Stories by Bill Bowden
RSSMartin to skip pair of events
Parade marshal still in his plans
EUREKA SPRINGS — Secretary of State Mark Martin won’t be attending two balls that are part of Eureka Springs’ Mardi Gras celebration this week. Continue reading...
Historian: Monte Ne tower stable for now
ROGERS — An architectural historian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers described the ruins of Monte Ne as “a fascinating building” and “more than I expected” after spending four days examining it. Continue reading...
Area officials confused by state opinion on use of tax
A 10-page state attorney general’s opinion hasn’t cleared up the question of whether sales tax revenue from one county can be used for infrastructure projects built in another county by a regional mobility authority, said Washington County Attorney George Butler. Continue reading...
Eureka Springs board looks to adopt budget
Alderman: Proposed cuts not needed
EUREKA SPRINGS — A Eureka Springs alderman said the City Council is expected to pass a 2012 budget tonight that includes no deep cuts such as those suggested by one alderman in January. Continue reading...
DNA tests’ OK expected on evidence in ’87 deaths
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A judge is expected to review an order today asking for a coffee cup, cigarette butts and other evidence from a 1987 double homicide in Harrison to go to the state Crime Laboratory for DNA testing. Continue reading...
Drive-By Shooting Reported
SPRINGDALE — Police are investigating a drive-by shooting reported on Braxton Drive on Friday night.
Continue reading...
Democrat wants to unite District 7’s diversity
Diana Gonzales Worthen believes she can unite the diverse cultures of Arkansas’ most Hispanic Senate district, District 7. Continue reading...
Eureka Springs misses deadline for budget’s OK
Mayor: ’11 surplus to run city
EUREKA SPRINGS — The city of Eureka Springs is “arguably breaking the law” by operating without an approved 2012 budget, said Mark Hayes, general counsel for the Arkansas Municipal League. Continue reading...
Legislator says Beebe shielding top forester
Claim of cover-up over shortfall denied
EUREKA SPRINGS — State Rep. Bryan King, R Green Forest, said Gov. Mike Beebe is protecting State Forester John Shannon by not firing him immediately over financial problems at the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Continue reading...
Resort town debates 20% cut in budget
But books already balance
EUREKA SPRINGS — The Eureka Springs Fire Department would have to stop operating one of its two ambulances if the City Council pushes through a proposed temporary 20 percent budget cut, said Fire Chief Rhys Williams. Continue reading...
50 hear models for city offices
Eureka Springs election Feb. 14
EUREKA SPRINGS — How this tourist town would pay for a city administrator and who would take such a job were questions asked Tuesday night after a seminar on a proposed change in the city’s form of government. Continue reading...
Group: Rule on symbols isn’t enough
State would allow displays at preschools that get funds
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Religious icons shouldn’t be on the walls of a preschool that receives state funding, a lawyer for Americans United for Separation of Church and State said Tuesday. Continue reading...
Departments draft rule to forbid prayer in preschools
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — The Arkansas departments of Human Services and Education have proposed a new rule to make sure preschools that receive public funding aren’t teaching religion in violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Continue reading...
Cat is killed, tagged, candidate’s aide says
RUSSELLVILLE — The campaign manager for 3rd District Democratic congressional candidate Ken Aden found his family cat dead Sunday morning with the word “liberal” scrawled across it with a black marker. Continue reading...
Campaign manager's cat killed
Jake Burris, campaign manager for Ken Aden, said he awoke this morning to find the family cat had been killed and the word "liberal" was scrawled across it. Continue reading...
Area transit system on edge
Tax could replace federal fund limit due to growth
Washington County’s Quorum Court has until March 8 to decide whether to put a quarter-percent sales tax to fund public transit on the May 22 primary election ballot. Continue reading...
Nonprofits team up, help with tax filing
Service free for qualified
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Low-income residents of Northwest Arkansas let the Internal Revenue Service keep millions of dollars every year that they could claim through an Earned Income Tax Credit, which will refund up to $5,751 per family this year, said Holly Sparks Hill, vice president of community impact for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...
Libertarian running for 3rd District
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — David J. Pangrac, vice chairman of the Arkansas Libertarian Party, has announced his candidacy for the state’s 3rd District congressional seat. Continue reading...
CARNEGIE LIBRARY: Judge checks out arguments on fees
Ruling soon on library revenue suit
EUREKA SPRINGS — The Carroll County Quorum Court apparently was trying to punish the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library when it docked the library’s budget for $7,782 in legal fees after the library sued the county, a circuit judge said Friday. Continue reading...
MULTISTATE THEFT RING DISCOVERED: Elk statue tips officers
Eureka Springs innkeeper cited in arson of rival lodge
The arrest of a Eureka Springs motel owner in connection with the arson of a competitor’s motel has uncovered what authorities said is a multistate theft ring involving hundreds of thousands of dollars of stolen property ranging from an 18-foot-tall elk statue to a red Corvette. Continue reading...
Womack explains stances on immigration, Web tax in Fort Smith
FORT SMITH — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack told a crowd of about 100 Wednesday that immigration reform can’t be dealt with until the Mexican border is sealed. Continue reading...
Schools of Key facing scrutiny
Toddler classes get prayer, funds
A national organization that promotes separation of church and state wants two preschools owned by state Sen. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home, to stop daily prayer and Bible lessons or lose state funding. Continue reading...
Womack tours, OKs Fayetteville Veterans Home
FAYETTEVILLE — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack toured the Fayetteville Veterans Home on Wednesday, saying he was impressed with the facility, which received poor marks during state inspections in 2011. Continue reading...
Womack hears constituents
Some are critical of him on spending, Pell Grant cuts
FAYETTEVILLE — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack heard some critical comments Wednesday during his listening tour at Happy Hollow Elementary School. Continue reading...
Rogers developer files his own suit after ’07 Hunt rift
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Rogers developer Bill Schwyhart has filed a lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court alleging a Little Rock law firm breached its fiduciary duty after it handled his split with former business partner Johnelle Hunt, widow of trucking magnate J.B. Hunt. Continue reading...
Pair arrested for recent fire at motel in Eureka Springs
Dec. 8 blaze destroyed majority of Pine Top Lodge
EUREKA SPRINGS — Eureka Springs police have arrested two men in connection with a Dec. 8 arson that destroyed most of the Pine Top Lodge, which was closed for the winter. Continue reading...
Economic changes lead to 1st Last Night
Alcohol to be available during Fayetteville’s family celebration
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville’s New Year’s Eve celebration returns tonight with some major changes after a year’s hiatus. For the first time, alcohol will be served at the “family-friendly event.” For 12 years, First Night Fayetteville was billed as an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. In 1999, it drew a crowd of about 12,000, according to promoters. Continue reading...
Chief deputy clerk to challenge boss for county position
Kathy Guthrie is running for Sebastian County circuit clerk, a position currently held by her boss, Ken Blevins, who was forced Dec. 12 to reinstate two women he fired after they accused him of sexual harassment. Continue reading...
Students highlight musical festival
EUREKA SPRINGS — Thomas Chun-yu Chen plans to bring about 400 students from all over the world to Eureka Springs this summer for a monthlong music festival and school. Continue reading...
Dinosaurs get new scenery following sale
Triceratops brings $600; $90 T. rex to sell burgers
SPRINGDALE — A 3,000-pound, 30-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex sculpture that stood on a hillside east of Springdale for about 15 years will be moved sometime this week to Sam’s Olde Tyme Hamburgers in Rogers, where owner Sam Hawkins hopes the dinosaur will serve as a landmark. Continue reading...
Many seek bargains day after Christmas
FAYETTEVILLE — Bargain hunters hit stores early Monday to take advantage of after-Christmas sales. Continue reading...
Corps hopes to find Monte Ne partners
ROGERS — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking for partners willing to spend about $122,000 to restore the ruins of Monte Ne, which was Arkansas’ third most popular resort town a century ago. Continue reading...
Official gathers names on alcohol sales
FORT SMITH — A member of the Barling Board of Directors is trying to gather 929 signatures on a petition to call for a vote on whether to allow alcohol sales in the city, which has been dry since World War II. Continue reading...
Fall commencement returns
More than 600 receive degrees during UA ceremony
FAYETTEVILLE — About 625 students received diplomas Saturday in the University of Arkansas’ first fall graduation ceremony since 1971. Continue reading...
Oklahoma retailers see sales tumble
Border states see decrease after Arkansas starts lottery
Some Oklahoma retailers near the Arkansas border saw a dramatic decline in lottery ticket sales the year after Arkansas started its lottery. Continue reading...
Group to file complaint on 2 preschools
Funding precludes religion
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A national organization that promotes separation of church and state plans to request an investigation into a state senator’s two statefunded preschools that have daily prayer and Bible lessons. Continue reading...
Circuit clerk honors order, reinstates two
Workers return after firing
FORT SMITH — Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins complied with a court order Monday and reinstated two employees he fired Nov. 16 after they accused him of sexual harassment. Continue reading...
New museum to be touted across nation
Crystal Bridges, state parks, battlefields set tone for ads
BENTONVILLE — With the Nov. 11 opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the state of Arkansas is expanding its marketing to include national magazine subscribers from Atlanta to Austin. Continue reading...
6 district judges back fired clerks
Order allows 2 to return to jobs
LITTLE ROCK — All six circuit judges in Arkansas’ 12th Judicial District signed an order Friday to force Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins to reinstate two employees he fired after they accused him of sexual harassment. Continue reading...
T. rex, buddy set for auction
Estate selling statues on 412
SPRINGDALE — The dinosaurs of Sonora are facing extinction. Continue reading...
District director retiring
Eureka Springs schools praised
EUREKA SPRINGS — The superintendent of Eureka Springs’ public schools will retire at the end of December. Continue reading...
Eureka Superintendent to Retire
Eureka Springs’ school superintendent will retire at the end of December. Continue reading...
Eureka Springs special election set for February
Voters to determine if change in city’s government is needed
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A special election will be held Feb. 14 to see if voters in Eureka Springs want to change from the city’s mayor-council form of government to a system with a city administrator and board of directors. Continue reading...
Honor by UA is ‘precious,’ ex-coach says
Richardson ready to help
FAYETTEVILLE — The basketball coach who once sued the University of Arkansas over racial discrimination was honored by that institution Monday as a recipient of the Silas Hunt Legacy Award, which recognizes black Americans for their achievements and contributions. Continue reading...
Liquor stores in Harrison, county open
For the first time in 70 years, liquor is for sale in Harrison stores. Continue reading...
Veteran opens challenge to Womack
Ken Aden said military service changed him for the better, but his father wasn’t so lucky. Continue reading...
School law fix options heard
No Child body has little input
ALMA — Two options regarding a student achievement deadline under the federal No Child Left Behind Act were explained Monday afternoon to a crowd of about 100 at Alma Middle School, but most in attendance seemed still to be digesting the information. Continue reading...
After 24 years of growth, UA alumni director retires
FAYETTEVILLE — Mike Macechko was concerned that his Slovak name might not go over well in Arkansas. Continue reading...
Board sets bar of noise on track
68 decibel limit for speedway
A developer who wants to build a motor speedway near Branson in southern Missouri will have to keep the noise at 68 decibels or below, a Taney County, Mo., board ruled Wednesday. Continue reading...
Facility for various units of Guard, Reserve opens
BENTONVILLE — A new $22 million facility officially opened Wednesday for use by the Arkansas National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve in Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...





