Mtn. Home man dies from gunshot wounds after firing at police
A Mountain Home man died Sunday morning from gun shot wounds by police who were fired upon when responding to a call of breaking, entering and assault at a Bull Shoals residence hours earlier. A spokesperson from the Arkansas State Police identified the deceased at 33 year old Kyle Riggs, who was pronounced dead at Baxter Regional Medical Center. According to the state police, a Bull Shoals Police Officer and Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the residence following the 5:36 a.m. call where they were immediately fired upon by Riggs. Officers returned fire striking Riggs, who was transported to the hospital where he died. His body is being transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock for examination.
No additional injuries were reported from the incident, which is under investigation by the Arkansas State Police. The identities of the officers involved in the shooting have not been released.
Riggs has a history of burglaries in Baxter County and southern Missouri. In January of 2016 he plead guilty to charges of burglarizing a Mountain Home tire company in October of 2015. He also plead guilty to similar charges of burglary at an Ozark County gas company. During questioning of the Ozark County burglary in November of 2015, he admitted burglarizing another Ozark County gas company as well as a gas company in Douglas County and an Ava tire shop.
__________________________________________________________________
Manhunt suspect arrested
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says Travis Wade Smith, the subject of a manhunt Sunday wanted in connection with the burglary of Freds Fish House and the J. & J. Convenience Store in Baxter County, was arrested Thursday evening. Sheriffs Investigators obtained leads Thursday afternoon indicating Smith was at a residence on Foster Drive in Midway.
He’s been booked into the Baxter County jail on multiple charges related to the incident and an investigation is ongoing. He will face an additional charge of fleeing from Thursday’s manhunt, and will also be facing holds from Fulton County, Arkansas, Ozark County, Missouri, and from the State of Oklahoma for other crimes.
Officers went to the Midway residence at approximately 4:30 Thursday evening and Smith fled out the back door and ran into the woods behind the home. Officers from several agencies responded until tracking dogs could arrive.The Arkansas Department of Corrections – North Central Unit tracked him through the woods for about an hour and was able to apprehend him near Capewood Lane at approximately 6:36 PM.
On Tuesday, a District Judge signed a probable cause affidavit for the issuance of a felony arrest warrant charging Smith with two counts of commercial burglary, two counts of theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of instruments of crime, criminal use of a prohibited weapon and fleeing on foot from a law enforcement officer.
Agencies involved in the manhunt include ten deputies from the Baxter County Sheriffs Office, the Arkansas Department of Corrections Canine Team, Arkansas State Police, Lakeview Police Department, Ozark County, Missouri Sheriffs Office, and the Mountain Home Police Department.
_____________________________________________________________________
MHHS Bomb Squad reveals 2017 robot, Spector
The Baxter Bomb Squad revealed their Season 2017 Robot, Spector, to the public Thursday night at a VIP dinner and public demonstration held at The Vada Sheid Development Center on the campus of ASU-Mountain Home. Mountain Home High School Teacher Jackie Meisner, the team’s advisor, says the team completed the robot Tuesday night when it was sealed into a bag, according to rules and regulations of the FIRST Robotics organization.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
Attendees at the event viewed a slide show presentation of the building of the robot, saw a demonstration of the robot in action, and heard about this year’s competition. Mason Sanborn, a 17 year old senior who is the Control Captain of the team, says this year’s game, inspired by a steampunk airship, offers a number of challenges.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
The team, with assistance from adult mentors, made numerous prototypes and changes before finalizing the robot, according to Sanborn.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
Sanborn feels the robot and team will do well in competition.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
The first competition with Spector will be in Little Rock, says Meisner.
Listen:
right-click to download mp3
Following the Little Rock competition the Bomb Squad will travel to Chicago for the Mid-West Regional competition March 29th through April 1st and the to Houston April 18th through the 21st for World Championship Competition against 600 teams from around the world.
For more information about the Bomb Squad and to follow them in competition, visit their website www.frcteam16.orghttp://www.frcteam16.org.
___________________________________________________________________
Mountain Home man arrested for felony theft
A Mountain Home man, 38-year-old Jason Chorba, was arrested by Mountain Home Police Monday on felony theft of property and breaking or entering after an investigation into a stolen vehicle attempt, and a separate stolen vehicle, which occurred Sunday. During an interview by investigators, he allegedly confessed to the vehicle theft, stating he was in a hurry because he was being chased by drones. Chorba was booked into the Baxter County Jail with Bond set at $30,000.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manual says at 8:15 Sunday evening police responded to a residence on Embassy Parkway where a nearby resident noticed a person inside a vehicle. The alleged suspect, Chorba fled the area after the resident approached.
The responding officer noticed damage to the vehicle, broken window glass and damage consistent with attempted hot-wiring. Inside the vehicle was a backpack and documents allegedly belonging to Chorba. An investigator processed the vehicle and collected the evidence.
Fifteen minutes later, police received a vehicle theft report from a business nearby on Burnett Drive. The owners saw the vehicle being backed out of a parking space by a male operator. The operator ran over parking signs and drove down a steep embankment, nearly crashing the vehicle as he left the parking lot.
On Monday, the stolen vehicle was located near Buzzard Roost after the Baxter County Sheriffs Office was notified by a nearby citizen. According to a crash report the vehicle was left in drive and exited. It hit a mailbox, and swerved back onto the road and eventually crashed into the woods after traveling approximately 194 feet.
Officers located and arrested Chorba at a residence east of Mountain Home. According to the Baxter County Sheriff’s website, Chorba is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court February 23rd.
___________________________________________________________________
Humane Society receives grant for low income veterinarian services
The Humane Society of North Central Arkansas announced Tuesday they have received a $5,000 grant for veterinarian services for fixed income families with pets. The grant comes from the Banfield Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which offers support for all aspects of veterinary care and provides grants to nonprofit organizations in order to keep pets healthy and in loving homes.
To qualify for the program, individuals provide photo identification, as well as, proof of income in the form of previous years tax statement, social security, or disability statements. If they meet Federal Poverty Level of 100 percent or lower, they qualify for our program.
Shelter Manager Carolyn Carter says, there are many people who have fixed incomes who own pets. Keeping them at home and out of the shelter is important. The $5,000 grant will help those families and the pets in need.
The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Arkansas. Their purpose and policy is to protect, care for, and reduce the population of neglected, abandoned, homeless, unwanted or abused animals within Baxter County and surrounding 25 miles. The organization places particular emphasis on the canine and feline populations. At the animal shelter, all animals receive adequate food, water, shelter, and medical attention. An attempt is made to place all animals in homes where they receive proper care. The Humane Society also operates a thrift store to assist in securing funds necessary to operate our facilities.
For more information isit humanesocietyofnca.org or call 870-425-9221.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI