FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Board got an update regarding plans to demolish the former Benton Evening News building at Monday Night’s meeting.

County Board Chairman Randall Crocker says work has progressed on getting the newspaper building torn down to make way for a new parking lot to help ease parking in downtown Benton, especially when construction starts next year on the new courthouse on the Benton Square.

Crocker says an asbestos inspection of the building was done recently. No asbestos was found, so this won’t cause any problems when it comes time to tear down the building.

The parking lot project should be finished early next year.

The board also heard updates regarding the Campbell Building and the new courthouse at Monday’s meeting.