Archive - Jan 2013
January 7th
While some people purchase generators to increase their comfort level during power outages, this isn't the case with the family of Jerred and Alexis McDade in Tull.
The generator the McDades have had at their home is needed to keep their seven-month-old son alive.
When a baby is ready to enter the world, it takes a lot more than bad weather and a power outage to change its mind.
That's exactly the scenario that took place during the early morning hours of Dec. 26 at the Benton home of Josh and Katie Broadus.
Katie, who was nine months' pregnant, was scheduled for an induced delivery on Dec. 28, but daughter London Kate didn't want to wait. This, in spite of the fact that a snowstorm had occurred, taking out the electricity and heat in their home.
Whether facing rain, sleet, snow or the fact that he turns 90 years of age on Thursday, nothing will stop Ernie Gibson of Benton from walking a mile or cooking unique pecan pies for the community every day.
"I just started making pies and people got to eating them. The more they ate, the more I made them and I just stayed with it," he said with a laugh. "I don't know why I make the pies, it's just something I found out I could do and people seem to like it."
The Bryant City Council voted during a special meeting at 4 p.m. Friday to extend a hold on the issuance of permits to build multi-family housing in the city limits.
The council had been slated to vote on whether to lift the moratorium, which was put in place in 2011. Alderman Steve Curtis instead moved to vote to extend it.
Although the action might make the city vulnerable to a lawsuit with a current land owner, the council voted unanimously to extend the hold after nearly 20 residents spoke out against the construction of apartments in the area.
January 4th
State officials have approved a local burn site for debris resulting from the recent winter storm that affected many areas of Saline County.
The site is located behind the county airport off Reynolds Road.
Benton Mayor David Mattingly and County Judge Lanny Fite met to formulate plans for operation of the site.
Mattingly noted that signs will be posted to indicate the location.
The site will be open to the public Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saline County employees will man the facility.
Eugenia J. “Nena” Ledford, 91, of Benton passed away Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at Heartland Rehabilitation and Care Center in Benton. She was born May 27, 1921, in Prattsville to the late Edgar and Denver Crowson Haley.
In addition to being a homemaker, she worked at Reynolds Metals as a war worker during World War II and worked as a seamstress. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1941. Nena was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Congo Hill Chapter, a member of THEOS and of the Methodist faith.Â
Hogan Pelton, formerly of Benton, passed away Jan. 2 in Hondo, Texas. He was born March 6, 1920 in Benton to Marion and Rose (Raney) Pelton. He was a World War II Army veteran, a mason and a member of the Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Billy Hue and one sister, Norma Jean.
He is survived by his daughters, Margaret Koch of Texas and Toni Pelton of California; sisters Della Lee of Bryant and Stella Earney of Benton; and brother Bob Pelton of Benton.
Arrangements under the direction of Guinn-Horger Funeral Home, 2006 Ave. M., Hondo, Texas, 830-741-2224.
Mona Pyle Rhodes, 53, of Benton died Tuesday, Jan. 1.
She is survived by her daughters, Kaitlyn and Krystina Rhodes; mother Linda Joyce Pyle; brother David Pyle and wife Michelle; nephew Corey Pyle; niece Josie Pyle; and granddaughter, Amylia Rhodes.
Funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to the funeral fund at any IberiaBank location to the account ending with 2193, under the name of David or Linda Pyle.
James Reed “Poppa D” Dreher Sr., 77, of Bryant, passed away at his home on Jan. 2. He was born Nov. 26, 1935 in the Ironton Community of Pulaski County ,to the late Evelyn Elise and James Floyd Dreher. He graduated from Fuller High School and retired from his position as a mechanical engineer at Reynolds Metals Company in 1989. James was a member of the Bryant Water and Sewer Advisory Board and a member of the Bryant United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Virginia; and great-granddaughter Tinlee Elise Dreher.
Jack Dempsey Conder, 85, of Bryant, passed away Dec. 23. Jack was born to Charles and Mertie Conder on March 23,1927 in Narrows, Ky. Jack loved Christmas and playing Santa for family and friends and at nursing homes and children’s homes. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping with family and helping others. Jack was a devoted family man and husband. He was Baptist in faith. Jack served in the military for 23 years. He was in the Navy, Air Force and Seabees. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II and in Korea and completed two tours in Vietnam 1966-1968.
