Archive - 2012 - News Article
November 21st
The world is so much smaller now that it was when I was younger. Of course, the size of the world hasn't changed, but technology has made neighbors of us all. We are a society of instant news and information, constantly bombarded with tweets, updates, likes and breaking news.
Today, Americans pause for Thanksgiving. A time in which we take stock and express our gratitude to those in our lives that we cherish the most. We think about family, friends and thank God for the many blessings we have.
*Published Tuesday, Nov. 20 in The Saline Courier. A small selection of local stories is available online, but for full access to content, subscribe to our print or electronic edition. 315-8228
A Traskwood man convicted of murder two decades ago pleaded guilty today to helping bury the body of a man in 2008, but he will not be serving additional jail time because of that act.
November 19th
People of many faiths came together Sunday night to worship and express gratitude in the annual Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Saline County Ministerial Alliance.
The setting was Butler Auditorium on the Benton High School campus.
An offering taken at the service raised $1,390.69 to be given to the Churches Joint Council on Human Needs.
Saline County Chaplain Tamra Gore, representing CJCOHN, explained that the number of area residents needing help from the agency has risen this year.
November 16th
A Saline County woman remains hospitalized with serious injuries after being attacked by multiple dogs, authorities said.
The same dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl just days before, yet the dogs are allowed to remain at the owners' home due to the lack of a county animal control program.
November 15th
A former Bryant teacher who was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for the alleged sexual assault of a minor has a new court date.
Courtney Speer, 31, was not present Tuesday in Benton's District Court, but her lawyer attended on her behalf. Speer is scheduled for an appearance on Dec. 18.
A former administrative assistant for the Benton Parks Department pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of felony computer fraud, falsifying business records and theft of property.
Saline County Circuit Judge Gary Arnold sentenced 58-year-old Kitty Smith to serve 36 months of probation, pay a $750 fine and court costs of $150.
She also must serve 40 hours of community service and make restitution to the city of Benton.
November 12th
Arkansas voters passed Issue No. 1 in Tuesday's general election.
As a result, a half-percent sales tax will be implemented throughout the state for improving roads.
Revenue generated from the tax will finance improvements to streets, bridges and roads, but primarily will be used to pay for a four-lane highway system statewide.
The issue received approval from 58 percent of Arkansas voters. That constitutes 592,980 votes. In Arkansas, 42 percent of Arkansas voters, constituting 425,733 votes, were opposed to the issue.
Last summer when Michelle Finney's mother was a patient at Saline Memorial Hospital, she had several opportunities to see the 2012 GMC Acadia parked near the hospital entrance.
The car was at the site to promote an upcoming fundraiser for the SMH Foundation and the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The promotion for the vehicle, being donated by Everett Buick GMC, involved selling $100 chances— 500 of them — to raise money for the effort.
November 10th
When the famous quote "War is Hell" is heard, many associate it with soldiers on the battlefield. But for many Vietnam War veterans, there is an association with "hell" being on American soil.
Forty-six years ago U.S. Marine Cpl. Bill Scrimager, today 68, was severely wounded in the Vietnam War. He watched his best friend die before his own eyes. He lost an eye, was severely burned, and he lost his hearing. After a year in a Navy hospital in San Diego, Calif., Scrimager returned home and enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1969.
A Saline County resident is in critical condition and a Benton man has been arrested after a motorcycle crash early Friday, authorities said.
Lt. Kevin Russell, public information officer for the Benton Police Department, said about 12:30 a.m. officers responded to the north service loop of Alcoa Road for a report of a motorcycle accident. The driver, 40-year-old John Bunton of Benton, reportedly fled the scene on the motorcycle, leaving the passenger behind.
