WESTSIDE — January◊
Jan. 6: New mayors who took office in January were Kevin Johnston in Gentry, Byron Warren in Gravette and Charles Linam in Decatur. Fire destroyed a home at 1275 Eubanks in Decatur. A key box idea for businesses in Gentry was not resolved.
Jan. 13: Snow closed schools in the area. A resignation and residence error resulted in vacancies in two Decatur Council positions. John Edwards, Gravette school board member, was recognized by the Ark. School Board Assn.
Jan. 19: Police were seeking a man who held up Austin Drug in Gravette shortly before closing time. Terra Jones was crowned Gentry homecoming queen. Samantha van Otterloo was named homecoming queen at Gravette. Decatur teachers brainstormed to improve college readiness.
Jan. 26: Another snow storm, more than three inches, closed area schools. A memorial service at Decatur hosted by the Hmong Assocication honored General Vang Pao. Gentry Council recommended to develop longrange street plan. Dozens of area residents responded to the 20 Questions feature.
February◊
Feb. 2: A Gentry youth, Corey Wilds, lost his leg in a train accident. Vicki Ash of Gravette retired as Benton County dispatcher. Johnny the Brave Day was held at Gravette school. New technology brought new learning possibilities at Decatur school.
Feb. 9: More snow, possibly a record amount, up to two feet in some areas. Key box issue solved in Gentry. Area Chambers of Commerce formed an alliance to boost the region. Chai (Shelly)I-Hsuan is crowned Colors Day queen at Decatur.
Feb. 18: A Hiwasse youth, Dylan Combs, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound after a car accident near Decatur. Gentry retained an engineering firm to develop street plans. New census population figures were released showing growth in most area towns. Five area persons were arrested on drug charges in Decatur. Decatur planned to open swimming pool after it was closed the previous summer.
Feb. 22: Announcement was made that Gentry would get a new Walmart Express. Gravette council reviewed sewer options and opened swimming pool repair bids. A state grant funded expansion of Decatur fire station. First ever science night was held at Decatur elementary school.
March◊
March 2: County sought new road yard site near Decatur.Gravette schools were recommended for AdvancED accreditation. Todd Woodall was Gentry’s new animal control/code enforcer. Gentry Middle School recognized for literacy scores. Gentry wrestlers fourth in state; two, Tanner Coy and Barnabus Cheny, tops in state. Dave Smith, former Decatur superintendent, lost his appeal against the district.
March 9: Decatur airport was opened by Mike Mitchell for aviation use. Ozarks Community Hospital at Gravette received new MRI unit. Lady Lions won open state basketball tournament. A new economic development committee was formed in Gentry.
March 16: Council approved Walmart plan for Gravette. A new sales tax proposal for Ozark Transit was proposed. Soil testing continued at sites of a gasoline leak last year at Gravette station. Decatur Methodist Church food program fed many. David Poemoceah was all-state band member.
March 23: The Gentry Lions Club accepts donations of good used computers which are then refurbished and provided to local students. Gravette DECA students received many honors at the state convention in Little Rock. The first morning coffee was held at Northside Elementary in Decatur to help connect the school with business and community leaders. Gentry students earned awards in a Patriotic Creative Art contest.
March 30: Carlos Ortiz was manager of a new meat market opened in Decatur. Gentry board sanctioned student trip to Washington, D.C. Grumpy’s Coffee opened in Gravette. Endangered bats curtailed planned wind farms in area. Gravette culinary arts class placed second in state. Gentry Lions Club held a pancake breakfast.
April◊
April 6: A Decatur man was arrested after a meth lab was seized in that city. Gravette Lions took the title at a track meet held at Lion Field. Decatur Fire Department received a $75,000 grant. New census figures required zone changes for school district in Gentry.
April 13: Gravette Council terminated contract with sewer project engineer. More than $20,000 was raised at a benefit in Decatur for June Walls. County approved Decatur site for road department yard. Tired Iron at Gentry held three-day Spring Crank-Up. Earth Day was observed at Eagle Watch Nature Area. Gene and Norma Jean Wilmoth were honored for service by Decatur Chamber.
April 20: Decatur filed for grants for two generators for treatment plant. Empire Electric announced rate increase for area customers. Pioneer track relays were held in Gentry; Gentry second in boys division, Gravette third; Gravette girls third. Both Gravette teams took first in Siloam relays. Hollywood Nights featured for Decatur prom.
April 27: More than 12 inches of rain fell in area; flooding occurred. New Westside Community Guide published by Eagle Observer. Hit-and-run driver caught by Gentry police. Decatur junior high boys placed first and girls second at conference track meet. Gentry and Decatur held Easter egg hunts.
May◊
May 4: The Highfill rescue team saved several persons from high water in area streams. Bids were accepted for streets and HVAC system in Gentry. Kaitlynn Britton, Gravette senior, was Merit Scholarship finalist. Lady Lions took first, boys placed second in district meet. Gentry adopted a two-hour parking limit for Main Street.
May 11: Gentry Fire Department was working to lower its “5” ISO fire rating. Gravette Council approved purchase of two ambulances. Three Decatur students, Ashley Lor, Casey Yang and Mitchell Nelson, honored by Chamber of Commerce. Flood water destroyed bridge over Third Street in Decatur. International Week was observed at Decatur Elementary School.
May 18: Curran’s Feed Store closed after 65 years. Old Gravette hospital was demolished to make room for Walmart Express.Work started on Bella Vista Bypass around Hiwasse. Twenty-two graduated from Decatur High School. There were 99 area grads at Gentry. Gravette graduated 111.
May 25: Storms threatened westside Benton County with wind, hail, heavy rains and some flooding. No major damage reported. Memorial Day services were planned at Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette. Marty Stuart was hired as entertainer for Decatur area. A Decatur man was arrested for allegedly stealing copper wire from phone poles. Gravette Council approved flood damage prevention ordinance.
June◊
June 8: The new Walmart Express held its grand opening in Gentry. Karen Jones was new librarian at Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur. Almost 100 people attended a reunion at the old Beaty school. Gentry okayed funds to extend sidewalks to Highway 59. County purchased land for new road department yard at Decatur.
June 15: Mark and Jerri Weathers and family of Gentry were County Farm Family of the Year. Police searched for person who broke into home at Decatur, awakening woman in the middle of the night. Marco and Sandra Hernandez opened new Mexican restaurant in Decatur. Decatur was site of Legends Equestrian Center hunter jumper horse show. Be A Winner program graduated 156 students at Gravette.
June 22: Gentry Senior Center planned improvements at its facility after receiving more than $50,000 grant. Decatur Council heard proposal for a new park. Public hearing set. “Little Fishermen” Derby was held at Crystal Lake. Work neared completion on new Gravette Museum building.
June 29: Mitch Wilber was hired as Decatur school curriculum coordinator. Mark Londagin was new president of Decatur State Bank. Ozarks Community Hospital received accreditation. Holiness Church at Gravette held annual camp meeting.
July◊
July 6: State law prohibits white students at Decatur to transfer to other schools. Refurbishing Gravette middle and elementary schools completed. Simmons eliminates jobs, some transferred to Decatur. Gentry holds Freedom Fest; Sulphur and Gravette celebrate Fourth.
July 13: First segment of Bella Vista bypass begins around Hiwasse. Nichols Family Farms contracts eggs for Cal-Maine. Gentry school has new dress code. Decatur Gallery Cafe featured on TV show.
July 20: Gravette reverts to manual water meter reading after malfunction. Decatur board denies student transfers. Decatur students attend Atlantis launch in Florida. Duane Thomas is Gravette middle school principal.
July 27: Geneva Hamilton retires as Hiwasse postmaster. Bloomfield farmers creating corn maze. Gravette receives three parks grants. ADEQ officials tour Decatur wastewater plant.
August◊
Aug. 3: Gentry considers ambulance contract with Siloam. Gravette contracts with EGIS for sewer plant project. Football practice starts at area schools.
Aug. 10: Heat sets record 114 degree temp. Lots of wildfires in hot dry weather. AF Sgt. John Brown dies in helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Meredith Emerson is Miss Decatur Barbecue.
Aug. 17: Ribbon cut for new Gravette museum exhibit hall. Marc Burden new manager for Gentry branch of Decatur bank. Jacquelynn Janes crowned Miss Gravette.
Aug. 24: New Community Christian School opens in Gentry. Gravette puts new fire truck into service. Dollar General, Gravette, holds grand reopening. County alert system expands for city use. Courtney Millsap of Gentry is Miss Benton County. Ashton Yarbrough of Gravette is junior queen. Marvin’s closes store in Gentry.
Aug. 31: Walmart Express opens in Gravette. Gentry sets new ward boundaries. David Ferrell, wanted for murder in Nevada, arrested in Decatur. Meeting held to save Maysville post office. Care and Share breaks ground in Gravette for new building. County investigator injured in Gentry when struck by a vehicle. Bill Howard, former Gravette mayor, succumbs after collapsing at council meeting.
September◊
Sept. 7: Teasley Drug in Gravette is burglarized after back door smashed. Construction of county road yard begins at Decatur. Jim Hendren announces for State Senate seat. Mitchell Wilber, former principal at Gravette Middle School, honored for 30 years service.
Sept. 14: Assembly of God Church dedicated at Decatur. Gentry Council raises water-sewer rates. Two arrested for drug theft at Ozarks Community Hospital. Decatur Council approves new ward boundaries. New columns taking shape in Gravette’s Kindley Park. New flagpole erected in Veteran’s Park at Decatur. Tired Iron holds 20th annual event. Fly-in held at Cherokee City air strip.
Sept. 21: Maysville residents voice support for post office at meeting. Former Gentry Mayor sues city officials for access to documents. Gentry receives $1,000 park grant from Cargill.
Sept. 28: Decatur students top state ACT test scores. Gravette drops application to make school a “charter-type” school. Kaylin Cripps, Gentry senior, wins regional Voice of McDonalds contest. ADEQ visits Gravette sewer plant. Lauren Kara is Gravette homecoming queen.
October◊
Oct. 5: Canopy installed at front of Gentry Senior Center. Fred Thompson retires after 35 years as physical therapist. Decatur school launches website: decatur.k12.ar.us.
Oct. 12: Decatur receives grant for public library, seeks grant for fire department. Mike von Ree resigns from two Gravette City commissions. Mutton Bustin’ another event at Gentry Fall Festival. Cruisin’ Down Main Street held.
Oct. 19: Decatur pharmacy closes doors after pharmacist Jerry Young retires. County Judge holds town hall meeting at Gravette. Randall Bolinger wins runoff for Gentry school board slot. Fire safety programs held at Decatur and Gravette elementary schools.
Oct. 26: Suzie Sikes crowned Gentry homecoming queen. Gymnasium at Sulphur added to National Register. Gravette gives goahead for middle school and ball field projects. Highfill advancing to city of Second Class. Seanna Shaw crowned Decatur homecoming queen.
November◊
Nov. 2: Gentry fire department hands over records to Wes Hogue following judicial ruling. Margo Thomas named to fill slot on Gravette City Council. Gentry Baptist Church rededicates mural. Decatur school donates playground equipment to Veteran’s Park. Gravette girls fall in second round of state volleyball playoffs. Decatur junior football squad finishes with unbeaten 8-0 record.
Nov. 9: Fire in smoker causes excitement at Marvin’s in Gravette. Gravette library receives $25,000 grant. Police retirement plan causes uproar in Decatur. Gentry school board does not suspend a student caught with a knife. Gravette board suspends a student for similar offense.
Nov. 16: Bella Vista Council makes plans to annex Hiwasse and area. Highfill hears new water system proposal. Lions win opening game in state playoffs. Suzie Sikes crowned Miss Octoberfest at Gentry.
Nov. 23: McKee Foods achieves zero landfill waste recognition. Gravette seeks grant for old town park, another for swimmingSeptember◊pool work. Decatur mayor refuses salary to help make up police retirement costs. Paige and Payton Greer help save life of neighbor lady near Decatur. Lions take second round playoff win. NWA Riding Club holds celebration.
Nov. 30: Decatur bank names new management team. Gentry Middle School listed as high performing school. Crowd at Hiwasse meeting opposes annexation. Gravette nurse Sandy Hainline-Williams assists Marshallese people obtain Springdale clinic. Lions lose quarter-final game in state football playoffs.
December◊
Dec. 7: Gravette, Decatur and Gentry hold Christmas parades. Gentry Council okays raises for employees. Gravette hires Morris-Shipley engineers to handle wastewater project. Some 5,200 acres of Peterson Farms goes on sale. Purchase of historic “Sugar Shack” building in Gentry fails. Gravette receives $72,000 grant for walking trail.
Dec. 14: Verbal hazing erupts into fight at Gentry High. Decatur Council okays speed bump on Hill Street. Gentry pares back grant request to about $80,000 for Flint Creek natural area. Shyanne Nichols and Zac Heath are Miss, Mister Gravette High. Open house held for new KBVA studio in Gravette.
Dec. 21: Private club license sought for Decatur by Tim Witcher. Gravette students learn Chinese. Lions Darrick Strzelecki and Jeremy Mc-Garrah named to All-State team; 10 other Lions are All-Conference. Gravette Council approves budget with raises. Hiwasse forms organization to fight Bella Vista incorporation plan.
Dec. 28: Decatur school denies transfer for several students, okays two transfers. Sulphur Springs plans updating history book. Jo Ellen Hastings announces retirement from Gravette High School principal position. Ger Vang and Karole Kowalski of Decatur on all region band. Two vehicles stolen, wrecked in Gravette.
These are just a few of the hundreds of stories about Decatur, Gentry and Gravette and the surrounding area which appeared in the Westside Eagle Observer during 2011.
News, Pages 7 on 01/04/2012