Four people were killed and five injured in four crashes on Arkansas roads from Friday to Tuesday, according to preliminary police reports.

On Friday, James Early, 68, of Marvell was killed while driving against traffic on U.S. 49 in Poplar Grove, a report from the Arkansas State Police says.

Early was driving a 2014 Hyundai Elantra south in the northbound lane near 11262 U.S. 49 around 9:30 p.m. when he struck a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe heading north, the report says. Vincent Boyd, 37, of Marvell, the Tahoe’s driver, was injured, the report says.

On Saturday, Melissa Alsup, 58, of Paragould was killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 49 in rural Greene County, a state police report says.

Alsup was driving a 2007 Cadillac north near 5360 U.S. 49 at 5:27 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the center lane into the southbound lane and struck a 2019 Kia, the report says. The Kia’s driver, Bryan Parker, 47, of Brookland; and Ashley Allen, 47, of Brookland, a passenger in the Kia, were injured, the report says.

On Monday, William Elting, 70, of Harrison was killed in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 65 in Harrison, a report from Harrison police says.

Elting was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado north at 8:35 a.m. when the vehicle entered the southbound lanes and struck a 2024 Ram 2500 heading south, the report says. The Ram was pushed into a 2014 Ram 2500 also heading south, the report says.

Eric Kirk, 54, of Bolivar, the 2024 Ram’s driver, was injured, the report says.

On Tuesday, Kenneth Goff, 65, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Arkansas 376 in rural Ouachita County, a state police report says.

Goff was a passenger in a 1992 Ford Ranger heading east that failed to stop at the intersection with U.S. 79 and was struck by a 1997 Mack Truck heading south at 8:14 a.m., the report says. Teresa Chase, 64, of Red Oak, Iowa, the Ford’s driver, was injured, the report says.

Little Rock, AR (KATV) — Leaders in Arkansas’s Black community are reflecting on the passing of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

Among them is Edmond W. Davis — a historian, activist, and professor at Arkansas Baptist College — who says Jackson’s life and work shaped not only a generation of leaders, but the course of American history.

Davis, who is well-versed in African American history and civil rights, had the opportunity to meet and march alongside Jackson nearly 20 years ago during demonstrations surrounding the Jena Six case in Louisiana. He later met Jackson again about four years ago in Selma, a city widely recognized as a historic landmark of the Civil Rights Movement.

For Davis, those encounters were more than moments in time — they were affirmations of a calling to continue the work laid by leaders before him.

“This is our history, and so we have to embrace it, the ups and downs, the highs, the lows, the glows and grows,” Davis said. “We have to embrace our history. And he’s one of the pillars of the 20th century that people scholars of the 21st Century, we can look back and say, Hey, let’s embrace what he talked about again,” Davis said.

He described Jackson as a towering figure whose influence extended well beyond the African American community.

“Let’s bask in the ambience of what he did for this country, what he did for not just black people, not black Americans, but all Americans. And so we can let them know, in terms of that realm, that Jesse Jackson represented all Americans. He was an ambassador of humanity. He wasn’t just a civil rights activist. He was a global rights icon,” Davis said.

When reflecting personally on Jackson’s character, Davis said several qualities immediately come to mind.

“When I think about Reverend Jesse Jackson, I think about ambition. I think about the sense of American identity. I think about, of course, the walk in faith with Jesus Christ. I think about being a family man.”

Davis continues to carry forward the mission of advocacy and community empowerment. Most recently, he represented Little Rock as a grand marshal for the largest African American history parade held during Black History Month in Louisiana — an annual event welcoming people of all races and ethnicities to celebrate shared history and culture.

In addition to his role as a professor and historian, Davis serves as the executive director of the HBCU Black Wall Street CareerFest and remains active in numerous leadership roles throughout the community. He says leaders like Jackson continue to inspire him to use his voice for positive change.

As Arkansas and the nation remember Reverend Jesse Jackson, Davis says the best way to honor his legacy is to embrace the history he helped shape — and to continue building on the foundation he laid.

The Texarkana Arkansas School District has hired Jerry Littleton as the new head football coach for Arkansas High School.

Littleton brings nearly two decades of coaching experience to the position. He has served as head varsity football coach and athletic director at Fouke High School since 2019, where he led the program to four consecutive winning seasons and four straight state playoff appearances. From 2022 to 2025, his teams compiled a 28–13 record and hosted the school’s first home playoff game since 1988.

The new coach previously worked within the Texarkana Arkansas School District from 2008 to 2019 in multiple roles, including assistant varsity football coach and 9th grade head football coach. During his tenure, Arkansas High football finished as 6A State Runner-Up in 2010 and 2011.

A 2003 graduate of Fouke High School, Littleton earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 2007 and Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2012 from Southern Arkansas University.

“Coach Littleton understands the tradition, pride, and expectations that come with Razorback athletics,” said Dr. Jackson. “He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student development, competitive excellence, and building strong programs. We are excited to welcome him to Arkansas High School and look forward to the leadership he will bring to our football program.”

For more information, contact Dr. Genia Bullock at 870-772-3371 ext. 1003 or genia.bullock@tasd7.net.