarville in a wooded area.  Cause of death was determined by an autopsy to be dehydration and sepsis.  The autopsy also stated he had experienced pressure necrosis in his right hip and thigh due to protein-calorie malnutrition.  Abner weighed 92 pounds at the time of his death.  The affidavit states the death is ruled as a homicide.

Howard was booked into the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center with no bond.  Arraig- nment is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

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