MENA POLICE REPORTS

July 2

A report of found property was taken at a residence on Sampson Avenue. If you are missing a bicycle, contact the police department.

July 3

A report of violation of a protection order was taken at Mena Short Stop.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

July 4

Michael Wing, 40, was charged with Domestic Battery 3rd, Endangering the welfare of a minor, Public Intoxication, Cruelty to animals, Resisting Arrest and served with a warrant after a disturbance call on 10th Street.

James Lane, 44, was served with warrants at Budget Inn.

July 5

A report of theft was taken from a walkin complainant.

July 6

Timothy Hooks, 37, was served with warrants on Oak Street.

Amanda Carter, 29, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

July 7

Richard Smiley, 65, was charged with Criminal Trespass and Public Intoxication on Sherwood Avenue.

Jaimie Urban, 31, and Vonny Essman, 51, were both charged with Theft at Walmart. Jason Myers, 32, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

A report of harassment was taken from a walk-in complainant.

July 8

Timothy Robertson, 36, was charged with Violation of a Protection Order, Fleeing, Absconding, and Resisting Arrest after a disturbance call on Church Avenue.

A report of harassment and disorderly conduct was taken at McMillan Park Pool.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

Former HHS vice principal accused of sexual assault will appear for trial

By Patrick Massey

A former Horatio High School administrator charged last year for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a student is set to appear before a jury later this month.

According to court records, 41-yearold Labrada Vann is scheduled for a

Motorcycle fatality on Highway 8 West

By Ethan Nahté

Shannon D. “Kuntry” Burden, age 44, of Hot Springs, passed away Friday, July 7, while riding a 2018 Harley Davidson.

According to investigating Arkansas State Trooper Cpl. Bo Hayes’ police report, at around 6:19 p.m. Burden was driving eastbound on Highway 8 West. He entered a right-hand curve and crossed the centerline. He lost control and traveled off the north side of the highway. The bike proceeded down a steep embankment and overturned. Burden was taken to the emergency room at Mena Regional Hospital and pronounced deceased at 7: 18 p.m. by Doctor Razman.

The police report stated the weather conditions were cloudy and the road conditions dry.

Burden was a rigger in industrial construction by profession. He was also the owner of Kuntry’s Blue Collar Bar & Grill in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In addition to riding motorcycles, he was an outdoorsman, enjoyed fishing, hunting, drinking, playing pool and shooting guns. He was an animal lover and he loved spending time with his kids. jury trial on July 26 for a single count of sexual assault. A trial was previously continued following a motion by her defense attorney — including on one occasion to allow the state to perform a mental evaluation on Vann.

Funeral service was held Thursday, July 13. Interment was at the Johnson Creek Cemetery in Black Fork, Arkansas, under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Vann was arrested in April of 2022 on a felony count of first-degree sexual assault. During the time of the alleged incident Vann served as the vice-principal for Horatio High School. She has maintained a plea of not guilty to the charge since her arrest.

According to court records, Vann’s attorneys sought a mental health evaluation to determine if she could stand trial in the sexual assault case. The evaluation was conducted in February and results returned in March deemed Vann was fit to continue as a defendant.