Investigation opened into fatal accident at Harrison plant
HARRISON -- An investigation has been opened into a fatal accident at a northern Arkansas plant, according to a spokesman for the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
The Harrison Daily Times reports Police Chief Paul Woodruff said it appears 59-year-old Marvin Estes' pant leg got caught in a machine last Friday at Claridge Extrusions, which led to his leg getting caught and subsequent death. Woodruff said an autopsy is being done to determine Estes' exact cause of death and rule out any medical problems.
"Our job is strictly to determine if there were any criminal violations of the law," Woodruff said. He added there appeared to be no signs of wrongdoing so far.
Claridge officials weren't available for comment.
OSHA spokesman Juan J. Rodriguez said all fatal industrial accidents must be reported to the agency within eight hours of the incident. He confirmed an investigation has been opened.
Rodriguez said an inspector will visit the plant and analyze the area of the facility where the accident occurred. He declined to say exactly when the inspector would arrive in Harrison.
-- The Associated Press
Court hearing set for teen arrested in grandparents' deaths
CONWAY -- A judge has scheduled an Aug. 25 hearing for a teen arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of his grandparents.
No formal charges have been filed against the 14-year-old, who made a brief court appearance Monday morning during a status hearing.
Prosecutors say they're waiting for Conway police to complete their investigation into the deaths of Robert and Patricia Cogdell, both 66, before deciding what charges the boy could face. The teenager lived with the couple, who were his legal guardians. He's being held without bond on two potential counts of capital murder.
"I think it's important that we get it right rather than get it fast," said Cody Hiland, Faulkner County prosecutor. "This is a crime of great gravity in our community, and we want to make sure we get it right. The Conway Police Department is working around the clock to make sure that happens."
Authorities say they questioned several family members after the couple's bodies were found in a wooded area behind their Conway home about 35 miles north of Little Rock.
Conway police say three other teenagers, who were arrested in Texas and held as runaways July 24, are being questioned in the slayings. No charges have been filed against any of the teens.
-- The Associated Press
Jonesboro cops warn of warrant scam
JONESBORO -- Police are warning about a scam in which a caller claims via telephone that residents must pay him money or risk arrest on an outstanding warrant.
A woman complained to officers Monday she received a telephone call from someone claiming to be a Jonesboro cop. She said the caller said he worked in the warrants division and she needed to send money or be arrested.
The woman went to the police station, which said she wasn't subject to arrest.
Jonesboro police spokesman Paul Holmes said the caller was a scam artist and warned other residents may be targeted, too. He also said officers wouldn't call someone and demand they buy a pre-paid "money card" to settle a case.
-- The Associated Press
Harding senior vice president named to board
SEARCY -- James Carr, senior vice president of Harding University, has been named to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The Daily Citizen reports Carr joins 11 other members on the board and will serve a six-year term.
Carr will serve with the board staff to implement the department's policies and procedures in addition to the agency's numerous functions.
Carr is a 1970 alumnus of Harding, and he received his doctorate from Florida State.
-- The Associated Press
Marion County friends hold library sale
YELLVILLE -- The Friends of the Marion County Library will host a book sale Thursday through Saturday at the Marion County Library in Yellville.
Hours Thursday and Friday are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Harrison Daily Times reports hundreds of hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books and DVDs will be available with nothing priced more than $1. On Saturday one can buy all the books they can get in the bag for $2.
-- The Associated Press
NW News on 08/05/2015