Benton News

JUNE 28, 2008: Heather Brock right along with Christen Skaer left and Celia Gorlich middle wash "Jack" during a fund raiser in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday, June 28, 2008.

Summer officially arrived last week. You know what that means. The first day of school and the return of autumn are not all that far away.

Strong straight-line winds downed power poles and destroyed a building east of Benton.

Butler County authorities are assessing the damage this afternoon after a severe thunderstorm toppled 20 power poles west of El Dorado.

“I was most impressed with the hot rod and street rods this year. I think that the weather and gas prices were the reason for the turnout but I still think it's turned into a great event this year.”

Cristina De'Armas / The Bulletin Sophomore Spanish major Ruben Kirk, senior secondary education major David Muhammad and junior sociology major Sydney Birdsong enjoy themselves at the Super Custom Car Show. via The Bulletin

“We're still talking to the company. This is obviously not something that happens overnight. We're talking millions and millions of dollars. We've been talking about six months now, and we're still in the discussion phase.”

David Alfaro, executive director of Butler County's economic development agency, has an uneasy relationship with the Goliath to his west. via Kansas.com

A fundraiser held by The Prairie Rose Chuck Wagon raised thousands to benefit the Emmaus Mennonite Church. via KSNW-TV

“Three of our stops were weathered out”

The 2008 All Kansas Air Tour is now history. With a thunderstorm forecast for today canceling a final fly-in at Jabara, the tour disbanded Monday evening in El Dorado with barbecue and cowboy poetry at the ... via Kansas.com

“It keeps people interested in aviation”

Moments after the wooden propeller stopped spinning, a giddy Rick Verbeek approached the 1943 PT17 Stearman biplane for an up-close gander. via Salina Journal

A small town church that was destroyed by a fire is getting a little help from the community in the form of a complete evening event. via KSNW-TV

“We have everything from a 1938 Stinson, an Air Trike and Stearman to K-State's G1000 Cessna 172.”

Tour will visit Kansas towns to highlight aviation heritage E ighty years ago, Kansas Gov. via Kansas.com

“It's wholesome. It's family. It's the American way at its best”

As it turned out, say the Wranglers, who have performed at Cowtown's new Visitors Center since September, it was just another typical evening: tight harmonies, songs that celebrate the great outdoors and ... via Kansas.com

“It kind of makes me a little more nervous having the kids out here playing in the yard. You know, I always make sure I can see them from the window or whatever, but it just...It's sad that the big city is moving into the small town”

A crime common to big cities is now hitting small towns, like Benton and other areas in Butler County. via Kansas' CW

“The fact I am in the recycling business and I don't have a clue what to do with the stuff... 'he said. 'We've all got this situation. And we don't have a plan. It was kind of embarrassing.”

County creates 9,000 tons of e-waste a year

Kathie Bryan doesn't know what to do with her outdated electronic gadgets. 'I've got two TVs downstairs... I didn't know whether to haul them to the dump or what,' said Bryan, who lives in Benton. 'I also have several cell phones in a drawer... I can't keep collecting these things and putting them downstairs.'

Only nine states have enacted e-waste recycling programs. Kansas has not, but it is pushing local governments to come up with solutions beyond landfills. Butler County, where Bryan lives, is setting up an e-waste recycling program with a state grant. Read more

Cowtown is going to get a new attraction. The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to build a $4 million theatre at the living history museum. via Kansas' CW

As investigators confirmed that two people died in Saturday's plane crash near Benton Saturday, friends and fellow physicians are coming forward to say they believe that the victims of the tragedy were a ... via WIBW-TV Topeka

Along with the medical community, patients are mourning the loss of a prominent Wichita doctor who died in a plane crash over the weekend. via KSNW-TV

BENTON, Kan. - Kansas authorities say a small plane crashed near Wichita, killing one person. via Lompoc Record

At least one person was killed Saturday night when a twin-engine airplane crashed after taking off from the Benton Airport.

'There are no survivors that I'm aware of,' Butler County Sheriff Craig Murphy said. 'Right now, about all we know is it went down.'

Murphy said he was receiving conflicting accounts about how many people were aboard.

The plane crashed at 6:45 p.m. about a mile west of Benton after refueling at the airport, he said.

The plane crashed into a muddy field and caught fire, Murphy said, making it impossible for rescue workers to immediately determine the number of victims. Read more

A twin-engine airplane crashed after taking off from the Benton Airport tonight.

'There are no survivors that I'm aware of,' Butler County Sheriff Craig Murphy said. 'Right now, about all we know is it went down.'

Murphy said he was receiving conflicting accounts about how many people were aboard.

Murphy said the plane crashed about a mile west of Benton at 6:45 p.m. after refueling at the airport.

The plane crashed into a muddy field and caught fire, Murphy said, making it difficult for rescue to reach the victim or victims. Read more