Last week, Benton County approved $8.5 million in rental assistance grants for its constituents who have experienced financial struggles over the past year.

• Applicants must display COVID-19 related hardships, and income ceilings and thresholds are factored into recipients of the grant, Judge Moehring said. When an application is approved, the money will go directly to the landlord for unpaid rent. -40/29 News
• The County hopes to go live with the applications as early as this week.

More Major improvements are coming to Benton County this year, as a $3.1 million expansion is set to begin today on the Benton County Courthouse.

• The courthouse expansion will include a new courtroom, a lobby, an expanded parking lot and a new security station. Construction will block the Canal Street entrance, so those who need access to the courthouse will need to use the A Street entrance. -40/29 News