Greenwood man
dies in car crash
A Greenwood man lost control of his vehicle Thursday night while southbound on Interstate 540 and was killed in the crash, the Arkansas State Police reported.
Patrick Johnson, 21, was ejected from the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche he was driving, according to the state police report. The wreck happened around 10:20 p.m., a few miles south of West Fork.
State police said Johnson, who was alone in the truck, lost control on a right-hand curve while going down a slight grade. His vehicle overturned down a steep embankment and came to rest in the northbound lanes of the interstate.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEMan struck, killed
picking up cones
A Fort Smith man was killed Thursday evening while trying to pick up traffic cones on Interstate 40 east of Sallisaw, Okla., according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
A report stated that James Foreman, 62, was struck and killed about 6:15 p.m. by a 2006 Ford F250 pickup heading east on the interstate by Doris Small, 46, of Wilburton, Okla.
At the time of the accident, the report stated, Foreman had pulled over the eastbound 1993 Honda Accord he was driving and was attempting to load traffic cones from an area of the interstate that was undergoing maintenance. Small, who was driving in the right lane, could not avoid hitting Freeman because the left lane was closed.
Both vehicles had passengers but none of were reported injured.
The report did not explain why Foreman was attempting to load the cones into his car.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEMcKinney runs despite arrests
BERRYVILLE - Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney said he will seek another term despite having served 53 days in jail last year after two drunken-driving arrests.
McKinney has been mayor for 20 years and said he has overcome his substanceabuse problem.
McKinney served one 39-day jail term in Carroll County for driving while intoxicated and marijuana possession, then served a 15-day term for a DWI in Washington County.
The city does not have a property tax or a utility tax.
Instead, it relies on sales tax revenue from a Wal-Mart and other retailers that serve the area.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPorch fire investigated
FAYETTEVILLE -The Fayetteville fire marshal’s office is investigating a latenight porch fire Thursday.
Firefighters responded at 11:12 p.m. to 117 E. Ninth St.
after witnesses reported a porch engulfed in flames.
The blaze was under control within about an hour, but the porch, along with a front portion of the home, sustained fire damage.
According to a 911 dispatch call, the owner of the home is Maxine Gangstad.
She told police she had recently forced the tenants to move out because they were three months late on rent.
The house was vacant whenthe fire ignited, and no injuries were reported.
Fayetteville Battalion Chief Bud Thompson said he didn’t know if any suspects had been identified.
“It was suspicious because it started on a couch that was on the front porch,” he said.
Anyone with information can contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (479) 587-3555.
- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES
Roadwork closes
Bella Vista lanes
Some lanes on U.S. 71 between Riordan Road and the Arkansas-Missouri line in Bella Vista will be closed beginning Thursday for repaving.
The alternating lane closures are part of a $1.1 million effort to resurface a four-mile section of the highway. Lanes will be closed from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
on weekdays through Aug.
23.
Crews from APAC-Central Inc. of Fayetteville will be resurfacing the road.
Drivers should expect delays during construction hours.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Pea Ridge park closes after 5
Pea Ridge National Military Park is again open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, according to a news release.
Superintendent John Scott said the park tour road was previously open to the public for hiking and bicycling before and after those hours.
“I am sorry that we will no longer be able to accommodate hikers and bikers during these times, but we currently do not have the funding to provide staff outside of our regular operational hours,” Scott said in the release.
The main park gate will close daily at 5 p.m. Visitors are reminded that when the gate is closed, the park is closed to all uses. Parking along U.S. 62 and entering the park to hike or bike is prohibited.
The park is 10 miles north of Rogers on U.S. 62.
Admission is $5 per person or $10 per vehicle.
- ROGERS MORNING NEWSGarland mayor convicted of fraud TEXARKANA - A federal jury has convicted the former mayor of Garland of three counts of mail fraud.
Yvonne Dockery could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count for which she was convicted Friday.
U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes will formally sentence Dockery once a presentence report with a punishment recommendation has been received.
Dockery was accused of mailing or causing others to mail documents and invoices connected to the illegal use of city funds to purchase a firetruck, firefighting equipment, police cars and a car she used.
Dockery resigned as mayor as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors in Miller County, where she was convicted of receiving pay in excess of her salary.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 8 on 07/24/2010