The state/region in brief

— Springdale council to discuss club fate

The City Council on Tuesday set a hearing date of Nov. 10 to consider revoking the business license for Rio Bravo, a nightclub with a history of calls for police service.

Aldermen agreed to have the hearing after a presentation by police Sgt. Billy Turnbough, who reported that Rio Bravo was the scene of many fights this year.

One fight in late May was said to involve six intoxicated males and four security guards. Another fight in August in the parking lot featured "beer bottles used as weapons," Turnbough reported.

There have been 17 calls to Rio Bravo this year, most for fighting, police records show. Rio Bravo, at 881 Rio Bravo Drive near U.S. 412 and Interstate 540, is typically open only on Friday and Saturday nights.

The city has tried to curtail unruly behavior at the club for the last two years.

"At this point, I feel we have exhausted our efforts with no positive impact," Turnbough said in a letter submitted to the city attorney's office.

- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Lightning again hits Arvest Ballpark

SPRINGDALE - Lightning struck at Arvest Ballpark yet again during Monday night's storm.

Eric Edelstein, general manager for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, said the strike did not harm the ballpark's electrical system.

"It didn't cause any highdollar damage," Edelstein said. "It's more of an annoyance."

Edelstein said he knew that lightning had struck the ballpark because two light bulbs on one of the towers were on.

"We know that lightning struck if something's on that we didn't leave on, or if something's off that we didn't leave off," he said.

The ballpark has experienced a handful of strikes in the last two years.

- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE4 face drug counts

in Benton County

Four men face federal charges accusing them of selling methamphetamine in Benton County.

Manuel Armondo Gaxiola, 22, Valentin Gonzalez, 29, and Rafael Hernandez, 35, were arrested Thursday on charges related to selling methamphetamine, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Fort Smith.

Ivan Sanchez, 25, was arrested Monday in the same case and has not yet had a first court appearance. The other four were brought before U.S. Magistrate James R. Marschewski on Monday.

The Benton County sheriff's office initiated the investigation and was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Agents and deputies confiscated 9.5 ounces of methamphetamine.

Gaxiola of Fayetteville faces one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distributing methamphetamine.

Gonzalez of Brownsville, Texas, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

Sanchez of Siloam Springs faces one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Hernandez of Westville, Okla., was charged with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEEx-cops get terms for bilking drivers

MUSKOGEE, Okla. - The former sheriff and undersheriff of McIntosh County have each been sentenced to more than two years in prison for illegally seizing money from motorists.

U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Terry Jones, 36, and Mykol Brookshire, 38, each were sentenced Tuesday to 27 months for conspiracy under cover of law to interfere with interstate commerce.

Prosecutors say the two seized cash from motorists and either underreported the amount or failed to report the seizure. The two are accused of then splitting the money.

Sperling says the two were arrested after seizing money from an undercover agent in May and underreporting the amount taken while keeping the remainder.

Both men resigned after being charged. They had pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in June.

- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 14 on 09/23/2009

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