- SHARP COUNTY DEPUTIES HAVE ARRESTED 64-YEAR-OLD JAN BUCH OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT. 36-YEAR-OLD JACOB GIBSON OF POCAHONTAS WAS JAILED FOR CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, FIRST DEGREE. 39-YEAR-OLD BRYAN HARPER OF HARDY FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS. 44-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH HERRON OF HARDY FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, METH AND COCAINE. 56-YEAR-OLD JAMES McCRACKEN OF SIDNEY WAS ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL MISHCHIEF, FIRST DEGREE. 33-YEAR-OLD CHASE OLIVER OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY, SECOND DEGREE, AND 41-YEAR-OLD ILOAH UPCHURCH OF HARDY FOR DIRECT CONTEMPT OF COURT. 58-YEAR-OLD BRANON UPDEGRAFF OF ASH FLAT FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASSING, AND 28-YEAR-OLD JOCELYN WATTS OF SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI WAS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND POSSESSION OF METH AND COCAINE.
- SHARP COUNTY JUDGE MARK COUNTS IS REMINDING CAMPERS AND VISITORS TO SPRING RIVER COUNTRY THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND THAT A BURN BAN IS IN EFFECT FOR SHARP COUNTY. THIS MEANS THERE IS NO OPEN BURNING OR FLAMES ALLOWED, WHETHER IT'S IN A GRILL, FIRE PIT, BRUSH, BURN BARREL, OR ANY OTHER OPEN FLAME UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FULTON COUNTY IS ALSO UNDER A BURN BAN, WHICH COVERS THE SPRING RIVER SOUTH OF MAMMOTH SPRING TO JUST NORTH OF HARDY. UNLAWFUL BURNING IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $1,000 OR A JAIL SENTENCE NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR OR BOTH. BUEN BANS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR IZARD COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITIES OF NORFORK AND SALESVILLE IN BAXTER COUNTY....
- IF LAKE NORFORK IS IN YOUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND PLANS, U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS COMMUNICATIONS SPEICALIST JAY TOWSEND REMINDS YOU THE LAKE LEVEL REMAINS HIGH. TRADITIONALLY, LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAN BE THE BUSIEST OF THE THREE MAJOR SUMMER HOLIDAYS. WITH THE LAKE LEVEL RECEDING, TOWNSEND SAYS HAZARDS HAVE EMERGED. ALL THE AREA LAKES AND RIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BUSY THIS WEEKEND. IF YOU'RE ON THE WATER, BE COURTEOUS AND STAY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
- YOU COULD WIN A BEEF FOR TWO FOR A YEAR BY PURCHASING A $25 TICKET TO HELP WITH MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE AMERICAN VETERAN'S MEMORIAL IN ASH FLAT. THE AMERICAN VETERAN'S MEMORIAL IS 20 YEARS OLD AND IS IN NEED OF RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE. PROCEEDS FROM THE RAFFLE WILL BE USED FOR THOSE REPAIRS. TICKETS ARE $25 EACH AND AVAILABLE FROM MEMBERS OF THE CHEROKEE VILLAGE AMERICAN LEGION POST #346 OR FROM JULIE DECKER AT COLDWELL BANKER, OZARK REAL ESTATE IN HARDY OR FROM AMERICAN LEGION COMMANDER DICK SACKETT AT OZARK GATEWAY REALTY IN HIGHLAND; OR YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT 870-847-1094 FOR TICKETS.
- THE CALICO ROCK MUSEUM AND VISITORS' CENTER IS OPEN FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE MUSEUM AND VISITORS' CENTER IS OPEN 10 UNTIL 4 MONDAY. FREE MUSEUM TOURS ARE AVAILABLE. THE CENTER IS LOCATED ON HISTORIC MAIN STREET IN CALICO ROCK.
- THE IZARD COUNTY SENIOR CENTER AT BROCKWELL HAS SEVERAL SPECIAL ACTIVITIES ADDED TO THEIR EVENT CALENDAR IN SEPTEMBER. THE MONDAY NIGHT DANCE WILL BE HELD THIS MONDAY NIGHT DESPITE THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. SANDY AND FRIENDS WILL ENTERTAIN AT 7. THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR, SUSAN WILLIAMS, HAS DETAILS ABOUT THE BAXTER MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT THAT IS COMING TO THE CENTER ON WEDNESDAY. YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL THE CENTER AT 870-368-6011 OR VISIT THE IZARD COUNTY SENIOR LIFE CENTER ON FACEBOOK TO CHECK THE MONTHLY CALENDAR.
- ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL TIM GRIFFIN HAS JOINED A COALITION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL URGING THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION TO BAN BROMAZOLAM, COMMONLY KNOWN AS "DESIGNER XANAX." THE EFFORTS, LED BY KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN, CALLS FOR THE DEA TO TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION TO SCHEDULE BOMAZOLAM AS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. KENTUCKY GOV. ANDY BESHEAR ANNOUNCED ON AUG. 18TH THAT THE DRUG WAS GIVEN AN EMERGENCY DESIGNATION AS A SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN THAT STATE, BANNING ITS SALE AND ALLOWING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE ARRESTS FOR POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION. COLEMAN SAID IN THE LETTER THAT BOMAZOLAM IS "BOTH HIGHLY POTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMBINED WITH OPIOIDS OR OTHER CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS." HE ADDED THAT ILLICITLY MANUFACTURED BROMAZOLAM LACKS QUALITY CONTROLS, MAKING IT "ESPCIALLY LETHAL FOR UNSUSPECTING USERS." ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS AND PUBLIC POLICY ASSOCIATION, BOMAZOLAM IS STRUCTURALLY SIMILAR TO XANAX AND WAS DEVELOPED IN THE 1970'S, BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN APPROVED FOR USE IN THE U. S. THE DRUG IS CLASSIFIED AS A SCHECULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH DAKOTA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA, BUT IT IS NOT CURRENTLY LISTED ON THE DEA'S SCHEDULE. "BROMAZOLAM IS INCREASINGLY BEING ILLICITLY SOLD AND LINKED TO OVERDOSE DEATHS, PARTICULARLY WHEN COMBINED WITH OPIOIDS OR OTHER CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS," GRIFFIN SAID THURSDAY IN A STATEMENT TO KNWA/FOX24. "THE HARM CAUSED BY BROMAZOLAM IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES STATE AND FEDERAL COLLABORATION TO ADOPT A NATIONWIDE SOLUTION, SUCH AS THE DEA FEDERALLY SCHEDULING THIS DANGEROUS DESIGNER DRUG." GRIFFIN JOINED ATTORNEYS GENERAL FROM ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, INDIANA, IOWA, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA IN SIGNING THE LETTER.
- WITH DOVE SEASON OPENING SEP. 6TH AND WATERFOWL SEASON CLOSE BEHIND, WILDLIFE OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING HUNTERS TO MAKE SURE THEIR FIELDS DON'T QUALIFY AS BAITED AREAS UNDER FEDERAL LAW. AN AREA IS CONSIDERED BAITED IF GRAIN, SALT, OR FEED IS INTENTIONALLY PLACED TO ATTRACT MIGRATORY BIRDS. EVEN AFTER REMOVAL, THE SITE MUST REMAIN IDLE FOR 10 DAYS BEFORE IT IS LEGAL TO HUNT. IT IS LEGAL TO HUNT DOVES OVER STANDING CROPS, MANIPULATED AGRICULTURAL FIELDS, FEEDLOTS, OR WHERE SEEDS ARE SCATTERED THROUGH NORMAL FARMING PRACTICES, SUCH AS TOP-SOWING OR AERIAL SEEDING. HOWEVER, WATERFOWL RULES ARE STRICTER: UNHARVESTED CROPS CANNOT BE MANIPULATED BEFORE FLOODING, AND HUNTERS MAY NOT POSSESS LEAD SHOT. TOP-SOWING WHEAT OR RYE FOR COVER CROPS IS ALLOWED IF PLANTING RATES FOLLOW UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE GUIDELINES -- NO MORE THAN 60 LBS. PER ACRE, EVENLY SPREAD WITHOUT PILES. FOR HUNTERS USING PAY-TO-HUNT FIELDS, OFFICIALS ARE RECOMMENDING ASKING LANDOWNERS ABOUT RECENT FIELD PREPARATION, INSPECTING THE GROUND FOR SCATTERED GRAIN AND WATCHING FOR ABNORMAL DOVE CONCENTRATIONS. DOVE SEASON RUNS SEP. 6 THROUGH OCT. 26 AND DEC. 8 THROUGH JAN. 15. DAILY LIMITS ARE 15 MOURNING OR WHITE-WINGED DOVES PER HUNTER WITH NO LIMIT ON EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES, WHICH MUST REMAIN FULLY FEATHERED IN THE FIELD. HUNTERS 16 AND OLDER NEED A LICENSE AND FREE HIP REGISTRATION. DUCK STAMPS ARE ONLY REQUIRED FOR WATERFOWL.
- WITH THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY MONDAY, ALL CITY, COUNTY, REGIONAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED. POST OFFICES AND SENIOR CENTERS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
- THE U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS PARTIALLY RE-OPENED THE CRANFIELD PARK RECREATION AREA ON LAKE NORFORK. THE PARK WAS CLOSED EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF HIGH WATER AND ONGOING IMPROVEMENT WORK TO ROADS AND PARKING AREAS. THE RE-OPENING INCLUDES A NEW BOAT RAMP PARKING LOT THAT CAN ACCOMODATE UP TO 100 VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL SPACES FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT TRAILERS.... THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS CLOSED THE SWIM BEACH AT PANTHER BAY ON LAKE NORFORK AFTER ROUTINE TESTING INDICATED HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF E coli... CLOSURE SIGNS ARE POSTED AT THE BEACH.....
- A STONE COUNTY MAN WITH 13 FELONY ARRESTS COVERING FIVE COUNTIES IN ARKANSAS DATING BACK TO 2004 AND TWO FELONY ARRESTS IN TWO COUNTIES IN MISSOURI IN 2003 IS BEHIND BARS AGAIN FOLLOWING A PURSUIT IN BAXTER COUNTY ON AUGUST 14TH. JOSHUA JAMES LANGSTON WAS ABLE TO ELUDE AN ARKANSAS STATE POLICE TROOPER THAT NIGHT BUT WAS CAPTURED THE FOLLOWING DAY. ACCORDING TO THE INCIDENT REPORT FROM THE TROOPER, HE TRIED TO MAKE A TRAFFIC STOP ON A TRUCK DRIVEN BY LANGSTON IN GASSVILLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A TAIL LIGHT OUT ON THE TRUCK. THE STOP WAS INITIATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BUFORD CUTOFF ROAD AND RED BUD ROAD. THE TROOPER ASKED FOR LANGSTON'S LICENSE AND INSURANCE. LANGSTON SAID HE DID NOT HAVE A LICENSE BECAUSE IT WAS SUSPENDED. HE GAVE THE TROOPER HIS BIRTH DATE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE INCORRECT ONE, AND THE TROOPER RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE. WHILE THERE, LANGSTON TOOK OFF. THE TROOPER NOTED LANGSTON WAS DRIVING RECKLESSLY, TRAVELING IN THE WRONG LANE, AND DRIVING 80 MPH IN A 40 MPH ZONE. LANGSTON CONTINUED ACROSS ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY 126, KNOWN AS BUFORD ROAD, AND TURNED ONTO BAXTER COUNTY ROAD 606, ALSO KNOWN AS HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD. THAT IS A GRAVEL ROAD, AND DUE TO THE DUST, THE TROOPER HAD TO BACK OFF BEACUSE OF THE LOW VISIBILITY. AT THE END OF THAT ROAD, THE PURSUIT WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE THE TROOPER LOST SIGHT OF LANGSTON'S VEHICLE. THE TROOPER SPOKE TO A PERSON WHO LIVES ON THE ROAD WHO SAID THERE IS A LOCKED GATE AND FIELD AT THE END OF THE ROAD. THE GATE HAD BEEN RUN THROUGH. WITH THE HELP OF THE MOUNTAIN HOME POLICE DEPARTMENT'S DRONE, THEY FOUND LANGSTON'S TRUCK, UNOCCUPIED, ABOUT HALF A MILE INTO THE FIELD. THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK WAS CONTACTED BY MARION COUNTY DEPUTIES WHO CONFIRMED LANGSTON WAS THE PERSON DRIVING THE TRUCK. SHE SAID HE CALLED HER DURING THE TRAFFIC STOP. THE TROOPER WENT TO THE RESIDENCE OF THE REGISTERED OWNER THE NEXT DAY AND ARRESTED LANGSTON THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT. LANGSTON IS FACING 12 CHARGES FOR THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING TWO FELONIES. THE FELONY CHARGES INCLUDE FLEEING IN A VEHICLE CREATING SUBSTANTIAL DANGER OF DEATH AND FLEEING ON FOOT. MISDEMEANOR CHARGES INCLUDE OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FIRST DEGREE CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED, SPEEDING MORE THAN 15 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT, RECKLESS DRIVING, HAVING NO LIABILITY INSURANCE, TWO COUNTS OF FAILURE TO OBEY A STOP SIGN, DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER, AND HAVING A DEFECTIVE TAIL LAMP. HE IS ALSO BEING HELD ON A WARRANT FROM THE GASSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR, AND HE IS A PAROLE ABSCONDER FOR NON-PAYMENT OF FINES. HIS BONDS TOTAL $17,060. LANGSTON LIFE OF CRIME STARTED IN MISSOURI IN 2003 WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED FOR STEALING VEHICLES IN HOWELL AND OREGON COUNTIES. HE WAS GIVEN PROBATION IN THOSE CASES, BUT A 2004 ARREST IN IZARD COUNTY FOR POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY CERTAIN PERSONS REVOKED HIS PROBATION, AND HE WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. LANGSTON HAS 13 PREVIOUS ARRESTS IN ARKANSAS THAT STARTED WITH THE ONE IN IZARD COUNTY. HE ALSO HAS SEVEN ARRESTS IN BAXTER COUNTY, THREE IN FULTON COUNTY, AND ONE EACH IN MARION AND INDEPENDENCE COUNTIES. HIS CHARGES INCLUDE MAINTAINING A DRUG PREMISES; POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH PURPOSE TO DELIVER; POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE; MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, OR DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA; FLEEING IN A VEHICLE; THEFT OF PROPERTY; THEFT BY RECEIVING; AND FORGERY. LANGSTON HAS SERVED TIME IN THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
- 33-YEAR-OLD CLUDE GARNER GIBSON OF HOXIE HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY LAWRENCE COUNTY AUTHORITIES AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP NEAR PORTIA. GIBSON IS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF METH, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND AN OPEN CONTAINER. GIBSON WAS TAKEN TO THE LAWRENCE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER. HE IS NOW FREE AFTER POSTING BOND.
- THROUGH A SOCIAL MEDIA POST, LAWRENCE COUNTY JUDGE GARY BARNHILL HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT REGARDING A TRASH DISPOSAL ISSUE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY. JUDGE BARNHILL IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF TRASH, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND APPLIANCES AND TO REFRAIN FROM LITTERING ON COUNTY ROADS. JUDGE BARNHILL REMINDS RESIDENTS THAT LITTERING NOT ONLY HARMS THE COUNTY'S APPEARANCE AND ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO IS AGAINST THE LAW. THERE IS AN ORDINANCE AGAINST LITTERING IN THE COUNTY AND VIOLATORS COULD FACE PENALTIES FOR LITTERING.
- A NEW NATIONAL EXHIBIT IS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT BETWEEN BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND THE EDDIE MAE HERRON CENTER. THE EXHIBIT, "AM I AMERICAN OR AM I NOT," FOCUSES ON THE HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION DURING WORLD WAR II. THE EXHIBIT IS CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY IN THE BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE LIBRARY ON THE POCAHONTAS CAMPUS AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. THE PROJECT IS FUNDED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND THE JAPANESE AMERICAN CONFINEMENT SITES GRANT PROGRAM.
|
