Archive - News Article
March 6th, 2013
A couple camping at Lyle Park in Benton failed to leave as instructed by Benton police and now face charges of criminal trespass.
At 10:30 a.m. on March 3, Officer Mike Connell responded to a call from residents in the area who had contacted the police about the situation. Upon arrival at Lyle Park, Connell found a tent with a car parked in front of it and instructed the occupants to step outside and speak to him.
According to the police report, a man, later identified as Landon Miller, eventually "opened the tent flap.”
The Bryant RadioShack was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday, and authorities are still looking for the suspect.
Witnesses said the robber, who wore a hoodie and camouflage mask, came into the store and demanded money, according to a news release from the Bryant Police Department.
The RadioShack employee opened the register drawer and the suspect took the cash and fled. Officers searched the area and were unable to locate anyone.
They are searching for a white male estimated to be about 5'10" and between the ages 25 and 30 years old.
March 5th
Bonnie Vocque, 28, was up late studying. Her family was asleep. At 1:30 a.m. Monday, the sound of smoke alarms broke the silence of her family's rural Saline County home.
Four hours later, the family's world had changed.
When she heard the alarms, Bonnie awakened her husband Luke, 33, and her daughters, Aubrie, 12, and Lacy, 11.
"The house was filled with smoke. We got the girls and went outside," she said. "Luke dialed 911 and shortly after he placed the call, the windows blew out. The whole house was engulfed."
Two Benton High School Band students recently performed with the Little Rock Wind Symphony in "An Organ Extravaganza!" at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
Hunter Law and Paul Davis, both senior percussionists, were asked to play by the symphony after Benton Band Director Trisha Sterling recommended them.
"I've been a member of the Little Rock Wind Symphony for eight years," Sterling said. "They asked me if I had any percussionists that were the caliber to play with them, and I said I had two."
March 4th
Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane and Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay were recognized recently by Christopher R. Thyer, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Christopher Henry, special agent in charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, for their partnership in the Financial Crimes Task Force.
Since 2011, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office has received $101,893.24 and the Benton Police Department has received $97,290.02 in shared funds.
Lane says his department has had a detective assigned to this unit for more than two years.
Photos by Matt Burks/Saline Courier.
Clockwise from left:
Actors recreating Civil War events prepare their muskets before the start of the 10th annual Civil War Gun and Artifacts Show on the grounds of the historic Shoppach House on Main Street in Benton on Saturday.
The event was hosted by the David O. Dodd Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans. From left are David Glenn, Brent Carr and Jimmy Glenn, all of Benton, and Miguel Cook of Texas.
Two women dress in period costume.
The actors fire a replica cannon.
March 1st
A barn fire at the home of Cowboy Church pastor Greg Spann resulted in the complete destruction of the structure Friday afternoon. Spann and his wife, Francis, returned home from lunch to find the barn in flames and completely engulfed. Two horses were in the barn at the time, but escaped after Spann opened the barn door. Neither horse was burned, but Spann called a veterinarian to check the horses for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Units from the Turtle Creek, Haskell and Traskwood fire departments responded to the call.
Cast members of Bauxite High School's spring musical, "Fame Jr.," are ready for the show. Performance times are set for 7 p.m. today and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults and $3 for students. The audience is encouraged to wear 1980s attire for a chance to win a door prize. Chelsea Massey is director and choreographer, Ray Morris is director of music, and Sharyla Thompson is music assistant. Photo by Maribeth Bueche/Saline Courier.
An early morning rollover accident on eastbound Interstate 30 near the 116 exit has traffic blocked. A tractor trailer rig rolled over onto its side, blocking all eastbound lanes. A second rig pulling two trailers jackknifed but remained upright. No injuries were reported. Highway Police officials at the scene say it will be several hours before the highway is cleared and urge motorists to find alternate routes.
February 28th
The men’s and women’s high school swim teams from Bryant had a strong showing at the State Championship swim meet on Saturday. The men’s team finished 11th out of 25 teams and the women’s team finished 6th out of 31 teams.
