Archive - News Article
April 16th, 2012
Bryant High School yearbook and newspaper staff members won 122 awards at the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association’s convention April 12 – 13 in Rogers, Ark.
According to Allen Loibner, ASPA director, 849 students attended the convention and more than 2,000 contest entries were submitted.
A 42-year-old Benton woman stopped a Union Pacific train for nearly an hour Thursday, but escaped unharmed, according to a Benton police report.
Along with police, Benton firefighters and the Saline Memorial Ambulance Service employees responded to the area of Edison Avenue and Gray Street about 4:40 p.m. for a call of a woman possibly struck by a train.
April 12th
A town hall meeting led by Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane and Fire Chief Bill Ford was held Thursday night to present residents a software program titled "Smart911" and to obtain feedback about the system that Lane has been researching to improve the effectiveness of the current 911 response system in Benton.
April 11th
Missing Teen update: Wiggins is back home
A teen reported missing more than a month ago is safe and back at home, according to the Benton Police Department.
Destoni Wiggins, 17, had been reported missing on March 8 when witnesses told police that she walked away from Chicken Express on Landers Drive and was not heard from since.
Wiggins mother told The Saline Courier late Tuesday that her daughter was found at the Chenault Creek Apartments in Little Rock.
According to police, no persons are being charged with any crimes at this time.
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., spent several hours in Benton on Tuesday viewing street/drainage problems and also met with city leaders about two major upcoming projects — the implementation of a four-year degree program and a facilities expansion at UALR-Benton Center and the construction of an events center/hotel project adjacent to Tinseltown Cinema.
Pryor's visit began at City Hall, where he connected with Mayor David Mattingly, who accompanied the senator throughout his visit in the city.
April 10th
A jury trial was set on Monday for Myra Fay Terry, who allegedly helped coverup a murder and helped the killer temporarily evade law enforcement.
Terry, 54, of Hot Springs Village faces charges of hindering apprehension, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence in the Oct. 8, 2010 death of Joe Lee "Joey" Richards Jr. of Benton. As of press time, Terry remains in the Saline County jail and is expected to have a jury trial on May 22-23 in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Gary Arnold.
April 9th
Step into Margaret Sorrows’ classroom and within 30 seconds, it is clear the profound impact the journalism adviser of 33 years — 21 of which have been at Bryant — has had on her students. Framed award certificates and plaques border the walls. Autographed photos and notes of students long-graduated, vie for prominent placement on the esteemed adviser's desk, shelves, tables and bookcases.
April 4th
A town hall meeting will be held on Thursday by the Benton Police Department to present a life saving service called Smart911.
"There is a vast amount of opportunity for our 911 service. Smart911 could provide faster, safer public safety response that could save lives," Police Chief Kirk Lane said. "We want to first educate the public about the program. Then we want people to give feedback and input on if we should pursue this or not."
April 3rd
The Saline County Striders will host its third annual Run with the Dogs 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 21, in the Hurricane Lake Estates subdivision of Benton.
A one-mile Dog and Jog will follow at 9 a.m.; all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Saline County.
"This is a great partnership we have with the Humane Society because we are able to get the word out, and they can use the funds the best way they see fit to help the animals of Saline County," said Jayme Butts-Hall, Strider and race co-director.
Highly decorated Korean War veteran Walter Rhodes of Saline County is now serving as the chaplain for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Association of Arkansas.
Rhodes recently spoke about his military experiences for a meeting of Provincia de la Sal Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
He retired with the rank of lieutenant after serving in Korean and Germany.
