A Year in Review - 2002
Jan. 2 - Atkins High School teachers honored Rhett Martin, former AHS student, with a reception recently. Martin was chosen as a Rhodes Scholar.
Jan. 9 - A controversy has arisen over whether Jim McGee can be an alderman. McGee was appointed by the council Nov. 13 to replace Larry Darter, who resigned.
The Atkins City Council approved some final touches to the 2002 city budget Jan. 3 in preparation for final approval in the regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8.
Jan. 16 - The Atkins Red Devils had seven players named to the 5AAA All-District Football team. They are Ryan Burris, Chad Smith, Nick Stokes, Jonathan Virden, Larry Cathy, Mitchell Moore, and Travis Reed.
The Hector School Board voted to rehire Superintendent Eric Amour, heard a report on building projects, and hear a request concerning a building, at a two-hour meeting Monday night.
Jan. 23 - The Atkins Middle School Drama class will perform its first production, Lady Dracula, this Friday at 1:15 p.m. at the middle school auditorium for a student audience.
Thomas Scott Rains, 37, a life-long resident of Dover was severely injured last Sunday when he fell from the dome construction at the Hector Schools.
Pope County Sheriff’s office received a report at 3:35 a.m., Monday, Jan. 14, from a 17-year old girl, that she had been beat up and left in the woods north of Dover.
The Pottsville School Board recognized students of the month and heard some reports in a routine meeting Thursday night.
Jan. 30 - There are approximately 57 families in Pope County who have disabled children who are currently on TEFRA.
Feb. 6 - Employees of the Atkins pickle plant, owned by Dean Specialty Foods Company of Dallas, Texas, were notified Friday morning that the operations in Atkins will be relocated to a sister plant, which will result in the closing of the Atkins facility in the middle of May.
“There was noting anyone could have done to prevent it,” Peggy Henry said Tuesday.
The pickle plant at Atkins had its beginnings in early 1946 when a group of citizens including Lee Cheek, T.J. Ehemann, and W.W. Daugherty began asking for financial support.
Feb. 13 - Tyger Ebling was crowned Friday night as the Atkins High School Colors Day Queen during Senior Night at the Atkins ballgames.
The Arkansas Industrial Development Commission is willing to provide $500,000 to keep the pickle plant in Atkins, Mayor Jerry Barrett was told Monday.
People for a Better Atkins continued with business as usual Thursday night after the news of the pickle plant closing.
Feb. 20 - Because of the terriorist events of September 11, the life of Lieutenant Colonel Steve Lake of Buttermilk took an unexpected turn. Hector residents may remember Steve as their child’s school bus driver or know that he’s a former hog and chicken farmer, but because of his expertise in chemical warfare, Lake has answered the call from the Army to serve a temporary tour of active duty at the Pentagon, giving up the civilian life he has enjoyed with his family for the last eight years.
Feb. 27 - County library usage increased considerably in 2001 as compared to 2000, the Pope County Library Board was told Wednesday, Feb. 20.
The People for a Better Atkins Citizen of the Year reception will be held at the Matthews Civic Center on March 7, 2002, at 7 p.m. This year’s recipient is Sherry Reel.
The Atkins Chamber of Commerce decided Thursday night to launch a new campaign tilted, “Shop Atkins First.” The chamber discussed the need for Atkins to support their local businesses.
The Pottsville City Council got some good news about water, heard about two problems involving water and approved a police personnel manual at the regular monthly meeting Monday night.
An open town meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the W. J. Matthews Community Center for discussing the future of the Dean pickle plant in Atkins.
Brain Stackhouse of the Atkins High School Band made first band, second chair at the all-state band tryouts. He is a junior.
March 6 - Peggy Henry, plant manager of the Dean Pickle and Specialty Products in Atkins, gave some new information to more than 40 residents and area officials during a town meeting held Thursday night at the W.J. Matthews Civic Center.
Debra K. Myhand of Atkins was transferred from intensive care at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Sunday after receiving treatment for injuries from her collision with a Union Pacific train Thursday, Feb. 28, at 5:25 p.m.
March 13 - People for a Better Atkins honored Sherry Reel Thursday night with a reception preceding the regular meeting at the W.J. Matthews Civic Center.
The Atkins Public School has been selected to host an open forum conducted by Governor Huckabee. It will be held in the High School auditorium on March 28, 2002 at 8:30 a.m.
The Hector Wildcats finished second in the state championship tournament after a very close game with Poyen Friday.
March 20 - At five feet seven inches tall, with a long brown braid of hair and pink nail polish, Patrolman Kimball may not appear capable of protecting the welfare of the citizens of Pottsville, but six months of rigorous training and a .45 caliber gloc resting on her hip, tell a different story.
Public Defender James Durnham, representing Charles Robert Wyles, 39, entered a plea of not guilty at an arraignment hearing held at the Pope County Courthouse, Monday. Wyles is currently being held at the Pope County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
March 27 - The Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce has chosen Sexton Foods to be the business of the month of April. The April 18 chamber meeting will begin with a tour of Sexton Foods at 7 p.m. with the meeting following at the train depot.
Mrs. Mary Ethel “Bo” Hammock Martin, 95, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at her home in Atkins.
People for a Better Atkins raised more than $1,500 with a fish fry fundraiser Saturday. Organizers of the event said they expected to have food left over but completely sold out. Many of the items for the event were donated.
April 3 - During a visit to Atkins High School last Thursday, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee told area school administration about his commitment to the Next Step program the state has implemented and told the student body about the importance of extra-curricular activities.
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee congratulates AHS band member Kristin Coffman after presenting her with the Governor’s Award of Excellence for her excellence in the high school band.
The Pottsville School Board approved a $1,000 base salary increase for certified personnel, a three percent increase for classified personnel, a $2,000 increase for the principals, and a $1,200 increase for the curriculum coordinator during Thursday night’s meeting.
The Atkins Civic Team Auxiliary will present the annual Miss and Junior Miss Atkins Pageant, Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m. The pageant will be held at the high school auditorium and admission will be $4 for adults and $3 for children.
April 10 - Bob Bradford, president, told People for a Better Atkins at Thursday night’s meeting that he is very enthusiastic about this year’s Picklefest.
Amanda Burris was named Miss Atkins 2002 Saturday night. Amy Whittenburg was first runner up and Amanda Wall was second runner up.
The Hector School Board adopted a 2002-2003 school calendar and agreed to consider a change in paying staff members that may get opposition at the May meeting.
Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor this years “Art in Atkins 2002,” “JUST FOR KIDS.”
Shelby Statler crowned Jr. Miss Atkins 2002. Victoria Ford was 2nd runner up and Karisa Russell was 1st runner up.
April 17 - The Atkins City Council putt off a decision on a new sign ordinance for 90 days.
AHS English teacher Karin Kutait reads to Terry Morphis’ fist grade class Tuesday. High school teachers and students will take turns reading to elementary students all this week.
Two groups are interested in buying the Atkins pickle plant, but any deal is being stymied by Deans Foods, Jeff Pipkin said Monday.
April 24 - The Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce has named Johnny’s Shop as the Chamber Business of the Month for May. The May 16 Chamber meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with a tour of Johnny’s Shop on West Main Street.
David Sherrod, a 1997 AHS graduate, signed on with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent Monday morning.
A bid opening is scheduled for Friday, April 26, for the first phase of remodeling the old library building in Russellville, the Pope County Library Board was told Wednesday, April 17.
Dean Pickle and Specialty Products donated its pickle train to People for a Better Atkins so it can continue to be a part of Picklefest.
May 1 - Picklefest planners have announced many new features of Picklefest 2002, which will be Friday, May 17, from noon until 9 p.m., and Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in downtown Atkins. One new event will be an Armed Forces Celebration planned for Saturday at noon.
The music department of Atkins Public Schools will present their annual end of the year Pop’s Concerts this week.
Fisheries personnel of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will open the gates on Lake Atkins to begin the draining of the lake, May 1. The lake is being drained to rid the lake of an overpopulation of bigmouth buffalo and to improve the fishing.
A collision involving five passengers and three horses Friday just before 4 p.m. resulted in injuries of several people.
May 8 - Dean Specialty Products will pay off the remaining $7,600 owed on the new stage in Gillespie Park, Bob Bradford told the People for Better Atkins Thursday night.
May 15 - Rescue workers who were called out for a possible water rescue Monday afternoon were relieved to see that Brad Tompkins of Atkins had managed to reach the shore.
People for a Better Atkins President Bob Bradford said that a record 172 booths have already signed up for Picklefest, making this the biggest Picklefest ever. The event will begin at noon on Friday and will conclude Saturday evening.
Legendary high school football coach, long-time University of Arkansas assistant football coach and administrator Wilson Matthews died Sunday night at the age of 80. He was an Atkins native.
May 22 - The pickle plant shutdown is already reducing city revenues, the Atkins City Council was told at its monthly meeting May 14.
A Ward resident was arrested and taken to the Conway County Jail after a road-rage incident on Interstate 40 Sunday afternoon, involving some people with Atkins connections.
The Atkins School Board Tuesday night of last week voted unanimously to give a $1,000 stipend raise to all certified staff (teachers and coaches). The raise will cost the district $103,000 a year.
UCA’s first Rhodes scholar, Rhett Martin, recently returned to Conway from Harvard University in order to walk in the commencement ceremony on May 18.
May 29 - Jeff Embry of Atkins recently traveled to Turkmenistan as a Farmer to Farmer volunteer for Winrock International.
The Pope County Library System may be getting another fund cut, the board was told Wednesday at its monthly meeting.
Atkins voters chose three new aldermen Tuesday, May 21, during the preferential primary election, one of which will be decided in a runoff election June 11. Atkins Mayor Jerry Don Barrett was re-elected.
Despite the closing of the Atkins Pickle Plant, Select Video, and the Atkins Home Center, Atkins has seen some growth. Four businesses have opened in the area; the Cruise and Tour Center, Video Corral and Collectibles, and Bar None Feed Store.
Rev. Jason Molitor received his Master of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo. Saturday.
June 5 - About a year from now a chunk of the Arkansas River will back up into Galla Creek in the Atkins bottoms, hang a left over the levee, then rush east to spread its flooding onto farmlands and, ultimately, into wetlands that attract ducks.
Three Atkins Chronicle vending boxes were stolen and emptied Wednesday night.
June 12 - The Hector School Board approved two construction matters in a called meeting Thursday, June 6.
The 2002 Summer Reading program, Arts Alive!, begins this week.
Jackie Crow, Andrea Lea, Edwin Shinn, Scott Simmons, Nell Warren and Jeff Aulgur voted to table a vicious animal ordinance for next month and sent it back to committee, after its third reading.
June 19 - Atkins voters chose to return former alderman Kenneth Ehemann to the city council during the June 11 runoff election. Ehemann faced Wesley Willcutt after neither produced a clear majority in the May Democratic Primary. The vote total was Ehemann, 150; Willcutt, 76.
A motor vehicle accident Saturday, north of Atkins, resulted in the death of 17 year-old Andrew Thurman of Logan County.
The Atkins City Council accepted bids for three items related to the water and sewer system during its regular meeting Tuesday, June 11, and also set a date for a special meeting to discuss the proposed sign ordinance for Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m.
Charles and Jane Jackson’s home on NW 7th Street in Atkins was chosen as People for a Better Atkins’ Yard of the Month.
June 26 - Work has started on the renovation of the old library building, the Pope County Library Board was told Wednesday afternoon, June 19.
The Atkins Chronicle, KVLD Oldies 99.3, and the Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Atkins Hometown Showcase Saturday, Aug 10.
Some developments in the potential employment situation in Atkins have emerged. Atkins Mayor, Jerry Don Barrett, said Monday that Jeff Pipkin, head of REDPI, told him Dean Foods has set a price of $2.9 million for the abandoned Atkins pickle plant facility.
Sherrie and Kyle Yates of Snickrbabi, the business of the month, hosted the Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday night.
July 3 - A proposed sign ordinance was the topic of discussion at a called meeting of the Atkins City Council on Tuesday, June 25. Mayor Jerry Don Barrett opened the meeting to discussion.
The new Pottsville football stadium is nearing completion, the Pottsville School Board was told Thursday night.
July 10 - The Pope County Quorum Court failed to pass an ordinance giving $10,000 to help sponsor the Babe Ruth World series in Russellville, and held first readings of two very different vicious animal ordinances at their regular meeting held Tuesday, July 3.
The Atkins Planning Commission decided Tuesday night, July 2, to table action on the city sign ordinance until next month to allow people wanting changes to submit their requests.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries personnel are lifting the sportfish limits on Lake Atkins effective today.
July 17 - The Atkins School Board Tuesday, July 9, cleaned up a lot of loose ends. The board voted to adopt a Classified Personnel Policy and a Transportation Policy and to implement the district’s drug-testing policy that had been on hold awaiting a U. S. Supreme Court decision.
Michael Whitson and Jerry Knittig display the largest fish caught last week while fishing limits were lifted at Lake Atkins. This flathead catfish was snagged by Robert Willcutt and Jamie Prater of Atkins on a 18 lb. line Wednesday, July 10, around 9:30 a.m. It weighed 79 lbs. 12 oz., just shy of the state record, which is 80 lbs. 4 oz.
The Hector School Board voted Monday night to give raises to teachers and non-teaching employees.
July 24 - Brent and Jamie Abbott of Abbott Farms, located 1.9 miles north of London on Will Baker Road, have been named the 2002 Pope County Farm Family of the Year. They will now be considered in the District Farm Family competition.
About 800 children took part in the Pope County Library System’s summer reading program “Arts Alive @ The Library,” the library board was told at its meeting Wednesday, July 17.
The deadline for parents to register their students in a neighboring school under the school choice program was July 1.
Wesley and Margie Martin’s yard was chosen by People for a Better Atkins as the Yard of the Month. They live on North Church Street in Atkins.
July 31 - A wreck one mile east of Atkins on I-40 resulted in the death of two Joplin, Mo. women Wednesday afternoon at 4:12 p.m.
A pet show will be part of the Atkins Hometown Showcase to be held Saturday, Aug. 10 at the W.J. Matthews Civic Center on West Main Street in Atkins.
Three Atkins School Board members voted Thursday in a called meeting to hire Karen Heinzen as middle school math teacher and Chad Keaster as assistant baseball coach. The board also accepted the resignation of James Clark as self-contained classroom teacher.
The Atkins Chronicle and The Dover Times brought home three first place awards, three second places, one third place and three merit awards from the Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper News-Editorial Contest Saturday in Hot Springs.
August 7 - Atkins High School students get back into the swing of things at registration.
The third annual “Bargains Galore on 64” featuring 130 miles of yard sales, flea markets and such will be Thursday thru Saturday, Aug. 8 through the 10.
Lewis H. “Pooch” McCollum, 66, died at his home in Russellville, Monday, Aug. 5, 2002. He was a former head football and track coach and athletic director for Russellville High school and was respected statewide for his work and leadership in school athletics.
A new business coming to downtown Atkins will be an exciting combination of history and new technology.
August 14 - The Atkins Planning Commission listened to comments about a new sign ordinance at a public hearing Tuesday night, Aug. 6 then went back to work on the ordinance.
More than 300 people attended the Atkins Hometown Showcase Saturday at the W.J. Matthews Civic Center.
Lake Atkins is in the process of undergoing a renovation. Water is being drained from the 752-acre lake to kill the bigmouth buffalo that have caused a decline in fishing success at the popular fishery.
August 21 - Loma Bensley has a dream. After years of watching one of her granddaughters and other children in the community play softball and baseball, Loma dreams of an Atkins team winning the state championship or of Atkins even having an Olympic hopeful.
The Atkins Police Department has made five arrests recently of Atkins youths involved in thefts and vandalism including the theft of a vehicle.
August 28 - The Atkins High School class of 1948 boys and girls may have had the most successful overall year of any class.
Atkins Graduate David Sherrod, is making his way in the NFL as a free agent.
The Pottsville City Council voted, as expected, to put an annexation ordinance on the November ballot.
The Atkins Riding Club held an amateur rodeo Saturday to benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
September 4 - Shavon Davis and Megan and Randall Wyllia of Atkins each came home with a state championship trophy from the Arkansas State Championship Horse Show over the Labor Day weekend.
Pottsville schools have enrolled 60 more students this fall to bring the total to 1,146, the school board was told Thursday night.
Juanita and Larry Darter’s home was named Yard of the Month by People for a Better Atkins.
September 11 - The Atkins Planning Commission made several changes in the proposed city sign ordinance at its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Stacie Pack of Atkins just found that the pen is mighty enough to take her on an exciting and educational adventure.
Members of the Brain Richter family and six Hector firefighters will attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Oct. 5 and 6 in Washington, D.C.
September 18 - The Atkins High School student body pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag during a ceremony held Sept. 11 to honor the heroes of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Two dilapidated buildings on Main Street came under the scrutiny of the Atkins City Council Tuesday night, Sept. 10.
The Atkins School Board Tuesday of last week approved a policy restricting the authority of the superintendent to order construction.
September 25 - More than 50 Atkins citizens gathered to honor volunteers selected by the town’s civic clubs Saturday night at the Matthews Civic Center.
Rhett Martin of Atkins said maybe the trick to achieving things is the “think big - to aspire to something.”
October 2 - The Atkins Parent Teacher Organization finalized plans for its annual Harvest Basket festival to be held Monday, Oct. 28, at the Elementary from 5:30 until 8 p.m.
In the wake of the pickle plant closing, the City of Atkins needs about $65,000 to make up the lost revenue to the water and sewer budget.
Atkins police are investigating two burglaries in the city Friday and Saturday.
Shauna and Steven Gould of Gould’s Professional Services were honored as the Atkins Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for September.
October 9 - The Atkins Planning Commission took copies of a new city land development code home to look over after the monthly meeting Tuesday night Oct. 1.
Atkins Homecoming festivities will culminate this Friday beginning with a pep rally at 1:20 p.m. at the AHS gym. A parade will follow at approximately 2:15 p.m. The parade will line up at the practice field.
Pottsville Elementary School PTO raised more than $19,000 Friday with their annual Harvest Hoedown event.
October 16 - 2001 Homecoming Queen Brandy Rains crowns the 2002 Homecoming Queen Courtney Claypool.
The Atkins School Board Tuesday night (Oct. 8) heard reports from the counselors of the three buildings on the standardized test results recently received. The scores are for students who took the tests last year.
A handmade quilt will be the grand prize of this year’s Atkins PTO Harvest Basket.
Oct. 23 - The Atkins School Board, in a called meeting Oct. 15, voted unanimously to initiate the refinancing of the district’s bond issue hoping to save about $311,603.98 over an 18-year period, an average of $17,311 a year.
Atkins Elementary PTO has finalized plans for its annual Harvest Basket festival to be held Monday at the Elementary. It will be from 5:30 until 8 p.m.
The Atkins Chamber of Commerce recognized Wiley Sprayer Manufacturing as its business of the month Thursday.
October 30 - An Atkins town meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at Atkins City Hall for the yearly notification of a resident sex offender.
The Atkins High School Band earned a first division (superior) rating in the Jessieville Invitational Marching Contest Tuesday, Oct. 8.
November 6 - Charles Robert Wyles, formerly of Dover, has been sentenced to life in prison following a three-day jury trial.
A history of blues music will be the subject of the Pope County Historical Association meeting Friday, Nov. 8, at the St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center cafeteria in Russellville.
Lucas Blalack’s time of 13:04 won him the Junior High District Champion title at the cross-country meet Oct. 31 at Old Post Road Park.
November 13 - Atkins Junior Red Devils finished their season Thursday undefeated.
The Atkins Planning Commission heard about a plan to build a church at Avenue Four and Fourth Street at its monthly meeting Nov. 5.
The Pottsville annexation proposal was approved in the general election Nov. 5 by 221 to 96, or 70 percent to 30 percent.
The Atkins Junior Pee Wee Red Devils won the District Eight championship game Saturday, Nov. 2, against Ola.
November 20 - With 18 years of experience in pecan farming, Paul Foshee of Blackwell and Robert “Crash” Carruthers of Morrilton are again harvesting as much as last year’s record harvest.
The Atkins City Council heard about a police grant Tuesday, Nov. 12, as it continued its discussions about ways to deal with a budget shortfall caused by the closing of the Atkins pickle plant.
Firefighters from Atkins and Pea Ridge Fire Departments controlled a midnight fire in a residence on Hwy. 247 north of Atkins Saturday morning.
November 27 - The Atkins City Council continued to go through items in the 2003 budget at a special meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The Atkins Area Chamber of Commerce honored Tina’s Cutting honored Tina’s Cutting Edge Thursday as the November business of the month.
December 4 - Two seniors, Trace Cunningham and Dustin Wiley, and juniors Daniel Hartley, Lucas Duvall and Brad Roberts were selected to the 2002 5AAA All-Conference Football Team.
Jackie and Carla Piearcy of Crow Mountain performed and presented an award at the Texas International Music Association (TIMA) Awards ceremony Nov. 24.
Eighty-seven students from the River Valley outside of the Russellville district are included in the 36th Annual Edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 2001-2002.
December 11 - The Atkins Learning Center won first place in the Atkins Christmas parade Sunday with their float, “Santa’s Workshop Helpers.”
The AMS Drama class will be presenting the comedy based play “Hospital,” on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Middle School Auditorium.
People for a Better Atkins elected officers for 2003 and finalized plans for the annual gift baskets to be distinguished during the last week’s meeting.
Joyce and Marcellus Cunningham have purchased the former Select Video property at 504 N. Church St.
December 18 - J.L. Austin, PBA president and Elmo Haney, next year’s Picklefest chairman were interviewed last week by Christie Brocchus of AETN for a documentary on festivals.
An Atkins volunteer fireman was reinstated at the Atkins City Council meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 10 after a sometimes-heated discussion.
The Atkins School Board Tuesday night of last week decided to buy two used diesel buses for $21,900 each as part of the effort to eventually use all diesel buses.
