Elderly man, 90, killed in Paragould
PARAGOULD - Paragould police said an elderly man is dead after an early morning home invasion.
Shortly before 6 a.m.
Monday, officers were called to a home in the 800 block of East Court Street. Authorities said police found 90-year-old Clinton Mason suffering from a gunshot wound.
Mason was taken to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
Jonesboro television station KAIT reported that authorities are investigating whether the Monday shooting is connected to a reported home invasion Sunday night. Paragould Police Cpl.
Brad Snyder said a woman reported that two men brandishing handguns knocked on her door at 11:45 p.m., asking to use the phone.
The woman reported that the men forced their way into her home and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS2 sentenced
in benefits plot
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.
- Two people have been sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal disaster benefits after a deadly tornado hit Joplin in May 2011.
Wanda G. McBride, 51, of Joplin was ordered Friday to spend six months in federal prison without parole. The Joplin Globe reported that 30-year-old Ronald M. Irby of Joplin was sentenced earlier this month to 15 months in prison.
McBride also must pay $5,628 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison stint. Irby’s prison term is to be followed by five years of supervised release, and he must pay $5,114 in restitution.
Both pleaded guilty to disaster claim fraud in July.
Prosecutors said both made false claims about tornado damage. McBride obtained temporary rental assistance and Irby a temporary housing unit.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPolice: No suspect in casino shooting
TULSA - Tulsa police said no one was injured when someone fired shots at River Spirit Casino.
The casino was placed on lockdown for about 1 1/2 hours Sunday night as authorities searched for the shooter. No one has been arrested.
River Spirit Casino spokesman Bob Dimmick said one bullet pierced a glass window. Casino patrons were kept inside as a precaution.
The casino reopened at about 10:15 p.m. Sunday.
Police said they have no suspects. Tulsa police, Creek Nation security and the FBI are investigating.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Airport receives grant for damages
MAGNOLIA - The municipal airport in Magnolia has received a $27,000 grant to repair and replace lighting that was damaged by a thunderstorm earlier this year.
The grant is from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. The Banner-News reported that a lightning strike damaged the airport’s lighting on the runway and taxiway in April.
Officials said all but fiveof the runway and taxiway lights were blown out in the storm.
Officials said the grant will pay for the replacement of the lights and for the purchase of a new current regulator that’s used to operate the lights. The grant will also pay for repairs to the airport’s rotating beacon.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Dead birds a puzzle in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.
- Springfield residents are baffled over dozens of dead birds found at a local intersection over the weekend.
The Springfield News-Leader reported 50 or more dead birds were first spotted Saturday on a 50-foot section of roadway.
Many of the birds were identified as starlings. One woman who lives near the intersection said she noticed them about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service told local broadcasters that there was no volatile weather that would have caused the mass kill.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSInformation sought
in triple homicide
INDEPENDENCE, Mo.
- Independence police are looking for a man who might have information about a triple homicide last week and would like the public’s help in finding him.
Police said 32-year-old Antonio Cervantes III knew several people who lived at the home where three people were killed Friday. The Kansas City Star reported 48-year-old Maria Hernandez, her 20-year-old son Antonio Hernandez and Thomas Madrigal, whose age was not available, were killed in what investigators said was not a random attack.
A fourth person was critically wounded after at least two armed men invaded the home. That victim’s name has not been released.
Police said one gunman was a light-skinned Hispanic man with light-colored hair and a stocky build. A second gunman wore mostly dark clothing and had his face covered.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArrest made
in woman’s death
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man has been arrested in the killing of a woman whose body was found in a trash can.
The Kansas City Star reports that the 50-yearold suspect was taken into custody Saturday in Blue Springs.
Kansas City police said the body of 40-year-old Wanda Benenhaley was found Friday. The Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.
Police said the suspect has denied any involvement in Benenhaley’s death. Witnesses said the victim and suspect had been drinking with other people Friday night. The suspect is accused of pinning Benenhaley to the floor, striking her and strangling her.
Police said the suspect then placed Benenhaley’s body in a trash can and dragged the container across the street.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 10 on 11/20/2012