Archive
July 5th, 2012
Bill W. Ewing, 72, of Benton, passed away Saturday, June 30, at his home in the presence of his loving family.Â
He was born Nov. 12, 1939, in Perryville to the late William Mason Ewing and Ina Louise Windle Ewing.
He was a parts manager for Ford Motor Co. for 51 years.Â
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter.
Fay Eugene Doolin, 78, of Benton, passed away Sunday, July 1.
He was born in Selma on Dec. 9, 1933, to the late Cecil and Fern Doolin.
He was a member of Congo Road Baptist Church and was a retired construction and remodeling contractor. He was a member of the Arkansas National Guard and loved to fish.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Lee Doolin; two daughters, Susan Doolin and Barbara Bunton; one great-grandson, Jaden Richardson; and one brother, Cecil Finis Doolin.Â
John David “Pete” King, 62, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, June 30.
He was born Jan. 27, 1950, in Little Rock. Pete was a member of the Eagles and love to hunt and fish.Â
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward Stanley and Betty Maxine King; and his wife, Virginia King.
He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Smith of Cabot; a son, Chad King of Jessieville; two brothers, Jackie Ward King and Bill Ellis, both of Alexander; two sisters, Dolores Bearden of Alexander, Betty “2T” King of Little Rock; and seven grandchildren.
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.
June 29th
BRYANT – With record-breaking heat in central Arkansas and a 101-degree game-time temperature, which actually felt like 104, the Bryant Sport Shop Black Sox hosted Little Rock Blue on Thursday and came away with a 6-2 victory at Bryant High School.
Three restaurants in Saline County recently were cited for failing an alcohol compliance check, authorities said.
The undercover compliance check of restaurants was made by the Benton Special Investigation Unit, which is comprised of officers from the Benton and Bryant police departments. Authorities said the checks were made to ensure local establishments are not serving alcohol to minors.
Possible naming rights for the Benton events center and advertising and promotion tax collections were addressed Thursday afternoon in a meeting of the Benton A & P Commission.
Commission Chairman Mark Fikes told the council that the events center project is ahead of schedule.
The commission recently approved an initial site plan and conceptual drawing of the center. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. July 3 at the Hickory Square Shopping Center site.
June 28th
Robert Edwards has been named interim director of the Benton Parks and Recreation Department.
Mayor David Mattingly announced Edwards' appointment late Monday at a Benton City Council meeting.
Mattingly said he had selected Edwards to serve in this position and that he expressed appreciation to Edwards for the willingness to serve the city in this manner.
Edwards, in turn, expressed appreciation to the mayor for the confidence placed in him and said it was his pleasure to serve Benton residents.
Edwards is retired from the Federal Aviation Administration.
