Latest news with #RebeccaCowan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Felony charged reduced for former Fort Smith city internal auditor hire
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The felony charge for a Fort Smith woman recently hired as the city's internal auditor and subsequently fired has been reduced, according to Oklahoma court documents. Rebecca Cowan, 48, was previously accused of felony stalking in Oklahoma. Court documents filed in LeFlore County say on March 15, 2023, a man identified as Cowan's husband received a notification on his phone that there was an Apple AirTag near him. The man went to a friend's house, and they found the tag zip-tied under his truck. Fort Smith human resources director retires amid internal auditor hiring controversy Authorities later found that the AirTag was linked back to Cowan's phone number. The man said he was divorcing Cowan at the time and this was not the first time he had been tracked by her, according to the affidavit. A detective with the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office spoke with Cowan over the phone to get her side of the story. Cowan said she only put an AirTag in her daughter's bag. The detective tried to contact Cowan multiple times two weeks later, but she reportedly did not answer any of the calls, the affidavit said. The husband's friend gave a statement detailing where they found the AirTag and said Cowan had a previous history of stalking. Cowan was arrested in connection with that case in Sebastian County on June 7, 2024, and was transferred to LeFlore County on June 10, 2024. Court records say on May 21, LeFlore County District Attorney Tim Webster filed to dismiss the felony stalking charge and added a misdemeanor violation of the Computer Crimes Act charge. WATCH: Video shows inmate's attack on Sebastian County Sheriff's deputies Cowan is set to appear in court on July 2. Cowan's time as the internal auditor for the City of Fort Smith was short-lived. The Board of Directors appointed Cowan as the city's internal auditor on April 22, and she was set to start on May 27. Days after her hiring, Cowan's stalking charge became public and, on April 24, the board voted in a special meeting to terminate the agreement between Cowan and the city. A statement from a city spokesperson said that the city was aware of media reports concerning Cowan. 'The applicant disclosed references to ongoing legal issues as part of her application materials,' the spokesperson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fort Smith's incoming internal auditor facing felony stalking charge in Oklahoma
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Fort Smith's incoming internal auditor is set to appear in court in Oklahoma for a felony stalking charge next month, according to court documents. On Tuesday, the Fort Smith Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution to hire Rebecca Cowan for the position of internal auditor with an annual salary of $110,000. According to Talk Business & Politics, Cowan, 48, is facing a felony stalking charge in Oklahoma. Court documents filed in LeFlore County say on March 15, 2023, a man identified as Cowan's husband received a notification on his phone that there was an Apple AirTag near him. The man went to a friend's house, and they found the tag zip-tied under his truck. Authorities later found that the AirTag was linked back to Cowan's phone number. The man said he was divorcing Cowan at the time and this was not the first time he had been tracked by her, according to the affidavit. Man accused of Fort Smith double homicide pleads not guilty A detective with the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office spoke with Cowan over the phone to get her side of the story. Cowan said she only put an AirTag in her daughter's bag. The detective tried to contact Cowan multiple times two weeks later, but she reportedly did not answer any of the calls, the affidavit said. The husband's friend gave a statement detailing where they found the AirTag and said Cowan had a previous history of stalking. Cowan was arrested in connection with that case in Sebastian County on June 7, 2024, and was transferred to LeFlore County on June 10, 2024. She is set to appear in LeFlore County court in Poteau on May 21. Cowan's start date as internal auditor for Fort Smith is set for May 27. The city of Fort Smith responded to Cowan's arrest with a statement. The City of Fort Smith is aware of recent media reports concerning Rebecca Cowan, who was appointed as the City's Director of Internal Audit on April 22. The applicant disclosed references to ongoing legal issues as part of her application materials. As this involves a personnel matter and a personal, active legal situation, the City of Fort Smith will refrain from further comment until that process is complete. City of Fort Smith Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sevierville Police lieutenant dedicated to building trust one person at a time
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Stopping a driver going the wrong way down a one-way road before an accident happens is how the day began for Lt. Rebecca Cowan, Sevierville Police Department's Community Resource Commander. She is on a mission to help the people she serves. When she's in her cruiser, she's patrolling with a purpose, making regular visits to Sevier County Food Ministries. At the warehouse, she takes time to bow her head during the morning prayer, thinking of those she's come to help by picking up a grocery cart full of food to take to those in need. $125K donated to support 'state-of-the-art' healthcare training center in Knoxville 'Rebecca has the biggest heart that you could ever imagine. She looks out for a lot of people and no one realizes how much she knows about our community and who needs help,' said Sevier County Food Ministries Director Jim Davis. Cowan not only hand delivers food to people, like Teresa Branham, she makes sure she knows them and knows their stories. 'She takes time out of her real busy day to call me at least twice a day,' Branham said. 'It means the world to me because my family lives in Michigan and my daughter lives in Kentucky and I don't know what I'd do without her.' Cowan is building trust in the community one person at a time. It's not always easy. 'What breaks my heart is when I'm eating at a restaurant and I hear a family say, 'you need to act better or that cop's going to take you to jail.' It just breaks my heart because if that child is in trouble, they're not going to go to the police.' 'Making our parks more welcoming and inviting': Tennessee State Parks hires accessibility coordinator Cowan has received recognition from the state for her work in child safety as a certified car seat instructor, and too many awards to count for other leadership roles inside the department and out. 'I want to see a difference,' she said. 'I want to help people.' Cowan's commitment has earned the respect of Chief Joseph Manning and her fellow officers who worked together to nominate her as one of WATE's Remarkable Women of 2025. 'She is an outstanding police officer. She is a great communicator for our city. She represents Sevierville in the best way,' Manning said. How one woman's efforts helped restore Knoxville's only national landmark Cowan was also instrumental in getting a state law passed to increase punishment for shoplifters caught with tools to help them with their crimes; so-called 'booster bags' and tools to remove sensors. She also chairs the Sevier County Relay for Life every year, and organizes other community events to encourage a positive relationship with police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
