Jonesboro woman facing assault charges for throwing knife

JONESBORO — A woman is set to appear in circuit court May 24 after a man told police she threw a knife at him earlier this week, according to authorities.

Alexias Denise Jack, 26, of Jonesboro was arrested April 11 on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member and domestic battering-3rd degree in the case. A $10,000 bond was set for Jack by District Judge David Boling during a court hearing Friday.

According to a probable cause hearing, officers went to a home in the 3400 block of Timms Street on Thursday after getting a call about a disturbance with weapons. Police spoke with the victim at the house and made contact with Jack, who was walking away from the residence.

The victim told police that he and Jack had gotten into a verbal altercation and that Jack had chased him out of the house with a knife, according to the affidavit.

“Once out of the residence, (the victim) stated that Jack maced him with mace and as he attempted to retreat even further, Jack threw the knife at him,” Jonesboro police said in the affidavit.

The victim had a cut on his left eye and a small laceration on his thumb, police said, noting they found a knife next to

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the curb on the street and that Jack had mace on her.

Jack was being held Friday in the Craighead County jail, awaiting the May 24 court date. A no-contact order was also issued in the case between Jack and the victim, officials said during the court hearing Friday.

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Special Olympics torch run includes stop in

Northeast Arkansas

JONESBORO — Runners passed the torch to kick off the Special Olympics Arkansas 7A Track and Field Day Monday morning during the opening ceremony at the Jonesboro High School track.

Special Olympics Arkansas Area 7 (7A) Field Representative Theresa Book said Friday morning that it was a big day for Special Olympics Arkansas as student athletes from around the Area 7 region came to compete, including students from Jonesboro Public Schools, Brookland Public Schools, Nettleton Public Schools, Valley View Public Schools, Westside Consolidated Public Schools, Harrisburg Public Schools, The Learning Center and home schooled students.

She also noted the many volunteers and organizations from across the region including JHS students and representatives from Jonesboro Police Department, Jonesboro Fire Department, Arkansas State Police, New York Institute of Technology, and many more.

Among those assisting was the Nights of Columbus, who provided lunch for the special event after the youth competitions, she said. Book also noted that the adult athletes were slated to compete in the adult competitions from several adult development centers across the area, including the Jonesboro Human Development Center, Focus, The Learning Center and Pathfinders.

JPS Behavior Interventionist Daniel Lester said on Monday that of the 360 students competing, they had several representing different Jonesboro campuses.

“Jonesboro Public Schools has hosted the track and field competition for several years, with the exception of last year when A-State hosted the event due to our construction,” Lester said, referring to the new JHS Activity Gym and updated football field and track.

“The new facility is absolutely wonderful for the competitions,” he stated. “We are very well prepared and laid out for this event.”

MacArthur Junior High special education teacher Chelsea Nelson said on Monday that Special Olympics Arkansas means a lot to the kids.

“They look forward to the Olympics every year.” Nelson said. “They are supported by all the other students and get to be athletes like everyone else.”

According to the Special Olympics Arkansas website, the mission of the program is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympictype sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The program serves athletes from all 75 counties within the state, which are divided into 17 “areas” that have their own volunteer area director who is responsible for the training and competitions for the athletes who live in their area.

The program is supported by individual donations, private and corporate sponsorships, state appropriation, grants and special fundraising events.

To find out more about Special Olympics Arkansas or ways to support the program visit specialolympicsarkansas. org.