Stories by NWA Democrat-Gazette

Five people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsBella VistaJason Worley, 38, of 5 Shepton Lane in Bella Vista, was arrested Tuesday in connection with sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child, delivery of a controlled substance and inte... March 23, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | THURSDAY’S THUMBS: Arkansas gets an “election integrity unit,” but will it live up to its name? It's Thursday and another chance to fire off a few up or down thumbs about some of news developments in our neck of the woods and elsewhere:[THUMBS UP] There's little question a growing number... March 23, 2023

LISTEN: Beth Stockdell’s “Beneath the Starry Moonlight” release show coming to the Fayetteville library [DON'T SEE THE PODCAST ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/321bethstockdell/]Beth Stockdell will release “Beneath the Starry Moonlight,” a collection of love songs with the theme of stars... March 21, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Short-term rentals for tourists chip away at housing availability for locals "Strangers aren't that strange. Try hosting," says the AirBnB commercial as it seeks out homeowners willing to turn their properties into tourist lodging.VRBO -- which stands for Vacatio... March 21, 2023

Another day passes, no word on two men who went missing while kayaking on Beaver Lake ROGERS -- The search for a father and son who went missing on Beaver Lake stretched into its third day Saturday with no news of the men being found.Chuck Morris, 47, and his son Charley Morris, 20, bo... March 19, 2023

Divorces The following divorces granted were recorded March 2 - March 15 in the Benton and Washington counties clerks’ offices.BENTON COUNTY22-500. Keenan Lightner v. Erin Lightner 22-669. Jessica S... March 19, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Libraries in the cross hairs: Serving community information needs is bound to offend someone Check it out: Librarians aren't enemies of the people.They aren't now. They weren't back five, 10, 20 or 30 years ago, either. But every few years someone decides libraries are the battleg... March 19, 2023

Four seek library director post in Pea Ridge PEA RIDGE -- Four people have applied for the library director position in the wake of the resignation of Alex Wright who served as the librarian for the past seven years.Applications have been receiv... March 18, 2023

Full agenda on tap for Pea Ridge City Council on Tuesday PEA RIDGE -- Several items of business will be presented to the City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday.Four items are from the Fire Department and two are from the superintendent of the Water Uti... March 18, 2023

Three people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsBella VistaLeigha Stroud, 18, of 15461 Putman Road in Rogers, was arrested Friday in connection with aggravated assault. Stroud was being held Friday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.... March 18, 2023

Pair of home businesses requests OK’d in Pea Ridge PEA RIDGE -- Two home occupation requests were presented and approved during the recent meeting of the Pea Ridge City Council.One of the approved home occupation requests was presented by Greg Pickens... March 18, 2023

LISTEN: Know the News - Strong Towns to promote safe streets in Fayetteville [DON'T SEE THE PODCAST ABOVE? Click here: nwaonline.com/317knowthenews/]DeLani Bartlette, a Fayetteville resident, has spearheaded a local chapter of Strong Towns to promote safe streets and urban... March 17, 2023

Six people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas Arrests4th Judicial Drug Task ForceEddie Higgins, 41, of 906 Holcomb St. in Springdale, was arrested Wednesday in connection with possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with purpose to deliver. Higg... March 17, 2023

Misidentified foot actually bear paw BENTONVILLE — A foot initially thought to be human turned out to be a black bear paw, according to the Benton County sheriff’s office.Lt. Shannon Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the sheriff&rsq... March 17, 2023

Deputies searching Beaver Lake for missing kayakers ROGERS — Benton County sheriff’s deputies were searching for two missing kayakers late Thursday.Maj. Kenneth Paul with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday evening deputi... March 17, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Lawmaker pushes for keeping more of the public’s business out of sight This week is recognized across the country as Sunshine Week, an annual observance by advocates of open government that recognizes the importance of keeping public information and decision making in th... March 17, 2023

Springtown council hears of road projects SPRINGTOWN -- According to draft minutes of the Springtown council meeting on Feb. 8, the Readings Road Project to add more gravel was to be performed by Reams Excavating as weather and time permits.I... March 17, 2023

Spring sports report SOCCERROGERS Hernandez surprised by dedicationRogers won a boys soccer tournament last week at Fort Smith Northside, an accomplishment that meant even more when the Mounties dedicated the tournament t... March 17, 2023

LISTEN: Prep Rally - State Basketball Championship recap; Incredible pitching from Pea Ridge [DON'T SEE THE PODCAST ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/31723preprally/]Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters break down Pea Ridge pitcher Emory Bowlin's incredible week, she st... March 16, 2023

How ‘emBEARassing.’ Foot thought to be human turns out to be bear claw BENTONVILLE -- A foot originally thought to be human turned out to be a black bear claw, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.Lt. Shannon Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Of... March 16, 2023

Bentonville-owned animal services facility to hold grand opening April 8 BENTONVILLE -- A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new city Animal Services and Adoption Center will be held at 10 a.m. April 8.The 7,100-square-foot building is at the corner of South... March 16, 2023

Seven people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsBenton County Sheriff's OfficeCiera Spence, 23, of Gentry, was arrested Monday in connection with domestic battering. Spence was being held Tuesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond se... March 16, 2023

Police identify Springdale man who died in Saturday night crash SPRINGDALE -- Police have identified Alberto Flores as the man killed in a two-vehicle accident Saturday night in Springdale.Flores, 32, of Springdale, died in the crash. Joyce Venable, 76, was injure... March 16, 2023

Still want to vote? Postcards being sent in Benton County asking voters to confirm or cancel registration BENTONVILLE -- Many Benton County voters will receive a blue or yellow postcard in the mail over the next few weeks, according to a news release.The mailers are sent out to verify voters' addresse... March 16, 2023

Bentonville Connections series starts April 27 at city library; mayor, city staff to offer community updates BENTONVILLE -- The second Bentonville Connections series will start April 27.Mayor Stephanie Orman and city staff will provide department and community updates.Bentonville Connections will be from 11:... March 16, 2023

COMMUNITY SPORTS The Matrix to join Professional Padel League The Matrix Racquet Club in Lowell is one of six franchises to join the first Professional Padel League in North America. The Matrix team is owned by B... March 16, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | THURSDAY THUMBS: Fort Smith, Ebbing air base get some high-flying news It's Thursday and another chance to fire off a few up or down thumbs about some of news developments in our neck of the woods and elsewhere:[THUMBS UP] The official word has arrived: Fort Smith&#3... March 16, 2023

Probable claws: Foot found in Benton County belonged to bear, Sheriff’s Office says BENTONVILLE -- A foot originally thought to be human turned out to be the foot of a black bear, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.Lt. Shannon Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff&#... March 15, 2023

Six people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas Arrests4th Judicial District Drug Task ForceBryce Sarver, 51, of 1122 N. Personal Drive in Fayetteville, was arrested Friday in connection with possession of drugs with intent to deliver. Sarver was b... March 14, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL: Basketball Hogs, perplexing at times, nonetheless earned their way into The Dance We've heard it said, but not by whom, that "Expectation is the root of all heartache."The phrase eloquently suggests that objectivity gets lost in that equation. It's not what actual... March 14, 2023

Farmington church plans women’s self-defense workshop for March 30 FARMINGTON -- Farmington United Methodist Church and its United Women in Faith will sponsor a self-defense workshop for women and girls 13 years old and older from 6-8 p.m. March 30.The workshop is fr... March 13, 2023

LISTEN: TheatreSquared announces next season [DON'T SEE THE PODCAST ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/313theatresquared/]TheatreSquared Artistic Director Bob Ford and Director of New Play Development Dexter Singleton reveal what’s comin... March 13, 2023

Weather photography to be topic of discussion at Bella Vista Photography Club meeting BELLA VISTA -- Photographer Doug Keck will share his weather photography experiences with the Bella Vista Photography Club on Thursday.Keck says he loves being out in the elements trying to capture th... March 13, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Creeping along toward XNA’s Concourse A may become a part of history When one travels by air these days, any little convenience helps. If you doubt it, consider how frequent travelers pay extra and submit themselves to added government intrusion into their lives just s... March 13, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Will Arkansas’ governor be an advocate for public schools? Public school educators in Arkansas could understandably feel a little beat up as Gov. Sarah Sanders pursued her reforms of Arkansas education in the state Legislature.To arrive at the absolute necess... March 12, 2023

Springdale man gets 33 years in prison for sexual exploitation of girl, child porn FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale man was sentenced Thursday to 33 years in prison without the possibility of parole on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor via production of child pornography and o... March 11, 2023

Six people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas Arrests4th Judicial District Drug Task ForceMitchell Nwachukwu, 33, of 3210 W. Woodfield Way in Fayetteville, was arrested Thursday in connection with possession of drugs with intent to deliver. Nwach... March 11, 2023

LISTEN: Know the News - Fayetteville's newest superintendent [DON'T SEE THE PODCAST ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/310knowthenews/]The Fayetteville School Board this week chose its next superintendent of schools: John Mulford, currently the deputy superin... March 10, 2023

Eight people arrested on various charges in Northwest Arkansas ArrestsBenton County Sheriff's OfficeWesley Graves, 31, of 12550 Cannon Road in Rogers, was arrested Thursday in connection with sexual assault. Graves was being held Thursday in the Benton County... March 10, 2023

Longtime principal at Garfield Elementary hired to lead Lowell Elementary ROGERS -- Garfield Elementary School will need a new principal for its final year.Stephen Bowman, Garfield's principal since 2011, will take over as principal of Lowell Elementary School, which is... March 9, 2023

Three people arrested on various charges in Washington and Benton counties ArrestsFayettevilleJeremy Horton, 42, of 101 Locust Ave. in Fayetteville, was arrested Tuesday in connection with forgery. Horton was being held Wednesday in the Washington County Detention Center on ... March 9, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | THURSDAY THUMBS: Thanks for the memories, AQ It's Thursday and another chance to fire off a few up or down thumbs about some of news developments in our neck of the woods and elsewhere:[THUMBS UP] It's tempting to give the approaching pe... March 9, 2023

WATCH: Sanders signs Arkansas LEARNS bill into law at noon Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed her education overhaul, known as the Arkansas LEARNS Act, into law shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.Watch the signing here:  [Video not showing? Clic... March 8, 2023

Six people arrested on various charges in Washington and Benton counties ArrestsFayettevilleKeondrick Plummer, 30, of 506 Betty Jo Drive in Fayetteville, was arrested Monday in connection with failure to register as a sex offender. Plummer was being held Tuesday in the Was... March 8, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | Emergency operations center needs a permanent site in Washington County In the paper the other day, the lede of a Washington County story rightly focused on millions of dollars in requests for covid-related funding. Farther into the story was another important issue vital... March 8, 2023

Six people arrested on various charges in Washington and Benton counties ArrestsFayettevilleDonovan Draper, 27, of 11085 Ruby Hall Road in Fayetteville, was arrested Friday in connection with rape. Draper was being held Monday in the Washington County Detention Center on $... March 7, 2023

Sheriff: Scott County man dies after floodwater sweeps him into Poteau River A Scott County man died in flooding near Waldron, according to a news release from the Scott County sheriff's office.The sheriff's office reports it was alerted early Friday morning that the m... March 5, 2023

NWA EDITORIAL | UA chancellor reacts with calm reason after artist exhibit exposes too much to public If you're subject to traumatization when someone puts reasonable barriers in place so that the public isn't surprised by an art exhibit's nudity and sexual images, don't read this edit... March 5, 2023

WATCH: Jonesboro reaction to win over Cabot [DON'T SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/35jonesboro/]Jonesboro's Deion Buford-Wesson scored 17 points and made two clutch free throws 3.7 seconds to play to give Jonesboro a 40-3... March 4, 2023

WATCH: Conway defeats Little Rock Central [DON'T SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE? CLICK HERE: nwaonline.com/35conway/]Conway head coach Ashley Hutchcraft talks about the teams win against Little Rock Central Saturday March 4, 2023 in the 6A state bas... March 4, 2023