Little Rock Local News

Little Rock, Arkansas - The Little Rock Police Department is currently seeking assistance from the public to locate 15-year-old Kaleb Waits, who has recently gone missing. Kaleb is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds, details crucial for identifying him. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Kaleb's whereabouts to come forward. Contacts for reporting any leads include Detective Boyd at (501) 404-3016, Detective Dearing at (501) 404-3014, or the Little Rock Communications Center at (501) 371-4829. To ensure that the information reaches the relevant case, the police department has provided a case ID, 2024-035280,...

Little Rock, Arkansas - The Little Rock School District (LRSD) is implementing significant cost-cutting measures to address a $15 million budget shortfall. A recent decision by the LRSD board will see middle school schedules undergo changes to achieve these financial savings. In a unanimous vote, the board has opted to transition from the current block scheduling to a more traditional six-period day, a move anticipated to contribute substantially to the district's budget reduction efforts. The alteration in scheduling, as explained by Dr. Shay Loring, LRSD's Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools, initially considered a seven-period day. However, the final decision landed on...

Little Rock, Arkansas - In a significant move towards addressing homelessness, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. unveiled the city's comprehensive strategy during his State of the City Address. The initiative, dubbed "Results for the Rock," aims to tackle the pressing issue of homelessness through a multifaceted approach, focusing on providing permanent housing solutions for the city's unsheltered population. Holistic Housing Initiative: A New Chapter for Little Rock The heart of Mayor Scott's vision lies in the Holistic Housing Initiative, a bold plan set to revolutionize the way the city combats homelessness. Recognizing homelessness as a symptom of the broader issue of...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Pulaski County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming early voting period starting on February 20. This window of opportunity allows voters to participate in the democratic process ahead of the official election day, with early voting running through March 4 at thirteen designated sites across the county. Voters will have the flexibility to choose from Democrat, Republican, or nonpartisan ballots for the judicial election, depending on their address. Hollingsworth emphasizes the importance of being informed about the choices on the ballot. "We are one of 16 states with an open primary allowing...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Pollo Campero, the renowned family-owned chicken franchise originating from Guatemala, is set to delight fans in Little Rock with plans to open multiple new locations in the coming years. Since its first Arkansas opening in Rogers in 2008, Pollo Campero has seen a dedicated fanbase willing to travel hundreds of miles for their unique culinary experience. “It’s their brand. It’s their heritage. It’s nostalgic,” explained Blas Escarcega, vice president of franchise development, highlighting the deep connection patrons have with the brand. Recognizing this devotion, the franchise is now focusing on expanding its presence in the Little Rock...

Little Rock, Arkansas - An 18-year-old man faces serious charges following a fatal shooting incident over the weekend in south Little Rock. Juan Ruiz, aged 18, was arrested on Sunday and charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of a juvenile. The incident took place outside a residence in the 1000 block of Hilaro Springs Road on Saturday night. According to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, a disturbance outside the home led to the shooting. After the incident, Ruiz reportedly fled the scene. The young victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was rushed to a local hospital for...

Little Rock, Arkansas - In a recent development highlighting the ongoing battle against healthcare fraud, Shaona Mizell, a 52-year-old personal care aide from Paragould, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud. This case underscores the commitment of legal authorities to protect public funds and uphold the integrity of healthcare programs. Mizell was convicted of a misdemeanor charge for billing Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income individuals, for several months of care services that she never actually provided. This fraudulent action led to a conviction and sentencing. She received one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $200 fine. Additionally,...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Attorney General Tim Griffin has taken legal action against Imran Bohra, a Little Rock landlord, for allegedly failing to comply with a consent judgement from 2022. This development represents a continuing effort by the Attorney General's office to ensure tenant rights and safe living conditions in rental properties. The backstory of this legal tussle dates back to 2019 when then Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a lawsuit against Imran Bohra and his company, Entropy Systems, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that Bohra rented properties deemed unfit for living. Housing inspectors had detailed five pages of issues at a...

Little Rock, Arkansas - Police have disclosed the identity of a man tragically shot and killed at an apartment complex earlier this week. The victim, 27-year-old Owen Mitchell, was discovered unresponsive in the early hours of Thursday morning. The incident occurred at the Otter Creek Villas apartments, a residential complex located at 13600 Otter Creek Parkway. Police arrived at the scene around 1:30 a.m. to find Mitchell in a breezeway of building 9, showing no signs of life. Despite the efforts of responders, Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene by homicide detectives. His body was then transported to the Arkansas...

Little Rock, Arkansas - The Little Rock School District faced significant challenges this week as a severe winter storm wreaked havoc, damaging at least 13 schools. The district is now grappling with the aftermath of burst water lines, flooded areas, and other storm-related issues, impacting the daily operations and learning environment of many students and staff. Extensive Damage Across Schools The storm's impact was widespread, affecting various schools across the district: At Cloverdale Middle School, a major water line burst in the cafeteria wall caused significant flooding in the kitchen and cafeteria. The water was removed, and the area is now dry,...