Archive - 2013 - News Article
April 16th
WRECK UPDATE: Sgt. Todd Crowson of the Bryant Police Department said the driver of the 18-wheeler that was traveling westbound and left the road on the northbound side of Interstate 30 was a female driver and was taken to Baptist Regional Medical Center via MedFlight around 11 a.m. this morning.
Arkansas sophomore Hunter Mickelson will not be a part of the Razorbacks basketball squad next year, according to his father. Darien Mickelson, Hunter's dad, said that his son will be transferring away from UA at the conclusion of the 2013 spring semester.
Mickelson set the freshman shot-blocking record two seasons ago with 72 while averaging 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in 548 minutes as a freshman.
An 18-wheeler ran off the service road on the northbound side of Interstate 30 earlier today. The vehicle was traveling west, behind Ashley's Furniture in Bryant.
Traffic in the area is congested, as local authorities continue to deal with the incident.
Sgt. Todd Crowson with the Bryant Police Department said when the accident was reported the witness informed police that the driver of the truck was unconscious.
The Arkansas House on Tuesday approved a plan to use federal Medicaid funds to buy private insurance for low-income residents, with many Republicans saying the approach is the best way to maintain some control over provisions of a new federal health care law they still oppose.
The private-option plan was presented to legislators in two parts, with one part including language authorizing the plan and a second part setting up the funding. The funding element finally won its needed three-fourths vote in the House, though it still needs to be approved by the same margin in the Senate.
The Benton Police Department has release the mugshot of Benjamin Spears, 33, of Benton. Spears was arrested for allegedly sending an email to the Benton Police Department demanding "a large sum of money" or he would kill one random person per day until his demands were met. Full details of the investigation and arrest are in the April 16 edition of The Saline Courier.
The Benton Police Department has arrested Benjamin Spears, 33, of Benton on felony charges of terrorism, criminal attempt to commit theft of property and computer fraud. Spears is alleged to have sent an email to the Benton Police Department demanding a large sum of money and if his demand was not met, he would kill one person per day until he received the money. A full report of the story can be found in Tuesday's Saline Courier.
April 15th
Alexander resident Nate Smith, director of public health programs and state epidemiologist at the Arkansas Department of Health, participated in the Boston Marathon today. The Boston Marathon website shows he finished the race at about 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, just moments before two explosions went off near the finish line, killing two people and injuring 23.
House Bill 1219 failed in the Arkansas House of Representatives to gain the 75 votes needed for passage. The bill, which allocates funds to the Department of Human Services and includes the Medicaid expansion funding, was rejected by a vote of 69 against, 28 for, 2 non-votes and 1 member voting 'present.'
Saline County legislators were divided in their vote. Rep. Mayberry and Rep. Davis voted for the bill. Rep. Hammer voted against. Rep. Clemmer was a non-vote.
The Boston Marathon says that bombs caused the two explosions heard at the finish line and that organizers were working with authorities to determine what happened.
Organizers made the announcement on the groups' Facebook page on Monday.
Authorities have headed onto the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the site.
Town Hall Meeting Tonight
Saline Memorial Hospital Classroom 1
7:00pm
State Representatives Ann Clemmer and Kim Hammer invite you to a public forum tonight to provide information about the Medicaid expansion and the private option. Special guests include John Selig, Director of Department of Human Services, Andy Allison, Director of Medicaid and other experts.
The meeting is open to the public and attendance is encouraged.
