Looking back over 2020

Year in Review: Leading stories from the past year

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Marlon Blackwell, the architect who designed the Gentry Public Library, using the historic Carl Hardware Bulding in Gentry, speaks with Linda Crume, Gentry's librarian, and others about the library's uses and possible changes to the library's floorplan during a visit to the library on Saturday afternoon.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Marlon Blackwell, the architect who designed the Gentry Public Library, using the historic Carl Hardware Bulding in Gentry, speaks with Linda Crume, Gentry's librarian, and others about the library's uses and possible changes to the library's floorplan during a visit to the library on Saturday afternoon.

JAN. 1 -- After waiting nearly three years for the repair or replacement of the Dawn Hill East Bridge, the day of its rebuild is finally becoming visible on the horizon. According to a Dec. 20 (2019) email shared by Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, the go-ahead has been given to the city to put the bridge project contract out for bid.

JAN. 8 -- The new year brings with it a new business in the Hiwasse community. Colton Carlton and his wife Kayla opened Weld Source, their welding and metal fabrication business, on Monday, Dec. 16, at 13781 W. Highway 72.

JAN. 15 -- Its name was Isaiah, and it packed a punch as it moved across the country. The National Weather Service had predicted for nearly a week that Thursday, Friday and Saturday could see some of the most extreme weather conditions for the start of the New Year. And the weather service was spot on in its predictions. Winter Storm Isaiah grew out of two low-pressure systems and a cold front that extended from the upper Midwest to Texas Thursday night. In addition to the National Weather Service, local television and newspapers also predicted extreme weather, from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to ice and even snow.

JAN. 22 -- A local film production company was showcased when Startup Junkie, a Fayetteville foundation focused on empowering area innovators and entrepreneurs, held an event at Intercut Productions in Hiwasse. Startup Junkie's invitation had urged area business owners and media representatives to "join us as we go behind the scenes at Intercut Productions." Several persons responded and gathered to hear the story of the thriving business which held its grand opening just a year ago.

JAN. 30 -- Whether to proceed with building a splash pad in Gentry or hold off for additional financial figures and a possible grant to help fund a splash pad were just part of the discussion at a two-plus hour meeting of the Gentry Parks Advisory Committee on Jan. 21 in the city council chambers.

Richard Page, superintendent of Gravette Public Schools, announced at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Gravette school board that he has submitted his resignation, effective at the end of the current school year. He said he was very appreciative of the opportunity to serve the Gravette district the past eight years but felt, after 42 years in the education field, it was time to explore other options.

FEB. 5 -- The Decatur School District on Thursday reported that 12 teachers and 55 students were out of classes because of the flu, forcing school superintendent Steve Watkins to suspend classes at Decatur Middle and High Schools, Northside Elementary and Decatur Pre-K for Friday, Jan. 31, and Monday, Feb. 3. Classes were expected to resume Feb. 4. These closures were to allow time for maintenance workers to thoroughly disinfect all four Decatur schools.

FEB. 12 -- Gentry's city council accepted the bid of Crossland Construction for the Dawn Hill East bridge replacement project at its meeting on Feb. 3 and, once the Arkansas Department of Transportation approves the bid, the contract can be awarded and work on the new bridge can begin. The existing bridge was damaged during flooding nearly three years ago and has been closed to vehicle and foot traffic since the April 2017 flood.

FEB. 19 -- Guests at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity and Wellness

Center enjoyed a full day of activities on Friday, Feb. 14. Regular patrons were joined by several special guests during various events throughout the day.

FEB. 26 -- Marlon Blackwell, the award-winning architect who designed the Gentry Public Library in the town's historic Carl Hardware Building, revisited and toured the library on Saturday afternoon, offering pro-bono work for a redesign of the front desk and children's area and promising help in the painting of portions of the library's exterior.

MARCH 4 -- Dogwood Literacy Council in Siloam Springs has two new much-needed bookshelves, thanks to a community collaboration between local businesses and high school students from Gentry and Siloam Springs, according to director Charlie Muessemeyer.

MARCH 11 -- A large crowd of dignitaries, law enforcement officers, as well as staff and supporters of the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, gathered on a partially-wooded lot on Shankles Road in Gentry on Thursday to break ground on a nearly-5,000-square-foot home for the Children's Advocacy Center to serve children in need of care in western Benton County.

MARCH 18 -- School districts on the west side of Benton County closed this week after Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday all schools must be closed to on-site instruction beginning Tuesday amid concerns over the spread of the covid-19 virus. Districts may choose to close on-site instruction Monday, Hutchinson said.

With Courtney Millsap's junior high championship team behind her holding letters which spelled out, "WILL YOU MARRY ME? Yes or No?" Dakota Place, Thursday evening, on bended knee, popped the question to Millsap, head coach of the junior high basketball teams. The proposal came after Millsap presented awards to her team members at a banquet held in the middle school cafeteria. Millsap was blindfolded as the letters were distributed to teammates. When the blindfold was removed, she saw the proposal, along with Place on bended knee with a ring in his hand. Her answer was a big "Yes."

MARCH 25 -- Arkansas Court of Appeals, on March 11, reversed a decision of the circuit court and determined that a 2014 ordinance passed by the Springtown Council was not passed in accordance with Arkansas law and therefore is void. The Court of Appeals, in Case No. CV-19-398, ruled that the votes of three council members to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance on three readings with a single vote did not meet the statutory requirement of the votes of 2/3 of the elected council since the council was made up of five members and it would take the affirmative votes of four members to achieve the 2/3 majority required in the statute.

While many businesses are temporarily closing their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new business opened on Friday in Gentry, offering bulk foods, deli meats and cheeses. D&J Bulkworks opened at 140 W. Main Street in Gentry, with shelves full of bulk foods, dried beans and rice, dried fruit, nuts, cereals, spices, flour, sugar, pasta, and candy too. And the new business was busy, with some items selling quickly.

APRIL 1 -- After nearly three years of waiting, demolition has begun in the project to replace the bridge over Flint Creek on Dawn Hill East Road in Gentry. The work, by Crossland Heavy Contractors, got underway last week, with a good part of the old bridge demolished and piled into a heap of cement and steel. Work continues to remove the steel structure of the bridge to make way for a new bridge to replace it.

APRIL 8 -- Identical twin sisters Alissa Barnes of Maysville and Shiane Barnes of Gentry gave birth to healthy babies just hours apart on March 14 at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital.

APRIL 15 -- City council members, on April 6, gave Gentry's mayor, Kevin Johnston, the authorization to pursue negotiations for the purchase of land for a sports complex and to move forward with plans to build a splash pad in the city park located on the south side of Gentry's Main Street.

Jodi Moore, owner and operator of Dynamic Rhythm dance studio on Main Street in Gravette, came up with a unique idea to help area youngsters have an Easter egg hunt and still practice social distancing. Early last week she went around town "hiding" paper Easter eggs in several locations up and down the street. She invited families to drive down Main Street and look for eggs with various characteristics, such as stars, crosses, flowers, polka dots and stripes, and certain colors. They were then asked to choose a favorite and post a picture on social media.

APRIL 22 -- A high-speed pursuit along Arkansas Highway 59 ended with a 2010 white Chevrolet Equinox crashing through a sign and into a culvert in Decatur on April 14, ending with the arrest or detention of the vehicle's five occupants.

Gentry head football and softball coach Paul Ernest announced Thursday he is resigning from both positions, effective at the end of the school year. Ernest will head to Mineral Springs, where he will serve as the Hornets' offensive coordinator and the school's dean of students. He said the move to Mineral Springs will allow his wife, Jennifer, to be closer to her parents.

APRIL 29 -- Good progress is being made on the new gymnasium at Gravette High School and the project is expected to be completed in June. This is approximately one month ahead of schedule, according to Clay McGill, principal architect with BiLD Architects. Exterior masonry is complete on the building and exterior finishes are progressing. The remaining exterior finishes, EIFS and metal wall panels are currently being installed. Site work is ongoing with sidewalks being poured around the building. Exterior utilities have been completed and preparation is being made to start the new north parking lot pad.

MAY 6 -- "Decatur 1, Chief Joe Savage, 10-7 for the final time, April 30, 2020," was the last radio transmission to Benton County dispatch that one 29-year law enforcement veteran sent out over the airwaves. Decatur Police Chief Joe Savage spent his last morning as the Decatur Chief of Police wondering what was going on around the police station, particularly since he was all alone in his now-empty office. His suspicions were confirmed when his replacement, Steve Grizzle, led Savage to a lone office chair parked on the sidewalk near Main Street in Decatur.

MAY 13 -- The milestone "Sweet 16" birthday year is always a special event to be celebrated in a young person's life. But for Taylor Crose, son of Chris and Tina Crose of Gravette, his celebration was kicked up a notch with a special birthday parade planned for him by his mother. A few days before his birthday, Tina began contacting neighbors and friends with plans for a parade to honor Taylor's birthday. She encouraged everyone to drive by the Crose home on the evening of Wednesday, May 6, to greet her son and wish him a happy birthday.

MAY 20 -- With Memorial Day a little over a week away, the Decatur Veterans Committee and the Howard-Parrish Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9834 worked at the Decatur Cemetery and along Main Street and Roller Avenue in Decatur on May 16 to make things ready for the observance. The two groups worked side-by-side to erect white crosses, each bearing an American flag, on the grave of every military veteran buried in the Decatur Cemetery, in remembrance of the many sacrifices they made for our nation's freedom.

MAY 27 -- This summer's freedom festival in Gentry, along with its fireworks display, has become another casualty of the covid-19 pandemic, with the announcement being made Thursday by Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks.

JUNE 3 -- After several weeks of sheltering at home and practicing social distancing, folks were beginning to get cabin fever and wishing for an activity to get them out of the house. Shane Hargrave and his fiancee', Jenny Lambert, came up with an event that helped relieve the boredom. The couple, along with Michael Ratledge, who has cooperated with them since the beginning, started a series of cruise nights for car enthusiasts and spectators who are just looking for a fun family outdoor activity.

JUNE 10 -- Taylor's Orchard in Gentry was a very busy place on Saturday, with many coming to pick peaches and enjoy some family time out of the house during this time of shelter-in-place and social distancing. And, what sweeter way to spend time together with family while still practicing social distancing than picking peaches in an orchard!

JUNE 17 -- Steven Grizzle was presented with the Decatur Police Department's Life-Saving Medal and commendation during the city council meeting on June 8. On Dec. 13, 2019, Grizzle performed CPR on an unconscious man who had overdosed on opioids and alcohol. The man survived the ordeal thanks to Grizzle's quick action.

JUNE 24 -- Because of parent concerns regarding the coronavirus and the spread of covid-19, the Gentry School District is offering parents the choice of sending their children to the schools for onsite instruction this fall or enrolling their children in online classes through the newly created Gentry Pioneer Virtual Learning Academy. Virtual instruction will be available for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, but certain requirements must be met for students to qualify to participate in the new program and the deadline for enrollment is fast approaching.

Lynn Paskiewicz enjoys every part of keeping bees, from checking the hives to harvesting honey. She has been keeping bees at her home between Siloam Springs and Gentry for the past nine years. She began with a few hives behind her shed the first year, then purchased property behind her barn in a big field.

JULY 1 -- The city of Gravette and the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the annual fireworks show this year but, because of the covid-19 pandemic, the format will be somewhat different. The location has been changed from Pop Allum Park to the field just east of the high school. The show will begin at dusk, or approximately 9 p.m.

JULY 8 -- Graduation will be held in Gentry on Friday, July 10, according to information released by the school district last month. According to an email notification sent to parents and staff members by Brae Harper, principal of Gentry High School, the plans submitted by the school district to the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education were approved.

JULY 15 -- Four members of the Gravette High School Class of 2020 were honored at a party Saturday afternoon, July 11, preceding their graduation ceremony which was to be held that evening. Tabitha Crawley, Emma Davis, Cody Funk and Valry Rodine enjoyed the festivities at the event, held in the Gravette Community Room across from the museum complex.

Following an appeal to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, a court order was signed on June 3 by Judge John Scott of the Circuit Court of Benton County reversing the court's former decision and granting the declaratory judgment petition of the town of Springtown and voiding an ordinance improperly passed by the town council in 2014. As a result, the town's narrowing of a street between Bredehoeft Road and Flint Creek near the Don Early Memorial Bridge on Aubrey Long Road from 60 feet wide to 20 feet in width and giving to adjacent landowners Michael Evans, Lisa Taylor and Paul Lemke the land vacated by the town has been declared null and void.

JULY 22 -- After dying out and losing its building in years past, the Londagin-Hardcastle American Legion Post 159 is back and off to a healthy start with its new charter and the installation of new officers. The post retained the number and flag of the former Gentry post.

JULY 29 -- Samuel Hale, an area artist from Pineville, Mo., has been busy painting a mural on the north side of the Blended Ends beauty salon, just south of Hillcrest Cemetery. The eye-catching mural features a bear, a native American woman smoking a pipe and a giant serpent, figures from a Cherokee Indian legend.

Motorists traveling on Arkansas Highway 59 between Gentry and Gravette last week experienced significant delays due to a new overlay project underway by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The overlay project is the first phase of a three-phase project to overhaul the nearly 100-year-old highway that has seen traffic numbers nearly double over the past 10 years.

AUG. 5 -- An ordinance was passed Monday to allow the use of golf carts on Gentry's city streets, providing drivers are at least 21 years of age and obey all applicable traffic laws, yield to all motor vehicles, avoid obstructing traffic and include a reflective caution triangle on the rear of the vehicle. A driver's license will not be required.

AUG. 12 -- The 127th annual Gravette Day, although an abbreviated event, was an enjoyable day for everyone. After rains on Thursday night and Friday, Mother Nature still threatened to rain on their parade. Thunder rumbled off and on all morning and several floats featured umbrellas to shelter their riders but only a few raindrops were falling by parade time.

AUG. 19 -- Gravette Cruise and Quarantine conducted a successful school supply drive on its cruise night Sunday, Aug. 16. Organizers Shane Hargrave and Michael Ratledge had put out a call for school supplies with a list of specific items that were most needed. Hargrave said he hoped to fill the back of his pickup truck with supplies and even said, if that happened, he would shave his goatee.

AUG. 26 -- Volunteers from Pathway to Progress were on hand at Decatur City Hall's annex building (old Headstart) Saturday morning waiting for area residents to drop off donations for the group's new food pantry.

SEPT. 2 -- Gravette council members voted unanimously to accept the offer of $400,000 from K-MAC Enterprises for the purchase of city hall and the police station. They also passed ordinances rezoning the two properties, 604 First Ave. S.E. and 606 First Ave. S.E., from O, open, to C-2, highway commercial.

After a two-week delay by the Arkansas Health Department and Governor Asa Hutchinson, schools across the state reopened for in-house instruction after the covid-19 pandemic closed them March 16. After two months of planning, the Decatur school system opened its doors once again on Aug. 24.

SEPT. 9 -- Youngsters walking to school or being driven to school down El Paso Street S.E. in Gravette now have a new attraction to catch their eye. Belva Hughes, who moved to town from Medford, Ore., in the middle of 2019, recently had the last vestige of her life in Oregon delivered to Gravette. Her son Christopher brought the memento last week, a model train built by his father entirely from scrap materials.

The new Dawn Hill East Bridge opened without fanfare late in the day on Aug. 26 and is now open to traffic between Gentry and the Dawn Hill area in the southern part of the city.

SEPT. 16 -- "He sure hasn't lost his touch!" A customer exclaimed as he exited a building Sept. 8. What the customer was referring to is the grand reopening of The Gallery Cafe, one of downtown Decatur's predominant eateries. After gaining approval for the purchase, a deal was made with Thompson, and former chef James McAdams took possession of The Gallery. His reason for buying the popular eatery was simple: he did not want to see it close permanently.

Mayor Kevin Johnston announced to the city council on Sept. 8 that the Gentry Senior Activity Center, which was operated by Our Healthy Communities and has been closed since March due to covid-19 concerns, will not reopen as a senior activity center but will become a community center operated under the auspices of the Gentry Public Library to provide services to seniors and to the entire Gentry community. The decision was made by Our Healthy Communities during the coronavirus closure not to reopen the facility but to provide its services to the Gentry community through its facilities in Siloam Springs and Gravette, according to Susan Moore, director of Our Healthy Communities (formerly Office of Human Concern).

SEPT. 23 -- A Gentry man and his son died in a Friday morning boating accident on Table Rock Lake in Barry County, Mo., according to an incident report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Ted S. Dossett, 55, and a 14-year-old son were killed in the accident, the report states. According to the report, Dossett was driving a 1993 Ranger 392V with the 14-year-old as his passenger. For reasons unknown, the Ranger crossed the path of a 2018 Bass Cat Caracal and the Caracal hit the front port side of the Ranger.

SEPT. 30 -- Glenn Smith, 76, of Highfill, is the caretaker for some unique rocks found in the region. One of those stones is a large rock that resembles the back of a turtle but it's not a bunch of stones mounted in mortar but a single stone with grooves apparently cut in the stone by water. Smith said the stone was found by a friend of his on Mission Mountain near Westville, Okla. -- at the end of the Trail of Tears, Smith said. He said his friend dug the unique stone out of the mountain.

OCT. 7 -- Madison Mitchell of Hiwasse, 2020 graduate of Gravette High School and the daughter of Norman and Shannon Mitchell, was honored in a virtual ceremony Sept. 26 and awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal. Mitchell was one of 478 youth receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal, but she was the only award winner from Arkansas.

OCT. 14 -- It was an unusual homecoming in Pioneer Stadium on Friday evening, with participants wearing masks throughout the ceremony and the traditional homecoming kiss on the cheek replaced with elbow bumps, but the show did go on and a new homecoming queen was crowned at Gentry High School. There were six seniors in the running for the homecoming queen crown: Emma Anderson, Taryn Capps, Lexi Harlan, Megan McCollum, Taylor Norman and Halle Reid. The announcement came over the PA system: "The 2020 GHS homecoming queen is ... Emma Anderson."

OCT. 21 -- Work began on the $5 million Decatur High School renovation project on Oct. 5 with the removal of the covered walkway, sidewalk and playground surface that once served the Decatur Pre-K school.

OCT. 28 -- In a special city council meeting on Oct. 20, the council vacated an unused alley, approved a bond issuance to build a new water storage facility and authorized the city to temporarily close portions of Main Street and adjoining streets for the filming of a movie scene in the city.

NOV. 4 -- The Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County (CAC) announced the opening of its additional center in Gentry, with a ribbon-cutting held on a rainy Thursday morning in Gentry. "This additional location will enable us to continue carrying out our mission to empower children to find their voice by providing greater access to services for child abuse victims and their families throughout Benton County," said Natalie Tibbs, CAC executive director.

NOV. 11 -- Fans turned out in good numbers for the open house at the new Gravette High School gymnasium Saturday afternoon, Nov. 7. Tours of the building were held throughout the day, with tours for senior citizens and persons at high risk for covid-19 alternating with tours for the general public. Special commemorative postcards were given to those taking the tours. Many returned at 4 p.m. to attend the grand opening ceremony for the 54,000-square-foot facility. Members of the Gravette High School marching band assembled near the front steps of the gym and played for visitors as they arrived. Warm, sunny fall weather and all the comforts of the impressive new building put everyone in a festive mood and many stood and clapped their hands as the school fight song was played at the beginning of the ceremony.

NOV. 18 -- Alyssa Allen, a 2019 graduate of Gravette High School, this year organized her third annual Give Warmth clothing drive. With the help of the Bright Futures organization in Gravette, she worked to collect coats, socks and underwear for underprivileged students in the Gravette School District. Because of the covid-19 pandemic, masks were added to the donation item list this year and Allen arranged to have them all donated by Olive Loom in Fayetteville.

NOV. 25 -- A line of very heavy thunderstorms with wind gusting over 70 miles an hour blew through Northwest Arkansas on Nov. 14, bringing with it sporadic reports of damage to trees and structures. A small church in Decatur had its roof blown off during the severe storm. The small Hispanic Community Catholic church on the corner of Roller Avenue and Fourth Street initially reported a lightning strike to the Decatur Fire Department around 8 p.m. Decatur Fire Station One, which is less than a block from the church, was quick to mobilize its volunteer force and was on scene within a few minutes.

DEC. 2 -- Lisa Wilson poses with her husband Arthur and Gracie, their mini Schnauzer mix, in their newly opened Little Yoga Shoppe on Main Street in Gravette. Displayed nearby in the shop, just next door to their Art and Soul Fine Art Gallery, are essential oils and diffusers, fragranced salves, hand soap and lotions and tote bags for yoga gear.

Dec. 9 -- Gentry Fire Department, assisted by Highfill and Siloam Springs fire departments, extinguished a house fire in the predawn hours of Wednesday morning which reportedly started when fire spread from a smoldering leaf pile through the grass to the garage and then to the home. According to Vester Cripps, Gentry's fire chief, the fire department was called out at 3 a.m. on Wednesday to 21477 Oak Park Lane, just east of Dawn Hill East Road, south of Gentry. Cripps said the fire started at the home of Dennis Butt from leaves burned on Tuesday afternoon that had not been fully extinguished. He said the fire spread through the grass during the night and burned up to the side of the garage, catching the garage and home on fire.

Dec. 16 -- An unofficial and unsanctioned Christmas parade was held in Gentry on Saturday evening, with colorful and lighted floats, cars, trucks and equestrian units making their way down Main Street and then down Pioneer Lane. The parade rivaled official parades of other years.

Gentry senior Darien Welch was crowned coronation queen at ceremonies Friday evening at Gentry High School.

Dec. 23 -- Rickie Stark is retiring from the Bank of Gravette at the end of the year. He is "hanging up his spurs" after 17 years with the bank and he'll be sorely missed by his many customers, coworkers and friends.

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Dignitaries broke ground Thursday at the site of a new 5,000-square-feet Children's Advocacy Center to be built in Gentry. The building is expected to be complete in 6-8 months. Breaking ground are Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks, CAC executive board member Tommy Coughlin, director of operations Erin Kraner, CAC executive director Natalie Tibbs, CAC board chairwoman Lori Collins, director of finance and administration Kathy Fisher, director of development Brooke Boles, Gentry police chief Clay Stewart, Brian Shewmaker, and CAC executive board member Chuck Hyde.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Dignitaries broke ground Thursday at the site of a new 5,000-square-feet Children's Advocacy Center to be built in Gentry. The building is expected to be complete in 6-8 months. Breaking ground are Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director Janie Parks, CAC executive board member Tommy Coughlin, director of operations Erin Kraner, CAC executive director Natalie Tibbs, CAC board chairwoman Lori Collins, director of finance and administration Kathy Fisher, director of development Brooke Boles, Gentry police chief Clay Stewart, Brian Shewmaker, and CAC executive board member Chuck Hyde.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
With her junior high championship team behind her holding letters which spelled out, "WILL YOU MARRY ME? Yes? No?" Dakota Place, Thursday evening, on bended knee, popped the question to Courtney Millsap, head coach of the junior high basketball teams. The proposal came after Millsap presented awards to her team members at a banquet held in the middle school cafeteria. Millsap was blindfolded as the letters were distributed to teammates. When the blindfold was removed, she saw the proposal, along with Place on bended knee with a ring in his hand. Her answer was a big "Yes."
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL With her junior high championship team behind her holding letters which spelled out, "WILL YOU MARRY ME? Yes? No?" Dakota Place, Thursday evening, on bended knee, popped the question to Courtney Millsap, head coach of the junior high basketball teams. The proposal came after Millsap presented awards to her team members at a banquet held in the middle school cafeteria. Millsap was blindfolded as the letters were distributed to teammates. When the blindfold was removed, she saw the proposal, along with Place on bended knee with a ring in his hand. Her answer was a big "Yes."
Submitted/VICTORIA BARNES
An excavator is parked on the north side of the Dawn Hill East bridge on Sunday next to a pile of rubble made up of cement and steel which were once the driving surface of the bridge over Flint Creek. Demolition work on the old bridge was underway last week.
Submitted/VICTORIA BARNES An excavator is parked on the north side of the Dawn Hill East bridge on Sunday next to a pile of rubble made up of cement and steel which were once the driving surface of the bridge over Flint Creek. Demolition work on the old bridge was underway last week.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Brenna Bintner, 15, picks some red haven peaches at Taylor's Orchard on Saturday (June 6, 2020). She was accompanied by Emilya Edwards, 12, in the Gentry peach orchard.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Brenna Bintner, 15, picks some red haven peaches at Taylor's Orchard on Saturday (June 6, 2020). She was accompanied by Emilya Edwards, 12, in the Gentry peach orchard.
Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader
Lynn Paskiewicz checks the bees in one of her hives.
Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Lynn Paskiewicz checks the bees in one of her hives.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Marie Wilbanks, commander of Gentry American Legion Post 159, shows the temporary charter received from Doyle Batey, Arkansas Department Commander, after he read the charter for the reformed post in the city park on Saturday, July 18. The new post kept the name and post number of Gentry's former American Legion Post which had closed.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Marie Wilbanks, commander of Gentry American Legion Post 159, shows the temporary charter received from Doyle Batey, Arkansas Department Commander, after he read the charter for the reformed post in the city park on Saturday, July 18. The new post kept the name and post number of Gentry's former American Legion Post which had closed.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
A model train, recently arrived from Medford, Oregon, sits in the front yard of Belva Hughes on El Paso Street S.E. near the Gravette Middle School and Glenn Duffy Elementary. The front part of the train, which was made by Belva's husband John in the mid-70's, was originally a wood stove in the Hughes family's Oregon home.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND A model train, recently arrived from Medford, Oregon, sits in the front yard of Belva Hughes on El Paso Street S.E. near the Gravette Middle School and Glenn Duffy Elementary. The front part of the train, which was made by Belva's husband John in the mid-70's, was originally a wood stove in the Hughes family's Oregon home.
SUBMITTED Madison Mitchell shows all her medals and certificates — bronze, silver, and gold.
SUBMITTED Madison Mitchell shows all her medals and certificates — bronze, silver, and gold.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Natalie Tibbs (holding scissors), executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, accompanied by other board members and guests, cut the ribbon on the new CAC facility in Gentry on a rainy Thursday morning. Ground was broken on the new 5,000 square-foot facility in March and the center will open on Monday and begin serving children in western Benton County.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Natalie Tibbs (holding scissors), executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, accompanied by other board members and guests, cut the ribbon on the new CAC facility in Gentry on a rainy Thursday morning. Ground was broken on the new 5,000 square-foot facility in March and the center will open on Monday and begin serving children in western Benton County.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Members of the Gravette Lion basketball team clap for Jack Thompson as he takes the court for the tipoff of their scrimmage Saturday afternoon. Thompson is a 1973 GHS grad and state record holder for rebounds in a single game, average rebounds per season and total rebounds in a season.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Members of the Gravette Lion basketball team clap for Jack Thompson as he takes the court for the tipoff of their scrimmage Saturday afternoon. Thompson is a 1973 GHS grad and state record holder for rebounds in a single game, average rebounds per season and total rebounds in a season.
Submitted Photo
Alyssa Allen and Lake Musgrave leave the store after shopping for warm coats to distribute in Allen's third annual Give Warmth clothing drive. Musgrave, who helped Alyssa deliver the clothing Nov. 10, said he was impressed with the needs he saw and the deep appreciation of the recipients.
Submitted Photo Alyssa Allen and Lake Musgrave leave the store after shopping for warm coats to distribute in Allen's third annual Give Warmth clothing drive. Musgrave, who helped Alyssa deliver the clothing Nov. 10, said he was impressed with the needs he saw and the deep appreciation of the recipients.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Lisa Wilson poses with her husband Arthur and Gracie, their mini Schnauzer mix, in their newly opened Little Yoga Shoppe on Main Street in Gravette. Displayed nearby in the shop, just next door to their Art and Soul Fine Art Gallery, are essential oils and diffusers, fragranced salves, hand soap and lotions and tote bags for yoga gear.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Lisa Wilson poses with her husband Arthur and Gracie, their mini Schnauzer mix, in their newly opened Little Yoga Shoppe on Main Street in Gravette. Displayed nearby in the shop, just next door to their Art and Soul Fine Art Gallery, are essential oils and diffusers, fragranced salves, hand soap and lotions and tote bags for yoga gear.