Headlines from 2016

Several new ventures in town

It’s been an eventful year in northeast Benton County with several groundbreakings and new businesses opening.

The largest project, a joint venture by city and school officials, resulted in a 15,500-square foot City Hall/School Administration building with a new court room. From the groundbreaking Feb. 9 (in frigid weather) to the open house Sept. 30, city and school officials worked together for the success of the unique project which is unparalleled in the state. The building cost $2.5 million and costs were shared equally by both governmental entities.

In March, there was a groundbreaking for a new Veterans Memorial downtown. The grand opening was held in November in conjunction with the Veterans Day parade.

Two new dental offices opened in town — one in a new building for which the groundbreaking was held Dec. 1 last year. The Combs & White Family Dental Clinic opened on Slack Street in June; Henbest Dental opened on North Curtis Avenue in November.

A ground breaking was held in Garfield on U.S. Highway 62 for Elkhorn Liquors, which is expected to open in February.

Headlines from the year from page 1A were:

Jan. 6, 2016

Newspaper begun 50 years ago Council accepts Arvest bid Old, new interwoven in Webb’s Feed & Seed

Jan. 13

Snow, ice, sleet, hail — armed with sale and ready!

Neal commends staff for their many accomplishments Rezones OKd by commission History preservation funded

Jan. 20

State officials commend athletes’ performance

Arkansas Rural Water operating at a loss, need rate increase

Fee free days announced by National Parks Service

Corinth Bridge to be replaced

Jan. 27

Students are a living legacy Fingerprints without ink Funding approved for City Hall

Feb. 3

Breaking ground and making history; City and school to share office space

Looking to the future; Neal to share vision County decreases speed limit Gateway hires police

Feb. 10

Ground flies for historic venture Travis leaves a good legacy Planners table request Man stabbed; woman arrested Morrison hired to enforce codes Doodle 4 Google winner celebrated

Feb. 17

Century-old Webb farmhouse burns Coach Travis built leaders Smith brought unity Source Gas is now Black Hills Energy

Feb. 24

Benton County deputies recover stolen property; ATVs found in Garfield Moehring meets voters Planners to meet Speed limit restored Quiet valley scene of deadly crash

March 2

City Hall construction OKd by Council Casting votes Best chili chosen Public input sought Blackhawk football coach hired Only 15 birthdays in 60 years

March 9

Battle of Pea Ridge commemorated; soldiers relive history Sidewalks: Who is responsible Clean up scheduled Easter events Three applicants seek one seat

March 16

Pea Ridge Academy praised It’s chick time Veterans Memorial staked out Garfield seeks sidewalks Developer disappointed; Miller’s plat tabled

March 23

Final plat OKd Terrific time for 2-year-olds City looks to buy trucks Drugs, cash confiscated Veterans break ground

March 30

Where is it? Elkhorn Ridge plat approved Humphrey awarded Purple Heart

Clean up next week; No hazardous waste

New director isn’t new at all; It’s about more than scholarships TO BE CONTINUED…