Top events in Decatur

— Much has happened in Decatur over the past year. As 2010 draws to a close, here is a look back at the major news stories of each month.

JANUARY - On Jan. 19, the Arkansas Department of Education voted to officially remove the Decatur School District from fiscal distress and begin the process of handing control back to a local school board. The school came a long way from facing the threat of annexation into a neighboring district in July of 2008 to fiscal stability just 18 short months later. State appointed superintendent LeRoy Ortman - who led the school through the process of fiscal distress back to financial health - also submitted his resignation in January.

Also in January, winter storms dumped six inches of snow andclosed Decatur schools during the last week of January. Because of the winter weather, Decatur Schools were forced to use eight snow days and superintendent LeRoy Ortman had to adjust the school calendar so school was not let out until June 4. Through January, northwest Arkansas received more than 14 inches of snow according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, with more on the way in March. The yearly average snowfall for the area is 10 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

FEBRUARY - Former superintendent of Decatur Schools, Dave Smith, lost his lawsuit against the Decatur School District in a summary judgment hearing on Feb. 19. The ruling relieved Decatur Schools from any financial obligation to Smith. Smith filed a lawsuit against the school on Nov. 21, 2008, to receive pay for the remainder of his two year contract after theArkansas Board of Education relieved him of his post after only serving one month of the contract. Smith and his attorney went on to file an appeal with the Arkansas Supreme Court in April.

MARCH - On March 13, the community held a benefit and chili supper for Decatur Chamber of Commerce President Royce Johnson. More than 230 meal tickets were sold - representing just some of the people in attendance. The benefit raised more than $21,000 to help Johnson with expenses in his battle with cancer.

APRIL - Two Decatur students placed at the state track meet in Mineral Springs, on April 30. Senior Chelsie Woodall won fifth place in both the 100 meter and 300 meter hurdle events. Senior Trent Arnold placed sixth in the 1,600 meter event and seventh in the 800 meter event. Both Woodall and Arnold competed with dozens of students across the state, according to coach Stan Ellis.

“For 2A that makes Chelsie the fifth best hurdler in the state. It’s kind of a big deal,” he said.

MAY - In May, Larry Ben was appointed superintendent of the Decatur School District. Ben, who holds a doctorate in education, came to Decatur from the Rogers School District where he served as biology teacher, football coach and middle school principal. Since Decatur did not have a local school board at the time, Ben was chosen from a field of 18 applicants by a committee of local community members and state officials.

JUNE - For the first time since it was built in the 1970s, the Decatur Pool sat quietly with gates locked and a heavy cover over the water for the summer. The council voted to close the pool in February after more thana year of deliberation because of a lack of public interest and financial losses.

JULY - The last issue of the Decatur Herald was printed on July 28, but it was not the end of hometown newspapers for Decatur. The Decatur Herald was combined with the Gravette News Herald and Gentry Courier Journal to form a new paper, the Westside Eagle Observer, covering all three towns. The Decatur Herald was one of the oldest businesses in Decatur, dating back to 1896.

AUGUST - The first ever combined 57th Annual Decatur Barbecue Festival on Aug. 6 and 7 combined everything the community had grown to love about the Decatur Barbecue and Bulldog Days. The Decatur Chamber of Commerce sponsored events on Aug. 6 and the city Parks and Recreation Committeesponsored events on Aug. 7. The festival included traditional barbecued chicken, parade and beauty pageants, as well as additions like hot air balloons, a car show and motorcycle run. Country musician Buddy Jewell was the featured entertainer.

SEPTEMBER - The Decatur Schools fielded a high school football team for the first time since 2008. Senior high football was canceled in 2009 because of a lack of participation, but the team was more than 20 members strong as they began the 2010 season, winning their first game.

OCTOBER - The newly-elected school board officially took control of Decatur School District from the Arkansas Board of Education when they were sworn into office on Oct. 4. The new board members were Ike Owens, Aaron Owens, Justin Thompson and Darleen Holly. Kevin Smith was appointed to fill Zone 5, when no-one filed for election in the zone.

NOVEMBER - The November Election left Decatur with some major changes in city government. Charles Linam won the election for Decatur mayor over incumbent Bill Montgomery. Nan McClain defeated incumbent Reagina Davis for the position of alderman for Ward 3 Position 2. Gina Holt, who ran uncontested for the position of alderman for Ward 1 Position 2, will also be a new face on the council. The position has long been held by Linda Martin who did not run for re-election.

DECEMBER - The city council honored mayor Bill Montgomery, who served as Decatur’s mayor since 1996 and alderman since 1982, with a plaque and a short ceremony at their December meeting. Montgomery saw the city’s wastewater treatment plant from being the object of a federal lawsuit over pollution to an award-winning facility during his tenure.

On Dec. 17, the plant received the Small System Award for Wastewater from the Northwest District of the Arkansas Water Works & Environmental Association, and public services director James Boston was named Wastewater Operator of the Year for towns with a population less than 5,000 at the district’s meeting.

News, Pages 2 on 01/05/2011