Other Days: February 12, 2025

10 YEARS AGO FEBRUARY 18, 2015 The first significant winter storm of the season hit Cleveland County early Monday morning, leaving thousands without power and blocking several roadways with toppled trees and broken branches and forcing postponements and delays. The storm consisted mostly of freezing rain, though there were some short periods of sleet and light snow around the county later in the day. Some residents remained without electric power as of Wednesday morning.An effort to develop a longrange community development plan for Rison and the surrounding area will soon get underway following a meeting here last Thursday with Dr. Mark Peterson, a professor of community and economic development with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock. Peterson met with more than 20 people, with the primary purpose of the session to gauge the interest in moving forward with an in-depth plan.20 YEARS AGO FEBRUARY 16, 2005 Some confusion regarding district finances led the Cleveland County School District board of directors to schedule a special meeting February 28 to discuss the possible restructuring of the school district. Discussion will center around a projected budget shortfall and possibly consolidating the Kingsland and Rison high school operations at the Rison campus next year as a way to make up for the projected deficit. Superintendent Scotty Holderfield reported that the district will suffer a budget shortfall of about $327,000 for the fiscal year that ends June 30. The lack of a financial track record as a consolidated district, changes in state funding methods, salary increases and fluctuating student enrollments have all played a role in the projected budget shortfall for the district.Bethany Hollis, a seventh grader from Kingsland, was winner of the Cleveland County Spelling Bee.The deadline has passed for those wanting to avoid legal action concerning delinquent soli...