Stories by Tracy Neal

Benton County prosecutors still denied access to woman accused of killing pregnant woman, her baby BENTONVILLE -- Prosecutors are still waiting to get access to a Missouri woman accused of killing a pregnant woman and her baby.Amber Waterman, 42, of Pineville is charged in Benton County with two co... June 5, 2023

Benton County officials seek increased capacity for incarcerated kids BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials are starting to explore expanding the county's juvenile detention center.County Judge Barry Moehring recently told justices of the peace about a proposal to ... June 5, 2023

Freedom From Religion Foundation issue warning about baptisms at Crawford County Jail VAN BUREN -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation is objecting to the baptism of 38 detainees in the Crawford County Jail and the Sheriff's Office promoting the service on its Facebook page.The fo... June 2, 2023

Four people arrested on various charges in Benton County ArrestsBenton County Sheriff's OfficeNancy Spence, 45, of South 570 Road in Colcord, Okla., was arrested Wednesday in connection with abuse of an endangered or impaired person. Spence was being he... June 2, 2023

Siloam Springs police nab Poughkeepsie man in undercover internet sting BENTONVILLE -- A Poughkeepsie man was being held in lieu of $150,000 bond in the Benton County jail on Wednesday based on accusations he arranged to meet a teen girl to have sex with her.Jerry Riggs, ... June 1, 2023

Three people arrested in Benton County on various charges ArrestsBentonvillePedro Garcia, 26, of 703 N. 12th Place in Rogers, was arrested Monday in connection with domestic battering. Garcia was being held Tuesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.... May 31, 2023

Benton County looks to build two more courtrooms for hoped-for new judgeships BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials plan to put the costs of two new courtrooms in next year's budget.County Judge Barry Moehring previously told justices of the peace about plans to move Bento... May 30, 2023

$2M deal struck in Bella Vista assisted-living center death BENTONVILLE — A $2 million settlement has been reached over a family’s wrongful death lawsuit involving the Bella Vista assisted living facility where a woman wandered away and was later f... May 28, 2023

Hyatt resigns from medical board BENTONVILLE — A Rogers psychiatrist who stepped down as chairman of the Arkansas Medical Board in March resigned from his seat on the board last week.“I am not resigning because of any wro... May 28, 2023

$2 million settlement ends wrongful death lawsuit against Bella Vista assisted living facility BENTONVILLE -- A $2 million settlement has been reached over a family's wrongful death lawsuit involving the Bella Vista assisted living facility where a woman wandered away and was later found de... May 27, 2023

Hyatt gives up his seat on state Medical Board amid Medicaid billing questions BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers psychiatrist has resigned his seat on the Arkansas State Medical Board."I am not resigning because of any wrongdoing on my part, but so that the board may continue its imp... May 27, 2023

Jury trial scheduled for August 2024 for Rogers man accused of killing child BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man had his capital murder trial delayed Thursday in the death of 2-year-old Ryland McDonald in 2021.Gustavo Enrique Peraza, 31, has pleaded not guilty to murder and battery.Hi... May 27, 2023

No need for speed: Benton County Quorum Court adjusts speed limit on some roads BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Quorum Court on Thursday approved the third and final reading of an ordinance to change all unposted speed limits on unincorporated roads to 40 miles per hour.Jay Fras... May 26, 2023

Search conducted by federal authorities of Rogers psychiatrist Hyatt’s office BENTONVILLE -- Federal authorities on Tuesday searched the office of a Rogers psychiatrist who was suspended from the Arkansas Medicaid program earlier this year, a U.S. attorney said.Agents with the ... May 25, 2023

Rogers man gets eight years in prison after admitting he killed neighbor’s dog with crossbow BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered not to own any animals after he admitted to killing his neighbor's dog with a crossbow.Charles Ferris, 54, pleaded gu... May 23, 2023

Bentonville School Board member and his sister ordered not to have contact with each other BENTONVILLE -- A Benton County circuit judge granted an order prohibiting a Bentonville School Board member and his sister from contacting each other for two years.Judge Doug Schrantz issued the order... May 23, 2023

Suicide has been confirmed as cause of death of inmate in the Benton County Jail, reports show BENTONVILLE -- A man who hung himself in his cell in the Benton County Jail, after threatening to kill himself just days earlier, wasn't on suicide watch at the time of his death, according to Lt.... May 22, 2023

Jury trial postponed until January for Pine Bluff woman accused of killing Pea Ridge police officer BENTONVILLE -- A Benton County circuit judge granted Friday a request by the defense to postpone for six months the jury trial for a woman accused of killing a Pea Ridge police officer.Shawna Cash, 24... May 20, 2023

Federal jury trial delayed for Missouri couple arrested in pregnant woman’s death BENTONVILLE -- A federal judge has delayed the trial of a Pineville, Mo., woman accused in the death of a pregnant woman.Amber Waterman, 42, is charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death.... May 20, 2023

Jury trial postponed until January for Pine Bluff woman accused of killing Pea Ridge police officer BENTONVILLE -- A circuit judge granted a defense attorney's request to postpone for six months the jury trial for a woman accused of killing a Pea Ridge police officer.Shawna Cash, 23, of Pine Blu... May 19, 2023

Fayetteville man gets 25 years in prison after ramming wife’s car with his pickup in Bentonville BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting to intentionally crashing his pickup into his wife's car and then hitting another vehicle.Billy Beasley, 48, pl... May 19, 2023

Parents claim in lawsuit Bentonville West teacher threatened their daughter BENTONVILLE -- A couple is suing the Bentonville School District over what they perceived as threats a West High School teacher directed at their daughter.Charles and Kisha Gilchrist filed the suit Tu... May 18, 2023

Proposed changes to the Benton County Administration Building presented to justices of the peace BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's justices of the peace heard a plan concerning remodeling areas of the county's administration building.Bryan Beeson, the county's facilities administrator, g... May 17, 2023

Bentonville animal services manager resigns BENTONVILLE -- Alison O'Neill, the city's animal services manager, resigned last week, Debbie Griffin, city director of administration, confirmed.O'Neill, 33, was hired as the animal servi... May 16, 2023

Benton County drug court graduate grateful for program because it saved his life BENTONVILLE -- Robert Babcock shared his story of how drug court spared him from time in prison and helped change his life.Babcock graduated in 2018 from Benton County's drug court program. He spo... May 15, 2023

Incident at Rogers hotel results in several arrests, including victim ROGERS -- Police arrested several armed robbery suspects -- as well as the victim in the case -- following an incident last weekend, according to court documents.The arrests happened May 6 at a hotel ... May 13, 2023

Incident at Rogers hotel results in several arrests, including the apparent victim in the case ROGERS -- Police arrested several armed robbery suspects -- as well as the apparent victim in the case -- following an incident last weekend, according to court documents.The arrests happened May 6 at... May 12, 2023

Sex abuse crimes involving children net 35-year prison sentence for Bentonville man BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man was sentenced to 35 years in prison after admitting to sex crimes involving several children.Matthew Russell, 35, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of rape, sex... May 11, 2023

Rogers man sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping teenage girl BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of raping a then 16-year-old girl.Kenneth Lamont Steward, 40, was charged with two counts of rape a... May 10, 2023

Benton County justices of the peace support measures to improve jail issues BENTONVILLE -- Benton County justices of the peace heard a presentation Tuesday concerning heating and air conditioning issues at the county jail.Bo Reynolds with Trane, a manufacturer of heating, air... May 10, 2023

Rogers man sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping teenage girl BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl.Kenneth Lamont Steward, 40, was charged with two counts of rape and se... May 9, 2023

Sex offender from Bentonville held on $500,000 bond after second arrest in internet sting BENTONVILLE -- A registered sex offender was arrested for the second time in a police sting targeting adults trying to meet underage children online, according to Benton County court documents.Jordan ... May 9, 2023

Registered sex offender from Bentonville held on half-million dollar bond after arrest in internet sting BENTONVILLE -- A registered sex offender was arrested for the second time in a police sting targeting adults trying to meet underage children online.Jordan Frizielle, 36, of Bentonville was arrested T... May 8, 2023

Children need special considerations when testifying in court, Northwest Arkansas judges, attorneys explain BENTONVILLE -- A 10-year-old boy took the witness stand in a Benton County courtroom to describe the abuse he had endured at the hands of a man sitting in the same room.The boy told the court Elmer Ma... May 7, 2023

Sister granted temporary order of protection against Bentonville School Board member BENTONVILLE -- A local circuit judge granted a temporary protection order against a School Board member after his sister accused him of hitting her.Judge Doug Schrantz granted the order last month aft... May 6, 2023

Infant’s death results in 10-year prison term for Rogers man in co-sleeping case BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to sleeping with his 2-month-old son and causing his death.In 2021, Vincent Heyns and his wife, Emily, lost a 4-month-ol... May 5, 2023

Three women allege abuse, threats by former Benton County sheriff’s deputy in protection order requests BENTONVILLE -- A Benton County Sheriff's Office deputy resigned last month after three women were granted orders of protection against him.The Sheriff's Office placed Michael Gnudi on administ... May 5, 2023

Infant’s death results in 10-year prison sentence for Rogers man in co-sleeping case BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to co-sleeping with his 2-month-old son and causing his death.Vincent Heyns, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter... May 4, 2023

Solar billing at the center of lawsuit against Bentonville BENTONVILLE -- A lawsuit has been filed against the city concerning its billing for net metering solar customers.Rogers attorney Joshua Mostyn and Fort Smith attorney W. Whitfield Hyman filed the laws... May 2, 2023

Benton County Sheriff’s deputies train to help kids avoid bad situations BENTONVILLE — More than a dozen law enforcement officers spent the past week learning how to teach children self-defense and to avoid dangerous situations through the radKids curriculum.Lt. Shan... May 1, 2023

Benton County Courthouse, nearly a century old, will be studied in master plan BENTONVILLE -- A grant from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program will fund a master plan for the Benton County Courthouse.The Quorum Court approved the $18,500 grant Thursday. The grant was awar... May 1, 2023

Fire department seeking feedback AVOCA -- Firefighters in Avoca want the public's feedback concerning the future of the department.The Avoca Fire and Rescue Department wants public input to discuss an increase in fire dues in the... April 26, 2023

Fire dues increase to $100 per year may be on table for Avoca Fire Department AVOCA -- Firefighters in Avoca want the public's feedback concerning the department's future.The Avoca Fire and Rescue Department wants public input to discuss an increase in fire dues in the ... April 25, 2023

Ex-Rogers coach faces jury trial in September BENTONVILLE -- A September jury trial has been scheduled for a former Rogers High School wrestling coach accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.Colton Looper, 26, of Farmington is char... April 25, 2023

Jury trial scheduled for former Rogers wrestling coach accused of sexual assault BENTONVILLE -- A September jury trial was scheduled for a former Rogers High School wrestling coach accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.Colton Looper, 26, of Farmington is charged w... April 24, 2023

Waiting on air conditioners causes a delay in Benton County offices’ move BENTONVILLE -- The moving of some Benton County offices will take a little longer than expected.Benton County's Quorum Court approved in December a plan to renovate and pay for more office space i... April 24, 2023

Sex crimes case ends in 20-year prison sentence for Rogers man BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a girl.Jerry Sowell, 51, pleaded guilty Monday to sexual assault and sexual indecency with a chil... April 19, 2023

Man admits to cruelty charge after incident with his dog, ordered to stay away from all animals BENTONVILLE -- A Louisiana man was ordered not to have contact with any animals after admitting to hitting his best friend -- his dog. Jacob Roberts, 31, of Farmerville, La., pleaded guilty Monday to ... April 18, 2023