Local man killed in two vehicle collision
A Hot Springs man was killed Thursday evening in a two-vehicle collision in the 4700 block of Central Avenue, according to an Arkansas State Police fatal crash summary released Friday afternoon.
William J. Meyers, 47, was a passenger in a 2017 Kia Soul that was southbound on Central just before 5 p.m. when a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Noah T. Peabody, 30, of Hot Springs, reportedly drove left of center, crossed the turning lane and struck the front of the Kia in the inside southbound lane.
William Meyers was killed while Michelle Meyers, 46, who was driving the Kia, and a second passenger, Joseph Richardt, 20, both of Hot Springs, were injured along with Peabody. The injured were transported by LifeNet to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs.
The report notes conditions were clear and dry at the time of the wreck which was investigated by Hot Springs police.
Individual income tax collections were above forecast but below July 2018 figures. Sales tax collections were below forecast and below the same month last year.
Finance officials last month said the state ended the 2019 fiscal year with a $295 million surplus.
Rapert says he’s running for lieutenant governor
LITTLE ROCK — A Republican state senator who sponsored a law requiring a Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol and several abortion restrictions says he’s running for Arkansas lieutenant governor in 2022.
Sen. Jason Rapert on Friday said he won’t seek re-election in 2022 and will instead run for lieutenant governor. Republican Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported Rapert’s decision Friday morning.
Rapert was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He sponsored a 2015 law requiring a privately funded Ten Commandments monument be installed near the Capitol. He also sponsored several abortion restrictions, including a 12-week ban that was struck down in federal court. Rapert said he wants to be an advocate for recruiting businesses to the state.