Opinion
Letter to the Editor: Support for Upah and Tippett
Benton County Residents,
There was a recent statement of goals published in Vinton Today from the Paxton campaign. I
read it with an open mind. I could support some items listed with more clarification.
I just can’t get past the implications that degrade current deputies. This shows that an outside
person doesn’t have the knowledge of the current workings of the Sheriff’s Department.
Women and Mothers Past, Present and Future

Letter to the Editor: America’s Kristallnacht Moment
Dear Editor,It’s with disgust, anger, incredulity, sadness and a host of other emotions that I view the events post October 7th, 2023, up until today’s rampaging across America's most liberal colleges and universities. It should end forever stupid phrases like . . . “We’ll never forget!!” . . . or . . . “Always remember!”. It’s clear that we will and we don’t.
Money, money, money...there's more where that's coming from...
I had the Supervisor's meeting playing while working on other news bits for the website yesterday. Kind of like background noise. Nothing much out of the ordinary was on the agend. That is until it was time for the budget hearing. If you've ever sat in on a budget meeting, it will take all you have to not let your eyes glaze over. So honestly, I was expecting it to be that kind of meeting.
Letter to the Editor: Hamas and Palestinian groups in our universities
Dear Editor:Americans Will Always Do the Right Thing — After Exhausting All the Alternatives. Winston Churchill. I pray that is SO! I am a Christian – a Catholic. I stand with the Jews of Israel and our Nation. They have the right to survive and they have the right to wage War until Hamas and Palestinian sympathizers are destroyed or have surrendered and laid down their arms! I remember the stories told of the holocaust.
Letter to the Editor: Volunteer Appreciation Month Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and I want to attest to the incredible impact that caring volunteers make in the lives of others in our community. Compassus is an organization that cares for individuals experiencing life-limiting illnesses, and the kind words, warm smiles and other efforts of the volunteers who generously give their time to bring comfort to others is something we should all take time to recognize and celebrate.
Stop Appointing Council Members. It’s Time We Start Voting!
Dear Editor,The 4th Ward councilperson, Bethany Gates, has resigned, effective May 1st. Tonight the Council is going to announce that they intend to fill that vacancy by appointment. I do not agree with that decision. I am announcing that I will be beginning a petition requesting a special election to fill the vacancy, so if you live in the 4th Ward, I may be stopping at your house.
Letter to the editor: Failure to Comply
Dear Editor, Today was yet another supervisor meeting. While today seemed calmer, and it makes me wonder if it was due to two missing ingredients, I am noticing something after reviewing previous terms on a settlement they had with the former Board of Health. I had pulled a copy of that and was looking it over.The supervisors were to receive open records training according to that settlement.
Supervisor notes for 4/2/24 (Part 2)
---Warning, it's a long one but will answer questions.In the second half of the Supervisor's meeting, the meeting was turned over to Sue Wilber the Benton County Human Resource Director, who according to the agenda had an update. She talked for more than 15 minutes after saying she had allegedly been approached by one staff member and one nonstaff member to clarify concerns or misconceptions.
Letter to the Editor: Capt Gary Barnhill - F-105 pilot based in Udorn Thailand
Editor:I was based at UpTApao Royal Thai Navy Airfield - ThailandOne of my last refueling flights in Thailand was a cell of two KC-135s and a flight of 4 F-105 out of Udorn Thailand - going not know where. Wolf Flight had their names on their canopy rails. All were Majors and above. On this flight Wolf 3 crashed. Not knowing why, but we learned he was on his 99th mission.