Penny Weaver

4 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

VAN BUREN — Two members of the Crawford County Library System Board sparred in a heated exchange Friday debating how much library money should be used to pay legal fees in a First Amendment lawsuit the county lost. The discussion came during a “working meeting” of the board, which held no votes and took no action in the session at the Van Buren Public Library. “It’s not up for us to pay the entire bill. I do not see that,” Chairman Keith Pigg said.

4 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

FORT SMITH -- A traffic stop early this month resulted in about two dozen firearms being taken out of the possession of a convicted felon and off the streets. The fact that most of the confiscated weapons were rifles makes the seizure unusual, according to Arkansas statistics from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The stop was conducted by Sebastian County Sheriff's Corporal John O'Mara in south Sebastian County, according to information from the Sheriff's Office.

5 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

ArrestsAlmaAlexis Guimbarda, of Alma, was arrested Wednesday in connection with rape and two counts of first-degree domestic battering. Guimbarda remained in the Crawford County Detention Center on Friday with no bond set. Arkansas State PoliceRickey S. Myers, of Alma, was arrested Wednesday in connection with possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with purpose to deliver, breaking or entering, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and fleeing via vehicle or conveyance.

6 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

Penny Weaver is an award-winning journalist who covers crime, law enforcement, court proceedings and more for the River Valley Democrat-Gazette. She has more than 30 years of experience as a reporter, photographer, columnist and editor at daily newspapers. Penny has reported on everything from national civil rights issues to hog farming in Illinois, Georgia, Texas and now Arkansas. She digs until she uncovers all the facts for every story.

1 week ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

VAN BUREN -- The Crawford County Library System board is set to meet just two days after a new court decision related to a federal lawsuit focusing on a former "social section" at the county libraries. An updated meeting agenda issued Thursday morning added a "court fees ruling" discussion item under "new business" on the board's slate of topics for the session.