WESTSIDE -- Though they may slip from our minds, many significant events and stories were reported by the Eagle Observer in 2015. The following are just a few of the events and stories covered in depth by the Eagle Observer during the second half of 2015.
JULY
After creating a second survey to learn the wishes of Gentry School District patrons in regard to future facility plans, making it available to patrons online and mailing out approximately 3,150 return-addressed and postage-paid survey forms, the only thing which seemed certain was apathy on the part of most school district patrons. According to results shared with school board members on June 29, only 181 responses were received by the June 18 deadline from the thousands of postcard-sized surveys mailed out by the district in early June. Another 179 people responded by completing the online survey. A compiled summary of the 360 responses shows 23.3 percent favored building a new intermediate school classroom building adjacent to the current main building of the intermediate school and demolishing the old wing buildings at a cost of $3-plus million and approximately 3 new mills. Building a new intermediate school behind the primary school campus at a cost of $10-plus million and approximately 6 new mills was favored by 18.6 percent. Building a new high school and moving the middle school into the current high school and the intermediate school into the existing middle school at a cost of approximately $20 million and 6 new mills was favored by 29.7 percent of respondents. The "none of the above" option was favored by 28.3 percent, or just five less votes than building a new high school.
The 850 miles from Ashville, N.C., to Tahlequah, Okla., go by slowly -- at a mule's pace, to be exact. Ten to 12 miles a day is just the way Gene and Noqah Glasscock liked it. Along the way, drivers slowed and reached out of their windows to take pictures of the canvas-covered wagon adorned with signatures of people from along their route. The Glasscocks were following the route of the Trail of Tears, a route over which thousands of Cherokee passed in 1838 and 1839 when moved from their homes in the East to Oklahoma.
Friends and family of Curtis and Cheryl Galloway were helping the couple sift through what was left of their home to gather up belongings on July 10. The couple was not home at the time, but a small tornado touched down shortly before 6 p.m. on July 9, tearing off the tin roof from their house, knocking out brick walls and blowing away a car port. Their home, at 145 WPA Road on the west edge of Gentry, was pretty much a total loss, with the roof blown off on the west side and walls out on two sides of the home. And debris was scattered in the fields and pastures to the east. A four by four was sticking out of the ground to the west of the Gallaway home and other pieces of lumber could be seen driven into the ground to the northeast of the home.
After spotty thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, the weather was about as good as it gets for the Saturday July 4th Freedom Festival held in Gentry's city park. Though daytime crowds may have been a little smaller than in years past, that all changed in the evening as people filled the park to hear the evening entertainers and watch the spectacular fireworks display set off by the members of the Gentry Volunteer Fire Department.
Pat Bodenhamer, new pastor at the Gravette United Methodist Church, was breaking barriers. She was the first female pastor in the church's history. Bodenhamer, who moved to Gravette the last of June, was also pastor at the Decatur United Methodist Church and held her first service at both churches on July 5.
Two people were killed on Arkansas Highway 72 in an accident between a truck and a car on July 16. According to Arkansas State Police fatal crash summaries, Crystal Johnson, 34, of Gravette, was killed when an eastbound 2014 Mack truck driven by Joe Maldonado, 39, of Springdale, struck the rear of her 2002 Honda Accord near the intersection of Big Springs Road at approximately 10:18 p.m. According to the crash summary, Johnson's Honda veered off the road following the collision and overturned in the ditch, ejecting Johnson. The truck driven by Maldonado also traveled off the road, jack-knifed and struck trees, according to the crash summary. Maldonado was also listed as killed in the accident.
AUGUST
The now former Miss Decatur Barbecue, Megan McAfee, crowned her successor, Micayla Hendricks, during the 62nd Annual Miss Decatur Barbecue contest held on the stage at Veterans Park in Decatur on Aug. 1.
The consensus of the Gentry City Council at a special working session of the council on Aug. 6 was to move forward with negotiations to purchase the building and property which once housed a Centennial Bank branch and, before that, Liberty and Signature Bank branches. Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, told the council that the building and property, appraised at more than $700,000, had been offered to the city for $600,000 and could be used to house the police station with very little modification.
Jazz legend Bessie Smith used to sing, "There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight." Those lyrics were certainly appropriate Aug. 8 for the annual Gravette Day celebration. It was the hottest day of the year and there were lots of "hot" attractions all around town. The celebration began early when members of the Kiwanis Club began serving breakfast. A big crowd turned out to eat pancakes and sausage and enjoy harmonica music by Malcom Winters, who has played at the breakfast for many years.
It was back to school on Aug. 17 at public schools in Gentry, Gravette and Decatur. Many children arrived at the schools by bus, some walked and even more were brought on the first day by parents. For the most part, the opening day came and went without a hitch. And, by the middle of the week, children and teachers were well on their way to being back in the routine.
What started several years ago as a wish turned into a 2,189.2-mile walk this summer for the local Coder twins, Samuel and Daniel, 19, as the duo hiked from Georgia to Maine, completing the full length of the Appalachian Trail. "It's something I really wanted to do," Samuel said, and the trip finally became a reality a few years later when his brother, Daniel, agreed to go along for the hike which passes through 14 states -- Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
SEPTEMBER
Parks Lumber Company in Gentry announced late on Sept. 1 it was closing its doors for good. The family business had served the Gentry area for 70 years. The announcement came in the form of the following Facebook post from Janie Parks: "It is with much heartache that I tell you that, after 70 years in business, we have locked the doors of Parks Lumber Company. We have the best customers in the world and consider everyone of you our friends. We will certainly miss it, but new doors will open. We love you all...." The announcement was signed, "Mike and Janie."
The city council in Gentry took the next step on Sept. 1 in a move to purchase the building and property which was the Gentry branch of Centennial Bank to be the new home of the Gentry Police Department. With all the council members present but Janie Parks, the council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a purchase contract for the building and property at a price not to exceed the amount of $550,000. The resolution also authorizes the city to pay other related costs such as closing costs, appraisal fees, title and recording costs in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
It was a "grand" opening for the new Decatur Farmers Co-op True Value hardware store on Sept. 11 and 12 as customers from around the area converged on the store to help celebrate the opening of the new business in Decatur. The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Sept. 11, with dignitaries from the Decatur area and Co-op employees gathered to take part in the event. Chris Cole, store manager, and Margo Barnes, Decatur Chamber of Commerce president, cut the ribbon, formally opening the new store. Bob Tharp, Decatur mayor, welcomed the new business to the city.
The 24th annual fall show of the Tired Iron of the Ozarks was held Sept. 11-13. And, once again, the show offered opportunity for young and old to see and learn about rural farm life in northwest Arkansas in the late 1800s and early 1900s by displaying old tractors, engines, farm implements and household machines and gadgets which were commonly used as a part of everyday life in the region. Features of the show included rows of old tractors, a parade of power each day at noon, working saw mills, a blacksmith shop with demonstrations by members of the Blacksmith Organization of Arkansas, old engines used for a variety of functions on the farm and in the home, a log cabin with furnishings of the era, and driver's education tractors equipped with two seats and two sets of controls to allow new tractor drivers to safely learn the art while seated next to an experienced driver.
It was an early homecoming for the Decatur Bulldogs on Sept. 18. The football team played only three home games this season, with two of the three at times that would make homecoming impossible. This year, the Decatur Bulldogs took on the Mountainburg Dragons, the top-rated team in the 2A 4West conference, at Bulldog Stadium. Celine Prelle and Tyler Riddle were crowned 2015 Bulldog homecoming queen and king during the game at Bulldog Stadium.
Gravette's Jordan Burnett carried one up the middle for the Lions during play against Lincoln in Lion Stadium on Sept. 25. Behind quarterback Bryce Moorman's four touchdown passes, Gravette defeated Lincoln, 49-21.
OCTOBER
Pickin' Time on 59 was held Thursday, Oct. 8, and ran through Saturday, Oct. 10, with yard and garage sales along Arkansas Highway 59 from Siloam Springs to the Missouri border.
After being crowned homecoming queen at coronation ceremonies on Oct. 2 in Gentry, Mekalah Ramsey was kissed by homecoming captains Kaven Flesner and Jake Faulkenberry.
Gravette's 2015 homecoming queen, Kaitlyn Sands, was kissed by her escorts, Kilby Roberts and Jace Russ, during coronation ceremonies in Gravette on Oct. 16.
For the second year in a row, the Decatur Chamber of Commerce sponsored a big-top circus. Melvino the Clown appeared at the Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur Oct. 5 to promote the Kelly Miller Circus which was in Decatur for two big performances Oct. 19 at Veterans Park.
With only four of the seven board members present, the Gentry School Board voted on Oct. 19 to move forward with a plan to build a new classroom facility at the Gentry Intermediate School, build a sloped roof on the main building of the Intermediate School, renovate systems at the high school and the new agriculture building at the high school and renovate the old agriculture building or put up a new metal building to house a new diesel mechanic training facility at the high school as part of the school district's new focus on career and workforce education.
Though a beautiful day to be out on Oct. 10, attendance was down at this year's fall festival, sponsored by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and Gentry United Way, with only several scores of visitors at the annual event. Mark Shields, of Gentry, along with band members Bob Thomas, Butch Myrick and Brian Hauck, provided afternoon music, but there were only a few seated in chairs listening. Children played on the inflatable rides and enjoyed train rides provided by the Tired Iron of the Ozarks. Carriage rides were available from Executive Carriages, with Lori Whillock and Jessica Ray giving rides on a full-sized carriage behind a draft horse and a miniature carriage behind a miniature horse.
Police arrested a Gravette teacher Oct. 27 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a Gravette High School student, according to a news release from the Bentonville Police Department. Harry Almond, 62, of Bella Vista, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree sexual assault. Almond teaches computer and business classes at Gravette High School, according to the release. The release stated the assault took place at Almond's Bella Vista home but did not provide additional details.
NOVEMBER
Staff members at the Gravette Public Library and members of the Gravette library commission were busy in early November making final preparations for the Nov. 7 Renaissance festival. The festival was held in Old Town Park. A wide variety of attractions were offered for an admission fee of only $1.
Friends of Decatur Committee held its organizational meeting in the conference room at city hall Nov. 5. The first order of business was the election of officers. Jason Mereworth was elected to lead this new committee. Nan McClain was elected to serve as vice-chairman and Shanna Tucker as secretary.
The council in Highfill, on Nov. 10, gave final approval to an ordinance banning through truck traffic on certain streets within the city and approved moving a part-time police officer into a vacant full-time position.
A conversion charter school in Gentry was another big step closer to reality following a Nov. 18 hearing before the Charter School Authorizing Panel in Little Rock. In a Nov. 19 email, Judy Winslett, assistant superintendent for the district and the school official who was charged with working toward establishing a conversion charter school in connection with the high school, informed the Eagle Observer that the authorizing panel approved of Gentry's charter application and would recommend approval by the Arkansas Board of Education.
DECEMBER
The Arkansas Board of Education granted the Gentry Public School District a conversion charter. The district received official approval by letter on Dec. 11. A letter from Alexandra Boyd, director of charter schools for the Arkansas Department of Education, addressed to Randy Barrett, district superintendent for Gentry Public Schools, stated: "On November 19, 2015, the Charter Authorizing Panel met and approved the application for Gentry High School Conversion Charter. On Thursday, December 10, 2015, the State Board of Education declined to review the decision made by the Panel. Therefore, the Charter Authorizing Panel's approval of the application is final.
Matt Juillerat was chosen as king and Mallory Morris was crowned queen at the Gentry High School Colors Day ceremonies on Dec. 11. The theme for this year's ceremonies was "A Game as Old as Time."
The Gentry Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Christmas parade on Dec. 12 drew large crowds of participants and spectators despite the threat of rain on a very warm December night; and Gentry's Main Street was lined with floats, cars, trucks, motorcycles, equestrian entries and more on Saturday evening as the parade moved west through downtown. The theme for this year's parade was "A Country Christmas," and a covered wagon float entered by the Bloomfield 4-H won the best theme award.
Christmas parades were also held in Decatur and Gravette during the month of December, and numerous businesses and churches entered floats in the hometown parades which brought out crowds of parade watchers. Parents and children also came out for an early visit with Santa Claus.
A change in future building plans for the Gentry Intermediate School which also includes demolition of the main building and commons area was proposed at the Gentry School Board meeting on Dec. 14 with the board agreeing to the changes. As a result of a meeting with the Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to see whether the Gentry Public School District could expect to receive much assistance with plans to demolish the wing buildings on the intermediate school campus and build a new classroom building there, Randy Barrett, district superintendent, said he was told the district would likely only receive about $292,000 for a project expected to cost $6 million. He said the division's space calculations counted the commons area as usable classroom space and hurt the district's chances of being approved for any significant amount of state aid for the new school construction plans. As a result, Barrett proposed adding the main building to the demolition list since the building is older and has been a source of ongoing problems with its leaky roof. He proposed keeping the gymnasium, cafeteria and multipurpose building but demolishing the wing buildings and all the buildings on the south side of the bus tunnel.
John Edwards, of Bella Vista, was presented with the Dr. Daniel L. Pilkinton Award for outstanding service to public education on Dec. 10. Daniel Pilkinton was widely known throughout the state for his lifelong service to public education and was closely linked to the Arkansas School Boards Association since its inception.
AEP-SWEPCO ended its legal wrangling with the owners of Gentry's Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari by paying the almost $1 million judgment in a verdict against the company. A jury in October awarded the safari owners $916,745 for property taken in connection with a condemnation lawsuit involving Southwestern Electric Power Co. The company attempted to have the verdict overturned by requesting a new trial and described the judgment as excessive.
Rains which started on Dec. 26 continued through Dec. 28, dumping close to a foot of water in the area and causing record flooding of area creeks and rivers. As a result, numerous roads were closed, properties flooded and an emergency disaster declaration made by the Benton County judge. Tornado sirens sounded in the area Saturday afternoon and again in the evening on Saturday as National Weather Service radar detected rotation in the clouds and issued tornado warnings for the Eagle Observer coverage area. No tornado damage was reported but numerous streets and roads were closed due to flooding.
General News on 01/06/2016