Arkansas State Trooper resigns after attempted hit-and-run cover-up
FAULKNER COUNTY — An Arkansas State Police trooper who resigned June 7 now faces felony hit and run charges after a crash that left a woman injured.
Trooper Clint Vaughan, 34, turned in his resignation a day after the crash. The crash happened late Thursday night on Highway 65 north of Conway. According to an affidavit obtained from the Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney, police were dispatched to a reported hit and run at approximately 11:18 p.m. on Thursday night.
Police found a woman injured in her car, which had “significant damage” on its passenger side, and took the victim to the hospital, according to police.
According to the affidavit, witnesses described the vehicle that left the scene as a white pickup truck that had sustained damage to its passenger side and was “throwing sparks as it left the scene.”
Police found that truck about a mile away, noting that there had also been damage to the right side passenger wheel and axle.
As police were investigating the vehicle, a tow truck driver approached and told authorities that Vaughan had told him that someone had stolen his truck and to tow it back to Quitman, where Vaughan lives, according to the affidavit.
Early the next morning, officers found Vaughan at Quality Inn in Conway, which is a short walking distance from where police found his damaged vehicle that he claimed had been stolen.
Vaughan confirmed he was traveling on Highway 65 the night of the hit and run, but said he thought he hit a curb and admitted to “consuming alcohol prior to the crash.”
The former trooper now faces one count of 3rd-degree battery and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injury, which is a felony.
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SPRINGDALE — One of the world’s largest meat producers is entering the fast-growing market for plant-based meat alternatives.
Tyson Foods will begin selling nuggets made from pea protein at grocery stores this summer. A blended burger made from beef and pea protein will follow this fall.
Both products will be sold under a new brand, Raised and Rooted, which will continue to develop new plant-based products and blends.
Health and environmental concerns are fueling the growing global trend toward plant-based eating.
U.S. sales of meat substitutes are expected to jump 78 percent to $2.5 billion between 2018 and 2023, according to Euromonitor. Tyson could upend market because of its sheer size and distribution capacity.
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Commission set to approve casino licenses
LITTLE ROCK — Who will and who will not be awarded one of the state’s two available casino licenses? We’ll have a lot clearer picture of that later today.
One group appears to be a shoo-in when it comes to being granted one of Arkansas’s two available casino licenses.
Downstream Development Authority, operated by the Quapaw Nation, was the only vendor who applied for the license in Jefferson County.
On the flipside, there’s fierce competition over the license in Pope County.
The first to submit an application was Gulfside Casino Partnership. The other four applicants include the Cherokee Nation and its proposed $290 million phased-investment, the Diamond Ridge Casino. There’s Tri-Peaks Entertainment Group and their $230 million phase one investment in a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The Kehl Family Management Group out of Iowa has proposed investing $216 million in their River Ridge Casino Resort. And the Choctaw Nation has submitted an application as well.
On Tuesday night, the Pope County Quorum Court discussed how to move forward on a referendum to allow pope county officials to issue a letter of recommendation for a casino applicant. The racing commission meets today at 11 a.m. in Little Rock.
