(The following items were compiled from files of past issues of the Cleveland County Herald. For questions or comments, contact Stan Sadler, P.O. Box 325, Rison, AR 71665, phone (870) 830-2056 or (870) 325-6412; or email at sadler.stan@yahoo.com)
10 YEARS AGO
AUGUST 10, 2016
When the Cleveland County Quorum Court was debating how much of a sales tax to ask for in building and maintaining a proposed new 47-bed jail, there was a concerted effort by some members of the court to shave that total to 2 cents or less. But as Judge Gary Spears pointed out, even a 1-cent sales tax in Cleveland County simply does not generate as much revenue as it does elsewhere. In fact, it was reported, a 1-cent tax in Cleveland County generates less revenue than any county in Arkansas.
"The cards are kind of stacked against us here," Spears told the JPs, regarding the low amount of sales tax revenue generated in the county.
The board of the Cleveland County School District gave the Cleveland County Head Start program permission to proceed with a grant application that could possibly bring 14 new jobs to the county plus provide childcare for up to 32 children ages infant to 3 years old.
With evidence from one illegal dump already turned over to the sheriff's department, Cleveland County Judge Gary Spears said the county will be cracking down on those who dump illegally across the county. Spears said the county road crews have recently come across two illegal dump sites along Brushy Creek Road north of Rison. "There really isn't an excuse to dump illegally," Spears said. "It doesn't cost them anything to take it to the transfer station in Rison, so I can't understand why anyone would even need to do it."
20 YEARS AGO
AUGUST 16, 2006
Schools across Cleveland County will begin the 2006-07 school year on Monday, when students report for the first day of classes. High school students at both Rison and Woodlawn will be going into their first year of the new 8-period school day.
The board of the Cleveland County School District gave Supt. Scotty Holderfield the go-ahead Monday to begin gathering specifications to be used in the bidding process for clearing ground for a new baseball/softball complex on…