HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — UPDATE 12/8/2021 - The Helena-West Helena Mayor said Wednesday the city's annual Christmas parade has been rescheduled following a shooting just before the parade this past weekend.
The parade is now set for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021, beginning on Plaza and ending at the end of Sebastian.
Mayor Kevin Smith posted to Facebook that he spoke with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas State Police, who will send additional security to help local law enforcement along the parade route.
The mayor also said the additional help would allow them to "attack the out of control terroristic shootings in our neighborhoods." He went on to say they can not approve an adult curfew without a state of emergency declared by the governor.
The mayor said they are beginning the process of hiring 10 more patrol officers who will be paid for with the help of a $1 million COPS Grant.
The mayor said all the suspects have been caught in last weekend's shootings.
-----------------------------------------
12/7/2021 - The Helena-West Helena Christmas parade in the Arkansas town was canceled this weekend after a shooting.
The parade had been scheduled for Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. According to a Facebook post be the Mayor Kevin Smith, there was a shooting on Plaza Street just before the lineup began. He said it appeared the shooting was unrelated to the parade itself.
Smith said no fatalities were reported. He did not say if it would be rescheduled.
