Destin Davis

2 weeks ago | bentoncourier.com | Destin Davis

The restored Old River Bridge will officially reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., Saline County officials announced. The bridge, originally constructed in 1891, has undergone a years-long restoration to return it to its original location over the Saline River. The project has been in the works for nearly two decades, and when it reopens later this month, it will be the oldest bridge in Arkansas that remains at its original site.

2 weeks ago | bentoncourier.com | Destin Davis

Ciara Callicott was crowned Miss Saline County in September of 2024, and this week she is aiming for the title of Miss Arkansas. Callicott, 24, has competed in the Miss Arkansas system several times, including two years in the teen division. Over the years, she’s held multiple local titles, including Miss Central Arkansas, Miss Natural State, and Miss Metro—before earning the crown of Miss Saline County in 2024. Callicott graduated from Parkview High School in Little Rock in 2019.

2 weeks ago | bentoncourier.com | Destin Davis

It is pageant week in Arkansas, and Miss Saline County Teen, Lily Grace Overholser, 14, has packed 12 suitcases and is ready to roll. On Friday morning, Overholser said she was “moving in” to her hotel for the week. “It’s a week-long competition and we have to stay at this hotel, pack a lot of clothes, a lot of stuff we need. It’s like moving because we have like 12 suitcases. It’s crazy, but I’m excited,” she said. Overholser will be competing in Miss Arkansas Teen for the first time.

3 weeks ago | bentoncourier.com | Destin Davis

During a meeting on Monday, June 9, the Benton School Board will consider a request to move their monthly meetings from the second Monday of each, to the third Monday of each month. “This change has been made to better align with important reporting and submission deadlines, ensuring that all necessary information is available for timely board review and decision-making,” an item attached to the agenda for the June 9 meeting states. The change would take affect beginning in July.

3 weeks ago | bentoncourier.com | Destin Davis

Chris Nail is beginning his tenure as superintendent of Benton School District on July 1, a job he said he never expected to hold. Nail first worked in the Benton School District, starting in 2008, as the head basketball coach. “When I interviewed for the basketball job, I was 29 or 30 years old. I was nervous, sitting in the exterior office of Mr. (John) Dedmond (former Benton High School principal), and a cat fell through the ceiling into my lap.