A Cummins Prison inmate has died after being found unresponsive in his cell, according to a press release from the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

According to the release, Inmate Charles Bailey, ADC #133076 was found unresponsive in a Cummins Unit barracks Wednesday morning, and was later pronounced dead.  

Bailey was 48 years old, serving 20 years for a 2014 rape conviction out of Carroll County. 

The death is under investigation.

An 86-year-old pastor from Bradley County has been arrested by the Arkansas State Police on child exploitation charges.

According to court documents, 86-year-old Rocky Goodwin, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, had charges filed against him on Monday by the Bradley County prosecutor’s office following a year-long investigation by the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

The investigation began after the task force received a tip on the child abuse hot line.

According to court documents, investigators found enough information from April through October between the subject's internet service provider and ASP which led them to issue two administrative subpoenas.

Documents show that attempts were made by the Arkansas State Police to "determine if any wireless device was operating in an unlocked or open capacity" after investigators were able to link Goodwin's phone records to an AT&T IP addressed linked to his address.

Court documents show that a search warrant was carried out in May of 2024 where investigators located multiple laptops and hard drive devices during the search, with one containing a compressed zip file with a sexually explicit label with the words "12 year old girl".

On June 20, 2024, Arkansas State Police, and Digital Lab Manager Jeff Taylor conducted a digital imaging of a Gateway notebook computer where files, downloads, internet browser histories, caches, and operating system artifacts were recorded.

The imaging located 47 Category One images of Child Sexual Abuse Material, in addition to 24 Category 2 images on the device.

Goodwin has been charged with 10 felony counts of distributing/possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, with each count being punishable by 3 to 10 years of prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

His bail has been set at $150,000, and his passport has been surrendered.

ROGERS, Ark. – Arkansas State Police released a Trooper’s dash camera footage today from a July 27th traffic stop that ended in an officer-involved shooting. Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, of Guatemala had a blood-alcohol level of twice the legal limit when he resisted arrest and assaulted the Trooper during a traffic stop on Interstate 49.

Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson announced today that Trooper Alexandria Duncan’s use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division presented an investigative case file to the prosecuting attorney on August 9, 2024.

At approximately 7:43 p.m., Trooper Duncan attempted to stop Zapet-Alvarado on I-49 southbound after he passed her marked patrol unit traveling 114 miles an hour in heavy traffic near the 83-mile marker. Zapet-Alvarado initially showed no signs of stopping, even after Trooper Duncan activated her emergency lights and sirens. After stopping his vehicle on the right shoulder, Trooper Duncan instructed Zapet-Alvarado to exit the vehicle. Trooper Duncan observed Zapet-Alvarado with his hand on the gearshift and stopped him from driving away by taking his keys. He ignored commands to exit the vehicle and resisted Trooper Duncan’s efforts to remove him. She deployed her taser when he refused to comply. Zapet-Alvarado wrestled the Trooper’s taser from her hands and threw it into interstate traffic. During the incident, Zapet-Alvarado kicked Trooper Duncan’s head multiple times.

Kylie Sutton, 31, of Rogers witnessed the altercation and tried to assist Trooper Duncan. The Trooper used her service weapon to fire one round at Zapet-Alvarado, wounding him in the right temple. He continued to resist arrest and refused Trooper Duncan’s instructions to get on the ground.

ASP Col. Mike Hagar said, “I wholeheartedly support Trooper Duncan. We tell our Troopers to trust their instincts and lean into their experience and training when they’re on the highways. Anyone who has walked in a Trooper’s boots knows that trusting your gut keeps you safe so that you can protect and serve the public. In our world, hesitation can get you killed.”

“I thank God that He gave Alex the strength to survive that encounter, and that He put Kylie by her side when she needed support the most. I’m so proud of them both.”

Zapet-Alvarado was transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, where he was treated and released to law enforcement. Toxicology results indicate his blood-alcohol was .16 and that cannabinoids were present. He was transported to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, where he remains. He was placed on hold for Homeland Security Investigation (HSI).

Trooper Duncan was treated for non-life-threatening injuries she sustained when Zapet-Alvarado assaulted her.

C&L Electric will take a planned outage on Sunday, September 22nd. This outage will be required to perform necessary upgrades to the Glendale substation, according to a press release from the company.

For crews to complete this work safely, members on Pansy and Palmyra substations should expect an outage for approximately three hours beginning at 5:00 A.M.

Communities on Palmyra substation: Palmyra, Glendale, Feenyville, Hudgin, Griffith Springs, Spring, Eunice, Calmer, Woodlawn, Friendship, Randall, and Rowell.

Communities on Pansy substation: Pansy, Cornerville, Herbine, Rye, and Harper.

In the release C&L Electric said “We will do everything we can to limit the time that our members are without power.”

Should the outage be canceled due to weather or project delay, it will be rescheduled for a later date.

Dear Woodlawn School District Community:

Last week, we had several reports of threats through social media that came to our attention. First and foremost, we put the safety of your children and school staff as our highest priority. With each report, law enforcement was well-informed and immediate to respond in order to ensure the safety of your children. 

Information regarding these incidents has been investigated by law enforcement, and subsequently, these students will face severe consequences. In each case, these investigations lead to isolating the cause of each; where there was no immediate threat to our children and staff members. Due to the heightened awareness, law enforcement presence was provided for the comfort, safety, and mental well-being of our children, staff, and parents.  

There is much emphasis on what protocols and procedures the school must follow to protect students and staff. However, there is more that we all can do to ensure safety. While schools take extreme precautions at school, safety begins at home and your collective involvement is essential. A few precautions you can take are;

1. If your child reports a threat, make sure they know that they should always notify a school official immediately. Our children and parents can help by making these reports rather than sharing misinformation via social media.

2. Check your child’s social media regularly for any concerning conversations or behavior. Whether their intent is harmless or not, the result of their posts and comments cause fear and have severe consequences.

3. Make sure any firearms in your home are securely locked and inaccessible to children.

Lastly, it is imperative that our students and your children know there are consequences for posting threats, regardless of the intent. There are no jokes when it comes to the safety of students and staff. Your conversations at home can help to reduce the fears and anxieties that we all share when it comes to providing a safe environment to learn.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we all work to keep our school safe.

Sincerely,

Kevin Hancock, Woodlawn Superintendent

Fordyce, Ark. (Sept. 13, 2024) –Following the mass shooting that took place on June 29 at Mad Butcher Grocery Store in Fordyce, a steering committee was established to distribute the charitable donations from the Fordyce Survivors Fund. The committee, consisting of local Fordyce citizens and community leaders will host a Town Hall at 6:00 p.m., Sept. 17 at the Fordyce Civic Center.

The Fordyce Survivors Fund was established by Arkansas Community Foundation in the wake of the mass shooting to provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by the tragedy.

The steering committee held their initial meeting on August 19 at Fordyce City Hall to discuss and develop a draft protocol on the processes and timeline for determining eligibility for payments from the fund. The draft protocol can be found here. This draft protocol is the steering committee’s suggestion of what rules should apply to fund distribution and was informed by the experience of numerous similar efforts after mass casualty events.

The purpose of the Town Hall is for those affected by the mass shooting to provide feedback for the steering committee on the draft protocol. The committee welcomes feedback to ensure that the proposed rules are fair and reasonable or if changes should be made. Decisions about eligibility and distribution will be made by the steering committee with intentions of transparency, integrity, compassion and fairness.

If you are a victim, family member, donor, concerned citizen, or member of the media who wish to receive information and updates about the Fordyce Survivors Fund, please sign up for the contact list through the following link: https://massviolencesurvivorsfund.org/fund/fordyce-survivors-fund/

Members of the Steering Committee:

Leslie Ford Major Mike Foster Jim Hulse

David Mantz Candace McCollum, Chair Nicole McGhee

Mayor John McNichol Tiffany Nutt Larry Stacy

Leslie Ford Behavioral Health Director, Dallas County Medical Center

Major Mike Foster Dallas County Sheriff's Office

Jim Hulse Fordyce Bank and Trust

David Mantz Dallas County Medical Center CEO

Candace McCollum Nonprofit Leader – COMMITTEE CHAIR

Nicole McGhee, Fordyce School District

John McNichol, Mayor, City of Fordyce

Tiffany Nutt, Nutt Law Firm

Larry Stacy Fordyce Mayor's Chief of Staff

Marjorie Weldele Survivor of Collierville, TN mass shooting

Donations to the fund are still being accepted at www.arcf.org/Fordyce. The Community Foundation has waived all administrative fees so that 100% of donations to the fund will provide financial support for survivors of the shooting.

The Foundation is partnering with the Mass Violence Survivors Fund, the leading authority on financial assistance to victims of mass casualty events with experience in more than 31 mass shootings across the United States. Contact Jeff Dion at Jeff@SurvivorsFund.org with questions.

###

Arkansas Community Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization, provides resources, insight and inspiration to build stronger Arkansas communities – communities where our kids will want to raise their kids. The Community Foundation is the largest grantmaker in the state in the number of grants made each year. Since 1976, the Foundation has provided more than $460 million in grants to nonprofits. The Foundation staff works directly with donors, professional advisors and nonprofits to help strengthen Arkansas communities through strategic philanthropy and focusing on local needs. Its assets rank among the top 60 out of more than 900 community foundations in the United States. Serving statewide and local initiatives, the Community Foundation helps connect those who want to give to the causes they care about. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Monday, September 9, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested Maynor Yair Sorto-Herrera, 30, in connection with a fatality wreck that killed a Little Rock woman the previous morning near 10800 Arch Street. Herrera is a native of Honduras who had been illegally residing in Alexander.

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, around 5:44 a.m., Herrera was driving a 2008 Ford F150 south on Arch Street when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, striking a 2016 Honda CRV head on.

The driver of the Honda, Jennifer Ann Morton, 48, of Little Rock, was killed in the wreck. Ms. Morton was a respiratory therapist in the Infant Toddler Unit of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Herrera was located walking away from the scene and was taken to UAMS for treatment of his injuries. He was later transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he was charged with Negligent Homicide, Battery, DUI, Violation of the Concealed Weapons Act, Reckless Driving, Driving without a License, Failure to Stop After Accident with Death, and other traffic violations.

“Our hearts are heavy for the Morton family as they are devastated by the loss of Jennifer, who devoted her life to compassionate care of children,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “I know our Troopers want to honor her memory by doing their part to make sure this man is held responsible for her death.”

In October 2018, Herrera was apprehended by the U. S. Border Patrol near Laredo, Texas. He was removed from the United States and transported back to Honduras on November 5, 2018. It is unclear when he returned to the United States. Herrera is being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are urging farmers to exercise caution and follow all safety measures before burning harvest field debris, brush piles, fence rows or other fires of similar nature.

Failure to follow burning safety practices can result in inconvenience for consumers and added expenses for farmers. Poles and power line infrastructure damage can cause power outages for consumers and farmers will be charged for the damage.

Burning stubble is a quick and efficient way of prepping the land for planting, and most farmers do take precautions to avoid igniting power poles. Unfortunately, a recent incident in northeast Arkansas resulted in damaging a wooden utility structure. The integrity of the structure was assessed and it will have to be replaced. Damages were estimated to be at least $15,000.

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

For additional information, contact:

Rob Roedel, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, 501.570.2296 or rroedel@aecc.com www.ecark.org

New house rules have been announced for BetSaracen, the smartphone app for online betting through Saracen Casino Resort.

The new rules were announced in a message released Friday morning:

We hope this message finds you well. As part of our commitment to providing a fair and transparent betting experience, we want to inform you that new BetSaracen House Rules have been released.

What’s Changed? Update highlights have been bulleted below. Please review the House Rules here to read the updates in full.

• American Football Minimum Game Time & Rules

• Ties, Cancelations, No Action Wagers in relation to SGP+

• Teaser Clarifications & Rules

• In-Play Betting Rules

• Baseball/Softball Settlement Rules

We'd also like to remind players that traditional parlays are calculated differently from SGP+ recalculations. This is an industry standard. For more information please check out the SGP section of BetSaracen 101, here.

When Do the Rules Take Effect? These updates are effective immediately.

Where Can I Find the Updated Rules? You can access the revised house rules here, or by visiting our website at www.betsaracen.com. We recommend familiarizing yourself with these changes before placing any new bets.

At BetSaracen, your trust and satisfaction are our top priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, please feel free to reach out to our customer support team at help@betsaracen.com.

Thank you,
The BetSaracen Team

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Arkansas State Troopers were on campus at Woodlawn schools Friday morning in what SeArk Times is told is a “Show of Force” after threats were made to numerous districts across the state this week.

Social media has been flooded with questions about the Deputies and Troopers being on campus, wondering if any kind of situation is at hand, but several sources have indicated the show of force is to show that local law enforcement is prepared to protect students and faculty if an emergency situation was to take place.

There have been numerous reports of schools across the state of Arkansas receiving threats of violence this week, with several districts reporting that districts across the nation have received similar threats.

A construction worker was killed Monday after he was struck by a vehicle at a construction site at the Highway 79 Saline River bridge.

According to a report from the Arkansas State Police, 65-year-old Ulyess Chandler Jr. was working as a flagger for a construction crew when he was struck by a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado that was traveling south on Highway 79 at 3:05 p.m.

Chandler was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The name of the driver of the Chevrolet truck was not released in the report.

The highway was clear and conditions were dry at the time of the accident, according to the report.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host two meetings in September to familiarize hunters with some new regulations for the upcoming deer season and update hunters on chronic wasting disease regulations in Cleburne, Craighead, Mississippi and Sharp counties, which were all added to Tier 2 of the AGFC’s CWD Management Zone earlier this year. 

Craighead County was the only county added to the CWD Management Zone where a positive-CWD case was found, but new positive cases near the borders of the other three counties necessitated the expansion of CWD regulations in those counties as well. 

The two open-house meetings will be held at: 

• Heber Springs Community Center (201 Bobbie Jean Lane, Heber Springs, AR) from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 12.

• ASU Cooper Alumni Center (2600 Alumni Blvd., Jonesboro, AR) from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 17. 

Both meetings will begin with an introduction and brief presentation on what CWD is, how it is transmitted and ways hunters can help slow its spread.

Once the presentations are complete, hunters are encouraged to stay and visit with biologists and staff from the AGFC’s Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Private Lands Habitat, and Educationon a variety of topics ranging from regulations to the Deer Management Assistance Program, conservation education efforts and other research projects being conducted by the AGFC. AGFC Research Division staff will also be available to show hunters how they can have their deer tested for CWD free of charge using a network of drop-off testing containers and taxidermists throughout the state.

“We’re really looking forward to these opportunities to talk with hunters and landowners to help kick off the fall season,” Dr. Jenn Ballard, state wildlife veterinarian for the AGFC, said.  “We want to make sure we answer all their questions about CWD, but we’ll also have staff on hand to talk about the new seasons and our expanded Deer Management Assistance Program. Hunters are so important for our state. We really can’t manage deer or challenges like CWD without them.”

Visit www.agfc.com/cwd for more information on chronic wasting disease and the AGFC’s network of CWD testing drop-off locations.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – As the state-mandated deadline for immunizations quickly approaches, parents and guardians across South Arkansas are urged to ensure their children are up-to-date on required vaccinations. According to Arkansas state law, all students must receive their necessary immunizations by September 25, 2024, or they risk being sent home from school until they comply with the regulations.

Parents with any questions or concerns about the required vaccinations are encouraged to contact their child’s school nurse for further guidance.

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

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

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

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

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

PROSECUTOR'S LETTER

**Announcement: Real Estate Solutions Merges with REMAX Platinum**

We are excited to announce the merger of Real Estate Solutions with REMAX Platinum. This partnership marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing exceptional service and expertise in the real estate market.

As part of this merger, we are pleased to welcome the following talented professionals to the REMAX Platinum family:

- **Greg Jaggers**, Executive Broker

- **Lynda Jaggers**, Executive Broker

- **Clay Wynn**, Sales Agent

- **Jenny Wynn**, Associate Broker

We look forward to the continued success and growth of our team as we work together to serve our valued clients.

LONDON, Ark.— On Monday, August 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a rented 2024 Jeep Compass eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 78-mile marker in Pope County for a traffic violation.

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

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

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

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —  To enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety on Arkansas roadways, the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office is launching a new campaign called “Extreme Safety.” Running from Sept. 3rd to the 16th, this initiative aims to address the pressing concerns surrounding safety for our most vulnerable road users.

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

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

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

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

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

Five people have been arrested for attempted capital murder following a traffic stop by the White Hall Police Department.

According to law enforcement sources 51-year-old Michael Branson, 35-year-old Brittany Billings, 30-year-old Skylar Rauls, 22-year-old Mack Faulkner, and Justin Wooten (age unknown) were placed under arrest following the stop after two White Hall police officers were exposed to fentanyl while searching the vehicle.

The officers were transported to a local hospital and have since been released, according to the sources.

No other information has been released on what led to the stop or any other details dealing with the case.

All five suspects are currently in custody at the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Detention Center and are awaiting their first appearance in court.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) stopped a rented black 2023 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on Interstate 40 at the 104-mile marker in Conway County for a traffic violation.

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

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

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

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

(Pine Bluff, Arkansas) - Recently, Pastors on Patrol, a faith-based group within the PBICVR, donated books on civil rights and copies of the United States Constitution to the Pine Bluff High School Library in remembrance of the March on Washington, which took place on August 28, 1963.

"The PEN OR PENCIL Mentoring Movement, along with our partners, are dedicated to educating the scholars in Pine Bluff schools about Black History, empowering them to be the authors of their generation's new history." -Derrick L. Newby Sr., president Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration, Inc.