Local Events
Mon., July 20 starting at 5:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Social Hour at Las Fajitas in Bella Vista (42 Sugar Creek Center); family friendly social event with good food and better company.
Tues., July 21 from 11 - noon - DPBC Coffee and Chat at the DPBC headquarters in Rogers (1504 W. Walnut); You bring your favorite cup of coffee and they’ll provide the donuts
Tues., July 21 from 5 - 6 p.m. - Arkansas Democrats Present: The Hub webinar; hear updates on the latest work from the state party to elect Democrats across the state this November; register to attend HERE
Thurs., July 23 at 6:30 p.m. - Troublemaking 101: Organizing to Change Your Community virtual event from Red Wine & Blue; training to learn organizing basics, how to get started, and how Red Wine & Blue can help you be successful. You will hear from other RWB members who have started local groups and learn how to connect with RWB grassroots leaders nationwide. Register to attend HERE.
Mon., July 27 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Senior Dems Lunch at the Golden Corral in Rogers; program featuring district 16 Democratic State Representative candidate Letisha Hinds starts at noon
Mon., July 27 at 11:30 a.m. - Political Animals Luncheon at the Golden Venue in Fayetteville (2630 East Citizens Dr.) featuring former U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson who recently published a book; lunch is $20 (paid at venue); to attend, RSVP by noon on Wed., July 22 to Judge John Threet at [email protected].
Tues., July 28 from 6 - 8 p.m. - Weave Monthly Gathering at The BloomHouse in Springdale (302 Holcomb); Join the Weaving NWA community as we celebrate both the art of weaving and America's 250th anniversary through a unique community circle and collective art experience. Learn more about the event and submit your RSVP HERE.
Thurs., July 30 from 1 - 2 p.m. - Advocacy 101 July Webinar from the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition; Rebecca Zimmermann, Community Engagement Director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, will go over what you should consider when making a plan to advocate, dos and don’ts, and strategies. Register to attend HERE.
Community Involvement Opportunities
Be an Election Day Poll Worker!
Poll workers are also known as “election officials” and are a vital part in any election. Each polling place requires a minimum of four poll workers by state statute, but Benton County usually assigns around six to eight election officials per Vote Center to help it run smoothly and efficiently.
Learn more about the duties and the process to apply HERE. For bonus points, Benton County would love to have more Spanish speaking election officials!
Volunteer to help PROTECT AR RIGHTS
The team at Protect AR Rights is thrilled to have submitted over 91K signatures for the ballot initiative. While they wait for the Secretary of State's review, they can continue to collect signatures to replace any that are thrown out by the state. Their current volunteer team has done SO much and they’re looking for additional volunteers in Benton County. The commitment can be as small as one two-hour session. It is very easy to get trained and your volunteer time can makes a huge difference!
Please reach out to Carol Vella at [email protected] to volunteer or to get more petitions.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, July 27 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
From Doug Thompson with NWA Dem Gazz, “New board and open meetings planned for Bella Vista’s Architectural Control Committee”
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Coffee with the Mayor with updates from Downtown Bentonville Inc. and the city Parks & Rec department will be at 8 a.m. on Tues., July 21 at the 21c Museum Hotel - RSVP HERE
From Jamie Smith with The Bentonville Bulletin, “Meet 4 Social Media Influencers Shaping How People See Bentonville - Their posts might be how you learn about a new restaurant. They might also be part of the reason someone new moves here”
From Jack Travis with Ozarks at Large, “New bike loop links downtown Bentonville's tourism hotspots”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Items of Note:
Visit with the Mayor on July 31 at 9 a.m. at the Cave Springs Community Building
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
The Highfill Parks Advisory Committee will be meeting on Tues., July 21 at 6 pm. at city hall; all community members welcome
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison and Tracy Neal at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Viral videos involving former Lowell police officer lead mayoral candidate to call for chief’s suspension - Concerns raised over FOIA responses, cop’s actions”
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
The future of walking, running, and cycling in Pea Ridge is taking a major step forward! The city will be presenting the Pea Ridge Active Transportation Master Plan to the Planning Commission and the public this Monday, July 20th at 6 p.m. at the Pea Ridge City Hall.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robison with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Rogers leaders: Bond proposal will include police HQ renovation, fire training expansion, nature park - Police HQ renovation, new nature park among goals”
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Planning Board of Appeals - July 20 at 6 p.m.
Committee of the Whole - July 21 at 6 p.m. - HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Quorum Court - July 23 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
Understanding the impact of legislation in Arkansas:
From Tess Vrbin with the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas Explained: What’s happening to the state’s Medicaid expansion? - Arkansas was the first state to use a hybrid expansion model that purchases private health insurance for low-income people with federal funds”
From Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen with ProPublica and co-published by the Arkansas Times, “This Private School Had Students Scrub Floors and Attack a Fellow Classmate. The State Still Funds It.”
From Worth Sparkman with Axios NWA, “Arkansas tops religious group's liberty ranking” - <CEJ: I think Webster’s Dictionary would protest this group’s definition of liberty…>
From Russell Contreras and Erin Davis with Axios, “1 big thing: The hidden costs of low-tax states”
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Updates:
From Talk Business & Politics, “Gov. Sanders announces trade mission to the UK, Belgium, Ireland”
From Worth Sparkman with Axios NWA, “Gov. Sanders leans on first term in reelection pitch”
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Election Information
Municipal Election Filing Starts Next Week!
Filings for each city in Benton County with non-partisan municipal positions up for election begins at noon on July 29 and ends at noon on August 5. More details on the filing and a copy of the signature collection document can be found HERE.
If you (or someone you know) is interested in learning more, please respond to this email. I’m happy to answer any questions/provide guidance about running for these types of positions. Benton County needs people just like you to step up and become more civically engaged!
Cities/Positions up for election Nov. 3, 2026:
Avoca: Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer, and all five council member positions
Bella Vista: Mayor, City Clerk, and council position 2 for wards 1-3
Bentonville: City Attorney and council position 1 for wards 1-4 (and position 2 for ward 1 to fill a vacancy)
Cave Springs: Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer, and all six council member positions
Centerton: Mayor, City Clerk, and council position 2 for wards 1-3
Decatur: Mayor and all six council member positions
Garfield: Mayor and all four council member positions
Gateway: Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer, and all five council member positions
Gentry: Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and all eight council member positions
Gravette: Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer, and all six council member positions
Highfill: Mayor and all six council member positions
Little Flock: Mayor and council position 2 for wards 1-3
Lowell: Mayor, City Clerk and council position 2 for wards 1-4
Pea Ridge: Mayor, City Clerk/Treasurer, and council position 2 for wards 1-3
Rogers: City Attorney and council positions 1 for wards 1-4
Siloam Springs: Director positions 1-4
Springdale: Council position 1 for wards 1-4 (and position 2 for ward 3 to fill a vacancy)
Springtown: Mayor, Recorder/Treasurer, and all five council member positions
Sulpher Springs: Mayor and all six council member positions
Voter Registration
Voter registration drive in Rogers on Saturday, Aug. 1st. See graphic below for details. Sign up to volunteer HERE.
Election Night Watch Party Location Search
The DPBC is looking for a donated or affordable location to host their Election Night Watch Party on November 3rd. Email the party at [email protected] if you have a suggestion (along with cost/details) that can meet most, if not all, of the wish list below.
ADA accessible and can easily accommodate 100 people
Located in the central part of Benton County with ample parking nearby an available to at least 11 p.m. on a Tuesday night
Food and beverages (including alcohol) available on site or nearby and can be brought into the location
Access to wi-fi, a sound system, and smart TVs to watch results
Book Release
Ben Wikler, the former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, is releasing his first book, “This Is The Plan - How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy.” If you are looking at the spiraling crisis of American politics in the Trump era and wondering how the hell we get out of this mess, This Is the Plan is the book you’ve been waiting for.
Consider purchasing via Two Friends Book Store using this LINK.
Odds & Ends
From Jessica Cervantes at the NWA Dem Gazz, “Immigrant advocacy group calls for boycott of Tontitown Grape Festival over police ICE partnership - Chief says officers not seeking to work as immigration agents”
From Rose Horowitch at The Atlantic (🎁article), “The End of Reading Is Here - Optimists once believed that universal literacy was inevitable. Now it seems that the age of reading might be a short anomaly in human history.”
And finally, an item on climate from Bill McKibben, “Smoke Gets In Your...Hole Where Your Soul Should Be - MAGA may have a set a new mark for belligerent stupidity”