CADDO VALLEY, Ark. – A fatal collision occurred late Saturday evening on Interstate 30 in Clark County, claiming the life of a 22-year-old Gurdon resident, according to a preliminary report from the Arkansas State Police.

The crash was reported at approximately 9:54 p.m. on April 26, 2025, in the westbound lanes of I-30 near mile marker 80, just outside of Caddo Valley. The incident involved a 2021 Ford Explorer and a 2019 Freightliner, both traveling in the same direction under rainy and wet roadway conditions.

According to the Arkansas State Police’s initial investigation, the Ford Explorer, operated by Leonte Poppvici, 22, of Gurdon, collided with the rear of the Freightliner. Poppvici, who was the sole occupant of the Explorer, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

The body has been transferred to the Clark County Coroner’s Office, and notification of next of kin has been confirmed. No occupants of the Freightliner were reported injured, and no additional vehicles were involved.

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Trooper Kemp Smith of the Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation into the fatal crash. Authorities note that rain and wet pavement likely contributed to the collision. This incident marks the 142nd fatality on Arkansas roadways in 2025, underscoring persistent concerns around adverse weather driving conditions and rear-end collision dynamics on high-speed interstates.

Motorists are reminded that wet roads dramatically reduce traction and extend stopping distances, increasing the potential for serious or fatal crashes. The Arkansas Department of Transportation and State Police urge all drivers to exercise heightened caution during inclement weather, including maintaining longer following distances and reducing speed, especially when operating near commercial vehicles.

Further details may be released pending completion of the investigation.

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester announced this week that he will run for Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands in the 2026 election, shifting his political focus as his current role reaches its conclusion.

Jester, a Republican from Benton, was appointed Secretary of State last year by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders following the departure of John Thurston, who won a special election to become State Treasurer. Due to the nature of his appointment, Jester is ineligible to seek re-election to the Secretary of State’s office.

In a public statement, Jester expressed his enthusiasm for the new campaign and outlined key priorities.

“After prayerful consideration, I am excited to announce my campaign for Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands,” Jester said. “We will further Arkansas’s energy economy, investigate foreign influence, and keep our tax dollars where they belong.”

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Jester also thanked supporters and invoked faith as a guiding principle in his campaign.

“I am thankful to my family and my Lord. Please continue to pray! If you can, share. Arkansas is the best state in the country, and, together, we can make it even better.”

Jester joins what is shaping up to be a busy political cycle in 2026. State Senator Kim Hammer, also of Benton, has already announced his candidacy for Secretary of State — the position Jester will be vacating.

As Commissioner of State Lands, Jester would be responsible for managing public land transactions, overseeing tax-delinquent property sales, and playing a role in conservation and economic development across the state. The current Commissioner, Tommy Land, is term-limited and cannot run again.

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CHEROKEE VILLAGE – Get ready to grab a slice of sweet Southern tradition as the 5th Annual Arkansas Pie Festival rolls into Cherokee Village this Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by FNBC, the beloved event brings together bakers, foodies, families, and fun-seekers from across the state to celebrate all things pie.

The festival kicks off early with the Pie Day 5K race registration at 8 a.m., followed by the race at 9. At 10 a.m., the main festival gates open, unveiling a full lineup of activities: pie tastings, a bustling pie shop and silent auction, live music, local food trucks, and a vibrant Kids Zone packed with inflatables, art, and face painting hosted by the Arts Center of North Arkansas.

The FNBC Center Stage will feature a full slate of live entertainment throughout the day, including performances by Garrett Duncan (10 a.m.), Gus Holmstrom (11:15 a.m.), Craig Estes (12:30 p.m.), and Jon Jones (1:45 p.m.).

A staple of the event, pie judging begins at 11 a.m., followed by the crowd-favorite “Cutie Pie Pet Parade” at noon and the high-stakes Pie Eating Contest at 1 p.m. The silent auction wraps up at 2:30, just before the Awards Ceremony at 2:45. The festival officially ends at 3 p.m.

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Created as a way to bring the community together while honoring Arkansas’s baking heritage, the Arkansas Pie Festival has grown into a major draw for the Spring River region. Proceeds from the event benefit local nonprofits, including scholarships and arts initiatives.

For a full schedule or to learn more, visit arpiefestival.com. Whether you’re a competitive baker, a pie connoisseur, or just looking for a sweet way to spend the day, the Arkansas Pie Festival is sure to deliver.

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FORT SMITH – The Fort Smith Board of Directors is under scrutiny following the recent hire of Rebecca Cowan as the city’s new internal auditor — a decision made just one day before details of her pending felony charge in Oklahoma came to light, according to reporting by TalkBusiness.net.

Cowan, 48, was unanimously approved by the board on Tuesday (April 22) to fill the key auditing role at an annual salary of $110,000.02. A press release issued by the city on Wednesday confirmed the appointment, which fills the vacancy left by Tracey Shockley, who departed April 1 after nine years in the position.

However, records from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office reveal Cowan was booked into jail on June 7, 2024, on a fugitive of justice warrant tied to a felony stalking charge in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. She was released on a signature bond on June 10 and is scheduled to appear in court in Poteau, Oklahoma, on May 21. While charged with a felony, Cowan has not been convicted.

The position of internal auditor is one of only two roles — along with city administrator — directly hired by the Fort Smith Board of Directors. The auditor’s responsibilities include overseeing financial and operational accountability across all city departments.

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Cowan’s appointment is set to begin May 27, though questions are now swirling around the city’s vetting process. The city enlisted Strategic Government Resources (SGR), a Texas-based executive recruitment firm, to assist with the hire. Despite Cowan’s legal troubles being easily accessible via public records, it’s unclear whether SGR or city officials conducted a thorough background check.

While Fort Smith city officials did not return TalkBusiness.Net‘s request for comment, at least one city director spoke out on social media Thursday morning after sharing the publication’s article.

“I would ask for grace in this situation,” City Director Neal Martin said on Facebook. “For Ms Cowan and anyone else involved.”

The full TalkBusiness.net report continues to generate discussion across the region as residents await further clarification from Fort Smith officials.

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FAYETTEVILLE – A small aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Drake Field on Monday afternoon after experiencing engine problems mid-flight, according to a report by KNWA Television’s Doug Warner.

The aircraft, a Cessna 210 Centurion registered to South Delta Aviation of Fayetteville, had departed from the same airport earlier in the day. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported engine trouble and smoke in the cockpit, prompting a return to the airport.

Flight tracking data indicates the plane reached an altitude of approximately 6,500 feet and traveled as far east as Madison County near the Crosses area before reversing course.

The pilot successfully brought the aircraft back to Drake Field, though the plane skidded off the runway during the emergency landing. Despite the incident, all three people onboard escaped injury.

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Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved, and the cause of the engine issue remains under investigation.

South Delta Aviation is a flight services provider based in Fayetteville. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to review the incident as part of routine post-incident procedures.