Arkansas

Arkansas officials blame prison employees for ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ escape

Published

12 months ago

July 12, 2025

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Arkansas officials blame prison employees for ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ escape

Officials said a kitchen supervisor left Grant Hardin alone on a loading dock and a tower guard let him out the gates.

Corrections officials say two Arkansas prison employees errantly helped Grant Hardin, the former police chief convicted of murder and rape, escape from a prison in May.

A kitchen supervisor, who left Hardin unchecked on a loading dock, and a tower guard, who let him out of the gates, have been fired, according to Benny Magness, chairman of the state Board of Corrections. Magness attributed Hardin’s escape at the North Central Unit, in Calico Rock, to “human error.”

Hardin evaded capture for 12 days in nearby woods.

“All the stars somewhat had to line up for Hardin, and two employees violated policy that allowed this to happen,” Magness told state lawmakers in a July 10 hearing. “The policies were in place. This should not have happened.”

On May 25, a kitchen supervisor allegedly left Hardin, 56, alone on a loading dock. Hardin is accused of changing into a fake law enforcement uniform, which was colored with Sharpie markers and included an old kitchen apron to mimic a vest. Authorities say he made a homemade badge from a can lid, button and Bible cover. He had stashed away his fake uniform in the kitchen’s chemical storage area, where he had supervised access as part of his kitchen job, Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, said in an email.

Then, the guard atop the tower opened two back gates letting Hardin out, without checking if he was actually an officer, Magness said. Hardin also brought wooden pallets he fashioned into a ladder and a box with food, Champion said. Hardin was captured in a sweeping manhunt on June 6 about a mile-and-a-half from the facility.

The fired officers’ names weren’t released.

Hardin was serving an 80-year combined prison sentence. He first pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, a water department employee. Following his conviction, DNA evidence connected him to raping a teacher at gunpoint at school in 1997. He pleaded guilty to the rape charges.

Hardin faces a felony charge related to his escape, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty. A jury trial has been scheduled for the fall.

Jeanine Santucci of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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Arkansas

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Randolph County can claim many firsts in Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

5 hours ago

July 8, 2026

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ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Randolph County can claim many firsts in Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2026, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.

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Arkansas

Army names intelligence facility for Arkansas Tech graduate

Published

15 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Army names intelligence facility for Arkansas Tech graduate

The late Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston was honored with the dedication of a military intelligence complex in his name at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Johnston, an Arkansas Tech University graduate, was also posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.
He is credited with modernizing Army intelligence by integrating technologies like artificial intelligence and big data analytics.
The new facility consolidates several intelligence units to improve collaboration, security, and operational efficiency.

A former Arkansas Tech University graduate and commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command is being remembered with two posthumous honors recognizing his lasting influence on the nation’s military intelligence operations.

The late Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston, a 1987 Arkansas Tech graduate and Russellville native, was honored during a dedication ceremony June 25 at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where the Army officially named a newly consolidated military intelligence complex the Major General Gary W. Johnston Consolidated Mission Facility.

Johnston also was posthumously inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame for helping reshape Army intelligence through the integration of emerging technologies, including big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The new facility serves as a central hub for U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) operations at Fort Huachuca, known as the “Home of Army Intelligence.” It houses some of the Army’s most critical intelligence personnel and brings together units that had previously operated from aging buildings spread across the installation.

Army officials said the previous arrangement created operational challenges, including limited secure workspaces, outdated infrastructure and additional security requirements. Beginning in 2018, INSCOM launched an effort to consolidate those missions by renovating two existing buildings into a 16,300-square-foot intelligence operations center designed to improve collaboration and security.

The facility now houses INSCOM G3’s Detachment 52, elements of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, representatives from the Ground Intelligence Support Activity, an emerging Foundry program element and other intelligence organizations.

Among those attending the dedication were Johnston’s wife, Brig. Gen. Amy Johnston, daughter Lauren Woodworth and granddaughter Arabella Woodworth.

Maj. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commanding general of U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, said the building represents more than a new workplace.

“As we dedicate the U.S. Army INSCOM Major General Gary W. Johnston Consolidated Mission Facility, we do more than just open a new facility… we consecrate a tribute to his indelible legacy,” Cox said. “This facility will stand as a constant reminder of his service, his vision and his unwavering commitment to our nation and to the soldiers he led. It will inspire future generations of intelligence professionals to emulate his example of leadership and selfless service.”

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin Boughton, former INSCOM command chief warrant officer, said Johnston envisioned closer collaboration between the Army’s intelligence training and operational communities.

Boughton said Johnston believed the distance between the Intelligence Center of Excellence and INSCOM’s operational units “shouldn’t be measured in miles,” but instead by “a seamless flow of data, doctrine, and talent” where operational experience and institutional knowledge move freely between soldiers in the field and those training the next generation.

Johnston graduated from Russellville High School in 1983 before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arkansas Tech in 1987. Through the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, he received his commission as a U.S. Army officer.

During a military career spanning more than 34 years, Johnston served in command and staff assignments ranging from platoon level to senior leadership within the Army and Department of Defense. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

In 2015, Johnston became the seventh graduate of Arkansas Tech’s Army ROTC program to attain the rank of general officer. He was promoted to major general in 2017.

He concluded his military career as commanding general of U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, overseeing approximately 17,500 personnel operating in more than 40 countries.

Army leaders credited Johnston with helping modernize military intelligence by laying the groundwork for the establishment of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, which was formally created in 2022 after his retirement. He also led development of what became the Army Intelligence Data Platform, designed to incorporate advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning into intelligence operations while supporting future large-scale combat operations.

Johnston also promoted data science education within the military intelligence community by partnering with George Mason University to provide specialized training for Army warrant officers.

Colleagues remembered Johnston not only for his strategic vision but also for his leadership style. Despite working in one of the Army’s most demanding operational environments, they described him as a source of humor, kindness and encouragement whose focus remained on the soldiers, civilians and contractors carrying out the intelligence mission.

Johnston retired from active duty in 2021 and died in January 2022.

His latest recognitions add to previous honors from his alma mater. Johnston was a member of the inaugural Arkansas Tech Army ROTC Hall of Honor in 2017 and was inducted into the university’s Hall of Distinction in 2019.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Mega Millions, Cash 3 winning numbers for July 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Tuesday, July 7, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 7 drawing

02-31-35-36-63, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 7 drawing

Midday: 6-0-0

Evening: 0-0-8

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 7 drawing

Midday: 3-7-6-5

Evening: 7-2-5-0

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from July 7 drawing

10-18-26-33-38

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 7 drawing

27-43-48-49-50, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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