LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas Children's Hospital has dedicated two new helicopters to ferry young patients to its facilities in Little Rock.
The hospital's transport team took part in a blessing ceremony Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium for the two Sikorsky S-76 Ds. Donors to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation helped pay for the helicopters, along with Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Club locations in Arkansas and the "Will Golf for Kids" and "Color of Hope" events.
The helicopters will enter service later this month. They can reach any point in the state in less than an hour. And their new engines will save about five gallons of jet fuel per hour over their previous helicopters.
The hospital says it transports about 2,000 patients a year, 1,100 by helicopter. Its helicopter service started in 1985.
Body found in Grubbs may be that of missing man
GRUBBS -- Jackson County authorities say a body found in the town of Grubbs may be that of a missing man.
Sheriff's Lt. Ricky Morales told KAIT the body found Thursday afternoon is believed to be Jesus Martinez-Munoz and will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy and positive identification.
Authorities say Martinez-Munoz was also known as Jessie Martinez and he was reported missing on Tuesday.
Man admits to Search shooting
SEARCY -- A Texas man was sentenced for involvement in a shooting and robbery at a Searcy business parking lot.
The Daily Citizen reports Ricky A. Jones, Jr., 32, of Garland, Texas, pleaded guilty to class Y felony aggravated robbery and class B felony first degree battery. White County Circuit Judge Robert Edwards sentenced Jones to serve 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Shane Looney of Searcy told police he drove to the JCPenney's parking lot Jan. 24, 2014, to sell a ring he advertised on Craigslist.org. He said he arranged to meet someone interested in purchasing the ring.
Three people arrived black Dodge Challenger vehicle, shot Looney in the stomach and fled the area with the ring. Arkansas State Police found the vehicle near Texarkana. A pursuit of the vehicle ended in Nash, Texas.
"Texarkana police called and said they lost sight of their vehicle," said Officer Michael Sutton, spokesman for Nash Police Department. "Our officers spotted them and during a chase, the suspects' vehicle ran into a curb and flattened two tires."
Police arrested Jones; Amanda P. Hampton, 28, and 27-year-old Johnny Patton, both of Arlington, Texas.
Hampton pleaded guilty to robbery and first degree battery June 6 and was sentenced to 15 years. A court date in White County hasn't be set yet for Patton.
State Police investigate suspected slaying of man
HAMBURG -- Arkansas State Police say investigators are assisting an investigation in the suspected slaying of a man.
State police said Friday that Criminal Investigation Division agents are assisting Ashley County and Drew County authorities in the apparent death of 41-year-old Sam Arnold Jr., and a Monticello woman is being questioned about Arnold's disappearance.
Arnold was reported missing by his family on July 27 and state police say officers on Thursday found a site in Drew County where Arnold may have been killed, but that his body hasn't been found.
Arsenal sets rules for hunting on grounds at Pine Bluff
PINE BLUFF -- The Pine Bluff Arsenal says hunters who wish to hunt on their grounds during upcoming seasons must register for a drawing to be used to distribute permits.
The arsenal said Friday it posted a form online at www.pba.army.mil and says registration will be open until Aug. 23.
Hunters selected will be notified via email. They must pass a background check, show proof of taking a hunter safety education course and proof of an Arkansas hunting license.
Upcoming seasons:
• White-tailed Deer Seasons: Archery Sept. 26-Dec. 31; Muzzleloader Oct. 17-21; Special Youth Hunt Nov. 7-8 and Modern Gun (Shotgun Only) Nov. 14-18
• Small Game (Squirrel and Rabbit): Jan. 1 - Feb. 29
• Furbearer Trapping: Nov. 19 - March 31
• Early Teal: Sept. 12-27.
Waterfowl dates will be announced.
NW News on 08/08/2015