Cheering for sport

BY ANNETTE BEARD Times Editor annetteb@nwanews.com

"It's not about the skirt." The face of cheerleading has changed over the years — the number of the members of the team, the stunts performed. Now, it's recognized as a sport by the Arkansas Activities Association and college scholarships are available. Courtney Hurst has watched that change and been personally involved in it. A cheerleader in school at Pea Ridge, she is now the coach of the senior high school cheerleading squad. This year, that squad placed in the top half of the competitors at the state competition. It was the first time they competed as a sport in the state of Arkansas. "It is not the whole stereotypical girls in short skirts," she said. The AAA guidelines are stringent. "I had four cheerleaders get offers to colleges last year," she said. "We hope people will recognize the dedication of these athletes and understand it is a sport and come to respect it more. - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 HEADLINES JANUARY-JUNE

Jan. 2 Planners will meet Thursday Blackhawks win winter tournament Mondy sees Santa 2007 in Review, cont. Jan. 9 Storms sweep in from west leaving wake of destruction Phy family survives wind Special account established Suspect leads police on chase to the border Lee retires from banking for family time Superintendent's contract to be reviewed by school board Jan. 16 Moving up to 4A necessitates larger facilities Bus delayed by wreck Aid available to storm victims Webb honored Great cooks wanted by NEBCO Jan. 23 Drug arrest yields cash and weapons City agrees to buy pipeline Jan. 30 NEBCO trains public VAS aids NEBCO firefighters Fire dues increase Burn ban warnings out Summit seeks rezoning Student shadows police Feb. 6 Harp served people Love of community lauded Rental fees an option Family home destroyed by fire Feb. 13 Requests tabled School considers rent plan for facilities New field house proposed for football team New Veterans Services Officer hired Council to meet Tuesday Feb. 20 'Hawks ready for co - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Rock slows sewer line rehab

BY ANNETTE BEARD Times Editor annetteb@nwanews.com

Ozark rocks have slowed down the rehabilitation of the city's sewer line and continue to change the course of traffic at the elementary school. Boring beneath East Pickens Street at Klauss Lane, subcontractors hit rock — again and again — and a project that was to have taken four weeks is extending into the third month. This week, the drill bit got stuck, according to Ken Hayes, water and sewer superintendent. Hayes explained that the current sewer lines throughout the city are eight-inch lines. The rehab project involves installing a 30-inch encasement from the treatment plant, to a ber, Hayes said, necessitating rerouting traffic at the elementary school. He said the driveway will not be restored when school returns to session next week. "The school administrators have been great. They've been very patient," Hayes said of the inconvenience caused by the work. "It was projected to be a four-week job, but they hit solid rock. They've been pounding on the rock ever since," he said, adding that at one point, wo - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The past year in review

BY ANNETTE BEARD Times Editor annetteb@nwanews.com

2 to June 25 follow. The latter half of the year are scheduled for next week's edition of The TIMES. Headlines remind us of last year's storms, school and sports news and both successes and tragedies. City Council, Planning Commission and School Board actions were covered. Human interest stories revealed stories about our neighbors. Other subjects covered included construction — at the school and on Weston Street; city and school elections; the effects of high gas prices on city and school business. There are more than 40 years of bound editions of The TIMES in the office. To read more of the history of the community, stop by to read a copy. There are also copies of more recent newspapers available to purchase. Headlines from the front page of The TIMES of Northeast Benton County this past year reveal many of the events of this year in Pea Ridge. The front page headlines from Jan. - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Rezoning back before planners

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Rezoning 20.14 acres on Ross Salvage Road from A-1 to R-1 A is one of the items on the agenda for the Pea Ridge Planning Commission Board of Adjustments first meeting of the new year. The same property was presented to both planners and the City Council for a rezone to R-2, but was denied. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Other items on the agenda include meeting the candidates for planning commission seat and a discussion on the number of commissioners and the terms of commissioners. Two men were presented to the City Council during the first December meeting. Other persons have expressed an interest in being on the Planning Commission, according to city officials. Mayor Jackie Crabtree said at the council meeting that the ordinance establishing the commission requires a minimum of five planners, but does not set a limit of members. - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Blackhawks celebrate Colors Day; seniors chosen as maids

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Blackhawks Colors Day will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, in the gym at Pea Ridge High School. Colors Day maids are Amy Simpson, Mercedes Black, Jessica Hall, Kathryn Ward, Lindsey Falkenstein, Lindsey Thompson and Jennifer Baker. Jessica Hall is the 17-year-old daughter of Kevin and Ronda Hall. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Mercedes Black is the 18-yearold daughter of Leon and Brenda Black. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Lindsey Falkenstein is the 17-year-old daughter of Raymond and Cheryl Falkenstein. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Jennifer Baker is the 17-yearold daughter of Martin and Jennifer Baker and Michelle Guyll. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Kathryn Ward is the 18-yearold daughter of Rick and Cynthia Ward. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Lindsey Thompson is the 17-year-old daughter of Tommy and Connie Thompson. She is a senior at Pea Ridge High School. Amy Simpson is the 18-year-old daughter of William and Debra Simpson. She is a senior at - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

VAS

Incidents reported this week to the Volunteer Ambulance Service of Northeast Benton County include: Sunday,Dec.21 2:56 p.m.Medical call,transported one to Mercy ER,assisted by NEBCO FD. 5:58 p.m.Medical call,transported one to Mercy ER,assisted by NEBCO FD. 8:16 p.m.Medical call,no transport,assisted by Avoca FD. 9:11 p.m.Medical call,transferred to Roger ALS,assisted by NEBCO FD. 9:57 p.m.Medical call,no transport,assisted by NEBCO FD. 9:44 p.m.Structure fire standby,no transport,assisted NEBCO,Avoca and Pea Ridge FDs. Monday,Dec.22 10:04 p.m.Fall injury,transported one to Mercy ER,assisted by Avoca FD. Tuesday,Dec.23 1:40 a.m. Motor-vehicle accident,no transport,assisted by NEBCO FD. Wednesday,Dec.24 10:07 a.m.Medical call,transported one to Mercy ER,assisted by NEBCO FD. Friday,Dec.26 4:57 p.m.Motor-vehicle accident,transported one to Mercy ER,assisted by NEBCO FD. 7:47 p.m.Medical call,transported one to Bentonville ER,assisted by NEBCO FD. 1:42 p.m.Medical call,transported one to Bentonville ER,assisted - Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Health Fair and Expo slated

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sponsored by Senior Circle, a free Health Fair and Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Rogers on Jan. 22. This event includes cooking demonstrations, lunch, door prizes, speaker, health education and health screenings. Space is limited. Call 553-4306 today to make a reservation. Visit www.northwesthealth.com for more information. The Senior Circle program is provided by Northwest Health System. - Wednesday, December 31, 2008