LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (September 18, 2014) – When the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collects fines from game law convictions, the money goes back to the county where it was collected. During Thursday's monthly Commission meeting, the agency approved a grant of more than $679,100 to the Arkansas Department of Education as a result of fines collected during the 2014 fiscal year.

The money is used to fund educational programs focused on fish, wildlife and conservation in the counties where the offenses occurred. The highest amount of fine money went to Drew County with just over $28,000. The next highest amount went to Arkansas County with more than $25,900 in fines.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.(KTHV)- Doctors and nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital are reporting a 50 percent increase in snake bites this summer.

Children's Hospital typically sees 20 to 25 snake bites a year, but already this year they've treated 30 cases. Donna Parnell-Beasley is the trauma coordinator at Arkansas Children's Hospital, and she says they're not really sure about the uptick, but wants parents to be aware.

"Children may have been outside playing more than when it's really, really hot."

Parnell-Beasley says 2014 is shaping up to be the summer of snakes

"The majority of the injuries we've seen this summer have been on feet where children step down next to a snake and a snake bites them."

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The 22nd anniversary of National Trails Day, America's largest trail celebration, is slated for June 7. Events throughout the U.S. will join this nationwide observation of America's wealth of trail types and experiences while encouraging the public to enjoy a trail. According to State Trails Coordinator Mike Sprague, "The kick off to Arkansas's celebrations will begin a week earlier on Saturday, May 31, with trail events of all kinds in Little Rock and North Little Rock. A schedule of the events slated for May 31 in the metro area is posted on the Arkansas Trails Council website at: http://www.arkansastrailscouncil.com/.