The past year had many noteworth events, but one of the most noteable for the city was the result of the 2010 census which propelled Pea Ridge into a first-class city category. State laws governing a first-class city are different than those for a second-class city.
In neighboring Garfield, Dale King, a city council member, was elected to the Quorum Court and initially planned to hold both seats, before resigning the city position.
Floods inundated many spots around town and destroyed the bridge over Peck Road.
A “safe room” was constructed on school property with federal money and opened just after the tornado hit Joplin, Mo. When storms threatened, the safe room was filled.
Pea Ridge school superintendent Mike Van Dyke resigned and a search began for a replacement.
The man offered the job declined. An interim superintendent was hired.
Fireworks are legal for sale anddischarge in the city following City Council action.
Headlines from page 1A of The Times of Northeast Benton County from 2011 are:
Jan. 5
Sewer rate increase sought
Auctioneer enjoys avocation
Family safe; house burned
Tournament champions
Jan. 12
Hensley honored
Holiday burglary; three arrested
School extends stipends and bonuses
Jan. 19
Dale King takes oaths of office for city and JP
Rations remind us of hard times
Fire dues raise questions
Pileated woodpecker
Jan. 26
Neighbors notified
Quintessential lady bids farewell
Third suspect apprehended
Marriage seminar planned
Feb. 2
Whites on board
Sewer increase on tap
Man escapes fire
Kelly states position on vote
Safe room erected on school campus with FEMA funds
King resigns
Feb. 9
Hike needed to meet demands
Spring break shortened
School board expels student for bomb threat
Lunchroom visit evokes memories
King quits council, stays on as JP
Feb. 16
Snowballs curve schedule
Pushing the ‘white stuff’ off the streets
Public input sought
Feb. 23
Pea Ridge - now truly a first-class city
Growth can change shape of government
Sewer rate increase needs explained
Middle school scores high marks
March 2
1862 Civil War battle changed life
forever
Chamber of Commerce plans Expo
Using technology to save money & time
March 9
Man found dead
Drugs, cash confiscated
Having a heart for the kids
Sewer rates on City Council agenda
Fat Tuesday
Reenactment
March 16
Split vote OKs Personal Policy Committee-approved calendar
Men of many traits
ACIC accessed locally now
School ends year with $1.23 million
Battle of Pea Ridge featured at Hobbs
Chamber Business Expo set
Cubs learn Times
March 23
Scouts scour roadsides
Cottingham said ’no’ to sewer increase
100 years young
Men arrested, drugs found
Pretty cool old dude, Mr. H teaches math
March 30
Easter events
Mashed up in March
Council considers sewer plant options
Fuller pursuing his passion for the outdoors
Rabies clinics
Volunteers descend on Pea Ridge Military Park
April 6
Not an April Fools joke
Town’s charm lures new residents
Pie auction to raise money for scholarships
Special meeting called to hire teachers
Police ranks up with sergeant, corporals
April 13
Cadillac crashes glass doors
Planners reject livestock variance
Easter Egg Tree
Attorney: King’s action violated law
City firefighters roll out for rollover
April 20
Kelly blasts away in effort to put fire
works question before voters
Walk opens historical insight
Gateway council accosts mayor
Lammey renews 7-decade tradition of hunting morels
Return unused medications
Keeping it clean
April 27
Van Dyke to resign
City streets, residences flooded by downpour
Fireworks still on council agenda
Salaries discussed at special meeting
Planning commission to meet
Spilled steel slides into ditch
May 4
Van Dyke to be director of co-op
Drug collection
Electric stove causes house fire
Flood keeps water-extraction business busy
Repairs in the works
May 11
Criteria determined for superintendent
Celebrating 100 years
Pavilion, butterfly garden planned for outdoor classroom
School receives grant from AGFC
Sign ordinance goes to council
Board decides to build school anyway
May 18
Board interviews two for superintendent
Class of 2011 senior breakfast
Council in a rut on how to fix roads
Former school board president dies
High winds
Vandalism problem at park
May 25
A song to say farewell
Superintendent candidate declines offer
Area teen witnesses wreckage from twister
Council in favor of fireworks
Family trips fueled ranger’s fervor
Local assistance to Joplin
June 1
Feeling of helplessness overwhelms
Settling in
School’s plans not presented to city
June 8
Dr. Smith takes the helm
Utilities OK’d to move
School plans site work
Ambulance celebrates first anniversary as ALS
Assets for sale
Celebrating 90 years
Pea Ridge School Board
Giggling girls
June 15
Tent up
Impound car lot OK’d
Teacher COLA tabled for now
Two survived precipitous drop
Repairs are costly
June 22
Library gains new building
Up in the air
Absconder selling door to door, wanted on warrants
Off the curve
Holiday closings
Fourth of July events
June 29
Summer Fest - next week at Park
Pageant registration
Fireworks OK’d in city limits
Fireworks stands
Funky Fantasy
Love of people, books inspires librarian
Cherokee retrace Trail of Tears on bicycles
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Editor’s note: Headlines for the rest of 2011 will be published in the Jan. 4, 2012, edition of The Times.
News, Pages 1 on 12/28/2011