LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Health Department says two more state residents have died from the swine flu, bringing the state total to 20.

The Health Department said Thursday that more vaccine for the swine flu is arriving in the state, so it should be easier to find a provider. The department didn’t identify the latest victims of the virus.

People in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, the very young, the elderly and people breathing problems or other health issues are urged to get vaccinated.

The department says people with chronic conditions should contact their doctor as soon as possible if they develop flu-like symptoms. Those symptoms include fever over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.

Retirement system records gains during quarter

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – The rising stock market has raised the value of the Arkansas Public Retirement System’s investments.

Investment consultant John Krimmel told system trustees Wednesday that the investments rose in value from $4.3 billion to $5 billion in the quarter that ended Sept. 30. The increase does not fully restore the $5.6 billion investment value the system had before the recession and stock market declines.

Man accused of attacking man with squeegee

The Associated Press

CONWAY – A Conway man is due in court on charges he used a gas pump squeegee to hit another man during a fight over who was first in line at a gas pump.

Twenty-one-year-old Hector Chavez is to be arraigned Friday in Faulkner County Circuit Court on a second-degree battery charge.

A Conway police report says the victim told officers that he was waiting in line at a gas pump when Chavez cut in front of him. The victim – who was not identified – said he confronted Chavez with the squeegee and swung at him before Chavez took the squeegee and began beating him with it.

A phone listing could not be found for Chavez and it wasn’t clear whether he had an attorney.

Woman agrees to deal in killing of husband

The Associated Press

CLARKSVILLE – A Lone Pine woman charged in the shooting death of her husband has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Thirty-nine-year-old Robin Freeman was to go on trial for murder Tuesday for the Jan. 27 shooting death of 40-year-old George Freeman. Authorities say George Freeman was shot during an argument with his wife at their home in Lone Pine about five miles north of Clarksville.

Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons confirms there is an agreement but declined to discuss it before a hearing scheduled Friday in Johnson County Circuit Court.

An attorney for Freeman was not available for comment.

4 arrested in Pulaski

County homicide

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK – Four men have been arrested on murder charges in the death of a man found under the Interstate 430 bridge in November.

Little Rock police and Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies arrested 44-year-old Apolinar Vargas, 24-year-old Jose Espanosa, 48-year-old Alex Vargas, and 41-year-old Mario Nieto. The four were arrested Wednesday night for first-degree murder in the death of 57-year-old Jose Humberto Mejia.

Investigators say they believe Mejia was killed at an auto repair shop in northwest Pulaski County and his body dumped under the bridge where it was found Nov. 8.

The four suspects are being held in the Pulaski County jail.