On March 11, 2026, a Drew County jury found Jacob Spurlin (42) guilty of being a violent felon in possession of a firearm. Following a sentencing hearing, the jury imposed a 15 year sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The jury heard evidence that on April 29, 2025, Drug Task Force Agents James Slaughter, Ben Michel, and Tyler Perry were assisting Monticello Police Officer Tiarra Austin during a traffic stop at the Exxon on Highway 425. Agent Slaughter recognized Spurlin and observed him intently watching the traffic stop while appearing to argue with a female passenger. Despite finishing their business at the pumps, the pair waited until Officer Austin’s patrol unit left the area before driving away. A check of Spurlin’s license plate revealed the registration was expired.

The Arkansas Economic Developers, a statewide organization of economic development professionals and community leaders, presented it’s yearly awards, Tuesday, including thhe 2012 Volunteer of the Year, at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Arkansas.

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U.S. Representative Mike Ross and U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman have announced the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department will receive a $2,721,435 federal grant to rehabilitate and improve 40 miles of railroad track along the Warren Branch of the Arkansas Midland Railroad, a short line railroad located in southeastern Arkansas. The grant will help fund improvements to tracks in Bradley, Chicot and Drew counties.

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According to Bill Sadler, public information officer for the Arkansas State Police, Chicot County Sheriffs Deputies, Dermott Police and Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are investigating an incident reported yesterday (Sunday, April 17th 2011) that resulted in the death of two children and the injury of their mother.

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Drew Central High School took part in a recent crisis response drill to see how well students, faculty, and emergency responders would react during a lockdown of the school that involved intruders on campus with weapons. The drill was designed to help school officials and responders plan for a worse case scenario. (more…)