Two Early Morning House Fires In Van Buren

Two calls went out around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning regarding house fires in Van Buren.  The first one was located off Rena Road.  A charcoal grill on the deck at the back of the house was the cause, fire crews said.  The flames climbed up the back of the house and proceeded into the attic.  According to Van Buren Firefightrs, none of the fire detectors  went off in the home.  The homeowner saw the fire when he got up to let his dog out.

A massage chair in the dining room was the cause of the second house fire, which was located in the neighborhood of River Overlook.  The family was awakened by their fire alarms, after which they called 911.  The man living in the home was able to put out the  fire himself for the most part using a hose and fire extinguisher.

No one was injured in either house fire.

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Texas Murder Suspect Apprehended In Ft. Smith

Tilton J. Mapps, a Texas murder suspect, was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Ft. Smith by the U. S. Marshals Service.  It was learned by authorities that Mapps had fled Hopkins County in Texas and was hiding in Ft. Smith.  He was discovered in a vehicle on 18th Street.

Mapps girlfriend, who is un-named, was also taken into custody on suspicion of hindering apprehension of a known felon.  Both were booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center and are expected to be extradited back to Texas.

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Ozark Music Festival A Success

Even though the Music on the Mulberry festival was organized in only twelve days, there were hundreds of people who attended this past weekend.  It was put together by country singer Lance Carpenter after the Thunder on the Mountain music festival was cancelled.

Included in the twenty-four bands that performed were Back Road Anthem, Keith Anderson and Ricochet.  Carpenter said among those attending were music scouts sent by a major Nashville artist to watch and listen to the performers who are not already signed by a re- cording company.

According to Carpenter, he is considering putting on the event next year.  He said he wants to keep it the size it is in order to give the festival goers that "one on one intimate feeling."

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Mercy To Cut Jobs In Ft. Smith

It was announced earlier by Mercy that between 300-350 positions across four states would be cut.  As part of that, 10 of those will be eliminated at Mercy-Ft. Smith.  The positions will be in different departments and services.  According to a news release, Mercy stated the eliminations are due to the lack of Medicaid expansion in most of the states they serve and the Affordable Care Act.

A total of 347 jobs have been eliminated throughout all Mercy facilities and services in Ark- ansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  The release stated that Mercy had almost 40,000 workers, which means the reduction is less than 1%.  178 of the total workforce are leader positions.

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Plans To Add Signal Light By Waterpark

As part of the overall project at the Parrot Island Waterpark, the City has plans to add a tra- ffic light.  It would be placed at the end of the turn lane off Zero Street.  According to city officials, they have been denied twice by the Arkansas State Hwy & Transportation Depart- ment for a light to be put in.  The Department, at that time, said it would not be approved based on anticipated traffic.

Now, however, according to Ray Gosack, City Administrator, traffic data has been collected showing it meets state criteria for a signal.  Even though it can't be done for this year's season at the park, it could possibly be done by the end of the year, Gosack said.

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Sallisaw Woman Killed, Two Children Injured In Crash

At approximately 3:45 p.m. Friday, June 26, Mary Patricia Kidd, 64 of Sallisaw, lost her life in a two vehicle collision in Muskogee County.  The accident occurred on the Muskogee Turn- pike near Mile Marker 51.  According to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Kidd was driving in the northbound lane and lost control of her vehicle due to wet road conditions.  Reports state that Kidd crossed the center median at a high rate of speed and hit a semi- truck in the southbound lane of traffic.  Kidd was pronounced dead at the scene. 

There were also two passengers in Kidd's vehicle, a 12 year-old girl and a 7 year-old boy.  Both children were taken by helicopter to Children's Hospital in Little Rock.  The boy sus- tained both head and trunk internal injuries and is listed in critical condition.  The girl sustained head, arm and trunk internal injuries and is listed in stable condition.

The semi-truck driver, Ed Haan, 46 of Weatherford, Oklahoma was not injured in the accident.

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Lawsuit Filed Against Festival Organizers

A class action lawsuit has been filed by a Little Rock law firm against the four organizers of the Thunder On The Mountain music festival that was cancelled.  Grant Williams filed the lawsuit on June 22nd on behalf of other customers who had purchased tickets to the event.  It was to be held June 26th thru the 28th on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, but was cancelled on June 13th due to a funding disagreement.

According to the lawsuit, the four companies involved in organizing the festival violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.  The suit claims the defendants hid "the consider- able tension between them related to funding the festival, and indeed, that the funding of the festival was on very shaky ground."  The suit also claims that organizers continued tic- ket sales even though they knew it was very likely that the event would be cancelled.

The class action lawsuit is seeking that the plaintiffs in the case be compensated for their actual damages, which would include expenses for hotel or camping reservations.

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For New Splash Pad

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for the new splash pad located at West End next to the Compass Park at 100 N. 'A' Street.  It will take place at 6:30 p.m. on July 2nd.  The cost of the splash pad is estimated at $335,000.

Some of the features are spray features and water fountains with LED lighting.  The water used in the pads is treated and re-circulated.  According to Jeff Dingman, Ft. Smith City Administrator, the pad will more than likely be operational before the ceremony.

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Bond Set For Woman Charged In Stealing Patrol Car

Jessica Sterling, who has been charged with stealing a Greenwood patrol car, then crashing it into a gas well, appeared in court June 24.  Sterling, 23, appeared before a Sebastian County judge via video conference, due to her currently being behind bars at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center.  Her bond was set at $15,000.

Sterling was arrested June 16 after fleeing from police in her vehicle.  She was then placed in a police SUV, after which she managed to get into the driver's seat, driving off and pro- ceeded to crash into a gas well.

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Missing Ft. Smith Teen Found Safe

16 year-old Daniel Boyles of Ft. Smith was found safe after he wandered off Thursday.  Boyles, who has autism, was last seen at 4500 E. Hwy 45 before being located later by search crews.

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Two Suspects Sought In Lowes Theft

Power tools were stolen from the Van Buren Lowes located at 2120 Fayetteville Rd.  Accor- ding to police, two suspects left the store's parking lot in a white passenger car.  The tools were Dewalt brand and worth $1500.  Police believe that the suspects are from Sequoyah County.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects is asked to call the Van Buren Police Depart- ment at 479-471-5095 or the Crimestoppers tip line at 78-CRIME.

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Music Festival To Be Held In Ozark

Beginning Friday, June 26, there will be a music festival called Music on the Mulberry.  It was organized by country singer Lance Carpenter after the cancellation of the Thunder on the Mountain music festival.  There is an estimation of 1,000 people that will attend throughout the weekend.

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2 Slides At Parrot Island To Be Modified

According to a release from American Resort Management, who manages Parrot Island Waterpark, two of the park's waterslides will be closed for modifications.  The Blue Macaw and the Tangerine Twist are expected to be closed from June 29 - July 2.  Richard Coleman, the Senior Vice-President of development and operations with American Resort Management, said the modifications are simply based on early customer reviews.  Included in the reviews was that the orange slide was a bit rough.  So it will be made a 100 feet longer, with less of a slope.

Coleman said the crews will make sure the Blue Macaw is open even if it takes longer than four days on the other.  The modifications to the slides are being done at no additional cost.  The release states much of the work will be during nighttime and non-operating hours.

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Cedarville Has New Mayor

Cedarville now has a new mayor, Mark Isenhower.  He has been a resident of the City for nearly twenty-one years.  Isenhower said for almost a year, he has been attending the monthly city council meetings in an effort to become involved with the City.

He was one of three candidates that showed interest in the position of mayor.  The other two were James Melton and former councilman Darren Langley.  On May 19, previous mayor, Glenanna O'Mara, resigned citing health issues as the reason.

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Increase In Flight Schedule Causes Increase In Protection

Instead of 18.5 hours of aircraft protection at Ft. Smith Regional Airport, there will have to be at least 19 provided by the airport.  This is due to American Airlines making their flight schedule a half-hour earlier. 

Pro-Tec Fire Services has been in a contract with the airport for almost one year providing the protection.  The Ft. Smith Airport Commission said a revised labor contract with the company for 24-hour protection would come at a cost of $300,000.  This expense would not be compensated for.  The existing contract costs roughly $250,000 per year.

John Parker, Airport Director, said at this time they can't justify going to 24 hours.  In a memo to the Commissioners, Parker wrote that the potential for canceled flights due to published aircraft rescue and firefighting protection, still exists.

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Search Continues For Ft. Smith Robbery Suspect

A search is still on by Ft. Smith Police for a suspect in the robbery of the laundry facility at the Edgewood Apartments on N. 11th Street on June 9 at approximately 11 a.m.  The sus- pect was seen on surveillance images and is described as a white male, between 25-35 years old.  He reportedly was riding a bicycle.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709-5100 or 78-CRIME.

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Former Barling City Administrator Dies

Raymond "Ray" E. Caruthers, Jr., former Barling City Administrator, past away this week.  Caruthers, 79, retired from his position in January of 2013 after serving approximately ten years.  Current City Administrator for Barling, Mike Tanner, said in a prepared statement "He was an excellent engineer and communicator and will be greatly missed by the City of Barling."


Caruthers died at his home in Ft. Smith Tuesday.  Public viewing will be at Edwards Funeral Home located at 201 N. 12th St. Friday from 5-7 p.m.  Services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 116 N. 12th St.

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School Board To Vote On Banning Of Southside Song/Mascot

The 'Dixie' song has been banned during the 2015-2016 school year at Southside High School by the Ft. Smith School Board Committee.  The motion was approved 5-0 at a meeting Tues- day evening.  Also, the rebel mascot will be replaced for the 2016-2017 school year.

According to Susan McFerran, school board member, the decision came after the mass shooting in Charlston, SC and a recent class reunion.  McFerran said "There was a 30-year class reunion this weekend.  It came to our attention that the public has been pretty upset about the Confederate flag, which has already been removed, the rebel mascot and the playing of the 'Dixie'."

The Board said they will ask students to help in the choosing of a new school mascot and song.  There will also be some changes made to uniforms.  The final vote on the Board's decision will be held July 27 at their regular school board meeting.  It will be open to the public.

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$70 Million Approved For Ft. Smith School Projects

The expansion and renovation of five local schools, at the cost of $70 million, was approved by the Ft. Smith School Board to help fund much needed projects.  Also, in September of this year, voters will be asked to approve a millage increase.

School Board President Dr. Deanie Mehl said the projects cannot be done without the increa- se.  She said they could be accomplished with an increase of three mills. The property tax on a $100,000 home would increase by $60 per year.  There hasn't been an increase since 1987.

According to Mehl, there is some overcrowding in the junior high and high schools.  How- ever, she feels that renovation is the main issue.  Top priority, Mehl said, will be the con- struction of tornado shelters at both high schools.  The second would be the renovation at Southside and Ramsey.

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Third Ft. Smith Ward Meeting To Be Held

On Thursday July 16, the City of Ft. Smith will be holding this year's third of four community ward meetings.  It will be held at the Ft. Smith Senior Activity Center located at 2700 Cava- naugh Road.  A news release stated "These quarterly sessions are rotated among Ft. Smith's four wards to encourage interactive dialogue with citizens in neighborhoods where they live". 

An opportunity is given to residents to visit with Mayor Sandy Sanders and City Directors in smaller groups afterwards.  These ward meetings, which are co-hosted by the Citizens Aca- demy Alumni Association, began in 2012, according to the City.

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Mercy Announced Over 300 Jobs Cut

It has been announced that between 300-350 positions are being cut this week by Mercy across four states.  It is not known at this time how many of those will be in the Ft. Smith area.  According to a news release, most of the positions are "leadership roles".

There are approximately 2,500 of the leadership positions, with a total of almost 40,000 workers.  Mercy is stating the eliminations are due to the lack of Medicaid expansion in most of the states they serve and the Affordable Care Act.

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Mulberry To Consolidate Polling Sites

It has been voted unanimously by the Crawford County Election Commission to combine Mulberry polling sites into one more centrally located place.  Mulberry 1, 2, 3 and the Vine Prairie site west of Mulberry, will all be at the Mulberry Senior Center, which is located at  406 U. S. 64 West.

Bruce Coleman, Election Commission Chairman, said precincts will not be affected by the move.  There will be 1,194 voters affected by the consolidation, according to Teresa Armer, Crawford County Clerk.

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Teachers Needed In Fort Smith School District

Although there was a gain of almost fifty teachers in the Ft. Smith School District, there  was a loss of twenty-one.  Resignations from the twenty-one teachers were accepted by the School Board on June 22.  The school district has approximately twenty positions that need to be filled for the 2015-2016 school year. 

Some of the resignations were due to spouses taking jobs in other states and some were from teachers deciding to stay home with newborns.  The total number of employees with the district is around 1,940.  $37,500 is the base salary for Ft. Smith teachers.  This did not change due to the decision approved in April, which was made in part to historically low local assessments.

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Search Continues For Missing Ft. Smith Man

William Darrell Buchanan, 51, was reported missing at the beginning of last week.  The Se- bastian County Search & Rescue Unit, along with local authorities, are continuing to search for Buchanan.  He was last seen near the intersection of Fianna Circle & Jenny Lind Road, walking into nearby woods.  Jeff Turner, Sebastian County Emergency Management Director said areas near Fianna Hills and the surrounding areas between Arkansas 253 & U. S. 271 are being searched by crews.

According to Buchanan's sister, Lisa Buchanan, he had been mentally ill and has been off his medicine since the day he went missing.  Buchanan is described as a white male, black hair and brown eyes.  He weighs approximately 180 pounds and is around 5' 11" tall.

He is currently listed as an 'Endangered Missing Person' with the Ft. Smith Police Department.  If you have any information regarding Buchanan or his whereabouts, you can call the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709-5116.

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Beaver Lake Campsites Flooded For Second Time

Over 125 campsites around Beaver Lake are flooded for the second time in less than a month.  This one comes after rain fell from Tropical Depression Bill.  The Horseshoe Bend campground has been hit the hardest, according to Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Alan Bland.  Many campers were forced to move out.

Often campsites have to be closed due to sanitary reasons regarding grills being covered by floodwaters, as well as safety issues with electric.

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Tornado Shelters Needed At Ft. Smith High Schools

There are twenty-three existing tornado shelters on elementary and Jr. High campuses in Ft. Smith.  There are none at Northside and Southside High Schools.  The cost to build them for the high schools would be $6.4 million.  It is the hope of school officials that federal funds can be obtained to pay for the shelters.

75% of the cost of the existing ones was taken care of by funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  According to Benny Gooden, District Superintendent, the shelters the schools have now are used for a variety of indoor activities.

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Ft. Chaffee Receives Grant For Work On Elvis' Barracks

The Ft. Chaffee Redevelopment Authority has secured an Arkansas Historic Preservation Program grant, after a third attempt.  The multiphase grant of $37,000 will be used for several different projects at Barracks #823, famous for being where Elvis Presley was temp- orarily stationed in March of 1958.  Included in the projects are electrical upgrades and han- dicap accessibility.  The authority is planning on moving the Museum of Chaffee History over into Barracks #823.

The National Register of Historic Places recently expanded the 20-acre, 42-building historic district to include former military headquarters, a dozen more buildings and structures, as well as a Vietnam Veterans' Museum.

Also, in July, there should be traffic on the part of Interstate 49 running thru Ft. Chaffee.  According to FCRA Executive Director Ivy Owen, there will be a ceremony held on July 14th on the I-49 overpass in Barling.  The stretch is 6.5 miles long.  Interstate 540 from Alma north to the Missouri border was designated as Interstate 49 a year ago.  There is approxi- mately 315 miles of the 1700 miles of I-49 that is in Arkansas.

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Sebastian County To Receive New Voting Equipment

Sebastian County has become one of four pilot counties in the state to receive voting equip- ment at no cost to county voters.  The equipment is worth $986,000.  It comes from a vot- ing system grant fund from the office of Mark Martin, Arkansas Secretary of State.  The system will be secure and more user friendly.  Information will be processed faster because of the new machines and software.  There will be 167 machines allotted to the county in the move, with the Secretary of State's office paying for one year of maintenance.

The quorum court will be required by the move to consider additional money in the amount of $381,000 that would go toward buying enough backup equipment and other material to give the county 250 machines.  By doing so, the county would be able to go completely elec- tronic.

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Dog Adoptions Temporarily Suspended by Human Society

According to a news release from the Sebastian County Humane Society, due to a puppy test- ing positive for canine distemper, the shelter will suspend dog adoptions temporarily.  It sta- ted that canine distemper is a "very serious and often fatal viral illness".  The virus is spre- ad by inhalation and can move to the lymph nodes, then to the blood and spreading to other areas.  It is not transmissible to cats.  JoAnn Barton, Executive Director of the Humane Society, said although the virus cannot be cured, it can easily be prevented by vaccination.

If anyone is interested in taking a dog to the shelter, Barton recommends waiting a few days or call to make an appointment.

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Schools Receive Funding For Health Centers

Elementary Schools in the Bradford, Bryant, Charleston and Smackover-Norphlet districts have been selected by the state Department of Education to receive state funding during the 2015-2016 school year with which to implement school-based health centers.  A competitive application process was used in the awarding of the funding.  According to the Department of Education, this is done to help promote academic achievement, health and wellness a- mong the students.

A healthcare provider must be on site at the health centers for a minimum of twelve hours per week.  The centers must also provide behavioral, physical and mental health services, as well as school health outreach programs based on the needs of students and the community.

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Floodwaters Cover Bridge

The West Fork White River brought 8" of water rushing over the bridge on Dye Creek Road as of Thursday.  This causes difficulties for people that regularly travel that way.  Bruce Myers, who lives down the road from the flooded bridge, said he has seen people cross the bridge anyway and is waiting for the day when it turns into a tragedy.

According to Sargent John Nelson with West Fork Police, the river is monitored closely and the road is taped off anytime the water is over the bridge.  However, Nelson said locals and visitors tear the tape down and drive through it anyway.  He said the police chief and mayor have met to discuss a more permanent solution.

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Money For Field Of Dreams Cleanup Approved

The Field of Dreams Sports Complex, as many other places, is in need of cleanup of debris and damage left by last month's flooding.  To prevent additional mold, Paul Dunn - Director of the Field of Dreams, has started working on the buildings removing sheet rock.  $100,000 has been appropriated by the Van Buren City Council to be used for the cleanup.  This repre- sents the city's insurance deductible.  According to Mayor Bob Freeman, as much as 35% could be received by the city from the state and 100% from FEMA.

Alderman Alan Swaim said at their meeting, that when Dunn became aware of possible flooding, he moved equipment to higher ground.  Swaim commended him for his actions.  The value of the equipment is over $100,000.

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11 lbs Of Meth Found During Traffic Stop

At approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday, Ft. Smith Police stopped Jose Mendez near the inter- section of N. 11th & N. 'A' Streets for speeding.  He was driving across the Garrison Ave bridge going around 50 mph.  The speed limit on the bridge is 35 mph.

Mendez, 37, told officers he was returning to his home in Ft. Smith from California.  Accord- ing to a news release, it was noticed by police that there was no luggage in the car.  It also stated Mendez became "noticeably nervous".  He gave permission for his vehicle to be sear- ched by a K-9 officer.

Police discovered eleven 1-lb packages of methamphetamine in the dash of the Toyota Sola- ra.  Mendez was arrested and booked without bond, according to jail officials.  He faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver 10-200 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Free Sand/Sandbags For Ft. Smith Residents

Free sand and sandbags are being provided for Ft. Smith residents by the City.  People can get them by going to the Street Department which is located at 3900 Kelley Hwy.  Their hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday - Friday.  However, according to Greg Riley, Department Direct- or, they will open it up on the weekend if the weather is bad and a lot of flooding is receiv- ed.

One resident on Riverlyn Drive, Okla Smith, was concerned about people coming into his neighborhood and entering the houses that have been vacated.  He said one of the biggest issues is people that drive through looking at the floodwaters.  However, a policeman has been stationed on the street.  Riverlyn Drive is one of the hardest hit areas during the first round of flooding.

The sand and sandbags are for Ft. Smith residents only.

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Fort Smith Company Cuts 14 Positions

It was announced on June 17th that Baldor Electric Company is cutting fourteen jobs in Ft. Smith.  The positions being eliminated are salaried.  Challenging industrial business condi- tions were cited by the company as a reason for the cuts.  Officials said it is part of an "in- ternal restructuring plan".
The Ft. Smith Baldor Electric facility is located at 5711 Rs Boreham Jr. Street.  According to a company spokeswoman almost 2,000 workers are employed at that facility.

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Arrested Made In Auto Parts Theft

Houston Sparkman, 21, has been arrested in connection with the theft of a trailer containing over $20,000 worth of auto parts.  The incident took place on Saturday, May 30th.  The own- er of the trailer had parked in the parking lot on the Arkansas side of a Choctaw Casino and stayed in the hotel.  According to a news release, the trailer was stolen overnight, then re- ported the next morning.

The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office said surveillance footage showed a suspect in an older model Ford F-150 pickup truck driving off pulling a trailer.  The trailer was found empty in Pocola around 1:30 p.m. the same day it was stolen.  Authorities said the auto parts were later recovered and Sparkman was taken into custody.

According to Sebastian County Detention Center records, as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, Sparkman had not bonded out of jail.  He faces charges of breaking or entering and theft of property.

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Floodgates At Beaver Lake Close To Opening

Lake levels are high in northwest Arkansas after tremendous amounts of rain has fallen dur- ing the past month. Chief Park Ranger at Beaver Lake, Michael Hurley said the floodgates at the dam are less than a foot away from being opened.  The generators are what he says have kept the water at level.

The Corps has had to close 120 campsites so far.  Included in those is Horseshoe Bend.  Hurley said the debris that is currently on many of those campsites and shores could be a hazard for boats later in the week.  As the water rises, it can carry the debris on out into the lake, becoming very dangerous for boaters.

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Thunder On The Mountain Music Festival Cancelled

The Thunder On The Mountain music festival that was to take place June 26th thru the 28th, has been cancelled.  According to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Topeka, KS, the reason was that a financial partner pulled out of the agreement.  The event was to be held at the Mulberry Mountain Lodging & Events Center north of Ozark.

After hearing of the cancellation, Lance Carpenter, a Nashville artist who was one of many scheduled to perform, decided to do something.  He is putting on a three-day festival at Byrds Adventure Center in Ozark.  Tickets are already on sale at the cost of $75.  Carpenter, who is from Ozark, said some of the bands coming people will know, some they won't.

People who purchased tickets to Thunder On The Mountain can expect a refund, according to their Facebook page.  Included in the acts that were to perform at the festival were The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood.

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Scam Alert Issued In Logan County

A possible scam alert has been issued by the Logan County Sheriff's office regarding a group of men working as a company that does repair on driveways and roofs.  According to a post- ing on the Facebook page of the Sheriff's Office, the group is working under the names of 'Clayton Sealcoating & Asphalt', 'Johnny's Roofing & Seal Coating', 'Stanley Asphalt' and 'Stan- ley Paving'.  They have been working in the areas of Franklin and Logan Counties.

Stated in the release is that the men will attempt to put a seal coat on a roof or driveway, quote the resident a low price, complete the work and then levy a fee much larger than originally quoted.  Also, the group, after getting access into homes, have been known to then steal check books, credit cards, guns or anything else of value.  So, people are advised by the Sheriff's Office to not allow them into their home.

It is believed by the Sheriff's Office the names that may be used by the men are Rodney Clayton, Stanley Clayton, Harrison Brothers, Brian Stanley and Matthew Stanley.  Residents are requested in the release, to provide a tag number or vehicle description to authorities if they can do so safely.

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Update: Woman Who Crashed Police Car Identified

The suspect in the crashing of a Greenwood patrol car into a gas well Tuesday, has been identified.  She is 23 year-old Jessica Sterling.  Police were called to a home on Dogwood Street in regard to a domestic dispute.  Sterling fled in her vehicle, taking officers on a high-speed chase.  She proceeded down S. Coker Street where she drove into a fence, at which time police apprehended her.

Due to her being aggressive, they had to secure her wrists behind her back, according to Police Chief Will Dawson.  She was then placed into a police car, where she managed to slide the glass window open and get into the driver's seat.  Sterling took off, eventually crashing into a gas well, turning the patrol car over and causing a gas leak.  Dawson said she was trying to get an assault rifle out of a locked gun box when officers arrived.  

She is facing several charges including DWI and theft of property.  No one was in danger from the gas leak and were not evacuated from the area police said.

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Van Buren Man Injured In Crash

31 year-old Nathan Scott of Van Buren was seriously injured Friday afternoon in a crash.  The accident took place on U. S. 271 approximately three miles west of Pocola around 3.42 p.m.  Scott was traveling west, driving a 2005 Honda motorcycle when Marvail Lewis of Spiro, traveling south on McGinnis Lane, was attempting to cross the highway, but failed to stop at a stop sign.  The rear driver's side of Lewis' 1992 Chevrolet was struck by Scott.

According to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, Scott was then thrown approximately six feet by the collision.  He is in serious condition in Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.  He was not wearing a helmet.

Lewis, 74, was treated and released at Sparks Regional Medical Center.  The report states he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

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Worker Receives Electrical Shock At Poteau Company

Sunday morning at around 2 a.m., 911 dispatch received calls from employees at Kenco Plas- tics that one of the employees had been shocked while working on a machine.  The name of that person has not yet been released.

According to the President and CEO of Kenco, Larry Henry, the worker received an electrical shock when his leg came in contact with an exposed conductor while he was working on a molding press.  Greg Russell, Assistant Police Chief in Poteau, said First Responders were on the scene for approximately twenty minutes before requesting the Tulsa Life Flight medical helicopter transport the victim to Hillcrest Burn Center in Tulsa.  A landing zone was set up at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center for the helicopter by the Poteau Fire Depart- ment.

Henry said in the twenty-seven years of operation, this is the first accident of this type that has occurred at Kenco Plastics.

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Man Killed By Lighting Strike On Beaver Lake

Another tragedy has taken place on Beaver Lake.  This time it was a man being killed by a lightening strike over the weekend.  Officials said the incident took place Saturday near Indian Creek a little after 4 p.m.  22 year-old Connor D. Clayman of Springfield was on a fishing tour with a guide and his wife.  The boat was heading back to Lost Bridge Marina when it was hit by lightening.

Clayman was given CPR multiple times before emergency crews arrived, according to eye- witnesses.  He was taken to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, where he later died.

The fishing guide, who has been identified by authorities as Joseph Farkas of Missouri, was arrested on the scene after authorities discovered he had prior warrants.  They said the a- rrest was not connected with the lightening strike incident.  According to jail records, Far- kas, 57, had charges dating back to July 14, 2013 which included boat collision or accident and operating a motorboat while intoxicated.

There have been three other deaths in 2015 on Beaver Lake.  Two were drownings and the other was as recent as last week when a 14 year-old girl was killed in a Jet Ski collision.

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"Topping Off" Ceremony Held For Proposed College

A "Topping Off" ceremony was held Friday for the proposed Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, with a hundred people in attendance.  The facility is located at Chaffee Crossing, with the cost being $32 million and will be 102,000 sq ft.  Construction has been underway for three months and according to Rob Dodd, Senior Project Manager for Nabholz Construc- tion, every scheduled concrete pour, milestone and date has been accomplished.  The com- pletion of the college is projected to be in April of 2016.

The first 150 students will graduate from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in five years.  The shortage of doctors is expected to grow as the number of Americans older than 65 nearly doubles by the year of 2025, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.  Kyle Parker, President and CEO of the Arkansas College of Health & Education, states that western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma make up the 48th most under served region of the U. S.

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14 Yr-Old GIrl Dies From Jet Ski Crash

A Jet Ski collision on Beaver Lake claimed the life of a 14 year-old girl on Thursday, June 11th.  The incident took place a little before 6 p.m. at 9654 Prairie Creek Marina Road.  Two eyewitnesses said the 14 year-old was driving full-speed ahead in front of two other family members on another Jet Ski when she did a doughnut in the water.  The other driver, an adult, was unable to stop in time, t-boning the victim.

Alan Bland, a ranger with Army Corps of Engineers, said the Jet Ski hit the teenager in the head knocking her in the water.  He said she was taken by ambulance then by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Rogers where the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission confirmed she died.  Rogers Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said only minor injuries were sustained by the other two people.

According to Bland, it is illegal for anyone under the age of sixteen to operate a water craft.  This is the third death on Beaver Lake in 2015.  It is the first involving a water craft, while the other two were drownings.

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Golf Course Expansion To Be Done First Of July

The Ben Geren Golf Course will be able to add more target greens to their practice facility because of the expansion being done.  An updated chipping green and bunker are also being implemented.  The target greens that are to be added are a 25, 50 and 75-yard green.

According to Channon Toland, Parks Administrator, the golf course's marketability, as well as options, will be enhanced by the expansion project, which is estimated to cost approximate- ly a $1,000.  The funds for it are coming from the park's operational budget.  The construc- tion of the project was to be completed by mid-May.  However, due to the rains hindering progress, it will be finished by the beginning of July.

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Arrest Made In Connection With Deadly Shooting

According to Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons, on Tuesday, June 10th, 63 year-old Thomas Roy Barnes was arrested.  Barnes is charged on suspicion of fatally shooting his nephew, Joey Strickland.

The incident happened at Barnes' residence on School Road in Charleston on June 10th at 3:40 p.m.  Authorities were told by the suspect's wife, Brenda Barnes, that the two men had argued several times over the phone that day about rent money.  She said Barnes came into the house, got a firearm and went to the carport.  The police report states the wife said Strickland came to their home, after which she heard cussing, then a gunshot. 

Strickland was found in the carport with a small gunshot in the chest.  In the report, Barnes said the victim kept coming toward him, so he shot him.  His bail is set at $500,000.  Bar- nes is scheduled for a July 2nd court appearance.

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"Operation Seeing Red 2" Campaign Going In Ft. Smith

February of this year, the Ft. Smith Police Department conducted a campaign regarding drivers running red lights.  Due to the positive response from the public, they are doing it again.  It is known as "Operation Seeing Red 2".  It began Monday, June 8 and will last for three weeks.

However, this time, drivers won't know which intersections the officers will be targeting.  When officers aren't responding to calls throughout the day, they will be parked at several different intersections across the city making sure drivers don't run thru a red light.  Sar- gent Daniel Grubbs said hundreds of tickets were written out to drivers running red lights during the first campaign.

Patricia Forst was the victim of a hit-and-run caused by someone going thru a red light.  On April 29, she had just turned onto 'B' Street.  Her light turned green.  Police said a black SUV, described as a Chevy Tahoe, heading north on 11th Street, ran the red light, hitting Forst's vehicle.  The driver is seen in a video pausing, then driving away from the scene.

If you have any information regarding this hit-and-run, you are asked to call Ft. Smith Police or Crimestoppers at 78-CRIME.

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Support Given To Families By Ark Attorney General

On June 10, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge gave the support of the Attorney General's Office to families with missing Arkansas family members.  She made the support known in  a speech at the 4th annual Never Forgotten - Arkansas Takes Action event.  It was held at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock and organized by Rutledge's office.

Almost thirty families of missing Arkansans participated in the event including Colleen Nick of Alma, whose six year-old daughter Morgan went missing from an Alma ballpark twenty years ago.

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Semi Driver Trapped After Crash

Wednesday Mark Howell, a semi driver for Stone Trucking, was driving on Highway 112 near Rock Island in LeFlore County, when a tire on his tractor trailer blew out.

Howell was trapped for approximately twenty minutes.  He was hauling a cooler fan to Ohio when the incident occurred.  Howell was not seriously injured.

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