Looking back at the news stories in last half of 2022
July 6 — Ten of the eleven units for the new portable classroom building were parked onsite and ready for installation on Friday morning. The building was purchased to make room for the expanding number of students in Gentry’s middle school and high school.
Brad Harris was recently promoted from the position of lieutenant to captain in the Gravette Fire Department and received his captain’s pins from fire chief David Orr and Gravette mayor Kurt Maddox in a ceremony at city hall Monday, June 27.
First Baptist Church in Highfill sponsored a huge fireworks display on Sunday night, and Main Street and the city park were full of local residents who came out to enjoy the celebration and watch the show.
July 13 — Once again, the Freedom Festival in Gentry brought thousands to the city park to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. The celebration began at noon when the national anthem was sung, and Old Glory was raised by members of American Legion Post 159 in Gentry.
The last two weeks have been brutal for residents in Northwest Arkansas as a stifling heat wave gripped the area with 100-degree temperatures and high humidity. Since May 15, the temperatures have climbed into the lower 90s, with humidity levels raising the heat index to near 100 degrees. And the Fourth of July weekend and days afterward have reached 100 degrees, with the heat index reaching as high as 110 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue consecutive heat advisories and warnings for the area.
July 20 — The regular meeting of the Decatur City Council got off to a positive start on July 11 when Decatur Police Chief Steve Grizzle read a CTD (call to duty) recognition honoring Officer Luke Rouhselang’s act of heroism that led to the arrest of an out-of-control driver. With Rouhselang standing by his side, Chief Grizzle read the CTD recognition award to the council, Mayor Bob Tharp and others gathered in the conference room at Decatur City Hall. Chief Grizzle also showed footage of the event recorded by Rouselang’s body camera.
Legacy Leavey did it big in Branson, Mo., for the softball nationals tournament on July 6-10. The girls faced teams from across ten states, with a total of 37 teams in their class for 10u. They played nine games from
Wednesday through Sunday and only lost one game in pool play. They went undefeated in bracket play, beating three undefeated teams in a row. The last undefeated team they played was from Effingham, Ill. — a team with a winning streak of 24 games and second in the nation — but the Legacy girls had other plans and gave them their first loss in 24 straight games, defeating them 5-2. The Northwest Arkansas girls went on to the championship game and won it, 4-1. The girls scored 62 runs in the tournament and only allowed their opponents 17.
July 27 — As July draws to a close, the month will likely be remembered in the area as one of the hottest and driest in recent years, with numerous heat advisories and almost no rain. Area lawns have dried up and plants and gardens have withered away unless regularly watered. And worse yet for area farmers, pastures and hay fields have dried up too, making hay scarce to feed livestock now and making it likely there will be an ongoing shortage of hay over the winter months as well. And everyone is likely to feel the pain of the weeks of hot dry weather once again when they receive their electric bills for energy used to air condition their homes and offices during July.
August 3 — It’s raining, it’s raining! People from all over the region celebrated July 27 as a day that brought relief from 100-degree-plus temperatures and humidity and dry conditions when a strong frontal system moved into the area with lots of rain, lightning and wind. Storm clouds began to build over extreme Northwest Arkansas around 1 p.m. as the heat index approached the 100-degree mark. The heat, coupled with the approaching front and growing instability in the atmosphere, fueled spotty storms in eastern Oklahoma. Two hours later, some of these storms prompted the National Weather Service office in Tulsa to issue a severe thunderstorm warning and special weather statement in Benton County.
August 10 — Northwest Health won’t provide emergency medical service to parts of western Benton County after exercising a 180-day termination clause in two contracts, according to a county news release. Northwest Health made the decision in order to refocus resources on its hospital services and other points of care across the community, said Christina Bull, Northwest Health spokeswoman. Northwest Health has notified Benton County it will terminate the emergency medical services agreement, effective Jan. 30, 2023, Bull said.
It was a fabulous end to an extraordinary day when the night sky lit up with exploding red, white, blue, green and purple bombshells against background patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America” and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” The 68th Decatur Barbecue at Veterans Park in Decatur began with the 5K and Fun Run at Edmiston Park on Saturday.
Among the many activities for residents to enjoy at the 68th annual Decatur Barbecue on Saturday was this year’s cornhole tournament. And, just like this year’s weather, the matches heated up and intensified as the tournament progressed.
August 17 — Visitors came from miles around to attend Gravette Day 2022 on Saturday. This year’s theme was “Celebrating Community,” and many were eager to join in the annual celebration. The streets were lined with cars, and folks were seen all over town walking to and from the various events. Temperatures were in the 90s, but finding spots in the shade and keeping a bottle of cold water handy or sipping on one of the pee wee football team’s famous hand-squeezed lemonades helped folks make it through the day.
When the athletes were in place, members of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp and the community gathered behind the railing in front of the two teams. Ike Owens, a long-time member of the school board and 1976 graduate, had the honor of cutting the ribbon, formally reopening Peterson Gym. With fellow school board members Karen Davis, Kevin Smith and Amy Brooks by his side, Owens cut the ribbon and the old gym came back to life to the sounds of a pair of confetti cannons fired by Jacque Smith and one of the building contractors.
This year’s 129th Gravette Day Car show was a success, with 49 participants traveling far distances to display their cars. Substitute hosts, Shane and Jenny Hargrave, presented awards to collectors and car enthusiasts from many sub-categories, including Custom Class, Hot Rod, Truck and a secret award. This year, emotions ran high as participants paid homage to Chris Crose Sr., who was a staple in the community and Gravette’s car show host for many years.
August 24 — On Sunday, Aug. 14, a devastating fire consumed the home of Doua and Macy Vang at 24658 Lamphear Road in rural Gentry. While they and their sons Matthew and Ying Vang survived, the family lost everything and is now working to rebuild what was lost.
The school board for the Gentry School District, on Aug. 15, approved a large number of personnel changes, including making Brian Little the interim assistant principal at the high school and Brent Hester the athletic director and the assistant principal at the middle school.
August 31 — Old Spanish Treasure Cave hosted a movie night event featuring the film “The Goonies” on Saturday. Tickets were sold out in less than a day and the participants who viewed the movie enjoyed an immersive experience while watching a treasure hunt movie in a real treasure cave. The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is a tourist attraction in Sulphur Springs. According to the Old Spanish Treasure Cave website, the cave’s guided tours take visitors back in time to experience the history “when a group of Spanish conquistadors hid their treasures deep within the cavern.”
The Sulphur Springs Library celebrated its grand reopening with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Area citizens, young and old, came out to view the culmination of several months of hard work that have gone into getting the library open to the public again.
September 7 — Once or twice a week, players from Gentry and the surrounding area (including neighboring areas in Missouri and Oklahoma) gather in Gentry City Park on the old softball field to play Tuj Lub (pronounced too-loo). The game involves two teams of six players, each throwing and spinning tops on a court reaching out some 70-plus feet, with the goal being to hit and knock over an opponent’s tops and target tops and to have your top spin longer than the top of your opponent. The game is played in eight rounds, with tops placed farther and farther away.
The new name for the main gym at Decatur High School is now the Peterson-Owens Fieldhouse in honor of both Lloyd Peterson, who paid for the gym in 1971, and Ike Owens, for his work on the school board and ongoing volunteer commitment to the Decatur sports program.
September 14 — Visitors to the Tired Iron of the Ozarks 30th annual fall show last weekend got a taste of how things used to be done in the rural farming communities of the area just a few generations ago. In addition to the antique tractors and engines of the early to middle 20th century, visitors got to watch blacksmiths at work, heating iron to redhot temperatures and then pounding and twisting the softened metal into shape. Featured on Saturday were a group of blacksmiths from the Blacksmiths of Arkansas, demonstrating the art that supplied many of the tools and implements of 19th and 20thcentury America.
Just in time for this coming fall, the Honeywheat bakery and deli, located at 225 S. Gentry Blvd., is serving sweet treats, bakery goods and deli sandwiches to Gentry residents and nearby neighbors, and the owner, Miriam Yoder, is preparing to serve some of her favorites to local customers.
September 21 — The annual Hiwasse fall festival was a resounding success, drawing one of the largest crowds ever. Many in attendance were heard to comment that it was the best ever and they’d never seen more visitors come out. Food, music, door prize drawings, activities for all ages and a host of vendors were among the many attractions. A wide variety of vendors offered fall home decor, woodcrafts, clothing, books, food and gift items. Several also gave out free candy, bottled water and chances at door prize drawings. Organizations and businesses advertised their products and services, including the opportunity to host an exchange student or sign up for art classes.
Senior quarterback Chris Bell had a hand in eight touchdowns as Gentry routed Pea Ridge, 59-28, in a nonconference battle of unbeatens Friday night at Pioneer Stadium. Bell completed 17 of 21 passes for 309 yards, including scoring throws of 51, 35, 10, 19 and 20 yards. He also scored on runs of 1, 13 and 6 yards.
September 28 — Northwest Arkansas National Airport officials are exploring how to amicably divorce themselves from the city of Highfill, but the city’s mayor said the move could be economically catastrophic for the city. “I think it’s time for the board to have a discussion; it’s something we’ve talked about for quite some time, and that is de-annexation from the city of Highfill,” said board member Jonathan Barnett, broaching the subject. “I think the time has come. Highfill is kind of coming into its own. Highfill has come a long way.”
Abby Davis and Landon Watson were crowned queen and king during the 2022 homecoming coronation ceremony at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Friday night. Both Davis and Watson are seniors at Decatur High School.
Children are usually cautioned against riding their bikes in the street — especially after dark — but on Saturday, they were invited to do so on Gentry’s Main Street, and the street was filled with bikers young and old. Gentry’s annual glow ride was held Saturday evening, and cyclists came from Gentry and beyond to participate in the annual event, which is sponsored by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce.
October 5 — Autumn is here, and so was the yearly Pickin’ Time on 59 yard sale event, which ran from Sept. 22 through 24. From Sulphur Springs to Siloam Springs — 26 miles — residents set up stands along Arkansas Highway 59. And the event brought people from the neighboring towns together; and many people, both sellers and visitors, enjoyed the experience.
Pastor Neil Dye, several members of his congregation at the Decatur Seventh-day Adventist Church and guests gathered at the church Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2, to cut the ribbon on a new trail they have opened on church property. The 1.3mile trail winds through 25 acres the church owns on the hill behind their church building on East Roller Avenue.
Rhett Hilger’s 2-yard touchdown run with 5:28 remaining allowed Gravette to slip past Lincoln for a 31-29 win in a 4A-1 Conference game at Lion Stadium. Ian Leonard then helped the Lions (2-3, 1-1) preserve the victory when he intercepted a fourthdown pass with just under 3 minutes left, and Gravette never gave the ball back.
October 12 — The Gravette Public Library hosted its sixth annual Moon Over Main Street star party and many agreed it was the biggest and best event yet. An estimated 150 people came out to enjoy the evening, held in collaboration with the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society. The event was held Saturday, Oct. 1, since it was designated as International Observe the Moon Night, an annual worldwide observance designed to encourage learning about and viewing the moon and its connection to the other planets and space exploration. Members of the astronomical society set up telescopes on Main Street in an area roped off in front of the library, one trained on a planet, one on the moon, one on Saturn and some on Jupiter so that guests could observe various celestial bodies.
Gentry High School senior Madi Voyles was crowned 2022 homecoming queen in ceremonies held in Pioneer Stadium on Friday in Gentry.
The annual powderpuff football class competition was held last week Wednesday afternoon in Pioneer Stadium, with the junior class girls winning the championship game against the sophomores in a sudden-death playoff, 12-6.
October 19 — A 71-yearold man was killed Saturday after being shot by a Benton County sheriff’s deputy, according to a news release from the Arkansas State Police. The release identified the Decatur man as Nelson Amos. Sheriff’s deputies were called to 22891 Falling Springs Road shortly before noon Saturday after a resident reported gunfire being heard on Amos’ property, according to the release. A sheriff’s deputy later encountered Amos on a local road driving a tractor and brandishing a handgun, according to the release. The deputy fired his rifle, striking Amos, according to the release.
Area residents gathered in Highfill’s city park on Saturday to visit and enjoy the beautiful fall day during Highfill’s fall festival. The event included a fun run in the morning, a midmorning parade, and then a car show and fun and games in the park. Cars and old tractors were lined up in the park, and the police and fire departments had some of their vehicles on display as well. Vendors sold food and drinks, as well as arts and crafts, in the park. A number of musical groups played, including the Butler Creek Boys, a bluegrass and southern gospel group from Siloam Springs. And there were crafts, face painting and other games for children, too. A pieeating contest brought a full table of contestants and more pumpkin pies than most want to eat at a single sitting.
Once again, the junior livestock premium auction held at the Benton County Fair was a huge success for area youth gaining knowledge and experience in agriculture. More than $101,000 was raised at the Oct. 1 premium auction to help Benton County youth with their livestock projects (an average of more than $900 per participant). And additional dollars were still coming in, with other businesses and individuals adding to the bid amounts.
October 26 — Gravette senior Dannia Morales was crowned the 2022 homecoming queen at ceremonies in Lion Stadium on Friday night. She is the daughter of Javier and Maricruz Morales.
Republican nominee Hope Duke faces Michael Gill of the Libertarian Party in the state House race for extreme northwest Benton County’s District 12, which includes Gravette, Decatur and parts of Bella Vista. It reaches the
state line on both the north and the west. State representatives serve two-year terms and receive a base salary of $44,357.
November 2 — Throughout the decades, artist Cecil “CW” Savage, 83, has had a lucrative career in the art world. Many of his works have been featured in magazines, commercial advertisements and even displayed in fine art galleries around the world. Businesses have commissioned Savage to paint murals, and perhaps many townsfolk have walked by his work. Nowadays, Savage teaches art in his studio at 23911 Westpoint Road in Gentry and still creates art by exploring other mediums, such as stained glass and wood carving.
With the hot weather moving on and the bright colors of autumn upon Northwest Arkansas, it was time for an event that had been missing from the Decatur area for two years, Decatur Northside Elementary Fall Festival. Northside was decorated with lots of reds, oranges, yellows and browns, the colors often associated with the fall when leaves change from spring and summer seasons to autumn. The two-hour event hosted a wide variety of activities for young and old alike.
November 9 — A Missouri woman claimed she delivered a stillborn child on the day she’s accused of kidnapping a pregnant woman, according to court documents. Amber and Jamie Waterman, both 42, were arrested Thursday in connection with the kidnapping of Ashley Bush, 33, of Maysville. Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant, was last seen in the passenger seat of an older tan pickup on Oct. 31 at the intersection of Arkansas 72 and Arkansas 43 in Maysville, according to a post on the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Bush’s body was found Thursday in Missouri, and the body of her baby — Valkyrie Grace Willis — was found the day before elsewhere in Missouri, according to police. The Watermans have been arrested on a federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death.
Kyler Austin scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns as Gravette rallied from a 12-point deficit and claimed a 4A-1 Conference win, 38-35, over rival Gentry. The Pioneers (7-3, 4-3) turned a fake punt into a 51-yard touchdown run by Tommy Xiong to take a 35-23 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Lions (6-4, 5-2) made their comeback. Austin scored on a 28-yard run and pulled Gravette within 35-30 with 5:09 remaining. Gentry then fumbled on its first offensive play, and Gravette recovered on the Pioneers’ 38. Austin then scored on an 8-yard run at the 3:18 mark, and the Lions added a two-point conversion pass for a threepoint cushion. Gentry then drove into Gravette territory, but the Lions preserved their lead when they stripped the ball from a receiver inside the Gravette 15.
November 16 — Veterans of America’s wars were honored Friday at a special flag-raising ceremony held at the Gentry Police Station. The special event was timed to occur at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time when hostilities were to cease due to the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne in France.
November 23 — Through the partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the help of the Highlands United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, Amanda Kelly and Kelly Hankins have been helping feed residents in Gravette. The food pantry is in the Western Benton County Career Center building at 406 Sixth Ave S.E. It welcomes families and students to come to visit and take part in this provision. The first food pantry opened on Nov. 3, and it was a success because of its partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
November 30 —
A Benton County sheriff’s detective was justified when he shot and killed a man last month, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith. Smith released the findings of an investigation into the shooting of Nelson Amos, 71, on Nov. 16. Smith concluded Vector Xiong had reasonable belief that Amos would immediately use deadly force against him when Amos pointed a pistol at Xiong, according to a letter Smith sent to Sheriff Shawn Holloway.
December 7 — Last year’s coronation queen, Kelsey Barber, fastened the royal robe around Gentry senior Alyssa McCarty after she was crowned the 20222023 coronation queen at special ceremonies at Gentry High School on Friday.
Many Gravette residents and citizens from throughout the area enjoyed a “Holly, Jolly Christmas” Saturday evening, Dec. 3. The weather cooperated beautifully and the north winds that had been forecast held off during the event, with temperatures just cold enough to put one in the holiday spirit. The festivities began at 4 p.m. when the Gravette Public Library hosted an open house at its location on Main Street. Members of the Friends of the Library served hot cocoa, hot cider and cookies baked by ladies from the Jolly Good Times Home Demonstration Club.
December 14 — “Let your light shine” was the theme of this year’s Decatur Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade through downtown Decatur Friday night. And shine the participants in this year’s parade did as the caravan rolled from the car wash on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue to Decatur City Hall via Jo Avenue.
The city council in Gentry, at its Dec. 5 meeting, adopted a 2023 budget, approved the purchase of two police vehicles, approved a salary ordinance, and accepted the resignation of the city clerk. After study and review by the council members over the past month, the council accepted by resolution a budget for 2023. Along with the many special fund budgets, the council approved a general fund budget that projects income and expenditures of $3,389,600.
Dollar General announced that its new DG Market, located at 900 J.R. Bever Blvd. in Gentry (just south of the post office), is now open! The new DG Market store format features an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as the same categories, brands and products customers trust Dollar General to carry.
The annual Gentry Chamber of Commercesponsored Christmas Parade was held on Gentry’s Main Street on Saturday, with the theme of “Miracles on Main Street.” Santa and Mrs. Claus were at the Gentry Public Library from 2 to about 6 p.m., and a party that included songs, music, apple cider and snacks, as well as watching the parade, was a part of the library festivities on Saturday.
The Lady Lions dominated the Lady Wardogs of Miami, Okla., during a nonconference game at Gravette High School on Dec. 6, taking a 23-4 lead in the first quarter, a 40-11 lead by the half, and building on that lead through the remainder of the game
for a 61-22 win. Dalacie Wishon led her teammates in scoring with 15. Rachel Deihl was close behind with 13. Brooke Handle had 10 points in the game. She was followed by Brynn Romine and Graci Moffit, each with seven. Gabbi Bates and Karley Auffet had three each, Kenlee Harris had two, and Keeley Elsea had one in the game.
December 21 — A Benton County sheriff’s deputy died in a traffic accident Saturday while on motorcycle escort duty. Detective Paul Daniel Newell, 51, of Gravette, was escorting the Wreaths Across America procession through Bentonville, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. Wreaths Across America provides wreaths to veterans’ cemeteries nationwide. The accident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Southeast Walton Boulevard and Southeast Metro Parkway, just west of the Interstate 49 interchange, according to a report from the Arkansas State Police. Newell, on his motorcycle, was eastbound in the center turn lane of Walton Boulevard. A 2022 Freightliner truck was also eastbound. Newell hit a curb, lost control and struck the Freightliner, according to the report.
December 28 — Decatur police chief Steve Grizzle stands next to Emillie Walker (right) and her newborn daughter, Coroline (in a blanket), and a sibling in front of the Decatur Police Department sign in Decatur Dec. 19. Grizzle delivered baby Coroline at the police station Dec. 8 when Walker and a friend got lost on the way to Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville and spotted the only place they could get immediate help.
As winter storm Elliot and the Arctic cold front moved into northwest Arkansas early Thursday morning, residents braced themselves for several cold days leading into Christmas Eve as temperatures, which had been in the lower 30s, began falling at an astonishing rate. By midday on Thursday, the temperatures dropped into the single digits, and moderate to heavy snow began to fall over the area as the cold front passed through and Elliot entered the area. As the front passed by, any water on the road from light rain during the early morning hours flash froze, making the road slick but still passable until the snow from Elliot began.