Johnson Settling In Quickly With New Job

   RISON - Pardon Johnnie Johnson if he seems a little relaxed on his first official day as superintendent of the Cleveland County School District. After all, as far as he’s concerned, he’s back home.
  Johnson, wearing a striped polo shirt with slacks, eased into the seat behind his desk as a classic country music radio station played in the background. He had yet to finish out his first full day on the job, but from all appearances, he seemed to be as comfortable as if he were resting in his favorite easy chair at home.

New Rodeo Arena Should Be Ready In Time For Fair

  RISON - The new rodeo arena at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison is beginning to take shape as volunteer crews scramble to have it ready for a three-day rodeo that will coincide with this year’s fair, Sept. 25-27.
  George Fox, a member of the Cleveland County Fair Board spearheading the financing of the project, and David Dedman, who is serving in an advisory capacity on the arena construction, both said Tuesday they feel the arena can be completed on time and within budget.

County's Recycling Program Beginning to Pay Dividends

    By Douglas Boultinghouse
  RISON - Since the adoption of the county wide recycling program early this year, the Cleveland County transfer station at Rison has been looking for new ways to make use of the program.
  According to Karen Crowder, the station manager, there are six to seven businesses participating in the program faithfully. On top of what those businesses contribute, she said every load that comes through the station contains something that can be recycled.

Summer Program Preparing Youth For Workforce

   RISON - With such a limited number of businesses in Cleveland County, summer-time jobs for local teenagers can be hard to come by in Rison and the surrounding area.
  But 14 teens from the county managed to secure not only a job this summer, but also learn a little something about getting ready to enter the workforce through the federally-funded Summer Youth Work Program.