Local Events

  • Wed., Mar. 4 at 5:30 p.m. - League of Women Voters Washington County Drinks and Dialogue monthly event at Crisis Brewing in Fayetteville (210 S. Nelson Hackett Blvd.) featuring the ED/CEO of Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Janet Harris; admission is free and open to the public

  • Wed., Mar. 4 at 6 p.m. - Arkansas Coalition for Education Learn with a (former) Legislator Webinar; discussion with former State Senator Brenda Gullett about the backstory behind Arkansas's current school funding system, the court orders that precipitated the Special Master's refiguring of our funding formula, and some behind-the-scenes storytelling. Senator Gullett is a treasure trove of good work, good stories, and advocacy for our state's public schools. Register to attend HERE.

  • Thurs., Mar. 5 at 1 p.m. - Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF) Webinar: Revisiting the Children’s Fiscal Map; during the webinar Director Pete Gess will explain how to use the fiscal map, significant changes that have occurred since the map was developed, and how it can be used to prepare for advocacy during the Arkansas Legislature’s upcoming fiscal session. Register to attend HERE

  • Mon., Mar. 9 at 6:30 p.m. - Democratic Party of Benton County (DPBC) Monthly Meeting at the NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way) in Bentonville; this month’s meeting will feature the Democratic candidates running for state house seats in Benton County and a recap of the primary elections

  • Tues., Mar. 10 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. - What We Carry: Reception and Panel Discussion at the Bentonville Public Library (405 S Main St); Hear from artist Tram Colwin and selected refugee participants as they share the stories behind the watercolor exhibit featuring meaningful items carried on their journey to America.

  • Wed., Mar. 11 from 11 a.m. - noon - DPBC Coffee with Dems Meetup at Calmo Coffee in Rogers (3704 W Walnut St.); join for a casual cup of joe with likeminded community members

  • Wed., Mar. 11 at 5:30 p.m. - AACF Town Hall covering how we can protect SNAP in the upcoming Budget Session at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Community Room in Lowell (1604 Honeysuckle St.); Register to attend HERE

  • Thurs., Mar. 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Women's Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) Research Report Launch at the Fayetteville Public Library (Walker Community Room); Come to the launch of a new research report examining the economic realities of working mothers in Arkansas. RSVP to attend HERE

Community Involvement Opportunities

Signature Collection Event March 7th

Stop by the Bella Vista Recreation Center (3 Riordan Dr.) on Saturday, March 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sign the AR Educational Rights Amendment, Save AR Democracy Amendment, and the AR Ballot Measure Rights Amendment petitions!

Bella Vista Rotary Club International Women’s Day Celebration

The Bella Vista Rotary Club is hosting their 3rd annual International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 6th from 11:30 - 1 p.m.. It’s open to to anyone (no need to be a resident of Bella Vista or a Rotarian). It’s free, but they have limited seats so registration required HERE.

Municipal Government Awareness

Bella Vista

  • Next Council Mtng: Monday, Mar. 23 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)

Bentonville
Cave Springs

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 24 at 6 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)

Centerton

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 10 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Per a post on Facebook on Feb. 22nd, the City Mayor indicated he is still considering whether he will run for reelection again this year, and he will make a decision by early April. Mayor Bill has served for more than 21 years.

Gravette

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 17 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)

Highfill

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 10 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)

Lowell
Pea Ridge

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 17 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • Election Day Note: First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge will NOT be a voting center on Election Day (3/3/26). Pea Ridge voters can cast their ballot at The Ridge Church, or any other voting center in Benton County.

Rogers
Siloam Springs
Springdale

  • Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 10 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)

  • Items of Note:

    • “City residents 65 and older will be eligible to have their residential water and sewer rates frozen under two new ordinances adopted Tuesday by the City Council… In both the water and sewer ordinances, the city provides that residents 65 and older who are already being billed at a senior customer rate for solid waste pickup service will automatically be eligible for the freeze on their water and sewer rates and will not need to apply for the program.” Read more from Tom Sissom’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

County Government Awareness

Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission

“The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission will forward a request to study tolls on U.S. 412 to the Arkansas Department of Transportation... The Western Benton County Partnership, a nonprofit group of city, community and business leaders,… sent a letter to the commission Jan. 8, as part of the public comment on the 2050 plan, to “include a study to determine the feasibility of collecting tolls on U.S. 412 between Tontitown and Siloam Springs to fund the improvements needed to convert U.S. 412 to the future I-42.”" Read more from Doug Thompson’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz HERE.

Benton County Quorum Court

From the Benton County Newsletter’s Quorum Court Recap:

  • “The Benton County Quorum Court voted to approve the creation of a scenic corridor for the planned U.S. Hwy 412 Springdale Northern Bypass. This would prevent billboards or other outdoor advertising from being built along the highway.

  • A resolution to apply for grant funding to support the Benton County Mental Health Court was approved. The grant would provide $400,000 in federal funds to the program if awarded.

  • Justices of the Peace also approved three resolutions to apply for grants to fund a feasibility study for the Pioneer Panther Bike Trail between Siloam Springs and Gentry. If the grant applications are awarded, they will be passed to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.”

Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:

  • Planning Board Meeting - Mar. 4 at 6 p.m.

  • Election Commission Meeting (1428 W. Walnut St.) - Mar. 5 at 10 a.m.

  • Election Commission Meeting (1428 W. Walnut St.) - Mar. 9 at 1 p.m.

  • Finance Committee Meeting - Mar. 10 at 6 p.m.

  • Developmental Review Committee - Mar. 11 at 10 a.m.

State Government Awareness

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:

The Governor and her PACs (and some outside groups tied to her) have been making noise in multiple races across Arkansas.

  • “Two veteran Arkansas lawmakers are fighting for their political lives in Tuesday’s Republican primaries, with a barrage of mailers and ads funded by outside groups casting them as insufficiently conservative against challengers backed by GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.” Read more from Ainsley Platt in the Arkansas Advocate HERE.

  • If you really want to deep-dive into the shenanigans that have been going on, check out the Tracking Arkansas substack’s The Arkansas Machine series

Election Information

Reference Information for the March 3rd Election:

The Libertarian party of Arkansas nominated candidates during their annual convention last month. Those that were nominated and submit appropriate paperwork by Tuesday will appear on the ballot in November. See the full list in the reporting from Roby Brock with Talk News and Politics HERE.

Civic Training Opportunities

She Should Run Local Leader Lab

The Local Leader Lab is a national free 10-week program for women ready to take action in their communities, together. Just a few hours a week. No plan required, just the desire to figure it out. Build a real project, learn how local power works, find your people. Over 10 weeks, attendees will turn their concerns, interests, and passions into meaningful community impact. Through a hands-on project, guided reflection, and supportive peer connection, attendees will learn how power works locally and how they can use their own voice to create change. Learn more about the program and application process HERE.

In the Ear

  • From Daniel Caruth with KUAF, “Federal directive puts Arkansas refugees at risk of detention” - listen to his interview with Joanna Krause the ED of Canopy NWA

  • From Capitol View with Roby Brock, check out his interview from last month with Sara DeWitt the ED of PBS Kids. She was in Arkansas to rally support for keeping PBS on the airwaves of educational television.

Democratic Party of Arkansas

The State Committee of the Democratic Party of Arkansas will meet on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. for its regular quarterly meeting. The committee will meet in person in the Auditorium at The Jones Center in Springdale (922 E. Emma Ave.). The event is open to all, but only elected state committee members will be able to vote on any items.

Directly following the meeting, the Democratic Party of Arkansas Hispanic Caucus will be having a fundraising event at Las Cazuelas (428 Holcomb St) in Springdale. Come to enjoy good food, great company and to support our candidates. Details in the graphic below.

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