Arkansas inmate found dead in Cummins prison cell

PINE BLUFF — Security staff at Cummins Unit in Grady found a 43-year-old inmate unresponsive in his cell on Sunday night, reports the state department of correction. Authorities say they were alerted to Kelley Holcomb’s condition by his cellmate.

Responding security and medical staff performed emergency medical treatment before Holcomb was transported to the infirmary.

He was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m.

Holcomb was serving a 23year sentence for rape out of Lonoke County.

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LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Department of Health data shows that an increasing number of children in the state are not being immunized against childhood illnesses.

State law mandates that children must receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps and polio by a certain age or prior to beginning school. Parents can file for exemptions with the Health Department by citing medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

The Arkansas Democrat- Gazette reports that the data indicates the amount of exemptions in the state has jumped by around 25% over the last five years, from 6,397 exemptions to 8,016. Department spokesman Meg Mirivel says the numbers include Arkansas students in public and private schools.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that 555 cases of measles have been confirmed in the U.S. this year.

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Storm Threat Returns Wednesday Night & Thursday

LITTLE ROCK — The Storm Prediction Center has a Slight Risk for Severe Weather in effect for Central and Western Arkansas for Wednesday and an Enhanced Risk for Western and SW Arkansas. Storms will develop ahead of a cold front late Wednesday and will push eastward overnight. Damaging winds will be the primary concern with storms, but large hail or a brief, isolated tornado can’t be ruled out. A Slight Risk is in place for Eastern Arkansas for Thursday as storms push eastward. A few more storms will be possible through Thursday afternoon.

Heavy rain will also be possible as 1”-3” of rain is expected across Central and Southern Arkansas. We will monitor for flash flooding as well.

Sunshine, breezy and warm Tuesday, but active weather returns for the middle of the week. Showers and storms develop ahead of a cold front late Wednesday afternoon and push into Arkansas by Wednesday Evening. Some storms could be strong to severe as they move into Arkansas. Storms will move Eastward across the State Wednesday night, although the severe threat gradually decreases with the loss of daytime heating.

Additional showers and possible thunderstorms on Thursday as a cold front moves through the State.

Heavy rainfall amounts possible with 1 to 3 inches across much of the Southern half of the State. Rainfall amounts a bit less North.

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SWAT team called out in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK — Four people have surrendered to Little Rock Police following a SWAT situation Monday.

Police say the four people are now being questioned.

A shooting reported in the central part of the city called the special response team into action.

The Little Rock Police Department reported that officers responded to the area of 10th and Abigail streets. The area is in a neighborhood south of Interstate 630. The LRPD says circumstances have led to a SWAT call out at the scene. A news crew at the scene was told one person had been shot but there has been no word on their condition.