50 Years Ago
Pea Ridge Graphic
Vol. 5 No. 31
Thursday, July 30, 1970
DeWitt Tidwell, 37, who has been serving as a school principal at Osceola, was hired at Monday night's Pea Ridge School Board meeting as the new principal of the local schools. Two resignations of high school teachers, who had failed to meet the credential requirements necessary here, were accepted by the board. The two resigning teachers were Allen Kennison and Joe Huber.
An offer by an anonymous donor to match, dollar for dollar up to $50, any money contributed to the Nannie Roberts Library Memorial Fund, met an instant challenge from a retired druggist near Elkins, Sid Lambeth, a graduate of the old Pea Ridge college here.
A group of 11 interested persons from the Pea Ridge business community met Friday night at City Hall with Chamber of Commerce president Fred McKinney presiding, to discuss ways of helping Pea Ridge businesses and services retain more of the local trade
The Pea Ridge football team has been named to the probable Top Ten teams in Class B football in Arkansas for the coming season by Dave Campbell's "Arkansas Football," an annual preview of football prospects of Arkansas high schools... In addition, the publication named Bill Robbins of Pea Ridge to the Class B Honor Roll for the season. He was one of eight ends named to the honor roll of 44 players for the entire state in Class B football.
40 Years Ago
Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene
Vol. 15 No. 31
Wednesday, July 30, 1980
Pea Ridge's sewer project is on the priority list for Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) funding in fiscal year 1981, which begins in October. The confirmation of this report came from the office of U.S. Sen. David Pryor in Washington to Pea Ridge Mayor Lester Hall Monday.
Housing growth in Pea Ridge country, excluding the Little Flock area, over the past 10 years has been at a 56% rate for the 10 years, according to preliminary census figures receive by County Judge A.E. Norwood. The growth rate was the greatest in Garfield township (including the town of Garfield) which showed 334 housing units in 1980 compared to 190 in 190 --75.8%. Next was Sugar Creek township which grew from 105 units in 1970 to 175 in 1980 -- 66.7%. Mt. Vernon township's growth (including the city of Pea Ridge) went from 609 units in 1970 to 955 units in 1980, a rate of 56.8%. The city of Pea Ridge grew from 400 units in 1970 to 613 in 1980 -- 53.2%.
Pea Ridge School District's Board of Education approved a budget for the 1980-1981 school year totaling $827,240 expenditures, an increase over the 1979-1980 expenses of $87,685. The Board of Education included Wayne Hileman, Mark Easterling, president L.C. Barnett Jr., secretary Tony Fletcher Jr. and Kenneth Patterson.
30 Years Ago
Pea Ridge Country Times
Vol. 25 No. 31
Thursday, Aug. 2, 1990
Pea Ridge will be 1,920 acres larger after Nov. 6 if the voters endorse a proposal approved last week by the City Council. A six-member committee appointed by Mayor Mary Rogers began working on the annexation proposal in April. The proposal will be on the ballot on Nov. 6.
Pea Ridge City Council members went into a lengthy discussion concerning city employees' definitions of job descriptions and pay schedules at its regular meeting last Thursday night. Aldermen Joe Hart and Nancy Mendenhall formed a committee that will -- over the next three months -- establish a job description for every employee, determine lines of authority and work hours.
There will be at least three contested seats in area municipal elections on Nov. 6. Two of the contests will be in Pea Ridge. The deadline for filing to run in a municipal elect was last Friday. Challenging incumbent Pea Ridge Mayor Mary Rogers is alderman Joe Hart. The other contested seat in Pea Ridge is for alderman 1, Ward 1 currently held by Gary Immel, who is being challenged by Robert DuBois. In Garfield, incumbent Vicki Blackburn is being challenged by Merlene Snoderly for recorder/treasurer of Garfield.
20 Years Ago
The TIMES of Northeast Benton County
Vol. 35 No. 31
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000
On Aug. 6, 1850, Robert H. Wallace became the first postmaster appointed to the Pea Ridge Post Office officially establishing the town. On Aug. 5 and 6, 2000, the community of Pea Ridge will celebrate that inauguration with two days of special events.
A Vietnam veteran lost one leg in the war and now is fighting another battle since loosing his second leg last May. Howard Schuettpelz of Pea Ridge had managed to keep his severely wound second leg until May 1999 when a fall broke the weakened bone The only answer was to remove the leg. Then he began his battle with the Veterans' Administration.
With no fanfare or discussion, the Pea Ridge School Board accepted the resignation of Matt Scantling at a specially called meeting Tuesday, July 25. Scantling, a former high school teacher, assistant high school football coach and head junior high football and track coach was arrested July 14 on charges of having an improper relationship with a female student. The student, now 16, was 14 years old when the alleged sexual encounter began.
10 Years Ago
The TIMES of Northeast Benton County
Vol. 45 No. 31
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010
Honoring all who have served their country is a passion for Tommy O'Dell, mayor of Avoca. O'Dell, who said he did not serve in the military, but whose father and other relatives have, is carefully constructing a memorial honoring all veterans.
Councilman John Anthony Cody resigned. He was not present the rescheduled City Council meeting Monday afternoon. His letter of resignation was in the council members' packets. The July 20 meeting was canceled and rescheduled due to lack of a quorum. Council member Jack Kelly asked if the letter could be read aloud. Mayor Jackie Crabtree said the letter was in all the council packets for members to read.
There will be a contest for mayor in Pea Ridge. Rick Webb is running for mayor, he announced Tuesday. Webb currently serves on the School Board and has been a member of the City Council. Mayor Jackie Crabtree said he intends to seek reelection.
Long flat stones nearly two feet long, neatly stacked, mortared with red clay, gave silent testimony to life decades ago. Digging out old drainage culverts, construction crews unearthed several layers of roadbed on North Davis Street. Work began Monday to correct drainage problems on North Davis Street south of Patton Street.