Bits & Pieces: Stay safe out there

Our readers will not find much news from Northwest Arkansas on this website, because one needn’t look far to find what the Little Rock stations report; besides, our priorities lie in providing local and regional information. However, news of the double slaying at a Devil’s Den State Park walking trail got us to thinking, “Should we have brought this story closer to home?” Frankly, we’re torn on the idea. On one hand, we’ve got a state park in our own back yard, complete with several miles of walking trails. Devil’s Den is 3.5 hours away from DeGray. A suspect was apprehended after a nearly five-day manhunt, caught mid-haircut in Springdale, about 30 minutes away from the park. Police still haven’t released a motive, or whether it was a targeted or random attack. In the meantime, we could have localized the story by talking to visitors at our nearby state park, getting a feel for their fears; by noting any heightened police or park ranger presence; by interviewing local law enforcement and local state park officials (except that a current state policy prohibits them from talking to the media). On the other hand, localizing a story like this could have raised unwarranted alarm among local citizens and/or visitors to our local state park. We’re relieved that the alleged killer was captured in that region of the state, and that no other evil played out while he was on the lam. Still, we feel obligated to remind our readers that no one is 100% safe anywhere. If you walk on a trail — even Feaster Trail — take all the precautions necessary to return home safely. Travel with a group. Be vigilant. Never assume any stranger you meet has your best interest at heart. As much as it irks us to say it, you might as well carry a weapon and be prepared to use it. Enjoy the outdoors, but stay safe out there.

We took the recommendation of our friend Mike McNeill at magnoliareporter.com and watched “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders”, the documentary about a 2022 quadruple homicide in a quiet college town. Aside from the chilling tale and the police force’s deer-in-the-headlights approach to communicating details to the public, what we found interesting is how social media sleuths have tarnished the noble act of gathering and reporting facts for disbursement to the public. You really shouldn’t be relying on TikTokers and/or YouTubers to deliver factual information. Leave it instead to those trained and educated in the ways of mass communication. For what it’s worth, we have a bachelor’s degree in mass media (with an emphasis in print journalism) from Henderson State University, with a decade of experience working at a newspaper.

Slightly cooler temperatures are in the forecast this weekend.

Looks like dry conditions are reappearing across South Arkansas. The latest Wildfire Danger Map, from the Arkansas Forestry Division, shows the two southernmost rows of counties to be under a Moderate risk for wildfire. There are no burn bans as yet. Here’s the map as of Thursday, July 31:

The deadline for ambulance providers to submit a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to the Clark County Judge’s Office is Thursday, Aug. 7. We’ll ask the judge who all has turned in their paperwork once the deadline has passed, and report what we learn.

Dear Founding Father: We suspect you’re using a pseudonym in your email correspondence, especially considering your email address. We don’t hide behind a false name, and neither should you.

One section of the local Walmart smells like a No. 2 pencil. Do kids even use pencils in school these days?

Thanks to a handshake agreement that allows the sharing of news from one community to another, our counterpart in Magnolia republished our recent story about a report of indecent exposure at a gas station, and used ChatGPI to generate an illustration. Our immediate reaction was whether Bill Dauterive borrowed Hank Hill’s pickup truck for one of his benders. We’ll let you be the judge:

Joel Phelps is publisher and editor of arkadelphian.com. Opinions expressed in Bits & Pieces are his own. Contact him by emailing editor@arkadelphian.com.