Much happened in Eagle Observer territory this past year
WESTSIDE — Much happened over the past year in Eagle Observer territory, and there were many unique stories in the pages of the Westside Eagle Observer during 2018. What follows is just a brief review of the first half of 2018. Watch our next issue for Part Two of this “Year in Review.”
On Jan. 10, the lead story was information released by the Gravette School District saying it is in need of facility improvements that may require the passage of an additional millage, 1-3 mills, according to a Jan. 2 news release. “The school district has been prudent with the use of its debt service millage by not asking the voters for increases except when necessary,” the release stated. “In the last six years, the school district constructed a softball/baseball field complex, remodeled the annex facility, remodeled the library and added six additional classrooms to Gravette Upper Elementary School using its current capital outlay funds.”
A Jan. 17 article revealed that Highfill’s mayor, Stacy Digby, was being investigated regarding the possibility of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. A search warrant was served Jan. 10 at Digby’s residence, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
The lead story in the Jan. 24 issue said the Arkansas State Police opened an investigation into an officer-involved shooting after a man was wounded Saturday in Gravette in Northwest Arkansas. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies said a man identified as Eulas Linwood Hughes III, 40, stood outside a residence at 407 Second Ave. S.E. in Gravette, holding a handgun and long gun, according to a state police news release. Authorities said they talked to Hughes, trying to get him to drop the weapons. At some point, Hughes started to enter the house, state police said. “At that time he is said to have pointed one of the guns at officers, who then fired, wounding Hughes,” state police said in the news release. Authorities took Hughes to a hospital, and he was reported to be in stable condition Saturday evening, state police said.
The Jan. 31 issue reported that it was a special afternoon on Thursday after school let out because teachers and staff of the Gentry Intermediate School were allowed to tour the inside of the new classroom facility which was under construction
and sign their names on steel beams in the new facility. A good number of teachers and staff members looked at building drawings, figured out where in the new building their classrooms may be located and signed their names on the steel support beans in the structure.
The Feb. 7 issue reported that an agreement was signed Jan. 31 which will allow Gentry High School students who complete a medium- and heavy-duty truck program at the conversion charter school to receive 23 college credits from Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale upon graduation. The agreement was signed by Terrie Metz, superintendent of Gentry Public Schools, and Blake Robertson, president of NTI. Looking on were Christie Toland, assistant superintendent of Gentry Schools; Brae Harper, Gentry High School Conversion Charter principal; Tyson Sontag, diesel mechanic instructor at Gentry High School; and Carl Desens, instructor and department chair at NTI.
The lead story on Feb. 14 was light freezing drizzle which fell on Saturday and into Sunday morning and coated lawns, sidewalks and roadways with just enough ice to make driving or walking treacherous on Sunday morning. The results included an icy wonderland but also canceled church services, sporting events and other activities in the Eagle Observer area. Numerous accidents related to the icy conditions were reported across the region. For many, the icy conditions provided an opportunity to slow down, stay inside and keep warm by the fire.
It was also reported Feb. 14 that three law enforcement officers were cleared of wrongdoing in a Gravette man’s shooting last month. Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith said Feb. 6 that Gravette police officers Christopher Kelly, Scott Gillming and Jarod Morgan, a Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputy, were justified in shooting Eulas Linwood Hughes.
The Feb. 21 issue reported that the Gravette Lady Lions took the first-place trophy after winning the 1-4A Northwest Conference title at Lincoln High School on Saturday, Feb. 17. The Lady Lions defeated the Berryville Lady Bobcats, 49-44.
It was also reported in the same issue that a Texas man was arrested near Gentry on Saturday afternoon following a traffic stop and pursuit in connection with pointing a gun at a Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Sgt. Waseng Xion of the Sheriff’s Office stopped Adam Flores, 27, of 3510 Horton Road in Fort Worth, Texas, about 12:30 p.m. Saturday on a Benton County road for a traffic violation, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. Flores “brandished a firearm and pointed it in Sergeant Xiong’s direction” before fleeing in the vehicle, according to the release. Officials said Flores drove through a field before stopping and fleeing on foot just off Jackson Road, east of Gentry. Xiong then ran after Flores. Police said Flores tried to hide in a culvert not far from his vehicle but was found by Xiong. Flores refused to leave the culvert and threatened to harm himself or others. Police called in SWAT and crisis negotiators. About 4:30 p.m. Flores surrendered his gun and left the culvert. He was arrested in connection with an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing, both felonies.
In the Feb. 28 issue, it was reported that Decatur Police Officer Randy Deason was commended at the city council meeting on Feb. 23 for saving the life of a 3-month-old infant who was choking on Jan. 2. It was also reported that Gentry became a Purple Heart City at special ceremonies in the city park.
On March 7, the Eagle Observer reported that police in Gentry arrested a 16-year-old male Gentry High School student in connection with terroristic threatening in the first degree, a Class D felony, according to a Monday police department news release. The Gentry Police Department received information about a possible threat at the Gentry High School on Feb. 22. School officials told police that several students were reporting rumors they were hearing, which were alarming in nature, involving threats of violence against the school.
The March 21 issue reported a new welcome sign in Decatur, trash complaints in Highfill and a successful seed swap in Gravette.
Peach trees were in blossom and pictured on the front page of the March 28 issue. It was also reported that the Carpenter Building in Gentry would be considered for the National Register of Historic Places.
Six inches of rain caused local flooding according to the April 4 issue. Highfill’s mayor was arrested in connection with sex crimes with a teen girl.
The April 11 issue reported on the fourth straight championship won by the Gentry powerlifting team. Two softball teams, Gentry and Greenland, played in honor of breast cancer survivors.
A new mayor, Michelle Rieff, was appointed in Highfill, according to the April 18 issue. Smoke on the Border attracted 46 competitors to Gravette to compete with their barbecuing skills.
The April 25 issue covered an open house at Ozarks Community Hospital to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Tired Iron of the Ozarks held its 26th spring show in Gentry.
Intermediate school students in Gentry took time off to play in the mud at a special but muddy event, according to the May 2 issue.
The May 9 issue reported that the Jeremy and Michelle Jackson family was chosen as the Benton County Farm Family of the year on May 1. Early May storms again caused localized flooding in Gentry, with some streets closed because of the water.
The May 16 issue reported on graduation ceremonies in Decatur and Gravette. Gentry’s graduation ceremonies were a week later and were featured in the May 23 issue.
The May 30 issue featured a rededication ceremony for a Grand Army of the Republic monument in the Gentry Cemetery. The monument was erected in May 1918 by David L. Kost, a former Union soldier during the Civil War and a former newspaperman in Gentry. The monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The June 6 issue reported on the Carpenter Building in Gentry being added to the National Register of Historic Places and spoke of a new role a historic Sulphur Springs home was taking.
The June 13 reported on Benton County exploring new options for ambulance service in western Benton County. And, Decatur’s swimming pool opened for the summer.
A Father’s Day cookout in Gravette was covered on June 20.
And, Simmons dedicated its new site between Gentry and Decatur, according to the front-page story of the June 27 issue. The site will be home to a new, modern poultry processing plant. Inside stories promoted Independence Day celebrations in Gentry and Sulphur Springs.
To be continued in next week’s issue.