Westside Eagle Observer

HAYS, Kan. -- The world's largest operating steam locomotive made a historic stop in western Kansas last weekend, drawing crowds of rail enthusiasts to celebrate a legend of American industrial history. Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 arrived at East 9th and Milner streets in Hays on Friday afternoon, setting up an opportunity for public viewing on Friday and Saturday as part of its Coast-to-Coast 2026 Tour.

GRAVETTE -- The Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center hosted Coffee with a Cop Tuesday morning, July 21. The Center provided the coffee, and the Gravette Police Department provided doughnuts for the event, which was organized by Shelly Frederick, community outreach officer for the Bella Vista Police Department, a representative of SALT. SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) sponsors events such as Coffee with a Cop to identify and address mutual concerns in the community.

DECATUR -- The Decatur School District is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on its board of directors following the resignation of board member Lauro Molina. Molina, who held the At-Large Position 4 seat, stepped down during the board's regular July meeting, stating that it was time to focus on his career and family.

The shootout and trial following the death of Sheriff Alexander Ramsey in 1875 is one of the most famous, tragic, and controversial legal cases in early Kansas law enforcement history. The Tracking of the Horse Thieves (June 1875) In early June 1875, Alexander Ramsey, the 27-year-old Sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas (a Union Civil War veteran based in Hays City), set out alongside Deputy Frank Shepard to investigate a trail of stolen horses. The trail led north toward Rooks County.

HAYS, Kan. -- Established in 1865 to protect mail routes and railroad crews along the Kansas frontier, Fort Hays grew to become one of the U.S. Army's most critical military posts on the Central Plains. Originally named Fort Fletcher, the post was renamed in 1866 in honor of Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays, a Union officer killed in the Civil War.

DECATUR -- The Decatur Public Schools Board of Education approved all business items on its agenda during its regular meeting on July 21 at the district boardroom.

GENTRY -- The Gentry School Board approved a series of classified and certified personnel changes, including two retirements and two new high school and middle school teacher hires, during its meeting on July 20. The board accepted the retirement of bus driver Blake West, effective June 30. Certified staff changes also included the hiring of J Charles Dorsey as a high school biology teacher and Joseph Bird as a middle school math teacher, both effective July 1.

"He said, 'To what shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what parable shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest seed on earth. Yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all shrubs, and shoots out great branches, so that the birds of the air may nest in its shade.' " Mark 4:30-32 A parable uses an earthly story or truth as a comparison to illustrate and explain a spiritual or heavenly truth.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sulli Schaffer, a spring graduate of Gravette High School, was named the recipient of the 2026 Arkansas 4-H Governor's Award at the conclusion of the 4-H Awards of Excellence Ceremony on July 22. The ceremony is the culminating event at the Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama, an annual event that brings together 4-H members from across the state for competitions, the election of new state officers and the awarding of college scholarships.

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has drawn negative feedback from residents as the county works to create a new fund for it.