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National Night Out activities cancelled in West Memphis

Action News 5 received the following from the West Memphis Police Department:

Due to the extremely hot weather that the mid-south area is experiencing and the danger that these temperatures pose to our citizens the West Memphis Police Department has decided to cancel the National Night Out celebration that was scheduled for Tuesday August 3rd.  At this time no date has been set for the rescheduling of this event.

Hollywood Casino supports Responsible Gaming Education Week

Information provided by Hollywood Casino Tunica

On Monday, August 2, 2010 Hollywood Casino® Tunica will launch its week long “Bust the Slot Myths” educational campaign to support the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Education Week held August 2 – 6. 

This year’s American Gaming Association’s (AGA) theme, “Taking the Mystery Out of the Slot Machine,” will focus on educating casino employees and the public about how slot machines work and correcting some of the misconceptions about them. Understanding how casino games work is a key component of responsible gaming, and helping gaming employees learn more about how slot machines work is an important part of empowering them to educate casino patrons about what it means to keep it fun.

3 boys arrested in West Memphis for having realistic BB guns

WEST MEMPHIS, AR (WMC-TV) - A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, called West Memphis Police last week when she saw a 12-year-old and his 14-year-old friend in a park playing with what turned out to be a BB gun.

"It was as though they have a real pistol over here," said the woman.

Prosecutors try to link Mann to Pierce bombing

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Prosecutors are working to link Dr. Randeep Mann to a small spare tire used in the bombing of the Arkansas medical board chairman.

A handyman testified Tuesday that he went to Memphis, Tenn., with Mann and heard him discuss a spare tire with a business associate they went to see. A federal agent testified that the associate owned a 2002 Nissan Altima. A search revealed the car had a full-sized spare.

Medical Board chairman Dr. Trent Pierce was badly injured in February 2009 when a small spare tire from a 2002 Nissan Altima blew up in his driveway.

Victim in '09 bombing to testify at Mann trial

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. attorney's office says the chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board is expected to testify this week in the bombing trial of Dr. Randeep Mann.

Prosecutors say Dr. Trent Pierce is expected to testify Tuesday afternoon or sometime Wednesday. Pierce was nearly killed when a homemade bomb exploded in his driveway in February 2009 and has not spoken publicly about the blast.

Mann is accused of planning the attack in retaliation against the medical board. The board was investigating whether to revoke Mann's medical license at the time of the bombing.

Mann's trial began July 6, and his attorneys say he's innocent. No forensic evidence links Mann to the bomb found outside Pierce's home.

Telecommuting Saves $10K Per Employee Yearly

"Action News 5 received the following news letter from greenbiz.com"

Businesses that let 100 employees work half of their time from home can save more than $1 million a year according to Telework Research Network's (TRN)

Companies would save in electricity, real estate and related costs from parking lot leases, furniture, supplies, maintenance and space consolidation. Fewer unscheduled absences, less sick time and from employees working while sick or waiting for personal appointments (cable installation, delivery, etc.) that would normally result in a full day off of work.

Gun dealer says he sold grenades to Ark. doctor

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Jurors heard from a gun dealer who said he sold nearly 100 grenades to Dr. Randeep Mann, who is accused in the bombing at the home of the state medical board chairman.

Mann's defense attorneys worked Friday to show inconsistencies between 71-year-old Lloyd Hahn's testimony and earlier statements to authorities. Mann is charged with illegally possessing 98 unregistered grenades, along with bombing charges in the explosion that hurt Dr. Trent Pierce.

U.S. District Judge Brian Miller asked jurors if they wanted to see the live grenades. Three jurors indicated they didn't want the live grenades in court, so Miller said pictures and testimony about the explosives would have to suffice.

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