Good morning,
I hope everyone has the plugs in their boat and life jackets nearby. Hopefully, this rain is about over for a day or two. It looks like we survived the eclipse in our state. Fortunately, Dallas County did not experience any problems associated with this event.
The sanctioned Chuckwagon races were held this past weekend in Sparkman. I attended the final races on Sunday, and I want to commend everyone involved in this event. There were approximately 700-800 people with no reported problems occurring. There is something to be said about getting that many people together without any reported issues. I am told this could possibly become an annual event here in our county. Hats off to the participants and people who planned this large event. (See attached photos) Pictures are compliments of our drone.
I want to take a moment and recognize a close friend who passed away last week. Vernon Dollar of Rison passed away from complications of a recent fall. If you ever met Vernon, you would never forget him! He was a State Trooper assigned to Cleveland County his entire career. I can say beyond a doubt that he was the epitome of a true public servant. After retirement, he was elected Cleveland County Judge and later served as the Mayor of Rison. He never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone. He was close to my entire family and will be sorely missed by all. Please pray for his family during this time of loss.
Deputies were extremely busy working the National Distracted Drivers campaign this past weekend. (See final numbers) I assigned Deputies to patrol the Chuckwagon races this past weekend as well. There were several drug arrests made during the special assignment this weekend. I never miss an opportunity to brag about my guys. They all worked long, hard hours this past several days and I recognize their commitment and work ethic to keeping our county safe!
Trash pickup has been hampered this week due to the rain. Mr. Rucker and his crew have been working on the new building that houses our radio system. The building has been set up and is awaiting radio technicians to wire it all up. I want to note that I received several positive comments this past week about how clean our county roads and state highways are here. I have started noticing as I drive through other surrounding counties the difference in trash on the side of the road. Once again, if you have the opportunity, please thank Mr. Rucker for his hard work in keeping our county looking nice.
Let's look at Felony Friday:
Roper, Markees, of Fordyce, FPD Terroristic Threatening
Cain, Cale, of Bearden, Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
Ross, Rotonya, of Fordyce, Contempt Failure to Pay
Hadley, Patricia, of Fordyce, Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
Walker, James, of Carthage, Criminal Trespass
Harper, Samuel, of Little Rock, Absconding
Stivers, James, of Hampton, Absconding
Honeycutt, Monique, of Malvern, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of a
Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possessing Instrument of Crime, Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended, or Revoked
Gardea, Israel, of Malvern, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Crabtree, Desmond, of Hot Springs, Possession of a Controlled Substance
Campbell, Gary, of Fordyce, Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
Cobb, Ruby, FPD Disorderly Conduct, Harassment
Lash, Justin, of Fordyce, FPD Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended, or Revoked
Scales, Randy, of Pine Bluff, Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
Stanford, Taylor, of Percy, FPD Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
Hyde, Stephen, of Camden, FPD Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
McClure, Zackery, of Sparkman, Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.
God Bless!
Sheriff Mike Knoedl