Local Events
Wed., Mar. 26 at noon - Canopy NWA Advocacy 101 webinar in partnership with Global Refuge; gain tools you need to raise your voice and advocate for refugee programs. Register HERE.
Wed., Mar. 26 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. - NWA Weaving Coffee and Conversation at Onyx Coffee in Rogers; Join Weaving NWA for a coffee and connect with neighbors, have meaningful conversations, and reflect on how we can strengthen our community. Register HERE.
Fri., Mar. 28 at 1 p.m. - Arkansas’s Maternal Health Crisis: Women Across the State Share their Experiences and Views webinar hosted by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF); Join this virtual discussion of AACF’s recent report Arkansas’s Maternal Health Crisis: Women Across the State Share their Experiences and Views. Based on our series of focus groups, learn the key themes AACF heard from the women they talked with. Register HERE.
Sunday, Mar. 30 from 2 - 6 p.m. - Pearls & Politics: The Women Who Lead at Crystal Bridges; A sophisticated and thought-provoking gathering hosted by the AKA; where dynamic women in politics share their journeys, insights, and impact. Reserve a spot at this FREE event HERE. Guests include Benton County Election Commissioner Dr. Melanie B. Hoskins!
Thurs., Apr. 3 from 5 - 6 p.m. - Red Wine & Blue online discussion “It's Go Time: How to Fight for the Department of Education w/ Sharon McMahon” - Join for an eye-opening conversation with Sharon McMahon — America’s favorite government teacher and the voice behind @SharonSaysSo — as she breaks down what the Department of Education really does, why it matters to every student, parent, and community, and what’s at stake if it’s shut down. Register HERE.
Thurs., Apr. 3 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. - Northwest Arkansas Legislative Town Hall at the Fayetteville Public Library (401 W Mountain St); hosted by the Arkansas Public Policy Panel; They’ll share insight into the 2025 state legislative session, providing an opportunity for constituents to ask questions and get answers about policies being filed and passed in this year’s Assembly. Facebook link HERE
Tues., Apr. 8 at 1 p.m. - From Groundwork, join a discussion about The ADU Advantage: More Homes, More Options - Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer smart, flexible solutions to the region’s growing housing needs. But how do you navigate the process of building one? Join Derek Sherell, “The ADU Guy,” for an in-depth webinar where he’ll cover everything from zoning and permitting to design, financing and maximizing your investment. Register to attend the zoom event HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Monday, Mar. 24 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
City Council Member Wendy Hughes is hosting a Roundtable at the Bella Vista Public Library on Saturday, Apr. 12th at 10:15 a.m.; all are welcome, plan is to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day with a discussion around any concerns regarding trees in Bella Vista, what protections are in place, native vs invasive species, and pollinator gardens
In today’s meeting the Council will review mayor’s reappointment of Demara Titzer to the Bella Vista Arts Council (term expires in 3 years)
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 8 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
Heather McCombs from The Bentonville Bulletin gets to the bottom of “Why Bentonville’s Wastewater Treatment Facility Needs a $152.7 Million Upgrade”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 25 at 6:30 p.m. (134 N. Main St.)
Items of Note:
Water and Sewer Committee meeting is Monday, Mar. 24th at 6 p.m.
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 8 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 8 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE) - Committee of the Whole
Items of Note:
The Gravette Public Library announced they have been awarded the third Libraries Transforming Communities Accessibility Grant. With this $10,000.00 grant, they will be concentrating on improving the accessibility of their collections by adding more large print and specialty books for all ages, reading aids, and more.
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 18 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 25 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
Appointments on agenda for Tuesday’s meeting:
Mandel Samuel to the Civil Service Commission to fill the unexpired term of Hayes Minor (8/8/29)
Matt Disheroon to the A&P Commission to fill the unexpired term of Kasey Bare (11/1/25)
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
The Utility Commission will meet Thursday, March 27, at 5:30 PM in City Hall. View the agenda HERE.
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, Mar. 25 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Tom Sissom’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz, “Officials were told Monday [March 17th] the city needs to plan for up to 3,200 new residential units in the southeast downtown area and increase the number of parking spaces in the downtown area by 5,000 to 6,000 new spaces. The City Council was briefed on the status of its southeast downtown development master plan, including the parking study, by Timothy Breihan with H3 Studio, the firm hired by the city to develop the plan. No action was taken Monday and Breihan told the Council the final draft of the plans were likely six weeks away from completion.”
County Government Awareness
Bentonville School District
Bentonville High School (BHS) Principal Jack Lloyd passed away last week following an illness. There will be a celebration of his life and legacy next week on Tuesday, April 1st at 6 p.m. at the Arend Arts Center (BHS auditorium at 1901 SE J St.). If you are attending, your encouraged to wear BHS apparel or black and gold colors.
His wife and children have established the Jack Loyd Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a deserving Bentonville High School senior who intends to enroll in college or a career preparatory school. If you wish to contribute to this fund, do so HERE.
Beaver Lake
from reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz (read entire article HERE):
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday [March 18th] it is permanently removing swim beaches at Rocky Branch and Lost Bridge South campgrounds because of erosion, safety and maintenance issues. High-water levels over the last decade played into the decision, according to a release from the Corps.”
NWACC
from Edward McKinnon’s reporting in the NWA Dem Gazz (read entire article HERE):
“Northwest Arkansas Community College's Board of Trustees on Monday [March 17th] voted to approve a final campus master plan designed to support up to 20,000 students by 2040.
The vote does not approve any major projects featured in the master plan, but rather a rough outline of the plan. Approval allows the board to vote on recommended building projects from the master plan in future meetings starting in May.
The plan is intended to guide the next five to 20 years of growth and expansion for the Bentonville college campus.”
Additional reporting with projected maps can be found HERE from The Bentonville Bulletin.
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Development Review Committee - Mar. 26 at 10 a.m.
Election Commission - Mar. 27 at 1 p.m. (at the Election Commission office in Rogers)
Quorum Court - Mar. 27 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - Apr. 2 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
95th General Legislative Assembly:
House Speaker Brian Evans (R - Cabot) named Duncan Baird of Bentonville to replace Scott Irby (term expired) on the Arkansas Ethics Commission. Read more about Baird and the appointment from Talk Business & Politics HERE.
Recaps from last week’s legislative activity:
From the team at the Arkansas Advocate:
“Arkansas lawmakers advance $750 million appropriation bill for prison construction - Anger over handling of land purchase continues to shadow discussion”
Dan Sullivan is at it AGAIN - “New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria - Department of Education would oversee state aid to public libraries based on their policies, hours of operation and availability of certain content”
From the team at Axios NWA:
And if you just want to be embarrassed by our state:
From NEWSWEEK, “Arkansas Bill Targets 'Gender Nonconforming' Haircuts for Kids”
“Committee awaits amendments to proposed liability for social transitioning of transgender minors - Lawmakers, attorney general’s office and members of the public express First Amendment concerns”
Bills of note in committee coming soon!:
👍 SB340 - Sen. A. Clark (R - Lonsdale); bill will eliminate fees and fines in the juvenile court system, while still requiring young people to make restitution to victims in delinquency cases. Bill has passed the Senate and will next be heard in the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth - ACTION ITEM!!! Email/call the committee members (listed HERE) and ask them to vote YES.
👎 HB1713 - Rep. Rose (R - Van Buren); requires citizen led ballot initiative titles to be read at an 8th grade reading level. The requirement would NOT apply to items referred by legislators <shocker>. Based on analysis by the Kristin Netterstrom Higgins with UADA Public Policy Center, only the minimum wage increase ballot initiatives since 2014 would meet this requirement. Tess Vrbin from the Arkansas Advocate reported on the bill HERE. The bill has passed the House and will next be heard in the Senate State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs Committee - ACTION ITEM!!! Email/call the committee members (listed HERE) and ask them to vote NO.
👎SB433 - Sen. Dotson (R - Bentonville); Would add the 10 Commandments to the National Motto (In God We Trust) displayed in all classrooms. Yes, this is unconstitutional - but Senator Dotson seems to be a big fan of bills that will lead to the state getting sued and your tax dollars being wasted. Bill has passed the Senate and will next be heard in the House Committee on State Agencies & Govt’l Affairs - ACTION ITEM!!! Email/call the committee members (listed HERE) and ask them to vote NO. Additionally, a local community member has created a Change Org petition against this bill. You can sign the petition HERE.
👎SB354 - Sen. Dismang (R - Little Rock) - From AJRC, “SB354 sets aside money for a new 3,000-bed mega-prison in Franklin County. A recent amendment increases the budget from $750 million to $1 billion, but we know that this number is still woefully under the total cost. Similar projects in Utah and Alabama are closer to around $1.5 billion dollars and does not address the ongoing costs of maintaining a new prison, which could be as much as $77 million or a 20% INCREASE in the Dept of Corrections budget. They need 2/3 of the Senate to vote for this bill to advance it.” ACTION ITEM!!! Email/call your state senator (search HERE) and ask them to vote NO.
Bills of note signed by the governor:
Odds & Ends
From Rich Shumate, commentary in the Arkansas Advocate, “Citizens deserve answers from congressmen, even when questions make them uncomfortable”
And finally, don’t miss this important piece from a woman who lives next to the property the governor has selected for the prison site in Franklin County, “Grief Has a Name Here - A story of the emotional toll many in Franklin County are experiencing”