Other Days: July 5, 2023

10 YEARS AGO JULY 3, 2013 The Rison City Council was told during its regular monthly meeting Monday night that both Niven Road in the north part of town and Mt. Elba Road in the south portion will be overlaid with new asphalt this fall. The Mt. Elba overlay will extend from Hwy. 35 to the city limits, while Niven Road, essentially an extension of Main Street, extending from the railroad tracks out to Highway 79. Two local industries are located on Niven Road England Farms and Hixson Lumber Company. A meeting is being planned for those interested in helping to rejuvenate the Rison in the Fall Festival this October. The event has suffered through dwindling attendance and activities in recent years. Plans call for moving the festival to Pioneer Village. The grand opening for the new 'pocket park' and Rison Farmers Market at the same location on Main Street here will be held next Thursday. The Cleveland County Quorum Court met inside the new Hall-Morgan Veterans Building Monday night for a change of pace from the regular routine of meeting in the second floor courtroom inside the courthouse. The move was for the July meeting only, but some of the Justices of the Peace like the new environment so much that they said they wouldn't mind the meetings being moved their on a permanent basis. What started as a resolution from the Cleveland County Quorum Court has resulted in a move by three state agencies to withdraw their support for the federal designation of the White River watershed as a National Blueway. 'Anytime you think what we do doesn't influence things, this one did,' Cleveland County Judge Gary Spears said. Last month, the Cleveland County Quorum Court became the first local government entity in Arkansas to formally oppose the designation of White River Blueway. Since Cleveland County approved the resolution last month, Spears said nearly 40 counties have joined the opposition against the designation. Trea...