BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - Members of Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement Group will conduct a month long traffic initiative focusing on railroad crossing safety and pedestrians trespassing on railroad property in August. 

According to national non-profit organization Operation Lifesaver, a vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S. Arkansas was ranked number 15 in a list of states that have the highest percentage of rail grade collisions in the United States. These same statistics show that 73 percent of all highway-rail crossing fatalities for 2014 occurred in just 15 states, again with Arkansas in the list ranked at 14. 

For the month of August, officials will be enforcing the rules regarding railroad safety. Lt. Curtis Wood with Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement stated that anyone who tries to risk their life trying to beat an approaching train they will be cited.

BENTON, Ark. (CADC) - Central Arkansas Development Council is currently accepting applications for the summer regular Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) utility assistance with mass intake days that begin July 6, 2015.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.— The City of Hot Springs, on Thursday, July 2, will consider approving purchase of the site of the historic Majestic Hotel, part of which was destroyed by fire February 27-28, 2014.

“The property, which is the entryway to Hot Springs from the north and which serves as the gateway to the city’s historic downtown district, is key to ongoing plans for the redevelopment of the downtown area,” said David Watkins, Hot Springs’ city manager. “Acquisition of this property presents an enormous array of great opportunities on several fronts.”

The rubble of the destroyed portion of the hotel has remained since the night of the fire. Ongoing talks with owner Gary Hassenflu of Kansas City had proven unsuccessful in getting the rubble cleared and remediating the unsafe condition of the remaining portion of the buildings. The Hot Springs Board of Directors condemned the property in March of this year.