Publication
Bauxite graduate Abby Beene earns ALL-SCAC honors at University of the Ozarks
CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — A former Bauxite High School standout is among three University of the Ozarks women’s basketball players to receive postseason honors from the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Junior guard Abby Beene, a Bauxite graduate,...
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Saline County Conservation District awards 2026 Dave Ferguson Scholarship
The Saline County Conservation District has awarded its 2026 Dave Ferguson Scholarship to recognize local students committed to conservation and natural resource stewardship. The district selected Ada Huchingson, a junior at Saline County Christian...
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Robertson finishes ahead of Friend, but sheriff’s race resets for runoff
Dustin Robertson and Richard Friend will advance to a runoff election in the Republican primary for Saline County sheriff after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote Tuesday night. According to unofficial results from the Saline County...
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Mailers in House District 82 race spark dispute between Brown, Furman
BENTON — Mailers circulated by incumbent Rep. Tony Furman’s campaign in the Republican primary for Arkansas House District 82 are drawing criticism from challenger, Benton Alderman Steve Brown, who says the claims misrepresent his record and...
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Benton City Council remembers Alderman Donnor
BENTON — The Benton City Council paused Monday evening to honor council member William “Bill” Donnor, who died Feb. 16 at age 68, recognizing his long service to the city and the community he called home. Donnor’s chair sat pushed back from the...
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Benton Courier owner L.B. White left lasting mark on Saline County history
L.B. White was an important figure in modern Saline County history, known as a longtime newspaperman and owner of The Benton Courier. Much of the historical information about White comes from his obituary published in the Arkansas Gazette in March...
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Sharon Extension Homemakers Club discusses mental health, prepares events for America’s 250th birthday
Sharon Extension Homemakers Club met Feb. 19 at the Saline County Extension Office due to demolition taking place at the fairgrounds. In attendance were 12 members. Hostesses were Peggy Price and Linda Townsend. Lynda Westbrook opened the meeting by...
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BAMM week starts Feb. 22
Benton Mayor Tom Farmer has officially declared the week of February 22–28, 2026, as BAMM Week, the traditional kickoff for next Saturday’s event. The Benton Athletic Memorial Museum will be celebrating its Tricennial Year with the 30th Annual Wall...
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Saline County unveils $15 million in public safety upgrades, including jail expansion and 911 improvements
Saline County Judge Matt Brumley, joined by Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright and Chief Deputy Dustin Robertson announced the completion of nearly $15 million in public safety enhancements, including the completion of the Saline County Jail expansion...
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Panther Pride
Inclusive young leaders in the SOAR with Unified program, Kynslee Yount, Aubree Oxley, Elizabeth Baird, Jersie Sheeks, Harper Arnold, Colt Lutz, Brooklynn Marshall, Easton Sellers, Olivia Baird, Martha Schlau, Gabby Brown, Presleigh Burns, Laiken Ross...
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‘Mr. Benton’ remembered as community gathers to honor Junior Curtis
“He was the best person I have ever seen play in front of my face,” Cassius-morrell Camanse-curtis said of his father, Junior Curtis. For Camanse-curtis, memories of his father did not begin in a packed gym in Benton, but in Hawaii, inside...
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Brooklyn Kuchinski emerging as leader for Benton Lady Panthers
BENTON — Brooklyn Kuchinski may be listed as a 5-foot-9 guard, but the Class of 2026 standout plays wherever she is needed. The Benton junior is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game this season. She is shooting 38%...
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Friend campaigns for Saline County sheriff on proactive policing, fiscal restraint and transparency
Richard Friend, current England Chief of Police, is seeking the Republican nomination for Saline County sheriff in 2026, citing his local roots, military service and experience in municipal, county and federal law enforcement. The seat is open...
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Sheriff Rodney Wright cites decades of public service in bid for Senate District 16
Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright is seeking the Republican nomination to represent District 16 in the Arkansas Senate, citing more than three decades of public service and experience with the real-world consequences of state policy. The seat is...
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Benton High cheer champions to be inducted Feb. 28 into BAMM Wall of Fame
The Benton Athletic Memorial Museum Board of Directors, along with Executive Director Donnie Burks, announced that the Benton High School cheerleading teams that won national and state championships in the 2009-10 and 201213 seasons will be inducted...
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Benton standout Sahara Stamps parlayed growth into title, Henderson State signing
Sahara Stamps’ volleyball journey has been defined by growth, resilience and a steady rise into one of Benton’s most reliable front-row players. A 5-foot-8 middle blocker in the Class of 2026, Stamps helped Benton capture the 5A state championship...
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Farmer delivers State of the City address “The state of the city is good, and ready for a greater year in 2026.”
Citing a seventh straight year of declining crime, Benton Mayor Tom Farmer highlighted public safety, economic growth and solid city finances during a State of the City address Monday night. The City Council’s January meeting was rescheduled due to...
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Saline County committee weighs stricter animal control rules after dog attacks
The Saline County Public and Safety Committee met Monday night to discuss a draft of a new animal control ordinance. The discussion comes after multiple incidents, including the June 2025 death of 15-year-old Makayla Fourtner, who was killed in a dog...
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Benton Planning Commission to review school zoning changes
The City of Benton Planning Commission will meet tonight at 6 p.m. to consider a series of rezoning requests, variances and development proposals during its regular meeting at Benton City Hall. According to the agenda, the commission will hear two...
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Fire departments, volunteers mobilize as Southwest Water outage affects hundreds
SALINE COUNTY —Fire departments from Lonsdale, Haskell, Turtle Creek, Salem, Lake Norrell, Magnet Cove, Tull, Morning Star and Crow’s mobilized across Saline County this week to help restore water service to residents affected by a prolonged outage in...
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Rodeo arena roof collapses at Saline County Fairgrounds
On Tuesday, at the Saline County Fairgrounds, the roof of the rodeo arena collapsed due to the weight of accumulated snow and ice, prompting county officials to close the facility and begin assessing the extent of the damage. “It is county property,...
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Benton’s Laci Bohannan becomes first Benton graduate to play Arkansas volleyball
After four seasons of volleyball at the University of Central Arkansas and a career shaped by injuries, Benton native Laci Bohannan reached a crossroads. Bohannan entered the NCAA transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. A medical...
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Storm shuts down county offices, closes schools, forces meeting cancellations
A winter storm continued to disrupt government operations and schools across Saline County as county and city officials urged residents to stay off the roads and remain home unless travel is necessary on Monday. Saline County Judge Matt Brumley issued...
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BAMM announces 2026 scholarship recipients
The Benton Athletic Memorial Museum Scholarship Committee will honor the Tom & Betty Hardin Class of 2026 scholarship winners at the 30th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Benton High School cafeteria. The banquet serves as a...
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Clancy receives Spirit of Bryant award
The Greater Bryant Chamber of Commerce introduced a new honor at its annual banquet this week, presenting the first-ever Spirit of Bryant Award to longtime Bryant High School coach Shane Clancy. The award recognizes a Bryant High School graduate who...
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Junior Auxiliary of Saline County to host Charity Gala fundraiser Feb. 7 in Benton
Charity Gala, the Junior Auxiliary of Saline County’s largest annual fundraiser supporting programs for children across Saline County. The Junior Auxiliary of Saline County will host its largest fundraiser of the year, bringing back their annual...
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“Building bridges, not barriers”
Community members march along a Benton street during the Unity Parade and Block Party on Saturday, Jan. 17, carrying signs reflecting this year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers,” as part of events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin...
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