Archive
March 1st, 2012
EL DORADO – The Benton Lady Panthers escaped with a 54-49 overtime victory over the Jonesboro Lady Hurricane on Tuesday in the first round of the 6A State Playoffs in El Dorado. The South No. 1 seed Lady Panthers(22-7) were down two points with 4.5 seconds left in regulation against the No. 8 seed Lady Hurricane.
“They’re not your normal No. 8 seed,” Benton Coach Jerry Chumley said. “They’re pretty dad gum athletic and pretty good. We had a 10-point lead in the second half and instead of building on it, we let them get back into it.”
Mary Catherine Willis, 74, of Benton died Tuesday, Feb. 28. She was born July 8, 1937 in Saline County.
Catherine was a homemaker, a charter member of the Lonsdale Volunteer Fire Department Board, a member of the Sharon Home Extension Club and a member of Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Cledies Williams Elliott; and her husband, Harley Gene Willis.
She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Smith and husband Joe Bob of Hot Springs and Anita Willis of Benton; a special friend, Ella Pennington, and her granddog, Khati.
On Sunday, February 26, 2012, angels descended from heaven to St. Vincent Infirmary CCU to take Maxine Honda home to be with her family and friends up in heaven. Her family was at her side. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Clara Matsumoto-Fukushima and was a member of Second Baptist Church in downtown Little Rock.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
Donna Jane Wood, 69, of Benton passed away Sunday, Feb. 26.
She was born in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, to Gordon H. and Katherine M. Scott Sprague. She was a surgical nurse, having retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital. She was a member of the Saline County Master Gardeners Association and North Little Rock Friends of Animals.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Scott Sprague
Richard J. Howard, 80, of Owensville passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28.
He was born Jan. 10, 1932, to the late Sally Houpt Howard and Wilbert D. Howard in Hot Springs.
Mr. Howard was an electrician and a dairy farmer. He was of the Baptist faith and a U.S. Army veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Regina Howard; a son, Regie Howard and wife Judy; two daughters, Becka Howard and Robin McAtee and husband Brent; three brothers, Don Howard, Daniel Howard and Bill Howard; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Joe Louis Stewart, 78, of Benton died Tuesday, Feb. 28. He was born February 9, 1934, in Madisonville, Texas.
Joe was a retired construction worker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Virgie Hall Stewart; and a daughter, Teresa Stewart.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred Stewart; two sons, Randy Stewart and Scott Stewart; a daughter, Linda King; a sister, Jeannette Stewart; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Ashby Funeral Home in Benton.
No service is scheduled at this time.
Online guest book: ashbyfuneralhome.com
February 29th
Benton Mayor David Mattingly spoke to Benton City
Council members and residents during his annual "state of the city" address Monday night.
Mattingly cited several achievements and notable events from 2011 that will impact the future of the city.
In his speech, the mayor noted:
Former state Rep. Barbara Nix has announced her candidacy for the position she held from 2009 to 2011. Nix is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for the District 28 seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Nix is seeking the position currently held by state Rep. Kim Hammer, a Republican.
While serving in the Arkansas Legislature, Nix served on the House Transportation, City, County, Local Government, and Audit committees. She co-chaired the Legislative Task Force on Sustainable Building and Design Practices and was reappointed to the task force where she currently serves.
The defense for an admitted Saline County murderer has requested a gag order for media, law enforcement and attorneys and also has filed for a continuance in her case.
Saline County Circuit Judge Gary Arnold decided to review articles from The Saline Courier before making a decision concerning a gag order on the media. Arnold, who has never invoked a gag order for media in the past, said he would announce his decision at a later time.
February 28th
Amy M. Johnson
Amy M. Johnson, 40, of Bryant, passed away Monday, Feb. 27. She was born Oct. 26, 1971, in Little Rock to Sandra Anthony.
Amy was preceded in death by her grandfather, Elmer D. Rollon.
She is survived by her son, Christopher Gipson and his fiancee, Michele Byerly of Benton; her mother, Sandra Anthony of Benton; a sister, Deanna Kinchen and husband Daryl of Benton; her grandmother, Reba Rollon of Benton; two nephews, Cody Gourley and wife Meagan and Chad Gourley; a niece, Caitlyn Gourley; several aunts and uncles; and a special friend, Kelly Shoemaker and son Robbie.
