Two students facing charges after bringing gun to school

FORDYCE — Two students accused of bringing guns to Fordyce High School have been arrested, the Fordyce School District reported.

A boy in the eighth grade was accused of showing a pistol Friday night during a fundraiser at the school, superintendent Judy Hubbell said in a Facebook post. The post says the student admitted to bringing the gun on campus. A second student was arrested after authorities found that there two pistols brought on campus.

There was no known threat against the school.

The district said that other students “stepped forward and did the right thing by letting us know about this very serious incident.” It said there will be a “heightened police presence” on campus while an investigation continues.

The students’ names were not released. No further information has been made available while the investigation continues.

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BAXTER COUNTY — Baxter County deputies and volunteers continue to search for a man believed to have drowned in Bull Shoals Lake.

A witness reported seeing 64-year-old Ralph Rush of Lakeview around 10 a.m.

Monday near the Lakeview Cove Marina.

He was near the water’s edge, using a red walker, according to a news release from Sheriff John Montgomery. Two hours later, the walker was found in the water along with a submerged cell phone. Rush’s wallet containing his driver’s license was also found near the water’s edge, the sheriff said.

The sheriff’s office, along with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, and several area volunteers began a search for Rush.

As of Tuesday evening, the sheriff said underwater sonar, cameras, and divers were being used to continue the search and recovery effort.

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Schools skipping recess to beat the heat

PULASKI COUNTY — With a heat advisory in effect, it can make being outside almost unbearable.

Many Arkansas students were greeted by heat advisories and warnings as they returned to class.

“They can become dehydrated and some students have even been known to have heat strokes,” Robinson Elementary School teacher Tracy Bailey said.

Pulaski County School District officials say students are kept indoors during recess and gym time when the heat index is 95 degrees or higher.

Across the street at Robinson high school, football practice is in full swing. Head coach Todd Eskola says water is provided for the players around the clock, and they are never on the field more than two hours at a time.

“One day it was 114 degrees with the heat index,” he said.

“We shortened that practice and required them to get an ice bath after.”

He says before the season starts, students and parents are briefed about the importance of proper hydration and warning signs of heat exhaustion.

Some schools have begun holding recess time in the mornings, when it’s not so hot.

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Double homicide in Pine Bluff

PINE BLUFF — A man and woman have been found shot to death.

The Pine Bluff Police Department says officers were called to the area of 4218 W.

Hepburn around 1:45 a.m.

Tuesday where gunshots had been reported. An hour later, officers were sent back to the same address on a welfare check.

When officers went inside the home they found the two bodies. Their names are not yet being released. The PBPD says the deaths are the 19th and 20th homicides of the year.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the PBPD Detective Division at 870-730-2090 or Dispatch at 870-541-5300.