The federal government is seeking the return of a $128,676 income-tax refund that former state Sen. Nick Wilson and his wife, Susan, received as a result of information they included on their 2003 income-tax return – while he was still in federal prison. Wilson currently resides in Little Rock.
Little Rock police cited eight people for ticket scalping in the hours before Friday’s game at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers, the largest number issued before a game in at least three years. The going price for a ticket was around $400.00 on a face value admission of $35.
Wal-Mart had a disappointing start to the holiday shopping season, despite an aggressive discount campaign. It now expects to report November same-store sales were below its already lackluster forecast. The world’s largest retailer says that it expects to report a 0.1 percent decline November sales in stores opened at least a year, compared to the year-ago.
Attorney General Mike Beebe, the governor-elect, announced Wednesday his first Cabinet appointments, and they are familiar faces. Beebe will keep four current top officials in Gov. Mike Huckabee’s administration: Finance and Administration Director Richard Weiss, Education Commissioner Ken James, Arkansas State Police Director Col. Steve Dozier, and Workforce Services Director Artee Williams.
Attorney General Mike Beebe has issued a formal opinion that he sees no likely constitutional problem if the state enacts a law allowing people to kill criminals who intrude into homes and automobiles.
State Senator Bobby Gluver of Carlisle has offered two competing bills to eliminate most of the state’s six-cent tax on groceries, adding to what’s expected to be a growing list of proposals on eliminating the tax. The state is projected to have an $843 million surplus by the end of this fiscal year, and eliminating the state sales tax on groceries became an issue in the recent political campaigns.
The Arkansas State Police is assisting state auditors with an investigation into money missing from the White County sheriff’s office. While conducting a routine audit of county finances, the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit discovered some “irregularities” with the bookkeeping department at the sheriff’s office involving a former employee.
Two legislative committees ordered auditors Wednesday to dig into the finances of the Fayetteville Veterans Home because some lawmakers say they’re worried that the project is going to cost additional state funds.
Helena-West Helena City Council members Joe St. Columbia, Jay Hollowell and Larry Wilson placed their names on a Freedom of Information request seeking written and recorded copies of all the minutes for the entire year and all monthly and quarterly financial reports. According to St. Columbia, the request was not fulfilled.
Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped for the third consecutive month, down one-tenth of a percent in October to 5.1 percent. Despite the slight drop, the state’s jobless rate is still two-tenths of a percent higher than it was a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Philander Smith College in Little Rock will receive a grant of more than $2.9 million over the next five years from the National Science Foundation.
Seven people were shot and wounded early Thanksgiving Day after a fight broke out at a private party in Crossett. Four of the injured underwent surgery. Three others were released from the hospital after being treated for their wounds.
The White County coroner has identified the boy who was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon during a basketball game outside a home in Judsonia as Ryan Grothe, 13, of Batesville. Grothe was shot by another teenager using a 9mm handgum.
Jonesboro police shot a 16-year-old boy suspected of rape Friday morning after the youth, found hiding in an attic, opened fire on an officer with a handgun, authorities said. The boy fired one 9 mm round, which struck Officer Chris Walker in the chest, she said. Walker was wearing a protective vest and was released from the hospital.
Texarkana police are investigating a double homicide, discovered Sunday morning when investigators found two bodies inside the remains of a house that had just been destroyed by fire.
A 7-year-old girl has died from injuries suffered when she was struck in a church parking lot by a car driven by an 88-year-old woman. The driver, Martha Garrison, was cited after the accident with careless and prohibited driving. Police said Garrison told them she accidentally shifted into reverse instead of drive, then accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal.
The Arkansas Board of Parole has recommended clemency for a 67 year-old man who killed a liquor store owner more than four decades ago over $14.80. The board recommended clemency for Samuel Billingsley, who was convicted of first-degree murder and burglary in Ouachita County.
Franklin County investigators are trying to determine whether John Gonterman of North Little Rock was hanged or if he hung himself in woods north of Mulberry on November 14.
Fans returning to Oaklawn Park Jam 19 won’t be able to smoke in the grandstand while watching the horse races next year. Smoking also will not be allowed in the track’s private club and much of its instant racing and gambling room. Smoking areas will be available near some wager counters and outside the grandstand building.
Benton County diners will soon discover new Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in Rogers.
Join me and Bill Vickery for the WEDNESDAY WAKE-UP around 6:45 every Wednesday morning on KARK TV Channel 4. We pick winners and losers from the past week and comment on the day's top news. Sometimes we play rough, but it is always a million laughs.
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