RECOLLECTIONS
50 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Vol. 4 No. 19 Thursday, May 8, 1969
A bridge located just off U.S. Hwy. 62 at the west edge of the Pea Ridge National Military Park was on fire shortly after midnight Saturday, and the cause of the fire is believed to be arson. The fire was reported to Pea Ridge Fire Department by witnesses, who were reported to have seen and described the car leaving the burning bridge. It is believed that the bridge had had gasoline poured on it, then set afire. A series of circumstances could have interfered with extinguishing the flames, had it not been that the fire was already put out by someone using gravel and water from the ditch near the bridge to souse the fire.
The Pea Ridge graduating Class of 1959 will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Saturday, May 17, with a reunion to be held at the Holiday Inn in Rogers. Billy Ray Jones of Rt. 2, Garfield, announced he has contacted all 25 of the members of the class, and has heard from all but six of them. Each member was asked to return a questionnaire with information about himself.
40 Years Ago Pea Ridge Graphic Scene Vol. 14 No. 19 Wednesday, May 9, 1979
David Clinger is prosecuting attorney for Benton and Carroll counties, but, he does more than prosecute criminal cases. Clinger told members of the Pea Ridge Christian men’s breakfast group Saturday morning that being “prosecuting attorney” is not just being a prosecutor, rather, it’s the same as a district attorney in other states and includes the duties of the county attorney in addition. He spoke of the many pressures on his office from all aspects of his job and listed for the men the duties, in general terms with some examples.
The formal grand opening of Pea Ridge’s Pizza Hut this week calls pointed attention to a new fast food service being offered to Pea Ridge country residents. Owner of the Pizza Hut is A&M Food Services, Inc. headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.
A barber and beauty shop will occupy one of the areas of the new Battlefield Shopping Center. The operators will be Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Weatherford, who have operated their own shop in Omaha, Neb., for the past 15 years. The new shop is planned to open between June 1-15 and be named “Stylistics.”
30 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 24 No. 19 Thursday, May 11, 1989
Pea Ridge is once again without a city marshal. The City Council voted Monday night to terminate employment of Marshal Bill Musgrove based on what it called failure to carry out the duties as city marshal. Musgrove was put on 30 days probation the end of April due to “acts that are not tolerated by the city.” Musgrove left Pea Ridge on family business in Pine Bluff the first part of May. He had not been seen by city officials at least through Monday evening, officials said. Deputy Jovey Marshall told the council that he had spoken with Musgrove last Friday.
Johnny Dye is giving one of the greatest gifts one can give to another. He is donating a kidney to his younger brother, David. Both of David’s kidneys are functioning at 10 percent. The treatment is dialysis two to three times a week or a kidney transplant. Almost two years ago, David started having bad headaches. Because of those headaches he went to see a doctor in Rogers. The test performed on Johnny showed perfect compatibility. David said, “This story should be about Johnny. “He is making one hell of a sacrifice.”
20 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 34 No. 19 Wednesday, May 12, 1999
Monday night, the Pea Ridge Chamber of Commerce met to decide whether to remain in operation or to dissolve but only two businesses showed up. This was the main issue, the lack of participation by its members. Since there was not a quorum to dissolve the chamber, president Kathleen Everett opened the floor to discussion. Everett’s concern is that without the chamber and with the loss of the Lion’s Club in Pea Ridge, there will be a civic vacuum.
The Pea Ridge School Board bought two new 71-passenger school buses at it regular monthly meeting Monday night. School superintendent Roy Norvell explained his longrange plan is to purchase one bus one year and two buses the next year. Last year the district purchased one bus.
Steven R. Murphy, a Peak Cablevision representative, was scheduled to meet with Pea Ridge City Council at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday. Other items on the agenda include the Henry Little Circle drainage issue, Weston StreetPhase I, an update on the parking and entrance area at the EMS building and employee evaluations.
10 Years Ago The TIMES of Northeast Benton County Vol. 44 No. 19 Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Entering Pea Ridge from any direction, drivers pass through residential areas. That is not likely to change any time soon. The Planning Commission denied a request to rezone an empty lot at 309 S. Curtis Ave. from agricultural to commercial. The lot is surrounded by residential lots and is in an area in the city’s long-range plan it has designated as residential. It was also discovered that the lot was too small to use as commercial development.
One of the top pitchers to come out of Pea Ridge High School has signed an NCAA Division 1 Letter of Intent to continue his college career next fall at Arkansas State University. Matt Sample, a two-year starter at Crowder College, signed last week to pitch for the Red Wolves. Pea Ridge coach John King said, “Matt, Michael Easterling and Brett Reynolds were by far the three best dominating pitchers we’ve had in terms of spotting pitches and throwing them.”
A vacant City Council seat is to be discussed at the regular May meeting for the Pea Ridge City Council. James Dawson submitted his resignation earlier this year and only one application has been received, according to Mayor Jackie Crabtree. Jack Kelly has applied for the seat. The position must be filled with a majority vote of the council, but one councilman is expected to be absent, the mayor said.