$75,000 bond set in drugs, firearms case

JONESBORO — District Judge David Boling found probable cause Wednesday to charge a Jonesboro man with several drug and firearm offenses.

Jonesboro police’s Street Crimes Unit conducted a probation search of Tyler Juwan Williams’ residence in the 700 block of Gladiolus Drive on Tuesday evening.

According to a probable cause affidavit, while searching the residence officers found a Glock 19 handgun and two small bags of marijuana in the kitchen trash can.

Officers found a digital scale in the kitchen and three boxes of small bags.

In the attic access, three large bags of marijuana was discovered and another large bag was found in an air vent.

In all, more than 2 pounds of marijuana was seized along with synthetic LSD and three bottles of promethazine.

Williams is being held on charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a Schedule I or II drug not meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver, possession of a Schedule IV or V drug with the purpose to deliver, possession of marijuana with the purpose to deliver, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of a firearm by a certain person.

Boling set Williams’ bond at $75,000.

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LITTLE ROCK — The Little Rock division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that a “court-authorized law enforcement operation” occurred Wednesday at multiple locations throughout central Arkansas.

The FBI Little Rock said that locations being investigated were in both Little Rock and Benton.

According to the FBI spokesperson, the operation included partners from the Arkansas State Police, the Little Rock Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, the Benton Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

The hub of the operation was centered at Natural Spa on Kanis Road in Little Rock and Rose Hotstone Spa off Interstate 30 in Benton Wednesday afternoon.

There were no threats to public safety, the FBI said.

This is an ongoing federal investigation and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Pastor of Forrest City church apologizes for treatment of Black visitor

FORREST CITY — A church in Forrest City, Arkansas is accused of turning away a woman because she is Black.

According to a viral post from a woman who goes by the name Donna Mac on Facebook, she received an invitation to the church but when she arrived, she was subject to two uncomfortable interactions with an older white man and woman.

The Facebook post, which was posted on June 26 and has been shared over 10,000 times, read: “I’ve never in my 34 years of living witness a church turn someone around because of the color of their skin. Walking up we was met on the steps by the 1st member (older white guy) stated ‘Well what you want to come in for?’ We responded, ‘Church.’ He stated, “Church doesn’t start until 11am. “ (Mine you other members are entering church at this time.) After speaking with the 2nd member (older white lady) I stated, ‘Is everyone not welcome here?’ She stated, ‘We’ve had COLOREDS here before.’ I asked, ‘What do you mean Coloreds? Do you mean Black people?’ Her response, ‘No COLOREDS! When I was growing up we always called them COLOREDS!’ We just looked at her and left! My feelings are so hurt!”

In a follow up Facebook post, Donna Mac responded to criticism of why she wanted to attend a predominantly white church. Mac claimed the church is in a Black neighborhood, where she lives and wrote, “I’ve been raised in Forrest City my entire life and I have never experienced racism to this extent in my very own community.”

The church’s pastor, Steve Walter, addressed the incident during Sunday’s service, according to several sources. He says she came during Sunday School, which is for everyone. and that the incident was a “miscommunication” and a “setback.”

In an interview with a Little Rock news station, Walter also said, “The first thing that needs to happen is this young woman and gentleman need to know and hear an apology from us. We need to express genuine repentance, which biblically is a change of mind. It’s a change of emotion. It’s a change of affection and a change of will.”

Pastor Walter claimed everyone at the church is welcomed and they’ve had Black church members in the past.

The story has been picked up by numerous national news stations, papers and web sites.

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Man killed on I-30 after collision with concrete barrier

LITTLE ROCK — Officials with the Arkansas Department of Public Safety confirmed Wednesday that a man died after crashing into a concrete barrier after driving off of Interstate 30 in Little Rock earlier this week.

State officials identified the victim as 55-year-old Michael Heer of Mabelvale.

According to officials, the crash happened Tuesday just before 10 a.m., when Heer was driving east on I30 near University Avenue when he drifted into the grass median. Officials said he then traveled from the University Avenue overpass on the interstate onto University Avenue.

That was when officials said Heer hit the concrete barrier separating the north and south bound lanes of University Avenue, overturning the vehicle and landing in the north bound lane. The report also noted that the vehicle caught fire. The crash report does not list any additional injuries or deaths in this incident.