Archive - Feb 2013 - News Article
February 18th
“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,” These few words from the song “All Are Welcome,” by Marty Haugen, describe the atmosphere as the newest homeowner at the Habitat Partnership Village, Mary Hining and her son, Connor Smith received the keys to their new home during the dedication on Sunday, Feb. 10. “I am so very excited,” Mary said, “A year ago I did not know what Habitat was and today I am standing here in my home.” Mary’s life changing event started at scrapbooking party when she met Selena Ellis and Jill Winchell, who volunteer with Habitat.
It has been 280 days since John and Shane Hunter set out on a pedal-driven odyssey from their home state of Maine. The two have ridden their bicycles through 11 states so far, en route to their target destination, the Grand Canyon.
Most recently, they spent a few days here in Benton.
May 14, 2012, John Hunter quit his dishwashing job at a Thai restaurant and the very same day he and his uncle, Shane Hunter, set out on their bikes to ride 500 miles toward their first stop, Niagara Falls, on what the two expected would be “the trip of a lifetime.”
A Little Rock man is behind bars today for allegedly fatally stabbing an East End man late Friday.
George David Davidson, 36, faces a charge of first-degree murder and, as of press time, was being held without bond at the Saline County jail.
Lt. Scotty Courtney said at 7 p.m. Friday, 911 dispatch received a call of a possible stabbing at a home in the 7400 block of Brimer Road in Mabelvale. Deputies reportedly arrived on the scene at 7:10 p.m. and found 33-year-old Chris Yarberry with stab wounds.
February 13th
The unemployment rate in Saline County was 5.8 percent at the end of 2012, down from 6.1 percent the previous year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The county is faring better than the state overall, with Arkansas' unemployment rate sitting at 7.1 percent in December 2012.
“I think it's attributed to the quality workforce in Saline County,” said Gary James, director of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have a heritage of strong, dedicated workers.”
February 11th
The city of Bryant is putting into place new technology that will allow the government to "Go Green."
During the past two years, each department has been charged with finding ways to make its operations more efficient and cost-effective. One item in particular that crossed all departments was printing costs and the subsequent expense of storage of paper documents.
City Clerk Heather Kizer saw firsthand the commitment to space that storage of city ordinances, meeting minutes, city contracts, agreements and resolutions required.
To call the past three months a wild ride for Bryant High School senior Ian Shuttleworth would be an understatement.
"Everything about it was incredible, and I can't even pick just one moment," Shuttleworth said about his favorite part of his four-day trip to New Orleans, the host city for the National Football League's Super Bowl 47.
"They say it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go to a Super Bowl, but once you go, you definitely want to go back again. Hopefully I'll get to go back to another Super Bowl someday."
Hot Springs Village resident Jerry Davis has been selected for the American Association of Community Theatre Spotlight Award in recognition for outstanding dedication, service and contribution to community theater.
"I'm amazed and pleased to receive the honor," Davis said.
"I've just been having fun," he said. "I've not been working for an award, but it's nice to get one."
Davis, director of Carousel Theater, Workshops for Seniors, in Hot Springs and in Hot Springs Village, is the first Arkansas resident to receive this distinction.
February 6th
Environmentalist Chad Pregracke became the personification of the adage "preaching to the choir" when he challenged the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce banquet audience to "pick a cause, get involved, champion it and make a difference."
Pregracke, who has made cleaning up the Mississippi River the chief focus of his life, stressed the importance of involvement, while noting that by doing so people "can make the world a better place."
"One person at a time can make a difference," he said.
Bryant police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred around 9:20 p.m. Monday at the Subway restaurant at 611 Office Park Drive.
Sgt. Todd Crowson reported that two black men came into the store and robbed the workers at gunpoint.
The two men reportedly ordered the two employees to open the cash drawers and safe. Once the money was taken, the robbers moved the victims to the back of the store, at which time they took whatever money the employees had in their purses and wallets, Crowson said.
The suspects then fled out the front door of the restaurant, police said.
It was taco soup to the finish line for First Security Bank.
For the third consecutive year, the financial institution's taco-flavored soup took top honors at Habitat for Humanity of Saline County's "Souper Bowl" cookoff.
Jerry Ponder and Kaycee Wright of First Security operated the bank's booth where they collected the biggest financial return for the event.
"They raised over $300 at that booth," said Amy Bennett, associate director of the chapter.
The booth winner was determined based on the total amount of money collected in each team’s tip jar.
