100 years ago
May 7, 1918
• A telephone message was received at police headquarters from Bigelow, Ark., at 9:30 o'clock last night, requesting that bloodhounds be sent there. The message said that two Germans left the Fourche River Lumber Company plant, where they were employed, that a large amount of nitroglycerin and strychnine had been found in their belongings, and that this caused them to leave.
50 years ago
May 7, 1968
• When a prisoner voluntarily confesses to a crime while being transported by a law enforcement officer, does he have to be advised of his rights to remain silent and consult with a lawyer? Jack R. Bell Sr., 59, of Augusta, who is serving a life sentence in the Arkansas Penitentiary for the slaying of Leland McFall, 36, of Mountain Home in October 1964, is seeking a new trial on the ground that he wasn't advised of his rights when he confessed. Judge Oren Harris held a hearing Monday in federal District Court on Bell's habeas corpus petition.
25 years ago
May 7, 1993
JONESBORO -- Finals week at Arkansas State University was disrupted early Thursday by a fire -- apparently set intentionally -- that caused more than 400 students to be evacuated from a dormitory. Eight students were treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital and later released after two mattresses burned in a dormitory stairwell around midnight Wednesday, said Ken Cooper, ASU's chief of security. Cooper said that all the students living in Seminole Twin Towers dormitory, a nine-story men's dorm built in 1967, were evacuated from 12:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
10 years ago
May 7, 2008
• More than 40 years after condemning land owned by black churches, Little Rock directors recognized West End Park's history Tuesday by renaming it "Union Park." Called many things over the years, including Negro Park and Union Picnic Grounds, the block-long park at 36th and Walker streets has recently become a symbol of residents' efforts to improve the reputation of the John Barrow neighborhood. Residents wanted to rename the park as the state celebrates Arkansas Heritage Month, and the neighborhood throws its first blues and jazz festival Saturday.
Metro on 05/07/2018