Latest news with #BentonCounty
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deputies report ‘wild' night of rattlesnakes, scorpions and chases near Tri-Cities
Nature proved to be as challenging as the search for a couple of suspects this weekend for Benton County deputies. A sheriff's official described it this way in a Facebook post early Monday: 'Night shift was wild this weekend.' In one incident, deputies were trying to arrest a man for some felony warrants when he stripped out of his clothes and jumped into the Yakima River in Benton City. He managed to elude even a Pasco police dog by hiding in the 'seaweed,' in the river, said the post. But he was found and arrested hours later by another shift of deputies. In a separate case, deputies were called about a burglary in Finley and spotted a suspect fleeing into a ravine. They used a drone to track him, and he eventually surrendered after realizing escape was unlikely, said the post. But deputies had to dodge rattlesnakes and scorpions getting to him to make the arrest, they said, posting photos of the encounters. Officials had yet to release the suspects' names or charges. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Arkansas city where first ever Walmart opened sees population boom
By A quiet southern town has suddenly seen its population explode and it may all trace back to the moment it became known as the birthplace of the first-ever Walmart store. Rogers, Arkansas , once a quiet Southern town known only for being the site of the first-ever Walmart store, is undergoing a major transformation with a population boom turning it into one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Located in Benton County, Rogers has seen a rapid influx of new residents. The US Census Bureau ranked the Northwest Arkansas area as the 22nd fastest-growing metro in the nation. The population jumped from 591,895 people in 2023 to 605,615 in 2024 - with people lured by affordable real estate, strong schools, scenic parks and a thriving job market. It all started when the first-ever Walmart opened its doors on July 2, 1962 in Rogers – then called Wal-Mart Discount City. Though that original store closed long ago, the company's footprint and influence remains strong in the region. Its corporate headquarters is located nearby in Bentonville and continues to shape the local economy and housing market. Mayor Greg Hines told Daily Mail the city is growing for all the right reasons. 'Rogers is seeing steady growth as more people choose to live and work here,' he said. 'They're drawn by job opportunities, strong schools, and access to parks and trails.' The first Walmart store opened here in 1962, and that moment 'shaped the direction of the city', he explained. 'It helped attract other businesses and laid the groundwork for long-term economic growth.' Today, new residents include remote workers, young families, and retirees, drawn to the mix of quaint neighborhoods, new developments and a lower cost of living than many coastal cities. 'Today, sectors like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing are driving the local economy,' he told Daily Mail. 'We're focused on planning for the future, investing in infrastructure, and quality of life initiatives to support a growing population and make sure Rogers stays a good place to live and work.' Demographically, Rogers has grown more diverse in recent years. Census data shows the Hispanic population has surged, making up over 30 percent of the city's population. The area also attracts a growing number of college-educated professionals and families looking for quality of life and career mobility. The market has something for everyone – from historic fixer-uppers under $200K, to custom lakefront mansions topping $2 million, to quaint vintage style mid-century homes. A listing for a 4-bed, 3-bath modern farmhouse with a wraparound porch and mountain views priced at less than $400K - a steal compared to what it would cost in other more pricey states. The current Walmart store in Rogers which is located a few blocks from the original site, still draws in daily shoppers. Today the company operates over 3,000 stores across the US and 1,607 abroad. Walmart did not respond to a request for comment. The Rogers Historical Museum is located just blocks from the site of the original Walmart and offers a glimpse into the city's transformation. The museum displays vintage photos, storefront recreations and shows how the once-sleepy railroad town became a booming retail hub.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Red state city EXPLODES in population... thanks to bizarre link to Walmart
A quiet southern town has suddenly seen its population explode and it may all trace back to the moment it became known as the birthplace of the first-ever Walmart store. Rogers, Arkansas, once a quiet Southern town known only for being the site of the first-ever Walmart store, is undergoing a major transformation with a population boom turning it into one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Located in Benton County, Rogers has seen a rapid influx of new residents. The US Census Bureau ranked the Northwest Arkansas area as the 22nd fastest-growing metro in the nation. The population jumped from 591,895 people in 2023 to 605,615 in 2024 - with people lured by affordable real estate, strong schools, scenic parks and a thriving job market. It all started when the first-ever Walmart opened its doors on July 2, 1962 in Rogers – then called Wal-Mart Discount City. Though that original store closed long ago, the company's footprint and influence remains strong in the region. Its corporate headquarters is located nearby in Bentonville and continues to shape the local economy and housing market. Mayor Greg Hines told Daily Mail the city is growing for all the right reasons. 'Rogers is seeing steady growth as more people choose to live and work here,' he said. 'They're drawn by job opportunities, strong schools, and access to parks and trails.' The first Walmart store opened here in 1962, and that moment 'shaped the direction of the city', he explained. 'It helped attract other businesses and laid the groundwork for long-term economic growth.' Today, new residents include remote workers, young families, and retirees, drawn to the mix of quaint neighborhoods, new developments and a lower cost of living than many coastal cities. 'Today, sectors like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing are driving the local economy,' he told Daily Mail. 'We're focused on planning for the future, investing in infrastructure, and quality of life initiatives to support a growing population and make sure Rogers stays a good place to live and work.' The historic downtown district of Rogers, Arkansas, is seen above Demographically, Rogers has grown more diverse in recent years. Census data shows the Hispanic population has surged, making up over 30 percent of the city's population. The area also attracts a growing number of college-educated professionals and families looking for quality of life and career mobility. The market has something for everyone – from historic fixer-uppers under $200K, to custom lakefront mansions topping $2 million, to quaint vintage style mid-century homes. A listing for a 4-bed, 3-bath modern farmhouse with a wraparound porch and mountain views priced at less than $400K - a steal compared to what it would cost in other more pricey states. The current Walmart store in Rogers which is located a few blocks from the original site, still draws in daily shoppers. Today the company operates over 3,000 stores across the US and 1,607 abroad. Walmart did not respond to a request for comment. The museum displays vintage photos, storefront recreations and shows how the once-sleepy railroad town became a booming retail hub (main street stores in Rogers, Arkansas) The Rogers Historical Museum is located just blocks from the site of the original Walmart and offers a glimpse into the city's transformation. The museum displays vintage photos, storefront recreations and shows how the once-sleepy railroad town became a booming retail hub.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Fox News
Former Arkansas prosecutor says death penalty is possible for double murder suspect
Shane Wilkinson, criminal defense attorney and former Chief Deputy Prosecutor of Benton County, Arkansas, told Fox News Digital that the death penalty is possible for James McGann, accused of killing a couple who was hiking with their kids.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Richland mayor pro tem knocked out of office by ineligible candidate. Here's why
Richland voters handed Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent, their longest-serving city council member, a defeat in the Aug. 5 primary. Kent placed a distant third in the three-way primary to challengers Patricia 'Pat' Holten and Robert Walko, according to preliminary Benton County vote results. Kent, a Hanford attorney who did not campaign or participate in the voter's pamphlet, received just 19% of the vote. That is nearly 550 fewer votes than Walko, who attempted to withdraw from the race after realizing he doesn't meet the city's eligibility requirements. Kent could not be reached Wednesday about the results. Holten and Walko will face off in November, with Holton enjoying a commanding lead. Walko, a cybersecurity professional at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, told the Tri-City Herald he realized too late that he hadn't lived in the city at least two years, a requirement for office under the Richland city charter. He realized the problem after the deadline had passed to remove his name from the primary ballot. He announced early on that he was no longer actively running. Regardless, his name will automatically be on the November ballot and Kent is out, according to the county's top election officer. Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton said ineligible candidates survive primaries every few election cycles. Their names go on the November ballot anyway. If the candidate wins, they can take office and be declared ineligible by a court, or decline to take office. Either way, the seat becomes vacant and an appointee is selected by the rest of the council. The candidate that lost does not win by default and take office. Chilton said Washington election law is clear: Auditors do not determine if candidates meet all eligibility requirements, and they don't have the authority to remove names from ballots. 'We're not the eligibility police,' she said. Primary results will be updated Wednesday afternoon. However, it is unlikely Kent can overcome a 500+ vote deficit and pull ahead of Walko. Chilton confirmed that Walko reached out after realizing he didn't meet the eligibility criteria. She advised him to consult with the city about his next steps. He could not be reached Wednesday morning to comment on how he plans to proceed. Kent is one of three Richland council incumbents who filed for election in 2025. She is the only one who did not survive the primary. Kurt Maier and Ryan Whitten both faced multiple challengers and secured enough votes to advance to the November general election. A fourth seat is open after the incumbent, Ryan Lukson, opted not to seek another term. Maier will face Kyle Saltz in the race for Position 6 and Whitten will face Colin Michael in the race for Position 7. Donald Landsman and John Maier, son of Kurt Maier, will square off for the Position 4 seat being vacated by Lukson. Richland council members are elected at-large from across the city. In November, the city's voters will be asked to alter the charter to adopt council districts. Solve the daily Crossword
