NORTH LITTLE ROCK – A special agent from Gurdon who was wounded during a standoff with a murder suspect has been honored as the Arkansas State Police Trooper of the Year.

State police presented the award to Corporal Scott Clark on Thursday. Also honored were Company C Sergeant John Bishop of Bradley and Hempstead County Deputy Sheriff Frank McJunkins.

In March 2008, Clark, McJunkins and Bishop were investigating the murder of 56-year-old Donald K. McGee of Hempstead County and visited the home of suspect Fred Moore.

According to police, Moore fired a shot from a handgun, hitting Clark in the right arm and shoulder, prompting the officers to return fire. Moore was fatally shot.

Bishop and McJunkins were given awards for valor and bravery.

Judge denies class-action status for jail lawsuit

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – A federal judge has denied a request to grant class-action status to a lawsuit that claims the Pulaski County jail denies some inmates adequate medical treatment.

The lawsuit by Carl Jackson of Pulaski County says he wasn’t given a timely court appearance or adequate medical treatment – including access to prescribed medication after his arrest in 2005. It asks for monetary damages for mental and emotional distress and lost wages.

It also asks for punitive damages against the current and past sheriffs, the jail administrator and other as-yet-unidentified officials.

3 killed in crash in White County

The Associated Press

McRAE – Three people – including a 6-year-old – have been killed in a two-vehicle collision near McRae in White County.

Arkansas State Police say 6-year-old Ashley Harris and 28-year-old Amber Harris of Searcy and 60-year-old Wanda Partlow of Beebe died in crash about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Troopers say the three were in a car driven by Partlow on Arkansas 367 when the car crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming pickup truck.

SW Arkansas landfill to undergo state audit

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE – State auditors and the Arkansas State Police are investigating an estimated $500,000 in questionable transactions by a southwest Arkansas waste management district.

Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Chesshir says the two are looking into the finances of the Upper Southwest Arkansas Solid Waste Management District. The district includes nine counties and operates a landfill in Howard County.

District director Max Tackett says he’s asked for a criminal investigation but declined to say if he thinks the money was stolen or misused. Tackett became director in January – succeeding Joe Ball.