2017 headlines: the year in review
As 2018 begins and 2017 ends, … There have been tragedies and triumphs, good news and bad. In the northeast Benton County area — Pea Ridge, Garfield and Gateway — there were a couple of murders and several house fires, as well as motor-vehicle accidents resulting in injury and death.
Mercy constructed and established a new medical clinic in town.
A veterans memorial was completed and a submarine memorial was added to it.
A long-standing tradition continued and Miss Pea Ridge was crowned this summer. A new tradition began as Beta Alpha hosted a Mr. and Miss Pea Ridge High School were crowned.
Many subdivisions have been approved by the Planning Commission and houses constructed. Several new businesses have opened.
Population growth has crowded the school and traffic woes were part of the reason given for the failure of the School District’s request for additional millage to construct a new high school.
The city’s income has increased along with expenses. The sales tax revenue from 2011 to 2017 are listed in an adjacent table.
Other page 1A headlines for 2017 follow.
March 22
Patton Street to be extended He’s safe!
Planning Commission tables questions
Council looks at water rates Mason loves to teach, help students aim for career goals; ‘The animal science program … will be the talk of the state.’
March 29
State commits $10 million; Local funds needed to match Farmers Market seeks vendors Landowners want freedoms Teen marriage lasted nearly 62 years
April 5
Former police chief pleads not guilty to capital murder Easter events
School landscape sees changes City evaluates water system Behind-the-scenes vet assistant cares for animals, pets; Love for animals propelled her into career
April 12
Cleaning up the city School district anticipates sale of property
Planning Commission discusses new baseball field, Habitat lots
Woollard offers hope through her books
Farmers Market to hold soft opening April 23
April 19
Blooming and singing Council approves increase in several budget line items
Two shot in Little Flock during four-hour standoff
Questions asked about water service
Allison is winning pitcher
April 26
Bledsoe gives funds to city; Three departments benefit Land owners applaud council School vision: Questions answered
Farmers Market opens Fine arts auditorium to serve community
May 3
Submarine veterans honored Making school applicable Questions about school millage answered
Deluge leaves debris
May 10
Planners approve home business Chicken in a ditch
Short Stop cashier loves seeing ‘regulars,’ newcomers
Hudson Farm offers quality products at Farmers Market
Dedication scheduled
May 17
Scouts raise flags Voters reject millage Public input sought Keep it clean Students learn film-making Roper enjoys making ‘hot’ and ‘not’ jams and jellies
May 24
School to try again for millage Park needs prioritized
Senior walk 2017 Scates offers baked goodies
Movies in the Park planned
May 31
Honoring veterans Police request new cars Ladle on the gravy Name change contest; Local news commitment remains the same; reader contest will choose paper’s new logo
Aquino family offers veggies
Rezoning considered
June 7
Campers enjoy Lost Bridge area
RV park proposed; “Priority number one is my golf course.”
Water rates on tap at forum
Pea Ridge checked on bucket list
Farmers Market off to strong start
June 14
Three parcels rezoned RV park proposed Reading is an adventure Military Park considers new programming
Lee Town researched Pea Ridge Farmers Market to feature fresh blueberries
June 21
Leetown hamlet relics unearthed, researched
Council meeting: Contentious but decisive
Boys & Girls Club summer fun
Fireworks events begin with Freedom Fest
Pea Ridge Farmers Market expands to Thursdays
June 28
Red, white and blue reigns Fireworks enthrall Police cars purchase OKd
Elkhorn drainage questioned
Farmers Market continues to expand; offers variety of items
July 5
New refrigerators make more fresh food available; Grant money funds help
Planners seek regional approach to flooding; “We’ve got to get into where this problem is actually coming from.”
Farmers Market offers bounty of produce and more
Blackhawks host Lil’Hawks Camp
July 12
Miss Pea Ridge 2017 is 68th annual Planners table Elkhorn Granny’s Quilts of Love retire; Members donated 25,000 quilts
Pageants build confidence; “I want to speak for people who used to feel invincible and now feel invisible.”
Produce bountiful at market
July 19
Traffic: city’s purview; School can’t wait for city to act
School Board looks at options
Territorial jurisdiction decrease proposed
Vanzant peaches keep customers coming back; Available at Pea Ridge market
July 26
Town hires ER Assist Sharing a Book
Toys donated to Children’s Hospital Police car loan OKd School Vision; School traffic to divert to Hazelton
Roper creates success with hard work and determined spirit; Garfield farmer, gardener has learned through trial and error
Aug. 2
The perfect fit Planners study laws Free school supplies, clothes offered Saturday
Woman killed in shooting
Find green tomatoes at market
Youth Conservation Program
Aug. 9
Cheering the Blackhawks Home business OKd Drugs seized; Woman arrested
Getting ready for school Pea Ridge Farmers Market continues to see success
Aug. 16
Safe drop for drugs New fire-rescue boat is here!
Town looks at Ashmore Creek
Duplexes reviewed Senator teaches leadership skills
Success is sweet for beekeeper
Aug. 23
‘That’s cool!’; Schools use solar eclipse as lesson
New cafe opens in Pea Ridge; Family-friendly service offered
Chief OKd to bid Farmers market vendors stay busy; Heading into fall season soon
Aug. 30
Bids for roads OKd Veterinary science experienced first hand
Food services funds are in the black; Ferguson credited with success Pulling a winner! Walker wants home business
Farmers market vendors prepare for fall harvest
Sept. 6
Bands gear up for marching season
Loving her pancakes! Question of expanding City Council arises
Students get a head start
Sept. 13
NEBCO shows off boat Request tabled
New primary care clinic opens in Pea Ridge Planners express ire Woman dies of injuries Friendliness of Farmers Market keeps vendors, customers coming back
Sept. 20
New Mercy Clinic opens with ribbon cutting
Sponsor the Mule Jump; Deadline nears
Troopers help begin the day with a smile
Garfield fills council positions
School elections move to May
Sept. 27
Cleaning up
City denies C3 zone City chooses low bid for new police vehicles
School, city need to work together
Hargiss crowned queen Minister loves community; “I can’t tell you how much I love being here.”
Oct. 4
Mr. and Miss PRHS crowned
Paschall guilty of double homicide; Abuse ends with murders
Blackhawk trademark requires permission to replicate
Oct. 11
Tooting for the ‘Hawks
Envision success; Create a plan
Newest police recruit: Four feet, great nose
Storage unit plan OKd by city
When mules fly! Man pleads not guilty in mother’s killing
Oct. 18
Jumping Mules Hardin sentenced to 30 years in prison
Mules engage and delight the crowd
Black gold found in Ozark hills
Existing the ‘Tunnel of Awesomeness’
Oct. 25
Veterans honored with parade; Submarine memorial unveiled Harvest happenings Autumn colors blaze Schools look to future; Begin with end in mind Arson arrest made Rotarians hear assistant principal Robinson
Nov. 1
Veteran wanted for parade
Mayor calls special meeting
Dinner, pie auction raises dough for graduates; Ham and Bean Dinner and pie auction
City of Garfield to sponsor
WWI memorial tree
Winn vaults over Eagles defense
Nov. 8
Veteran receives medals 50 years later; “When I’d get homesick, I’d look at the stars and realize they look the same here as there.”
Cute Cow
Vision meetings continue on RTV
Crash claims one life Recorder-treasurer Ketcher resigns
Nov. 15
Schuettpelz grand marshal in Veterans Day Parade
Grand ole’ flag leads City budget nears $9 million
Grant buys fire gear Band lauded by School Board
Nov. 22
Volunteers get paid in love
Man arrested for sex assault
Surprised with joy! City officials want financial clarification
Nov. 29
Council passes 2018 budget; Merit awards raised
Home destroyed; Family safe
Hicks and Napo introduced
Town seeks to hire two Development, plat to be considered
Dec. 6
Santa hugs! Angels are still available Man jailed; Admits to exposing self
Fire ravishes Garfield home
Dec. 13
New pay OK’d; Pre-K registration to begin in February
Sunny winter wonderland enjoyed
Drugs, weapons confiscated; Three arrested
Fletcher retires
Dec. 20
‘We wish you a Merry Christmas!’
Granny’s Quilts of Love plans endowment Blackhawks defeat Saints Vining elected; Bearden hired; Budget OKd
Giving angels
Dec. 27
State re-defends petitions-to-run deadline in court
Town grows and grows
It’s all about helping others; Fletcher retires
Year’s news replete with community