Westside Eagle Observer

Sharron Edmondson retirement marks end of 120 years of family involvement with Gravette bank GRAVETTE -- Sharron Edmondson will retire from the Bank of Gravett at the end of the year. Her retirement will mark the end of her family's 120-year ownership of the bank. by Susan Holland

Children visit Santa in Gentry GENTRY -- Children lined up to see Santa Claus during his annual visit to the Gentry Chamber of Commerce office on Gentry's Main Street on Saturday afternoon. by Randy Moll

'Christmas Around the World' reflected in Gentry's Parade GENTRY -- Even though weather forecasters had given an unpleasant wintry forecast for Saturday night, the freezing rain and snow did not materialize in Gentry and, other than cold temperatures and a few sprinkles during the lineup, the weather cooperated and the parade was well attended. by Randy Moll

Christmas is welcomed in Decatur with parade DECATUR -- Military personnel often celebrate Christmas in foxholes or barracks or on the deck of a rolling ship 1,000 miles from loved ones and home celebrations, often writing in letters, "I'll be home for Christmas." by Mike Eckels

$25 million grant to finish Bella Vista bypass FAYETTEVILLE -- Christmas came early for the region Thursday in the form of a federal grant to complete the long awaited Bella Vista Bypass. by Ron Wood

Council reviews lot splits, ordinances and a proposal to pay off city loans GRAVETTE -- A couple of tract splits and several proposed ordinances were reviewed by members of the Gravette City Council at their Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday evening, Dec. 6, at Gravette City Hall. Also discussed was a proposal to pay off the city's water loan with ARDC in the amount of $29,067.25 and the loan for fire department air packs at Grand Savings Bank for $135,251. Since the funds are available, the city hopes to pay off these two loans and eliminate all city debt that is not bond related. by Susan Holland

Community News

Hometown Events Annual Toy Toss set for Dec. 14 in Gentry — Gentry High School's student council is hosting its fourth annual toy toss to collect toys for the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter at the basketball game in Gentry on Friday, Dec. 14. New stuffed and other non-breakable toys, as well as gift cards to retail clothing stores, may be brought to the Gentry-Pea Ridge basketball game and tossed to the floor of the basketball court when the Gentry varsity girls score their first goal in the game. Collection bins will also be available in the lobby, and donations may be dropped off at the high school campus. The Academic Booster Club will also be holding a silent auction fundraiser at the game. by STAFF REPORTS

Options vary for dealing with head lice LOWELL -- Winter. The season for hats, scarves and hugging and taking photos with friends and family also beckons head lice. by Alex Golden

First annual 'Christmas Honors' set for Saturday SILOAM SPRINGS -- American Legion Post 29 in Siloam Springs is holding its first annual "Christmas Honors" event on Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery and community members are invited to attend and help lay wreaths on the more than 750 headstones of veterans buried in Siloam Springs. by Hunter McFerrin

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School and Sports

Pioneers, Bulldogs participate in Gentry Cheer Competition GENTRY -- Several cheer teams from northwest and central Arkansas gathered at Pioneer Gym in Gentry for the Pioneer Invitational Cheer Competition on Thursday. by Mike Eckels

Lady Bulldogs win big at home, lose big on road DECATUR -- The Decatur Lady Bulldogs, coming off of a win and a loss in the Decatur Holiday Hoops Basketball tournament Nov. 26 and 29, squared off against the Fayetteville Haas Hall Lady Mastiffs in the opening game of the 2018-19 2A conference showdown at Peterson Gym in Decatur Dec. 4. The results? The Lady Bulldogs pulled off an impressive win over the Lady Mastiffs by 27 points. by Mike Eckels

Lady Pioneers pull off win over Lady Elks, boys fall GENTRY -- The Pioneers were dominated by the visiting Elks from Elkins on Dec. 3 and lost the nonconference game by a score of 66-34. by Randy Moll

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Opinion

How might this civil war differ from the previous one? In the Civil War, the nation divided geographically to the point that Lincoln, a moderate on slavery, was not even on the ballot for president in much of the South. For two years, the Democrats have not supported anything initiated by President Donald Trump, the divide is so complete. Bipartisanship was difficult before he was elected; now it is virtually non-existent. by HAROLD PEASE, PH.D.

Why do we celebrate Christmas? What is it really all about? The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ Mass," the name of a special worship service held in churches around the world to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, the Messiah and Savior. by Randy Moll

Take heed to yourselves "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36 by Randy Moll

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