Alexander City Park trail bids received

Bids for a walking trail, to be built through the playground in Alexander City Park, are under review. Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced during the city’s January 21 council meeting, “I'm happy to report that the Richardson Engineering ... received several bid packages.”

“They're going over each bid that we received,” the Mayor continued. “They're going to do an apples and apples check and confirm the pricing. And then once they have that thorough look over, they will return us a name, ... the name of the contractor.”

In June, 2024 the City of Alexander was awarded a grant to build a 1/8-mile walking trail in the City Park. The $96,990 grant will be used to fund a six-foot wide trail, benches and engineering design. The grant will cover 100-percent of the cost of a trail that will encircle the park's playground. The city council approved applying for the grant in 2023. (See proposed trail design below.)

Funding for the grant program was acquired from Arkansas's Tobacco Settlement Fund and funneled through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. This is part of reviving the Great Strides program, which was stopped in 2017.

Engineer's rendition of proposed trail.

Also in the Mayor’s report:

New Hires

Jamie Jordan has been hired as the new code enforcement officer. The previous Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Daniel Wyatt resigned in September, 2024.

Two new police officers have been hired. Officer Myers is making has returned to take on a part-time roll. He'll be helping to fill-in for officers taking vacation and sick leave. The other new hire is Officer Burgess who will be working full-time.

Saline County Library

For those of you who use the Saline County Library kiosk in front of the Alexander Municipal Complex, and find it not working, it’s only temporary. According to Herrmann it’s due for a software update and will be working again soon.

Herrmann also reported on a grant being offered by the Saline County Library. It’s a $2,000 grant program to fund community classes.

English Spanish Classes

Indian Springs Baptist Church has plans to conduct English Spanish classes in March. The classes will be held at Community Center #2. More information will be available later.

Community Closet

Mayor Herrmann announced Gina Littlejohn and Octavia Lance are interested in starting a community closet. “So we'll be having (an) upcoming meeting about that as well.” Littlejohn is the former council member representing Ward-2.

American Legion and flags

“So I've reached out to the American Legions (Alexander Post 28) and they have agreed for (sic) the important task of raising and lowering our flags during holidays and flag occasions,” Mayor Herrmann said “They will be coming to City Hall and the City Park and they will stay on top of our flag schedule.” She also said flags will be replaced when necessary.

Next Meeting

Due to a Federal Holiday occurring on a regular meeting day, the next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Tuesday, February 18, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander shooting suspect still at-large

After one week, a suspect in an Alexander shooting has not been found. The Alexander Police Department (APD) and Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) are searching for Jose Buezo in connection to a shooting at 15711 Shirley Drive in Alexander. APD responded to the call on January 18 at 10:19 PM. Both departments consider him to be “armed and dangerous.”

According to a press release issued by the Alexander Police Department, “Officers arrived on scene and located two female victims inside the residence, one of which suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The Alexander Fire Department and Pafford Medical Services responded to the scene. Both victims were treated and transported to a local hospital for further treatment.”

“Saline County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to conduct the investigation at the request of the Alexander Police Department,” the press release stated.

Jose Buezo (23) is described as 5' 6", 150 lbs, a Hispanic male, black hair, brown eyes, with two scars above his right eyebrow and tattoos on both arms. At the time of the shooting he was wearing a dark blue or navy jacket and dark jeans.

Anyone with information on Buezo's whereabouts are encouraged to contact Detective Grogan at (501) 303-5608 Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM or, Contact the SCSO NON-EMERGENCY number at (501) 303-5648 24 Hrs.

Also, the APD recommends if anyone sees Buezo, “DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT, call 911 immediately!!!!”

Attempt to overturn Alexander Mayor’s firing of police chief fails

 (UPDATED 1/24/2025: Corrected vote by council.)

The Alexander City Council failed to veto Mayor Crystal Herrmann’s firing of former Police Chief Robert Burnett. The vote came after the council and mayor were in executive session for around 35-minutes.

The morning following the Alexander City Council’s December 16 meeting, Mayor Herrmann fired not only Robert Burnett, but Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Jonathan Hobby as well.

In a press release Herrmann stated, “On December 17, 2024, the administration of the City of Alexander determined that the Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment. As a result of the new direction, Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett, and Administrative Sargent Jonathan Hobby were terminated from the City of Alexander Police Department as their services were no longer needed within the Department.”

During the executive session one police officer was escorted by Herrmann into the private meeting. Burnett, however, was not asked to take part.

After the January 21 meeting was called back into session by Herrmann, Council Member Joy Gray explained what had just occurred.

“Basically, we have a meeting and executive session that is outside the view of the public, and then the discussion was on to whether or not to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Gray said.

She then directed a question to City Attorney Chris Madison concerning the next step.

“So what would happen is whenever the council is trying to overturn a mayor's decision, it would take a positive vote ... to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Madison said. “The second requires a two-thirds vote.”

In this case six of the eight council members would have to vote “Yes” to reinstate Burnett.

Council Member Mitchell W. Smith made the motion to reinstate Burnett. Council Member Juanita Wilson made the second.

Wilson voted “Yes.” Voting “No” were Gray, Daniel L. Bates, Angela Griffin, Amy Lyons, and Christopher Prowse. Joe Pollard was absent, which counts as a “No” vote. Smith abstained.

This may not be the last word on this issue. Both Burnetts were present at the meeting with their lawyer. Both their lawyer and Madison were seen talking during the executive session and after the council meeting had adjourned.

Saline County Sheriff’s Office issues “WANTED PERSON” bulletin in Alexander shooting

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an Alexander resident in relationship to a shooting on Shirley Drive in Alexander. The shooting occurred Saturday, January 18.

“The Saline County Sheriffs Office is requesting the assistance with locating Mr. Jose Buezo of Alexander, Arkansas,” the bulletin states. “Mr. Buezo was last seen on January 18, 2025 leaving his residence located at 15711 Shirley Drive. Mr. Buezo Should be considered armed and dangerous.”

The name and description provided by the Sheriff’s Office is,

NAME: Jose Buezo

RACE: Hispanic

GENDER: Male

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

WEIGHT: 150 Ibs.

“Mr. Buezo has two scars above his right eyebrow and tattoos on both arms,” the description continues. “Mr. Buezo was last seen wearing a dark blue or navy jacket and dark Jeans.”

Anyone with information on Mr. Buezo's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Grogan at (501) 303-5608 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or, call the NON-EMERGENCY number at (501) 303-5648 24 HRS.

Two unnamed individuals were shot. Both victims were treated by Alexander firefighters and Pafford EMS staff at the scene. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time.

Alexander council meeting moved due to Federal Holiday

Due to the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is designated for the third Monday in January, the next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held the following day, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The meeting will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The meeting is open to the public.

Following the swearing-in of any remaining elected officials, who weren’t present at the January 2 swearing-in ceremony, the agenda lists only one item of business. Under New Business is listed, “Resolution adopting the Organization of City Council with Discussion.”

However, with the firing of the Police Chief, Assistant Police Chief and Administrative Sargent on the Tuesday after the December council meeting; there is the expectation of more to the meeting than just the single listed agenda item.

Alexander Police looking for shooting suspect

Sometime during the evening of January 18, the Alexander Police Department was called to the scene of gunshots heard on Shirley Drive. According to a Facebook post issued by the police department, “The subject is described as a Hispanic male, 5'7" thin build with tattoos on both arms wearing a navy or dark blue jacket and dark jeans. The subject is considered armed and dangerous. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT, contact 911 immediately!!!!”

According to another Facebook post, by Alexander Fire/Rescue, firefighters were outside cleaning Engine 37, after returning from an earlier incident, “(W)hen they heard gun shots very close to the station. With in minutes, Engine 37 was dispatched to Shirley Drive for a reported (sic) Shooting.”

“Crews found 2 victims who were shot and began evaluating their conditions,” the post from Alexander Fire/Rescue continued. “Pafford Ambulance responded, ‘from our station’ and a (sic) additional ambulance and supervisor as well.”

Both victims were treated by Alexander firefighters and Pafford staff at the scene. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time.

Shirley Drive is in the southeast corner of Alexander. It connects Alton Drive to Regency Drive and continues until it ends near the Alexander southern city limit.

This is a developing story. Any additional information will be reported when it becomes available.

Alleged “Gang” member arrested on Alexander warrant

(Corrections to previous article, “Alexander Police arrest alleged ‘Gang’ member” published 1-7-2025 9:54 AM.)

In a previous article the Alexander Police Department was credited for the arrest of Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis Langel, January 3, 2025, on felony charges. It has since been reported he was arrested on an Alexander warrant. The arresting department and circumstances of the arrest are unknown.

The warrant was issued after the Alexander City Council meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024. The warrant was the result of an investigation of a previous crime conducted by Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett. More information can be found here by scrolling down the article.

It was the next day that Mayor Crystal Herrmann fired Police Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Hobby. She stated in a letter the, “Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment.”

 Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis
Langel Saline County Sheriff's
Dept. mug shot.

Langel was booked into the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center at 3:09 PM on January 3. According to the sheriff’s office website he was booked on “Terroristic Act - B Felony” with a Bond set at $4,500.00. Other charges filed without a bond were, “Criminal Mischief in the First Degree ($500.00 or More) – Felony, Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons – Felony, Engaging in Continuing Gang/Organization or Enterprise in the First Degree, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity (Enhancement).”

This is not Langel’s first brush with the law. According to the Deltaplex News in Pine Bluff, Langel was arrested September 7, 2022. However, the charges for his arrest are not listed.

Langel graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 2017. His last known address is in Pine Bluff.

Alexander Police arrest alleged “Gang” member

The Alexander Police Department arrested Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis Langel January 3, 2025 on felony charges. Circumstances of the arrest are unknown.

Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis

Langel Saline County Sheriff's

Dept. mug shot.

Langel was booked into the Saline County Sheriff's Office Detention Center at 3:09 PM on January 3. According to the sheriff's office website he was booked on "Terroristic Act - B Felony" with a Bond set at $4,500.00. Other charges filed without a bond were, “Criminal Mischief in the First Degree ($500.00 or More) – Felony, Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons – Felony, Engaging in Continuing Gang/Organization or Enterprise in the First Degree, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity (Enhancement).”

This is not Langel’s first brush with the law. According to the Deltaplex News in Pine Bluff, Langel was arrested September 7, 2022. However, the charges for his arrest are not listed.

Langel (26) graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 2017. His last known address is in Pine Bluff.

The Alexander Police Department has not issued a statement on the arrest.