Westside Eagle Observer

Decatur and Gentry Christmas parades set for this weekend GENTRY -- Gentry's annual Christmas Parade is set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored parade theme is "Christmas Around the World." Decatur's Christmas Parade will be held on Friday at 6 p.m., starting by the car wash at Third and Main Streets and ending in Veterans Park, where there will be a lighting of the memorial tree.... by Randy Moll

Swepco Lake stocked with crappie GENTRY -- About 5,000 crappie have been stocked into Swepco Lake two miles west of Gentry. The fish average five inches long. They are expected to grow to 10 inches in a year or two. Anglers at Swepco Lake shouldn't be surprised if they find an occasional crappie tugging on their fishing line. by Flip Putthoff

Benton County Quorum Court backs special sales tax, election BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's Quorum Court on Nov. 20 backed a special sales tax increase and an election for a proposed $30 million courts building. by Mike Jones

Gravette celebrates ‘Sounds of the Season’ GRAVETTE — Folks came to Gravette from throughout the area on Saturday evening, Dec. 1, to help the city celebrate the “Sounds of the Season.” Despite a brisk wind that kept many bundled up in stocking hats and warm scarves, celebrants gathered early to enjoy activities up and down Main Street. by Susan Holland

Gentry man sentenced for child porn FAYETTEVILLE -- A Gentry man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for child pornography. by STAFF REPORTS

Council approves purchases, adopts 2019 budget GENTRY -- In addition to numerous project updates and informational items, the Gentry City Council, on Monday, approved the purchase of a property adjacent to city-owned land which the city plans to use for a maintenance facility for a future baseball-softball complex and soccer fields, approved a final plat for Phase 2A of the Sunset Ridge subdivision on the east side of Gentry, and approved the purchase of a 2019 Ford F-350 for the water department. by Randy Moll

Community News

Open house to offer shopping opportunities in Gentry GENTRY -- An open house with more than 30 local vendors offering crafts and gift items will be held in the Carl Gym on Main Street in Gentry from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. by Randy Moll

It's time to adopt an Angel from the Angel Tree GRAVETTE -- This year, the Angel Tree consists of Angels from the entire Gravette School District. This means more Angels than ever, which means more Angel Trees. Ozarks Community Hospital, Grand Savings Bank and Arvest all have a Christmas tree with Angels that are ready to be chosen today. by AMANDA GITTLEIN OCH of Gravette

Hometown Events Christmas Bazaar set Dec. 7 — The Decatur United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to come and have a soup and sandwich lunch for $5, and then shop the bake sale and gift and craft offerings. All proceeds will go to local charities. by STAFF REPORTS

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School and Sports

Lady Lions down Lady Eagles on Friday GRAVETTE -- The Lady Lions (2-2) jumped ahead of the visiting Lady Eagles from Huntsville early in the game, outscoring the Huntsville girls, 21-5, in the opening quarter. Though Huntsville closed the gap to seven points in the second quarter, Gravette went on to win the Friday night conference game, 51-37. by Randy Moll

Lady Bulldogs fall to Lady Dragons in second round of Decatur tournament DECATUR -- The Decatur Lady Bulldogs made a little history Nov. 26 when they played host in the fifth annual Decatur Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament at Peterson Gym in Decatur. In the five years of the tournament, no Lady Bulldog team has ever won a first-round game. This year's team accomplished just that. by Mike Eckels

Pioneers pick up nonconference win over Diamonds GENTRY -- The Pioneers held the visiting Diamonds scoreless in the first quarter and limited them to 19 in the remaining three quarters for a 66-19 nonconference win at Gentry High School on Thursday. by Randy Moll

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Opinion

Has a civil war already begun? Civil wars begin first with words. There is now little decorum or civility in the media of both political parties, who openly call opponents liars and traitors -- hostile words not previously used in respected media outlets. by HAROLD PEASE, PH.D.

Why do people use plural pronouns for singular nouns? English is a complex language -- somewhat of a conglomeration of words taken from numerous other languages -- and grammatical rules, it seems, have so many exceptions and variations that it's hard to know whether to follow the rules or not. I say this only to explain that, unlike many other languages which are consistent, English is a difficult language to master for those who wish to converse or write correctly in it. by Randy Moll

December offers interesting sky watching Ah -- December, the end of the year! December is often a pretty wet and/or snowy month and this might make sky gazing a real challenge. I am sure there will be the occasional clear night, a good thing for skywatchers who can become "star-starved" in the winter. Speaking of winter, the winter solstice occurs on Dec. 21 at 5:23 EST. If there are a few clear nights, December is crammed with interesting things in the sky and will repay observation. by David Cater Star Gazing

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