FIRST OFF . . .

Howard Rollins Jr. was free on a $5,000 bond Monday in Baton Rouge, La., after being charged with possession of crack, drunk driving and speeding, according to Louisiana state police. The 37-year-old Rollins--an Oscar nominee for “Ragtime” in 1981--was arrested Sunday after his car was allegedly clocked at speeds exceeding 100 m.p.h on Interstate 12. The actor had been filming the NBC-TV series “In the Heat of the Night” with Carroll O’Connor in nearby Hammond. When Rollins was searched, the arresting officer said he found two bags of suspected crack--cocaine in rock form. An NBC spokesman said the arrest wouldn’t affect “Heat,” a mid-season replacement that has been holding its own in the ratings--at least not right now. The network’s initial order for seven episodes has been completed, the spokesman said, adding, “It has a favorable chance of appearing in the fall; it just depends on the other pilots (for new series) and whatever happens with Howard.” The spokesman also pointed out: “The possession of cocaine (charge) is unsubstantiated at this point; it is suspected, but not proven.”