Stories by Tracy Neal

Rutherford honored as Benton County Administration Building dedicated in his honor BENTONVILLE -- Former Benton County Judge Bruce Rutherford was honored Thursday when the county's Administration Building was dedicated in his honor.Rutherford died in 2017.Heather Rutherford unve... September 30, 2022

Fayetteville man accused of murder and abuse of corpse FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man was arrested Monday in connection with the disappearance and death of a woman.Kacey Jennings, 28, was arrested in connection with capital murder and abuse of a corps... September 28, 2022

Man arrested, partner gone FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man was arrested Monday in connection with the disappearance and death of a woman.Kacey Jennings, 28, was arrested on charges of capital murder and abuse of a corpse aft... September 28, 2022

Northwest Arkansas arrest roundup ArrestsBenton County Sheriff's Office• Hector Perez-Valencia, 43, of 905 S. B St. in Rogers was arrested Tuesday in connection with sexual assault. Perez-Valencia was being held Tuesday in th... September 28, 2022

Fayetteville man accused of murder and abuse of corpse FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man was arrested Monday in connection with the disappearance and death of a woman.Kacey Jennings, 28, was arrested on charges of capital murder and abuse of a corpse aft... September 27, 2022

Bentonville man arrested, accused of neglecting his dog BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man was arrested after his dog was taken into protective custody and a veterinarian reported the animal was starved due to negligence, according to court documents.Thomas ... September 27, 2022

Northwest Arkansas arrest roundup ArrestsFayetteville• Hanna McCool, 23, of 2100 B Shannon Drive, No. 12, in Farmington, was arrested Friday in connection with aggravated assault on family or household member and domestic batteri... September 27, 2022

Benton County planners deny request for glamping site due to concerns about impact on Beaver Lake BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Planning Board on Wednesday voted to deny a plan for a "glamping" site near Beaver Lake.The planners had two options: vote to approve or deny the proposal. T... September 22, 2022

Attack on homeless man in Siloam Springs results in 40-year prison sentence BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs man had his second jury trial in less than a year, and it ended Wednesday the same as the first one -- with guilty verdicts and a prison sentence.Donald Mouse, 21, was ... September 22, 2022

Bella Vista man “has nothing further to say” to victim’s mom before sentencing in murder BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista man was sentenced to 132 years in prison after admitting he forced his way into a man's home and killed him.Zachary Avans, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, ... September 20, 2022

Scam involving phony CIA agent costs Rogers woman $54,000 BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars in a plot that supposedly connected her with drug trafficking and a CIA agent.She reported the incident to Rogers police Sept. 9.S... September 19, 2022

Phone scammers target, deceive Rogers woman BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars in a plot that supposedly connected her with drug trafficking and a CIA agent.She reported the incident to Rogers police Sept. 9.S... September 19, 2022

Judge says prosecutors OK to use phone, Google search evidence in murder case involving Rogers man BENTONVILLE -- A local circuit judge ruled Friday prosecutors may use the evidence obtained from two cellphones and Google searches against a Rogers man accused of killing a 2-year-old boy.Judge Brad ... September 17, 2022

Council passes resolution supporting tax increases to fund jail expansion in Benton County BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday supporting the ballot questions to expand and operate the Benton County Jail."I a... September 16, 2022

Council passes resolution supporting jail expansion in Benton County BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday supporting the ballot questions to expand and operate the Benton County Jail."I a... September 15, 2022

Rogers man sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder charge BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.Zackary Whitcomb, 21, of Rogers, was originally charg... September 14, 2022

Police arrest three in connection with hindering in case involving Rogers girl’s death ROGERS -- Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl earlier this year.Keith Foster, a spokesman for the Rogers Police Department, announced the arrest... September 14, 2022

Former John Brown University student gets probation in firearms, explosives case BENTONVILLE -- A former John Brown University student was placed on one year of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to possessing explosives.Timothy Bernice Constantin, 24,... September 14, 2022

Police arrest three for hindering in case involving Rogers girl’s death ROGERS -- Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl last spring.Keith Foster, a spokesman for the Rogers Police Department, announced the arrests of t... September 13, 2022

Former JBU student gets probation in firearms, explosives case BENTONVILLE -- A former John Brown University student was placed on one year state supervised probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to possessing explosives.Timothy Bernice C... September 13, 2022

Beaver Lake boat collision kills Lowell man BENTONVILLE -- A man was killed after two boats collided on Beaver Lake.The crash happened at 8:30 p.m. Friday, said Keith Stephens, a spokesman for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.Joe Seargeant... September 13, 2022

Sexual abuse nets 60-year prison sentence for Springdale man BENTONVILLE -- A Springdale man was sentenced to 60 years in prison for sexually abusing a girl. Gary Messick, 50, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of sexual assault. The plea was under an agree... September 9, 2022

Woman says Rogers man tried to put bag over her head and attempted to kidnap her ROGERS -- A Rogers man was arrested Monday in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a woman as she walked from work.Dennis J. Mulhern, 49, was being held Thursday in the Benton County Jail with ... September 9, 2022

Rogers man arrested, accused of attempting to kidnap woman ROGERS -- A Rogers man was arrested Monday in connection with attempting to kidnap a woman as she walked from work.Dennis J. Mulhern, 49, was being held Thursday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,... September 8, 2022

Benton County planners hold off on glamping site decision after neighbors, water district express opposition to project BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Planning Board on Wednesday night delayed voting on a plan for a glamping site.The planners voted 5-0 after a public hearing to delay voting for two weeks to get more ... September 8, 2022

Bentonville woman dies after trying to save boy BENTONVILLE -- The woman who attempted to save an 11-year-old boy swept into a storm drain died Saturday.The boy, Alexander "Cade" Law, died Aug. 29 after being pulled into the storm drain a... September 7, 2022

Rogers man gets 30-year sentence for murder BENTONVILLE -- Anthony Ballett on Tuesday was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his estranged wife's boyfriend.A jury of seven men and five women found Ballett guilty of second-degree mu... September 7, 2022

Woman dies after Bentonville storm drain rescue attempt BENTONVILLE -- The woman who attempted to save an 11-year-old boy swept into a storm drain died Saturday.The boy, Alexander "Cade" Law, died Aug. 29 after being pulled into the storm drain t... September 6, 2022

Benton County jury still weighing verdict in ’19 killing BENTONVILLE -- A jury deliberated for several hours Friday but did not reach a verdict in Anthony Ballett's capital murder trial.Prosecutors waived the death penalty in the case, so if convicted o... September 4, 2022

Deliberations end Friday with no verdict in Bentonville murder trial for man accused of stabbing romantic rival 13 times BENTONVILLE -- A jury deliberated for several hours Friday but did not reach a verdict in Anthony Ballett's capital murder trial.Ballett, 42, is charged with capital murder. Prosecutors waived the... September 3, 2022

Rogers wrestling coach arrested, accused of having sex with student; district says he has resigned ROGERS -- A Rogers High School wrestling coach was arrested Thursday in connection with accusations he had sex with a student last year.Colton Looper, 26, of Farmington was being held in the Benton Co... September 2, 2022

Avoca man, 83, gets two life sentences for raping two girls BENTONVILLE -- An 83-year-old Avoca man was handed two life sentences for raping two girls.Fred Kimball was found guilty Wednesday of two counts of rape. The jury later recommended he be sentenced to ... September 2, 2022

Both sides rest in Bentonville murder trial BENTONVILLE -- Prosecutors rested their case Thursday after presenting two days of testimony to try and prove Anthony Ballett acted with deliberation and premeditation when he stabbed a man to death.B... September 2, 2022

Former teacher, coach in Rogers arrested in connection with sexual assault ROGERS -- A former Rogers high school wrestling coach was arrested Thursday in connection with felony sexual offenses.Colton Looper, 26, of Farmington was being held in the Benton County Jail with no ... September 1, 2022

Avoca man, 83, sentenced to life for raping two girls BENTONVILLE -- An 83-year-old Avoca man will spend the rest of his life in prison for raping two girls.Fred Kimball was found guilty Wednesday of two counts of rape. The jury later recommended he be s... September 1, 2022

Authorities round up registered sex offenders in Benton County, accuse them of noncompliance BENTONVILLE -- A total of 46 registered sex offenders who were not in compliance with registration requirements in Benton County have been arrested, authorities said.Benton County Prosecuting Attorney... September 1, 2022

Up to 30 victims of ex-youth minister in sex case possible, Benton County court told BENTONVILLE -- Police suspect a former youth minister may have had inappropriate contact with up to 30 boys, according to two Bentonville detectives.The detectives testified Friday at a bail hearing f... August 28, 2022

Former Bentonville youth minister accused of sex crimes with multiple boys BENTONVILLE -- Police suspect a former youth minister may have had inappropriate contact with up to 30 boys, according to two Bentonville detectives.The detectives testified Friday at a bond hearing f... August 27, 2022

Man held on $750,000 bond in Bentonville murder case BENTONVILLE -- A Bentonville man is being held on $750,000 bond after his arrest in connection with a shooting that left another man dead.Hunter Kimbro, 33, was arrested Thursday in connection with fi... August 27, 2022

Jury vetting to begin in Bentonville murder case BENTONVILLE -- Attorneys will begin Monday questioning prospective jurors for Anthony Ballett's murder trial.Ballett, 42, is charged with capital murder. He's accused of killing 25-year-old Ke... August 27, 2022

Lawsuit points finger at assisted living facility in Bella Vista woman’s death BELLA VISTA -- The family of a Bella Vista woman who went missing and was later found dead has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the assisted living facility she wandered away from last year.Atto... August 26, 2022

Rogers man sentenced to 25 years in prison for raping 5-year-old boy BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 25 years after admitting to raping a 5-year-old boy and to producing child pornography.Michael LeClaire, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday to rape; producing, di... August 26, 2022

Sales tax increases will be on November to pay for jail expansion BENTONVILLE -- Sales tax increases to pay to expand and operate the Benton County Jail will be on the November ballot.The Benton County Quorum Court approved the third reading of the ordinances that w... August 26, 2022

One person dies after shooting in Bentonville BENTONVILLE -- Police are investigating a man's shooting death, according to a news release from the Bentonville Police Department.Police responded at 11:43 a.m. Thursday to the 300 block of Rose ... August 25, 2022

Lawsuit filed in case of Bella Vista woman who died after wandering from facility The family of a Bella Vista woman who went missing and was later found dead has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the assisted living facility she wandered away from last year.Attorneys Sean Keit... August 25, 2022

West Fork woman receives 15 years for her role in killing BENTONVILLE -- A West Fork woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in a 2020 homicide.Lydia Riggs, 23, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in the death of Lavonte Jackson. ... August 25, 2022

Bella Vista man sentenced to 25 years in prison for rape BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting to raping a girl.Shawn Vanzandt, 43, pleaded guilty Monday to rape. His plea was under an agreement Tom Marks, Vanz... August 24, 2022

Rogers man gets 74-year sentence for beating, kidnapping woman BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 74 years in prison after being found guilty of felony charges related to beating and kidnapping a woman.Gene Jackson Jr., 37, was found guilty of kidnappin... August 21, 2022

Jury trial scheduled to begin in Ballett murder case BENTONVILLE -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Friday for a Rogers man accused of stabbing another man to death.Anthony Wayne Ballett, 42, is charged with capital murder. Prosecutors have waived ... August 21, 2022