Archive - News Article
January 19th, 2013
A man described as a "legend" among local law enforcement is to be buried today at Old Rosemont Cemetery in Benton.
The graveside service for Sam E. "Pokey" Gipson will follow a 2 p.m. funeral at Ashby Funeral Home.
Gipson, 73, died Monday, Jan. 14, at his home in Benton.
He had had a lengthy career in police work, retiring from both the Benton Police Department and the Saline County Sheriff's Office.
It was 12 days ago that three Saline County residents were arrested by Saline County Sheriff deputies for allegedly holding three women hostage inside a trailer in Alexander and beating them.
The father of one of the suspects told The Saline Courier that his son was wrongfully arrested and fears this incident could send 23-year-old Eli Wilson to prison.
January 18th
Ian Shuttleworth, a senior football star for the Bryant High School Hornets, was awarded the coveted Paul Eells Award during the 2012 Landers Award Ceremony on Wednesday.
The show was broadcast from the studios of KATV Channel 7 and included 13 of the top high school athletes in Arkansas. The award, part of the annual Landers Award presentation, recognizes a football player who overcomes obstacles and displays the spirit of the game.
Cleanup of debris from the Christmas Day winter storm is continuing throughout Saline County.
The city of Benton has been collecting curbside yard debris sporadically along roads and by request, according to the Benton Street Department. A comprehensive pickup effort, however, will begin in the middle of next week.
Benton residents may call the street department at 776-5990 to have their names put on a list to ensure the city is aware they have debris that is ready to be picked up, according to the department.
January 16th
Saline County Quorum Court voted late Tuesday to levy an annual voluntary $5 tax on every tax statement for real property in the county for the purpose of financing animal control services in the county.
Ten justices of the peace supported the ordinance that drew harsh criticism from Mark Kizer, who represents District 3 on the court. Also voting against the ordinance were Dr. Allan Dabbs of District 5; and Mike Creekmore of District 11.
January 15th
Two matters dealing with animals in unincorporated areas of Saline County will be on the agenda late Tuesday for members of the Saline County Quorum Court.
One is an ordinance levying an annual voluntary $5 tax on real property to establish animal control services in Saline County. The ordinance states that the Arkansas attorney general, in an opinion, has determined that a county quorum court can establish a voluntary tax by ordinance.
January 14th
Longhills Inc. is seeking a declaratory judgment in Saline County Circuit Court in regard to a 1986 covenant that restricted the use of the property to a golf course and related activities, such as a tennis court, swimming pool and pro shop.
This action is sought through a lawsuit filed by Longhills stockholders, which include Jeff and Mary Jean Busken and Jeff and Sam Hamm.
The owners are asking the court to stop the enforcement of the covenant.
January 11th
UPDATE: A man that allegedly robbed a Shell Superstop in Benton on Thursday was arrested by Little Rock police late Saturday.
As of press time, 20-year-old Daniel Glenn Caple remains in the Pulaski County Regional jail. He faces two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of theft of property, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of terroristic threatening by Benton police. Additionally, Caple faces charges of aggravated robbery and theft of property by the Little Rock Police Department.
Caple will be extradited to Saline County jail, authorities said.
Benton city officials have released information about street changes related to ongoing improvements being made to Lower Military Road.
On Friday, Jan. 11, Military Road traffic between Smithers Drive and Northshore Drive will be shifted over onto new lanes, Mayor David Mattingly announced.
The old road will be closed to through traffic at this time.
Access to the old roadway for businesses and their customers may be obtained at the Smithers or Northshore intersections, based on the business location, he said.
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) says he is optimistic about the nation's economy, but pointed out that "housing needs to come back."
Pryor's comments came Wednesday morning during a break in a tour of Bryant High School. His visit also included stops at the Saline County Airport in Bryant, the Saint-Gobain facility currently under construction on Cyanamid Road and a meeting with the Saline County Economic Development Corp.
