100 years ago
July 31, 1917
• TEXARKANA -- The crime for which the negro, Andrew Avery, was lynched at Garland City tonight, was one of the most brutal ever recorded in Miller county. It was not discovered until late yesterday, when Will Woods, a levee contractor on Red river, was found at a lonely place in the woods, apparently in a dying condition. While his condition is considered critical, the attending physicians say he has a fighting chance to live, unless pneumonia should develop or other complications set in.
50 years ago
July 31, 1967
• BATESVILLE -- This north central Arkansas city is preparing for a large influx of visitors for the White River Water Carnival Friday and Saturday. The 24th annual festival is sponsored by the Batesville Jaycees in cooperation with business firms and individuals. Among the featured attractions will be two beauty pageants, two dances, a street parade, boat races, river excursions, an archery tournament, and a Catfish Day program highlighted by a musical variety show.
25 years ago
July 31, 1992
• ARKANSAS CITY -- A Desha County Circuit Court jury Thursday evening found Bennie Lamar Cleveland guilty of capital murder, kidnapping and other charges stemming from a revenge-motivated shooting at a convenience store robbery. Cleveland, 27, of McGehee, also was convicted of attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery and theft of property in connection with the December 1991 shooting at Cash's Quik Chek at McGehee. The jury went out at 3:40 p.m. Thursday and returned at 5:30 p.m. with the guilty verdict.
10 years ago
July 31, 2007
• JONESBORO -- Motorists who thought they would be reimbursed by police for being improperly issued citations this year have hit a red light. Jonesboro Police Chief Michael Yates has put the brakes on refunding 18 drivers who were cited for failing to yield to police officers who were conducting traffic stops. Yates said earlier this month that the misdemeanor tickets were given wrongly by police and he would reimburse the $250 fine and $100 court costs to all who were ticketed. But on Monday, Yates changed his mind, saying he found a patrol unit's video tape shot during a traffic stop that validates the issuance of one ticket a motorist challenged.
Metro on 07/31/2017