2013

Father Time may be scratching his head when he glances back at the activities that occurred in Westside Eagle Observer country during the year just ended. 2013 has been an exciting year. But that does not fully describe what has occurred in Decatur, Gentry and Gravette and the surrounding areas.

We'll look back at the year, month by month. We'll mention some of the important stories. And, of course, we'll miss recalling others which could be just as important.

Read through the following paragraphs. You'll find items about your town and area scattered among those of the other towns -- in no particular order. As you read and remember, think about the past. But, more importantly, look to the future for each town and area and how their activities occur depend on all of us. Let's make 2014 paint an even bigger, better, more positive picture for us to look back on next year at this time.

JANUARY: City of Gravette authorizes issuance of $3,000,000 in bonds for wastewater treatment upgrade. Spray painting and other vandalism occurred at Gentry High School. Westside mayors hold meeting in Gravette to foster cooperation and growth. Sulphur council considers property ordinances.

Sayde Roughton and Nou Thor were crowned Decatur basketball homecoming honorees. Unidentified man on campus results in short lockdown at Decatur school. Walmart and E-Z Mart begin liquor sales in Benton County. Jessica Bayley is Gravette's BB homecoming queen. Decatur water, sewer rates to increase. Work continues on Bella Vista bypass near Hiwasse.

Source Gas begins replacing service lines in area. Asa Hutchinson, former U.S. Representative, of Gravette, announces as candidate for governor. Plans for multi-purpose building at Gentry school near completion. Tara Arnold is crowned Gentry BB homecoming queen.

FEBRUARY: Miniature "Buster the School Bus" visits Gentry and Gravette schools teaching bus safety. City of Decatur plans to expand its planning area. Decatur school updates its storm safety procedures. Gentry wrestlers bring home first, second, fourth and sixth wins in 1A to 5A division at state.

Two Gravette residents injured in a roll-over accident east of town. Gravette receives one-year reprieve for completion of sewer plant improvement. Little Rock men buy Crystal Lake airport and properties and announce aviation community planned. Hiwasse Baptist Church celebrates 25 years.

Decatur Bulldogs win 2A conference basketball title. Future of Main Street discussed at meeting in Gravette. No injuries reported in Gravette school bus accident. Jared Thompson is new Gentry postmaster. Joshua Lockhart of Gravette named to 2013 National 4-H conference design team. Other members come from Virginia, Indiana, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi and Idaho.

MARCH: Large sinkhole appears in property in Springtown. Gravette school visited with simulator in program promoting "No text is worth dying for." Sulphur Springs hires Duke Brackney as police chief. Ground broken for new strip mall in Gravette along Arkansas Highway 59 south. Former Gravette Lady Lion and Lady Razorback Blair Savage honored as SEC Legend by the SE Conference.

Friendly Neighbors Club observes 55th anniversary at Sulphur Springs. Construction begins on Gentry school multi-purpose building. Gentry Chamber holds awards ceremony at Wooden Spoon. New $1.7 million baseball/softball complex dedicated at Gravette High School. Fire at Cherokee City claims one life; Decatur, Maysville and Highfill assisted Gentry Fire Department at the scene.

APRIL: Ozarks Community Hospital takes over clinic at Noel. Three-plus inch rain causes flooding of Spavinaw and Flint creeks as well as overflowing Crystal Lake. A Gentry woman enters a not-guilty plea in the shooting death of her husband. Annual spring Tired Iron of the Ozarks show held in Gentry. "My Collection" exhibit draws crowd to Gravette museum.

Decatur Council opens park restrooms until vandal struck. Open house set at new middle school in Gravette. Andrea Murphy finds big 2.10 carat diamond at Crater of the Diamonds state park. Police Sgt. Speed Estep named interim police chief at Gravette. Harvest Baptist Church moves to new home south of Gravette. Mike Eckels joins Eagle Observer staff.

MAY: More than 100 attend Memorial Day program at Hillcrest Cemetery, sponsored by Gravette American Legion Post; the Rev. Jheri Roberts is guest speaker. A Gentry man is charged with binding girl with tape. Springtown announces plans for park improvement. Gravette Library plans second annual Renaissance Fair.

Two new sidewalk projects are completed in Gentry. Billy V. Hall Senior Center adds "Wellness" to name. Gravette man arrested for apparent residential burglary and self-inflicted wound. Decatur Assembly of God Bible team to compete in national quiz competition. Mid America Tax & Accounting opens in Gentry.

Decatur graduates 28 seniors, Gravette senior grads total 101 and Gentry graduates 98 seniors. Filming of Razorback great Brandon Burlsworth movie partially shot at Lion Stadium in Gravette. Decatur school celebrates International Night. Surprise 5-inch snow hits area on May 3. A prank text message causes a brief school lockdown in Gentry. Gravette Quiz Bowl team finishes second to Conway in the state competition.

JUNE: Taylor's Orchard near Gentry offers its first peaches of the season, with later varieties coming. Stacy Brooks of Foundation Insurance and Financial Services is busy beautifying the old Corner Springs auto lot in Decatur. Evelyn Wilmoth closes her daycare in Gravette which she has operated 40 years. Gentry school board creates two new technology positions.

A transformer repair at the Empire substation leaves Gravette without power for several hours. Lou Honderich, Gravette author, pens new book "Ricki." Bids approved for new sewer lines east of Gravette. Tenth annual fishing derby at Crystal Lake attracts a big crowd of kids. Gentry cheerleaders earn top award at national competition.

Jeff Smith family of Gravette named Farm Family of the Year. Movement underway to save natural prairie parcel in Gentry. Studio 104 opens in Gravette. Kurt Maddox announces for state House position. Gravette certified school staff receive $600 salary increase; classified personnel receive same percentage raise. Security cameras purchased for all Gentry schools.

Coming next week: The last half of 2013.