State briefs
Flood warnings, advisories issued after storms
LITTLE ROCK — The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings and advisories following severe storms that dropped heavy rainfall across Arkansas.
Forecasters in Little Rock issued flood warnings Saturday for the White River at Augusta, effective Monday evening. Flood stage is 26 feet and the river is forecast to rise to near 27 feet by Wednesday.
Forecasters also issued flood warnings for the Black River at Black Rock and Pocahontas. Forecasters say minor flooding is forecast in the area as the river is expected to rise above flood stage at each location.
In addition, a flood advisory has been issued for the Buffalo River near St. Joe. Forecasters say the river is expected to rise to near 23.5 feet by Saturday afternoon due to heavy rainfall and recreational activities will be dangerous.
Arkansas teacher accused of assaulting student found dead
WALNUT RIDGE — A former Arkansas teacher accused of sexually assaulting a 16-yearold female student has been found dead in a Lawrence County cemetery.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the body of
46-year-old Daniel Kopp III, an agriculture teacher at the Highland School District, was found on Thursday at Pleasant Grove
Cemetery in Annieville, about
20 miles west of Walnut Ridge in northeastern Arkansas.
Lawrence County sheriff’s detective Andrew Turner said Friday that Kopp’s body was sent to the state crime laboratory in Little Rock. Turner would not disclose how Kopp died, but says no foul play is suspected in his death.
Kopp was arrested on April
15 on one count of second-degree sexual assault and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The school district had suspended Kopp.
Police search for suspect in fatal Arkansas shooting
JONESBORO — Police in Jonesboro are searching for s suspect in the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man.
Investigators say Kerry Lee Kindred Jr. was mortally wounded while sitting in a vehicle outside a residence shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday. Police say he was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Authorities say they received several calls reporting “multiple gunshots” in the area where the shooting occurred. Witnesses told police that the suspect fled on foot and ran between houses in the neighborhood.
Officers formed a search perimeter where they gathered evidence but did not locate the suspect. The suspect was not identified.
The shooting remains under investigation and additional information was not immediately available.