Full day set at city park on July 4th

From Staff Reports

GENTRY ó A full day of activities is planned for Fridayís Freedom Fest at the city park. Activities will begin early in the day, with softball and horseshoe tournaments. Rides, displays, food booths and venders are scheduled to be open by noon. The Independence Day pageants were cancelled Monday because of a shortage of contestants, but everything else is set to be held as scheduled. The following is a schedule of the dayís events and activities: ï 10 a.m. ó Horseshoe tournament ó Horseshoe throwers may register for the tournament at the horseshoe pits prior to the start of the event. ï All-day ó Co-ed softball tournament games will be played all day at ball diamonds in the city park and at McKee Foods Corporation ball fields. ï All day ó Old tractors, trucks and engines will be on display throughout the day in the park. This display is sponsored by the Tired Iron of the Ozarks. ï Noon ó Inflatable rides for children ó $10 arm bands allow unlimited access all day to inflatable slides, bouncies, an obstacle co - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Flea markets draw shoppers

By Randy Moll randym@nwanews.com

GENTRY ó Those shopping for special treasures need look no further than Gentryís Main Street, which now has five flea markets and specialty shops within just four blocks. Twice But Nice Twice But Nice Second Hand Store, at 201 E. Main Street, has been in business here 26 years. Glenn and Marsha Bland started the business back in 1982, thinking they would try it out for a few months. It must have been a fit, because though Glenn died three years ago, Marsha is still operating the business which features furniture, household items and just about everything one would find in a flea market. A specialty of the shop is the bait and tackle department. Marsha sells live bait and a whole array of fishing supplies and tackle. ìI find the bait shop (business) very satisfying,î Marsha said. While she canít always beat the prices of big department store chains, Marsha has the advantage of being right here in Gentry and closer to SWEPCO and Crystal Lakes. Her customers can ìrun in, get what they want, and get right out,î s - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Ty Herndon booked for fall concert

By Randy Moll randym@nwanews.com

GENTRY ó Ty Herndon has been booked for a concert here on Oct. 11. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Test results show improvement

By Randy Moll randym@nwanews.com

GENTRY ñ Schools here consistently scored at or above regional and state levels on the Benchmark Examinations taken in April. ìThe parents of our district should be proud of the test scores this year and the good effort made by their respective children, said Gentry School superintendent, Dr. Barrett. ìI hope too, if the opportunity presents itself, that our parents will take a moment and thank their childrenís teachers and the other staff who worked hard to help our students achieve. In most areas our test scores met or surpassed state and regional averages,î Barrett said. According to results released to the school district, in the third grade, 62 percent of students tested scored within the advance level in mathematics. That compared to 51 percent in the region and 48 percent in the state. In literacy, the class had 35 percent in the advanced level, 38 percent in the proficient level, 14 percent in the basic level, and 14 percent below average. The third grade class ranked several percentage points above s - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Miss Decatur Barbecue applications accepted

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Applications for the Miss Decatur Barbecue Pageant, to be held on August 1, are being accepted through July 15. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Decatur schools face state-mandated annexation

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Students from the Decatur School District could be heading off to school in Gentry, Gravette or Bentonville next fall. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

City law restricts fireworks in Gentry

From Staff Reports

GENTRY ó With the Fourth of July approaching, Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith wishes to remind residents of city ordinances dealing with fireworks. Following is a brief summation of Gentryís ordinance regarding fireworks within the city limits: ï Airborne fireworks such as Roman candles, bottle rockets, helicopter-type rockets, bottle rockets may not be discharged within city limits; ï Non-airborne fireworks may be discharged on private property within the city, but only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 midnight on July 4th; ï No fireworks may be discharged if a burn ban is in effect on July 4; ï Fireworks may not be discharged on any public street, road, alley or parking lot; nor may they be discharged in any city park, within 600 feet of any church, school or establishment which sells gasoline, or within 200 feet of any fireworks stand or storage area; ï Fireworks may not be ignited within, thrown from, or thrown into or at a motor vehicle or at or near any person or group of people ; ï Fireworks may only - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Youths arrested after fight

By Randy Moll randym@nwanews.com

GENTRY ó Police arrested two intoxicated juveniles Friday night following a fist fight between the duo. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Siloam Springs hospital receives favorable audit report

By Jessica Weekley jessicaw@nwanews.com

SILOAM SPRINGS ó An auditing team from independent firm McGladrey & Pullen descended on Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital in their yearly audit in mid-April and the results were reported to the hospital finance committee at its June 25 meeting. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Corbin - Steed joined in double-ring ceremony

By Virginia Duncan

GENTRY ó The unique wedding of Glenn Corbin and Barbara Steed in the gazebo at Flint Creek Apartments was Saturday evening, June 21, with Pastor Brad Wright, of the United Methodist Church, officiating at the double-ring ceremony. It was a casual-dress affair, and the gazebo was beautifully decorated. Potted flowers which Steed had planted were on the ledges of the gazebo. The 40 guests sat in lawn chairs. Don Clark, a grandson, gave the bride away. Rebecca Stone was the matron of honor. Gerald Corbin, a cousin, was best man, and a great-granddaughter, Combrie Gray, was the flower girl. A reception ó held next to the gazebo ó followed the wedding ceremony. Cake and ice cream, punch, nuts and mints were served. The groomís chocolate cake had a small tractor on it because Corbin at one time farmed and loves tractors. He is a volunteer at the Gentry Senior Activity Center, and Steed keeps up with the elderly at Flint Creek Apartments where the couple lives. Inez Long caught the bridal bouquet, and Clara Garrett, - Wednesday, July 2, 2008