Other Days: December 6, 2023

10 YEARS AGO DECEMBER 4, 2013 The Cleveland County Quorum Court approved a 2014 budget Monday night that brings county general expenditures back to 2012 levels, but the court stopped short of changing the way the county splits its 1-cent sales tax between county roads and county general that would help with a proposed pay increase for employees. The 2014 budget projects county general to generate $1,657,884 in revenue next year, with expenditures projected at $1,480,081. The county road budget for 2014 is projected at $1,383,273, slightly higher than a year ago. Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk Sharon Gray announced that she is retiring and will not seek another term in office. Gray's current term will expire on December 31, 2014. She is currently serving in her 10th term in office. She became county clerk on January 1, 1995, succeeding John T. Reed. The City of Rison's new shutoff policy for delinquent water customers is yielding very good results, Mayor Vernon Dollar told the city council Tuesday night. About two months ago, the city implemented a new policy where it shuts off delinquent customers within a couple of days after the due date, which is the 20th of each month. Dollar told the council that the city is now down to just five delinquent customers. With the possibility of inclement weather toward the end of the week, a decision was made Monday to postpone the Cleveland County Christmas Parade by a week, while the 2013 Miss Christmas Pageant is still set to go on as scheduled this Saturday, weather permitting. The weather forecast for the weekend calls for a chance of freezing rain, with a wind chill in the high teens. Playing on the road for their third consecutive state playoff game, the Rison Wildcats saw a 19-8 halftime lead evaporate, as they fell to the Carlisle Bison, 3019, in the quarterfinals last Friday night. The Wildcats completed their season with a record of 9-4. 20 YEARS AGO D...