Archive - 2012 - News Article
September 27th
Benton District Court Judge Mike Robinson has sentenced 48-year-old Sheila Blair to two days in jail for violating terms of her parole.
Since 1995, Blair has racked up a total of 10 DWI arrests and a slew of various charges, including endangering the welfare of minor.
In conjunction with Blair's latest arrest by Bryant police on Monday for public intoxication and disorderly conduct, she is scheduled to appear in Bryant District Court on Nov. 7.
Horton's Orthotics and Prosthetics will hold a day of fishing for children with disabilities and their families.
The event is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bishop Park pond in Bryant.
The event, called "Wheeling 'em in," is free. Reservations are required, however, and the deadline is Oct. 15.
"There are a lot of programs for children with disabilities, but a lot of times the children with physical disabilities get left out," said Tonya Horton of Horton's Orthotics and Prosthetics.
September 26th
Several retired teachers from Caldwell Elementary School formally introduced a fundraising campaign Tuesday during two assemblies at the school.
The project will benefit Heifer International, a nonprofit, humanitarian organization that works to end hunger and poverty while caring for the land.
Heifer pursues its mission by providing livestock, seeds, trees and training in animal well-being and environmentally sound agricultural practices to families in more than 50 countries, including the United States.
Benton resident Sheila Blair has been in and out of Saline County courtrooms, jail and prison since the mid-1990s with offenses including 10 DWI arrests, endangering the welfare of minor, filing a false police report and other crimes.
A Bryant man accused of shaking his 4-month-old baby to death has not been cooperative with detectives, authorities said.
Devin Dewayne Hunt, 23, is facing a charge of capital murder (which is applicable when a victim is 14 or younger and the defendant is 18 or older). As of press time, he is being held without bond in the Saline County jail . He is scheduled to appear via video feed for a bond hearing today in Benton District Court .
September 24th
Downtown Benton Association's third semiannual Creative Arts Festival drew a steady stream of visitors Saturday morning.
Organizers said optimum weather conditions apparently contributed to the success of the event.
"Everyone seems to be having a good time," said coordinator Wanda Posey.
Dianne Roberts, who operates an art studio in the old Gingles store building where Books 7 Baubles now is housed, said she was pleased with the response the event was driving.
Original artwork was displayed at the event, including some created by Roberts' students.
September 20th
Women of Saline County have eight days to apply for the Benton Police Department's Citizens Police Academy that not only plans to empower women, but give them a chance to have fun.
"My daughter went through the Junior Police Academy in high school a few years ago, and she has been wanting to do it again," former participant Jeff Morse said. "She had a really good time, and when I saw an opportunity to go through it myself, I took it. I feel very fortunate to get this opportunity."
Some tickets remain for Friday night's concert featuring Tony Witt, an international award-winning Elvis tribute artist, and Branson entertainer "Sting" Ray Anthony.
The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and may be purchased in advance by calling KingSized Entertainment at 501-952-6005 or by visiting: www.tonywitt.com.
September 19th
Representatives from Republic Services Inc. and Terracon Consulting Engineers and Scientists spoke Monday with the Bauxite City Council concerning issues at the city's sewer facilities.
Mayor Johnny McMahan explained that there have been multiple violations from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality concerning the sewer facilities.
"The sewer facilities have violations dating back to 2003 and at some point ADEQ is going to stop forgiving us," he said.
Saline County Clerk Freddy Burton's office has reported the unofficial results of Tuesday's annual school election.
The Bryant School District was the only district in the county with contested races.
Scott Hart drew 69 percent of the vote to win Bryant's At-Large Position A. He defeated Rose Seawright.
Michael Daly won At-Large Position B by drawing 570, or 61 percent, of the vote in a three-way race against Scott Smith, who received 313, or 34 percent, of the votes, and Daniel Bone, who received 51, or 5 percent.
The remainder of the candidates ran unopposed.
