School adjusts bus routes for savings

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó A few students in Decatur may have to walk a little further to their school bus stops this year to help the school with rising fuel costs and a financial shortfall. With school buses getting eight miles to the gallon and diesel prices nearing $5 a gallon, the school is adjusting the bus route to save as much money as possible, according to transportation secretary Patsy Wilkins. Wilkins said the bus routes will begin at 7:30 a.m., and asked that parents prepare for a 30 minute window around the time the bus usually stops by their house ó 15 minutes before the usual time and 15 minutes after ó until the schedules have been adjusted. ìWeíre trying to redo this and the first week is always hectic,î she said. Wilkins would also like to remind drivers to stop for the busí flashing lights and signs. Itís also illegal for drivers to enter a parking lot while the buses are loading and unloading, she said. The new bus route will be as follows: Each bus is labeled with an animal to help young children identif - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Hometown Events

Shopping Trip The Decatur Assembly of God Church will provide van service for those who would like to go grocery shopping. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ortman named superintendent

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Leroy Ortman, former Gravette School superintendent, has stepped up to the challenge of leading the Decatur School District as it strives to get back on its feet. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

Brewer home from hospital DECATUR ó Three-year-old Janalyn Brewer, who was diagnosed with ependymoma cancer in December 2007, is finally home from the hospital. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Comparing apples to apples:

By Janelle Jessen janellej@ nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Low test scores have called the Decatur School Districtís academic performance into question, but do test scores alone give a clear picture of the quality of education a school provides? Although the Arkansas State Board they can start with a group of kids at their skill level and improve their performance from one year to the next,î she said. Cotter tracked Decatur students longitudinally, following their performance over a period of four years, and found the number of students who are proficient or advanced consistently increased. ï In math, students showed a 26 percent gain from 48 percent scoring proficient or advanced in third grade to 74 percent scoring proficient or advanced in seventh grade. ï In literacy, students showed a 19 percent gain from 38 percent scoring proficient or advanced in third grade to 57 percent scoring proficient or advanced in sixth grade. ï Most impressively, of students who were in the fourth grade in 2005, only 17 percent scored proficient or advanced on math tests bu - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ex-Decatur treasurer charged

By Tracy M. Neal tracyn@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE ó The former treasurer for the Decatur School District was formally charged Friday with stealing thousands of dollars from the school district. Tina LaDawn Murray, 34, is charged with theft of property, a class B felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. Deputy Prosecutor A.J. Anglin signed the criminal information accusing Murray of stealing the money from Aug. 14, 2006, to May 22, 2008. Murray resigned from her position in May after discrepancies in the school districtís financial situation came to light. She is suspected of illegally obtaining $41,471 from the school district. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Filing period for municipal offices currently underway

By Gary Lookadoo garyl@nwanews.com

BENTON COUNTY ó Many of this yearís candidates for various municipal offices in Benton County will soon have to file if they wish to run for office. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Hunter education class offered Saturday

From Staff Reports

BENTON COUNTY ó A hunter education will be held this Saturday at the Benton County Quail Plantation on Arkansas Highway 72, five miles west of Bentonville. Classes begin at 8 a.m., with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. According to a press release, the Benton County Chapter of Quail Unlimited is once again sponsoring the areaís largest, most comprehensive and most popular hunter education class in Arkansas. This annual class has been sponsored by Benton County Quail Unlimited for more than 12 years and is taught by the areaís top hunter education instructors, who are also certified National Rifle Association firearms instructors, youth shooting instructors, Arkansas game wardens, professional gunsmiths, archery instructors and survival experts. ìCome learn from the areaís foremost experts in hunting, shooting and outdoor safety,î the release states. No preregistration is required. There is no cost for the course, and lunch will be provided free of charge by BCQU and Walmart. Successful graduates of the cour - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Open house planned at Masonic Lodge

From Staff Reports

GENTRY ó An open house for all Gentry High School graduates or attendees throughout the years will be held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., Aug. 30 ó the day of the Gentry High School biennial reunion ó at the Gentry Masonic Lodge hall on Gentry Boulevard. Thelma Gallaway is the hostess for the event. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Obituaries

Mary Frances O’Flaherty Mary Frances Oí Flaherty, 68, of Nebraska City, Neb., died Aug. 4, 2008 at St. Maryís Community Hospital in Nebraska City. She was born Feb. 8, 1940, in Yukon, Okla., to Chester and Mary (Lindsey) Kennicutt. Before moving to Nebraska City, she had lived in Gentry, Ark., and Nashville, Tenn. She was a computer operator and enjoyed her pet cat. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Marikay Elizabeth. Survivors include her son Joseph Oí Flaherty and his wife Kelly of Nebraska City; her daughter Cathy Oí Flaherty of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren ; three great-grandchildren ; sisters Sandra Smith of Colcord, Okla., Maxine Foster and her husband Don of Gentry, Lou Ella Helton and her husband Gary of Carl Junction, Mo., and Deanna Tucker and her husband James of Decatur, Ark.; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. There will be no viewing or visitation. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be designa - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Births

Ronald David Moses, Jr. - Wednesday, August 13, 2008