City Court hearing set in Fire Chief's case

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled Monday night in City Court for Eunice Fire Chief Mike Arnold, charged with inappropriately touching a female volunteer firefighter.
Arnold was charged Nov. 6 with simple battery after the complainant alleged he slapped her on the buttocks area during a fire prevention presentation at a Eunice school.
The chief pleaded not guilty at arraignment. He was put on paid administrative leave by Mayor Rusty Moody following the arrest.
Moody was supposed to give the City Council his recommendation, if any, regarding Arnold’s status at a special meeting on Dec. 19.
But last-minute negotiations between Arnold’s attorney, the city and the Fire and Police Civil Service Board caused any such consideration to be delayed until an unspecified future date.