Tracy Neal | Staff

Benton County courts, crime[email protected]

Recent stories by Tracy Neal

Rainy day ride OK for some rally-goers at Bikes, Blues & BBQ in downtown Rogers ROGERS -- Rain didn't deter some motorcyclists from coming to downtown Rogers to enjoy Bikes, Blues & BBQ on Friday.Doc Gee of San Bernardino, Calif., said he came to last year's event, wh... September 23, 2023

Former Rogers City Council candidate accused of stealing from church’s cemetery fund to pay for personal and campaign items ROGERS -- A former candidate for the City Council is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a church's cemetery account and using some of the money for his campaign and personal expenses.Bi... September 22, 2023

Pea Ridge man facing child porn and drug charges BENTONVILLE -- A Pea Ridge man is accused of being the moderator of at least two chat rooms for pedophiles, according to court documents filed Tuesday in Benton County Circuit Court.Robert Sterling Ha... September 20, 2023

Former Siloam Springs choir teacher placed on probation after admitting to having sex with student BENTONVILLE — A former choir teacher was placed on probation and ordered never to work as a teacher again after he pleaded guilty to having sex with one of his former students.Ethan Wells, 29, p... September 20, 2023

Former Rogers wrestling coach gets jail time for sex with student BENTONVILLE — A former Rogers High School wrestling coach apologized Wednesday for having a sexual relationship with a student before he was sentenced to probation and 57 days in jail.Colton Loo... September 20, 2023

Moehring seeks 50% more money for legal costs in Benton County in next year’s budget BENTONVILLE -- Benton County Judge Barry Moehring submitted his operational budget during Tuesday's budget meeting, including a 50% increase in funding for legal costs.The focus of the meeting was... September 20, 2023

Benton County to pay poll workers more as presidential election looms BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Quorum Court approved a pay increase for poll workers that will be included in the 2024 budget.The justices of peace approved the increase at Monday's Budget Commi... September 19, 2023

Ochoa, after obtaining marriage license, pleads guilty to murder in Siloam Springs drive-by shooting case BENTONVILLE -- A Gentry man was sentenced to 100 years in prison after deciding to plead guilty to killing one person and injuring another in a drive-by shooting instead of letting a jury decide his f... September 16, 2023

Siloam Springs detective testifies Ochoa’s phone was used to do search on drive-by shootings BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs police detective testified someone used Francisco Ochoa's cellphone to search about drive-by shootings shortly before one person was killed and another was injured ... September 15, 2023

Witness testifies about drive-by shooting in Siloam Springs BENTONVILLE — A witness testified she didn’t see who fired shots killing one woman and injuring a girl, but she recognized the car since Francisco Ochoa drove the car to her home.Serenity ... September 14, 2023