Stories by Scott F Davis
RSSDrive-By Shooting Reported
SPRINGDALE — Police are investigating a drive-by shooting reported on Braxton Drive on Friday night.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Williams Marks 98th Birthday Continue reading...
DWINDLING NUMBERS: VFW Struggles Show Trend
VETERANS ORGANIZATION LOSING MEMBERSHIP, PARTICIPATION
LINCOLN — The few remaining members of Veterans of Foreign War Post 4675 in Lincoln will face a difficult decision in the coming days -- should they keep, transfer or surrender their local post. Continue reading...
Planners Continue To Study Wind Power
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County planning officials agreed Thursday to continue to study wind power, even though its commercial feasibility appears questionable. Continue reading...
Circuit Clerk No Longer Charging For Public Record Copies
WASHINGTON COUNTY — The Washington County Circuit Clerk’s office has stopped charging for copies of public records because it has turned out to be “more trouble than its worth.” Continue reading...
County Moves To Ban Synthetic Marijuana
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials took the first step Tuesday toward outlawing a substance known as K2 or Spice, a synthetic compound containing herbs with effects similar to marijuana. Continue reading...
FUNDING ISSUE: HIV Clinic May Bar Some
WASHINGTON COUNTY WANTS BENTON COUNTY TO HELP PAY
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials say they may have to bar Benton County patients from treatment at the Washington County HIV Clinic unless Benton County agrees to pay another $17,000 this year. Continue reading...
Prairie Grove Man To Command Guard Unit
PRAIRIE GROVE — A Prairie Grove man was appointed in a ceremony Friday to command an Army National Guard battalion with units in Siloam Springs and Ozark. Continue reading...
Officials To Modify Pet Definition
BOARD RECOMMENDS TERM ‘DOMESTIC ANIMALS’
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials are considering a change in the definition of pets to expand the ability of animal control officers to pick up dogs under the vicious animal ordinance. Continue reading...
ECO-VISTA LANDFILL: District OKs Expansion
CHANGE ALLOWS HORIZONTAL EXPANSION OF APPROVED CAPACITY
HUNTSVILLE — Waste Management received support of local officials Tuesday in its effort to modify the design of its Eco-Vista Landfill in Tontitown and increase its disposal capacity to its previously approved level. Continue reading...
Firm Seeks To Expand Landfill
‘RECONFIGURATION’ DOES NOT REQUIRE NEW CERTIFICATE OF NEED
FAYETTEVILLE — Waste Management seeks to expand its Eco-Vista Landfill in Tontitown by 33 acres by modifying its facility design to increase the facility’s disposal capacity to its previously approved level.
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‘Tech Savvy’ Helped Leding’s Landslide
GOP VOTERS MAJORITY IN COUNTY
FAYETTEVILLE — Success of political newcomers against established candidates surprised observers in last week’s primary election. Continue reading...
Panel Seeks Contributors For Courthouse Celebration
FAYETTEVILLE — Organizers planning a grand opening of the Historic Washington County Courthouse are on the hunt for interesting stories, memorabilia and courthouse photos. Continue reading...
Ballot Mix-Up Frustrates Officials
CLERK ADVOCATES SEPARATE ELECTIONS
FARMINGTON — City officials said they’re pleased local voters approved a sales tax and bond issue to pay for a summer baseball complex, but are frustrated 27 voters got the wrong ballots. Continue reading...
Spears Defeats True In GOP Primary Election
FAYETTEVILLE — Incumbent Mary Ann Spears sailed past Farmington Alderwoman Gail True on Tuesday in the Republican primary for the seat representing Washington County Quorum Court District 11. Continue reading...
Leding Defeats Ramsey
PROGRESSIVE NEWCOMER PULLS 61 PERCENT OF VOTE
FAYETTEVILLE — Political newcomer Greg Leding cruised past former state legislator J.W. “Bill” Ramsey on Tuesday to earn the Democratic nomination for District 92 in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Continue reading...
NONPRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS: Early Voters Set Record
MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY VOTE EARLY IN BENTON COUNTY
FAYETTEVILLE — Scott Fendley of Fayetteville voted early Monday because he is traveling today and won't be able be able to vote at his polling place. Continue reading...
Students Go ‘Old School’
CANE HILL LIVING HISTORY POPULAR WAY FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN
CANEHILL — The children listen intently as Larry Shivel, a hunter and trapper from the early 1800s, talks about the rugged life in the Arkansas Territory. Continue reading...
Quorum Court Approves Fire Marshal Transfer
FAYETTEVILLE — The Washington County Quorum Court on Thursday finalized transferring the supervision, budget, mission and equipment of the fire marshal’s office from the county judge to the sheriff.
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Judge Lets Case Continue On Trash Fees
RULING FAVORS ROLL OFF ON CONSTRUCTION WASTE
FAYETTEVILLE — A judge’s ruling on legal motions involving disputed trash dumping fees gave one victory to private waste hauler Roll Off Service, but another ensured the case will continue. Continue reading...
County Agrees To Allow Tax Breaks
STARTUP COMPANY TO ADD JOBS
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials agreed Monday to allow tax breaks for Arkansas Power Electronics International, a startup engineering company that is adding high-paying technology jobs in Fayetteville.
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Courtway Inspires Young People In Trouble
‘COACH’ UPBEAT DESPITE CANCER DIAGNOSIS
FAYETTEVILLE — Jeff Courtway shares his passion for athletics and the outdoors with troubled kids whose lives he strives to inspire and improve. Continue reading...
Teen Found Not Guilty Of Passing Bogus Bills
FAYETTEVILLE — A Washington County jury deliberated for more than two hours Wednesday before finding 18-year-old Jessica Toomer not guilty of intentionally passing two counterfeit $20 bills. Continue reading...
County Keeps Ballots That Misspell Name
FAYETTEVILLE — The paper ballots and voting machines for the Democratic primary in Washington County will include an incorrect spelling of Pat O’Brien, a candidate for secretary of state. Continue reading...
Ex-Officer Enters Plea, Loses Certification
FAYETTEVILLE — A former Elkins police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges of unauthorized release of criminal history of a Springdale man.
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Committee OKs Fire Marshal Change
FAYETTEVILLE — The Washington County Fire Marshal's position is one step closer to falling under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Tim Helder. Continue reading...
True Challenges Spears
CANDIDATES VIE FOR QUORUM COURT SEAT IN GOP PRIMARY
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Farmington Alderwoman Gail True is challenging Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Spears in the Republican primary May 18 to serve Quorum Court District 11. Continue reading...
Farmington Voting On Ball Fields Tax
FARMINGTON — Voters will decide in this year’s May 18 primary election whether to add a 1 percent sales tax to repay a $1.4 million bond issue that will fund construction of a baseball complex. Continue reading...
Democrats Pick Between Veteran Lawmaker, ‘Progressive’ Newcomer
FAYETTEVILLE — The candidates in Fayetteville’s House of Representatives District 92 primary race are both Democrats, but that might suggest more similarities than the two share. Continue reading...
Fire Marshal Resigns
SHERIFF TO SELECT, SUPERVISE REPLACEMENT UNDER POST’S TRANSFER
FAYETTEVILLE — John Jenkins, the Washington County fire marshal for more than eight years, resigned Friday. Continue reading...
‘A HINDRANCE’: Bats Imperil Wind Power In County
STUDIES WILL DETERMINE TURBINES’ IMPACT ON SPECIES
FAYETTEVILLE — An endangered species called the Ozark Big-Eared bat may be endangering the future of wind power for electric generation in Washington County, officials said. Continue reading...
Benefits Help Retain County Employees
Benton County uses risk-based score to determine deductible
FAYETTEVILLE — Karen Combs Pritchard earned only $1.10 per hour when she went to work for the Washington County Clerk’s Office in 1970, but the county paid for her health insurance. Continue reading...
Small Cities Pay For Health Insurance
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Many small cities in Washington and Benton counties pay for health insurance for their employees to help hire and retain workers, officials said. Continue reading...
Property Tax Bills On Way
Total Billed By County Increases, But Less Growth Than Last Year
FAYETTEVILLE — By Monday, more than 88,000 Washington County real and personal property tax bills will be on their way to area property owners. Continue reading...
Experienced ‘Listener,’ ‘Progressive’ Newcomer debate
Leding Criticizes Ramsey’s Conservative House Votes
FAYETTEVILLE — Former State Rep. J. W. “Bill” Ramsey says his experience will let him “hit the ground running” at the state Legislature while Greg Leding says he’s more in touch with Fayetteville’s “progressive” voters. Continue reading...
Elkins Chief Fires Officer Following Radio Incident
ELKINS — The Elkins police chief on Monday fired an officer who faces a felony charge of unauthorized release of criminal history information about a Springdale couple. Continue reading...
Brothers To Protest Wars While Riding Bikes Across Country
FAYETTEVILLE — A veteran of the war in Afghanistan plans to set out on a cross-country bicycle ride and continue in protest until wars in Afghanistan and Iraq end. Continue reading...
Tea Party Draws Anti-Tax Crowd
FAYETTEVILLE — Bill and LaVeta Sergeant of Springdale attended their first Tea Party protest Thursday because they are concerned about runaway government spending, growing federal deficits and taxes. Continue reading...
County Office Finalist For Award
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County’s Environmental Affairs Office and its director, Robyn Reed, are among five finalists for the Envy Award, a statewide environmental award. Continue reading...
Elkins Gets Money For Park
MATCHING GRANT TO PAY FOR EXTENDING WATER, SEWER SERVICE
FAYETTEVILLE — Grant money will help pay for extending water and sewer service to overnight camping sites and the concession stand in Bunch Park in Elkins, officials said. Continue reading...
NO FEE: Electronics Disposal Set
THREE-DAY EVENT TO BE HOSTED AT ARVEST BALLPARK IN SPRINGDALE
FAYETTEVILLE — Northwest Arkansas residents, business owners and others can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions, cell phones or other electronic gadgets this week in a safe, easy way at no charge.
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Volunteers Help With Spring Cleanup
WASHINGTON COUNTY — Volunteers across Washington County spent part of a beautiful, sunny Saturday cleaning up, picking up trash, painting and other chores.
More than 130 helpers participated in the Lake Fayetteville Cleanup, including many students, said Kevin Bennoch, president of the Lake Fayetteville Watershed Partnership. Participation this year was very good because several new sponsors were involved, he said. Continue reading...
Motorcycle Driver Dies Following Wreck Friday
SPRINGDALE — A 34-year-old Springdale man, Allen Laymon, died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident Friday evening near the headquarters of Tyson Foods in Springdale. Continue reading...
County Discusses Health Care Savings
Doctor offers plan to eliminate co-payments
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials expressed interest Friday in a proposal to reduce health care costs for the county and its employees and make doctor’s visits more convenient. Continue reading...
Farmington Officer Serves Two-Day Suspension After Firing Shots
Mayor Supports Police Chief’s Decision
FARMINGTON — A Farmington police officer has been disciplined following an internal investigation involving a February chase during which he tried to shoot the tire of a man suspected of drunken driving. Continue reading...
County Approves $125,000 Grant Request For Generators
FAYETTEVILLE — No one objected to plans for federal disaster grant money to be used to buy two generators for the Washington Water Authority during a public hearing Thursday. Continue reading...
County Sales Tax Revenue Up
IMPACT OF 2010 CENSUS REMAINS BIGGER CONCERN FOR OFFICIALS
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County officials are encouraged sales tax collections received in March are up from last year, but remain cautious because collection through 2010’s first quarter are down. Continue reading...
Park Seeks Volunteers For Cleanup Day
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Volunteers are invited to the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park on Saturday to participate in a national one-day event designed to spruce up Civil War battlefields and cemeteries.
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Treetop protest results in arrest
FAYETTEVILLE — A former Congressional candidate who faces two drug charges was arrested Monday after climbing a maple tree in front of the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville and shouting to onlookers that he was protesting the War on Drugs, police said. Continue reading...
Constable Posts Draw High Interest
Views Differ on offices’ place in law enforcement differ
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Marshal Dale Evans promised in 2002 if elected constable, he would do absolutely nothing. Constable Evans, who is unopposed for re-election this year in District 6, said he’s kept his promise. Continue reading...
