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5 days ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
Earlier this month, Stephens resident Smith Bonds, 41, received 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, fleeing in a vehicle or conveyance, with substantial danger or causing death or serious injury, and being a habitual felon. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge David Talley Jr. in Columbia County Circuit Court on May 1, 2025.
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2 weeks ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
The case of Jaqualin Young of McNeil, charged with allegedly knocking down a man’s door and pistol whipping him, has been delayed until July 17, 2025 in the Circuit Court of Columbia County. Young, 25, is charged with aggravated assault, purposely displaying a firearm, and battery first-degree for the incident which occurred on March 16, 2024, according to the criminal information associated with the case.
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2 weeks ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
The murder trial for Seth Bennom Otwell, accused of killing his grandfather last May, is set for September 22-26, according to discussions in Circuit Court earlier this month. Otwell, 35, remains in the Arkansas Department of Corrections until his trial, except for those times when he will be brought to Columbia County for pre-trial motions. Otwell appeared April 17, 2025 through the state’s Justice Bridge online streaming service to see his attorneys and get information on his continued case.
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2 weeks ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
A 52-year-old caregiver of a bedridden Magnolia woman was recently found guilty of stealing some of her jewelry, including a ring valued at more than $25,000. Bertha Whiteside of Taylor pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025 in Circuit Court of Columbia County. Circuit Judge David W. Talley Jr. sentenced Whiteside to 10 years of probation. The restitution in the case -- what Whiteside must pay back to the victim -- is $20,000, which represents $5,000 less than the value of the ring she stole.
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3 weeks ago | 
medium.com | Becky Bell
April 24, 2025Throwback to 2015 — Take Your Kid to Work Day was more than just a fun distraction from school. At our facility, it became a full-on immersion into science, engineering, and the people behind the process. Take a Child to Work Day and Beyond, rebranded and proudly sponsored by Junior Achievement, is an annual event held on the fourth Thursday of April.
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3 weeks ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
Danthony Easter of Magnolia received 10 years in prison Thursday for breaking into a woman’s home to burglarize it and assaulting her in the process. Circuit Judge David Talley Jr. sentenced Easter, 25, in court after Easter took a plea. The only difference in his plea is that even though evidence shows Easter had a gun in the home with the woman, he denied that aspect of the crime. The original crime of kidnapping was taken off the charges in court, or what is called nol prossed.
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3 weeks ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
With 100 plus years of a sentence already hanging over his head for battering a jailer, escape and theft, Rico Jermaine Rose received 20 more years in prison earlier this month for the murder of DeMontray Hall. After the sentence was given by Circuit Judge David W. Talley Jr., Hall’s mother, Felicia Hall, a minister from Louisiana, got to finally give Rose of Magnolia a statement about what the loss of her son’s life has meant to she and her family. “My heart is heavier than I could ever imagine.
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1 month ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
Stefan Jones, 27, of Magnolia, received probation for five years for assaulting another man in Magnolia last June and breaking that man’s nose and severely injuring his eye socket with a metal yard broom. Details of his crime came out on a court docket appeal on April 3, 2025. The judgment was passed by Circuit Judge David W. Talley Jr. Jones’ attorney, Andrew Best, did not comment about his client’s crime.
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1 month ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
The Columbia County Quorum Court had some reactions but no ideas about what can be done about animal control, or animal spaying and neutering, after a plea for help from the Columbia County Animal Protection Society. Clistie Utley, CCAPS shelter manager, told the court Monday, April 14, 2025 that the situation is dire, with the number of animals in Columbia County needing help. “It is an enormous public health safety problem and it is beyond anything we can deal with,” Utley said.
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1 month ago | 
magnoliareporter.com | Becky Bell
The Columbia County Quorum Court had some reactions but no ideas about what can be done about animal control, or animal spaying and neutering, after a plea for help from the Columbia County Animal Protection Society. Clistie Utley, CCAPS shelter manager, told the court Monday, April 14, 2025 that the situation is dire, with the number of animals in Columbia County needing help. “It is an enormous public health safety problem and it is beyond anything we can deal with,” Utley said.
