Special prosecutor called in on complaint !`` Prosecuting Attorney's Office will bring thorough investigation.

By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer // tracyn@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — A special prosecutor has been assigned to handle a complaint involving a former and a current employee of the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. On Friday, court documents were unsealed concerning H.G. Foster being appointed to investigate the complaint. Circuit Judge John Scott granted Van Stone’s request for the special prosecutor. - Saturday, October 11, 2008

Art as a means of cultural exchange !`` As the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's head of communities programs, Kate Loague's days will be spent making a difference outside the museum walls.

By Jeff Mores Staff Writer // jeffm@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — As difficult as it may be to believe, there may be a word that’s uttered just as much as “art” by those working behind the scenes to bring the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art into being. - Saturday, October 11, 2008

Candidates fail to separate themselves during forum

By Tom Treweek Staff Writer // tomt@nwanews.com

ROGERS — The Rogers candidate forum might as well have been held in a cave for all the echoing throughout the event. The candidates for the city’s two contested City Council seats were asked 13 questions at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce’s forum Thursday, and there were almost that few answers. - Saturday, October 11, 2008

Helms leaving RPD Police chief set a Jan. 23 retirement date

By Tom Treweek Staff Writer // tomt@nwanews.com

ROGERS — After 30 years on the job, the last five as police chief, Steve Helms has announced his retirement from the Rogers Police Department. - Friday, October 10, 2008

The dirty work !`` Leslie Thurman never set out to become manager of the Siloam Springs football team, but when an injury forced her off the court, it opened a door to an opportunity she now embraces.

By Jeff Mores Staff Writer // jeffm@nwanews.com

Leslie Thurman has never been one to just go home when the school bell rings at the end of the day. That’s why a feeling of absolute panic came over her when she tore a ligament in her hand when she was heading into the ninth grade. - Friday, October 10, 2008

St. Mary's still an option !`` NWACC's Land Use and Facilities Committee met Thursday.

By Jamie Smith Staff Writer // jamies@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — One of the future tenants of the old St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers could still be Northwest Arkansas Community College, according to an NWACC committee discussion Thursday. - Friday, October 10, 2008

Bella Vista to raise price of golfing fees

By Andra Atteberry Staff Writer // andraa@nwanews.com

BELLA VISTA — Rising costs and inflation are the reasons Property Owners Association General Manager Tommy Bailey gave when he recommended increasing golf fees next year. - Friday, October 10, 2008

Local Councilwoman to retire

By Gary Lookadoo Staff Writer // garyl@nwanews.com

BELLA VISTA — Bella Vista City Council member Shirley Borhauer, 82, decided not to seek re-election this year, choosing to end, at the end of the year, a public career that also included service on the Benton County Quorum Court and in the Arkansas House of Representatives. - Friday, October 10, 2008

Upcoming Services

Today Jimmie K. Botts, 62, of Colcord, Okla., died Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the Wasson Memorial Chapel in Siloam Springs,Ark. Juanita Curren, 94, of Anderson, Mo., formerly of Bentonville,Ark., died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the Fox Cemetery in Powell, Mo. Evelyn Louise Penrose Draper, 92, of Siloam Springs,Ark., died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Okla. Paul Fagala, 94, of Decatur,Ark., died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the First Baptist Church of Cave Springs,Ark. Jimmie Ray Fletcher, 63, of Seligman, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008.Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Sisco Funeral Home of Pea Ridge,Ark. Richard Clay Gray Sr., 63, of Benton,Ark., formerly of Rogers,Ark., died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008.Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 - Friday, October 10, 2008

The future : Alternative energy discussed

By Eleanor Evans Staff Writer // eleanore@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — As the cost of energy goes up and climate change becomes a global concern, communities are looking at local energy as a cost-effective, sustainable way to power homes and businesses. - Thursday, October 9, 2008

FCA sponsors Fields of Faith

By Jamie Smith Staff Writer // jamies@nwanews.com

An estimated 400 students converged on the Tigers’ baseball/softball complex Wednesday night, but they weren’t there for a ballgame. - Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mule jump set for Saturday

By Annette Beard Staff Writer // annetteb@nwanews.com

PEA RIDGE — Once a necessity, the use of mules in the Ozarks is now a means of entertainment and sport. - Thursday, October 9, 2008

ROGERS CITY COUNCIL : WARD 4 POSITION 1

The candidates: Dan Brown and Bob Goodwin (incumbent) Question: Provide those aspects of your background that would most help you perform the duties of a city alderman. - Thursday, October 9, 2008

New use : Kmart building gets new tenants

By Tom Treweek Staff Writer // tomt@nwanews.com

ROGERS — Volkswagen of Northwest Arkansas will be moving into the old Kmart building, now that the Rogers Planning Commission has approved the new use for the property. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Walter sent to mental-health facility

By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer // tracyn@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — A 75-year-old Rogers woman accused of killing her husband will be released from the Benton County Jail and taken to a mental-health facility in Fayetteville. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Gateway signs nixed by Highway Department

By Eleanor Evans Staff Writer // eleanore@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — A 200-footlong brick sign emblazoned with the city’s name won’t be part of a major landscaped gateway planned for the intersection of Walton Boulevard and Moberly Lane. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Committee to discuss four-way stops

By Eleanor Evans Staff Writer // eleanore@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — As construction on the Bentonville Square is completed, two four-way stops are being monitored by the city for traffic and safety reasons. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

ORT route increasing in popularity

By Jamie Smith Staff Writer // jamies@nwanews.com

BENTON COUNTY — An increasing number of Northwest Arkansas Community College students and faculty are making use of a new amenity — a free ride to the school. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Garfield standoff ends in arrest

By Annette Beard Staff Writer // annetteb@nwanews.com

GARFIELD — Hours after a standoff began on a quiet dirt road in Garfield, it ended with the arrest of a 29-year-old Garfield man. Mark Lee Wright was taken into custody about 7 p.m. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Heartbeat of the Ozarks event set for Saturday

From Staff Reports

ROGERS — Apple Blossom Retirement Living will raise funds to be contributed to Meals on Wheels of Rogers during Apple Blossom’s presentation of the Heartbeat of the Ozarks Classic Car Club show at Apple Blossom, 2501 N. 22nd St. in Rogers. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Gentry City Council approves annexation petition

By Randy Moll Staff Writer // randym@nwanews.com

GENTRY — Not wishing to have portions of their land annexed into Siloam Springs, a number of property owners along Taylor Orchard Road petitioned to be annexed into Gentry. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Mitchell Johnson faces up to 30 years in prison

By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer // tracyn@nwanews.com

BENTONVILLE — Jonesboro school shooter Mitchell Johnson faces up to 30 years in state prison. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

4th annual Fall Festival rescheduled

From Staff Reports

ROGERS — Main Street Rogers’ fourth annual Fall Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday. The four-part event will take place in historic downtown Rogers near the Frisco Stage, at First and Elm streets. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

CENTERTON ALDERMAN , WARD 3 POSITION 1

Candidate’s name: Thomas Laird Background: Three-year Centerton resident Employment: Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery Family : Married and has three children Candidate’s name: Rodney Meisenbacher Background: Eight-year Centerton resident Employment: Keeling Co. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Berry to campaign with judge candidate

By Gary Lookadoo Staff Writer // garyl@nwanews.com

BENTON COUNTY — Longtime U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., will campaign in Benton County on behalf of Bill Williams, the Democratic candidate for Benton County judge. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

CENTERTON CITY ATTORNEY

Candidate’s name: Shelley Ball Education background: Licensed to practice law for more than 12 years; worked as an associate at the Slinkard Law Firm and represented Centerton. For more than six years, he worked in the field of economic development in real estate with Wal-Mart, working with lawyers and government officials on public meetings and other matters. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

‘Flying Tomato Cabaret’ at NWACC

The Northwest Arkansas Community College Chamber Singers will present the fall 2008 “Flying Tomato Cabaret” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and Nov. 7-9, at NWACC’s Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies in Bentonville. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

United Methodist Men’s pancake breakfast

The United Methodist Men’s Pancake Breakfast will be from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Drive. The menu will include pancakes, ham or sausage, applesauce, and milk or coffee. The cost is $5. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wiener Takes All races on Saturday

The rain that swept into the area this past Saturday morning prompted organizers to postpone the second annual Wiener Takes All races. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Flu shots for veterans

A nurse from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fayetteville will be at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9063 in Bella Vista to give flu shots to anyone with a current VA medical card. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008