Stories by Stacy Ryburn

About 2,000 Pfizer doses ready today at Northwest Arkansas Mall FAYETTEVILLE -- About 2,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are waiting for people to walk in and get a shot today at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. The Northwest Arkansas Council is hosting a vaccine clin... April 15, 2021

Commission OKs development plan for new middle school in west Fayetteville FAYETTEVILLE -- The plan for the School District's next middle school gained unanimous approval from planning commissioners present Monday. The commission voted 8-0 to approve a development plan for ... April 13, 2021

Clinics aim to make covid-19 vaccination easy for Northwest Arkansas residents Organizers hope more clinics will prompt more people to get a covid-19 vaccine shot with the power of convenience. Walmart has started clinics for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to res... April 10, 2021

Pfizer shots available at Lowell walk-in clinic LOWELL -- More than 1,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are ready for arms at the J.B. Hunt headquarters today. The Northwest Arkansas Council has set up a walk-in clinic at Building C at 708 W. Apple ... April 8, 2021

Vaccination clinics expanding reach in Northwest Arkansas Northwest Arkansas residents have several opportunities this week to pop in, get a covid-19 vaccination and go about their day. The Northwest Arkansas Council today is inviting anyone 16 and older to... April 8, 2021

Fayetteville city employees get second raise of year FAYETTEVILLE -- City employees got a raise for the second time this year. The City Council voted 8-0 to approve $1.9 million in raises for the rest of this year. The projected annual impact for the r... April 7, 2021

Developers need more help to build affordable housing in Northwest Arkansas The four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas are projected to expand by 80,000 households by 2040. High home prices and low inventory of houses for sale already put home ownership out of reach for ma... April 4, 2021

Land availability for housing in Northwest Arkansas shrinking Editor’s note: This story is second in a four-part series exploring the challenges and possible solutions for providing affordable housing in the region’s larger cities. Other stories - NWA following... March 29, 2021

Zoning plan for subdivision near Fayetteville golf course advances FAYETTEVILLE -- The Planning Commission on Monday narrowly approved a zoning plan associated with a subdivision near the southeastern city limit. Commissioners voted 5-3 to approve a planned zoning d... March 23, 2021

Land contract for parking deck gets council OK FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville City Council has approved a contract dealing with land for a parking deck downtown. The contract will have the city buy a 0.2-acre lot northwest of Dickson Street and... March 21, 2021

Attainable housing focus of new Northwest Arkansas Council center An initiative the Northwest Arkansas Council announced Thursday hopes to make attainable housing in the region more than just an idea. The council's workforce housing center will address housing affo... March 19, 2021

Center to focus on workforce housing in Northwest Arkansas A center intended to develop strategies to promote more attainable housing in the region is becoming part the Northwest Arkansas Council with backing from the Walton Family Foundation. The center wil... March 18, 2021

Fayetteville council approves parking deck land contract FAYETTEVILLE -- The City Council approved a contract dealing with land for a parking deck downtown and a zoning plan for an annexation at the northeastern city limits after months of discussion on the... March 17, 2021

Fayetteville Housing Authority board fires executive director FAYETTEVILLE -- The board of the Fayetteville Housing Authority fired the organization's executive director at a meeting that began Thursday evening and ended early Friday morning. The board voted 4-... March 10, 2021

Route on Fayetteville’s street plan needs to be reconsidered FAYETTEVILLE -- A route on the city's overall street plan may not be needed but should get a closer look, a majority of planning commissioners agreed Monday. The route in question lies east of the ci... March 9, 2021

Effort underway to restore wetland area in Fayetteville, improve public access FAYETTEVILLE -- Nature enthusiasts and indoorsy types alike will have access to a natural area that ecologists and archaeologists say has long-hidden stories to tell of biodiversity and history. The ... March 8, 2021

Fayetteville council accepts land for annexation, holds on land development plan FAYETTEVILLE -- The city gained 59 acres into its regulatory authority Tuesday, but an associated plan to develop the land was held. Two items associated with the proposed Chandler Crossing subdivisi... March 3, 2021

Fayetteville panel grapples with residential development challenges FAYETTEVILLE — It will take coordination across public and private sectors to meet a growing housing demand, and the effort needs to start now, panelists agreed during a forum Monday on residential de... March 2, 2021

Donors, city cash warmed homeless FAYETTEVILLE -- A combination of grant money and community donations helped keep more than 200 people safe when snow and record low temperatures battered the region more than a week ago. Homelessness... March 1, 2021

Cold-weather homelessness response a success, Northwest Arkansas organizations say FAYETTEVILLE -- A combination of grant money and community donations helped keep more than 200 people safe when snow and record low temperatures battered the region more than a week ago. Homelessness... March 1, 2021

Fayetteville public health officer answers readers' questions related to covid-19 vaccinations FAYETTEVILLE -- The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has an online resource for readers to ask questions about covid-19 and its impact on the region. Dr. Marti Sharkey, Fayetteville's public healt... February 27, 2021

Study in order for parking along West Avenue in Fayetteville, transportation committee says FAYETTEVILLE -- City staff will study on-street parking use on West Avenue to determine whether creating a paid parking district may be appropriate once street improvements associated with the arts co... February 24, 2021

Warehouse plan approved at site of former printer FAYETTEVILLE -- A longtime commercial printing business is set to become an office and warehouse after the Planning Commission approved development plans Monday. Commissioners voted 9-0 to approve th... February 23, 2021

Kessler Mountain Regional Park in Fayetteville to gain second baseball complex FAYETTEVILLE -- Another baseball complex for Kessler Mountain Regional Park will spur the city's economy and meet a growing demand for youth recreational play, parks employees and league backers say. ... February 21, 2021

Fayetteville council holds on parking deck contract decision; annexation request held as well FAYETTEVILLE -- A contract dealing with land for a parking deck downtown and an annexation request for several acres at the northeast city limits will again come before the City Council. Thursday's m... February 20, 2021

Fayetteville council holds on parking deck contract decision FAYETTEVILLE -- A contract for land to place a parking deck downtown will come up again during the City Council's next meeting March 2. The City Council late Thursday voted 8-0 to hold a deal between... February 19, 2021

Fayetteville City Council sends short-term rentals regulation back for committee review FAYETTEVILLE -- A proposal to regulate short-term rentals operating in the city was passed for the second time to a review committee and tabled for a month. The City Council on Thursday agreed the pr... February 19, 2021

NWA shivers; no heat for thousands Several thousand Northwest Arkansas residents endured rolling blackouts Tuesday, and about 2,300 customers in Pea Ridge lost service when pressure dropped in a Black Hills Energy natural gas service l... February 17, 2021

Recycling and trash collection in Fayetteville pushed because of inclement weather FAYETTEVILLE -- Residential trash and recycling collection in the city might resume Friday, depending on the weather. A city news release says residents who normally would have their trash picked up ... February 16, 2021

Fayetteville City Council meeting delayed because of extreme weather FAYETTEVILLE -- Tonight's City Council meeting has been rescheduled to 5:30 p.m. Thursday because of "extreme weather-related considerations," according to a city news release. All agenda items will ... February 16, 2021

Money to help coordinate cold response for those experiencing homelessness in Northwest Arkansas FAYETTEVILLE -- Money from the city's Community Development Block Grant program will help people living outside or in shelters stay warm through one of the coldest spells in recent memory. The U.S. D... February 14, 2021

Ground breaks on Fayetteville police headquarters FAYETTEVILLE -- Thursday marked a historic, but cold, day for the city's Police Department, Chief Mike Reynolds said. A groundbreaking was held for the police headquarters and fire station voters app... February 12, 2021

Ground breaks on Fayetteville police headquarters FAYETTEVILLE -- Construction at the site of the future police headquarters and fire substation officially got underway Thursday. The city held a groundbreaking on 11 ½ acres of vacant land north... February 11, 2021

Rent assistance available in Washington County Any resident of Washington County who needs help paying rent because of the covid-19 pandemic can apply through one of two housing authorities handling applications. The Fayetteville and Springdale h... February 11, 2021

Fayetteville Board of Health optimistic on virus presence in region FAYETTEVILLE -- Fewer people seeking tests for covid-19 may indicate a declining presence of the virus in the region; however, the city's Board of Health advocated residents continue diligently wearin... February 11, 2021

Northwest Arkansas shelters prepared to keep people warm during cold snap The pandemic has made it a little tricky to keep residents experiencing homelessness warm and safe, but organizations are prepared to try as blistering cold wallops the area this week. Northwest Arka... February 10, 2021

Expansion plans for Pratt Place Inn & Barn in Fayetteville approved FAYETTEVILLE -- The Planning Commission approved plans to expand a historic inn west of the University of Arkansas campus. Commissioners voted 7-0 Monday to approve a development plan for Pratt Place... February 9, 2021

Long-awaited lights coming to Fayetteville skate park FAYETTEVILLE — The future is bright for the skateboard park at Walker Park. The lights skaters, skateboarders and bikers have sought for years at the park should appear midway through the year. The ... February 5, 2021

NW residents can apply for rent, utility bill help Residents struggling to pay rent or utility bills in Northwest Arkansas because of the pandemic have help available. Benton County released information Tuesday on how residents can apply for federal ... February 5, 2021

Officials in Fayetteville, other Northwest Arkansas cities considering new Slow Streets for year FAYETTEVILLE -- The city wants suggestions on expanding a program intended to slow car traffic and provide pedestrians safe opportunities to be outside during the pandemic. Fayetteville, Rogers and B... February 4, 2021

Fayetteville council OKs fix in streamside protection ordinance FAYETTEVILLE -- The City Council on Tuesday corrected an oversight in the city's streamside protection ordinance dealing with the map of protected waterways and land newly annexed into the city. The ... February 3, 2021

Money available to renters in need Residents struggling to pay rent or utility bills in Northwest Arkansas because of the pandemic have help available. Benton County released information Tuesday on how residents can apply for federal ... February 3, 2021

Fayetteville park panel examines land dedication ordinance FAYETTEVILLE -- The park board needs to decide whether to keep the city's decades-old ordinance giving residential developers a choice between dedicating land and paying a fee, or opt for a fee alone,... February 2, 2021

Fayetteville health board discusses vaccine outreach for residents 70 and older FAYETTEVILLE -- The city Board of Health wants to ensure equitable access to the covid-19 vaccine for people 70 and older, especially those who are homebound. The board discussed outreach and putting... January 28, 2021

State of city sound despite pandemic, Fayetteville mayor says FAYETTEVILLE -- The past year challenged Mayor Lioneld Jordan unlike any other during his time in office, he said Tuesday during his annual state of the city address. The global covid-19 pandemic hea... January 27, 2021

'20 challenging, but Fayetteville strong, mayor says FAYETTEVILLE -- The past year challenged Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan unlike any other during his time in office, he said Tuesday during his annual State of the City address. The global covid-19... January 27, 2021

Commission approves development plan for Fayetteville police headquarters FAYETTEVILLE -- Development plans for a new police headquarters and fire substation passed the Planning Commission on Monday with unanimous support from the members who voted. The plans show an 82,63... January 26, 2021

Fayetteville adopts regulations for electric vehicle chargers FAYETTEVILLE -- The city has adopted standards for businesses installing electric vehicle charging stations as part of a larger plan to curb harmful emissions to the environment. The regulations the ... January 25, 2021

People can keep drinking outdoors in Fayetteville district FAYETTEVILLE -- Downtown bars and restaurants will be able to serve drinks on the go for at least another three years. The Outdoor Refreshment Area, which allows people to buy alcoholic drinks inside... January 21, 2021

Outdoor Refreshment Area expiration date extended for downtown Fayetteville FAYETTEVILLE -- The city's outdoor drinking area downtown will live on for at least three more years. Just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved extending the sunset clause fo... January 20, 2021