Newsmakers from 2008

FROM THE WEEKLY VISTA ARCHIVES

Today, The Weekly Vista presents those stories that were the "newsmakers" during the second half of 2008. The stories appear in the order in which they occurred, but not necessarily in the order of their significance to the community. The entries are labeled by the months in which they were published. July Thieves stole an ATM machine from Pulaski Bank on Riordan Road. Police said the culprits used a stolen front-end loader to pull the machine from its moorings, then loaded the ATM onto the bed of a stolen pickup truck. The 3,200-pound ATM was later located, but it had not been opened. The thieves were never caught. Rebecca Johnson, 7, had the privilege of being the first person down a brand new slide erected at the Metfield Pool. Several people scored a hole-inone and were recognized for their achievements. Darrell Jennings made his on No. 15 at the Bella Vista Country Club Golf Course. It was his fourth ace in his lifetime. Jim Aggertt got his second holein-one in Bella Vista and fifth overall. It came on t - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Borhauer says goodbye to politics

GAYNELL BELLONI Staff Writer y gaynellb@nwanews.com

She was the oldest person ever elected to the Arkansas State House of Representatives at age 74. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Woman arrested on drug charge

FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Bella Vista woman was arrested Dec. 31 after Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies received information that she was in possession of marijuana and was distributing the drugs from her residence. Sheila Brewer, 50, was arrested on a charge of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a felony. According to a press release from the BCSO, Brewer's arrest came after a short investigation by deputies with the Crime Suppression Unit. Deputies seized approximately onehalf pound of marijuana, along with scales and other drug paraphernalia from the residence, according to the press release. Brewer was released from the Benton County Jail. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Girl Scouts will soon begin selling cookies

TONYA MCKIEVER Staff Writer tonyam@nwanews.com

BENTON COUNTY — Tobie Taylor Jones, the Girl Scout cookie sale coordinator for Bentonville, Centerton and Gravette, said orders for Thin Mints and all the other favorites will be taken soon. "From January 10 through the 25," Taylor Jones said, "the Girl Scouts will be taking orders. And from approximately February 16 through March 9, booth sales will be held." Taylor Jones said there are a couple of new flavors this year. They include the Lemon Chalet Cremes, described in the Girl Scout cookie guide as "a delicious vanilla sandwich with a hint of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon creme filling." Another new flavor this year is the Dulce De Leche, inspired by the confections of Latin America. Dulce De Leches are sweet and rich with milk caramel chips and stripes. A sugar-free chocolate chip cookie will be available in the area for the first time this year. "Another nice thing about the cookies this year is the lowered price," Taylor Jones said. "Last year, each box of cookies was $4. This year - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Witness said tractor-trailer ran red light, hit pick up

ANDRA ATTEBERRY Staff Writer andraa@nwanews.com

A tractor-trailer ran a red light and rolled over onto a trailer being towed by a pickup truck along north bound U.S. 71 just before 10 a.m. Friday, said witness Eric Glenn, Bella Vista. The pickup was turning left on to U.S. 71 north from Peach Orchard Road, with the green light, when a northbound semitrailer ran a red light and swerved right, but was unable to avoid colliding with the smaller truck, Glenn said. Glenn, who was driving south on U.S. 71, said he moved to the far right lane because he saw the semi's trailer start to turn over and was afraid it would fall into south bound lane. Jianmin Li was driving the semi owned by AR Foods, which was loaded with produce, and cited him with careless driving, Cpl. Jana Cordes of the Arkansas State Police reported. Theodore Bokolas was driving the pick up truck. No one was injured, according to Arkansas State Police. It was several hours before the truck was righted and traffic returned to normal. Bella Vista Fire and Rescue responded to the crash. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

In Uniform Airman 1st Class Stephanie D. Hole

Airman 1st Class Stephanie D. Hole is the daughter of Brian and Tracy Hole, sister of Scott Hole, granddaughter of Lila Hole, and niece of Sarah Hackworth, all of Anderson, Mo. Her aunt Jessica Morgan and great-grandmother Pat Pershing live in Balla Vista. She has two uncles, Brandon Hole of Kansas and Todd Davis. She is stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. The airman graduated from McDonald County, Missouri, High School with honors. (Editor's note: This is being rerun to add additional information.) - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Pianist to perform on Jan. 11

Adam Mangold, piano srtudent of Dr. Carolyn Buss, will present a solo concert at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Institue of Music Worship and the Arts, 2262 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista. Mangold will perform a pinao extravaganza with multiple styles of music for all ages. Admission is free. For more information, call the Institute of Music, Worship and the Arts, 479-254-9188 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Flag replacements

The American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista has a Flag Retirement Ceremony each year on, or near, Flag Day which is June 14. Those with flags that need retiring can bring them by the Post on U.S. 71 at Kingsland Road. There is a receptacle near the door for depositing flags. More than 300 were retired in 2008. The Legion also has flag replacements for sale. A 3-foot by 5-foot outdoor flag is $18. Stop by the Post and pick one up. They're usually open every Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. till noon and meeting nigts they open at 6:30. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Suspected car thief caught after chase

ANDRA ATTEBERRY Staff Writer andraa@nwanews.com

BELLA VISTA — Early Monday, Dec. 29, two law enforcement agencies — the Bella Vista Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff's Office — cooperated to catch a woman who was fleeing after allegedly stealing two vehicles, and hiding in a third one. The sheriff's office arrested Gina Lynn Peel, 41, of Rogers, and took her to Benton County Jail at 1:40 a.m., according to the Benton County Jail records. They charged her with resisting arrest and criminal trespass, misdemeanors, and with theft of property valued at more than $2,500, a felony, the records state. The Bella Vista police charged her with driving left of the center line, not having a driver's license in her possession, careless and prohibited driving, driving while intoxicated, refusing to sign a citation and fleeing by vehicle with extreme indifference, police officials said. The last offense is a felony. Her bond was set at $10,000 for the fleeing charge, according to jail records. Police said Peel stole two vehicles in Benton County and then fl - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Gravette students perform annual Christmas concert

SPECIAL TO THE WEEKLY VISTA

From the rousing strains of the mass choir's "We Need a Little Christmas" to the high school band's inspiring rendition of Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" the joint choir and band Christmas concert was an exciting event attended by a standing-room-only crowd. All of the choirs marched through the aisles in a grand entry, with more than 140 students filling the air with music. Some of the songs that highlighted the evening were, "The Christmas Song," sung by the Middle School Beginning Choir under the direction of Thomas Allison; an entertaining black light version of "Frosty Hand Jive," by the Middle School Select Choir under the direction of Rachel Galloway; the beautiful "Ave Maria," by the High School Women's Choir. The Christmas favorite "Carol of the Bells," sung by the High School Select Choir, completed the fantastic choral display. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Program designed to educate seniors

On Jan. 22, Northwest Health System will launch Senior Circle – a new program designed to help people age 50 or better lead fuller, healthier lives. The local Senior Circle program (which is part of a national organization) includes a generous menu of hospital benefits, fellowship, activities, health education, exclusive national and local discounts, travel opportunities and much more. The program will kick off with a major event (including a health fair, seniors expo, lunch and nationally known speaker) on Jan. 22. The Senior Circle Program is committed to meet the needs of seniors by providing them with opportunities to live the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible. Senior Circle will kick off at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. A health fair will take place from 10-11 :30 a.m., followed by a lunch at 11:30 a.m., featuring a nationally noted motivational speaker who will share tips and tools for adding more laughter and finding more humor in your everyday life. There is no charge to attend the Senior Cir - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

City's new aldermen sworn in, mayor pro tem chosen

GAYNELL BELLONI Staff Writer gaynellb@nwanews.com

Two new, and four incumbent, aldermen were sworn in Monday, bringing the number of seats on City Council to six. The previous Council seated only five. Pat Cox and Dick Rooney assumed their new duties, with incumbents Arline Hutchison, George Holmes, Earl Berdine and Doug Farner. The first hiccup of the new Council came when they attempted to elect a mayor pro tem, the person who represents the city in the mayor's absence. Berdine, the 2007 and 2008 mayor pro tem, was nominated, as was Farner. But when the vote was taken, it came out 3-3. Mayor Frank Anderson cast the deciding vote after noting that both candidates were well qualified. But, as he said, because one of them had already served for two years, he voted for Farner. Farner will serve for one year. Council also voted on several resolutions. A unanimous vote authorized the mayor and city clerk to enter into a contract for the purchase of one new police vehicle and two rebuilt vehicles with low mileage, from Joe Watt Auto Sales, the lowest bidder. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Home businesses are illegal in the city, but they're out there

ANDRA ATTEBERRY Staff Writer andraa@nwanews.com

Thinking of starting a homebased business here in the village? You might want to check out what the rules say. All home businesses in Bella Vista are illegal, according to the Declarations and Covenants. "Except for the business of the developer (Cooper Communities Inc.) in furtherance of its sales program, the practice of any profession or the carrying on of a business is prohibited within the area zoned as residential upon any recorded subdivision plat of the Properties," as is stated in Number 20 of the Covenants. They were written in 1965. Businesses weren't the same 43 years ago. "It's a lot different in this day and age," said Tommy Bailey, Property Owners Association general manager. The businesses Cooper want to keep out of residential areas were along the lines of daycare centers, beauty parlors, and car repairing, the kinds of operations that would require signs and create a lot of traffic, he said. Today, many people work from their homes as telecommuters using the Internet, Bailey said. They don't - Wednesday, January 7, 2009