Stories by Bill Bowden

Judge denies Bigo Barnett’s prison delay request A Gravette man sentenced to 4½ years for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot won't get three months to prepare for prison, a federal judge in the District of Columbia ruled on Tuesday.Richard... May 31, 2023

University of Arkansas professor Purvis dies FAYETTEVILLE -- Hoyt Purvis died on Friday after an illness, said his wife Marion Purvis. He was 83.During his colorful life, Purvis had been kidnapped by Johnny Cash, dangled his feet in the Black Se... May 27, 2023

Covington named as next Metroplan director Casey Covington has been selected as Metroplan's new executive director, according to a news release.He has been serving as interim director since December, when former Executive Director Tab Town... May 27, 2023

Longtime University of Arkansas journalism professor Hoyt Purvis dies Hoyt Purvis, a longtime journalism professor at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, died on Friday after an illness, his wife, Marion Purvis, confirmed.Hoyt Purvis, 83, served as press secretary... May 26, 2023

Barnett wants 3 months to prepare for prison WASHINGTON -- A Gravette man wants three months to "arrange for his affairs" before he reports to prison to begin serving a 4½-year sentence for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot of J... May 26, 2023

U.S. Capitol riotter Richard 'Bigo' Barnett wants 3 months to prepare for prison WASHINGTON — A Gravette man wants three months to “arrange for his affairs” before he reports to prison to begin serving a 4.5 year sentence for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot of ... May 25, 2023

Richard "Bigo" Barnett sentenced to 4.5 years; plans to appeal conviction WASHINGTON — Richard “Bigo” Barnett was sentenced on Wednesday to serve 4.5 years in prison for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.U.S. District Judge Christopher R. C... May 24, 2023

Bigo Barnett sentenced to 54 months in prison for role in Capitol riot WASHINGTON — Richard “Bigo” Barnett, 63, of Gravette, was sentenced on Wednesday to serve 54 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper for his role in the U.S. Ca... May 24, 2023

Judge denies Bigo Barnett’s motions for acquittal or a new trial WASHINGTON -- A federal judge in the District of Columbia has denied Richard "Bigo" Barnett's motions for acquittal or a new trial.U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper issued the or... May 24, 2023

U.S. relentlessly pursued Barnett because of his fame, attorney argues The federal government has relentlessly pursued Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette, whose behavior during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, warrants months of incarceration, not years, ... May 19, 2023

Three properties named to Arkansas’ Most Endangered Places list Preserve Arkansas announced its 2023 Most Endangered Places list on Wednesday.The list includes the Central High School Neighborhood Historic District in Little Rock, the oldest building in Osceola an... May 19, 2023

Attorney says 7 years would be life sentence for Gravette man found guilty in Capitol riot Richard "Bigo" Barnett, 63, of Gravette should be sentenced to no more than 12 months in prison for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot, and get credit for four months already served, his atto... May 18, 2023

Prosecutors say Barnett should serve more than 7 years for role in Capitol riot Federal prosecutors say Richard “Bigo” Barnett of Gravette should serve 7.25 years in prison for his role in the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.They also recommend a $25,000 fine, $2,000 res... May 17, 2023

Harrison’s downtown entertainment district opens HARRISON -- Harrison's downtown entertainment district opened Friday and all went well, said Matt Bell, executive director of Explore Harrison."There was not one single issue -- not one," he said. "It... May 17, 2023

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts wants protection from Disfarmer discovery The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation has requested a protective order against discovery from Fred Stewart, special administrator of the estate of Mike Disfarmer, an eccentric Heber Springs phot... May 16, 2023

Manhunt, standoff end in arrest of man MOUNTAIN HOME — A Mountain Home man was arrested Wednesday after a chase in Baxter County that involved gunfire, a subsequent manhunt and standoff in a barricaded mobile home.Terry Lee Shumate, ... May 13, 2023

Mountain Home man arrested after manhunt, stand-off A Mountain Home man was arrested Wednesday after a chase in Baxter County that involved gunfire, a subsequent manhunt and stand-off in a barricaded mobile home.Terry Lee Shumate, 39, was arrested by t... May 12, 2023

Harrison to host soft opening of new entertainment district today, allowing open containers of alcohol HARRISON -- Harrison's downtown entertainment district is scheduled to open today.From 4:30 to 8 p.m., adults can legally walk from one participating business to another carrying an open container... May 12, 2023

Dardanelle voters reject 8-mill property tax increase Voters in Dardanelle rejected an 8-mill school district property tax increase on Tuesday.Complete but unofficial results were:For180Against606According to the ballot wording, money from the proposed t... May 11, 2023

Northwest Arkansas Hospitals to pay $1 million in Medicaid settlement Northwest Arkansas Hospitals LLC will pay the state over $1 million to settle 246 Medicaid claims, according to Attorney General Tim Griffin.He announced the settlement on Friday after an investigatio... April 29, 2023

Trial of former Omaha principal facing murder charge postponed The jury trial for a former Omaha, Ark., high school principal has been postponed from May 22 to July 10, according to the docket in his Boone County Circuit Court case.Rocky Brian Dodson, 53, is char... April 28, 2023

Flippin business owner sentenced to 30 days for his role in Capitol breach A Flippin coffee shop owner was ordered on Wednesday to spend 30 days in prison for his actions during the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.Jon Thomas Mott, 40, of Yellville, pleaded guilty to paradi... April 27, 2023

Hutchinson has “gone through the fire,” wife says BENTONVILLE -- For over 100 years, the statue of a Confederate soldier was the prominent fixture in this town square.But not on Wednesday as former Gov. Asa Hutchinson took to the steps of the Benton ... April 27, 2023

Former Omaha school principal wants murder trial postponed A former Omaha, Ark., high school principal wants his May 22 trial to be postponed, according to a filing in Boone County Circuit Court in Harrison.Rocky Brian Dodson, 53, is charged with second-degre... April 26, 2023

Hunter Biden ordered to appear in Batesville courtroom Hunter Biden must appear in all court hearings in his Arkansas paternity case, including an in-person hearing scheduled for Monday, May 1, in Batesville, a judge ruled on Monday.Independence County Ci... April 25, 2023

Judge orders Hunter Biden to appear in Arkansas paternity court hearings Hunter Biden must appear in all court hearings concerning his Arkansas paternity case, including one scheduled for May 1, Independence County Circuit Judge Holly Meyer ruled Monday.Meyer expressed fru... April 24, 2023

Filing: Hunter Biden “playing games” with Arkansas court Hunter Biden hasn't provided "specific discovery" as ordered by a judge in his Arkansas paternity case, according to a motion filed Friday in Independence County Circuit Court.Biden, the... April 22, 2023

Barnett’s lawyers want new trial Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette should be granted a new trial because he and the jury that convicted him weren't provided with a legal definition of "corruptly" as it pertai... April 22, 2023

Plea hearing set for Madison County man in U.S. Capitol riot case A Hindsville man charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot has apparently reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.Brennen Cline Machacek, 32, has a plea agreement hearing scheduled for May 4,... April 21, 2023

Barnett’s attorney admonished by judge in another case A federal judge in the District of Columbia admonished the former lead attorney for Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette in an order on Thursday.Joseph McBride of New York City wasn't init... April 21, 2023

Plea hearing set for Hindsville man charged in Capitol riot A Hindsville man charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot has apparently reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.Brennen Cline Machacek, 32, has a plea agreement hearing scheduled for May 4,... April 20, 2023

Mott argues for probation only in Jan. 6 Capitol breach A Flippin coffee shop owner arrested in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot believes a "short sentence of probation" would be sufficient punishment, along with $500 restitution, according ... April 18, 2023

Time for a new Arkansas state bird? After almost a century, is Arkansas ready for a new state bird?Two bills were proposed in the last legislative session to change the name of the state bird -- to painted bunting or mallard duck -- but... April 16, 2023

Barnett sentencing set for May 24 The sentencing of Richard "Bigo" Barnett in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot has been postponed from May 3 to May 24.U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper filed an order Friday morn... April 15, 2023

U.S. Capitol rioter Barnett's sentencing postponed until May 24 The sentencing of Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette has been postponed from May 3 to May 24.U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper filed an order this morning granting a motion from the ... April 14, 2023

Prosecutors: Sentence Barnett on May 3, as scheduled Federal prosecutors have asked a District of Columbia judge not to postpone Richard "Bigo" Barnett's sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for May 3.Jonathan Gross, one of Barnett's... April 13, 2023

Arkansas gas station, jail and dormitories named to National Register A gas station in Fordyce, college dormitories in Magnolia and the Flippin City Jail have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.That's according to Ralph S. Wilcox, National Regist... April 13, 2023

Gravette man asks for sentencing to be postponed in his Capitol riot case An attorney for Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette has asked that his May 3 sentencing be postponed.In a motion filed late Monday, Jonathan Gross wrote that a 107-page decision issued Friday... April 12, 2023

Defending Bigo Barnett and other Jan. 6ers took toll on lawyer’s health Representing Jan. 6 defendants such as Richard "Bigo" Barnett, Christopher Quaglin and Ryan Taylor Nichols "has taken a profound toll on my health, my safety ... and my resources, wheth... April 11, 2023

Tornado alleys stay in their lanes, but Arkansas in 'fatality alley' Over the past 40 years, tornado activity has increased by about 10% in the mid-South and decreased by the same amount in the Texas panhandle through southwestern Kansas, said Harold Brooks, a senior r... April 9, 2023

Judge approves departure of half of Barnett’s legal team A federal judge in the District of Columbia approved motions on Thursday for two of Richard "Bigo" Barnett's four lawyers to leave his case before sentencing, which is scheduled for May ... April 7, 2023

Arkansas Supreme Court denies motion to dismiss West Memphis 3 case The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday denied a motion by the state to dismiss an appeal for new DNA testing in the West Memphis Three case.The appeal of a Crittenden County Circuit Court decision was... April 7, 2023

Governor: Cleanup, recovery crews continue work despite new round of storms in Arkansas Severe weather that stretched across Arkansas overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday did little to curb cleanup and recovery efforts in the state, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said."Despite the fact... April 6, 2023

Geyer stays on Barnett’s legal team An attorney for high-profile Jan. 6 defendants has decided to stay on Richard "Bigo" Barnett's legal team through his sentencing, which is scheduled for May 3 in Washington, D.C.After a ... April 6, 2023

Carroll County sees damage from Wednesday morning’s severe weather For the most part, Arkansas dodged another round of tornadoes Wednesday.But David Writer isn't so sure.He said an apparent tornado damaged a Tobacco Outlet on Berryville's Main Street before i... April 6, 2023

Barnett OK with his lawyers leaving? Judge wants to know A federal judge in the District of Columbia wants to make sure Richard "Bigo" Barnett of Gravette is OK with three of his four attorneys exiting the case before his sentencing."I must s... April 4, 2023

Twisters’ death toll up to 5: Tornado strongest to hit Little Rock since ’99 Recovery efforts were underway Saturday in central Arkansas and Wynne after tornadoes plowed through the state on Friday, killing five people and injuring dozens.Four fatalities were reported in Wynne... April 1, 2023

Little Rock mayor to declare emergency in response to tornado Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. will declare a state of emergency to allow the city to receive federal and state disaster aid as it recovers from Friday’s devastating storm, city officials announced... April 1, 2023

Memphis weather service sends team to assess Wynne storm damage The National Weather Service office in Memphis has dispatched a team of three people to Wynne to survey the storm damage and determine if a tornado struck the city on Friday."It'll probably b... April 1, 2023