Regional News
Victims identified in Arkansas car accidents
HOT SPRINGS – A 63-year-old man from Hot Springs was killed in a pedestrian accident late Wednesday night, according to the Arkansas State Police (ASP).
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. on January 23, 2025, on U.S. Highway 270 West at Disney Street in Hot Springs. Darrel Eugene Sayles, a resident of Hot Springs, was struck by a 2008 Kia Spectra while walking in the westbound lane of the highway. Sayles was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported. The vehicle was traveling west on the highway at the time of the incident. Weather conditions were clear, and the road surface was dry.
The body of Sayles was transported to the Garland County Coroner’s Office, and next of kin have been notified. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, with Corporal Ryan I. Wingo of the Arkansas State Police leading the inquiry.
The crash remains under investigation.
Brockwell Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on State Highway 56
A 74-year-old man from Brockwell died in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 56 on Friday afternoon, according to the Arkansas State Police (ASP).
The accident occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. on January 24, 2025, when Carroll Joe Jennings was driving a 2004 Ford Ranger westbound on State Highway 56. Authorities say Jennings veered off the roadway to the left and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported, and no passengers were involved in the crash. Weather conditions were clear, and the road surface was dry at the time of the incident.
Jennings’ body was transported to Eddie’s Family Funeral Home. His next of kin have been notified. The crash is under investigation by Corporal Blake Johnson of the Arkansas State Police.
The incident remains under investigation.
Regional News
Driver identified in Southwest Arkansas crash
NASHVILLE – A 31-year-old man from Dierks died in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 278, according to the Arkansas State Police.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:41 a.m. when a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado traveling north on U.S. 278 left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned into a ditch.
The driver, identified as Jason Cody Sherck, was pronounced dead at the scene. No passengers or other vehicles were involved, and no additional injuries were reported.
Weather conditions were clear, and the road surface was dry at the time of the crash. The victim’s body has been taken to Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville, Arkansas.
Next of kin have been notified. The crash remains under investigation by Corporal Kyle Jones of the Arkansas State Police.
Regional News
TAXPAYER FUNDED ENTOURAGE? Answers given on ASP trip to DC
LITTLE ROCK – As President Donald Trump took the oath of office in the United States Capitol on Monday, critics of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders couldn’t help but notice the number of troopers from the Arkansas State Police that would be in attendance for the inaugural festivities.
A number of Arkansas political insiders set their social media ablaze looking for answers based on the assumption that those troopers would be traveling as the official security detail for Sanders, who has come under fire from some of these same people for what they consider a waste of taxpayer fund in last year’s purchase of a $19,000 lectern for the Governor’s office. One of those who led the charge on that front was attorney Tom Mars, who in years past was appointed by Sanders’ father as the director of the Arkansas State Police.
I’m not surprised that people were in disbelief about the number of State Troopers who accompanied Gov. Sanders to the inauguration. Maybe someone can count the number of hats in this group photo from D.C to get a more precise count.
I have no idea what they’re doing there. 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/DgA65kxzaH pic.twitter.com/1t86f5inFO
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) January 20, 2025
Mars is no stranger to standing up for what he believes is right. After retiring as state police director, he would return to private practice, opening a law firm in Rogers. This is the same Tom Mars who took on the NCAA, filing legal action to drastically change transfer rules a frew years ago, and who represented Houston Nutt in his legal action against Ole Miss in a chain of events that subsequently saw former Coach Hugh Freeze leave the school.
This week however, we find that after first putting out the possibility that Sanders was leading a taxpayer funded entourage, Mars was also more than willing to responsibly clear the air on what actually happened. As Trump took the oath of office Monday, he quickly told his followers that upon further investigation, the situation was not as it originally seemed.
New confidential information has convinced me that, despite the appearances, there were legitimate, nonpartisan reasons for sending this many ASP Troopers to D.C. and that none of the expenses will be paid by state taxpayer funds. Gov. Sanders played no role in this decision. https://t.co/4RayMRiP6A
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) January 20, 2025
On Tuesday night, Mars added further clarity to the situation in a multiple Tweet thread.
“The nationwide request for state and local law enforcement support came from the Biden administration long before the election. Police departments from red and blue states agreed to help with the understanding that all expenses would be reimbursed by the Feds,” Mars explained. “At that time, people were openly talking about Jan. 20 being a repeat of Jan. 6 – but worse. Planning with these law enforcement agencies began months ago. When President Trump won the election, the Biden administration couldn’t just stop the twice a month planning meetings and say ‘never mind.’ ”
Mars concluded the thread by stating that in his mind, at least this time, Governor Sanders was in the clear.
“So in my opinion, it would be wrong to criticize Governor Sanders for this. This wasn’t a partisan decision,” He noted. “Besides, it’s not like we don’t have plenty of other reasons to be critical of the Governor.”
The Arkansas State Police noted in a Tweet of their own that the federally funded mission had been in the planning stages for over a year, long before presidential candidates were selected.
Regional News
VIDEO: Gulf Coast Adjusts To Record Snow
Most of us in South Arkansas are used to a yearly snow storm or a brush with ice.
However, for those living on the shores of the newly renamed Gulf of America, snow and ice are not the norm. At all.
So we know that many of our fellow Arkansans are not good at driving on the snow, but how about those folks on the coast? Out of morbid curiousity, we hooked into the Beach Boulevard webcam outside of this author’s favorite restaurant – McElroy’s in Biloxi, Mississippi. Most folks have been doing great, some have slid around. No accidents so far.
You can watch the live feed and see the beautiful snowfall by clicking on the player above.
Regional News
Oklahoma Basketball Players Arrested For Robbery, Allowed to Compete Amid Concerns
HENRYETTA, OK – An intense debate is brewing in an Oklahoma school district and their opponents on the basketball court.
Regional News
Sanders Appoints New Highway Commissioner
LITTLE ROCK – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Jerry Halsey to the Arkansas State Highway Commission. Halsey’s term will run through Jan. 14, 2035, replacing Alec Farmer.
“Jerry is an incredibly gifted businessman, a leader in Jonesboro, and most importantly, a great friend,” Sanders said in a statement. “I know his experience in community development in Northeast Arkansas will lend itself to his new role on the Highway Commission, and I look forward to working with him to keep Arkansas the center of America’s road, river, and rail systems.”
Halsey, the founder, CEO, and president of Halsey Thrasher Harpole Real Estate Group, said he was eager to begin his new role. “I thank Governor Sanders for this opportunity to serve, and for her trust and confidence in me. I am excited and ready to go to work,” Halsey said.
A graduate of Arkansas State University, Halsey has built a career in real estate, selling properties during his college years and later expanding his family’s farming business into the real estate sector. He holds licenses in multiple states and has earned recognition for his achievements, including induction into the Northeast Arkansas Board of Realtors Hall of Fame.
Halsey’s public service record includes serving as vice chair of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission and as a member of the Arkansas State Police Foundation Board of Directors. He has also held leadership roles with the Arkansas Building Authority, the Jonesboro Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, and City Youth Ministries, among others.
-
News1 month ago
Junction City woman killed in Nevada County accident
-
News4 weeks ago
One killed, one injured in Highway 167 crash
-
News2 weeks ago
ESD Board Votes Down Calendar Changes
-
News2 weeks ago
El Dorado native named finalist for prestigious fellowship
-
Obituaries5 days ago
Denver L. Thornton, El Dorado
-
News2 months ago
El Dorado School Board considering move to year round calendar
-
Regional News2 weeks ago
Major retailer closing stores nationwide including Arkansas location
-
News2 months ago
Crash takes life of El Dorado driver