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Hiker lost in Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas found safe

Hiker lost in Ouachita  National Forest in  Arkansas found safe

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FORT SMITH — ATexas man missing on a hiking trip for almost a week in Arkansas has been found safe, his family says.

Searchers located Joshua Mc-Clatchy, 38, of Fort Worth, in the Ouachita National Forest after a National Guard helicopter saw his flashlight. He was found about 105 miles southwest of Little Rock.

McClatchy’s sister, Miranda Balduf, said a team of “heroic” search and rescue workers took turns carrying him out of the remote area.

“He is well,” Balduf said.

“He is recovering from dehydration. He is really good,” McClatchy was hiking on the Buckeye Trail in the Caney Creek Wilderness Area of southwest Arkansas on June 1 when he texted his mom he was lost.

The hiker was located about 10:30 p.m. Friday and taken to safety around 3 a.m. on Saturday, a post in a Facebook group for updates on Mc-Clatchy said.

“This land is anything but flat. It was spectacular seeing headlamps approach from the dark distance, and then seeing Josh’s face as the strongest men and women carried him out,” Balduf wrote in a post on Saturday morning after her brother was found.

Rescuers put in about 21 miles to retrieve McClatchy, Balduf said.

McClatchy was taken to Mena Regional Health System, where he is recovering from general weakness and dehydration. He did not drink water for a few days, according to Max Obeidin, the brother of McClatchy’s roommate.

Polk County Sheriff’s office used drones, bloodhounds and cell phone data to identify where McClatchy might be, Balduf said in a post.

A GoFundMe for his search and rescue generated more than $11,000.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In just over 24 hours, three earthquakes shook the Volunteer State, but experts say this is not a rare phenomenon.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed a 2.2 magnitude earthquake Tuesday morning just south of Sweetwater. About five hours earlier, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded about five miles east-southeast of Vonore.

A 2.2 magnitude earthquake was also reported Monday morning west of Loretto.

No damage or injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

A total of six earthquakes have been recorded since the beginning of June. Earthquakes have also been detected in Ridgely, Tiptonville, and Manchester.

Dr. Mark Abolins, a geosciences professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said Tennessee sits between two seismic zones, the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the East Tennessee Seismic Zone.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone extends from Northeastern Arkansas into West Tennessee, Southeastern Missouri, Western Kentucky, and Southern Illinois. The East Tennessee Seismic Zone extends from Northeastern Alabama into Southwestern Virginia. Therefore, earthquake activity is common in both east and west Tennessee, but middle Tennessee isn’t immune.

“There are some cracks underground in this part of the state,” said Dr. Abolins.

“From time to time, one block of the Earth moves relative to another.”

For the most part, the earthquakes this month weren’t large enough to be felt or cause any damage. However, that isn’t always the case. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake was felt in Decatur in December of 2018.

“That was the largest earthquake that had happened in East Tennessee since 1973,” said Dr. Abolins.

While most of the earthquakes are small and don’t make an impact, Dr. Abolins said it is still a good idea for Tennesseans to be prepared for something larger.

“The best way to prepare is the way to prepare for most unforeseen events,” said Dr.

Abolins. “Have a two to three day supply of water, nonperishable food, blankets, medicine, a first aid kit and flashlight.”

The USGS encouraged anyone who experiences an earthquake to report what the see and feel on their website at https://www.usgs.gov/.

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Police accused of beating man, planting evidence

GREENWOOD, Miss. — Several Greenwood, Mississippi, police officers are accused of beating a man, repeatedly shocking him with a stun gun and planting evidence to create a reason for his arrest.

The Greenwood Commonwealth reports 28-year-old Gianni Williams is suing police Chief Ray Moore and two officers over his January arrest, saying they violated his constitutional rights.

Gianni Williams says one of the officers tailed his car for several blocks one night that month and pulled him over, saying he had failed to use his turn signal. The lawsuit says the officer then called for backup and the two beat the man.

It says the officers also confiscated the phone of Gianni Williams’ wife and planted marijuana in the man’s car.

A representative from the city said the city does not comment on pending litigation.

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