Northwest Arkansas

$45,000 – that’s the amount Bikes, Blues and Barbecue Motorcycle Rally was able to donate to local charities last week. It comes at a time when many worthwhile causes are in great need due to the economic downturn. The recipients include such well-known names as Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of the Ozarks, Muscular Dystrophy, and the Jones Center for Families. Several more non-profit groups perhaps not as widely known but equally worthwhile include Peace at Home Shelter, Fayetteville Public Education Foundation, Horses for Healing, and CASA of Northwest Arkansas. Bikes, Blues & Barbecue was not able to make ... Read Full Story

A shooting in Benton County in Northwest Arkansas  Sunday evening sends a young man to a Springdale hospital. Stolen weapons were found at the scene by local cops. Neighbors shaken by violonce so close to home.  Three kids were also arrested.   Details Read Full Story

Ryan Mallett broke Arkansas' single-season passing record, and the Razorbacks beat Troy 56-20 Saturday night. Mallett threw for 405 yards, bringing his season total to 2,882. He surpassed Clint Stoerner's mark of 2,629 in the second quarter. Arkansas (6-4) has won three straight games for the first time under coach Bobby Petrino, who took over before last season. Mallett threw five touchdown passes, all to different receivers. Troy (7-3) had its seven-game winning streak snapped. The crowd spent several minutes booing at the beginning of the third quarter after back-to-back replay decisions went against the Hogs, but the Razorbacks held Troy to a field ... Read Full Story

ROGERS — The latest iPhone application from Rockfish Interactive in Rogers will help Arvest Bank customers find the nearest bank branch or automatic teller machine in four states. Read Full Story

BENTONVILLE, Arkansas police said two more men have been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine.  Benton County law enforcement officers in Northwest Arkansas found four suspected "shake and bake" meth labs actively cooking inside a vehicle.   Benton County is one of the "Top 25 Worst Counties" in the U.S. for illegal drug activity, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).   The good news is an average family of four saves $3,000 a year shopping at Walmart. Read Full Story

Business Week says Springdale beat out Northwest Arkansas neighbors Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Rogers once again as the best city in Arkansas for raising kids.   Criteria: School performance, number of schools, household expenditures, crime rates, air quality, job growth, family income, museums, parks, theaters, other amenities, and diversity. Affordability, safety and school test scores were given the greatest weight.   No comment from educators on why the most poorly-funded school district in Northwest Arkansas out-scored the deep-pocketed towns of Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Rogers.    The highly-motivated and education-centric Hispanic and upwardly-mobile minority populations of Springdale is certainly a factor in making grades and getting recognized, ... Read Full Story

When Ryan Mallett was growing up, he'd go to Houston Nutt's football camps and no matter who was on his team, the youngster always seemed to win. Now Mallett is the quarterback at Arkansas, and his determined attitude hasn't gone away — even as he prepares to face Nutt and Mississippi this weekend. "I go back with coach Nutt a long ways, but he knows I'm like him. We're both competitive," Mallett said. "So on Saturday it's going to be no holds barred. Let's go." Mallett went to high school in Texarkana, Texas, just across the Arkansas state line. He was a Razorbacks' fan ... Read Full Story

Candice D. Castleberry, 24, of Green Forest, Arkansas was arrested Monday in connection with felony contempt of court and delivery of a controlled substance, according to the local paper. As of Tuesday, she was in the Benton County Jail, where she sits awaiting a bond hearing.   Northwest Arkansas, including Washington and Benton Counties, have been named once again as one of the "Top 25 Worst Counties" in the United States for Illegal Drug Activity by the U.S. Government Drug Enforcement Agency.  Read Full Story

The local paper reports that Richard T. Schacht, 19, of 2705 Trails End Drive, Bentonville the town headquartered by Walmart in Northwest Arkansas, was arrested Sunday in connection with felony revocation of a suspended sentence or probation, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor second-degree criminal mischief, criminal trespass and fleeing. He was being held as of Monday in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.   The good news is families can save $3,000 annually by shopping at Walmart. Read Full Story

Ronald Hall, 42, was arrested Monday in connection with felony failure to register as a sex offender. He was being held in the Washington County Detention Center without bond Monday, according to the local paper.   Note to readers: Northwest Arkansas is having serious issues with sex offenders, sex scandals, and child pornographers and predators.  We plan on following this disturbing trend more closely in the future. Read Full Story