South Arkansas Reckoning

10/03/2025

From Cleveland County...

10/02/2025

FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED IN SEARCY COUNTY HOMICIDE

October 2, 2025

DELAND, Fla. – A coordinated investigation among multiple law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of a Florida man in connection with the July homicide of an Arkansas woman.
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m., the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in DeLand, Fla., arrested Mark R. Brown, 68, of DeLand, Fla. on charges of Capital Murder in the death of his sister, Mona Sloop, 69, of Leslie, Ark.
Sloop was found deceased at her residence on Shady Grove Road in Searcy County on July 22, 2025.

The arrest followed a joint investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), and the 20th Judicial District Drug Crimes Task Force. At the request of the SCSO, ASP Special Agents assisted in the investigation and traveled to Florida with SCSO investigators to collect evidence that ultimately led to Brown’s arrest.

Brown was booked into the Volusia County Detention Center, where he awaits extradition.
The investigation is on-going and additional arrests are possible.

10/02/2025

Attorney General Tim Griffin and Secretary of State Cole Jester announce recent arrests of three noncitizens who voted illegally in Arkansas.

10/02/2025

Sanders Announces the First Harvest from Farm-to-School Pilot Program Delivered to Marion School District

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture today announced that the Farm-to-School pilot program reached its first milestone last week as more than 3,000 pounds of fresh sweet potatoes were delivered to Marion School District.

Approximately 30 inmates from the Arkansas Department of Corrections participating in a regional work detail program harvested 3,100 pounds of sweet potatoes at Matthews Sweet Potato Farm in Wynne, Arkansas. The produce was delivered directly to Marion School District staff to be served in student meals.

“My administration is laser-focused on combating food insecurity among Arkansas’ kids, and today’s announcement affirms that we are moving in the right direction,” said Governor Sanders. “Not only are our students receiving fresh, nutritious foods thanks to this program, but our prisons are positively contributing to their communities and actively fighting childhood hunger in our state. Today, we celebrate the first harvest and look forward to those to come.”

“Governor Sanders’ Farm-to-School Pilot Program is already providing a great example of what can happen when agricultural producers, state agencies, and local school districts work together,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas’s farmers are not only some of the best producers in the world, they are also some of the most generous as evidenced by their commitment to provide safe, nutritious, and healthy food directly from the farm to the school kitchen and student plates.”

"The Department of Corrections is pleased to be part of the first harvest in Governor Sanders' Farm-to-School Pilot program, and I am appreciative of our staff for their efforts in assisting with this program,” said Arkansas Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “The generosity and hard work of local farmers, in partnership with our staff, will continue to provide nutritious meals to Arkansas students."

"We’re excited to be a part of this Farm-to-School program and bring locally grown fruits and vegetables straight to our students’ plates," said Marion School District Child Nutrition Director Melissa Lace. "This is a great way to support our ongoing commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals that help students learn, grow, and thrive. When kids have access to fresh, high-quality food, it supports not only their physical health but also their academic success.”

The Farm-to-School pilot program was created through Governor Sanders’ Faith-Based Initiatives Office in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and Arkansas Department of Education. Marion School District is serving as the pilot site for the 2025-26 school year.

Thanks to the Good Neighbor Act – a law signed by Governor Sanders earlier this year expanding liability protections for food bank donors – any produce not used by the school may be donated to food pantries or other organizations, helping ensure food doesn’t go to waste.

Governor Sanders also signed SB59 this past legislative session as part of her comprehensive strategy to combat food insecurity. This critical piece of legislation requires all Arkansas public schools to provide one free breakfast to students per school day, regardless of their federal eligibility for free meals. Arkansas is the first state in the South to create such a program.

Additionally, Governor Sanders previously signed legislation providing free school lunches for eligible students who qualified for reduced-price meals, and announced Arkansas will continue its Summer EBT program this year, ensuring Arkansas’ students have access to food in the summer months.

Governor Sanders launched the Faith-Based Initiatives Office to unite Arkansas’ diverse faith communities around issues facing the Natural State. Since its inception, the faith-based initiatives team has hosted roundtables and fostered important conversations with faith communities that have led to the development of critical programs to address issues like childhood hunger, maternal health, foster care, and more.

10/02/2025

Rosemary Sinclair has thrown her hat in the ring to run for Cleveland County Judge. Here's her announcement:

It is with humility and a deep respect for public service that I announce my candidacy as a Republican for County Judge of Cleveland County, Arkansas.

Cleveland County is my home. This conservative community welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve made friends here that I now proudly call family. That deep sense of belonging to a County that values tradition, faith, and hard work fuels my passion to serve and protect it. As the Arkansas State Republican Committeewoman for Cleveland County, I have been proud to represent our shared values at the state level, and now I am ready to take that commitment even further by serving our County as Judge.

For the past six years, I’ve worked in the County and Circuit Clerk’s office, gaining valuable experience in how our county government functions and what it takes to keep things running smoothly. I’ve had the opportunity to serve under two dedicated leaders, the late Judge Jimmy Don Cummings and current County Clerk Brandy Herring, both of whom shaped my understanding of public service. These years in county government have shown me the importance of listening to people, solving problems, and leading with purpose.

In addition to my work, I am actively pursuing my B.A. in Political Science from Arkansas State University because I believe preparation and education matter in leadership. I’m committed to challenging myself and continuing to grow so I can serve Cleveland County with both competence and compassion.

Before his passing, Judge Cummings encouraged me to consider this role. I will always be grateful for that conversation, and I carry his words with me as I take this next step. While I’m inspired by his example, I’m running not to fill someone else’s shoes, but to walk my own path, with integrity, hard work, and a clear vision for the future of Cleveland County. I am ready to be your next County Judge and to meet the challenges that matter most, from keeping our county roads safe and maintained to strengthening public services that support families and businesses.

Cleveland County deserves leadership that listens, that shows up, and that puts people first. I promise to be that kind of leader. Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to visiting with as many of you as I can, hearing your concerns, and sharing my heart for the place we all call home.
Together, let’s continue building a Cleveland County that is the very best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Rosemary Sinclair
A Republican Candidate for County Judge
Cleveland County, Arkansas

10/01/2025

The Reckoning knows a thing or two about cancer including pediatric cancer. By the way this is not a political post so please refrain from political comments. Cancer research needs all the help it can get.

An Executive Order Aimed at Pediatric Cancer

The use of AI could accelerate better outcomes for children battling cancer

Link in comments.

10/01/2025

N**e male with a gun...

10/01/2025

FORDYCE DEATHS RULED MURDER-SUICIDE

October 1, 2025

FORDYCE, Ark. – The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL) has determined that the deaths of two Fordyce residents earlier this month were the result of a murder-su***de.

On September 15, 2025, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated a death investigation at the request of the Dallas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) following the discovery of a deceased couple inside a Fordyce residence.

At approximately 11 a.m. that day, deputies with DCSO and officers with the Fordyce Police Department responded to a report of two unresponsive individuals at a home in the 1700 block of West 4th Street. Upon arrival, authorities found the bodies of David Parham, 81, and Holly Parham, 70, both residents of Fordyce. The Dallas County Coroner pronounced the couple dead at the scene.

Following autopsies, ASCL medical examiners determined that Holly Parham's death was the result of homicide, while David Parham's death was ruled a su***de.

10/01/2025

FORREST CITY DOCTOR FOUND GUILTY OF
SEXUALLY ASSAULTING PATIENTS

October 1, 2025

FORREST CITY, Ark. — On Monday, September 29, 2025, Dr. Sudesh Banaji, 61, of Forrest City, was found guilty of six counts of Second-Degree Sexual Assault in St. Francis County Circuit Court. The conviction and sentencing were connected to multiple incidents of sexual assaults involving female patients.

Banaji was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $90,000 in fines.

The investigation began in August 2023 when the First Judicial District Prosecutor's Office asked the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with patients during examinations at Banaji's medical clinic in Forrest City.

Following the investigation, ASP CID Special Agents arrested Banaji on August 26, 2024.

10/01/2025

According to court documents, Bradley Hunter Cox, age 36, used an online social media platform to distribute child po*******hy to multiple users. Cox’s crime came to light after agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Washington D.C. discovered Cox was distributing child po*******hy to a recipient in their area. Local FBI agents then conducted a search warrant at Cox’s residence and confirmed that he had, in fact, distributed child po*******hy. Cox later admitted to distributing files using three separate social media platforms and to creating groups for distribution purposes.

Hope Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Po*******hy

More here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdar/pr/hope-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-distributing-child-po*******hy

09/30/2025

Sanders Instructs State Agencies on Potential Government Shutdown

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— In preparation for a potential federal government shutdown, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a memo to her cabinet secretaries instructing them on protocol.

The Governor's full memo is below:

To: Cabinet Secretaries
From: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Date: September 30, 2025
Subject: Federal Government Shutdown

September 30, 2025 at midnight is the deadline to avoid a shutdown of the federal government. While we are hopeful congressional Democrats will not obstruct President Trump's plans to fund the government, as a state, we must be prepared to ensure the continuation of those services vital to the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, while temporarily suspending government services that rely on federal funding.

Should a shutdown occur, cabinet secretaries, in consultation with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the Department of Shared Administrative Services (SAS), will be responsible for determining which programs must be suspended and which employees will be furloughed based on the following criteria:

1. If a program or employee has been identified by the federal government as being necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare, and the federal government has provided documentation guaranteeing funding during the shutdown, the program and federally funded employment may continue uninterrupted by the shutdown.

2. If an agency has sufficient federal funding and authorization from current or previous federal grants to fund a program or position, it may do so as long as funding remains available.

3. In all other cases, programs and employment that are wholly or partially dependent on federal funding will be suspended, effective Wednesday, October 1, for the duration of the shutdown. The federal government will not allow us to make any exceptions unless the protection of public health, safety, and welfare would be compromised.

My administration will do everything in our power to keep the vital functions of government working. DFA - Budget and Accounting offices, along with SAS – Office of Personnel Management, will be available to assist agencies in making these determinations. Please contact DFA and SAS for more information.

09/30/2025

Dumas restaurant receives Arkansas Food Hall of Fame award. Congratulations, Taylor's Steakhouse!