Stories by Bill Bowden
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Arkansans lend a friendly hand
Two firms roll in, dish up food
Thousands of volunteers have descended on this Oklahoma City suburb to help victims of a tornado that devastated much of the area Monday. Continue reading...
A place in the cellar saves a neighbor
MOORE, Okla. — Debbie Guidry thought the tornado was tugging at her storm-cellar door. Continue reading...
Gearhart still rejects gift tax on donations
The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville won’t implement a “gift tax” on donations to offset a deficit in its Advancement Division, UA spokesman John Diamond said. Continue reading...
No to SWEPCO line, Carroll County votes
State commission has final say, however
The Carroll County Quorum Court passed a resolution Friday opposing plans for a 48-milelong high-voltage transmission line through the western part of the county. Continue reading...
Panama chief: Love your job
The president of Panama told University of Arkansas graduates Saturday to do what they love, embrace life and don’t wait for the good things it can bring. Continue reading...
Ross highlights education at forum
Education was the primary topic when Mike Ross, a Democratic candidate for governor, spoke to the Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas on Friday. Continue reading...
Ex-builder to get detention hearing
Former Fayetteville developer Brandon Barber will remain in the Washington County jail until a full detention hearing in his case can be held, possibly next week. Continue reading...
Hotel, Not Jail, For Brandon Barber
Judge Orders Ex-Developer To Chancellor Overnight
A federal court judge on Monday ordered former Northwest Arkansas developer Brandon Barber to be temporarily incarcerated at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville. Continue reading...
May snow one for books
Flower-crushing flurry unique in annals
On Friday, for the first time in recorded history, it snowed in May in Arkansas. Continue reading...
Judge to weigh revoking bond for ex-builder
Complaint alleges Barber violated home detention
A former Northwest Arkansas real-estate developer arrested by FBI agents Wednesday in New York City will be sent to Fayetteville for a bond revocation hearing Monday. Continue reading...
Roadside Attraction Pivot Rock For Sale
Site A Tourist Destination Since Late 1800s
A 23-foot-tall rock resembling an inverted pyramid has been a roadside attraction near this tourist town for more than a century. Continue reading...
Fire-hit thrift store reopens at new site
A humane society’s thrift store has reopened in Berryville after a Dec. 28 fire destroyed the historic building that housed the store. . Continue reading...
Fraud suspect arrested in mine
Everton man set for trials in June
A Boone County man facing charges of tax fraud and identity theft was arrested Friday in an abandoned mine after he failed to show up for an April 9 arraignment in federal court in Harrison. Continue reading...
Brandon Barber ordered not to handle others' finances
Former developer Brandon Barber, facing 27 federal charges, was ordered Monday not to handle any money or banking transactions for other people. Continue reading...
School’s walls of glass color mayor’s view
City no longer interested in buying building, he says
After inspecting the 62-year-old former high school building in this tourist town and realizing that the 10-foot walls are made primarily of glass blocks, Mayor Morris Pate said he’s not interested in the city purchasing the property. “It would be like living in a fishbowl with all those glass walls around you,” Pate said. “I don’t see any redeeming value in that building for our uses.” The city doesn’t have the money to renovate the building or tear it down, Pate told about 25 townsfolk and meeting facilitators Tuesday at the Continue reading...
River-filling ideas surface in Tulsa
An effort is under way in Tulsa to put more water in the Arkansas River. Continue reading...
Ozark nature center to stay open after all
Directors of the Ozark Natural Science Center have decided to keep the Madison County facility open and begin a fundraising drive. Continue reading...
Cotton noncommittal on ’14 run
Working on a campaign is a good way to get involved in politics, U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton told a crowd of about 120 students at Ecclesia College on Thursday. Continue reading...
Budgeter let funds-lag slip up on UA unit
Inquiry found director didn’t factor recession dip into revenue projections
A recession that caused convulsions throughout America’s economy in 2008 had little initial impact on the revenue of the University of Arkansas’ Advancement Division. Continue reading...
In city that puts on 20, Jesus gets a parade
About 20 parades are held every year in this tourist town, celebrating everything from Volkswagen bugs to zombies. Continue reading...
King says he’s dropped bill on election panels
Measure attracted bipartisan opposition
A proposal that would have changed the composition of county election commissions across Arkansas won’t be pursued during this session of the state Legislature. Continue reading...
Foreclosure-sales tap now off
Fees to go into county offices’ coffers, not clerks’ pockets
Circuit clerks in Arkansas will no longer benefit personally from foreclosure auctions under a law enacted earlier this month. Continue reading...
Gearhart, 2 in unit at UA go way back
Choate, Sharp his longtime friends
The chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville had close ties dating back decades with two employees at the center of a multimillion-dollar deficit in UA’s Advancement Division. Continue reading...
Bank files notice on house of legislator
But Ballinger says mortgage redone
A bank has filed foreclosure proceedings against state Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, and his wife. Continue reading...
House Approves Mental Exam Bill
Plan Is To Speed Up Court Proceedings
A bill cleared the Arkansas House on Representatives on Monday that supporters say would help streamline the process for court-ordered mental evaluations of criminal defendants. Continue reading...
Proposal would exempt guns made in state from new rules
Bill targets bid to restrict semiautomatic weapons in U.S.
An Arkansas legislator filed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit the enforcement of new federal regulations concerning semiautomatic guns and magazines. Continue reading...
Last two tigers leave Riverglen
Shelter notes change in mission
The last two tigers at Riverglen Tiger Shelter near Mountainburg were transported to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge near Eureka Springs on Friday. Continue reading...
Ex-Candidate Rule Convicted Of Driving While Intoxicated
FAYETTEVILLE — Herb Rule, the Little Rock lawyer and former Democratic 2nd District congressional candidate, was found guilty Wednesday in Fayetteville District Court of driving while intoxicated on Aug. 9. Continue reading...
Herb Rule, former candidate, convicted of DWI
Says he plans to appeal
Herb Rule, a Little Rock lawyer and former congressional candidate, was found guilty in Fayetteville District Court today on a charge of driving while intoxicated Aug. 9 in Fayetteville. Continue reading...
Bowhunting inside town culls 12 deer
Lackluster harvest blamed on Eureka Springs discord
After more than a decade of debate, Eureka Springs’ first-ever urban archery hunt for deer is over. Continue reading...
UA student hospitalized with possible alcohol poisoning
A 19-year-old University of Arkansas student was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville on Saturday with possible alcohol poisoning, said Lt. Gary Crain, a spokesman for the UA Police Department. Continue reading...
Russian meteorite gets notice in state
Steve Arnold isn’t going to rush off to Russia to look for pieces of the meteor that exploded over Siberia on Feb. 15. Continue reading...
Former lawyer charged in DWI
Suspect has other charges, warrants
A former Fayetteville lawyer with two outstanding warrants and about $1 million in civil-court judgments against him was arrested Thursday night in Eureka Springs for purportedly driving while intoxicated. Continue reading...
Hutchinson: Obama overreaching on guns
ROGERS — A candidate for Arkansas governor said some gun regulations make sense, but President Barack Obama wants to take them too far. Continue reading...
Tyson quits UA board, notes system inaction
LITTLE ROCK — John Tyson has resigned from the University of Arkansas board of trustees. Continue reading...
Bill backs faith-based preschools
A bill has been filed in the Arkansas House of Representatives that would allow state money to fund “faith-based ” preschools. Continue reading...
Several injured in Scott County bus crash
A Jefferson Lines bus carrying 16 passengers crashed at about 6 a.m. in rural Scott County.
Six to eight people, including the bus driver, suffered minor injuries when the vehicle ran off U.S. 71, said Dan Ronan, a spokesman for the American Bus Association, a trade association based in Washington, D.C.
Ronan said he had few details about the accident at 11 a.m. today. Continue reading...
In Arkansas, funeral escorts coming to stop
Springdale is latest city to abolish tradition
For about a century, police departments in Arkansas towns have provided an escort for funeral processions. Continue reading...
Groups threaten to sue over endangered species
Two conservation groups have notified two federal agencies that they plan to sue for failure to protect the Ozark hellbender and four other species in the Mark Twain National Forest in southeast Missouri. Continue reading...
Zip-line rules are on horizon
Proposed regulations given to state for review, approval
When he opened Arkansas’ first commercial zip line in 2010, Mike Mills said he called several state agencies asking if the Buffalo River Canopy Tour needed to be inspected. Continue reading...
Wildlife refuge takes in 2 more tigers
MOUNTAINBURG — Two more tigers that Betty Young has had for 18 years were moved Friday to a wildlife refuge near Eureka Springs. Continue reading...
Harrison schools see rash of threats
There have been eight bomb threats at Harrison public schools since Nov. 6. Continue reading...
Arson case’s 2 return to state
Suspects held up by other charges
Two men arrested in the 2011 arson of the Pine Top Lodge in Eureka Springs are finally back in Carroll County. Continue reading...
Legal status hindering Marshallese, study says
SPRINGDALE — The “nebulous legal status” of first-generation Marshall Islanders living in the United States makes their long-term economic integration challenging, according to a study released Tuesday. Continue reading...
50 spirits willing to sign up for ghost weekend at hotel
EUREKA SPRINGS — Ghosts are naturally a little skittish. Continue reading...
In Berryville, barn wore many hats over 75 years
BERRYVILLE — When fire destroyed a 75-year-old building in Berryville on Dec. 28, it felled a piece of history for many in the city of 5,356 people. Continue reading...
Passion Play curtain on track to rise again
Fundraising success also to keep statue lit
EUREKA SPRINGS — The Great Passion Play will be held on Magnetic Mountain this year just as it has every year since 1968, said Randall Christy, who spearheaded a frantic fundraising drive to save it. Continue reading...
Advocate Has Extra Day To Raise Funds For Passion Play
With Jan. 1 being a holiday at Cornerstone Bank in Eureka Springs, the owner of a gospel radio network has another day to raise $75,000 to save the Great Passion Play. Continue reading...
Fort Smith Woman Dies After Involvement In Vehicle Shootout
A Fort Smith man fired two rounds from a.380-caliber handgun into the back of a van Saturday because a friend told him he’d been arguing with members of the family in the vehicle, a police officer said. Continue reading...
Medicaid fight seen as likely
Expansion idea splits legislators
Medicaid funding is expected to be a contentious topic when the 89th session of the Arkansas General Assembly convenes in Little Rock on Jan. 14. Continue reading...
