Water Rates, Old Nursing Home, Eclipse Highlight First Half of Year

RISON - From a total solar eclipse to a mass shooting at a Fordyce grocery store that involved several from Cleveland County, the first six months of 2024 had some eventual moments that will not be soon forgotten. Here is a look back at some of the top headlines over the first half of the year: JanuaryWith higher water and sewer rates set to begin this month, Mayor Sharon Crosby told the Kingsland City Council that the city has been invited to consolidate its water department with the Outside Kingsland and West Saline Water Associations, both of which have already agreed to a merge.Demolition of the old Cleve-land County Hospital/Nursing Home in Rison is expected to begin soon after the Cleveland County Quorum Court awarded a contract to raze the county-owned building during its regular monthly Monday night.The Cleveland County Quorum Court awarded Huntley Dirt Works of the Sulphur Springs community in Jefferson County a bid of $80,000 to tear down the old Cleveland County Hospital/ Nursing Home building on Magnolia Street in Rison.The Rison City Council voted to give Mayor Charles Roberts and City Utilities Director Joe Freyer permission to negotiate with the only contractor to submit a bid for using $5.5 million in grant money to improve the city's wastewater treatment plant and refurbish its two water tanks.Superintendent Dr. Kevin Hancock informed the Woodlawn School Board during its regular monthly meeting that Energy Systems Group (ESG) will conduct of "feasibility study" of the district's equipment to get a better idea of what improvements could be made in the future.The Cleveland County Rural Water Users Association announced it will be increasing its water rates to put the service provider in compliance with Act 605 of 2021.Jennifer Via announces that the Hwy. 35 Junk Hunt and the Hwy. 63/79 Junk Hunt limit are being merged into the Great South Arkansas Junk Hunt that will take...