INVESTIGATION  

06/13/2025

  

Officials with the St. Francis County Sheriffs Department are currently investigating the death of 36 year old Jasmine Spencer of Forrest City.  Investigators said that her death was caused by multiple injuries.

 

According to the report,  Ms. Spencer was taken to Forrest City Medical Center around 10:45 last (Thursday) night by her husband, who alledged that she had jumped out of the vehicle.  Ms. Spencer was unresponsive upon arrival at the Hospital and was airlifted to Regional One Hospital in Memphis where she died from her injuries.

 

St. Francis County Coroner Miles J. Kimble advised that the body will be sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiners office for an autopsy and cause of death.

 

The investigation is continuing.

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Local and Regional News 061225

 

FC Man Shot

 

A Forrest City man was shot in the hand early this (Thursday) morning.

 

The Forrest City PD’s Shot Spotter system indicated that gunshots were fired around 1:30 this morning in the area of 720 Hickey Street.

 

While en route to the scene, officers were advised that a gunshot victim had been located at 520 West Cook Street.

 

The victim, 29-year-old Laterrius Allen of Forrest City, told police that someone in a passing vehicle had shot him while he was walking in the area.

 

Officers canvassed the area and located a parked vehicle at 714 Hickey Street that had a visible bullet hole in the driver’s side door. Police say the vehicle was registered to the victim.

 

Allen was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

 

No suspects have been identified in the case. The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

HWH Accidental Death

 

A man working for a tree service company was fatally injured in an accident in Helena-West Helena on Wednesday (6/11).

 

Helena-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin posted that a man working for a local tree contractor died Wednesday morning from injuries sustained in an accident that occurred at a work site in the 200 Block of Desoto Street.

 

The man was pronounced dead at the scene by Phillips County Coroner Earnest Larry.

 

First responders from the Helena-West Helena Fire Department, Police Department and Pafford Ambulance Service also worked the case.

 

 

Woman Set on Fire in West Memphis

 

A woman was set on fire Wednesday (6/11) in West Memphis. A suspect is still at large. (Channel 3, Memphis)

 

West Memphis Police officers responded to a call of a person on fire shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday in a lot near 2200 Broadway.

 

Officers found the victim on fire. She was rushed to Regional One hospital in critical condition.

 

Officials say the incident could possibly be the result of a domestic situation.

 

Police are reviewing SkyCop cameras in the area for information on what happened and who is responsible.

 

 

Girl Killed by Dogs

 

More than 10 dogs attacked and killed a 15-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon (6/11) at an animal rescue in a Saline County neighborhood. (DG)

 

The Saline County sheriff’s office states that the dogs attacked the girl while she was inside a fenced portion of private property that contained about 30 dogs kept by an animal rescue that the girl had been helping with.

 

The sheriff’s office declined to publicly identify the victim, citing the nature of her death and a desire to show respect for her family. They also declined to name the animal rescue that had been keeping the dogs.

 

Officials said it wasn’t clear why the dogs attacked, calling the incident “sudden and tragic.”

 

Authorities said the dogs thought to be involved in the attack were seized and that there was no danger to the public.

 

 

ASP Shooting Incident

 

Arkansas State Police troopers on Wednesday afternoon (6/11) shot and killed an armed man during a traffic stop on I-40 in Lonoke County (DG).

 

Troopers and U.S. marshals stopped the 33-year-old near the 180-mile marker, west of Carlisle around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

The man’s name has not been released, but authorities say he was wanted in an armed carjacking and kidnapping in Michigan.

 

The news released stated that the man exited his vehicle and brandished a weapon. Troopers shot the man, who died at the scene.

 

The troopers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave per state police policy.

 

State police investigators will review the incident and create a case file to submit to the Lonoke County prosecutor, who will determine if the troopers' use of force was justified.

 

 

Suspect Killed During Pursuit

 

A Memphis man wanted in connection with convenience store robberies in Arkansas was killed Wednesday (6/11) during a high-speed chase with Arkansas troopers in Van Buren County. (Channel 3, Memphis)

 

According to Arkansas State Police, 23-year-old Joey Vincent Simmons II was the subject of a BOLO for his involvement in the armed robberies in Conway and Damascus.

 

Troopers said they located Simmons’ vehicle traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 65 south of Bee Branch.

 

They said the pursuit began with Simmons driving at speeds of more than 100 mph, passing motorists, and heading into oncoming traffic.

 

ASP said Simmons fired a gun from inside his vehicle toward a trooper before he lost control of his vehicle, veered into a wooded area, and was ejected.

 

Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Arkansas State Police said no troopers were injured during the pursuit, and no law enforcement officers fired a weapon.

 

 

Wynne Wastewater Construction

 

Construction on a new wastewater treatment plant in Wynne could begin as soon as next month. (Wynne Progress)

 

According to Wynne Water Utilities general manager Blake Marotti, two bid packages – one for the administration building and the other for a maintenance building – have been awarded. Those bids went to Wagner General Contractors of Kensett.

 

Marotti said having one contractor for both buildings will help the project be more streamlined. He said several local subcontractors submitted bids and will be involved in the construction.

 

Marotti said the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has approved the construction permit for the treatment plant itself. He expects to be able to bid that out within the next week or two with a bid opening set for next month.

 

 

Ark Real ID Update

 

More than 1 million Arkansas residents now have Real ID, with more than a third of that total being processed in the last six months. (DG)

 

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said Wednesday (6/11) that the number of people getting the identification cards jumped leading up to and just after the May 7 national deadline for states to issue the cards.

 

DFA Secretary Jim Hudson said in a statement that the state has issued more than 331,600 Real IDs since Jan. 1.

 

The Department of Homeland Security has advised Americans that a Real ID will be needed to board a flight or enter a federal building.

 

States are required by federal law to issue Real IDs under a federal law passed in 2005 setting minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

 

Anyone needing a Real ID card can get one at a state Revenue Office. While the state focuses on Real ID, requests for duplicate licenses and ID cars will be processed online through July 1.

 

 

FC Business Summit

 

The Eastern Arkansas Business & Industry Regional Summit will be held Tuesday (6/17) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UA-EACC Fine Arts Center in Forrest City.

 

Topics for the summit include:

 

--Arkansas Apprenticeships

--Workforce Training Resources

--Solutions to Employee Retention

--Industry Partner Panel

 

There is no cost to attend.

 

To register for the event, go to www.eacc.edu.

 

 

Events

 

--The Wheatley City Council will meet Thursday (6/12) at 6 p.m. at Wheatley City Hall.

 

--Revival will continue Thursday & Friday (6/12-13) at Greater Mt Moriah Baptist Church in Caldwell, each night at 7 p.m. Evangelist for the week will be Rev. Fredric Smith, pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moro. Services will be live streamed on Facebook. Host Pastor is Bishop C.L. Moore.

 

--Vacation Bible School is continuing from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day through Friday (6/13) at Salem MB Church in Forrest City.

 

--CR Smalls Family Restaurant is now taking pre-orders for a crawfish boil fundraiser for the Palestine-Wheatley Jr. High and Sr. High football programs. To pre-order, text 870-317-8870. Orders can be picked up Thursday, June 12th starting at 4:30 p.m. at the football field parking lot.

 

--A Holy Ghost Revival will be held Saturday (6/14) starting at 12-noon in the downtown park in Marianna. Guest speakers will be Evangelists Bro. Aaron and Sis. Markeita Williams. Call 870-283-9469 for more information.

 

--A crochet classes will be held June 23rd starting at 4 p.m. at the Forrest City Public Library. The class is for beginners to experts and will allow participants to work at their own pace. Call the library at 870-633-5646 for more information.

 

--The public is encouraged to check out the brochure for UA-EACC's Kids on Campus summer schedule online at eacc.edu. The schedule offers tons of fun summer camps for kids and a variety of courses for students of all ages. Call 870-633-4480, ext. 333 to register.

 

 

Obits

 

--Funeral service for Christopher “Chris” Gross, 62, of Jonesboro, formerly of Forrest City will be Thursday (6/12) at 11 a.m. at Twelve 5 Church in Jonesboro. Burial will follow at Forrest Park Cemetery in Forrest City. Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

--Funeral service for Bishop Chelch E. Reagan, 80, of Caldwell will be Thursday (6/12) at 2 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at Stevens Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. (Bishop Reagan was a minster for fifty years and was Pastor of the Forrest City Church of God until his retirement.)

 

 

UA-EACC Hiring

 

University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College is currently looking to hire three instructors.

 

UA-EACC is seeking applicants for motivated instructors for the Auto Body Repair, Commercial Driver Training, and HVAC programs.

 

For more information or to apply, visit eacc.edu/employment or call 870-633-4480, ext. 282.

 

 

Summer Feeding Program

 

The Olly Neal Community Health Center in Marianna will be distributing free summer food boxes every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through July 22nd.

 

 

This is a drive-thru pickup located behind the clinic.

 

The Summer Feeding Program is open to households with school-age children, helping provide breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

No boxes will be available on Tuesday, July 1st due to the Independence Day Holiday.

 

The program is sponsored by the Arkansas Food Bank.

 

 

​Yard Sales

 

A yard sale will be held in June to benefit the Spring Creek Cemetery and the Aubrey Volunteer Fire Department

 

Yard sale dates are:

 

--Friday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

--Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (items 50% off from 4-5 p.m.)

 

--Friday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

--Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (items 75% off from 4-5 p.m.)

 

New items will be added between the sales.

 

The yard sale will be held at the Aubrey City Hall & Community Center at 106 Trailby in Aubrey. That’s the big yellow brick building that’s set back off the road by Bennetts Tractor Supply.

 

 

Sports

 

Arkansas Baseball

 

The College World Series schedule has been released.

 

Arkansas (48-13) will square off against LSU (48-15), Saturday (6/14) at 6 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Neb.

 

Saturday’s winners will meet Monday (6/16) at 6 p.m. The losers of Saturday’s games will play each other Monday (6/16) at 1 p.m.

 

The winners of the two brackets will play a best-of-three College World Series Finals, with the first game set for Saturday, June 21, at 6 p.m.

 

The second game is scheduled for Sunday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m., with game three (if necessary) scheduled for Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m.

 

Catch all the Razorback baseball action on KXJK, AM-950 and 106.5 FM.

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EARYEI Projects 

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The East Arkansas Regional Youth Employment Initiative (EARYEI) invites local municipalities, organizations, and community leaders in Lee, Monroe, Phillips, and St. Francis counties to recommend project sites as part of the second year of the Pathways to the Future Urban Community Forestry Program.

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This initiative provides youth participants with paid summer work opportunities focused on improving community and environmental health through urban forestry. Worksite partners play a critical role by offering safe, impactful and educational projects.

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Eligible Project Activities Include:

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- Trail construction and maintenance

- Tree planting and removal

- Corridor clearing

- Invasive species removal

- Cultural and commemorative resource preservation

- Habitat restoration

- Enhancing green space usability and food access

- General conservation management

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For additional questions or collaboration inquiries, please email EARYEI24@gmail.com or call 870-667-1758.

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​Youth Employment Initiative

 

Applications are now being accepted for a youth summer employment program in eastern Arkansas.

 

The East Arkansas Regional Youth Employment Initiative (EARYEI) announces the second year of the Pathways to the Future Urban Community Forestry Program in St. Francis, Lee, Phillips and Monroe counties.

 

The program is a dynamic, hands-on summer program offering high school youth the opportunity to gain practical skills in urban forestry and environmental conservation

 

Applicants must be 16-18 years old and reside in St. Francis, Lee, Phillips or Monroe counties.

 

The pay is $15 per hour for up to 26 hours per week.

 

Call 870-667-1758 or email, earyei24@gmail.com for more information.

 

The program is being conducted in collaboration with the Arkansas Human Development Corporation and the Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative.

 

 

SFC Extension Report

 

As we celebrate Father’s Day in the month of June, it’s a good time for a discussion on men’s health.

 

In her educational report this month, St. Francis County Extension Agent Marla Lane has a few tips for men for developing a healthy lifestyle:

          (click here to listen)

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Thanks Ms. Marla.

 

 

​FCSD Summer Meals Program

 

The Forrest City School District’s 2025 Summer Meals Program is underway, providing FREE Breakfast & Lunch for all children, age 18 and under.

 

The meal sites & dates are as follows:

 

Forrest City High School Cafeteria

May 27 – July 3, 2025 | Monday–Thursday

**Enter through the Graham Street gate by the Band Hall

 

Central Elementary Cafeteria

June 2 – July 11, 2025 | Monday–Friday

 

Forrest City Jr. High Cafeteria

June 9 – July 9, 2025 | Monday–Friday

 

Meal times at all locations are:

--Breakfast: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

--Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

All meals must be eaten on-site

 

For more information, contact the Child Nutrition Department at 870-633-5668.

 

 

FCA Juneteenth Activities

 

The FCA Juneteenth Community & Heritage Festival presents the following activities for the month of June:

 

--June 19: Juneteenth Proclamation. Participants will line-up for a parade at the Forrest City Chamber at 5:30 p.m. and end at the St. Francis County Museum on Izard Street.

 

--June 21: CommUnity & Heritage Festival at 10 a.m. at the Larry Bryant Center.

 

For more information, contact Angela Wilburn at (870) 494-5784.

 

 

UA-EACC Summer Schedule

 

The Community Education and Workforce Training programs at the University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College have announced the Summer Schedule of classes for students of all ages.

 

The schedule offers a wide variety of unique Kids on Campus programs and camps including: Children’s Theater Camp, Babysitting Basics, Animal Safari Adventures, Music & Movement, Ultimate Disc Golf, Pickleball, Junior Golf, Youth Olympics Games, Creative Writing and many more.

 

Students in grades 4th – 8th will build and program their own robots in the Delta Dragon Innovation Engineers hands-on robotics camp for young innovators.

 

Children entering Kindergarten – 2nd grades will become stewards of the earth through engaging activities that focus on nature conservation and sustainability in the Environmental Heroes camp.

 

Preschool children ages 3 and 4 will explore their creativity with hands-on projects and pretend play as they create mini structures and “fix” things in the Construction Zone camp.

 

The Personal Interests classes for adults include Yoga, Water Aerobics, Conditioning, Applied Piano and Applied Guitar.

 

The schedule for Professional Development classes includes Healthcare Provider CPR intended for participants who provide healthcare to patients in a variety of settings.

 

The complete schedule of Summer classes is available online at EACC.edu. Pre-registration is required for all classes and events.

 

For more information about classes, fees, and locations, call 870-633-4480 ext. 333. Tuition waivers are available for credit classes for students aged 50+ and discounts are available for children who register for 3 or more classes.

 

 

Bill Gaither Concert

 

Award-winning gospel music legend Bill Gaither will bring his “Love Like I’m Leaving” Tour to Jonesboro. (Channel 8, Jonesboro)

 

Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band will perform at Central Baptist Church at 3707 Harrisburg Rd. in Jonesboro Saturday, June 14th, at 6 p.m.

 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.gaither.com.

 

 

​​​FC Health Fair Planned

 

The City of Forrest City will host a Community Health Fair on July 12th at the Larry S. Bryant Multipurpose Center and they’re looking for vendors, health professionals, and wellness organizations to help make this event a success.

 

Th event would be a good fit for vendors who offer health screenings, fitness tips, healthy food options or wellness products.

 

The city is also looking for passionate and energetic volunteers to lead Yoga, Chair Pilates, and Line Dance sessions during the Health Fair.

 

If you or someone you know is certified or experienced in teaching these activities, contact City Hall at 870-633-1315. 

 

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FCPD Offers Reward

 

Forrest City Police are continuing to investigate a “smash and grab” incident that occurred at a local pawn shop in December 2024. A reward is now being offered for information in the case.

 

Police investigators have determined that four juveniles were involved in the attempted robbery that occurred in the early morning hours on Saturday, December 7th at the EZ Cash Pawn Shop at 2301 North Washington Street in Forrest City.

 

A $1,000 cash reward is now being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. The vehicle used in the break in can currently be seen on the Forrest City PD’s Facebook page.

 

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call detectives at Forrest City PD at 870-633-3434 or call Crime Stoppers at 870-261-1499.

 

 

​​Reward Offered in FC Homicide

 

A reward is still being offered for information on the person who shot and killed a gas station clerk during a robbery in Forrest City back in May of last year.

 

The Forrest City Police Department reports that a $7,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the murder of 29-year-old Malek Wabin.

 

Wabin was shot multiple times while working behind the counter at the Pure Gas Station on South Washington Street in Forrest City back on May 11, 2024.

 

A photo of the suspect was captured on the store’s security camera and can currently be seen on the Forrest City PD’s Facebook page.

 

If you recognize the suspect or have any information that can help police, contact detectives at the Forrest City Police Department at 870-633-3434 or call Crime Stoppers at (870) 261-1499.

 

 

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