Leo takes turn as Strike
Lion mascot Sayer Smith grows into Naturals' mascot suit
DECATUR — DECATUR — Baseball season is in full swing for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Strike the Sasquatch is busy entertaining fans, but what really makes the playful mascot so entertaining? Continue Reading »
Gravette hired to be Decatur's principal
DECATUR — Jeff Gravette, of Bella Vista, was chosen to be the next Decatur Northside Elementary School Principal. Continue Reading »
Class of 2012 receives diplomas
DECATUR — Twentyfive Decatur High School students received their diplomas during Friday's commencement ceremony, held in the Lloyd Peterson Gymnasium. Continue Reading »
Decatur chamber honors high achieving students
DECATUR — Six Decatur High School Honor Graduates and their families were recognized at the annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce Honors Banquet Monday night. Continue Reading »
Shooting sports on target with Decatur's students
DECATUR — Shooting sports, in its third year in Decatur and its second year as a school-sanctioned sport, is gaining in popularity at Decatur High School. Continue Reading »
Decatur soccer teams headed for state play
DECATUR — For the first time in the teams’ sixyear history, both the Decatur Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs soccer teams qualified to compete in the state tournament. Continue Reading »
Decatur teams place at state track meet
DECATUR — The Decatur High School Track Teams placed in five events in the 2A State Track Meet, held in Mineral Springs on May 2. Continue Reading »
JBQ team going to nationals
DECATUR — The Decatur Assembly of God Junior Bible Quiz Team is headed on to the National Championship, after winning the Gulf Regional meet in Memphis, Tenn. Continue Reading »
Poker run draws crowd of supporters
DECATUR — The Third Annual Wyatt Hopkins Memorial Poker Run, sponsored by the Decatur Fire Department, drew the largest crowd of supporters yet. Continue Reading »
Decatur does well in district track
DECATUR — Decatur’s track program has enjoyed a lot of success this year, winning the boys’ junior high district championship and placing second in the boys’ senior high district championship. Continue Reading »
Decatur passes some personnel policies, denies others
DECATUR — The Decatur School Board voted to update teacher policies at the April 16 meeting, approving some personnel policy committee proposals and denying others. Continue Reading »
Decatur livestock judging team qualifies for state
DECATUR — The Decatur Livestock Judging team placed sixth in the district competition last month and advanced on to the state level of competition. Continue Reading »
Summer reading plans told
Reading contest to be part of Decatur's summer reading program
DECATUR — The Iva Jane Peek Library in Decatur will be holding a reading contest, as well as a traditional summer reading program, to encourage kids to develop a love for books. Continue Reading »
Arkansas Night set May 1
DECATUR — The Decatur Northside Elementary School will celebrate “all things Arkansas” at Arkansas Night on May 1. Continue Reading »
Poker run planned
DECATUR — Motorcycle riders and Decatur firefighters will be working together to raise money for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital at the Third Annual Wyatt Hopkins Memorial Poker Run, to be held on May 5. Continue Reading »
District seeks volunteer to fill vacant school board seat
DECATUR — The Decatur School District is seeking volunteers for the Zone 1 school board position, according to superintendent Larry Ben. Continue Reading »
A SECOND OPINION: Mouse hunting is family fun
DECATUR — Hi, my name is Rosebud, and I'm the Jessen family cat. I decided to help my human, Janelle, write this column because I'm trying to convince her what a great pet I am. Continue Reading »
Tire-less car leads deputies on slow chase
Car finally stops west of Decatur but sheriff's deputies unsure of source of vehicle damage
DECATUR — An allegedly intoxicated woman, inside a battered car with two missing tires, led deputies on a low-speed chase near Decatur on April 6. Continue Reading »
Pickup truck tools stolen in Decatur
DECATUR — A pickup truck owned by Peterson Farms was stolen from Hatchery 5 on Arkansas Highway 102 in Decatur late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, according to Decatur Police Chief Terry Luker. Continue Reading »
Decatur hires Coffer as new high school principal
School board member Justin Thompson resigns
DECATUR — Deborah Coffer was chosen to be the new Decatur High School principal at Monday’s school board meeting. Continue Reading »
Watson accepted into Razorback marching band
DECATUR — Lensey Watson will be playing the piccolo for the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching band next fall and will receive a $500 band scholarship. Continue Reading »
JBQ team headed to regionals
DECATUR — The Decatur Assembly of God fifth and sixth grade Junior Bible Quiz team won fourth place at the state meet on March 30 and 31, qualifying the team to move on to the regional level of competition. Continue Reading »
Decatur also loses second principal
DECATUR — Decatur Northside Elementary School Principal Leslie Sharp has submitted her resignation, according to Decatur school superintendent Larry Ben. Continue Reading »
Six candidates for Decatur High School principal position chosen
DECATUR — The selection process for the next principal of Decatur High School has begun and six candidates have been chosen for further interviews. Continue Reading »
Pickup truck stolen in Decatur recovered in Cherokee, Co. (Okla.)
Pickup truck's occupant arrested on outstanding warrants from Benton Co. and from Oklahoma.
DECATUR — A pickup truck stolen from the parking lot of the Dollar Store in Decatur was recovered in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Continue Reading »
Decatur swimming pool to stay open this summer
DECATUR — The Decatur city swimming pool will stay open this summer and the required handicapped chair lift will be paid for by a combination of grant money and the generosity of a local business. Continue Reading »
King resignation accepted, new Sharp contract tabled
DECATUR — School board members voted to accept Decatur high school principal Bobby King’s resignation at the March 26 meeting, but only after some controversy and a four-minute executive session. Continue Reading »
A SECOND OPINION: What should Decatur do with its pool?
DECATUR — On April 9, Decatur City Council members will have to decide whether or not to keep the city swimming pool open this summer, and they are asking for community feedback. Continue Reading »
NWA Riding Club will kick off rodeo season on Saturday
DECATUR — Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages will saddle up to compete at the NWA Riding Club play-day rodeo event this weekend. Continue Reading »
School choice is still not an option for Decatur students
DECATUR — Once again, Caucasian students in the Decatur School District will not be able to transfer to a neighboring district under the school choice law, according to the School Choice Eligibility Report released by the Arkansas Department of Education on Thursday. Continue Reading »
Decatur closes storm shelter
City hall will no longer be open during severe weather because of liability
DECATUR — Decatur City Hall will no longer be opened as a storm shelter during tornado warnings, city council members decided at the March 12 meeting. Continue Reading »
Water rates rising one way or another
DECATUR — The Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority will have to raise water rates, either gradually or all at once, Mayor Charles Linam told the Decatur city council at the March 12 meeting. Continue Reading »
Decatur JBQ team headed to state finals
DECATUR — The Decatur Assembly of God fifth and sixth grade Junior Bible Quiz team won second place overall in the Northwest Section meet, held in Harrison on March 10, and are advancing on to the state level of competition. Continue Reading »
King resigns post at Decatur High
DECATUR — Decatur High School Principal Bobby King has submitted a letter of resignation, superintendent Larry Ben said on Friday. Continue Reading »
Future of Decatur's pool still in question
DECATUR — Is there enough money and community interest to justify keeping the Decatur city swimming pool open this summer? Continue Reading »
Students gathering food to feed hungry classmates on weekends
DECATUR — Many local students rely on eating breakfast and lunch at school to fulfill their nutritional needs, but what do children in need eat on weekends and school holidays? Continue Reading »
Students study whales sharpen PowerPoint skills
DECATUR — Fourth grade gifted and talented students at Decatur Northside Elementary School are learning about whales while sharpening their PowerPoint skills. Continue Reading »
Chamber plans Easter event, awards banquet
DECATUR — This year’s Decatur Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 7, chamber members said at the March 5 meeting. Continue Reading »
Soccer teams pick up wins
DECATUR — Both the girls’ and boys’ Decatur soccer teams won their games against the Bergman Panthers on Friday. The Bulldogs finished the game, held in Harrison, with a score of 5-0, and the Lady Bulldogs won 1-0. The Bulldogs scored four points in the first half of the boys’ game, according to coach James Garner. With the comfortable lead, the secondstring players were able to compete in the second half, scoring an additional goal. Continue Reading »
Falling Springs Road to be closed in Decatur for repair
DECATUR — Falling Springs Road will be closed one day next week for repairs, contractor Bobby Hubbard and street department manager Mike Barnett told the city council on Monday night. Continue Reading »
Wesley to be Barbecue's entertainer
DECATUR — Chamber of Commerce members announced Monday that up and coming country musician James Wesley will be the featured entertainer at the 59th Annual Decatur Barbecue, planned for Aug. 4. Continue Reading »
Decatur School adopts plan for new technology
DECATUR — Decatur school board members passed a three-year technology plan at a special meeting last Wednesday that will include a 90 percent savings on communication services. Continue Reading »
Ambitious gardener in March
A SECOND OPINION
DECATUR — I am a great and ambitious gardener in March. Continue Reading »
Students compete at Decatur in interscholastic equestrian teams
Teams competed Sunday at Legends Equestrian Center.
DECATUR — For most students, high school sports bring to mind games such as football, basketball and soccer, but the Interscholastic Equestrian Association gives middle and high school athletes with a passion for horses another option. Continue Reading »
Board adopts new zones
DECATUR — The Decatur School Board passed a resolution, choosing to move forward with one of two proposed school board election zone maps at its Feb. 20 school board meeting. Continue Reading »
NWACC Impact Group raises money to help Decatur students with ACT test fees
DECATUR — Thirteen students gathered in the Decatur High School library last Wednesday to make posters and decorations for a bake sale to raise money for ACT test fees. Continue Reading »
DSD refinances school bonds for $172,542 savings
DECATUR — Low interest rates have allowed the Decatur School District to refinance $1.345 million in bonds on its elementary school campus for a savings of $172,542 in interest over the life of the loan. Continue Reading »
Decatur's money now safe at DSB
Bank works with city to cover deposits with bonds.
DECATUR — The city of Decatur’s accounts at the Decatur State Bank are now fully bonded, Mayor Charles Linam reported to the city council on Thursday. Continue Reading »
Ben offered new contract
DECATUR — Decatur School Board members voted to offer superintendent Larry Ben a twoyear contract at Monday’s meeting. Continue Reading »
Bulldogs fall short in tournament games
DECATUR — The Bulldogs lost their tournament game against Union Christian Eagles last Tuesday by a score of 44-37. Continue Reading »