Arkansas STATE

Barry dumps a foot of rain on South Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — The remnants of Tropical Storm Barry left a substantial mark on Arkansas with heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

The worst of the rain arrived within just a few hours from Monday night into Tuesday morning across southern Arkansas. Roadways across the region were partially under water, including a section of Interstate 30 that connects Little Rock to Dallas. No injuries had been reported but at least one animal died when the Humane Society of Clark County flooded.

Some cities saw more than a foot of rain in a 24-hour period, according to estimates. Murfreesboro received 13.5 inches, Langley received 12.73 inches and Antoine received 11.69 inches.

Estimates show that other cities in the southwest part of the state, including Gurdon and Arkadelphia, could have received as much as 18 inches.

Other cities that saw significant rainfall since Barry moved into the state on Saturday:

• Arkadelphia — 8.6 inches

• Pine Bluff — 7.05 inches

• Stuttgart — 6.32 inches

• Monticello — 4.71 inches

• Camden — 4.66 inches

• West Memphis — 4.58 inches

• Little Rock — 3.21 inches The Crittenden County Shop handed out sandbags to the public ahead of the storms, though no significant flooding in the area was reported.

Arkansas woman charged in Tennessee pastor’s death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Prosecutors say an Arkansas woman has been indicted on charges in a shooting that killed a Tennessee pastor and wounded his wife.

A Shelby County district attorney’s office statement says 40-year-old Latoshia Daniels was indicted Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder in the April shooting that killed 36-year-old Brodes Perry.

Perry was the executive pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. A Authorities say Daniels knew Perry when he lived in Little Rock. They say she drove to an apartment in the Memphis suburb of Collierville to confront him about ending their alleged relationship.

Authorities say Daniels said, “You broke my heart,” as she pulled the trigger. Prosecutors say Daniels also shot and wounded Perry’s wife, Tabatha.

Community split on potential new casino

POPE COUNTY — The old adage, “If you build it, they will come,” worked in the Kevin Costner movie “Field of Dreams,” and it usually works in the world of casino gaming, but of course, you might not necessarily want them to come.

At least that’s the attitude many in Pope County have about a potential casino in that community. Although in a statewide vote last November, a measure that would grant Pope County the ability to host casino gaming (joining already existing gaming facilities in Crittenden and Garland County), many in the community have been vocal about not supporting the initiative.

Tuesday night at the Hughes Community center, people clapped and cheered as they donned matching buttons for their group. Pope County Majority. The group was there to show support for a casino. Hard Rock was there presenting their proposal.

But in November, a majority of people in the county voted against a casino. Now some are saying they’ve warmed up to the idea.

“There's no doubt that public sentiment has changed,” said Pope County Judge Ben Cross. “Is it to a degree that would overcome a 60-40 majority? I don’t know.”

The pendulum may be swinging in Pope County as more people are coming out in favor of a new casino, but that might not be enough for officials to change their minds.

Cross said the only way he’ll approve a casino is if he knows a majority of voters wants one.

The judge said he met with people from Hard Rock Wednesday, but the meeting didn’t change his mind.

“Nothing changed my stance to honor the will of the voters,” he said.

Cross said they’re looking into putting out a ballot measure to get a formal vote — a vote that would give the people of Pope County another chance to have a say.

Nothing will happen this year, however, as Cross said they could either put the ballot measure out to voters in March or November 2020.

In June, Jefferson County granted a license to the Quapaw Nation for their new $350 million resort and casino in Pine Bluff.