THE FAMILY OF AN 11-YEAR OLD JOHNSON COUNTY BOY KILLED IN A EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING FIRE, REMAINS HOSPITALIZED, RECOOPERATING FROM BURNS SUSTAINED IN THE EARLY WEDNESDAY FIRE. AUTHORITIES SAY BLAINE RITCHIE DIED IN THAT BLAZE. HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, IDENTIFIED AS ROBERT AND JEANNIE RITCHIE, WERE INJURED WITH SEVERE BURNS, HIS FATHER CRITICALLY. BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO UAMS IN LITTLE ROCK BY HELICOPTER. AUTHORITIES SAY HIS SIX YEAR OLD SISTER, MEADOW, ALSO RECEIVED EXTENSIVE BURNS AND WAS TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LITTLE ROCK. NO FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THEIR CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED. THE 11-YEAR OLD WAS A STUDENT AT KRAUS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CLARKSVILLE, AND DISTRICT PERSONNEL INDICATE THAT GREIF COUNSELORS WERE BROUGHT INTO TO THE SCHOOL TO VISIT WITH STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR LOSS. AN INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE WOOD STOVE LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE RESIDENCE.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Some areas of Arkansas awoke to a surprise dusting of snow Thursday morning. The National Weather Service says one-tenth of an inch of snow was recorded in Little Rock and less than a half-inch was recorded in North Little Rock. It's the earliest accumulating snowfall on record in nearly 20 years in Little Rock. Forecasters say sleet and snow may continue Thursday morning, primarily east of a line from Arkadelphia to Little Rock to Newport. Any accumulation is expected to be less than an inch. The unseasonably cold weather is expected to persist with a few more chances of wintry precipitation in the forecast. The weather service says snow or sleet is possible Saturday night and early Sunday in northern and central Arkansas, with another round possible again Sunday night.
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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 47-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT DURING A DRUG TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION. AUTHORITIES SAY JIM COLLINS IS BEING HELD ON TWO COUNTS OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-METHAMPHETAMINE. COLLINS APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE, WHO FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.
BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 30-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON BREAKING AND ENTERING AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGES. THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS CHARITY LOPPE, ALSO HAS A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.
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