A Drew County jury convicted and sentenced Korey Lee Davis, 46, of Monticello, to life imprisonment plus 245 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction following a two-day jury trial held October 20–21, 2026. The State was represented at trial by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley E. Fortenberry, while Davis was represented by Will James and Dalton Orsborn of the James Law Firm in Little Rock.

The case stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force. On February 25, 2025, officers with the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Drew County Sheriff’s Office, the Monticello Police Department, the Ashley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Arkansas Department of Community Correction executed a search warrant at a residence on East Watts Street in Monticello, Arkansas. During the execution of the search warrant, Davis was located inside the residence along with suspected illegal narcotics, drug-distribution paraphernalia, and multiple firearms. The seized substances were submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for testing. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of over 250 grams of ethamphetamine, over 200 grams of a cutting agent, over 20 grams of cocaine, over 2 grams of amphetamine, and over 4 ounces of marijuana.

The Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund, Inc. (AREF) recently welcomed agricultural finance professionals, rural development leaders, and representatives from across the United States to Northwest Arkansas for the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Association of Rural Rehabilitation Corporations (NARRC) and the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs (NCOSAFP).

Held September 26–30, 2026, at the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas, the national conference brought together organizations committed to strengthening agriculture, expanding access to capital, and supporting rural economic development.
As the Arkansas host organization, AREF coordinated the five-day event, which featured educational presentations, industry discussions, networking opportunities, and tours highlighting Arkansas’s agricultural economy, businesses, and cultural heritage.

The conference also marked an important leadership milestone for AREF. Chris Lampkin, General Manager of the Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund, assumed the presidency of NARRC, following his service as the association’s Vice President. The national leadership role provides an opportunity for Arkansas to have a continued voice in discussions concerning agricultural finance, rural lending initiatives, and the challenges facing rural communities across the country.