Two arrested in connection with Black Friday shooting
Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) have arrested two men involved in a shooting incident that occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 on Interstate 40 near the 154-mile marker.
The incident, which occurred on Black Friday, began as a verbal altercation at a North Little Rock sporting goods store and escalated when the suspects followed the victims onto I-40.
The suspects fired multiple times into the victim’s vehicle, striking the driver in the leg, authorities said. The injured victim was transported to UAMS with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while a passenger in the victim’s vehicle was unharmed.
Valtorean Batemen, 19, of Sherwood, turned himself in to the Pulaski County District Court on Dec. 11. On Thursday, Treon Bone, 20, of Sherwood, turned himself in to the Pulaski County District Court. Both Batemen and Bone are charged with committing a terrorist act, unlawful discharge of a weapon and attempted capital murder.
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Judge rules Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians is unconstitutional
FAYETTEVILLE — A federal judge on Monday struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks found that elements of the law are unconstitutional.
“I respect the court’s ruling and will appeal,” Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement to The Associated Press.
The law would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible to children. The measure was signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023, but an earlier ruling had temporarily blocked it from taking effect while it was being challenged in court.
“The law deputizes librarians and booksellers as the agents of censorship; when motivated by the fear of jail time, it is likely they will shelve only books fit for young children and segregate or discard the rest,” Brooks wrote in his ruling.
A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged. “This was an attempt to ‘thought police,’ and this victory over totalitarianism is a testament to the courage of librarians, booksellers, and readers who refused to bow to intimidation,” said Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas.
But supporters of the law, known as Act 372, say they will continue to fight for its implementation.
“Act 372 is just common sense: schools and libraries shouldn’t put obscene material in front of our kids,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “I will work with Attorney General Griffin to appeal this ruling and uphold Arkansas law.”
The ruling comes as lawmakers in some conservative states are pushing for measures making it easier to ban or restrict access to books.
Laws restricting access to certain materials or making it easier to challenge them have been enacted in several other states, including Iowa, Indi-
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Arkansas State Parks encourages 'First Day
Hikes' for new year
Arkansas State Parks provide an opportunity to commemorate the new year outdoors with First Day Hikes on Jan.
1, 2025.
“Visiting a state park and participating in First Day Hikes is a special way to start off a new year in a healthy direction,” Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and director of Arkansas State Parks, said.
“Our state parks offer yearround recreation and are an avenue for people to experience the outdoors and foster respect and stewardship for nature.”
First Day Hikes have been a statewide event for Arkansas State Parks since 2014 and have become an annual tradition for many. Some return to the same park each year while others seek out a new park experience to try out for it. The project is part of a nationwide event for all of America’s State Parks and is coordinated by the National Association of State Park Directors.
“State parks offer an incredible variety of outdoor experiences, showcasing the unique natural and cultural features of each region,” Lewis Ledford, president and CEO of the National Association of State Park Directors, said.
“Whether you’re trekking through snowy trails in the Rockies or enjoying mild southern breezes, First Day Hikes are the perfect way to start the New Year outdoors and connect with the beauty of our public lands.”
This year there are more than 1,000 hikes available in state parks around the country.
As part of First Day Hikes in Arkansas, 46 ranger-led, guided hikes take place in 36 Arkansas State Park locations on Jan. 1. The hike start times, terrain difficulty and distances vary, but the aim is the same: to enjoy time outside with family and friends.
“We are thrilled that the First Day Hikes event has grown into such a special tradition for so many people,” Kelly Farrell, chief of interpretation and program services for the Division of Arkansas State Parks, said. “This year, we are excited to continue with this national event taking place in 50 state park systems. We hope you enjoy starting 2025 outdoors, kicking off the new year with a healthy, invigorating activity and fun memories. Whether you go a quarter mile or a dozen, you are part of the First Day Hikes movement and part of something huge and exciting.”
A rundown of guided First Day Hikes at Arkansas State Parks can be found at www.arkansasstateparks.com/ events. Self-guided hikes are also being encouraged as part of the event.
