News in brief
Juvenile assaults deputy, leads to manhunt
FOUNTAIN LAKE — Law enforcement agencies searched the area around the Fountain Lake School District Thursday after a student at the school allegedly punched a Garland County Sheriff’s Department deputy who attempted to serve him with a failure to appear warrant.
A K- 9 unit, the Arkansas State Police and the Hot Springs Police Department, searched the area around the school Thursday afternoon, without success.
School officials and the sheriff ’ s department stressed that there was no threat to students, and there was no lockdown of the school.
Fountain Lake posted a statement on its Facebook page that said the sheriff’s department was “investigating an incident that happened on our campus earlier today. This is not now nor was there at any time a threat to our students, teachers or patrons.”
“Safety continues to be of the utmost importance here at Fountain Lake schools,” the statement said.
Sheriff’s Lt. James “Corky” Martin said there was “no danger of any kind to any children or the community.”
Animal shelter closed today for staff training
The John Seales Animal Services Shelter, 319 Davidson Drive, will be closed to the public today for staff training.
The shelter will respond to emergency calls through the Hot Springs Police Department.
Healthy donors urged to give blood
Arkansas Blood Institute made a new appeal for donors Thursday, saying many have been unable to give due to the flu and other winter illnesses.
Area blood drives through the week include the following:
• Sunday, 9: 30 a. m. to 12: 30 p. m., First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave.
• Tuesday, 1- 5 p. m., Coronado Center, Hot Springs Village.
• Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a. m. to 2 p. m., Mercy Hospital Hot Springs.
• Friday, 9 a. m. to 1: 14 p. m. Fountain Lake High School, 4207 Park Ave.
• Feb. 23, noon to 4 p. m., Hot Springs Baptist Church, 144 Weston Road at Albert Pike Road.
Donors who are 16 must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission. Donors who are 17 must weigh at least 125 pounds, and donors who are 18 years of age or older must weigh at least 110 pounds.