Archive - News Article
August 2nd, 2012
One of the largest methamphetamine laboratories in the state has been discovered on an abandoned property in Sardis, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.
"It is one of the largest in Arkansas due to the amount of substance used to manufacture methamphetamine that has been discovered," Lt. Mike Frost said. "There are at least three gallons of iodine, boxes of matches, four of five generators used to turn meth oil into meth crystals and multiple other things. There are all different components here for making meth."
A Bryant woman was sentenced Wednesday to a total of 35 years with the Arkansas Department of Correction for a sex crime involving a juvenile.
Before the start of the second day of the trial, 26-year-old Michelle Logan Jones agreed to accept a negotiated "no contest" plea to a charge of first-degree sexual assault.
Saline County Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips then sentenced Jones to 20 years in prison followed by a 15-year suspended sentence. Jones will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of five years.
August 1st
Residents of Alexander will have the opportunity to vote on whether to retain Paul Mitchell as mayor of the city.
A successful petition drive has resulted in the recall question being included on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.
"I actually support this completely," Mitchell told The Saline Courier. "I believe in a recall election and holding politicians accountable. This gives the people a chance to make a decision concerning those that represent them."
July 28th
Todd Glover and Amanda Clark are a young married couple with two young children. At first glance, one might assume them to be an ordinary family with ordinary needs, but this assumption would not be accurate.
The family's circumstances are indeed such that they have extraordinary needs.
The couple's younger child, Madison, now 7 months of age, was born with a rare form of cancer that resulted in the amputation of her right arm.
Doctors at first believed the child's arm was deformed, her mother said, but examination in the coming weeks revealed much more.
It took about 10 minutes for two men to take 38 iPhones and a smart-phone notebook at the Bryant Walmart store early Tuesday, authorities said.
Walmart officials reportedly told officers from the Bryant Police Department that the amount of items taken is worth $26,832. Sgt. Todd Crowson said they do not know how the suspects were able to walk past the front doors without setting off any alarms.
A complaint Monday about a neighbor's dog escalated to a heated confrontation between Benton resident Donald Power and Mayor David Mattingly.
The incident occurred late afternoon on Pope Street, where Power resides. In the center of it all is the future of three dogs.
Power contends that three dogs belonging to his neighbor, Russ Rogers, are creating a nuisance by barking and says one dog in particular is "vicious" and charges at him.
July 27th
"This is between the residents of Bauxite and Mayor McMahan, not between him and me," says Debbi Purifoy, who is leading an effort to recall McMahan.
Purifoy has gathered approximately 130 signatures from residents in Bauxite (population 438) who apparently agree with her when she says, "We need to save this town before it's too late."
July 26th
Bauxite Mayor Johnny McMahan soon will hit the campaign trail as his name will appear on the November ballot two and a half years earlier than expected.
Resident and former Alderman Debbie Purifoy successfully led a petition drive to recall the mayor after collecting more than 100 signatures in Bauxite.
On Wednesday, Saline County Election Coordinator Linda Montalvo told The Saline Courier, "the signatures have been verified. It is a good petition."
The Bryant City Council is scheduled tonight to resume discussion of a city sign ordinance.
In late 2011 and early 2012, unsuccessful attempts were made to draft an ordinance that would draw all parties' agreement and the issue was tabled.
Chris Madison, city attorney for Bryant, plans to ask the council to resume the discussion in tonight's meeting. The ordinance is scheduled for the first of its three required readings.
Beware, thiefs in Benton. After the recent arrests of four people for property crimes, the Benton Police Department has decided to lay down a plan of action to significantly lower all crimes.
"Since June 1 there have been 134 cases of theft, burglary and breaking-and-entering crimes in the city of Benton. These incidents have not gone unnoticed and the Benton Police Department is pushing back against this trend using various resources," Lt. Kevin Russell said.
Residents might have noticed more officers in more places, and that is all part of the design.
