It's been an eventful year in northeast Benton County with several groundbreakings and new businesses opening.
The largest project, a joint venture by city and school officials, resulted in a 15,500-square foot City Hall/School Administration building with a new court room. From the groundbreaking Feb. 9 (in frigid weather) to the open house Sept. 30, city and school officials worked together for the success of the unique project which is unparalleled in the state. The building cost $2.5 million and costs were shared equally by both governmental entities.
In March, there was a groundbreaking for a new Veterans Memorial downtown. The grand opening was held in November in conjunction with the Veterans Day parade.
Two new dental offices opened in town -- one in a new building for which the groundbreaking was held Dec. 1 last year. The Combs & White Family Dental Clinic opened on Slack Street in June; Henbest Dental opened on North Curtis Avenue in November.
A ground breaking was held in Garfield on U.S. Highway 62 for Elkhorn Liquors, which is expected to open in February.
Headlines from the year from page 1A were:
Jan. 6, 2016
Newspaper begun 50 years ago
Council accepts Arvest bid
Old, new interwoven in Webb's Feed & Seed
Jan. 13
Snow, ice, sleet, hail -- armed with sale and ready!
Neal commends staff for their many accomplishments
Rezones OKd by commission
History preservation funded
Jan. 20
State officials commend athletes' performance
Arkansas Rural Water operating at a loss, need rate increase
Fee free days announced by National Parks Service
Corinth Bridge to be replaced
Jan. 27
Students are a living legacy
Fingerprints without ink
Funding approved for City Hall
Feb. 3
Breaking ground and making history; City and school to share office space
Looking to the future; Neal to share vision
County decreases speed limit
Gateway hires police
Feb. 10
Ground flies for historic venture
Travis leaves a good legacy
Planners table request
Man stabbed; woman arrested
Morrison hired to enforce codes
Doodle4Google winner celebrated
Feb. 17
Century-old Webb farmhouse burns
Coach Travis built leaders
Smith brought unity
SourceGas is now Black Hills Energy
Feb. 24
Benton County deputies recover stolen property; ATVs found in Garfield
Moehring meets voters
Planners to meet
Speed limit restored
Quiet valley scene of deadly crash
March 2
City Hall construction OKd by Council
Casting votes
Best chili chosen
Public input sought
Blackhawk football coach hired
Only 15 birthdays in 60 years
March 9
Battle of Pea Ridge commemorated; soldiers relive history
Sidewalks: Who is responsible
Clean up scheduled
Easter events
Three applicants seek one seat
March 16
Pea Ridge Academy praised
It's chick time
Veterans Memorial staked out
Garfield seeks sidewalks
Developer disappointed; Miller's plat tabled
March 23
Final plat OKd
Terrific time for 2-year-olds
City looks to buy trucks
Drugs, cash confiscated
Veterans break ground
March 30
Where is it?
Elkhorn Ridge plat approved
Humphrey awarded Purple Heart
Clean up next week; No hazardous waste
New director isn't new at all; It's about more than scholarships
April 6
Mamma Zee has many ties
Volunteers build fence
Council member objects
New athletic director to be named next week
Scott gives to Fire Department
Farmers' Market to open
April 13
Excited to be a Blackhawk
Fair comes to an end; pageants continue
Food finances turned around
Clean up set
Planners want developers prepared
Enjoy BBQ, pie; support grads
April 20
Trails at military park to be expanded; Visitor input sought
Fun, fundraising for children
Students study careers
Two injured
Seeking to change learning culture
Carter resigns
April 27
Plant at capacity; Mechanical plant eyed
Band cooks chicken
Land annex OKd
Arf! Arf!
She's not police!
Detectives add to PD
Chief seeks state accreditation
May 4
Cities benefit from Municipal League
Blackhawks baseball team wins district championship
PRMBA opens doorway to career options for students
Mercy announces $247 million expansion
Council meets Tuesday
May 11
The Vault: Another first for school
Walk-for-Wishes
Planners concerned about infrastructure
Walmart gives to God's Pantry
Sewer project begins
Maintaining nature
Wood is PRHS principal
May 18
Sunrise o'er schools
Schools bursting at seams
Gateway shuts down Police Department
Mayor declines grant money; Mayor tells two tales
Council declares vacancy
A milestone quilt
May 25
Council opening to be filled
Seniors enjoy amenities at Autumn Place
Neal to coach Lady 'Hawks
Blackhawk chairs for sale
Fishing tourney winners
June 1
Volunteers make futures bright for youth
Salute!
Planners to meet
Open house is Sunday
Patio appeals to seniors
June 8
Building boom adds rooftops
Dentist office to open in Pea Ridge
Library serves community
Seniors enjoy apartments
June 15
Combs & White Family Dental opens
From broken to whole; counselor guides clients
Refinancing saves money
Webb Floors opens
Fog truck rolling at night
June 22
Pool time
State aid to pay for street work
Reunion slated
Rare strawberry moon
Freedom Fest set for Sunday
Blackhawk coaches urge: 'Feed the machine'
Teen suffered dehydration
June 29
Freedom Fest well attended
Board hires assistant principal
Engineer hired to extend water lines
Annabel's brings new life with old items
Police make DWI arrest at Freedom Fest
General News on 12/28/2016