Archive - Jun 2012 - News Article
June 15th
Birch Tree Communities, a certified, nonprofit program that offers support and assistance to adults with mental health disease, recently opened the Birch Lane Apartments for members of its New Beginnings program.
The supervised living complex, which consists of 10 units, was completed mid-April and residents began moving in May 1. Each apartment is one unit of a duplex; each 560-square-foot home includes a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bath, according to Sandy White, Birch Tree associate director of program.
June 13th
After a great deal of discussion in a meeting late Tuesday, the Bryant Finance and Personnel Committee decided it will recommend that the City Council include an ordinance establishing an alcohol tax within the city of Bryant on the ballot for the general election in November.
According to Staff Attorney Chris Madison, a popular vote is not needed — only an ordinance; if the council approves the ordinance, it goes into effect under the guidelines of the Arkansas Municipal League.
Alderman Steve Gladden opened the discussion by asking how to get the issue on the ballot.
Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission has approved the final schematic design for the Benton Events Center that voters approved in a November 2011 election.
The center is to built in Hickory Square, the area that includes Tinseltown movie theater.
The final design for the facility was approved in a commission meeting Monday night.
Gary James, executive director of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce, said the floor plan has been "slightly enlarged from the original design so as to accommodate 10-by-10-foot booths for vendor space."
June 12th
Saline Memorial Hospital, in collaboration from other local health professionals and stakeholders, is working on a "road map to health" for the people of Saline County, identifying public health needs, goals, objectives and priorities.
The hospital reportedly has launched a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment that is intended to provide the foundation for improving and promoting the health of each community member.
Benton City Council members have taken a protective measure regarding Saturday's Cinderella In the City celebration by adopting an ordinance exempting event vendors from a requirement to pay the city's occupation tax.
June 6th
There are three incidents that easily made Eric Porter the clear choice of the Benton Police Department's 2011 Officer of the Year recipient.
In 2011, 30-year-old Porter literally walked into fire and smoke filled apartments; despite a man with a weapon holding his family hostage, Porter snuck the two children out and convinced the man to put down his weapons and walk out; and third, he talked a suicidal man off the Alcoa Road overpass, which is directly above Interstate 30. But probably his greatest attribute, is that he gives the recognition of a "well-done-job" to those around him.
June 4th
Last summer The Saline Courier introduced readers to a 2-year-old boy named Easton Begoon who had been diagnosed on July 25, 2011, with T-cell leukemia.
The community responded in droves to help the family with everything from financial aid — and the medical bills still continue to mount today — to prayers and emotional support. In fact, Alan Gibson of the Red Cross told the Courier how overwhelmed his staff was to see Saline County residents donate 150 pints of blood at three different events in three days.
June 1st
An Alexander man arrested early Wednesday for allegedly having hundreds of images of child pornography told authorities that his son-in-law is the city's mayor.
John Darrell Green, 69, faces 236 counts of possessing child pornography and one count of attempting to influence a public official. During his arrest, Green told officers that his son-in-law is Mayor Paul Mitchell.
