Update On Family Dollar Robbery

One of three possible suspects has been arrested in connection with the robbery on May 23 of the Family Dollar located at 3201 Grand Ave.  Donovan Cobbs, 23 of Ft. Smith, has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery and on two warrants unrelated to the robbery.

According to a news release from Police Sargent Daniel Grubbs, Cobbs was seen on surveil- lance footage, entering the store minutes before the robbery, at which time he walked the perimeter, leaving without making a purchase.  Afterwards, the other two suspects entered the store, one was carrying a semi-automatic handgun.  They took an undisclosed amount of cash, then fled the scene on foot. 

No one was injured.  Anyone with information regarding the suspects, can call the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709-5100.

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Battalion Positions Reduced At Fort Chaffee

As part of the Department of Army's field artillery reduction, the 217th Brigade Support Battalion of the Arkansas Army National Guard has officially deactivated Alpha and Bravo companies at Ft. Chaffee.  A news release stated there will be 114 positions lost by the battalion as well as a reduction in support functions such as fuel storage and transporta- tion, supply sections, water purification and wheeled vehicle maintenance. 

One company consisting of 113 soldiers will remain in the support battalion for the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade.  Opportunities were provided for the soldiers to fill open positions in other units of the 142nd Field Artillery, with some moving over to positions with Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade.

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Mayor Gives Update On Flooding In Van Buren

Van Buren City Council was given an update on the situation of flooding in the city by Mayor Bob Freeman before their meeting Tuesday.  He said the Arkansas River water level in the Van Buren area was approximately 11 1/2 feet above flood stage as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.  It will begin to decrease, Freeman said, at a slow pace.  He is concerned about more flooding or further property damage due to more rain in the forecast. 

So far, the only area that has had to be evacuated is campers at the RV park at Lee Creek Park.  David Martin, City Building Inspector, monitors weather patterns for the city.  He said in the month of May, Van Buren has received 14.48 inches of rain.

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Neighborhood Threatened By River

Van Buren homes in the Flat Rock Court neighborhood began to be threatened Monday by the Arkansas River.  According to Dennis Gilstrap, Crawford County Emergency Manager, Van Buren Police officers began to go door-to-door, warning residents of localized flooding.  Gil- strap said people in that area need to be aware and prepared to move to higher ground.

The neighborhood is located east of Interstate 540 and south of Industrial Park Blvd.

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Residents Use Canoes In Neighborhood

Monday, as rain fell, many people left the Riverlyn Drive area in Ft. Smith, which is located right on the Arkansas River.  The road had a lot of flooding and was blocked off.  Richard Turner, a resident of the area, said "We've lived her for eight years and this is by far the worst of the flooding that we've seen."  The road was monitored hourly by Ft. Smith Police.

Tuesday canoes were used by homeowners to survey flood damage.  Chuck Fawcett, a resident for 27 years, said there was four feet of water in his driveway.  He estimates between $60-70,000 in damage has been done to his property. 

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Missing Van Buren Man Found Safe

Around 3 a.m. Friday morning, a Van Buren man was reported missing by his girlfriend.  The man, who is in his fifties, was camping near the Mulberry River with family and friends.  He decided to go for a ride on his four wheeler overnight.  According to Anthony Boen, Franklin County Sheriff, when the ATV became stuck, the man proceeded to try to locate the camp- site on foot in the dark.

A little after 7 a.m. Friday, search and rescue crews found him.  He was not near the camp.  Boen said the man was checked out by Paramedics on the scene.  It did not appear that he would need to be taken to a hospital.

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Van Buren Couple Arrested In Arizona

Wallace McMaster, 59 and his wife, Sherri McMaster, 56 from Van Buren, have been arrested in Arizona on suspicion of transporting drugs to bring back to Arkansas.  A news release from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office stated a traffic stop was being conducted near Prescott, AZ when the McMasters started acting very nervous.  A consent search was then performed, at which time deputies discovered more than a half-pound of packaged metham- phetamine and a marijuana cigarette.

According to the release, Wallace McMaster admitted to deputies the couple's involvement in the transportation of methamphetamine with the intent to sell in Arkansas.

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Ozark Man Arrested In Credit Card Fraud Case

May 20, John Root of Ozark was arrested and booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center.  Root, 37, faces charges of two counts of breaking or entering and three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.  Police said Root is accused of stealing keys at the Elite 24 Health Club at 1200 S. Waldron Road and the Ft. Smith Athletic Club at 5400 Gary Street on April 25, after which he took numerous items from a vehicle at each location.  A new release stated the suspect then used stolen cards fraudulently at Walmart and Walgreens.

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Former Razorback Found Guilty

Joshua Melton, former Razorback, has been found guilty of harassment and loitering.  On December 9, 2014 Melton, 34, was arrested on suspicion of harassment, carrying a weapon and loitering at Lincoln Junior High School.  Officials said he was sentenced to pay court costs and fines, probation, as well as ordered to attend an anger management course.

Melton was arrested August 28, 2013 in connection with the murder of 30-year old Michael Gover, a friend of his.  However, he was acquitted on December 4, 2013 of all charges.

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Mayor Vetoes Budgeting Policy Change

Back in March during a study session, Ft. Smith Board of Directors had requested a change in the budgeting policy.  Currently, the previous year's ending balance is used to help balance the present year's budget.  Board members voted on May 19, in a 4-2 vote, to adopt a new budgeting policy, which will be a major change.  Mayor Sandy Sanders lobbied against it.

Sanders later vetoed the vote.  In an email to the directors, he explained his motives.  San- ders described the current procedure as "providing a conservative and responsible balanced budget."  This is Sanders' second veto since taking office in 2011.

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Arkansas State Police Hold Awards Ceremony

The Arkansas State Police held their annual awards ceremony last week.  A news release from the Arkansas State Police stated that distinguished meritorious service awards were received by Corporal Olen Craig and Corporal Dwight Lee, both of the Arkansas State Police Division, Troop H in Ft. Smith.

According to the release, Lee removed 558 impaired drivers from the highway between 2011-2014 by arresting them.  Craig, a 33-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police, has seized a record amount of illegal narcotics that were being shipped across the state.  In- cluded was 342 lbs of cocaine, 7 lbs of heroin, more than 5.5 tons of marijuana, 36 lbs of methamphetamine and over $2 million in cash.

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Suspect In Several Burglaries Arrested

Bobby Jay Blankenship of Stigler, who was wanted for questioning in connection to several burglary and theft reports in several counties, has been arrested.  Blankenship 28, Cameron Bowden 26 and a third suspect are likely connected to approximately thirty burglaries in and around LeFlore County,  according to Undersheriff Kendall Morgan.  Bowden was already in custody.  A LeFlore County news release stated Blankenship was arrested at the Sapulpa, OK Walmart after he allegedly tried to steal items from the store.

He is also wanted for questioning in Polk, Sebastian, McIntosh and Sequoyah Counties, as well as Police Departments in Ft. Smith, Bristow and Drumright for the same type of crimes.

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Heavy Rains Cause Flooding At Lavaca Apt Complex

At approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday in Lavaca, a 911 call was received that water from a creek was coming into an apartment complex.  Sargent Randy Toon said when they arrived at the complex located at N. Davis, the buildings had two to three inches of water in them.

Toon said "We just went ahead and evacuated the people staying there at the time.  The creek behind the complex just began rising too fast."  Within an hour and a half, the water had receded.  However, tenants were not going to be allowed back into their apartments until the rain stopped, Toon said.

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Retaining Wall Collapses At Ft. Smith Pavilion

Early Wednesday morning, heavy rains caused a retaining wall to collapse at the Ft. Smith Pavilion.  Old Navy, Shoe Carnival and Sports Clips were all flooded because of this.  The store owners were contacted by the property managers.  One of the property manager's trucks was at the loading dock at the time of the collapse.  That truck is expected to be totaled.

The owners of the Shoe Carnival said that the water was so high, that they couldn't even open their back door.  The flooding damage was to be surveyed by an emergency response team from Tulsa.

This is the second time in five years that a retaining wall has collapsed after a heavy a- mount of rainfall, according to property managers.  They said this particular collapse was much worse than the first one.  It is not clear as to when the businesses will be back open.

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New Casino & Hotel Opens For Business

The new 6-story Cherokee Casino & Hotel in Roland opened Tuesday.  It is located just off In- terstate 40 & Hwy 64 on Cherokee Blvd.  The hotel features a convention space that will be available for conferences and special events and 120 rooms.  There are two different choi- ces in dining, one being a Las Vegas-style buffet and the other is the Grab-and-Go Cafe'.

850 electronic games, table games and a poker room are now being offered as part of the expanded gaming options.  The combined properties will be about 170,000 sq ft.  Over one hundred jobs are being brought in by the $80 million casino.  Monty Lenington, Roland May- or, said these jobs pay well above minimum wage and offer great benefits for employees.  He said the jobs are needed in the area.

A grand opening is planned for later this summer for the new casino and hotel.  It will be replacing the other casino.  At least 35% of the profits from the casinos go back to the tribe, with 5% of that dedicated to health care.  The rest goes to economic development and re- investing in jobs.

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Fatal Crash In LeFlore County

At approximately 10 a.m. Monday morning on Oklahoma 271, a roll-over accident took place, killing two people.  According to Lieutenant Eddie Bohanan, a 2008 Dodge pickup truck head- ing west, was stopped waiting to make a left turn, when a 2007 Impala ran into the pickup, knocking it into the path of an eastbound semi.

The driver of the Dodge, Joe Waddle 68 and Debra Waddle, his passenger, both of Shady Poi- nt, were pronounced dead at the scene.  26 year-old Andrea Callahan of Wister, the driver of the Impala, was taken to Sparks Hospital with leg injuries.  A four month-old girl that was with Callahan, was treated and released to family on the scene.

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Missing Elderly Woman Found Safe

92 year-old Hazel Denton went missing from her home around 3 a.m. Monday, according to Kendall Morgan, LeFlore County Undersheriff.  Denton was found approximately five and half hours after a Silver Alert had been issued.  She was about 100 feet away from her home on Muse Lane caught in a cattle guard.

Denton was checked out by paramedics and talked with deputies before returning home.  She suffers from Alzheimer's.

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Greenwood School Murder-Suicide Plot Intercepted

Thursday May 7, authorities in Greenwood were able to intercept a murder-suicide plot at East Hills Middle School.  According to the Greenwood Police Department, a 13 year-old student was intercepted by authorities and was placed in a mental health treatment facili- ty.  The plot involved the 13 year-old, as well as three other students.

The following statement was released by the Greenwood School District:
"We would like to commend the student who actively responded with his knowledge regard- ing another student's potential actions.  In addition, we acknowledge the quick response by the school administrator to ensure the safety of all students.  Our school resource officers worked with the Greenwood Police Department and school administration to cover all aspects of this incident.  We are pleased with the procedures that were followed to diffuse a poten- tial situation at the East Hills campus.  It is our intent to protect all staff and students through continued training regarding crisis intervention and investigation in the future."

The investigation is on-going.

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Local Deputy Invents Solution For Officers

A deputy with the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office has come up with a solution to a problem that officers can, on occasion, experience.  The deputy is Nick Tuttle, the problem, their ra- dio microphones don't stay attached to their uniforms.  Tuttle, who has been with the Sheri- ff's Office for seven years, said "It's sort of an unspoken problem in law enforcement.  Your mic popping off as a law enforcement officer, is a big problem, because when you lose your ability to communicate with your dispatch, you're pretty much by yourself."

About a month ago, he decided to do something about it.  He invented the Mic Loop, a para- cord Velcro construction, which tethers to the officer's body armour.  Tuttle and his wife sew and package them in their home.  The Mic Loop went on sale the beginning of April and sold in thirteen states on the first day.  So far, they have sold over three hundred.

The product is being used by officers with Ft. Smith, Van Buren and Greenwood Police Departments, as well as the Sheriff's Office in Crawford and Sebastian Counties.

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Ft. Smith Business Receives Fire Damage

At 6:28 p.m. Sunday, the Ft. Smith Fire Department responded to a call at Betsy's Antiques & Gifts at 615 Garrison Avenue.  According to Tery Graves, Battalion Chief, it was a small fire and was extinguished in approximately five minutes.  It began on the left side of the shop, at the bottom of a wall.

Graves said the business was not considered a total loss.  However, there was approximately $20,000 in damage to both the contents and the building.  While crews were putting out the fire, a block of Garrison Ave between 6th & 7th Streets was closed to traffic.

The fire possibly was electrical in nature.  It is under investigation.

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Aquatics Park To Open Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching.  Along with that is the much anticipated opening of the Parrot Island Waterpark in Ft. Smith.  It is located at Ben Geren Regional Park.  Accor- ding to Kevin Settle, City Director, it will be the only municipal water park in Arkansas to have a wave pool.  Included in the features will be several water slides.

General Manager Bill Miller said that a UV strobe will be used to treat the water, which means less chlorine.

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Splash Pad Nearing Completion

The completion of a splash pad downtown Ft. Smith is getting very close.  Doug Reinert is hoping it will be finished by the end of this month so that a grand opening can be held in June.  The pad is being constructed at Compass Park next to the Park at West End.  It is designed to have spray features, as well as ten fountains with LED lighting.  The water will be treated and re-circulated.

The cost of the project is an estimated $335,000.  Funds from a portion of sales tax will supply $150,000 of the cost.  According to the City, private donations thru the Central Business Improvement District in the amount of $150,000 will be used, with the $35,000 balance coming from capital outlay which was dedicated for development of downtown.

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120-Plus Ft. Smith Teachers Receive Grants

The Fort Smith Public Schools Foundation, an independent, nonprofit corporation, gave out individual grants of up to $1,000 last week.  The education grants totaled over $65,000.  The recipients were more than 120 Fort Smith teachers.  Mini-grants were given to 110 of those, with the rest of the teachers receiving specialized scholarship funds.

The event was sponsored by the Fort Smith Regional Council at the MovieLounge EpiCenter.

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Update: Body Of 19 Year-old Found

Friday afternoon, the body of 19 year-old Skylar Combs of Alma was found.  Authorities said Combs was found near the low water bridge at the Grotto Swimming Hole by a farmer who had volunteered in the search.

The drowning took place Monday afternoon, May 11, when Combs and two friends were going swimming in the Frog Bayou near Rudy.  He slipped into the water to swim, at which time he went under, but never came back up.

Over one hundred people were involved in the search, going over approximately fifteen to twenty river miles.

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Body Of LeFlore County Farmer Found

The body of Dennis Donaho, a farmer near Spiro, surfaced Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Poteau River, approximately 100 yards from his submerged tractor, according to LeFlore County Sheriff Rob Seale.  Donaho had been missing since around 5 a.m. Monday, May 11, when he drove his tractor to go check on his cattle which were on land near the river.

According to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, apparently Donaho attempted to swim     to safety after his tractor stalled in the high water.  Highway Patrol Troopers recovered     the body, which has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Tulsa for an autopsy.

Donaho's farm is located near Race Track Road near Spiro.  He was 60 years old.

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Man Arrested For Kidnapping Ex-Wife In Sebastian Co

Clifton Conzley, 30, has been arrested by Sebastian County deputies.  Conzley is accused of kidnapping his ex-wife.  According to a news release, the Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 regarding a kidnapping.  The call came from Ron's Convenience Store located in south Ft. Smith.

Upon arrival, they were told by a woman that her ex-husband, Conzley, had forced her to leave the store and get into his vehicle.  A bystander saw what was happening and chased them.  Conzley went back to the store after noticing they were being followed.  The release stated the woman was able to escape safely.

Conzley was found at a house in Ft. Smith.  He was then arrested.  The woman said she feared for her life and was not sure what Conzley was capable of doing.

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New Arkansas Drug Director from Ft. Smith

Denny Altes of Ft. Smith has been named Arkansas Drug Director.  Altes, a former state legislator, was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson Wednesday.  He is replacing Fran Flener, who retired last year.  Steve Varady has been the interim drug director since Fle- ner's retirement.

According to a news release from the Department of Human Services, the Arkansas Drug Director coordinates alcohol & drug-abuse prevention & treatment initiatives in the state and oversees the Arkansas State Drug Abuse & Prevention Coordinating Council.

Altes, a Republican, served as a member of the state House from 1999 to 2003, then from 2011 to 2015.  He also served in the state Senate from 2003 to 2011.  Also noted in the release was that Altes sponsored several measures in the Legislature to curb substance abuse, including legislation to prevent physicians from over prescribing drugs. 

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Ft. Smith Receives Economic Impact From Rally

The Ft. Smith Police Department, sanitation department, over 200 volunteers and great weather all contributed to the success of the first Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally, according    to Dennis Snow, rally president.  Calculation techniques and concepts were used to figure  the economic impact that the event had on the City of Ft. Smith. 

According to the Ft. Smith Convention & Visitor's Bureau, there was an estimated economic impact of $4.2 million.  The motorcycle rally had approximately 25,000 people attend during the two days that it was going on.  There were between 8,000 and 10,000 bikers that came.  Snow said there are plans to have more vendors and entertainment at next year's festivi- ties.

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Councilman Loses Battle With Cancer

James Alfred Burgess III, a Greenwood City Councilman, died Monday, May 11.  54 year-old Burgess, known as Trey, lost his second battle with brain cancer.  In November he ran for the Ward 1, Position 1 council seat, unopposed.  However, he was never able to take part in any of the council meetings due to his health.

Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow said Burgess was a "super nice guy".  He also said Burgess was a lot like his dad, Dr. James Burgess, Jr.

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Continuation Of Van Buren Sales Tax Approved

The continuation of a 1% sales tax was approved Tuesday, May 12 by voters in Crawford County.  It has been in place for sixteen years and will now stay in place for another eight years.  The total sales tax in Crawford County is 10.25%.  There has been a little over $6 million per year generated over the past eight years by the sales tax.

Each city in the county receives a portion of the sales tax. According to John Hall, Crawford County Judge, the amount received is based on population.  55 to 60% of the tax money is received by cities, with the county receiving the remaining 45%.  The county uses their part for general fund, public safety and roads.

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Ft. Smith Voters Renew Street Tax

There was a special election held Tuesday, May 12 in Ft. Smith regarding the renewal of an existing street tax.  80% of the 6,267 ballots cast were for the renewal.  However, 56% were against putting 5% of that tax toward a trail system, while 44% were for it.

The City has plans for street-related upgrades, costing $136 million.  The supporters of the trail system will have to seek other ways to fund it.  The cost will be approximately $10 million.

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Ft. Smith Sex Offender Given 3 Life Sentences

Ardwin F. Sylvester, a Ft. Smith sex offender, has been give three life sentences, after he was convicted of kidnapping, rape and aggravated robbery earlier this week.

On June 24, 2014 Sylvester kidnapped a 54 year-old Van Buren woman at gun-point in the Staples parking lot located in the 5700 block of Rogers Ave.  The suspect drove her to Ash- down, stopping at an EZ Mart for gas, at which time he sexually assaulted her.  She was able to escape while still at the station, yelling for someone to call 911.  Sylvester drove off, but was captured after a short pursuit.

The three life sentences are to run consecutively.

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Ft. Smith Man Sentenced In Sexual Assault Case

According to Crawford County Prosecutor Marc McCune, Michael Geatches, 41 of Ft. Smith, pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault.  May 11, Geatches was sentenced to twelve years in prison, plus an additional eight years suspended. 

Officials said, while in prison, he will need to complete a sexual offender program.

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Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested Within Hours

Ft. Smith Police responded to a bank alarm at 10:48 a.m. Monday at the First National Bank, located at 2000 Midland Blvd.  The suspect was identified by using images from the bank's security camera.  He is 39 year-old Michael W. Smith of Ft. Smith.  Smith was located a- round 1 p.m. the same day, in the 2000 block of N. 12th Street in a vacant house.  It is be- lieved by police that Smith had someone pick him up and drive him to the house.  According to Police Corporal Barbara Williams, police recovered bank bags at Smith's home containing an undisclosed amount of cash.

The bank had also been robbed on May 1.  However, there does not appear to be any connec- tion between the two robberies, Williams said.  She also said warrants have been issued for two of three suspects in the May 1 robbery.  Names cannot be released, Williams said, due to them being juveniles.

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Searches Resume In Two Counties

A search is being continued Tuesday, north of Spiro, for 60 year-old Dennis Donaho.  Donaho was reported missing on Monday around 10:30 a.m. after he had gone out in his tractor to check on his cattle near the Poteau River.  His tractor was found, but he was not inside.

There is also another search being conducted near Rudy, AR for a 19 year-old male.  Accor- ding to Crawford County Sheriff Ron Brown, at 3:20 p.m. Monday, a call was received that the 19 year-old slipped into the water to go swimming, but never came back up.  The inci- dent happened at the Old Grotto swimming hole in Frog Bayou.

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Whirlpool Rep To Give Update To Ft. Smith Directors

Jeff Noel, a spokesman from Whirlpool, will be presenting a quarterly report at the Ft. Smith Board of Directors' meeting Tuesday, May 12.  He will be addressing the ongoing efforts re- garding cleanup of contamination at the company's former plant located on Jenny Lind Road.  A toxic substance, trichloroethylene, was discovered in soil and groundwater at the plant and also underneath a neighborhood to the north of the plant.  The facility was closed in 2012.

Whirlpool worked with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality for several years concerning the issue.  In December of 2013, the DEQ gave the company the ok for a cleanup plan that addressed the contamination situation.  In 2014, according to Whirlpool, there has been more than a 50% decrease of TCE concentrations in some areas after soil was removed and groundwater received chemical treatment. 

A settlement was reached in April with plaintiffs of a proposed class-action lawsuit, whose property loss value due to the contamination.

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Logan County Couple Rescued From Swift Water

Monday morning, a man and woman were traveling northwest of Paris near Short Mountain Road in Logan County, when swift water carried their truck off the road.  According to the Logan County Sheriff's Office, the 58 year-old man and 57 year-old woman ended up in a flooded field east of Short Mountain Creek.  The couple were on their way to a doctor's appointment.

The Logan County Swift Water Rescue, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Logan County EMS, Logan County Sheriff's Office, as well as local farmers, all worked together to rescue the couple.

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In-Ground Pool Comes Out Of Ground

Larry and Linda Chaffin of Ft. Smith woke up to quite a surprise Sunday morning.  While they were sleeping, a huge tree uprooted and crashed onto their two vehicles.  She said  "The truck looks like it's a lowrider now, everything is flattened."  They have lived there    for thirty years.

The vehicles are insured.  Chaffin also said "We are so blessed.  I don't even care about  that stuff, just knowing that we are still alive, God is still with us, what more can we ask for?"  Hardie Avenue was closed for several hours Sunday while crews worked to clear the road.

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Former Van Buren Teacher Convicted

Thursday Denan Cagle, a former Van Buren teacher, was convicted of harassment and order- ed to pay a $400 fine.  Cagle was also given a 30-day suspended sentence.  According to authorities, originally she faced a charge of third-degree battery.

Cagle, a former science teacher at Northridge Middle School, was accused of slapping a student in the face in November of last year.  Then, she was accused of slapping a 13 year-old on the arm on January 28 of this year.  Cagle was fired by the Van Buren School District on April 14.

She will have to enroll in anger management and was also ordered to have no contact with one of the students that said she hit him, officials said.

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Jury Rules In Favor Of Former Ft. Smith Police Officer

Thursday Brandon Davis, a former Ft. Smith Police Officer, entered the third day of his civil trial.  On Friday, a jury ruled in his favor.  According to a U. S. District Court document, Davis shot Ft. Smith resident Eric Berry in the chest and killed him on November 11, 2009 during a domestic disturbance.  The Sebastian County prosecutor ruled the shooting was justified.  No criminal charges were filed against Davis.

A civil lawsuit was filed against Davis, the City of Ft. Smith, and the Ft. Smith Police De- partment by Berry's wife, Connie, in 2012.  The Ft. Smith Board of Directors was also named in the lawsuit.  However, Judge Robert Dawson dismissed that claim, along with the claim against the Police Department.  She is claiming that Davis, who is now a Sargent with the Greenwood Police Department, was not, at the time of the shooting, properly trained in handling situations involving the use of force.  According to the lawsuit, the wife was seeking lost wages, compensatory damages, damages for emotional pain & suffering and attorney fees.

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Early Morning Fire At Van Buren Restaurant

An early morning fire damaged C & C Catfish in Van Buren Friday.  At approximately 2:45 a.m., someone driving past the business saw the fire and reported it.  The fire was con- tained to the porch outside and was extinguished by 4:30 a.m., Fire Prevention Officer Marvin Stout said.  He also said the inside of the restaurant sustained some water and smoke damage.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Arkansas Secretary of State records show C & C Catfish is owned by Pyle & Reding Inc., which was incorporated by William & Beverly Pyle and Brian & Alicson Reding.  Alicson Red- ing, former Cedarville treasurer who was accused of stealing almost $300,000 from the City of Cedarville, is now serving a twenty-year probation sentence.  Reding was also ordered to pay $324,634 restitution.

Road/Bridge Closures In Franklin County

Franklin County Judge Rickey Bowman closed the Silver Bridge near Ozark on Hwy 215 Sun- day.  This was done for safety reasons after severe weather swept thru the area, according to his office.  Also closed was Hillbilly Lane near Ozark High, Hwy 23 N. at Turner Bend and Grand Prairie at Hwy 60, Sheriff Anthony Boen said.

It is unclear when the bridges and roads will re-open to the public.  Bowman declared a state of emergency for Franklin County.

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Reminder: Ark Nat'l Guard Closed Road To Public

The Arkansas National Guard has closed public access to Rattlesnake Canyon Road from May 8 to August 9.  The road is located at the eastern perimeter of the Ft. Chaffee Joint Maneu- ver Training Center.  The closure is due to annual summer training 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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Update: Robbery Suspects Arrested

Cameron Bowden of McCurtain, OK, a suspect in approximately twenty burglaries, was a- rrested Thursday along with Jessica Conley.  Bowden and Conley, both 26, were spotted at Sunset Corner in Spiro yesterday around noon by Kendall Morgan, LeFlore County Under- sheriff and Tyler Ragan, Deputy.

Conley was putting gas in a gold Pontiac Grand AM, when she saw the patrol car pull in.  She, at that time, stopped pumping gas and got into the Grand AM with Bowden, who was driv- ing.  Morgan rammed the vehicle when he saw Bowden was not going to stop.  Ragan pro- ceeded to get out of the car, at which time he sprayed Bowden with pepper spray, causing him to stop the car.

Both suspects were placed into custody.  According to the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office, a loaded gun, along with methamphetamine, were discovered in the suspects' vehicle.  Bowden and Conley are in the LeFlore County Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing today.  

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Students Injured In Waldron School Bus Accident

According to Arkansas State Police, a Waldron school bus was involved in an accident with another vehicle.  It happened around 3:40 p.m. Friday when the bus driver, Mark Dye, attempted to make a u-turn at the intersection of U. S. 71B & State Hwy 250 and was hit by a vehicle driven by Mollie Helton of Waldron.  Several students are recovering from injuries.

Superintendent Gary Wayman said, for now, the driver is not transporting any children.  However, Dye has not been suspended or fired.  He had been involved in prior accidents.

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Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally A Success

Dennis Snow, the director of the first-ever Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally, is calling the rally a success.  He said it exceeded their expectations.  According to Snow, the event which ran from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3, was attended by an estimated 25,000 people and 10,000 motorcycles.

The only incident they had was that on Sunday, someone stole a banner that was hanging almost 10 feet above Garrison Ave.  Charge will not be filed if whoever took it, will bring it back Snow said.  They will get video footage from the bank camera and see who it was.  The cost of the banner was approximately $50.

One business owner said in a couple of days, they did around two weeks-worth of business.  Snow said he hopes the rally raised at least $50,000 which will be donated to four local chari- ties.  He is already planning ahead to next year's rally.

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UAFS Paralegal Studies Director Passes Away

Lynn Lisk, paralegal studies director at the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith, died on Saturday May 2.  According to a news release, Lisk was an associate professor at the university and had served since 2004 as director of the college's paralegal studies program.  Before that, he was an attorney in the Little Rock area, practicing mostly criminal defense, tort and insurance law.

Former student Jennifer Dunn said "He's going to be missed by so many people even people that probably met him for five minutes.  I'm sure he inspired them in some way."  Lisk was 54 years-old and is survived by his wife and two sons.

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Van Buren Fire Dept. Buys New Hazmat Truck

A new $67,000 hazmat truck was purchased by the Van Buren Fire Department Monday.  Funds from a federal Homeland Security grant were used to buy the 2015 Dodge Ram 5500.  It will replace the department's old hazardous materials vehicle.  According to Jerry McAdoo, Fire Chief, the new truck is better designed to haul their hazmat trailer and will give them more storage space.

After being re-outfitted, the truck used previously will function as a brush truck.  It will be used as an off-road vehicle to fight smaller fires, going to places where larger firefighting equipment are not able to access.  The balance of the $142,000 grant funded the purchasing of boots, detection devices, suits, as well as other equipment related to hazardous materials.

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Cedarville Mayor Resigning

Monday night at a special city council meeting, Cedarville Mayor Glenanna O'Mara announced she will be resigning May 19.  According to a post on her Facebook, the reason for the resig- nation is her worsening health.  O'Mara also wrote that she requested a special election be held by the city council in order for a new mayor to be chosen by Cedarville residents.

The Facebook post also stated that Larry Merrill, Cedarville Police Chief, also submitted his resignation, effective May 6.  The Crawford County Sheriff''s Office will be responding to calls made from Cedarville until Merrill's position is filled.

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Jeep Hits Truck While Trying To Avoid Car

Monday afternoon, a truck belonging to Ray's Fort Smith Exterminator, collided with a Jeep Wrangler.  According to authorities, the accident took place on Towson Ave near Boston Street when the Jeep moved into the opposing land to avoid a white Ford Taurus, crashing into the truck.

Two men were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

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