Off-Duty State Trooper Shoots and Kills Alleged Intruder

(SHERWOOD, Ark.) -- Authorities in Sherwood say an off-duty Arkansas State Trooper shot and killed a man who allegedly broke into the trooper's home on Wednesday.

The incident reportedly happened Wednesday morning at a residence located on Maelstrom Circle. Investigators say the alleged intruder awoke the trooper when he broke into the home, and the lawman opened fire, killing the man.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Arkansas Schools Receive Federal Grant for Fourth Year in a Row

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) -- The Arkansas Department of Higher Education announced a $1.5 million federal grant used to improve colleges and universities across the state has been renewed for a fourth straight year, according to the Arkansas News.

According to the department, 300 high schools participated in a program called "Say Go College Week" in 2011 which uses the federal grant money to serve students in lower-income counties.

The funding is part of a federal student assistance program from the College Access Challenge Grant.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Arkansas Red Cross Trucks Readied for Hurricane Irene Relief

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) -- Seven Red Cross trucks from Arkansas are in queue and ready to respond to those affected by Hurricane Irene’s intended path through North and South Carolina, according to ABC News Little Rock affiliate KATV-TV.

Disaster crews from the Arkansas cities of Blytheville, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Tontitown departed Wednesday morning for the Carolinas.

More than 70 Red Cross trucks have been sent out in anticipation of disaster relief efforts.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

$1.9M Grant for Economic Development and Housing Program

(WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $2 million to Southern Bancorp Capital Partners in Arkadelphia to bankroll an economic development and housing program.

The $1,998,621 award is a Rural Innovation Fund Comprehensive grant that will be pumped into the program, which aims to support existing business and entrepreneurs and give supportive services and incentives to homeowners.

Officials say the money will go towards projects such as a new downtown Helena-West mixed-use retail and housing development, a loan loss reserve and business loan fund, and a small business incubator.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Little Rock Blaze Kills 90 Rabbits and Cats

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) -- Officials are investigating a blaze Monday evening that claimed the lives of close to 90 animals.

Little Rock Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Ralph Tobin says he believes around 60 rabbits and 30 cats that homeowner Deborah Craig cared for died in the fire.

Craig, whose horses and dogs survived the fire, was in Michigan at the time of the fire.

Fire officials are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze, but it is believed to have originated from an electrical malfunction.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio