Ron Wood | Stories

Former Springdale teacher pleads guilty to soliciting sexually explicit photos FAYETTEVILLE -- A former Springdale High School teacher pleaded guilty Wednesday to soliciting photographs of a child participating or engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Randall Scott Peckham, 59... July 30, 2021

Former Springdale teacher pleads guilty to soliciting sexually explicit photos FAYETTEVILLE -- A former Springdale High School teacher pleaded guilty Wednesday to soliciting photographs of a child participating or engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Randall Scott Peckham, 59... July 29, 2021

Regional planners look to dole out $9 million for 2022 projects in Northwest Arkansas SPRINGDALE -- Regional planners have a list of proposed transportation and trail projects for next year that will use about $9 million the region receives from the Federal Highway Administration. Thr... July 29, 2021

Billups arraigned on Dickson Street shooting charge in Fayetteville FAYETTEVILLE -- A man who police say shot at three people in a car inside a Dickson Street parking garage pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of committing a terroristic act. Travean Billups, 22, o... July 27, 2021

Billups arraigned on Dickson Street shooting charge FAYETTEVILLE -- A man who police say shot at three people in a car inside a Dickson Street parking garage pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of committing a terroristic act. Travean Billups, 22, o... July 26, 2021

Ozark Regional Transit selects outside helper for implementing plan in Northwest Arkansas SPRINGDALE -- The Ozark Regional Transit Authority board agreed Thursday to hire a facilitator to help begin implementing a 10-year public transit plan. The board also approved a plan to give employe... July 23, 2021

Residents of Bentonville subdivisions worry about impact of widening Arkansas 112 State highway officials have removed the most controversial route for improvements and widening of Arkansas 112 to four lanes in Bentonville but, residents of the area said Thursday evening they still... July 23, 2021

Northwest Arkansas National Airport moving on parking, tower and gate projects HIGHFILL -- Northwest Arkansas National Airport officials in a special meeting Wednesday gave staff the go-ahead to move several projects forward, including siting a new control tower, replacing parki... July 22, 2021

Northwest National moving on parking, tower and gate projects HIGHFILL -- Northwest Arkansas National Airport officials in a special meeting Wednesday gave staff the go-ahead to move several projects forward including siting a new control tower, replacing parkin... July 21, 2021

Land acquitted of rape, convicted of battery, other charges in Fayetteville trial FAYETTEVILLE -- A Washington County jury acquitted a man of rape Tuesday but convicted him of slashing his estranged wife's face from her ear to mouth, beating her, threatening to kill her and keeping... July 21, 2021

Cave Springs residents concerned about economic impact of proposed highway improvements CAVE SPRINGS -- The state highway department envisions a new, four-lane Arkansas 112 going around the west side of Cave Springs, and that has a lot of residents wondering what economic impact it will ... July 21, 2021

Highway department has amended plans for Arkansas 112 improvements in Northwest Arkansas, now seeking public input The design for improvements and widening of Arkansas 112 to four lanes have changed since the Arkansas Department of Transportation first showed the plans to the public in December and residents are g... July 20, 2021

Fayetteville man admits cutting woman's face, but denies rape FAYETTEVILLE -- A man on trial in Washington County Circuit Court this week admits slashing his estranged wife's face from ear to mouth but maintains he didn't rape her. Levi Cody Land, 40, is charge... July 20, 2021

New ramp opening on Bella Vista Bypass BENTONVILLE -- Southbound traffic in Bentonville will begin using a newly constructed entrance ramp to the Bella Vista Bypass on Wednesday, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation officials... July 20, 2021

New ramp opening on Bella Vista Bypass BENTONVILLE -- Southbound traffic in Bentonville will begin using a newly constructed entrance ramp to the Bella Vista Bypass on Wednesday, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation officials... July 19, 2021

J.B. Hunt giving $5 million to Springdale children's hospital SPRINGDALE -- J.B. Hunt Transport Services will give Arkansas Children's Northwest $1 million annually for the next five years to support expansion at the hospital. The new commitment of $5 million b... July 9, 2021

Gun in pants sends Fayetteville felon to prison FAYETTEVILLE -- A convicted felon was sentenced Thursday to more than nine years in federal prison for having a gun. Marcellius Ricardio Phillips, 38, of Fayetteville was sentenced to 110 months in f... July 9, 2021

Regional planners to meet in-person in Springdale SPRINGDALE -- The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission is resuming some in-person meetings this month but will continue to have an online option. The Technical Advisory Committee and full ... July 9, 2021

Gun in pants sends Fayetteville felon to prison FAYETTEVILLE -- A convicted felon was sentenced Thursday to more than nine years in federal prison for having a gun. Marcellius Ricardio Phillips, 38, of Fayetteville was sentenced to 110 months in f... July 8, 2021

Hearing in Fayetteville rape case involving discredited FBI testimony moved to fall FAYETTEVILLE -- A judge Wednesday delayed a hearing for a Fayetteville man convicted of rape in 1990. Lonnie Dolphus Strawhacker, 66, was accused in 1989 of raping and beating a woman in Fayetteville... July 8, 2021

Hearing in rape case involving bogus FBI testimony moved to fall FAYETTEVILLE -- A judge Wednesday delayed a hearing for a Fayetteville man convicted of rape in 1990. Lonnie Dolphus Strawhacker, 66, was accused in 1989 of raping and beating a woman in Fayetteville... July 7, 2021

On-demand buses prove popular On-demand public transit has been successful enough during a trial in Rogers that regional transit providers are considering expanding the service to other Northwest Arkansas cities. On-demand transi... July 7, 2021

Lane closings for Bella Vista bypass expected most of July BENTONVILLE -- Construction of the new Bella Vista Bypass interchange with U.S. 71/Walton Boulevard and Interstate 49 requires various lane closings at the interchange, according to Arkansas Departmen... July 5, 2021

On-demand transit service could expand across Northwest Arkansas On-demand public transit has been successful enough during a trial in Rogers that regional transit providers are considering expanding the service to other cities. On-demand transit enables passenger... July 4, 2021

Arkansas Department of Transportation seeks input on new Arkansas 112 plans The Arkansas Department of Transportation has scheduled three, online public involvement meetings in July to show its plans to widen Arkansas 112. The online meetings will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. J... July 4, 2021

Ozark Regional Transit to observe holiday Monday SPRINGDALE -- Ozark Regional Transit offices will be closed and all transit services, fixed bus routes, on-demand, para-transit and demand/response will cease operations Monday to allow all staff time... July 4, 2021

Springdale teen Manzano sentenced for drive-by shooting FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale teen charged as an adult in connection with a drive-by shooting in 2018 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison Thursday afternoon in Washington County Circuit Court. ... July 2, 2021

Teen gets prison time in shooting FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale teen charged as an adult in connection with a drive-by shooting in 2018 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison Thursday afternoon in Washington County Circuit Court. ... July 2, 2021

Pea Ridge suspect was free despite pending charges, habit of not showing up for court The woman accused of running over and killing a Pea Ridge police officer Saturday was out of jail despite a history of low-level theft and drug offenses and a record of not showing up for court in Ben... July 1, 2021

Woman accused in Pea Ridge police officer’s death faced theft, drug charges The woman accused of running over and killing a Pea Ridge police officer Saturday was out of jail despite a history of low-level theft and drug offenses and a record of not showing up for court in Ben... July 1, 2021

Lane closures set for Bella Vista Bypass work BENTONVILLE -- Construction to build the new Bella Vista Bypass interchange with U.S. 71/North Walton Boulevard and Interstate 49 requires lane closing on U.S. 71/Walton Boulevard beginning this eveni... June 30, 2021

Springdale woman accused of killing husband given a trial date FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale woman charged with murder in the shooting death of her husband last year was given a Nov. 3 trial date Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court. Patricia Jordan of 440 ... June 30, 2021

Duggar's porn trial held back FAYETTEVILLE -- A judge agreed Tuesday to delay Josh Duggar's child pornography trial until November. Defense attorneys asked that the case be continued until sometime next year to allow them more ti... June 30, 2021

Railroad line could become relevant again a century after being abandoned Apples and railroads were a big deal in Northwest Arkansas in the early 1900s, with rail lines crisscrossing Benton County taking apples from the sprawling orchards to market. One of those lines once... June 28, 2021

Railroad line could become relevant again a century after being abandoned Apples and railroads were a big deal in Northwest Arkansas in the early 1900s, with rail lines crisscrossing Benton County to transport apples from the sprawling orchards to market, including a line t... June 27, 2021

FOIA complaint filed against Fayetteville Public Schools FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fort Smith attorney is suing the Fayetteville School District, alleging the district has refused to turn over documents he's requested. Joey McCutchen said he and Chip Sexton filed ... June 26, 2021

Transit board looking at three outfits to help implement new plans SPRINGDALE -- Ozark Regional Transit has three potential players to help the public transit provider begin implementing a 10-year plan. The transit board hopes to narrow the selection at a special me... June 25, 2021

Man says innocent to charge of tampering FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man was arraigned Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court on charges he disposed of a gun used in a fatal shooting. Juan Macias-Torres, 25, of 4081 N. Johnell Driv... June 25, 2021

Prairie Grove man arraigned in shooting of a police officer FAYETTEVILLE -- A Prairie Grove man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court in connection with shooting a police officer who lost part of a leg as a result. Nikolas Mack Colbe... June 24, 2021

Macias-Torres charged with tossing gun used in fatal shooting in Fayetteville FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man was arraigned Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court on charges he disposed of a gun used in a fatal shooting. Juan Macias-Torres, 25, of 4081 N. Johnell Driv... June 24, 2021

Herred arraigned on murder charge from fatal Fayetteville shooting FAYETTEVILLE -- A third person charged in a fatal shooting of a Fayetteville man last year was arraigned Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court. Devontae Herred, 25, of Fayetteville, pleaded no... June 24, 2021

Duggar trial-delay filing in FAYETTEVILLE -- U.S. attorneys don't oppose a short delay for the child pornography trial of Joshua Duggar, but they see no reason to wait until next year, according to a response filed in federal cou... June 24, 2021

Man pleads innocent to murder FAYETTEVILLE -- A third person charged in a fatal shooting of a Fayetteville man last year was arraigned Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court. Devontae Herred, 25, of Fayetteville, pleaded in... June 24, 2021

Prairie Grove man arraigned in shooting of a police officer FAYETTEVILLE -- A Prairie Grove man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court in connection with shooting a police officer who lost part of a leg as a result. Nikolas Mack Colbe... June 23, 2021

U.S. attorney opposes longer Duggar trial delay FAYETTEVILLE — U.S. attorneys don’t oppose a short delay for the child pornography trial of Joshua Duggar, but they see no reason to wait until next year, according to a response filed in federal cour... June 23, 2021

U.S. opposes longer delay in Duggar child porn trial FAYETTEVILLE -- U.S. attorneys don't oppose a short delay for the child pornography trial of Joshua Duggar, but they see no reason to wait until next year, according to a response filed in federal cou... June 22, 2021

Fayetteville man arraigned on sex trafficking charges FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man pleaded not guilty Monday in Washington County Circuit Court to charges of sex trafficking a minor. Najja Phillips, 26, of 3259 W. Jewell Road is charged with four ... June 22, 2021

Two arraigned on murder charges in fatal Fayetteville shooting FAYETTEVILLE -- Two of the three people accused in connection with the fatal shooting of Mario Lamont Miller during a robbery last year pleaded innocent Monday to murder charges in Washington County C... June 22, 2021

Fayetteville man arraigned on sex trafficking charges FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man pleaded not guilty Monday in Washington County Circuit Court to charges of sex trafficking a minor. Najja Phillips, 26, of 3259 W. Jewell Road, is charged with four... June 21, 2021

Stories by Ron Wood