Local Events
Mon., May 11 at 6:30 p.m. - DPBC Monthly Meeting at the NWACC Peterson Auditorium (900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville); doors open at 6 p.m.; this month’s meeting will feature the Democratic candidates running for Justice of the Peace positions across the county
Tues., May 12 at 6 p.m. - Bentonville Town Hall: You Deserve a Town Hall Tour; Robb Ryerse, Democratic candidate for Congress, is hosting a town hall for the public at the Student Center on the NWACC campus (1 College Dr.); learn more HERE
Tues., May 19 from 6 - 8 p.m. - The Weave Monthly Gathering; May’s Weaver Spotlight will focus on Nur Ahmed, Founder of Vibe Tribe NWA, who’s built a community around turning strangers into friends. Through simple, science-informed practices, he creates spaces where connection feels easy—and lasting. If you’ve been meaning to meet more people, this is your night. RSVP HERE.
Wed., May 20 at 6:30 p.m. - League of Women Voters Benton County Meeting; Election night for voting on the annual budget, 2026-27 program, 2026-28 officers and board members, and the 2026-27 nominating committee members; Meeting will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Bentonville (enter through the 2nd street doors); become a registered member prior to the election HERE.
Wed., May 27 at 9 a.m. - Webinar: Planning for Growth on Your Own Terms via zoom; This Groundwork’s session is a practical deep dive into the challenges of peripheral growth, where towns often absorb population without the immediate economic benefits seen by their larger neighbors featuring Mayor Nathan See of Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Audra Butler, Director of Rural Housing at Communities Unlimited. Register to attend HERE.
Municipal Government Awareness
Bella Vista
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m. (2483 Forest Hills Blvd)
Items of Note:
Join community members in a walk through the woods and see what's blooming at the Wildflower Walk, led by a master naturalist, starting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14 at Blowing Springs trailhead. This 1-3 mile walk/hike is for everyone, and friendly dogs are welcome on a leash. Wear appropriate shoes for dirt trails and bring some water.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026/2027 program of the Bella Vista Youth Ambassadors (formerly Youth Council). Applicants may attend any type of school (private, public, or homeschool) but must be Bella Vista residents who will be high school juniors or seniors at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. During the program, participants will get an in-depth look at day-to-day city operations and the processes of municipal government, creating a solid foundation of understanding of the core functions of their community. Learn more HERE.
Bentonville
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (305 SW A St.)
Items of Note:
⏰ Action Item: For this week’s meeting, the council will decide on how to proceed with filling the Ward 1 vacancy. They can either 1) appoint a person to fill the remainder of the term or 2) hold a special election (which can be at the same time as the Nov. general) to fill the position and the council can choose to appoint or not appoint a person to serve until the election. If you would like voters to have a say in who represents Ward 1 through 2028, I highly recommend emailing council members by noon tomorrow AND/OR make a statement during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting indicating you would like the council to pursue option 2, a special election. Also, reach out to me if you plan to attend in person!
From Jeff Mores with the Bentonville Bulletin, “More Chances to Win: Bentonville E-Bike Drawings Now Held Monthly”
Cave Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m. (120 S. Main St.)
Centerton
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (210 Municipal Dr.)
Items of Note:
Council will discuss creating a Centerton Youth Council for 2026-27 school year during this week’s meeting
Gravette
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. (202 Main St. NE)
Items of Note:
From Thomas Saccente with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Infrastructure concerns sink plans for 24-lot subdivision in Gravette area”
This year's Gravette Day Grand Marshal is James Killbreth, creator of the Great Pokémon Hunt!
Highfill
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (2560 W Hwy 12)
Items of Note:
Water & Sewer Committee appointments will be discussed during the city council meeting
Lowell
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. (216 N. Lincoln St.)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robinson with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Lowell residents complain of wastewater in field near homes, but city leaders say it isn’t raw sewage despite stink - Public works official says project in works to remedy issues”
Both the Ward Nail Park and the new KJM Park splash pads will open together on Friday, May 22. Open everyday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Pea Ridge
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. (911 Weston St.)
Items of Note:
The City announced the official launch of their Downtown Pea Ridge website, your one-stop destination for everything related to our downtown area!
The City of Pea Ridge invites you and your families to the official grand opening of Carr St. Park on May 15 at 1 p.m.
Rogers
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (301 W. Chestnut)
Items of Note:
From Jada Robinson with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Rogers library turns page on tornado damage as facility fully reopens to public - Rogers holds grand reopening for facility impacted by 2024 storm” and “Northwest Park renovations cause for celebration as Rogers holds ribbon cutting ceremony - Facility among those damaged or destroyed during 2024 tornado”
Siloam Springs
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. (400 N. Broadway)
Items of Note:
From Marc Hayot with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Siloam Springs Board of Directors upholds denial of subdivision next to airport”
Springdale
Next Council Mtng: Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (201 Spring St.)
Items of Note:
From Alex Charbonnier with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Public perspectives shine light on Springdale’s history, growth and impact of immigration efforts”
From Tom Sissom with the NWA Dem Gazz, “Springdale Council OKs downtown planning codes”
County Government Awareness
Benton County Quorum Court
Upcoming County Government meetings at the Admin Building in downtown Bentonville:
Finance Committee Meeting - May 12 at 6 p.m.
Development Review Committee - May 13 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole - May 19 at 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting - May 20 at 6 p.m.
State Government Awareness
95th General Legislative Assembly:
In the past two weeks the state legislature completed the legislative budget session and started and finished a special session to decrease state income taxes. Repercussions from both sessions will be felt over the next few years. Below you’ll find some recaps of both.
Budget Session:
From the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas lawmakers give $6.7B budget final OK, adjourn session - Effort to provide matching funds for public television fails twice in House” and “Arkansas’ 3,000-bed prison site is on hold. What are the other options? - A look at the scenarios for expanding prison space now that the Franklin County project’s in doubt”
From Andrew Demillo at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas Explained: What are the incentives for West Memphis’ possible superproject? - Nearly 20-year-old fund plays key role in courting manufacturer” and his commentary, “Arkansas lawmakers just wrapped up this year’s session. It’s not too early to think about 2027. - Several key issues already emerging for next year’s agenda”
Special Tax Cut Session:
Legislators approved a decrease in the top individual income rate from 3.9% to 3.7%, back dated to Jan. 1, 2026, and a decrease in the top corporate income tax rate from 4.3% to 4.1% starting in 2027.
From the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas lawmakers approve $192M tax cut legislation, end session”
From Worth Sparkman with Axios NWA, “Gov. Sanders signs income tax cuts into law”
And finally, Andrew Demillo from the Arkansas Advocate provides commentary, “Republicans say Arkansas tax cuts won’t cause chaos. The next year will put that to the test.”
For next year, Republican Senator Breanne Davis will lead the Arkansas Senate. More about her election HERE.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
From Tess Vrbin at the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas launches ad campaign promoting state-run clinics for prenatal care”
Gov. Sanders was interviewed on The Riley Gaines Show Podcast (they’ll give anyone a podcast, eh?) last week. Worth Sparkman recapped the interview in Axios NWA so you don’t have to listen to it HERE.
Arkansas State Library Board:
The wives of two current conservative Republican state legislators appointed by the governor to the Arkansas State Library Board are already leaving their mark on the board’s governing priorities (hint, it’s very anti-LGBTQ+).
“ I don’t want to have to explain Pride Month to my five-year-old.”
Read more about the rules proposed at the latest meeting in Tess Vrbin’s reporting from the Arkansas Advocate HERE.
⏰ Action Item: Members of the public who want to comment on the proposed rules should email State Librarian Jennifer Chilcoat at [email protected] by June 7th. Most of the items to focus on start in section 13.
Local Candidate Events
Please consider attending one or all of the following upcoming event(s) to learn more about and support like-minded candidates running for office in Arkansas.
State Legislature: Candidate Fundraiser for Rey Hernandez in State House District 11 (SE Benton County & NE Springdale)
In the Ear
From Kyle Kellams with KUAF Ozarks at Large, “NWA Regional Volunteer Center aims to fight loneliness, boost nonprofits”
Check out Season 3 of the Underview Podcast. Bentonville’s own, Mike Rusch is exploring how what we believe about God shapes what we believe about each other, and how Sunday’s message becomes Monday’s action in NWA. This is the faith that built this place, broke this place, and might yet be the thing that heals it.
Odds & Ends
From Jessica Crenshaw with Arkansas Strong, “Arkansas Indie Scene: A Bookseller Community is Booming”
Powerful thoughts from Dan Holtmeyer (Candidate for Arkansas House District 15 in Rogers), “There is no justice under today's GOP - From the president to the Supreme Court, Congress and the states, the Republican Party is the biggest anti-justice force in the U.S.”
And finally, from Economist Paul Krugman, “Will our Hyper-Gilded Age Usher in Genuine Populism? - The tech bros are worse than the robber barons ever were — and voters are catching on”