Archive - 2012
December 7th
The 13th annual Toy Trooper, a toy donation drive for children in Saline County, will kick off this weekend with visits from Little Rock radio broadcasters.
The 103.7 The Buzz Show With No Name hosts Tommy Smith, David Bazzel, RJ Hawk and guests will broadcast live from the Bryant Walmart parking lot from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday to kick off the event. Ugly Ed Johnson of KHITS 96.5 also will broadcast live from the Bryant Walmart parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department met with Bryant residents Tuesday evening at First Pentecostal Church regarding plans for widening Arkansas 5 from Benton to Little Rock.
Highway Department officials say the changes are necessary to accommodate continuing growth in the communities and increasing traffic congestion. The department estimates 15,000 vehicles travel this stretch of highway per day and projects this number will double by 2035.
December 6th
FAYETTEVILLE - From slopping hogs in Illinois, Bret Bielema now coaches Hogs in Arkansas.
The now former Wisconsin Badgers football coach and native of Prophetstown, Ill., was officially introduced at a Wednesday press conference by University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long as the Razorbacks head football coach.
“I grew up, ironically, on a pig farm,” Bielema said before leading boosters and UA brass in calling the Hogs. “That was my first public Pig-Sooie. From the ages 4 to 18 when I called them, my only partners were pigs. There is a little more pressure there.”
BISMARCK – The Bauxite Miners outlasted the Bismarck Lions in a double-overtime thriller on Tuesday night, escaping with a heart-pounding 57-53 road victory.
Sophomore Ben Madison paced the Miners offensively finishing the night with 27 points, nine rebounds and Hunter Holder chipped in 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.
CABOT – The Benton Panthers have a 4:30 p.m. Saturday date in the Cabot Pre-Holiday tournament final after defeating the Hot Springs Lakeside Rams 52-42 in the semifinal round on Wednesday night in Cabot. The Panthers are looking to win their second consecutive tournament in less than a week as they won the Searcy Bank Classic this past Saturday.
It was a low-scoring affair in the first half as the Panthers committed a season-high 17 turnovers against the Rams, but Benton played solid defense in holding an 18-13 lead at the half.
December 5th
In keeping with years past, the Saline County Christmas Parade drew thousands of spectators Tuesday night.
More than a hundred entries took part in the parade that was based on the theme "Angels."
Though the lights at the courthouse have been turned on each evening for about two weeks, the parade signals the official start of the county's Celebration of Lights.
Carolyn Dianne Dandurand, 61, of Benton passed away Sunday, Dec. 2.Â
She was born Dec. 8, 1950, in Dumas to the late A.Z. and Clara Dovers. Mrs. Dandurand was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Traskwood.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Dandurand of Benton; a son, Jonathan Dandurand of Kansas City, Mo.; two brothers, Dennis Dovers of Rosebud and Bryan Dovers of Benton; and a sister, Martha Highsmith of Haskell.
Sue Nooner Brooks passed away Friday, Nov. 30. She was born Sept. 5, 1932, to Ruby and Elihue Nooner in Benton. She was a former member of Second Baptist Church and a present member of Hot Springs Baptist Church. She was a member of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society and a graduate of Hot Springs High School, graduating with the Class of 1950.
She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, R.C. Nooner; her aunt, Jewel Meredith Muse; and her daughter, Crystal Suzonne Brooks.
Jack T. Ferguson, 85, of Bryant went to be with his Lord on Dec. 1. Jack was born Oct. 29, 1927, in Casa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Willie Ferguson; four brothers; and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Clair Bernice Ferguson; a daughter, Tracye Bullock and husband Randy; and a son, Billy Craig Ferguson and wife Telecia; grandchildren, Lindlee Bullock, Corbi McAllister and husband Jay, Ryan Ferguson, Landon Bullock and husband Stacie, Grabrielle Ferguson and Brennan Bullock; and four great-grandchildren.
Mary Nell Gilzow, 82, of Benton, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 2. She was born April 8, 1930, to Elmer Kunzman and Elzie Lamb. She was a loving mother and grandmother, who will be missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Wesley Gilzow.
She is survived by one sister, Martieana Wolfe; her children, Phyllis Jeffcoat, Barbara Mitchell, Patricia DeCook and Martin Odell Gilzow; 11 grandchildren, Richard, Laura Sondra, Shawn, Amy, Paul, Amanda, Susan, Teresa, Sarah and Kelley; and 17 great-grandchildren.
