Archive - 2012
March 26th
Nearly 14 years ago when B.J. and Johnathan Thorn exchanged nuptials, they had no idea the profound impact they would have one day on the lives of so many people. B.J., then 19, and Johnathan, 22, learned they were pregnant one month after returning from their honeymoon ... with twins.
"We didn't even have time to get to like each other," Thorn says.
The Thorns began making plans like any soon-to-be parents, but no amount of planning could have adequately prepared them for the early arrival of their daughters.
Benton Middle School has been awarded $10,517 from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission as part of the 2012 Child Wellness Intervention Project Grant Program.
Dian Cowser, the school's assistant principal, accepted the award in a recent ceremony at the state Capitol in Little Rock.
Dr. Joe Thompson, Arkansas surgeon general, and Dr. Susan Hanahan, chair of the Tobacco Settlement Commission, made the presentations to Benton Middle School and other state schools selected for the grants.
SANFORD, Fla. – After starting the Florida High School Invitational with a loss to American Heritage High School in Sanford, Fla., the Bryant Hornets won their next three games, including a 7-6 extra-inning win against the New Smyrna Barracudas on Saturday. The last win gave the Hornets third place in the invitational.
The Benton Panthers used stellar defense and hot bats to reach the semifinals of the Central Arkansas Invitational on Friday night against Sylvan Hills. The Panthers battled past CAC on Thursday, 2-0, before beating Vilonia 10-4 early on Friday.
With the momentum in their favor and playing on their home field, the Panthers could not keep up the good work as they fell 6-3 to Sylvan Hills.
Prominent Benton businessman I.E. “Eddie†McCray Jr. of Benton passed away Saturday, March 24. He was 84.
He was born Sept. 8, 1927, in Little Rock to the late I.E. McCray Sr. and Rose (Wray) McCray.
Mr. McCray was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the 1949 graduating class of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.Â
He was an entrepreneur in Saline County for many years.
He was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, LaNelle (McNeil) McCray; and one brother, Jack McCray.
Lemual W. Newcomb ("Dub," as he was finally known), 79, of Heber Springs, fell asleep in death on March 15, with two of his sons at his bedside. He was born Jan. 2, 1933, in North Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Lee Newcomb and Maude Bell (Rood) Newcomb.
Mr. Newcomb was a retired masonry contractor and had done a lot of work in the Heber Springs area. He served this country in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
March 23rd
BENTON - The Benton Panthers came into the Central Arkansas Invitational on Thursday looking for a win after falling in their last contest against Lake Hamilton 4-2. With their bats struggling, Benton looked to turned things around at home against Central Arkansas Christian.
Though their bats were no hot, or even warm, the Panthers got past the Mustangs 2-0 behind stellar defense once again.
Haven Malia (Helmcamp) Bray, 33 passed away on March 20. She was born July 4, 1978, in Little Rock.
She is survived by her sons, Austin Smith and Haden Helmcamp, both of Mabelvale; her father; James Bray of Mabelvale; her mother, Charlotte Ann Bonds and stepfather, Leland Bonds of Malvern; one brother, Ray Ennis Jr. of Hot Springs, as well as many other friends and family members who loved her and will cherish her memory.
Fred Lee Wells, 94, of Pittsfield, Mass., formerly of Hot Springs, died Saturday, March 17, 2012, at his home, after a short illness. He was born Dec. 28, 1917, in Benton, the son of Fred Lee Wells Sr. and Myrtle Crowford Wells. He was a graduate of Benton schools.
A World War II veteran, Mr. Wells enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 7, 1942, served as a technician third grade and an automotive mechanic, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 20, 1945.
Mr. Wells had been proprietor of Bud’s Radiator Service in La Jolla, Calif., which he owned and operated for more than 30 years.
Imogene Holland, 80, of Roland, passed away Monday, March 19.
She was born Oct. 8, 1931, in Gravely.Â
Mrs. Holland was preceded in death by her parents, Dewitt and Claira Redden; and two grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Buddy Holland of Roland; seven sons, David Staggs of Roland, Delbert Staggs of Little Rock, Darryl Staggs of Mt. Vernon, Jerald Holland of Bigelow, Keith Holland of Bigelow, Mark Holland of East End and Matt Holland of North Little Rock; 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
