July 4: Gravette City Council okayed paving Sixth Avenue NW, one of the few remaining unpaved streets in town. Tragedy struck when Michael Wheaton of Decatur drowned while saving his 7 year-old daughter from the river near Watts, Okla. A new Barbecue 8-Eighty opened for business in Gentry. Decatur wastewater plant received a top rating from Arkansas Department ofEnvironmental Quality. Gravette library received two computers to aid visually impaired persons. Joanne Coffeen, the granddaughter of the builder of the historic Kindley House (museum) visited the facility. Gentry Rebels swept the state Senior Babe Ruth tournament. The County Judge denied a request from several Hiwasse area residents to annex into Gravette.

July 11: July 4th activities held in area towns included annualfireworks in Gravette at Pop Allum Park, Freedom Festival activities and fireworks in Gentry, Celebrate America festivities held at Decatur Assembly of God Church and an annual Independence Day celebration at Sulphur Springs. Dr. Billy V. Hall, Gravette physician and founder of Gravette Medical Center Hospital, died. Gentry City Council approved applying for a parks trail grant. Martha Eldred, former Sulphur Springs resident,celebrated her 100th birthday. Driver of a car which was struck by a train in Sulphur Springs escaped with minor injuries. Decatur firemen battled a blaze at Veteran’s Park.

July 18: Highfill City Council said no to chicken houses near XNA airport. Numerous area 501-C3 nonprofit organizations were listed among those which lost their status. Gravette’s ambulance attained ALS (Advance Life Support) status. City councilapproved zoning change for a proposed strip mall in Gravette. Clarksville edged the Gravette Lions in Linemen’s Challenge, held at Lion Field. Gravette Juniors won their classification. Gentry Senior Babe Ruth was awarded the sportsman’s trophy in national competition. Lt. Col. Bryan Huntsman, of Sulphur Springs, retired from an Air Force career.

July 25: Gentry Early Learning Academy opened. Decatur School Board denied student transfers to other districts. Locations were pondered for a new sports complex in Gentry. SWEPCO plant earned two million work hours safety award. Decatur passed first reading of a noise ordinance. Springtown was seeking a park grant. Gary Phipps of Gravette was inducted into Trapshooter Hall of Fame. FFA Support Group in Gravette awarded four scholarships. New ward boundaries were established for the town of Gravette following recent annexation. Petition to put alcohol sales on the ballot was certified.

August 1: Gravette City Council advised two more petitions seeking annexation to the city had been filed. Former building inspector in Decatur threatened a lawsuit. A water line upgrade on Detroit Street in Gravette began. Maintenance was underway on Gravette’s 200,000 gallon storage tank. Gentry Police arrested a man with synthetic marijuana. A Missouri woman collided her SUV with the antique train engine in Decatur. She was not injured. Savannah Barnes, 12, of Gravette, won Tae kwon do championship in her age group for the second year in a row.

August 8: The 59th annual Decatur Barbecue attracted a big crowd. Haley House of Gravette was crowned Miss Barbecue. James Wesley was the all-star entertainer. Installation of a new $292,000 generator at the Decatur wastewater plant began. Gentry City Council considered banning saloons. Temperature hit 111 degrees in the area. Gentry City Council pondered survey listing citizens’ wants/ desires. Eye-catching old Mule Beer sign in Gravette was being restored. Gravette junior cheerleaders won camp awards.

August 15: County Judge approved two annexation petitions to Gravette for Hiwasse area residents. Eagle Watch trail near Gentry attracted a large following of nature and bird lovers. Two teens were arrested after a backhoe was taken from a construction site near Hiwasse. Richard Page took the helm as Gravette superintendent of schools. NWA Hot Shots, fast-pitch softball team, took second in World Series at Kansas City. Jaiden Wilmoth, 10, was crowned both Colcord and Lincoln Riding Club princess. She won the state title and is representing Arkansas at rodeos. Gravette Day activities were big crowd pleasers. Haley House was crowned Miss Gravette. Crowns were awarded in many categories.

August 22: School enrollment at Gravette held steady at 1,851, according to first-day reports. Slatesof candidates had filed for various area city offices. Eagle Scout candidate Sam Dalton, of Gentry, and helpers installed nesting boxes for birds. Highfill City Council approved an increase in water rates. Past Gravette Day parade marshals were honored by Mayor Byron Warren at a Senior Center event. Decatur School Board was told that if enrollment increased a middle school might be needed. New law prohibited use of cell phones in school and highway construction zones. Haley House, queen, and AJ Claborn, jr. queen, both of Gravette, and Katie Smith of Gentry, county pre-teen, were crowned at the county fair. Gravette FBLA was in the top 20 in national competition.

August 29: Preliminary drawings for Gentry sports complex were being studied, site locations considered. A new scoreboard was installed at Decatur football field. Gravette took steps to condemn properties considered public nuisances. Two subjects were arrested in connection with a burglary at Decatur. A new chiller was purchased for Gentry auditorium. Four people were injured, one critically, in a Highway 102 accident near Decatur. Attorney General reps addressed Gentry students on bullying. Gravette school employees received a $650 one-time bonus. Marvin Riley resigned from the Springtown Council. Debate over new coal standards occurred at the SWEPCO plant. Gentry Masonic Lodge presented awards including 50-year pins for Ken Marler and Bill Mitchell. The county okayed a subsidy for ambulances serving rural residents.

September 5: Highway Dept. installed Heritage Trail signs in the area. Measles cases were confirmed at Ozark Academy in Gentry. A gas leak forced evacuation of Gravette Upper Elementary and Middle Schools. There was no damage or injuries. Decatur bank had a $3.1 million loss in the first half of the year. Artist Susan Edgmon of Gravette was featured in area papers. Three Gravette students attended National Family/Career Conference in Orlando, Fla. DHS college readiness effort was paying off.

September 12: Decatur High School was participating in Razor COACH college/career planning. Gentry City Council planned a new fire substation and a cemetery facelift. Two vied for Gravette school board positions. Arvest kicked off a local effort to fight hunger. Gentry was working to correct the new ISO rating map. Dr. Kim Silver joined Decatur Medi Clinic. Russell Sharp, Gravette student, attended state pharmacy camp. Tired Iron of the Ozarks held their 21st fall show. Enrollment at Decatur school had increased to 494.

September 19: Jacy Alsup, of Gravette, a National Junior Angus Associationmember, attended a conference in Colorado. Gravette City Council approved annexation of additional properties in the Hiwasse area. A car accident on Grant Street knocked out power in portions of Decatur. Tools were reported stolen from the porch of a Gentry resident. Highfill increased its water bills by as much as 5 percent a year. Backup power sources were installed at Decatur sewer plant. Radine Nehring, Gravette author, had her sixth mystery novel, “A Fair to Die For”, published. BMS Auto Center opened for business in Gravette after purchase of former A-1 Muffler. McKee Bakery at Gentry won a state recycling award.

September 26: Gentry voters approved restructuring bonds to finance a multi-purpose athletic facility. A world wide in person/online auction was held in Decatur involving the antique collection of Dorothy Mae Peterson’s estate. Cargill Turkey production in Gentry received a 25-year safety award. BMT (Bickett & Trentham) Law Partners announced the grand opening of their law firm in Gravette. BMT is located in the former office of Tom Smith who will assume a judicial position Jan. 1. Gravette Public Library held a successful Job Fair. DECA Club members from Gravette High School attended and participated. Five Gravette teachers were recognized by the school board for their attendance at the Arkansas Leadership Academy training institute. Russell Sharp and Zac Heald, of Gravette, who attended Boys State, visited Bella Vista Legion Post who sponsored their trip.

October 3: Tracts of land totaling 3,200 acres owned by L & L Farms in Decatur sold at auction for $6.5 million. Paperless classrooms may be the norm at Gentry High School through new technology. Pies “flying” at the Ozarks Community Hospital raised funds totaling $2,500 for the fight against Alzheimers. An SUV struck a tanker east of Decatur, shutting down Highway 102. Work continued on new ballfields and a new middle school addition at Gravette. Colton Little, 13, a Gentry Middle School student, won the youth talent contest at the Arkansas-Oklahoma Fair at Fort Smith. Kaylin Cripps of Gentry took third place. Haley House was crowned queen at the Lincoln Apple Festival. Jacob Bookout was named Mister Gravette High School and Haley House Miss GHS for 2012-2013.

October 10: Meetings had been scheduled at area smaller post offices to discuss reduced hours. An affiliate of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union met to urge voters to keep Benton County dry. The Boys and Girls Club in Gravette received $10,000 from Walmart Foundation. Gravette City Council authorized purchase of newChristmas lights, passed ordinances involving water billing dates and rules for Hillcrest Cemetery. Fire destroyed a home at 944 E. First Street in Gentry. Kim Browning, Decatur teacher, retired after 29 years of service. A sign ordinance for Gentry was tabled by the city council.

October 17: Rain dampened Gentry’s Fall Festival but it was termed a success. A Bella Vista man was held on $500,000 bond for the alleged murder of a former Gentry woman. Decatur school was to revamp the tech department. Two passersby rescued the driver of a burning semi truck near Decatur. Jessica Segovia was crowned Decatur football homecoming queen. Bryanna Carter was crowned homecoming queen at Gentry. Maysville Missionary Baptist Church celebrated the church building’s 100th birthday. A large crowd attended the celebration and a fellowship dinner which followed.

October 24: The Gravette Water-Sewer Commission recommended an increase in rates, which would cost customers less than $3 per month. Construction began on an addition to the Decatur Fire Station. Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette announced plans to sponsor special activities for children on Halloween. The Gentry School Board approved the location and floor plan for the new athletic facility. Two ex-military Humvees were acquired by the Gentry Fire Department. Composting was stressed by the Gravette Recycling Committee. Gravette Fire Department conducted Fire Safety Week at Gravette Elementary with a “Fire House”. Bank of Gravett presented a portrait of Capt. Field E. Kindley, WWI air ace, to the Kindley Home/Gravette Museum.

October 31: Gravette’s Edward Jones firm earned a regional customer service award. Whitney DeWitt was crowned football homecoming queen at Gravette. At the 12th annual Octoberfest pageant at Gentry, Whitney Holt was crowned Young Miss Octoberfest. A reception in Gravette honored retiring Police Chief Trent Morrison. An oven fire at McKee Bakery caused minimal damage. Applicants were sought for a new Gravette planning commission. Nancy Quam of Decatur won Best of Show in the annual quilt show held at Gentry. Gentry girls took first in the cross country meet. Students at Gentry practiced bus safety. The Gravette High band was awarded a superior rating.

November 1: Gentry City Council recommended a water rate increase. Spooks filled Gentry’s Main Street at the annual Halloween Trick or Treat event. The Senior Center at Gravette received a defibrillator from Washington Regional Foundation. Can-Do Hardware announced it offers appliances, farmitems and feed. A new food pantry opened in Decatur. Veterans were honored at a special assembly at Gravette High School. Gentry Police caught some pallet thieves.

November 14: Hiwasse area residents took advantage of a perfect day to enjoy the First Annual Hiwasse Day. Almost 80,000 Benton County voters cast ballots in the election. They overwhelmingly approved the sale of liquor, which will require state permits. John Richard Meade officially retired as president and CEO of the Bank of Gravett, an institution which he had been affiliated with for 62 years. Sulphur Springs Chamber announced plans to serve Thanksgiving dinner for its citizens. Decatur schools were trying incentives, scholarships, etc. as long term motivation awards. Gravette Lions ended football season with a defeat by Pottsville in state tourney action. The Decatur Bulldogs also were eliminated at state by Murfreesboro. Gentry girls finished third in the state track meet, the boys sixth.

November 21: Mike’s Mower Parts and Movie Zone in Gentry was destroyed by fire. Gentry school superintendent reported to the board that the district was in sound shape. Gravette City Council reaffirmed their trash contract through 2013. A runaway vehicle damaged the wall and a stained glass window at the First Baptist Church in Gravette. Gravette’s DECA students met business leaders at an economics luncheon. Gentry students shared thoughts on attendance at a summer Governor’s School. Michael Nutt of Williams Law Firm in Gentry was Decatur’s new city attorney. Nearly 500 people enjoyed a free Thanksgiving dinner in Gravette compliments of several cooperating churches.

November 28: A Decatur man suffered serious injury when he fell three stories in an elevator accident. At Sulphur Springs a man suffered severe electric shock when a ladder he was working with hit a power line. A flue fire destroyed the home of a family in Gentry. Robby Teis, Gravette Middle School student, recounted his experience of a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland. Many Christmas activities were announced for Decatur. Decatur City Council voted to pay Gravette ambulance service $5,000 this year. Gravette School Board okayed paving a service road to the transportation department. Almost 150 people attended the MultilingualPotluck dinner arranged by Meghan Walker, Gravette ESL coordinator.

December 5: Several hundred attended Gravette’s first lighted evening Christmas parade. New lighting on Main Street and in Kindley Park, Old Town Park and Centennial Park was turned on. Gentry City Council took action to block the location of a scrap/recycling operation. Jason Barrett won the runoff election for a seat on Gentry City Council. Gentry hosted a wrestling tournament. Gentry cheerleaders took first in competition held at Har-Ber High. Gentry Junior High girls took first in the county tournament. Decatur opened bids for about 1,500 feet of sidewalk construction from downtown to the Decatur High School. A new basketball scoreboard was approved for Decatur school.

December 12: Chambers Bankshares of Danville had purchased Peterson Holding Company which included the bank at Decatur. Gentry City Council approved the HAZMAT response agreement being organized for the county. A young man injured in a pedestrian accident later died at a Tulsa hospital. MDX Group, owned by Kurt Maddox, moved headquarters to the former Delta Bank building in Gravette. Harper Farm near Gentry received a Century Award from the state agriculture department. Walmarts in Gentry and Gravette applied for beer/wine sales permits; EZ Marts in Gentry and Decatur also sought permits. Highway 279 south of Hiwasse had reopened after being closed several months. Crowds attended Gentry’s lighted Christmas parade, “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

December 19: Area schools assured parents that their students were safe and crisis plans were in place, this in light of the tragedy in Connecticut. The City of Decatur joined the Benton County HAZMAT interlocal cooperative. Gravette City Council annexed land owned by Larry Holloway east of Hiwasse and approved David Bailey as new City Attorney. Gravette Superintendent Richard Page was chosen as new director for the Boys and Girls Club. James Garner, Decatur teacher, joined in a presentation at the National English Teachers Council meeting in Las Vegas. Johnny’s Barber Shop opened in Decatur. Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express train stopped in Decatur; almost 2,000 toured the Christmas train.

News, Pages 1 on 01/02/2013