City Council, Planning Commission and School Board meetings, as well as features on community residents were the bulk of the news for 2017.
Growth of the city and the school dominated news as well as the businesses that the growth spawned. A new doctor's office came to town and Blackhawk teams were successful in all sports. A new veterans memorial was built and more was added to it, including a memorial to submarine veterans.
Other news featured included the murder of a Garfield city official in late February and the subsequent arrest of the former Garfield police chief for the shooting; the School Board's millage increase request and the defeat of that request; and approval of nearly a quarter of a million for six new police cars.
Headlines from page 1A were:
Jan. 4
City amends budget; Closes out year's business
Howard and the Wompoopus
Looking back over the past year's news; Growth, change and success marked 2016
Jan. 11
The Nest is open; Students work and learn
Maple Glenn II OKd
Cold work
Dad's tales take life in a book
Garfield mayor wants raise
Jan. 18
Baby Jet arrives early
Helping one another; Blackhawks for Baby Jet
Sub vets honored
Pea Ridge schools keep growing
Mercy plans approved
Jan. 25
Jessee helps read
Offer made on old City Hall; Easley questions water line
Blackhawks still undefeated
Council approves town budget; New position budgeted
New ag room complete
Feb. 1
Council rejects bids
People of Pea Ridge; Mr. Ralph Thornton
Housebuilding boom hits Pea Ridge; growth is good
Coaches build character
Canfield honored as Firefighter of the Year
Feb. 8
Sewer plant plans proceed; "We will not have a problem with capacity."
People of Pea Ridge; Brady Rose and Felisha Lathen
Hutchinson, Huckabee hosted
Neal rebuilds culture
Roe: Teaching for a lifetime
Feb. 15
Edwards experience sweet taste of success; Couple helps fellow beekeepers
Planning commission denies tow service expansion
People of Pea Ridge; Zach Salberg
Second tumor doesn't slow down teenager; Guyll is focused on her future
Assistant coaches are vital
Feb. 22
It's a great place to call home
Pea Ridge native returns to town during retirement
Pea Ridge Museum set to open March 4
From patient to ambassador
March 1
Appleton shot, killed; Former police chief arrested
Flag poles erected
Annexation questioned
Erwin appeals to city
Walk for Wishes coming in May
March 8
Storm hits at midnight
School invests in youth
Hickman shares stories
People of Pea Ridge; Billy Ryan
'Pink Out' softball game honors cancer survivors
March 15
Mercy breaks ground in Pea Ridge
Brass ensemble salutes 155th anniversary of battle
'Hawks pull a 'win' for neighbors
It's a basket!
City seeks USDA funds to make updates
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
Find 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
General News on 12/27/2017