Oklahoma Man Killed in Fatal Crash on 1-40

Oklahoma Man Killed in Fatal Crash on 1-40

FRANKLIN COUNTY — An Oklahoma man was killed in a one-vehicle crash in Arkansas after his vehicle hit a tree Monday morning.

A State Police preliminary crash report states Juan Ruiz Lopez, 26, was driving a 2004 Dodge vehicle on Interstate 40 in Franklin County when the vehicle left the road, went into the median and hit a tree on the passenger’s side.

Lopez was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries.

Authorities said there was light rain and fog at the time of the crash.

Oaklawn Announces Plans for $100 Million Expansion

HOT SPRINGS – Oaklawn Racing & Gaming on Monday announced a $100 million expansion that includes a luxury hotel and events center.

The seven-story hotel, which has yet to be named, will have 200 rooms and overlook Oaklawn's thoroughbred race track in Hot Springs. Amenities include a luxury spa and restaurant.

Oaklawn also announced an additional 28,000 square feet of gaming.

Oaklawn President Louis Celia said it’s the largest expansion in Oaklawn’s 114-year history. He said it will help make Oaklawn “one of the South's premier tourism destinations.”

Construction will begin in May after the conclusion of the 2019 racing season, according to a news release. The expected completion date for the gaming expansion is January 2020. The hotel and events center is expected to be completed later that year.

The construction phase of the privately-funded project will create about 2,300 jobs, the release says.

Izard County Man Charged with 30 Counts in Party for Teens

FIFTY-SIX – Investigators say a Fifty-Six man’s party ended with him facing more than 2 dozen counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Sgt. Steve Davidson, with the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 24-yearold Rodney Dale Sisk on Monday, Nov. 5, after he reportedly served alcohol to dozens of kids, all under the age of 21, at his home.

Davidson took Sisk to the detention center where he was booked on 30 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Sisk is currently free on a $5,000 bond, awaiting a Dec. 13 appearance in district court.