Tracy Neal | Stories

Search for jurors continues in trial for Bella Vista man accused of killing his 6-year-old son BENTONVILLE -- Three more people were selected Friday to serve on the jury for Mauricio Torres' capital murder trial, bringing the total chosen to five.Torres, 53, of Bella Vista is charged with c... February 4, 2023

Search for jurors continues in trial for Bella Vista man accused of killing his 6-year-old son BENTONVILLE — Two more people were selected Friday morning to serve on the jury for Mauricio Torres’ capital murder trial, bringing the total chosen to four.Torres, 53, of Bella Vista is c... February 3, 2023

Jury selection for trial begins BENTONVILLE — Two people were selected Thursday to serve on Mauricio Torres’ third capital murder trial.The proceedings were slated to begin Monday but were postponed because of the weathe... February 3, 2023

Jury selection begins in Bella Vista’s man third trial on charges he abused his son to death BENTONVILLE -- Two people were selected Thursday to serve on Mauricio Torres' third capital murder trial. The proceedings were slated to begin Monday but were postponed because of the weather. The att... February 2, 2023

Two people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsRogers• Bryan Gibson, 53, of 452 Weston St. in Pea Ridge, was arrested Tuesday in connection with aggravated assault on a family or household member. Gibson was being held Tuesday in the B... February 1, 2023

Warmer weather expected as slippery roads persist across Northwest Arkansas Northwest Arkansas drivers had to deal with icy roads Tuesday morning after sleet pummeled the area Monday.A gradual warmup, though, is expected by the end of the week.Roads conditions had improved a ... January 31, 2023

Sleet pummels Northwest Arkansas, making roads hazardous Northwest Arkansas drivers are expected to awaken this morning to the same slick road conditions as Monday and Tuesday, and officials have the same advice if they do: Stay home.Sleet mixed with freezi... January 31, 2023

JPs tasked with finding ways to ease Benton County jail overcrowding BENTONVILLE -- Justices of the peace plan to begin discussing how to pay for a Benton County jail expansion and the increased operating costs that would come with more space.The Detention and Faciliti... January 30, 2023

Jury selection to begin Monday as Bella Vista man accused of killing his son goes on trial for a third time BENTONVILLE -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the third trial for a Bella Vista man accused of killing his 6-year-old son.Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 53, is charged with capital murder ... January 29, 2023

Woman accused of threatening a witness in Rogers attempted murder case BENTONVILLE -- A Dardanelle woman was being held in lieu of $100,000 bond after she was arrested on charges accusing her of threatening a witness in an attempted murder case.Estefany Ileana Mendez, 32... January 29, 2023

Founder of transitional living facility in Gravette accused of sexually assaulting resident BENTONVILLE -- A Gravette man and convicted sex offender who founded a faith-based sober transitional living facility is accused of sexually assaulting one of the residents.Thomas Gilman Hartman, 53, ... January 29, 2023

Jury selection to begin Monday as Bella Vista man accused of killing his son goes on trial for a third time BENTONVILLE -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the third trial for a Bella Vista man accused of killing his 6-year-old son.Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 53, is charged with capital murder ... January 28, 2023

Beaver Lake Fire Department board wants special election to decide on increasing rates by $50 yearly BENTONVILLE -- A special election may be called to help fund the Beaver Lake Fire Department.Larry Smith, the chairman of the board for the Fire Department, told justices of the peace at Thursday'... January 27, 2023

Founder of transitional living facility in Gravette accused of sexually assaulting resident BENTONVILLE -- A Gravette man and convicted sex offender who founded a faith-based sober transitional living facility is accused of sexually assaulting one of the residents. Thomas Gilman Hartman, 53,... January 27, 2023

Woman accused of threatening a witness in Rogers attempted murder case BENTONVILLE -- A Dardanelle woman is being held on $100,000 bond after she was arrested in connection with threatening a witness in an attempted murder case.Estefany Ileana Mendez, 32, is in the Bento... January 25, 2023

Girlfriend accused of threatening a witness in Rogers attempted murder case A Dardanelle woman is being held on $100,000 bond after she was arrested in connection with threatening a witness in an attempted murder case.Estefany Ileana Mendez, 32, is in the Benton County Jail. ... January 24, 2023

Judge refuses to lower bond for Rogers couple charged after second child died while all slept in the same bed BENTONVILLE -- A local circuit judge refused to lower the bond for a couple accused of causing their child's death while sleeping with him.Judge Robin Green denied requests from the attorneys for ... January 24, 2023

King was ‘empowered by love,’ speaker tells audience at Northwest Arkansas Community College event BENTONVILLE -- Fayetteville City Council member D'Andre Jones challenged Northwest Arkansas Community College students Monday to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."Dr. King was a rad... January 24, 2023

Murder charge makes Gentry teen no ordinary kid, prosecutor argues BENTONVILLE -- A Gentry teen will be tried as an adult in a shooting where one girl was killed and another injured, Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green ruled Friday.Francisco Ochoa, 19, is charged... January 21, 2023

Defense attorney requests new trial after claiming prosecutor refers to him as better rapist than his client BENTONVILLE -- An attorney claimed a deputy prosecutor referred to him in front of a jury as a better rapist than his client.Ben Catterlin made the statement Friday, shortly after a jury recommended h... January 21, 2023

Former employee of children’s shelter found guilty of raping 10-year-old resident of shelter BENTONVILLE -- A jury on Friday found a former employee for the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter guilty of raping a 10-year-old shelter resident.Hunter De La Garza, 24, of Little Flock was ac... January 20, 2023

Bentonville man gets 30 years in prison for 20 counts related to child pornography BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday for possessing child pornography.Johnathan Dial, 46, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of distributing, possession or viewing mat... January 19, 2023

Bentonville man gets 30 years for 20 counts related to child pornography BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday for possessing child pornography.Johnathan Dial, 46, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of distributing, possession or viewing mat... January 18, 2023

Hutchinson released from custody after posting $50,000 bond in Benton County BENTONVILLE -- The son of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was released Sunday from the Benton County jail after posting a $50,000 bond.William Asa Hutchinson III, 47, was arrested Friday on charge... January 18, 2023

Rogers School Board votes to close Garfield Elementary ROGERS -- The Rogers School Board voted Tuesday to close Garfield Elementary after the 2023-24 school year.Superintendent Jeff Perry made the recommendation at Tuesday's School Board meeting, and ... January 18, 2023

Son of former governor released from custody after posting a bond in Benton County BENTONVILLE – The son of former Gov. Asa Hutchinson was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $50,000 bond.Williams Așa Hutchinson III, 47, was arrested Friday in connection with ... January 17, 2023

Reprimands OK’d in rape trial BENTONVILLE — A circuit judge will allow prosecutors to show jurors some reprimands of a former Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter employee for his contact with children.Judge Brad Karr... January 15, 2023

Prosecutors can show reprimands in former Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter employee’s rape case BENTONVILLE -- A local circuit judge will allow prosecutors to show jurors some reprimands of a former Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter employee for his contact with children.Judge Brad Karre... January 14, 2023

Beating up young boy nets 30 years in prison for Siloam Springs man BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting to injuring a 3-year-old boy.Rolando Obispo Jr., 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to domestic battering.Obispo was a... January 13, 2023

Beating up 3-year-old boy nets 30 years in prison for Siloam Springs man BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting to injuring a 3-year-old boy.Rolando Obispo Jr., 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to domestic battering.Obispo was a... January 12, 2023

Former Centerton shelter director won’t face criminal charges for killing two dogs CENTERTON -- Local prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Centerton's former animal shelter director for euthanizing two dogs.Capt. Christopher Kelley with the Centerton Police Depa... January 8, 2023

Former Centerton shelter director won’t face criminal charges for killing two dogs CENTERTON -- Local prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Centerton's former animal shelter director for euthanizing two dogs.Capt. Christopher Kelley with the Centerton Police Depa... January 7, 2023

Former Centerton shelter director won’t face criminal charges for killing two dogs BENTONVILLE -- Local prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Centerton's former animal shelter director for euthanizing two dogs.Capt. Christopher Kelley with the Centerton Police De... January 6, 2023

Police say Oklahoma man arranged to pick up teen for ‘sex acts’ but got them instead SILOAM SPRINGS -- An Oklahoma man was arrested after showing up at a park where police say he arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy.Ronald Jones, 60, of Colcord is free on $100,000 bond. He was arrested ... January 6, 2023

Oklahoma man arranges to pick up teen for “sex acts,” but gets Siloam Springs police instead SILOAM SPRINGS -- An Oklahoma man was arrested after showing up at park where police say he had arranged to meet a 14-year-old boy.Ronald Jones, 60, of Colcord is free on $100,000 bond. He was arreste... January 5, 2023

Just trying to get his BMW back, says Rogers man held in shooting BENTONVILLE -- Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green ordered Tuesday a Rogers man accused of a shooting to be held on an $800,000 bond.Cory Franklin Thompson, 28, was arrested in connection with att... January 4, 2023

Rogers sixth-grader gets new wheelchair for cross-country ROGERS -- Angel Flores loves being part of the running club at Greer Lingle Middle School in Rogers.Robert Hill, the school's cross-country coach, said Angel's mom was waiting with her 11-year... December 27, 2022

Family dog kills newborn, prosecutor says CAVE SPRINGS — Police are investigating the death of an infant who was killed by the family dog last week, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan SmithCave Springs Mayor Randall Noblett said ... December 21, 2022

Family dog kills newborn, prosecutor says CAVE SPRINGS -- Police are investigating the death of an infant who was killed by the family dog last week, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith Cave Springs Mayor Randall Noblett said Wedn... December 21, 2022

Pilot, passengers walk away from Harrison airplane crash HARRISON -- A airplane carrying two people crashed Monday near Harrison.The Beech Bonanza aircraft was headed to the Boone County Regional Airport when the plane lost an engine and went down a half mi... December 21, 2022

Cheney, in Bentonville appearance, says people need to be held accountable for Jan. 6 BENTONVILLE -- Congresswoman Liz Cheney was the guest speaker Monday at a Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art event hours after the House Jan. 6 committee recommended the Justice Department pursue ... December 20, 2022

Benton County sheriff’s deputy dies in crash BENTONVILLE -- A Benton County sheriff's deputy died Saturday morning during a motorcycle escort crash, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.Detective Paul Daniel Newell, 51, ... December 18, 2022

Benton County sheriff’s deputy dies while on duty in collision with truck in Bentonville BENTONVILLE -- A Benton County sheriff's deputy died in a traffic accident Saturday while on motorcycle escort duty.Detective Paul Daniel Newell, 51, of Gravette was escorting the Wreaths Across A... December 18, 2022

Northwest Arkansas police officers, deputies build bonds with kids while taking them Christmas shopping BENTONVILLE -- Christmas came early for dozens of children in Northwest Arkansas. Their gifts weren't delivered by a big, jolly man in a red suit, but by those wearing badges and uniforms.Law enfo... December 17, 2022

Siloam Springs mother pleads guilty to allowing toddler’s abuse BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs woman will terminate her parental rights after admitting to allowing the abuse of her then 3-year-old son.Brianna Setser, 24, pleaded guilty Monday to permitting the ab... December 15, 2022

Springdale woman, 25, arrested in connection with aggravated assault ArrestsRogers• Jessica Hernandez, 25, of 311 Brushwood Ave. in Springdale, was arrested Tuesday in connection with aggravated assault. Hernandez was being held Tuesday in the Benton County Jail w... December 14, 2022

Rogers couple pleads not guilty in child’s death while co-sleeping BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers couple pleaded not guilty to charges of causing their child's death when sleeping with him.Vincent Heyns, 24, and Emily Heyns, 21, are charged with charged with manslaughte... December 13, 2022

Lake Bella Vista dam will be removed in settlement of lawsuit, pending Bentonville City Council’s approval BENTONVILLE -- An agreement has been reached that would allow the city to remove the Lake Bella Vista dam.The city and Cooper Realty Investments reached an agreement to end the legal battle over the d... December 13, 2022

Siloam Springs woman pleads guilty to permitting the abuse of son, forfeits parental rights BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs woman will terminate her parental rights after admitting to allowing the abuse of her then 3-year-old son.Brianna Setser, 24, pleaded guilty Monday to permitting the ab... December 13, 2022

Six people arrested on various criminal charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsBenton County Sheriff's Office• Steven Roberts, 36, of 600 S. Brown St. in Wewoka, Okla., was arrested Saturday in connection with battery and aggravated assault and battery. Roberts w... December 13, 2022

Stories by Tracy Neal