Latest news with #BentonCounty
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Kevin Nikel dead aged 41: Former WWE wrestler Knuckles Madsen killed in shooting as cops launch probe & tributes pour in
A FORMER WWE superstar has been shot dead outside his home with police launching an urgent probe. Kevin Nikel, 41, was best known to fans as NXT brawler Knuckles Madsen as well as Ivan Warsaw on the Indies. Nikel was reportedly shot and killed on Friday in Benton County, Arkansas. Cops discovered the professional wrestler after midnight with a gunshot wound to his abdomen before rushing him to hospital. Nikel tragically passed away before he could receive life-saving treatment. Benton County officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. No arrests have been made in the case yet. Nikel had a brief spell with WWE between 2012 to 2013. He started out working on the developmental territory of OVW before moving to NXT. He mainly showcased his skills on house shows and in dark matches. Following his WWE departure, he continued wrestling on independent shows around Texas, as well as for Championship Wrestling and Southwest Wrestling Entertainment. Tributes for the beloved and talented wrestler have poured in since his passing. TNA X-Division Champion Moose said: "Wow, this hit hard just got the news on Kevin Nikel we were supposed to wrestle next weekend but his life got taken way too early. "Great human Great Heart Great pro wrestler you will be missed dearly. Rest Easy" As Ozark Mountain Wrestling wrote: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of Kevin Nikel. "The shock of his loss is felt deeply by everyone who knew & loved him. "He was an amazing friend & had a fierce love for his family. We ask for privacy & prayers during this difficult time."
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Most of Richland's council lives in one area. That could change with November vote
Most of Richland's city council lives in one small area, but that could change with a November vote. Last fall some residents were so concerned about the majority of the council living only in south Richland that they gathered nearly 4,000 signatures to demand the council consider moving to a district-based voting model. The council decided to put the question to a city-wide vote. Now the city is looking for volunteers to serve on committees that will write voter guide information for the initiative this November. A Better Richland, led by several former city council candidates, was behind the ballot initiative to change the Richland City Charter so that five council members are elected from districts and only two are elected at-large. Anyone interested in serving on a committee will need to apply online by Thursday, July 18. The city council will appoint group members at a special meeting at 6 p.m. on July 22. The committee members will need to be approved by the Richland City Council in order to be submitted to the Benton County elections office by Aug. 5. The two groups will then write up 'pro' and 'con' statements advocating for approval or rejection of the measure. Their names will be published along with the statements in voters' pamphlet, which will go out in October just before early voting begins. Initial statements from both groups are due by Aug. 15 and rebuttals are due by Aug. 20. Richland elects its seven council members from the city at large. As a result, the affluent neighborhoods of south Richland dominate the council and control the agenda, with some exceptions, say critics. The current council includes five council members who live in south Richland, one council member from north Richland and one from the central part of the sprawling city of just over 64,000, divided by a highway and the Yakima River. Unlike Richland, Kennewick and Pasco already have a mix of district and at-large seats. Richland is home to the two largest employers in the Tri-Cities — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which employs 6,000 people and the Hanford nuclear site, which employs more than 13,000 through various contractors. Kadlec Regional Medical Center also employs 3,800 in the city, according to Richland's most recent financial report. A Better Richland chose the two-and-five configuration because the city can be divided into five equal parts, based on population data from the 2020 census. Under the proposed initiative, all seven council seats will be on the 2025 ballot with terms staggered to end in 2027 and 2029. After that, members would serve four-year terms. The new approach would end a quirky feature of Richland council elections that ensures four seats are on the ballot every other year because it awards the candidate who wins with the fewest votes a two-year term. The charter change would end the two-year swing seat. For more information about the group, visit
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with stealing car from convenience store
TUPELO – A Tupelo man has been jailed in Lee County after being of stealing a car from an east Tupelo convenience store and driving two counties away before being caught. The victim said on June 27, their vehicle was parked outside of Papa V's on East Main Street. When the person walked out of the store, their car was gone. The vehicle was later recovered in Benton County, where a suspect was taken into custody on unrelated charges. Following an investigation, Thomas E. Clayton III, 41, of Lake Street, Tupelo, was charged on July 1 with one count of grand larceny — felony taking of a motor vehicle. During the initial appearance in Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Harry Sumner set Clayton's bond at $25,000. The case will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
Benton County employee fired after sexual misconduct investigation
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An investigation of sexual misconduct in a Benton County detention center has led to the arrest of a jail employee, according to a news release. Matthew Lockard, 42, is facing a charge of sexual assault in the fourth degree. 'Sheriff Holloway is deeply troubled by the actions of this individual and emphasizes that such behavior will not be tolerated,' the press release states. 'He remains proud of the many dedicated men and women of the Benton County Sheriff's Office who continue to serve the citizens of Benton County with integrity and professionalism.' Holloway was notified of alleged inappropriate behavior between Lockard and an inmate on June 17. Sheriff Holloway immediately ordered both an internal and criminal investigation into the matter, the release states. A probable cause affidavit filed on June 20 said a BCSO detective was asked to investigate possible charges associated with a professional standards investigation. The affidfavit listed three incidents where Lockard allegedly touched the inmate inappropriately. Notes were reportedly passed from Lockard to the inmate. The inmate told the detective that they did not give Lockard any notes. Lockard was interviewed and denied the allegations against him. When authorities mentioned the notes, he said they were not from him. After seeing samples of his handwriting, he said it looked 'identical'. He then admitted to passing the notes. Lockard also admitted to kissing the inmate for around three seconds. Lockard was terminated on June 19. He had been employed since Nov. 16, 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Father accused of breaking WA infant's bones for being ‘demanding and needy'
A 28-year-old father allegedly admitted to a 'pattern of violent and aggressive' outbursts that left his 2-month-old son with several broken bones. Deven J. Cooper of Kennewick told police the baby had been demanding and needed constant attention. His patience had worn thin and he allegedly began hurting the boy. Now prosecutors have charged Cooper with second-degree assault of a child. He is being held in the Benton County jail in lieu of a $200,000 bond. Cooper and his wife allegedly brought the child to Trios Southridge Hospital on June 2 after his wife found one of the infant's legs was more solid than the other one. When doctor's examined the child, they found his left leg had been badly broken. The child was rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for treatment. When doctors examined the baby there, they found he had multiple small breaks in both legs, a broken clavicle as well bruises on his arm. While the couple told doctors that they believed Cooper had rolled over on the child while they were sleeping together, the doctors said the injuries didn't match the story. A Spokane officer questioned the couple, and after they shared various stories, the officer spoke to Cooper alone. After being told that the story didn't make sense, Cooper allegedly admitted becoming angry with the child. He allegedly grabbed the child by the leg and stood him up using it. Cooper said he was angry, so he pushed the child down to get the swaddle as tight as possible. He told investigators that his wife didn't know anything about the abuse. The baby and his older brother were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.
