Archive - Jul 2012 - News Article
July 6th
Dan Smith, a technician with the City of Benton, is urging Benton residents to be aware that the city is under a level three energy alert. He said the alert means there is a risk of the power grid overloading because people run a lot of electricity during this time due to the heat. Smith said people should conserve electricity, such as turning off lights and other electrical equipment when not in use.
By
Matt Burks and Brent Davis
A former administrative assistant for the Benton Parks Department was arrested Thursday on charges of fraud and theft of city funds, authorities said.
Just after 1 p.m. Thursday, Kitty Smith, 57, with hands cuffed behind her back, repeatedly said, "I have nothing to say" and that she had "no response" to questions by a reporter of The Saline Courier outside the Benton Police Department.
July 3rd
The continued hot, dry weather has resulted in another cancellation: the fireworks extravaganza that was to be the concluding event of Benton's first Freedom Fest.
Benton Fire Chief Bill Ford announced late Monday that the fireworks display has been canceled out of safety concerns.
"As everyone should know, the state of Arkansas is under severe drought conditions," Ford said.
"Over the weekend the Arkansas Forestry Commission upgraded the status from 'high fire danger' to 'extreme fire danger,'" he noted.
Three Benton residents were arrested recently for allegedly forcing their way into a home for a robbery and later shooting a gun near the area, according to a Benton police report.
Arquis Jones, 28, whose listed address is in the 200 block of Valley Street in Benton, faces charges of felony aggravated residential burglary, felony possession of a firearms by certain persons, third-degree battery and fleeing. Jones is also a parolee.
"A complete street is designed for everyone: vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians," says Michael Oaks. city engineer and director of public works for the city of Russellville.
Oaks, along with Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton, spoke to members of Bryant city government and residents about the efforts their city is taking to improve congested roads and traffic flow.
