Local Opinion
RSSCommentary: Building Codes Have Gone Wild in Modern Times
Editor's note: Gary Smith's column will return next week. Continue reading...
How We See It: Timing May Not Be Right For Purchase of Gulley Park Expansion
It's hard to imagine many public facilities in the region getting more use than Fayetteville's wonderful Gulley Park. From the concerts to the family outings to the trails to the simple, open green spaces, few parks are as inviting or as versatile. Continue reading...
Reading Is An Important Part Of Life For Kids
Books Don’t have to be Shiny, New to be Worth the Read
Kids beat all. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: It's Outrageous To Use Strong Speech To Describe Small Annoyances
This past Saturday, I stumbled out of bed and down to my stoop to grab the morning paper. Continue reading...
Quorum Court, Cities Should Use Their Heads
Since 2009 Benton County Justices of Peace have struggled with ambulance service. Expect to pay over $1 million to cities in the future. Per The Morning News, ambulance charge for city folks is $500. County residents pay $250 more. If five miles outside city limits, the additional mileage is 10 miles. Do they realize that is $1,500 per hour at 60 mph? Your recent editorial implied county residents were paupers. They pay the same sales tax as I do in Rogers!!! At these rates, 75 hours would pay for a new ambulance! Continue reading...
A race with potential
A panel of journalist-pundits was professing analytical command of Arkansas politics at the state press convention a couple of weeks ago. Continue reading...
Commentary: Ballot Issues May Get Bounced Due To Deadline Confusion
What looked like potential ballot issues for Arkansas voters this year might not be after all. Continue reading...
How We See It: U.S. Senate Needs To Pass Short-Term Fix For Highway Trust Fund
Momentum builds this week for a short-term infusion of cash for the federal Highway Trust Fund as both houses of Congress try send members home for the fall election season with something to show for the session. Continue reading...
Cruelty To Dog Enrages Reader
I have been incensed and having horrible fits of rage when it was reported the terrible abuse a Centerton dog suffered from having fireworks strapped to it, resulting in serious burns and no doubt awful, emotional trauma. I was further disgusted (not strong enough language, or the expletives I would choose to use) that the powers that be are considering giving the poor thing back to the likely suspects who did this, or allowed it to be done by others. Mere words cannot express my disgust that anyone would even think of subjecting a living being to such hideous treatment. They cannot get away with such inhumane treatment. Continue reading...
Vitamins and groundwater
Dr. John Van Brahana, the widely respected professor emeritus and specialist in hydrology from the University of Arkansas, must be taking mega-vitamins. Continue reading...
Commentary: State should do better for scholarships
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education will use $1.6 million of the state's "rainy-day funds" to pay for a larger-than-usual number of Governor's Distinguished Scholarships this year. Continue reading...
How We See It: County Government Would Operate More Effectively With Better Annual Budgeting
Local governments will begin their annual budget-making processes in the next few weeks. That will renew an ongoing debate in Washington County between the members of the Quorum Court and the county's various department heads over how -- or how not -- to spend taxpayer dollars. Continue reading...
Rude Drivers Make Roads Hazardous
(I was) on my way to the animal hospital at 5:30 a.m. to say goodbye to our beloved 13-year-old dog. My family was in the car. Continue reading...
How We See It: Local Election Officials Should Keep Working Toward Improving the Voter Experience
We generally applaud any change that makes the election experience easier or more convenient for the voters, so let's take a moment to offer encouragement to election officials in both Washington and Benton counties based on recent news. Continue reading...
Commentary: Push For Longer Term Limits Buried In Overly Complicated Amendment
Tim Jacob, chairman of Arkansas Term Limits, opposes the measure for Arkansas term limits on the November ballot. Continue reading...
