State briefs

Arkansas treasurer added to lawsuit by fired ex- employee

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Treasurer Dennis Milligan has been added to a defamation lawsuit filed by a former treasurer’s office employee against Milligan’s chief of staff.

KATV reports that the attorney for David Singer added Milligan on Friday to the lawsuit against Jim Harris, who fired Singer as outreach manager for the office. The lawsuit alleges Harris published false statements about Singer’s mental health to co- workers, to Milligan and to the media.

Attorney Luther Sutter said Milligan was added because of a statement from his office that said Harris’ actions were in his official capacity as the treasurer’s chief of staff.

Milligan’s spokesman referred questions to the attorney general. Attorney General’s spokesman Judd Deer said the matter is under review and declined further comment.

High E. coli levels close 19 Arkansas swim areas

LITTLE ROCK — Several swimming areas in Arkansas have been closed due to high levels of E. coli.

The Arkansas Department of

Health announced the closure of 19 swim beaches Thursday.

Some of the beaches include Lake Ouachita State Park in Garland County and Devil’s Fork at Greer’s Ferry Lake in Cleburne County.

According to the department, bacteria- filled flood waters that the state has seen in recent weeks have brought an elevated risk of contracting infections. Department spokesman Kerry Krell said E. coli and other naturally- present bacteria can be washed from animal waste to swim areas by heavy rain.

Krell said water samples will be tested from the contaminated areas. Krell said a swim beach can open after two consecutive water samples test below the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold for E. coli.

Jonesboro woman accused of plotting ex- husband’s death

JONESBORO — Northeastern Arkansas police have arrested and charged a woman they said attempted to hire a hit man to kill her ex- husband.

But the attorney for 41- yearold Joy Deason- Werner argued Thursday in Craighead County court that she should be released from jail because she’s in poor health, The Jonesboro Sun reported.

Deason- Werner has had several back surgeries and hasn’t been taking several medications since her arrest, said attorney Randel Miller. She was arrested Wednesday and is charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder.

“Keeping her locked up will put her health at risk,” Miller said.

District Judge Keith Blackman said he would consider reducing Deason- Werner’s $ 100,000 bond if Miller could provide proof from medical professionals about her health issues.

Police said they learned late last month that Deason- Werner was searching for someone to help kill her ex- husband. A possible motive wasn’t mentioned in a probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit said Deason-- Werner met Monday with an undercover investigator, telling him the name of her ex- husband and where he lived. The officer asked in the meeting that was recorded on video if she “wanted this to be an open or closed casket funeral and she stated it did not matter,” said detective Vic Brooks of the Jonesboro Police Department in the affidavit.

She’s scheduled to appear again in court on June 29.