Dave Hughes
Stories by Dave
Affidavit: ‘Until death’ in head during knifing
posted: 05/17/2012 4:47 a.m. Discuss
All James Saylor Herring could think about before fatally stabbing his pregnant wife Tuesday was the phrase “until death do we part,” a probable-cause affidavit quoted him as telling police.
Crawford County puts off vote on sales tax for jail until next year
posted: 05/10/2012 5:08 a.m. Discuss
Crawford County officials have decided to delay until next year a special sales-tax election to expand the county jail so the effort won’t interfere with Van Buren’s sales-tax campaign.
Feared official, shooting suspect says
posted: 05/05/2012 3:13 a.m. Discuss
A Franklin County woman said she was afraid and thought a state Highway Department employee was “after her” when she shot her Tuesday at a rest stop off Interstate 40 west of Van Buren, according to an Arkansas State Police report.
State employee dead in rest stop shooting, Van Buren police say
updated: 05/01/2012 12:36 p.m. Comment 1
A female Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department employee was fatally shot about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at an Interstate 40 welcome center west of Van Buren, and police arrested a woman suspected in the shooting, police said.
Mother is guilty in death of girl, 1
posted: 04/28/2012 2:45 a.m. Discuss
A Sequoyah County District Court jury convicted Heather Jones of second-degree murder Friday in the Feb. 27, 2010, shooting death of her 1-year-old daughter, Elaine Keene, during a robbery.
Murder in jail nets life term, no mercy
posted: 04/21/2012 2:48 a.m. Discuss
A Sebastian County jail inmate was convicted Friday of first-degree murder in the strangling of another inmate in 2010 and sentenced to life in prison.
Fort Smith fire kills teen; four kin escape burning house
posted: 04/09/2012 4:42 a.m. Discuss
A Fort Smith teenager died from injuries he suffered in a Friday afternoon house fire from which four other family members escaped.
Logan County to take time charting jail plan
posted: 03/26/2012 4:33 a.m. Discuss
Logan County officials will take between nine months and a year to address the questions involved in designing, financing, building and operating a new county jail, planning officials said.
Mom to be tried in death of child
posted: 03/20/2012 4:39 a.m. Discuss
A Van Buren woman has been scheduled to go on trial April 23 for first-degree murder in the 2010 death of her 1-year-old daughter, according to Sequoyah County, Okla., District Court records.
Public-defender office approved
posted: 03/18/2012 4:04 a.m. Discuss
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas has received approval to form its own federal public-defender office, but establishing the office will depend on when funding becomes available from the government.
Voters pass rededication of 1% levy in Fort Smith
posted: 03/17/2012 5:11 a.m. Discuss
Fort Smith voters Tuesday approved spending on a handful of public improvements and recreation projects that will be paid for through the rededication of a 1 percent city sales tax.
Docket call held for boy, 15, in slaying; gag order persists
posted: 03/04/2012 3:55 a.m. Discuss
The judge in a Franklin County murder case involving a 15-year-old defendant charged as an adult has issued orders prohibiting officials from commenting on the case and sealing the case file and other documents connected with the case.
Van Buren mayor proposes 1 percent sales tax increase
posted: 02/29/2012 6:14 a.m. Discuss
Mayor Bob Freeman has proposed a 1 percent sales tax to pay for construction of a new police station, fire station and senior citizens center, to expand and improve the parks system, and to raise money for city operations and economic development.
Mom who fled with 2 kids gets custody after 10 years
posted: 02/24/2012 4:27 a.m. Discuss
A child custody case involving a woman who fled Arkansas with children she didn’t have custody of more than 10 years ago has been resolved, according to Sebastian County Circuit Court records.
Sexual offender pleads innocent in teen’s slaying
posted: 02/23/2012 4:55 a.m. Comment 1
A registered sex offender pleaded innocent Wednesday in Sebastian County Circuit Court to a first-degree murder charge in the strangulation death of a Van Buren junior high school student.
Parolee charged in slaying of girl, 16
posted: 02/22/2012 5:45 a.m. Discuss
Sebastian County prosecutors charged a registered sex offender with first-degree murder Tuesday in the slaying of a 16-year-old Van Buren girl whom police said he met online.
Remains found in search for girl
posted: 02/18/2012 6:31 a.m. Discuss
Police found human remains inside a barrel Friday night while searching for a missing Van Buren girl on the Lavaca property of the suspect in the case, Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said.
Deal made to share aquatics center cost
posted: 02/18/2012 6:16 a.m. Discuss
During a joint meeting Thursday, Sebastian County and Fort Smith leaders approved an agreement to split the cost of developing an aquatics center at the county’s Ben Geren Regional Park.
Slack water harbor study to continue, Corps says
posted: 02/16/2012 6:05 a.m. Discuss
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials in Little Rock said Wednesday that it will continue with a study to develop a slack water harbor on the Arkansas River in western Arkansas but stopped short of saying the project was approved. Corps officials asked to meet next Wednesday with Mat Pitsch, executive director of the Western Arkansas Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority, to talk about developing one of five sites on the Arkansas River, said Patricia Anslow, chief of the planning and environmental division of the Corps’ Little Rock office.
In Fort Smith, ballot brimming
posted: 02/12/2012 5:20 a.m. Discuss
The ballot for the Fort Smith special election March 13 is long and has multiple titles, but officials say most people will understand what they will be voting on.
Alma man charged in killing of 2-month-old son
posted: 02/09/2012 4:38 a.m. Discuss
A 19-year-old Alma man was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of his 2 1/2-month-old son in January.
2 cities team on economic development
posted: 02/09/2012 4:36 a.m. Discuss
The mayors of Fort Smith and Fayetteville announced Wednesday that they have formed a partnership to work together on economic-development issues such as transportation infrastructure.
Kentucky man held on gun charges
posted: 02/03/2012 4:13 a.m. Discuss
A federal magistrate judge Thursday ordered a Kentucky man to be held without bail pending prosecution on charges he possessed loaded guns outside the U.S. attorney’s office in Fort Smith.
Murder charge called likely for man in mother’s death
posted: 02/02/2012 4:50 a.m. Discuss
Authorities held a Russellville man Wednesday as they investigated the death of his mother, whose body was found by neighbors Monday at her Hagarville home.
Man near federal office detained over weapons
posted: 01/31/2012 5:03 a.m. Discuss
A Kentucky man was being held without bond in the Sebastian County jail Monday after he was found parked outside the U.S. attorney’s office Sunday with three loaded handguns in his car, according to Fort Smith police.
Jury acquits man of murder
posted: 01/28/2012 4:12 a.m. Discuss
A Sequoyah County, Okla., man was in jail Friday awaiting sentencing after a jury convicted him Thursday of one count of shooting with intent to kill.
Brother charged as adult in killing
posted: 01/26/2012 5:59 a.m. Comment 1
A Franklin County teen was charged Wednesday as an adult with first-degree murder in the Jan. 15 shooting death of his 16-year-old sister.
Murder case likely in girl’s death
posted: 01/18/2012 5:04 a.m. Discuss
The Franklin County prosecutor said he plans to file a first-degree murder charge against a 15-year-old boy who told authorities he fatally shot his 16-year-old sister at their home Sunday.
No account yet of sister’s killing
posted: 01/17/2012 5 a.m. Discuss
A 15-year-old rural Franklin County boy who told authorities he killed his 16-year-old sister Sunday morning gave no explanation after driving to the sheriff’s office to turn himself in, Sheriff Anthony Boen said.
Judge jails 2 fraud suspects
posted: 01/07/2012 4:38 a.m. Comment 1
A federal judge sent a couple charged with 15 counts of mail fraud to jail Friday after they failed to cooperate during a hearing over the withdrawal of their court-appointed attorneys.
Man arrested in wife’s death
posted: 01/04/2012 4:18 a.m. Discuss
Police arrested the husband of a woman who disappeared Friday after he led them to a spot in rural Crawford County where they found her body, police said.
Fort Smith panel at odds with proposed pet rules
posted: 01/03/2012 4:30 a.m. Discuss
Recommendations in a report by the Fort Smith animal task force conflict with proposed ordinances that city directors are to take up today.
Officials defend Fort Smith Convention Center
posted: 01/03/2012 4:15 a.m. Comment 1
Officials with the Fort Smith Convention Center are defending the complex against criticism that if it’s not making money it’s not worth keeping open.
2 assigned lawyers in fraud case
posted: 12/29/2011 4:17 a.m. Discuss
A Crawford County couple charged with federal mail fraud told a magistrate judge Tuesday they would accept appointed attorneys to represent them only if the attorneys themselves would agree to serve any prison sentence or pay any fine if the two were convicted.
All hands on deck to defend 188th, senators say
posted: 12/21/2011 4:04 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas’ congressional delegation must plan for the worst as it prepares to defend the mission of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, the state’s two U.S. senators said Tuesday.
Rifle-sales case near end, police chief says
posted: 12/15/2011 4:38 a.m. Discuss
Police Chief Kevin Lindsey said last week that he expects the U.S. Department of Justice to clear the Police Department of wrongdoing involving semi-automatic rifles that the department bought with federal asset forfeiture money and resold to officers.
Man sentenced 45 years in friend’s stabbing death
posted: 12/07/2011 4:10 a.m. Discuss
A Fort Smith man was sentenced Tuesday to 45 years in prison after a Sebastian County Circuit Court jury convicted him of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a friend.
Boosters to offer plan in fight to keep 188th
posted: 12/03/2011 4:40 a.m. Discuss
Officials with a Fort Smith organization that supports local military units will brief the state’s congressional and military leaders later this month on plans to defend the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing against possible defense budget cuts.
Man convicted in scuffle
posted: 12/03/2011 4:30 a.m. Discuss
A district court judge convicted former city director candidate Eric Arthur of third-degree battery Friday for shoving Mayor Sandy Sanders after a city directors meeting last summer.
Ambulance service short on cash
posted: 11/26/2011 4:47 a.m. Discuss
Sebastian County Emergency Medical Services is in need of upgrades, but the trick will be coming up with enough money.
Fort Smith cuts budget to aid convention center
posted: 11/24/2011 2:27 a.m. Discuss
Fort Smith directors carved up the proposed 2012 general fund budget Tuesday in search of more than $700,000 for operating expenses for the Fort Smith Convention Center.
May dedication set for statue of lawman
posted: 11/24/2011 2:24 a.m. Discuss
The larger-than-life statue of legendary frontier lawman Bass Reeves will be dedicated in Fort Smith on May 26, a member of the statue project committee told city directors Tuesday.
Chaffee Crossing land set to house homeless veterans
posted: 11/18/2011 3:26 a.m. Discuss
The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority approved a request Thursday to reserve about 23 acres at Chaffee Crossing for a group that wants to develop a $23 million campus for homeless veterans.
Fort Smith looking at cuts in ’12 after voters reject tax
posted: 11/12/2011 4:47 a.m. Discuss
After Tuesday’s defeat of a prepared food tax to pay for operating expenses of the Fort Smith Convention Center, city directors began tinkering with the proposed 2012 budget to try to find $800,000 for the center’s operation.
Convention-center tax rejected
posted: 11/09/2011 4:47 a.m. Discuss
After months of sometimes bitter political wrangling over a proposed 1 percent food tax to fund the city’s convention center, Fort Smith voters on Tuesday rejected the proposal by a margin of almost 2-to-1.
Drop-off sites a dose of prevention
posted: 10/30/2011 5:06 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas officials are getting out the message that if prescription drugs are not being used, they need to be disposed of.
Jailed Oklahoman awaiting sentence
posted: 10/27/2011 5:29 a.m. Discuss
An Oklahoma woman will remain in federal custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty Friday to two felonies.
Chaffee section makes historic list
posted: 10/17/2011 4:27 a.m. Discuss
A section of old barracks at Chaffee Crossing, including the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his famous Army haircut, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Chaffee rezone gets panel’s OK
posted: 10/15/2011 4:46 a.m. Discuss
The city’s planning commission has approved the rezoning of land at Chaffee Crossing for a proposed $30 million apartment complex to be built in phases beginning next year.
EEOC claim denied, 3 in clerk’s office to sue
posted: 10/07/2011 4:11 a.m. Discuss
Employees in the Sebastian County circuit clerk’s office said Tuesday that they plan to file a federal lawsuit against the circuit clerk after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission declined to take action against him.
