Looking back at the events of 2008

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó From the sale of Peterson Farmsí broiler operation to the fight to keep the schools open, Decatur has seen some historic changes during the second half of 2008. Continuing from last week, what follows is a brief review of the second half of 2008. On June 30 the Decatur School Board learned the Arkansas Department of Education was considering annexing the district into either the Gentry, Gravette or Bentonville School districts. During a July 1 interview with ADE spokeswoman, Julie Johnson Thompson, the Decatur Herald learned the Decatur School District had been identified as being in fiscal distress on June 4. At a special school board meeting on July 2, former superintendent Dave Smith was suspended with pay and high school principal Bobby King was appointed as acting superintendent. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Hometown Events

New office location The offices of the Decatur Herald have moved and are now located at 217 S. Gentry Blvd., Suite B., in Gentry. The news rack and drop box are also at the new location. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Lovitt retires from council

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó After three terms of service, Bud Lovitt is retiring from his position on the city council. Lovitt decided not to run in Novemberís election for his position as alderman for Ward 2, Position 1, where he has served for the past six years. ìIím at the age to retire; Iím going to be 68 years old,î Lovitt said. He explained that the time has come to think about retiring from work and from the council. ìItís all part of the scheme, although I think Iíll give work a few more years,î he said. Lovitt has been a Decatur resident since 1981 when he moved to the area from southwest Nebraska, where he managed a cattle farm. Lovitt has managed Petersonís cattle operation since he moved to Decatur. The most interesting problem Lovitt has seen while serving as a city councilman is the water issue with Oklahoma, he said. The city of Tulsa sued several poultry companies along with the city of Decatur for polluting the water that ran into Lake Eucha. As part of the settlement, Decatur had to build a new wastewater tr - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Changing Christmas Parade is considered

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó At Mondayís meeting, Decatur Chamber of Commerce members considered holding next yearís Christmas parade during the day on a Saturday instead of on Friday evening. Decaturís Christmas Parades have traditionally been held on the first Friday night of December. ìThis yearís Christmas parade was a success,î chamber of commerce president Royce Johnson said, but later added that there is always room for improvement. Gene Wilmoth reported taking 70 pictures with Santa Claus at the General Store after the parade, and Adam McGee commented that there were quite a few people on Main Street for the parade. McGee also suggested getting the school involved, and giving them the date of the parade before basketball season so that games could be scheduled around it. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Colors Day set for Friday

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Plans for the Decatur High School basketball colors day activities have been set for this week. Spirit week activities will begin on Tuesday with twin day. Wednesday will be crazy-hair and hat day. Thursday will be inside-out and opposite day, and Friday will be blue and gold day. A pep rally is planned for Friday in the Lloyd Peterson Gym. Junior high girlsí and boysí basketball games against Hartford will begin at 4 p.m., with coronation set for 6 p.m., followed by the senior high boysí and girlsí game against Hartford. A colors day dance will be held in the high school cafeteria following the senior high basketball games. - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

2008 school audit released

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó The 2008 legislative audit report for the Decatur School District was completed Dec. 10 and released to the public last week. The report reveals the weaknesses and management problems that lead the district into trouble. Many audit findings were similar to the 2007 audit report released earlier in the fall. The report covers the period between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, during which time Dave Smith served as superintendent and Tina Murray served as district treasurer. Some of the negative findings included in the 27-page report were internal control weaknesses, misstatements not detected ó including $1.3 million in accounting errors not corrected, bank reconciliationís not performed and disbursements not recorded. The report repeatedly points to district managementís ìinattentionî and ìlack of management oversight.î ìManagement failed to adequately utilize performance reviews, did not properly restrict the use of signature stamps, did not provide adequate control of assets and failed to adequat - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Progress continues at city's wastewater treatment plant

By Janelle Jessen janellej@nwanews.com

DECATUR ó Work at Decaturís new wastewater treatment plant is back on schedule, after some delays earlier this fall. Crossland Heavy Construction Company plans to pour the concrete walls of the plant by the end of the week, according to city utilities director James Boston. There is only one small section left to pour, he said. The construction company was working on laying out the new buildings on Dec. 30 and the next step will be to pour the walkways and floor of the plant. ìAfter that, the hard part will be done,î Boston said. Boston said he is very pleased with the progress of the plant and, except for a few inclement days, the weather has helped the construction crew keep on schedule. The new wastewater treatment plant suffered some setbacks in early fall, when groundwater began filling the pit Crossland Construction had dug for the plant. City council members voted in September to approve a change in plans and additional financing to fix the problem. Under the new plan, which would cost the city an addi - Wednesday, January 7, 2009