RECOLLECTIONS

PEA RIDGE — 40 Years Ago Aug. 26, 1971

Pea Ridge Graphic

Pea Ridge Canning Company was expected to start its season. A sizeable list of women had applied as peelers. The local industry normally used about 50 to 60 employees during its several week run each late summer. The cannery processed tomatoes mostly from Indiana.

John Widener, son of Pea Ridge School superintendent and Mrs.

Andrew Widener, arrived hom from a year’s tour of duty in Vietnam. The arrival marked the end of Widener’s obligation to the U.S. Army, and he received discharge prior to arriving in Pea Ridge.

30 Years Ago Aug. 26, 1981 Pea Ridge Country Times

Michael Swazey, a newly accepted senior at Pea Ridge High School, savedthe district a cafeteria wall and board President L.C.

Barnett a damaged truck.

Barnett arrived late for the school board meeting and forgot to set the emergency brake on his truck. The truck began to roll toward the southwest corner of the cafeteria, and Swazey noticed it. He ran after the truck, stopped it, and then came into the superintendent’s office, out of breath, and asked who owned the truck.

Pea Ridge Park Commission began plans for a community picnic to celebrate completion of the pavilion.

20 Years Ago Aug. 22, 1991 The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Pea Ridge High Schoolgot a foreign exchange student, Stefan Schultz , from Pattensen, Germany. He spent the school year in Pea Ridge with Eric Crabtree and his parents, Freida and Jackie Crabtree. Schultz, 16, graduated from PRHS in the spring.

Avoca City Council voted to finance 40 percent of the paving of two different roads near the city, Smith Ridge and Chinook Drive. The total cost for paving the two roads, consisting of roughly 1,800 feet, was about $12,000.

10 Years Ago Aug. 22, 2001 The TIMES of Northeast Benton County

Rose Ellen Cushmanpleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder and admitted her involvement in the October 1999 deaths of Pea Ridge residents Joanne Kneece and James Suggs.

She hoped her plea agreement would lead to the prosecution of Ethridge Kneece. Under the arrangement, Cushman, who was charged with two counts of capitol murder, pleaded guilty to the reduced charges.

In exchange for her plea, prosecutors agreed to waive the death penalty.

Cushman, 45, also agreed to testify against co-defendant James Baughman and any other person who may have been involved in the murders.