Arkansas
Wayne County boater death marks 23rd in Tennessee, surpassing 2024 total
Tennessee waterway deaths this year have climbed to 23, surpassed last year’s total, after an Arkansas man was killed in Wayne County Oct. 17.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency reported 22 deaths for all of 2024, a decrease from 27 in 2023.
Wildlife resource officers were called to Kentucky Lake in Wayne County just before 3 p.m. Oct. 17 after a boater went into the water, according to a news release.
Wayne County is about two hours south of Nashville on the Alabama, Tennessee state line.
Matthew Hubble, 37, of Brookland, Arkansas, was out on a boat with friends when he was ejected. The group had multiple boats on the water that day, the agency said.
Hubble’s friends immediately began searching for him, the agency said. They were successful and pulled him onto one of the boats where they took him to Clifton Marina. Paramedics met the group at the marina, the agency said.
Hubble ultimately did not survive.
He was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, the agency said.
“The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time,” the agency said.
Kentucky Lake reported the most the most boating injuries in Tennessee last year with six, according to the 2024 Tennessee Boating Incident Statistical Report.
Water deaths down in Nashville area
Despite the rise in the number of deaths this year, the Middle Tennessee region has largely been spared.
Between April and September of 2023, there were 17 waterway deaths on Nashville District Lakes. Last year there were 14 deaths, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Percy Priest Reservoir and Old Hickory Lake led the state in fatal accidents on waterways in 2024 with three each, according to the statistical report.
Percy Priest has seen fewer incidents this year.
In June, a child drowned while swimming with his family at Hamilton Creek Park. Tobias Henock, 5, went underwater and was missing for several minutes before his father found him. Family began CPR until paramedics arrived and took the boy to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. He was pronounced dead there.
A series of waves rocked David Holcroft’s sailboat, causing him to lose his balance and fall overboard Aug. 2. Nearby boaters heard a call for help.
Officers with the wildlife agency responded to the Hamilton Creek area of the Percy Priest Reservoir and pulled Holcroft from the water. Officers gave him CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene.
Holcroft was taken to TriStar Summit Medical Center, where he died.
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Ticks are out as people head outdoors this spring, and a doctor is warning about a little-known illness on the rise.
Dog ticks, deer ticks, Gulf Coast ticks and Lone Star ticks are among the most common in Arkansas. New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State Dean Dr. Shane Speights said they can be found nearly anywhere in the state.
“So, when you think about certainly the deep woods in northeast Arkansas, along like the Spring River and things like that, anything along the rivers or large bodies of water, you’re going to be at a higher risk,” Speights said.
Those ticks can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme Disease. Speights said there is a growing concern with another disease — Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
The Lone Star Tick carries a molecule that can transfer to humans through a bite and can cause an allergic reaction to red meat.
“That’s a smaller percentage of the population. But it can last for a long, long time. And it can be a violent response in terms of eating, you know, just a little bit of steak or a hamburger. You can get violently ill,” Speights said.
Data from the Arkansas Department of Health showed a sharp increase in Alpha-Gal Syndrome confirmed or probable cases in the state, from 70 in 2023 to 344 in 2024 and 249 in 2025.
The most common symptoms after a tick bite are fever and chills, aches and pains and rash. Speights said a person should seek medical attention after 36 hours if the tick is still attached.
“If the tick has been attached for more than 36 hours, we recommend you start antibiotics, promptly,” Speights said. He said antibiotics can be prescribed by a physician.
Ticks should not prevent someone from enjoying the outdoors. Speights said there are things people can do to prevent a tick hopping on them, like wearing light-colored clothing, pants, high socks and boots.
If one does get on a person, Speights said to remove it as quickly as possible to reduce the possibility of infection.
“You should remove the tick by carefully lifting up on the back of it with some tweezers and just kind of gently pulling until the teeth, um, let go of your skin. Uh, cause you do worry about, you know, parts of the tick being left there can cause infection,” Speights said.
Doctors say the best defense is to avoid tall grass, wear light-colored clothing and shower within two hours of being outdoors.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas State Police has announced that they are now accepting applications for Troop Class 2027-A as part of a two-month recruitment program.
The training program is a 21-week law enforcement training program scheduled to start in January that is open to both certified and non-certified applicants.
“With the return of The Big Hat Law has come a renewed investment in our Troopers,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police (ASP). “This is more than a job – it’s a calling. We’re looking for the best of the best who are ready to step up, serve with honor, and wear the hat with pride.
New Troopers will receive the following compensation package:
- Starting salary of $67,675
- Family health insurance coverage
- Non-contributory retirement plan
- Total compensation valued at $108,684
- Overtime Opportunities
In addition to the compensation package, ASP says that their new Troopers will also earn the privilege of serving the public on the front lines, protecting communities, enforcing the law, and being a part of the 91-year-old nationally recognized tradition.
“Arkansas is investing in the next generation of state Troopers because we know that more law enforcement equals safer streets, safer communities, and a safer state,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “There is no better state to serve in law enforcement than Arkansas, and I encourage anyone who shares the Arkansas State Police’s values of bravery, integrity, and public service to apply.”
Applications for Troop School 2027-A will be open from 5 p.m. on May 1 to July 1, 2026. ASP encourages those interested to get ahead of the process and start their application now.
For more information about Troop School or application requirements, click here or email the ASP Recruiting Office at recruiting@asp.arkansas.gov.
There are only three weekends remaining in the season as Arkansas baseball welcomes one of its permanent rivals to Baum-Walker Stadium.
The No. 24 Razorbacks (30-16, 11-10 SEC) host No. 18 Ole Miss (31-15, 11-10) for a three-game set beginning Friday, May 1. The Rebels are one of two teams, along with Missouri, who the Hogs will face ever season under the new SEC scheduling format that was adopted in 2025 when Texas and Oklahoma joined the league.
This weekend represents a chance for both teams to boost their resumes with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon. Arkansas won two-of-three games against Missouri in its last series, while Ole Miss went on the road and won the opener before losing the final two games against Georgia.
Here’s how to watch Arkansas vs. Ole Miss this weekend.
Watch Arkansas baseball vs Ole Miss
Arkansas baseball vs Ole Miss schedule
- Game 1: Friday, May 1, 6 p.m. CT, N/A, SECN+
- Game 2: Saturday, May 2, 2 p.m. CT, N/A, SECN+
- Game 3: Sunday, May 3, 2 p.m. CT, SEC Network, Fubo
The Razorbacks and Rebels will be on SEC Network for the final games of the series. The weekend’s other two games will be available to stream on SECN+.
Arkansas baseball vs Ole Miss probable pitchers
Arkansas pitchers listed first.
- Thursday: LHP Hunter Dietz (5-2, 3.62 ERA) vs. LHP Hunter Elliott (4-1, 4.82 ERA)
- Friday: LHP Cole Gibler (4-1, 2.91 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Townsend (4-1, 2.33 ERA)
- Saturday: TBA vs. RHP Taylor Rabe (3-3, 4.24 ERA)
Arkansas baseball 2026 schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| Feb. 13 | Arkansas 12, Oklahoma State 2 |
| Feb. 14 | TCU 5, Arkansas 4 |
| Feb. 15 | Arkansas 6, Texas Tech 5 (11 innings) |
| Feb. 16 | Arkansas 3, Tarleton State 1 |
| Feb. 20 | Arkansas 5, Xavier 2 |
| Feb. 21 | Arkansas 7, Xavier 6 |
| Feb. 22 | Arkansas 11, Xavier 0 (8 innings) |
| Feb. 24 | Arkansas State 12, Arkansas 4 |
| Feb. 25 | Arkansas 1, Arkansas State 0 |
| Feb. 27 | UT Arlington 4, Arkansas 3 |
| Feb. 28 | Arkansas 9, UT Arlington 0 |
| March 1 | Arkansas 11, UT Arlington 1 (7 innings) |
| March 3 | Arkansas 10, Oral Roberts 2 |
| March 6 | Arkansas 7, Stetson 1 |
| March 7 | Arkansas 13, Stetson 1 |
| March 8 | Stetson 4, Arkansas 1 |
| March 9 | Stetson 6, Arkansas 4 |
| March 13 | Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 4* |
| March 14 | Mississippi State 7, Arkansas 2* |
| March 15 | Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 3* |
| March 17 | Arkansas 13, Northern Colorado 2 |
| March 18 | Arkansas 9, Northern Colorado 4 |
| March 20 | Arkansas 22, South Carolina 6* (7 innings) |
| March 21 | Arkansas 3, South Carolina 2* (10 innings) |
| March 22 | South Carolina 9, Arkansas 4* |
| March 24 | Central Arkansas 15, Arkansas 2 |
| March 27 | Florida 9, Arkansas 4* |
| March 28 | Florida 7, Arkansas 4* |
| March 29 | Florida 7, Arkansas 6* |
| March 31 | Missouri State 15, Arkansas 14 |
| April 2 | Auburn 10, Arkansas 2* |
| April 3 | Arkansas 3, Auburn 2* |
| April 4 | Auburn 8, Arkansas 3* |
| April 7 | Arkansas 7, Little Rock 0 |
| April 10 | Arkansas 7, Alabama 5* |
| April 11 | Arkansas 15, Alabama 6* |
| April 12 | Arkansas 3, Alabama 2* |
| April 14 | Arkansas 12, UAPB 2 |
| April 16 | Arkansas 6, Georgia 3* |
| April 17 | Georgia 5, Arkansas 3* |
| April 18 | Georgia 26, Arkansas 14* |
| April 21 | Arkansas 12, Missouri State 4 |
| April 23 | Arkansas 5, Missouri 4* |
| April 24 | Arkansas 6, Missouri 0* |
| April 25 | Missouri 6, Arkansas 1* |
| April 29 | Northwestern State |
| May 1 | Ole Miss* |
| May 2 | Ole Miss* |
| May 3 | Ole Miss* |
| May 8 | Oklahoma* |
| May 9 | Oklahoma* |
| May 10 | Oklahoma* |
| May 14 | at Kentucky* |
| May 15 | at Kentucky* |
| May 16 | at Kentucky* |
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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