Craighead County News

George Castle, 66, of Phoenix, Ariz., was driving a 1996 Honda north on Arkansas 9 at Alum Creek in Saline County around 2:05 p.m. and failed to negotiate a curve, causing his motorcycle to go off the road onto the shoulder, officials said.

A Jonesboro woman who police say struck her 5-month-old boy's head against a doorframe when he wouldn't stop crying has been charged with first-degree battery and endangering a minor.

After a long period with mild conditions, the heat of summer is finally being felt in Arkansas.

A Jonesboro man who was shot and injured by a Craighead County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop in March pleaded guilty to beating his girlfriend and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington of Jonesboro said.

<![CDATA[JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) -- A Jonesboro woman who police say struck her 5-month-old boy's head against a doorframe when he wouldn't stop crying has been charged with first-degree battery and endangering a minor. Victoria Madden, 21, appeared in court Friday before Craighead County District Judge Curt Huckaby, who set bond at $100,000 and scheduled a July 31 court date. Madden asked that Huckaby appoint a lawyer for her, and he agreed to do so. Jonesboro police Sgt. Brad Rossman said he went to St. Bernard's Medical Center's emergency room Wednesday after being told a child had a severe head injury. By the time he arrived, the child had already been transferred to LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., hospital. "I spoke briefly with hospital staff and learned that the baby had a severe skull depression fracture and his brain was swelling and bleeding badly," Rossman said. The officer said Madden initially said she didn't know how the baby was hurt, then said he had fallen off a bed and onto the floor as she changed his diaper. After going to the woman's house, he noted the bed was 22 inches off the floor and that he doubted Madden's explanation. "The flooring was carpet and padded and it was obvious to me that this did not cause the extreme injury to this child," Rossman said. After taking Madden to the police station, she said she had become frustrated because the baby was crying, Rossman said. Rossman said hospital officials had told him the child had an "extreme" injury and was in very critical condition. Police Lt. Lyle Waterworth told Jonesboro television station KAIT that both charges are felonies. The battery charge includes enhanced provisions that take into account the nature of the injuries and the victim. If convicted, Madden faces a life term.

Arkansas writer Pat Carr is this year's recipient of the Porter Fund Literary Prize, described by its founders as one of Arkansas' most lucrative and prestigious literary awards.

Victoria L. Madden A 5-month-old baby is clinging to life in a Memphis hospital after Jonesboro police say his mother slammed the baby's head into a door frame in a fit of anger.

JONESBORO, AR Jonesboro police are currently investigating an attempted abduction of a woman in a mall parking lot Thursday.

Authorities in northeast Arkansas say a body found in the St. Francis River belongs to a Lake City man who was reported missing in March.

Daniel Wayne Flood. LITTLE ROCK, AR - A Craighead County man faces five counts of distributing, possessing or viewing sexually explicit conduct with a child Tuesday.

RECTOR, AR - Five puppies in Clay County are in need of a home after being dropped off on a county road in Rector three weeks ago.

Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd says the fisherman called authorities at about 7:20 p.m. Sunday after finding the body.