Archive - Jan 2012 - News Article
January 19th
Nineteen individuals are vying for the position of superintendent of the Benton School District,
Benton School Board members began reviewing the candidates' applications Tuesday night in a closed session that followed the monthly board meeting.
In Thursday's meeting, the board hopes to narrow the field of 19 to four or five finalists who will be interviewed, according to Jeff Morrow, board president.
"We hope to have someone named (for superintendent) by late February," Morrow said.
January 18th
Bryant School Board approved a rezoning plan for Hill Farm Elementary School in its regular meeting late Monday.
According to Richard Stipe, project manager, construction on the new elementary school, located at Reynolds Road and Hill Farm Road, is on schedule. "We have a footprint, plumbing, electrical and concrete slabs. There is steel up in some areas and one wing is framed," Stipe reported.
A call of a vicious dog in Bauxite ended with the animal being shot, but a neighbor and the police chief say the death was warranted.
"It's very peaceful now," Melissa Parker said. "It's finally peaceful enough for my son to ride his bicycle outside without the fear of being bit. It's good for all of us."
January 16th
Weekend Recap
Polar Plunge Hurricane Creek Estates was the sight for this year's "Freezin' for a Reason" fundraiser. The event, sponsored by the Benton Police Department, was known as the Polar Plunge. Participants obtained sponsors who would pay for entrants to enter the winter cold water of Lake Hurricane. The event was considered a big success as over $18,000 was raised this year. Proceeds from the event were to the benefit of Special Olympics.
Tony Coffman may no longer be the police chief in Bryant, but he still knows what is happening in his former hometown.
During a Jan. 9 press conference, Bryant Mayor Jill Dabbs made the allegation that Bryant City Alderman Adrian Henley had "illegally accessed" the personnel files of several city employees, both current and past. Coffman's file was one of those files in question.
The owners of Longhills Golf Course and Country Club are now facing a new obstacle in their attempt to sell the property to Lindsey Development Co.
The latest development in the protracted efforts of Bud and Mary Jean Busken and Jeff and Sam Hamm to sell the site has come from the discovery of a document that City of Benton Attorney Brent Houston said "appears to be a covenant signed by William Martin in 1986 and filed of record in 1988 with the Saline County Circuit Clerk."
William "Bill" Martin is the original owner of the golf course site and built the course and its related amenities.
January 13th
It's weekend time and the weather may be cool but there are some hot things to do the next couple of days.
PURE TALENT
The Young Players, the youth division of Royal Players, will present the school version of "Les Miserables" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Bauxite Lady Miners’ senior forward Alaina Crouse isn’t shy when it comes to shooting 3-pointers and that’s ok with Coach Josh Harrison.
“She shoots the ball extremely well and a lot of times in clutch,” Harrison said. “She doesn't think a whole lot about it. She just sees that she's open and she shoots it. That's big to have. It's good to have a couple girls that don't have a lot of conscience when it comes to shooting.”
A large assembly of local leaders gathered Wednesday morning in the atrium of Saline Memorial Hospital's Health Education Building to hear an announcement that has the potential to change the future of the hospital.
Arkansas Heart Hospital has joined with SMH in an alliance that interim CEO Carla Robertson called "the partnership we've dreamed of."
Dr. Bruce Murphy, CEO and president of Arkansas Heart Hospital, announced the agreement at Wednesday's news conference.
Bryant Police Department is investigating an incident of alleged sexual misconduct involving a student and a teacher at Bryant High School.
Sgt. Todd Crowson said at press time that no arrests have been made. He noted that for now, the claims are simply allegations and said the name of the teacher accused in the incident is not being released.
"Due to the ongoing investigation in this case, we cannot at this time release any details regarding the alleged incident," Crowson said. "However, we will release further information that we can regarding this case as the investigation continues."
