Siloam Springs Herald Leader
Oklahoma AG gets cool reception in meeting with poultry growers
WESTVILLE, Okla. — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed confidence poultry companies would settle his state’s lawsuit against them, but the crowd of 250 poultry growers he met with Jan. 15 wondered aloud why the 20-year-old lawsuit was...
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African Children’s Choir ‘just precious,’ host parents state
When 17 Ugandan children sang and danced for a packed audience at Cathedral of the Ozarks at John Brown University on Jan. 9, Tim and Connie Bailey of Fort Smith, sitting in the second pew, watched two singers with special fondness. The Baileys...
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Arena sets the table for basketball tradition
GRAVETTE — The opening of Gravette’s $11 million Lions Den Arena in 2020 has allowed the district to host an annual Christmas basketball tournament, the Gravette Christmas Classic. Siloam Springs girls Coach Beau Tillery appreciates having a...
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Competition Robotics holds STEM Camp fundraiser
Parents in Siloam Springs had the opportunity earlier this month to drop their children off after school for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) day camp run entirely by high school students. Siloam Springs High School...
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District approves neighborhood schools, draws boundary lines
Elementary and middle-school students in Siloam Springs soon will be assigned to schools based on home address rather than grade level. The Siloam Springs School Board on Dec. 18 voted unanimously to transition the district from a grade-span...
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Decatur facing permit challenge from Tulsa over concerns about watershed
DECATUR — The city is facing out-of-state opposition after being approved to discharge more from its wastewater treatment facility based on concerns it will negatively impact an important watershed. The city of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility...
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The Santa of Siloam Springs
Kevin Williams of Siloam Springs started to grow his white beard and white hair a decade ago in order to start a Santa Claus side hustle. The inspiration came from his brother, who is a Santa Claus in California, Williams said. Williams and his wife...
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Broadcasting program shines behind the scenes at SSHS
When Bryan Allen of Fayetteville was production manager for the SEC Network at the University of Arkansas in 2022, he would not have pictured himself teaching high school students in Siloam Springs, he said. Now, he wouldn’t have it any other...
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Hope’s Kitchen serves last Thanksgiving dinner
Under the awning of St. Mary Catholic Church in Siloam Springs on Nov. 21, Pastor Father Salvador presided over the table of giveaway snack cakes and smiled benevolently. Kyle Rollins and Darrell Bottoms talked and laughed with the growing line of...
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JBU hosts Holocaust exhibit
John Brown University has become the latest host of Last Folio, a multimedia Holocaust exhibit by Canadian photographer Yuri Dojc and British film maker and producer Katya Krausovak. The show is on display through Dec. 20 at the Windgate Art Gallery...
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Directors approve incentive package for Academy Sports
Siloam Springs City Directors approved a resolution for an approximately $4 million incentive package to bring an Academy Sports + Outdoors to the city. Directors voted 6-1 to approve. Directors David Allen, Betsy Blair-Finn, Brad Burns, Reid Carroll,...
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Toilet Paper Game at JBU
One drawback John Brown University’s men face during the “World Famous Toilet Paper Game” is the technical foul that ensues after the Golden Eagles’ first basket doesn’t allow them to start the game with a big scoring run. That offensive outburst...
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High school band soars to success
Siloam Springs High School hosted the Region 7 Marching Band Assessment on Oct. 21 and the host band couldn’t have done better. “We received straight superior ratings and qualified to compete in the Arkansas State Marching Competition in Little Rock...
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Booming region means more visitors to stream
The Illinois River stands to be even more of a major recreation destination as Northwest Arkansas inches toward 1 million residents expected by 2050. That’s one point driven home during a float trip on the river Sept. 10 hosted by the Illinois River...
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District gets schooled on cooking
In August of last year, the Siloam Springs School District was among districts across the state to partner with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as part of the Creating Healthy Environments for Schools program to ensure the best possible...
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Board OKs resolution on electric boundaries
The Siloam Springs City Board, at a special-called meeting Oct. 5, approved a resolution to authorize the city administrator to amend a 1939 map that details boundaries of the city Electric Department. The city administrator will be allowed to make...
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Prosecutors will not seek death penalty in Hunt murder case
BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty for an Oklahoma teenager accused of killing another teen. Dallton Hunt, 18, is charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hunt, of Colcord,...
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Team delights crowd with squirrel cookies at cook off
As the sun rose over the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off in Springdale on Sept. 13, members of the only team from Siloam Springs made their way to their tent. Theirs was the one with the big, yellow VFW Post 1674 sign mounted on the side. At that...
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Waterman found fit for trial
BENTONVILLE — A jury trial has been set after a Missouri woman accused of a killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child was found fit to stand trial. Amber Waterman, 45, of Pineville, Mo., is charged with two counts of capital murder in connection...
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Popular carnival vital to American Legion Post 29
The line of cars waiting to get into the carnival in Siloam Springs on Aug. 30 reached onto U.S. 412. Parking attendants took one $20 bill after another in exchange for $15 change and a salutation to “have fun.” The carnival rivals bingo as the...
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City Board OKs grant for Twin Springs Park rehab
The Siloam Springs City Board at its Aug. 19 meeting approved a resolution to apply for a Walton Family Foundation grant to rehabilitate historic Twin Springs. City Directors voted 7-0 for approval. The Twin Springs are located in Twin Springs...
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HBF Foods pulls permit for egg plant
HBF Foods withdrew its permit request with Siloam Springs on Aug. 8, City Director Betsy BlairFinn said. Don Stoner, operating partner for HBF Foods, informed BlairFinn that HBF Foods was eager to build in the city, but a needed third reading was not...
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Every school prayed over
Cross My Heart Ministry held its second prayer walk at the high school Aug. 9. All 250 yellow shirts purchased for the event were distributed, though the actual number of people who prayed is unknown, event coordinator Laura Macfarlan said. Macfarlan...
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Clinic continues rural healthcare legacy
DECATUR — Since 1963, when Dr. Edward McCollum moved his practice from an old two-story house to the 22-room clinic at 346 N. Main Street, the downtown location has been Decatur’s stop for medical care. In that regard, nothing has changed. A ribbon...
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Chamber President Hulbert steps down, Torres steps up
“Arthur loves to try and speak Spanish,” Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce Director of Community Development Lindsey Taylor joked at a farewell reception for outgoing Chamber President and CEO Arthur Hulbert on July 15. That and his love for mariachi...
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Board members tour egg processing plant
Don Clark (left) discusses how the Mid-States Specialty Egg plant in Berryville prevents noxious odors from being released to Siloam Springs City Directors Mindy Hunt and Brad Burns during a tour of the plant on July 9. Clark is representing the owner...
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Air Force veteran serves country from stage
“I still have a heart to serve, it just looks a little different now than active duty,” said country music entertainer Tyler Kinch, who followed his heart, quite literally, out of the Air Force and onto the stage. Kinch, who was named the 2023 and...
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Veterans revere ‘rockets red glare’
Members of Siloam Springs VFW Post 1674 lounged together at the post’s fireworks tent in front of the Benton County Sale Barn in Siloam Springs on June 30. Those present, all of whom had served in active combat, agreed fireworks can trigger a response...
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Twin girl bull riders make Siloam Springs Rodeo history
Identical twin sisters Maddison and Dayna Eilert, 20, of Locust Grove, Okla., competed in bull riding against men at the 67th Siloam Springs Rodeo on opening night June 19. Never before had girls rode bulls at the rodeo, said Karen Davis of the rodeo...
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Soldier killed in D-Day is laid to rest
GRAVETTE — It took more than 80 years, but a soldier from Gravette was finally returned home and laid to rest June 9. The remains of U.S. Army Pvt. Rodger Dean Andrews, who died in the D-Day Normandy invasion during World War II, were buried June 9...
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Beloved vet receives Farm Family of the Year Award
DECATUR — Dr. Marion and Connie Harris of Gravette and their family received the Benton County Farm Family of the Year Award at a ceremony at their farm June 2. The Harris family runs a 130acre beef cattle operation in Benton County. Their operation...
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Breakout reopens many old wounds
BENTONVILLE — Grant Hardin’s prison escape has opened old wounds for those victimized by his crimes as well as those who worked in law enforcement when he was convicted of them. Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock around 2:55...
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Williams returns to basics
The good people of Pocahontas know him as Opie. They remember him as a youngster on the sidelines with his dad, his hat pushed down over his ears in a way that resembled a young Ron Howard. The good people of, well, everywhere else know him as Coach...
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Chamber luncheon celebrates high school honor graduates
The Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce held the 49th Honor Graduate Luncheon at Simmons Great Hall at John Brown University on May 15. Each year area businesses sponsor one or two Siloam Springs High School honor graduates at the luncheon....
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JBU graduation
Kayla Rupp/Herald-Leader (Above photo) Robin Alfredo Chavez Hernandez of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, proudly displays his diploma at John Brown University commencement at Bill George Arena on May 10.
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Gutierrez talks passion for farming, farmers’ market
Matthew Gutierrez is Main Street Siloam Springs’ new Farmers’ Market manager. The market opened May 3. Gutierrez has farmed since he was a child and went into that field after he graduated from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, with a...
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Dogwood Festival shows out
The 51st Dogwood Festival had it all — crowds of people, vendors, games, music, dogs running, pancakes being eaten and children having fun. The festival was held April 25-27. Susan Young, a cook at Northside Elementary, has attended every Dogwood...
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Pianist crowned Apple Blossom Queen 100 years ago on April 8
Female descendants of Helen Duckworth Coates of Siloam Springs gathered at the City Park gazebo in Siloam Springs on April 8, exactly 100 years to the day since Coates (then Duckworth) was crowned queen of the Apple Blossom Festival in Rogers. The...
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Gilbert resigns as city administrator
Allan Gilbert resigned April 9 as Siloam Springs city administrator after less than two years on the job. Gilbert emailed his resignation to the city Board of Directors and Mayor Judy Nation that evening. The board held a special meeting April 10 to...
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Flight program taking off again for JBU students
Aviation studies are returning to John Brown University after more than 80 years. A bachelor program in professional flight is taking off in the fall 2025 semester thanks to a new partnership, according to a news release from the private Christian...
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Mom of five is volunteer reader in her ‘free time’ at the library
At 10 a.m. Wednesdays from September through May at the Siloam Springs Public Library, preschoolers lead their mothers, grandmothers or nannies down the hall and around the corner for story time with Miss Julia. Julia Wilson of Siloam Springs has been...
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Deaf pageant queen authors a book
GENTRY — Rachel Leonard, 14, carried herself like a lady at her book signing at Falyn’s Flowers and Gifts in downtown Gentry on March 15. She wore a bright pink dress beneath her Miss Heartland sash and a sparkling crown on her head. As she welcomed...
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School Board approves salary increases
Larger paychecks are in store for all Siloam Springs School District employees, thanks to the 2025-2026 salary schedule. The schedule was approved by the Siloam Springs School Board at its March 13 School Board meeting. The Personnel Policies...
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City holds public input session on unified development code
The city of Siloam Springs held a public input session to discuss a proposed unified development code. The Feb. 27 meeting at the library drew 29 attendees who looked at white boards with changes proposed by city staff, said Ben Rhoads, senior...
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City directors tour wastewater plant
Several Siloam Springs City Directors toured the city’s wastewater plant Feb. 25. Directors Brad Burns, Reid Carroll, Mindy Hunt, Lesa Rissler and Ken Wiles learned about challenges and upgrades needed at the plant. Wastewater Superintendent Tony...
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Board celebrates CTE Month
The Siloam Springs School Board at its Feb. 11 meeting celebrated the district’s thriving CTE program. February is CTE Month. CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. District CTE Director Jenny Violantes-Marroquin gave a presentation to...
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Banquet honors Woolbright, Barnett
Siloam Springs leaders and residents gathered for the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce 95th banquet at Simmons Great Hall at John Brown University on Feb. 11. Cammi Hevener with Ward Jones Realty was the emcee and presented awards to individuals and...
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First chairlift-served bike park incoming
BELLA VISTA — Efforts to expand biking infrastructure and culture in Northwest Arkansas are getting a lift, literally. OZ Trails plans for the first chairlift-served downhill mountain bike park in the region to be located at the junction of Bella...
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SSPD hosts leadership summit
The Siloam Springs Police Department hosted the 2025 Leadership, Wellness and Resiliency Summit at John Brown University on Jan. 30. The summit was open to law enforcement agencies across the state and was held in coordination with the Arkansas State...
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Siloam baseball players experience mini training
Members of the Siloam Springs baseball team participated in Operation Panther Strike, a twoday mini boot camp held at Fort Chaffee. The Dec. 13-15 trip was organized by Coach Michael Smith, who said 37 of 40 players were able to attend. “With my...
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Board approves contractor
The Siloam Springs School Board at its Jan. 14 meeting approved CR Crawford Construction Company as construction manager for the 2,200 squarefoot addition to Siloam Springs Intermediate School. The five-person School Board voted unanimously for...
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Residents address project concerns
Siloam Springs residents addressed concerns with the Lake Francis Drive rebuild project at the Jan. 7 City Board meeting. The rebuild project involves repaving, realigning portions of the street, improving drainage and adding sidewalks and a side...
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Benton County Quorum Court gets three new members
BENTONVILLE — The three newcomers to the Benton County Quorum Court plan to help prepare the county for growth and have taken steps to educate themselves on county government and their place in it. Mike Miller, Gregory Woodell and John Rissler — who...
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15 teachers receive scholarships from foundation
Tiffinie Smith, an instructional coach at Siloam Springs Middle School, will have a new tool in her educational tool belt this year: dyslexia screener pens. “We have some students that are dyslexic and many more who are newcomers to this country who...
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XNA narrowing gap on fares, bringing amenities to airport
HIGHFILL — Northwest Arkansas National Airport has narrowed the gap with its two nearest competitors on the price of an average round trip from around a $150 difference a few years ago to less than $40 today, airport officials said Dec. 17. The...
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Commission approves Olive Garden permit
The Siloam Springs Planning Commission approved a special development permit for a proposed Olive Garden at its Dec. 10 meeting. Commissioners approved the permit 5-0. Commissioners Kevin Williams and Tony Williams were absent. The permit went before...
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Board approves pay raises for directors, mayor
Directors approved the first reading of an ordinance regarding pay raises for the City Board of Directors and mayor during their Dec. 3 meeting. City Directors will see an increase in meeting pay from $264 to $414 per meeting. Mayor Judy Nation will...
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Benton County 2025 budget sets employee, official raises
BENTONVILLE — Benton County employees will get pay raises next year along with elected officials. The county Quorum Court voted 14-0 on Nov. 21 to establish the county’s annual operating budget for 2025. The budget included pay increases for county...
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City to shut off water at Dawn Hill
Siloam Springs is losing a million gallons of water per month because of a leak at Dawn Hill Condominiums, a development north of the city, a city official said, City Administrator Allan Gilbert told the City Board in late October the city plans to...
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Health sees fastest gain in region
The health care sector in Northwest Arkansas is growing faster than the rest of the region’s economy, but not fast enough to catch up to the needs of the growing population or with health quality standards of similar regions, the Northwest Arkansas...
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Veterans university a boon to the state, governor says
Gov. Sarah Sanders has now spent both of her Veterans Days as governor visiting a western Benton County school for former service members — the University of Health and Performance, which opened three years ago. “One reason I keep coming back is...
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Tornadoes reported as storms cause damage
A line of strong storms swept through Northwest Arkansas late Monday afternoon with reports of tornadoes and damage in some places. One confirmed tornado and one possible tornado were reported near Siloam Springs by the National Weather Service in...
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Early voting continues to draw area residents
Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election has started and will end Nov. 4. As of Monday, 5,153 people had voted early at the two early voting locations in Siloam Springs, according to the Benton County Clerk’s office. There are 15 early voting...
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Woman still facing state charges in case
BENTONVILLE — Amber Waterman is supposed to spend the rest of her life in federal prison, but now the question is whether she’ll face a possible death sentence under a different jurisdiction. Waterman, 44, of Pineville, Mo., is charged in Benton...
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School district joins lawsuit against social media companies
The Siloam Springs School Board at its Oct. 10 School Board meeting voted to join a multidistrict lawsuit initiated by the MotleyRice law firm of Washington D.C. The lawsuit involves over 500 school districts who are suing social media companies...
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City holds annexation meeting
The city of Siloam Springs held a public annexation meeting at the public library Oct. 3. The purpose was to present information about the annexation and answer any questions. Annexation is a question for city voters in the Nov. 5 general election....
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Position 6 candidates discuss goals
MARK LONG Long was appointed to the City Board in June when Director Carol Smiley stepped down for personal reasons. Long served on the City Board from 1993 until 2012. When Long was first elected, the city had low reserves, he said. “They had of a...
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