BENTON – A number of issues relating to city park projects and a grand opening ceremony are among the items being discussed by the Benton City Council’s parks committee at 5:30 PM on Thursday.

The agenda includes discussion on land for the Ralph Bunche Park, plans for the Habitat for Humanity Park, equipment related to the upcoming dog park.

The committee will also discuss the grand opening of a new splash pad within the City of Benton.

The meeting will be held in the Mayor’s conference room at Benton City Hall.

CONWAY — The elite athletes in Arkansas high school sports are gathering in Conway this week for one final performance to cap off the 2012-2013 school year as the annual All-Star games convene in baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, and baseball.

Area athletes that are attending include the following:

Girls Soccer

Lexi Balisterri     -    Bryant Lady Hornets

Shelby Gartrell    -   Bryant Lady Hornets

Boys Soccer

 Anthony Shank   -   Benton Panthers

Danuek Ramirez -   Benton Panthers

Justin Travis        -  Bryant Hornets

Baseball

 Coulton Lee    -  Benton Panthers

Nate Rutherford – Bryant Hornets

Marcus Wilson  – Bryant Hornets

Softball

 Korie Parker  – Benton Lady Panthers

Allison Stipes – Sheridan Lady Jackets

Volleyball

 Hannah Rice – Bryant Lady Hornets

Girls Basketball

 Mary Crow  -  Bauxite Lady Miners

Logan Davis – Bryant Lady Hornets

Boys Basketball

 Ricky Gipson  -  Benton Panthers

Bryant Torres  -  Benton Panthers

Football

 Chase Pigue -  Benton Panthers

Wallace Foote  – Benton Panthers

Collin Hunter  -  Glen Rose Beavers

Trey Broughton – Malvern Leopards

Andrew Barber  – Fountain Lake Cobras

Arkansas hitting coach Todd Butler will be Wichita State’s new head coach.

Arkansas hitting coach Todd Butler will be announced at 2 p.m. Monday as the new head coach at Wichita State, the school confirms this weekend.

He replaces Gene Stephenson, who ended his 36-year run as head coach of the Shockers after a loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Regionals in Manhattan.

“(Monday) will be the greatest day in my 23 years of coaching,” Butler said in a news release. “The opportunity to be the next head coach of the Wichita State Shockers, a storied program with tradition, a national championship and continuous seasons of greatness is a blessing.”

Butler’s contract calls for a $300,000 per year base salary, plus bonuses over the next seven years.

“I want to congratulate Todd Butler on becoming the head baseball coach at Wichita State. Todd was a valuable member of our coaching staff over the last eight years, helping to keep our program among the nation’s elite, and is deserving of this opportunity to advance his coaching career.” said Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Todd will be extremely successful as the head coach at Wichita State. I wish nothing but the best for Todd, Melissa and the entire Butler family.”

Butler, 46, was head coach at McNeese State University in Louisiana prior to becoming Arkansas’ hitting coach.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

On line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Joe Lee Richards

Joe Lee Richards, the former Saline County Sheriff who would go on become one of the longest serving city council members in the history of Benton is dead following a long illness at the age of 78.  Funeral services are set for Tuesday at 2 PM, with visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 the night before at Selph Hall on the campus of Benton’s First Baptist Church.

Richards received numerous honors during his time on the council, and was widely respected for his long service to the city of Benton. “Joe was a servant of the people who taught me a lot about focusing on what was best for the whole, instead of the requests of a few. He was a very close friend of my family, and although we didn’t always agree, we always respected each other. We could communicate with each other in a professional manner.” Said Benton City Councilman Brad Moore. “He was certainly one of Saline County’s characters. He was 100% Benton.”

According to his family, Richards’ loves included a long history of involvement in amateur radio, and a love of fishing.

Richards is survived by his daughter Kathy Blue and husband, Louis, Sons Michael L. Richards and Angie and Steven L. Richards and his wife, Brandyn. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and his sweetie of 11 years, Una Dacus, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are under the direction of Ashby Funeral Home

Madean Rickard

Madean “Dumpy” Rickard, age 78, of Bryant died Thursday, June 13, 2013. She was born October 1, 1931 in Bauxite to Dick and Ona Daugherty. She was a 1952 graduate of Bauxite High School and Capitol City Business College. She had worked for Saline County Social Services and Saline County Tax Collector. Madean was a member of East Smith Street Church of Christ. She was given the nickname “Dumpy” and was known by her family and many friends by this name.

On line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Stanek gets third All-American honor this season.

Arkansas junior pitcher Ryne Stanek received his third All-America honor of the 2013 postseason on Thursday as he was named a second-team All-American by Perfect Game.

A native of Overland Park, Kan., Stanek was also named a second-team All-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. The junior right hander recently became the seventh Razorback in program history to be drafted in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft as he was taken with the 29th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Stanek put together a stellar junior season, finishing the year with a 10-2 record and a 1.39 ERA in 16 starts. A first-team All-SEC selection, Stanek currently ranks second in the SEC and 10th nationally in ERA. His 1.39 ERA is the third-lowest single-season ERA in school history, while his 10 victories are tied for the ninth most in a season. In 97.1 innings pitched, Stanek allowed 23 runs, 15 earned, on 72 hits and struck out 79 batters. Opponents hit .207 against Stanek. In 11 starts vs. SEC opponents, Stanek had an 8-1 record with a 0.86 ERA. Stanek allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 16 starts and allowed one earned run or less in 10 of 11 starts vs. SEC opponents.

Stanek has pitched in 48 games, including 45 starts, as a Razorback and has a 22-8 career record with one save and a 2.55 ERA. In 254 innings, Stanek has struck out 203 batters, while giving up 88 runs, 72 earned, on 197 hits. He’s held opponents to a .216 batting average. Stanek currently ranks sixth in school history in career ERA and sixth in career starts.

Patricia Faye Rickford

Patricia Faye Rickford, age 66, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013. She was born April 27, 1947 in Benton, Arkansas. Mrs. Rickford was a member of Old Union Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dulsie Howard; her husband of 45 years, Clifford Rickford; two brothers, J.W. and Ronnie Howard and a sister, Mary Young.

She is survived by three daughters, Sheila Isom of Benton, Angelia Cates and husband Jimmy of Benton and Kelly McAnear and husband Jerry of Hot Springs; brother, Alvin Howard of Benton; three sisters, Joy Hays of Texas, Rita Heinze of Texas and Jan Reynolds of Prattsville; six grandchildren, Amanda Turner, Chase Cates, Zach Isom, Miranda Isom, Trey McAnear and Carson Cates and two great-grandchildren, Cara Lynn Long and K.J. Isom.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 15 at Forest Hills Cemetery. Bro. Kim Hammer will be officiating.

Family Comments: She was a devoted wife, mother and caregiver her whole life. She dearly loved her family and her family dearly loved her.

Memorials may be made to Saline Memorial Hospice @ 23157 I-30 in Bryant, Ar. 72022.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.

Douglas Williams

Doug Williams, age 67, of Bauxite, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013. He was born November 6, 1945 in Helena, Arkansas. Mr. Williams was a U.S. Army Veteran.

Doug retired from the Arkansas State Police where he served 27 years, 7 months and was Commander of the Crimes Against Children Division upon retirement. He ends a 35-year career in law enforcement, including more than three years with the Little Rock Police Department and four years with the United States Secret Service-Executive Protective Service. Doug was currently employed at the Department of Human Services Division of Childcare.

He is survived by his wife, Machelle Williams of Bauxite; three daughters, Melinda Parson (Tony) of Little Rock, Melissa Nickols (Lee) of Benton and Brandi Phillips (Brian) of Little Rock; parents, M.C. and Frances Williams of Benton; three brothers, Jerome Calvin Williams of Benton, Jerry Williams of Benton and Rodney Williams of Crestview, Florida; granddaughter, Brooklynn Machelle Phillips and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 14 at Ashby Funeral Home with visitation to follow. Bro. Larry Beatty and Merlin Leach will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Foundation at “thegregfoundation.org”.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.