News
Contractors face penalties for incomplete street projects
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer n jeffd@nwanews.com
Contractors of two street improvement projects could face monetary damages for not completing the projects on time. Construction on Hico Street and Country Club Road was expected to be completed in December, but weather and utility relocations caused delays in the projects, the contractors said. City staff might charge the contractors what’s called “liquidated damages” or something that’s charged to the contractor if the project is not completed in a specified time, said Stacy Vaughn, communication assistant for Siloam Springs. “The city will evaluate each project and contract after completion to determine if contract terms were met,” Vaughn said. “We do foresee imposing liquidated damages on contractors that have not completed projects in accordance with their contracts.” Wilson Brothers Construction Co. of Alma is the contractor for the $1.5 million Country Club Road project. J. Johnson Construction Co. of Rogers is the contractor for the $1.7 million Hico Street project. Kris Scates, superintendent for J. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dilmore named publisher for Herald-Leader
From Staff Reports
For the first time in 10 years, the Siloam Springs Herald-Leader has a new publisher. John Dilmore Jr. has been appointed publisher and general manager of the Herald-Leader and the weekly newspapers in Gentry, Decatur and Gravette, replacing longtime publisher and advertising manager Shelly Moran. Jeff Jeffus, vice president and general manager of the Northwest Arkansas division of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Herald-Leader’s parent company, announced the change in leadership Monday. Dilmore comes to the Herald Leader from the Benton County Daily Record in Bentonville, where he has served as opinion page editor the past three years. He is a past publisher of the Brewton Standard, a twice-weekly newspaper in south Alabama, the Scott County Times, a weekly newspaper in central Mississippi, and a trio of papers — the Advertiser News, Lamar County News and Petal News — in Hattiesburg, Miss. “Siloam Springs is a special place, and Shelly has established a strong tradition here at the Herald-Leader,” Dilmore - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Local firefighter in race for state House seat
By Laura Kellams Arkansas Democrat Gazette
GRAVETTE — Holding local and county elective offices has left the candidates in House District 100 with different approaches to tackling government problems. Mary Lou Slinkard, Benton County clerk since 1981, faces Byron Warren, a nine-year member of the Gravette City Council, in the May 20 Republican primary. Slinkard said she’s learned it’s best to study the nitty-gritty details of an issue before jumping out with a solution. Warren said he gets the feeling that Slinkard is trying to get elected on name recognition, without taking stands on important issues. He said he wants to lower taxes — though he doesn’t have specific plans for how to deal with the effect of tax cuts on the state budget — and he has ideas on how the state should take on illegal immigration. “I don’t know what her views are. All I hear is how much experience she has,” he said. Slinkard said that’s just her approach to government. “I don’t think anybody can go to the Legislature for the first time and have all those answers,” she said. “ - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
June 1 filing deadline nears
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer n jeffd@nwanews.com
Residents who want to run for mayor or one of the three open city director seats can file for them from today to noon June 3 at city hall. The Siloam Springs Mayor, a parttime position, and Siloam Springs Board of Directors seats 5, 6 and 7 — which are the at large positions — will be voted on this year. A primary election for these positions will be Aug. 12 if more than two candidates qualify for each position. Otherwise, candidates will be voted on during the general election Nov. 4. Mayor M.L. “Moose” Van Poucke previously said he will not run again. Directors Ken Wiles, Mark Long and Carol Smiley fill the seats on the city board that are up for reelection. Wiles and Long both said they are planning to run again. Smiley could not be reached for comment before presstime. Any person interested in filing must - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Slew of campaign signs come with varied rules
By Katie Butler Staff Writer
BENTONVILLE — Red, white, blue and, occasionally, green signs line roads and garnish properties throughout Benton County in preparation for the May 20 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections. Signs, which play a major role in many candidates’ campaigns, also come with the responsibility for candidates to play by the rules set by state and local governments. County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard said when it comes to regulations, state law does not provide many specifics for candidates to follow. “Campaigns have to stay at least 100 feet away from the voting place, according to the state law, and it’s a given that the candidate should ask permission from the property owner to put a sign on private property, ” Slinkard said. Campaign banners, signs or bumper stickers are prohibited on state-owned vehicles, - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Officials: One tornado hit county
By Jamie Brunk Staff Writer jamieb@nwanews.com
BENTON COUNTY — What started as an ominouslooking funnel cloud Saturday developed into a tornado, weather officials said Monday. Two super-cell storms raced across northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas on Saturday evening. The first reported funnel cloud sighting was near Decatur, according to storm-spotter reports. Another funnel cloud was reported as visible from the Pinnacle Hills area: That’s what quickly became the tornado that struck south Bentonville, according to meteorologist Bart Haake of the National Weather Service office in Tulsa. “A tornado is a funnel that is more than halfway to the ground or touching the ground, ” Haake said. “ A funnel cloud does not reach quite halfway from the cloud to the ground.” The tornado that touched down briefly in Bentonville was reported 4. 5 miles southwest of downtown Bentonville at 6: 35 p. m. It traveled about 1. 5 miles and lifted 3. 8 miles southeast of downtown. It had a path that was 100 feet wide and reached winds of about 100 mph. The wind speed earn - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Gem show Saturday
The Northwest Arkansas Gem and Mineral Society is holding the Spring 2008 Gem and Mineral Show on May 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will be held in the Siloam Springs Community Building at 110 N. Mt. Olive St. There will be special educational exhibits, demonstrations of lapidary arts such as cabochon making, stone polishing, and sphere making. There will be door prizes, silent auctions, and dealers with mineral and crystals, jewelry, gemstones, fossils, finished cabochons and lapidary equipment. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students, and free for children under 12 with adults. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform will be admitted free with one paid adult leader. For information, contact Tom Morrow at (479) 273-2329 or DeLane Cox at (479) 254-0894. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
COMMUNITY DIGEST
Photo exhibit open at area museum “Photographs & Photographers Exhibit” will be on display at the Siloam Springs Museum through May 31. Using photographs, cameras and other equipment from the museum collection, this exhibit will outline the history of photography from daguerreotype to Polaroid, and the history of photographers who have worked in Siloam Springs. The museum is at 112 N. Maxwell St. The phone number is 524-4011. SSMH Auxiliary sets Walk for Health A six-mile “Walk for the Health of It” will be held May 17 beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Sager Cabin on the John Brown University campus. The event is sponsored by the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. For more information, call Carolyn Rood at 524-3788. Siloam Springs Heritage Festival The fourth annual Siloam Springs Heritage Festival will be held June 21, in Twin Springs Park, in the Downtown National Register Historic District. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wilkerson throws hat in ring for Delaware sheriff
Staff Reports
Mike Wilkerson has announced his candidacy for the office of Delaware County sheriff in the upcoming election. Wilkerson has been in law enforcement since the age of 19 and has been employed with several area departments including Siloam Springs, West Siloam Springs and Jay, as well as the Deleware County Sheriff’s Department. He is currently serving as police chief for Kansas, Okla. Wilkerson and his wife, Joyce, have four daughters and 10 grandchildren. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Green, Johnson to face off for Division 1 Judge seat
By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
BENTONVILLE — Benton County Attorney Robin Green and Bentonville attorney Jim D. Johnson are vying to replace retiring Circuit Judge Tom Keith. Johnson and Green are candidates for Benton County’s Division 1 circuit judgeship. “I have a proven record of rolling up my sleeve and working hard and tackling any cases that came my way,” Green said. “If elected, I will bring that strong record to this position.” Green believes her experiences as county attorney, a deputy prosecutor and as prosecutor are a perfect fit for the position, which historically hears half of the criminal cases in circuit court and presides over a good percentage of civil cases. “I’ve successfully tried cases before this court, including major criminal cases — capital murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and child abuse,” Green said. “I have record of experience in circuit court and appellate court.” Green has served as special justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court and is member of the Arkansas Supreme Court Criminal Rules Committee. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
James Bright DAR install officers
By Rosemary Matthews Special to the Herald-Leader
The James Bright Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met May 5 at the Compton Gardens in Bentonville for a luncheon catered by the Peel House. Wanda Bautts, chaplain, led a memorial service for Clara Coe Blankenship 1908-2008, who was a charter member of James Bright Chapter DAR. Chaplain Wanda Bautts installed the new officers. The new year will start in September with the new appointees. An Osage District meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be held July 26 at Fayetteville, hosted by the Marion Chapter DAR. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Springtown rural water project near completion
By Randy Moll randym@nwanews.com
GENTRY — Springtown water project is on schedule according to a report by Tim Mays of Engineering Services, Inc., Springdale. Even with all the lost days due to rain, the project is not ahead but moving along and on schedule, Mays told council members at their May 5 meeting. “Both creek bores are done,” he said. Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue said the directional bores under Flint Creek were the portions of the project where possible problems were anticipated, but the bores were finished without problems. Sun Valley Construction Co., of Cassville, Mo., was awarded the $1.158 million contract to build the second phase of Gentry’s rural water system, which includes the town of Springtown and surrounding areas. They are currently at work along Old Springtown Road, east of Gentry. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
French profiled for national magazine
From Staff Reports
Jesse French was featured in a special edition of student profiles in the U.S. News & World Report published on April 4. The profile about the 35-yearold former Siloam Springs resident said that engineering had run in his family for four generations. In 1996, during his studies towards a master’s in mechanical engineering, he entered the U.S. Army and became a helicopter pilot. After discharge, he was an “engineering missionary” for two years in South Korea, Mongolia and China and taught techniques such as harnessing wind power. Since 2005, he’s been working in a graduate research position in composite materials at the University of Tulsa and expects to finish his Ph.D in 2009. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Skaggs, Gaddy, Geigle vie for judgeship for Bentonville Court
By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
BENTONVILLE — Three candidates are vying for the Bentonville District Court judgeship. Current Judge John Skaggs is seeking re-election against Bentonville attorney Lisa Gaddy and Rogers attorney Steve Geigle. The May 20 contest will be a countywide election for districtjudge candidates. The Bentonville District Court also encompasses Cave Springs, Pea Ridge and Bella Vista. District courts were formerly known as municipal courts. District judges hear misdemeanor cases, preliminary felony cases and some civil cases. Skaggs believes his experience is the main difference between him and his opponents. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Casino cash helps to infuse community
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer n jeffd@nwanews.com
WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Enterprises gives $60,000 annually to West Siloam Springs Police Department as part of the money the company reinvests in communities in which its casinos are located. Mayor Elaine Carr said the money pays for police department salaries and items such as vests and radios or “whatever the police department needs.” The company also gave the town a new police vehicle some years ago when the police department was cross-deputized with the Cherokee Nation, she said. “It’s a major help,” Carr said. Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which runs Cherokee Casino in West Siloam Springs, recently released its annual report, “Where the Casino Money Goes, 2008.” Total revenue for Cherokee Nation Enterprises in 2007 was $418.6 million, and $287 million of this revenue pays for employee salaries and operating expenses. The company’s casinos raked in nearly $112 million in profits in 2007. Profits were less than $5 million nine years ago. Nearly 70 percent of this money, or $78 million, - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Family devastated by storm gets relief
By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer jessicaw@nwanews.com
Curbs throughout Siloam Springs remain littered with organic remnants of a storm that tore through the town in the pre-dawn hours of May 2. More than a week later, drivers halted at stoplights during morning commutes likely see rain weathered tree trunks lying on their sides and tarp-covered rooftops throughout the town. While aggressive community wide repair is underway, and numerous families have relocated from damaged homes while they wait for reconstruction, one local family is scarcely beginning to heal from the ravaging straight line winds, rain - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Siloam Springs, Bentonville on right side in road-tax suit
By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
BENTONVILLE — The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld a 1963 law that allows Bentonville and Siloam Springs to receive a larger portion of road taxes than other municipalities in Benton County. The court issued its opinion Thursday, affirming Circuit Judge Tom Keith’s decision when he found that Benton County failed to meet its burden of proof in the case. The state Supreme Court justices listened to oral arguments last month during a session in the Wal-Mart Auditorium at the Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. The suit dates back to 1999, when Benton County sued the cities of Rogers, Bentonville and Siloam Springs. The three cities each received 90 percent of the county’s 3- - Sunday, May 11, 2008
McKinnon gives last JBU graduation address
By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer jessicaw@nwanews.com
John Brown University’s commencement ceremonies for undergraduate students, graduate and professional students on May 3 and 10 held special meaning for hundreds of local students. The graduates were not alone as they exchanged bittersweet farewells with diplomas in hand. Like many of the seniors, Campus Pastor Stan McKinnon also took leave of the campus for one final time. - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Man accused of sexually abusing 2 girls
By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
BENTONVILLE — A Siloam Springs man was arrested Monday on suspicion of sexually abusing two girls. William Hale is being held in the Benton County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Hale, 34, was arrested on charges of rape, a class Y felony; and sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony. An 11-year-old girl claimed Hale had touched her, according to an affidavit of probable cause in the case. The affidavit stated that a 6-year-old - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Cleanup continues after storm lashes city
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
City Director Ken Wiles tried to hold back tears when he spoke about the support and care residents showed neighbors in the aftermath of the May 2 storm that claimed the life of a 15-year-old girl. Wiles said he was listening to radio traffic on the scanner the morning of the storm and choked up to hear the show of support. He spoke during the directors’ open comment session at the end of the city board meeting Tuesday night. “I consider myself to be greatly blessed to be in this town,” Wiles said. Residents and city officials continue to clean up and assess the storm’s damage. The National Weather service of Tulsa determined the storm did not produce a tornado in Siloam Springs but 60 to 70 mph straight-line winds, said Ed Calianese, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. The weather service sent a crew to investigate the damage Friday. The damage was caused by strong winds and not a tornado because some things were blown down, but next to them, were things that were left untouched, Calianese said - Sunday, May 11, 2008
New playground delights children at grand opening By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer jessicaw@nwanews.com
New life has been given to Koala Community Park and not a moment too soon for Siloam Springs Northside Elementary School teachers. Brightly colored spheres, durable monkey bars and structures resembling spider webs now reside on the lot aside the elementary school campus. “Our new playground is so modern and positive,” said Sheryl Braun, Northside principal. “The individual structures are spread out so the children have to run from one thing to another — the whole point is to exercise their little bodies.” In November, when it was determined there were traces of arsenic in the existing wooden structure’s pressure treated wood, the equipment was quarantined. Koala Park was first erected in August 1998 by a force of more than 2,200 volunteers. T he original equipment, intended for both school and community use, was purchased supported by a sizable amount of donations. - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Contest begins to name landfill
Staff Reports
TONTITOWN, Ark. — With its renewed focus toward sustainable growth, Waste Management, Inc., announced a local effort to rename the Tontitown Landfill. The contest, which is open to non-profit organizations in Washington, Benton or Madison counties, will provide a $5,000 contribution to the organization that submits the winning name. “With Waste Management’s recent commitment to increase waste-based energy production, recycling and land preservation efforts, we thought the time was right to rename the landfill,” said George Wheatley, director of governmental affairs for Waste Management. “It is our hope that this new name will reflect the goals and objectives of Waste Management and the Northwest Arkansas area.” The naming contest is open to any registered 501 C –3 non-profit organization in the service area of Benton, Washington and Madison Counties. Each organization will be allowed to submit up to five names. The deadline for entries is May 16. A local committee will determine the winner. Non-profit organiz - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Judge rules in Okla. chicken litter case
By Robert J. Smith Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
A federal judge on Monday accepted the testimony of two Oklahoma experts who spoke in favor of banning poultry litter in the Illinois River watershed. Judge Greg Frizzell’s decision struck a blow to the Arkansas poultry companies who’d asked the judge to exclude the testimony and research of Jody Harwood and Roger Olsen. “I can understand the companies’ desire to exclude the testimony from these two experts,” Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said in a statement. “The scientific data that Harwood and Olsen presented to the court is evidence that damage to the water is directly traceable to the defendant companies.” Attorneys for the companies said the work of Harwood and Olsen shouldn’t be considered because it didn’t pass the socalled “Daubert test,” which calls for research used in court cases to be tested, reviewed and accepted by other scientists. - Sunday, May 11, 2008
COMMUNITY DIGEST
Free breast exams for qualified women St. Francis Clinic and the Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure have joined together to provide free breast exams and diagnostic tests for the medically uninsured and underinsured. The next Breast Exam Clinics will be May 13 and May 22. To make an appointment, or to see if you qualify, call (479) 524-9550. St. Francis Clinic is located at 304 S. Maxwell St., directly behind Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. Retired meeting Benton County retired school personnel will meet May 13 at the Shiloh Museum on Johnson Street in Springdale at 10:45 a.m. John McClardy is the guest speaker and will present a program about the Trail of Tears. - Sunday, May 11, 2008