Arkansas

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark — A state emergency management spokesman said a worker at the ConAgra Foods Inc. plant in Russellville suffered burns Wednesday after anhydrous ammonia leaked out of an engine room.

Spokesman Tommy Jackson said the worker suffered burns to the arms in the leak and has been taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Jackson said about 100 pounds of the gas seeped out of the engine room before workers stopped the leak at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. (Read the full post about ‘Leaking Ammonia Burns Ark. Plant Worker’…)

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Crews will be busy this week making sure everything is in order for the first day of business at the new courthouse.

“We’re moving all the court operations from here over there today, Thursday and Friday,” said Jerry Roberts, assistant county administrator.

The $13 million facility will nearly double courtroom space and bring together district and circuit courtrooms, including one courtroom that’s currently housed in a rented building on Garrison Avenue. (Read the full post about ‘Sebastian County Courtrooms Moving To New Building’…)

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Wednesday approved a proposal that will allow Oklahoma Gas and Electric to recover the cost of purchasing an electric generation plant near Luther.

Commissioners Jim Roth and Jeff Cloud approved the proposal, while the third member of the regulatory panel, Commissioner Bob Anthony, issued a separate opinion.

OG&E, which expects to complete its acquisition of the plant by Oct. 1, said once the plant is operational, the average residential customer’s bill is expected to increase by about $3.34 per month. (Read the full post about ‘OG&E To Raise Rates To Pay For Plant’…)

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith police officers arrived at the Golden Goose Club shortly before 1 a.m., on Wednesday, after receiving a call from witnesses about a weapons disturbance.

“When officers arrived they found the victim, 37-year-old Kirk Ingram, lying on the floor,” said Capt. Jarrard Copeland, of the Fort Smith Police Department.

Ingram was shot in the back and taken to Sparks Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. Copeland said Ingram is expected to be alright.

According to police, Shawn Fields shot Ingram after he tried to break up an altercation in the club’s parking lot. (Read the full post about ‘Police Seek 2 Men After Bar Shooting’…)

A friend of the late Paul Newman said that the legendary actor made plans for his charity work to continue after his death.

Robert Forrester, vice chairman of the Newman’s Own Foundation, said Sunday that Newman began planning several years ago to make sure profits from his food company would always benefit charities worldwide.

Newman died Friday at age 83 after a battle with cancer.

The actor and philanthropist donated 100 percent of the profits of his “Newman’s Own” food brand to charity. To date, Newman and his company have given away more than $250 million.

Among his charities are the Hole in the Wall camps. (Read the full post about ‘‘Newman’s Own’ Charity Work To Continue’…)

MONTECITO, Calif. — Authorities said that actress Heather Locklear has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

California Highway Patrol spokesman Tom Marshall said that Locklear was arrested around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Montecito in Santa Barbara County. A citizen called 911 after seeing Locklear leaving a parking lot and driving erratically.

Marshall said that Locklear was believed to be under the influence of prescription medication, but he did not know what kind. He said Locklear was not under the influence of alcohol. (Read the full post about ‘Heather Locklear Suspected Of DUI’…)

LOS ANGELES — Scarlett Johansson has gotten married.

The 23-year-old actress married fiance Ryan Reynolds, 31, this weekend. Johansson’s publicist isn’t disclosing details, but Us Weekly said the celebrity couple wed in a small ceremony at a resort outside Vancouver, British Columbia. Guests included the bride’s mother and brother.

Johansson and Reynolds announced their engagement last May, but just a month ago, Johansson said she was in no hurry to rush in to anything, saying “we’re just taking it easy” and enjoying being young and engaged. (Read the full post about ‘Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds Marry In Canada’…)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — It’s a done deal.

Actor Russell Crowe joked that when they’re old enough, Nicole Kidman’s new daughter and his youngest son will get married.

With a twinkle in his eye, Crowe smiled and explained how the “pending nuptials” came about.

He said that the decision was made when Kidman and Keith Urban brought their new daughter, Sunday Rose, to his home.

Crowe said Kidman took one look at his younger son Tennyson and she said, “I’m a great believer in arranged marriages.”

Another sign of fate: Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Tennyson Crowe have the same birthday, July 7, two years apart.

NEW YORK — Take one Super Bowl, add a healthy dollop of “The Boss” and you get a recipe for another big-time halftime show for one of the biggest sports events in the country.

The NFL and NBC have announced that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla. Snagging Springsteen means the continuation of a run of recent major talent that has included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

And this year’s event, Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium, showcases one of the most beloved rock ‘n’ roll artists.

Last year’s halftime show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S. (Read the full post about ‘‘The Boss’ To Rock Super Bowl Halftime’…)

Sometimes, other obligations call.

An open line for a beautiful Sunday (if you can put current events out of your mind). Time to put the chicken on the grill.