TOP NEWS STORIES

ROGERS : Idol hopefuls put talent on display

ROGERS — Blythe McCauley plans to spend the next five days doing vocal exercises and singing her favorite songs to decide which ones best display the sweet, soulful tones in her voice. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition Read Story »

Help wanted : The Bentonville Public Defender's Office is seeking another attorney.

BENTONVILLE — The Public Defender's Office needs an additional attorney to handle the increasing caseload seen by that office, Jay Saxton, chief public defender for Benton County, told members of the Personnel Committee on Wednesday afternoon. Benton County Daily Record Read Story »

Department exonerates officers : Internal probe clears officers in Ulmer case

An internal investigation conducted by the Fayetteville Police Department has determined that two officers acted in accordance with departmental policy when a bullet fired from one of their weapons inadvertently struck a homicide victim in the head last week. Northwest Arkansas Times Read Story »

Plane in fatal crash within weight limit, investigation shows

A Piper Cherokee Lance airplane that crashed on takeoff Friday at Gaston's White River Resort near Lakeview was not overweight and there were no apparent problems with the engine or aircraft, an inspector with the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition Read Story »

Grease is the word : The Station Cafe in Bentonville looks for help to continue recycling its used fryer grease.

BENTONVILLE — Cecil Turner knows a thing or two about cooking burgers, running a restaurant and motivating a staff. As owner of The Station Cafe on the downtown Bentonville Square for the past 11 years, he's had to. Benton County Daily Record Read Story »

Anderson violated parole prior to slaying

A 41-year-old Farmington man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death Friday night was, at the time of her death, a parolee out of Oklahoma being supervised by Arkansas authorities and had violated his parole as late as June. One of the violations Ricky Ray Anderson committed involved being accused of a new crime. He bonded out of the Washington County Detention Center on June 18 on a $3,500 bond after having been arrested earlier that month on a felony criminal mischief charge — accused of destroying the woman's property. Northwest Arkansas Times Read Story »

Poultry firms ask to delay trial date

TULSA — Poultry companies being sued by Oklahoma's attorney general, who accuses them of polluting the Illinois River watershed with bird manure, asked a judge Tuesday to postpone the trial. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition Read Story »

Bentonville native wins 'Arkansas Idol'

ROGERS — After compliments from judges, including "fabulous job," Bentonville native Blythe McCauley, 23, was voted "Arkansas Idol" during a competition Wednesday. Benton County Daily Record Read Story »

GREENLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS : Smith says finances will beat predictions

He isn’t ready to give specific numbers, but Greenland School District Superintendent Roland Smith said he expects the 2008-2009 fiscal year ending balance to exceed expectations. Northwest Arkansas Times Read Story »

TOP SPORTS STORIES

Mahoney named to AG&FC post

The middle brother of a prominent political family in south Arkansas became the newest member of the Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition Read Story »

Royals' Gordon joining Naturals

SPRINGDALE — The Kansas City Royals announced Wednesday that third baseman Alex Gordon will play for Double-A Texas League affilate Northwest Arkansas Naturals on a minor league rehabilitation assignment beginning this weekend. Benton County Daily Record Read Story »

Rodeo drive : Old, new faces pepper rodeo's historic parade in 65th year

SPRINGDALE — Jim Parker wore the bruise with a hint of pride. Northwest Arkansas Times Read Story »