Archive
June 11th, 2013
Sammie Lois Patton, 87, of Benton passed away June 6, 2013, with her family by her side. She was born Jan. 22, 1926, to the late Charlie and Estelle Noles in Seagraves, Texas.
Sammie was an avid reader and loved working in her flower garden, sewing and quilting. She retired from Teletype after 20 years of employment.
Sammie was a member of North Bryant Baptist Church for 14 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 59 years, William Earl Patton.
Pearly Maxine Gerrald, 83, of Benton passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2013. She was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Fouke, to the late Melvin and Belle Jones Nall. Maxine was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Leland Gerrald.
Maxine is survived by her sons, Warren Gerrald of Benton, Dennis Gerrald of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Everett Gerrald of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Belinda Baxter of Benton; a brother, Hollis Nall of Texarkana, Ark.; a sister, Geneva Dugger of Stillwater, Okla.; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Rebecca Marie Woodall, 38, of Mabelvale passed away Saturday June 1, 2013. She was born Nov. 26, 1974. in Little Rock.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her grandmother, Pearl Nickels.
She is survived by her sons, Brandon and Jacob Woodall of Mabelvale; a daughter, Rachel Woodall of Mabelvale; her mother and stepfather, Sandra and John Heard of Benton; a brother, Richard N. Nickels of Benton; a sister, Jessica Heard of Benton; and her grandfather, Daniel Nickels of Benton.
No service is scheduled at this time.
Arrangements are by Ashby Funeral Home.
June 10th
POCAHONTAS — Black River Technical College is joining the list of Arkansas schools that won't allow concealed guns on campus.
The school's board of trustees voted last week to opt out of the new state law. Board chairman John Jackson Jr. tells the Paragould Daily Press (http://bit.ly/190kHiU ) that the trustees had several questions about the new law and decided not to change the college's current policy banning weapons.
Black River Technical College has about 3,000 students with campuses in Pocahontas and Paragould.
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers are studying the state's scholarship programs after a shortfall prompted Gov. Mike Beebe to tap into reserve funds to continue grants that help students pursue degrees in some medical fields.
Members of the House and Senate Education Committee on Monday said they planned to look at the state's 24 scholarship programs. State higher education officials say they need an additional $5.5 million to restore about 4,800 scholarships for incoming students that will be cut because of a shortfall in its fund.
June 9th
LITTLE ROCK — The violent flash flood in west Arkansas that killed a sheriff and a wildlife officer as they tried to rescue two women forced the men to make a series of split-second decisions that no set of regulations can anticipate, the chief of enforcement for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said.
The Saline Courier recognizes local police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians in a special section of today's issue.
The paper is on newsstands now.
June 8th
BRYANT – Former Bryant Hornet pitcher Nate Rutherford will be joining teammate Marcus Wilson as an Arkansas Tech (Russellville) Wonder Boy. Rutherford signed to play for the Wonderboys on Thursday morning at the Bryant High School baseball office and said it wasn’t hard to decide on Arkansas Tech for life after high school baseball.
The Saline County Library system will kick off its summer reading program for all ages on Monday, June 10.
The theme for the events is "Aargh! Pirates!"
It will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bryant library and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Benton library.
June 7th
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Attorneys for ExxonMobil Corp. and Exxon Pipeline Co. have filed a motion asking for dismissal of a lawsuit by Mayflower residents over a recent oil spill.
ExxonMobil Pipeline's Pegasus pipeline ruptured March 29 and spilled thousands of barrels of oil in the town about 25 miles northwest of Little Rock and forced the evacuation of about 20 homes.
A lawsuit by Kathryn Jane Roachell Chunn and Ellen Burgess asks for unspecified damages because of diminished value to their property and nuisance.
