Archive
January 19th, 2012
Nineteen individuals are vying for the position of superintendent of the Benton School District,
Benton School Board members began reviewing the candidates' applications Tuesday night in a closed session that followed the monthly board meeting.
In Thursday's meeting, the board hopes to narrow the field of 19 to four or five finalists who will be interviewed, according to Jeff Morrow, board president.
"We hope to have someone named (for superintendent) by late February," Morrow said.
January 18th
The Bauxite Lady Miners faced a tall task traveling to Little Rock on Tuesday to face the Pulaski Academy Lady Bruins, which are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. The Lady Miners were down by 17 points at one point, but got within three points in the fourth quarter, losing 53-45 in 7-4A conference action.
“Great effort, great heart, and [we] played hard – not quite big enough,” Bauxite Coach Josh Harrison said of the Lady Miners’ size compared to PA.
The Bryant Lady Hornets withstood the Conway Lady Wampus Cats’ pressure and picked up a 68-60 conference win on the road on Tuesday night at Buzz Bolding Arena in Conway.
“Any time you go on the road in this conference and get a win, [it’s a good thing],” Bryant Coach Brad Matthews said. “It was a tremendous win by our team. It was a tremendous victory tonight for our kids.”
Bryant received two double-double performances from its post players as sophomore Taneasha Rhode scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and junior Courtney Davidson scored 15 points and recorded 10 rebounds.
Bryant School Board approved a rezoning plan for Hill Farm Elementary School in its regular meeting late Monday.
According to Richard Stipe, project manager, construction on the new elementary school, located at Reynolds Road and Hill Farm Road, is on schedule. "We have a footprint, plumbing, electrical and concrete slabs. There is steel up in some areas and one wing is framed," Stipe reported.
A call of a vicious dog in Bauxite ended with the animal being shot, but a neighbor and the police chief say the death was warranted.
"It's very peaceful now," Melissa Parker said. "It's finally peaceful enough for my son to ride his bicycle outside without the fear of being bit. It's good for all of us."
January 17th
Linnie Cordelia Ragan, 90, of Benton died Thursday, Jan. 12, in West Virginia. She was born Dec. 25, 1921, in Warren.
Mrs. Ragan was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Seth Holland and Nora Helen Spencer Holland; her husband, Simon L. Ragan; and two brothers, Bernard Holland and Edward Holland.
John Earle Toler, 53, of Haskell passed away Friday, Jan. 13. He was born Sept. 30, 1958, in Little Rock.
John was retired from UPS. He was preceded in death by his father, William Toler; and his daughter, Jamie Lynn Looney.
He is survived by his daughter, Hollie Moore and husband Chris of Benton; his mother, Carra Jo Toler of Bryant; a brother, Bill Toler of Little Rock; a sister, Debby Felton and husband Wayne of Bryant; a grandson, Blake Looney; and several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Debra Denise Hoover Bartley, 59, of Hazen was called to her heavenly home on Jan. 15, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
She was born May 1, 1952, in Chicago to Derald Flint and Marjorie Ann Bendig Hoover. “Debi” liked to crochet, enjoyed going to the casino and cherished her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a younger brother, Michael Hoover.
January 16th
Weekend Recap
Polar Plunge Hurricane Creek Estates was the sight for this year's "Freezin' for a Reason" fundraiser. The event, sponsored by the Benton Police Department, was known as the Polar Plunge. Participants obtained sponsors who would pay for entrants to enter the winter cold water of Lake Hurricane. The event was considered a big success as over $18,000 was raised this year. Proceeds from the event were to the benefit of Special Olympics.
Tony Coffman may no longer be the police chief in Bryant, but he still knows what is happening in his former hometown.
During a Jan. 9 press conference, Bryant Mayor Jill Dabbs made the allegation that Bryant City Alderman Adrian Henley had "illegally accessed" the personnel files of several city employees, both current and past. Coffman's file was one of those files in question.
