Stories by Laurinda Joenks

FAA grant brings surplus to Springdale airport budget SPRINGDALE -- The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the city $57,162 in covid-19 relief money for use at the Springdale Municipal Airport. The City Council on Tuesday night voted 8-0 to acce... April 14, 2021

NW Arkansas cultures inspire Jones Center design SPRINGDALE -- Designers creating a new vision of the Jones Center campus have put the nature and the culture of Northwest Arkansas at the center of the new space. Scott Jordan and Jessica Doig of Civ... April 11, 2021

Railroad refuses to open new crossing SPRINGDALE — The city has spent nearly $500,000 for a new crossing of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad’s tracks at West Maple Avenue and closed a crossing on East Meadow Avenue at the railroad’s r... April 11, 2021

Springdale's melting pot provides inspiration for recreated Jones Center campus SPRINGDALE -- Designers creating a new vision of the Jones Center campus have put the nature and the culture of Northwest Arkansas at the center of the new space. Scott Jordan and Jessica Doig of Civ... April 9, 2021

Springdale Planning Commission rejects zoning request SPRINGDALE -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday rejected 5-2 a rezoning proposal to allow heavy industrial use near homes along East Apple Blossom Avenue and North Oak Street, east of North Thompson ... April 7, 2021

Springdale enjoys westward expansion SPRINGDALE -- All of Springdale will benefit when nearly 550 single-family homes are built in the city's northwest quadrant, local leaders said. Property taxes will improve the school system. Sales t... April 6, 2021

Springdale wants trucks to stick to designated routes through city SPRINGDALE -- Heavy construction trucks being driven on the city streets are damaging them, and the city wants to make them responsible for fixing them. The city would require contractors and others ... April 6, 2021

Rabbit Foot Lodge land pact in works SPRINGDALE -- The city has made a commitment to preserve the Rabbit Foot Lodge and plans to do the same for the land surrounding it. City officials are working with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust ... April 2, 2021

Springdale's Shaw Park to open this weekend SPRINGDALE -- Shaw Family Park is ready for visitors. The park in the northwest part of town opens this weekend, said Chad Wolf, director of the city Parks and Recreation Department. The 120-acre par... March 30, 2021

Northwest Arkansas police departments find drones useful SPRINGDALE -- The police officers determined their shooting suspect was holed up in a house on East Robinson Avenue. While officers waited for the SWAT team, the department's drone team saw the suspec... March 21, 2021

Plans advancing for sewer service in Bethel Heights SPRINGDALE -- The Springdale Water and Sewer Commission took one more step Wednesday to provide permanent sewer service to the residents of the former town of Bethel Heights. The commission approved ... March 19, 2021

Springdale utility starts permanent fix for Bethel Heights SPRINGDALE -- The Springdale Water and Sewer Commission took one more step Wednesday to provide permanent sewer service to the residents of the former town of Bethel Heights. The commission approved ... March 18, 2021

Springdale council decides to keep charging for garage sales SPRINGDALE -- The City Council decided to keep the $10 fee the city requires for residents to hold garage sales. The city's permit requirement and fee were suspended in March last year by Mayor Doug ... March 16, 2021

Donation of land to Springdale will enhance city's section of Razorback Greenway SPRINGDALE -- The City Council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to accept a donation of roughly 8 acres along the Razorback Greenway to use as a park and enhancement of the Greenway. The land sits ... March 10, 2021

Springdale approves plans for Chick-fil-A SPRINGDALE -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday night unanimously approved 9-0 plans for construction of a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The commissioners also heard plans for another, the All American Ste... March 3, 2021

Downtown Springdale group seeks more money SPRINGDALE — Jill Dabbs, executive director of the Downtown Springdale Alliance, on Monday asked the City Council increase by 100% the amount of the city’s contract with the Alliance. The city pays t... March 2, 2021

Springdale wants sludge dryer completed SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Water Utilities watches opportunities for saving money and making money drip away as it waits for construction of its sludge dryer to close, according to the utilities' direct... February 27, 2021

Downtown Springdale Alliance reports banner year despite pandemic SPRINGDALE -- The Downtown Springdale Alliance can count 28 new, developing and growing businesses in the city's central district last year -- despite the shutdown created by covid-19. "The year was ... February 24, 2021

Transition easy for Springdale, Bethel Heights merger SPRINGDALE -- Sunday marks six months since Springdale annexed the 3,000 residents and 2.4 square miles that comprised the city of Bethel Heights. Springdale has added about $3.6 million to its coffe... February 21, 2021

Springdale council considers property to enhance parks SPRINGDALE -- The City Council members gave their OK on Thursday to buying two pieces of property to enhance two of its emerging parks. The council met as a Committee of the Whole Thursday after its ... February 19, 2021

Springdale gets street smart with overlay program SPRINGDALE -- The City Council should decide tonight whether to repair the worst streets first or do the work by zones. A recent survey of all the streets helped the city staff prioritize repairs, sa... February 16, 2021

Judge rules Elm Springs must repay $342,000 in development impact fees ELM SPRINGS -- The city must refund $342,384 in fees it charged developers, a judge ruled. Capstone Builders of Springdale, owned by Norm Ditch, sued Elm Springs in Washington County Circuit Court. T... February 13, 2021

Springdale council OKs additional $1.5 million for municial campus SPRINGDALE -- The City Council on Tuesday night reluctantly approved an additional $1.5 million for the construction of its municipal campus. Council member Mike Overton voted against the measure. T... February 10, 2021

Springdale works to expand trails SPRINGDALE -- The city has six trail projects in some stage of planning or construction and has allocated all of its money available this year for the projects, reported Brad Baldwin, director of the ... February 8, 2021

Starbucks location planned for downtown Springdale SPRINGDALE -- The city Planning Commission approved 9-0 Tuesday night a rezoning to bring a Starbucks location to downtown. The property at 408 N. Thompson St. sits on the northwest corner of Thompso... February 3, 2021

Springdale council to consider votes to spend $1.5 million more for city hall project SPRINGDALE -- The City Council working as a Committee of the Whole on Tuesday passed on for vote an additional $1.5 million for construction of its new municipal campus. The council will vote on two ... February 2, 2021

Nature at heart of Luther George Park in Springdale SPRINGDALE -- A little strip of an Ozark stream inspired the redesign of Luther George Park. Spring Creek runs through the south part of the 10-acre park on its way through downtown to Lake Springdal... February 1, 2021

Campus in Springdale to undergo redesign SPRINGDALE -- Many tongues have spoken, and they overwhelmingly asked for the same result from a reimagined Jones Center: A place to come together. The Walton Family Foundation awarded a design excel... January 29, 2021

Springdale Council OKs $424,000 for Rabbit Foot restoration SPRINGDALE -- Rabbit Foot Lodge got lucky Tuesday night when City Council members supported a $424,158 construction contract to replace the roof of the historic structure. The council is set to vote ... January 27, 2021

Springdale council OKs $424,158 for building restoration SPRINGDALE — Rabbit Foot Lodge got lucky Tuesday night when City Council members supported a $424,158 construction contract to replace the roof of the historic structure. The council is set to vote o... January 26, 2021

Community asked to reimagine Jones Center as part of grant process SPRINGDALE -- Many tongues have spoken, and they overwhelmingly asked for the same result from a reimagined Jones Center: "Un lugar para reunirse" in Spanish;" Jinkin eo nan aolep" in Marshallese; or ... January 24, 2021

Springdale developers ready to play with projects in ballpark district SPRINGDALE -- Developers plan some big hits for the city's ballpark district. The city's Planning Commission on Jan. 5 approved plans for two multifamily housing projects, and two major medical facil... January 18, 2021

Springdale City Council sets stage for rental town homes in Har-Ber Meadows subdivision SPRINGDALE -- The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a change in the development plan of Har-Ber Meadows allowing construction of multifamily rental units in the community. The town homes w... January 13, 2021

City Council candidates file final accounting of funds SPRINGDALE -- The two candidates who spent the most and the least, Kevin Flores and Jeff Watson, respectively, won their seats on the City Council during the Nov. 3 general election. Candidates were ... January 9, 2021

Casey's requests design variances for unique lot in east Springdale SPRINGDALE -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved variances to building codes and then the overall development plan for a new Casey's General Store at East Robinson Avenue and Orio... January 6, 2021

Springdale agencies on move SPRINGDALE -- City departments are leaving the downtown administration building to make way for construction of a municipal campus at the same location. The Planning Department staff will move the se... December 31, 2020

Springdale city departments leave city hall SPRINGDALE -- City departments are leaving the downtown administration building to make way for construction of a municipal campus at the same location. The Planning Department staff will move the se... December 29, 2020

Reentry program helps parolees succeed SPRINGDALE -- Harold Randall Hartness said 2020 has been the best year of his life. He left prison, and he boarded an airplane Wednesday to spend Christmas with his son and family in Florida. "I got... December 28, 2020

Reentry program helps parolees succeed SPRINGDALE -- Harold Randall Hartness said 2020 has been the best year of his life. He left prison. He also boarded an airplane Wednesday to spend Christmas with his son and family in Florida. "I go... December 27, 2020

Springdale city leaders approve budget for '21 SPRINGDALE -- The City Council on Tuesday approved 7-1 a $56 million operating budget for 2021 for Springdale. Mayor Doug Sprouse on Dec. 1 introduced the budget proposal. The now-approved budget rem... December 23, 2020

Springdale Council member threatens to cut library budget SPRINGDALE -- The Public Library Board backs its director in a dispute with Springdale City Council member Amelia Williams, who has threatened to cut the library budget if more services aren't offered... December 21, 2020

Council considers budget cuts in uniforms, training SPRINGDALE -- Mayor Doug Sprouse on Dec. 22 will present to the City Council for approval a 2021 budget little changed from the $52,036,280 budget he introduced last month. The mayor will add to the ... December 15, 2020

Springdale's new nature center encourages learning for all ages SPRINGDALE -- A high-tech gateway to the outdoors officially opened Thursday afternoon when a ribbon was cut on the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center. Andrew Parker, chairma... December 11, 2020

Springdale council tables budget decision SPRINGDALE -- The City Council on Tuesday voted 8-0 to table a vote on the 2021 city budget. Members took the action before comments from citizens, before the minutes from the last meeting were appro... December 9, 2020

Springdale council members want library to open SPRINGDALE -- Members of the City Council asked Monday night why the city's library hasn't opened since closing in the spring to prevent the spread of the covid-19. Councilwoman Amelia Williams said ... December 8, 2020

Springdale Police Department wants support for officers SPRINGDALE -- The well-being of its officers will be the top priority for the Police Department in 2021, Chief Mike Peters told the City Council on Wednesday. Peters presented a $20 million budget fo... December 3, 2020

Springdale to build four new hangars at airport SPRINGDALE -- The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved 9-0 a plan to build up to four new hangars at the Springdale Municipal Airport but rejected 7-2 the developer's requests for variances of the ... December 2, 2020

Springdale mayor introduces 2021 budget SPRINGDALE -- Mayor Doug Sprouse introduced his $56 million budget for 2021 to members of the City Council in a special session Monday night, saying the city was in a better financial situation than i... December 1, 2020

Readers can help feed families during holiday season w/ photo, video by David Readers of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette can help feed the hungry in the region through monetary donations to the newspaper's Community Christmas Card. The Northwe... November 29, 2020

Incumbent endorses challenger for seat on Springdale Council SPRINGDALE -- Mark Fougerousse has received the endorsement of his opponent in the Dec. 1 runoff election for City Council. "I want to leave our City Council in a way that adds value to Springdale an... November 22, 2020