Penny Weaver

4 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.

5 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

FORT SMITH -- Two Sebastian County sheriff's office deputies were being treated at area hospitals after they were stabbed by an inmate Friday afternoon at the jail, according to the sheriff's office. The deputies were stabbed about 2:50 p.m. with an improvised cutting instrument, according to a news release from Capt. Philip Pevehouse, public information officer for the sheriff's office. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries, Pevehouse said.

5 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

MULBERRY -- A kayaker who had been reported missing was found dead Thursday afternoon along the Mulberry River, authorities said. Authorities were notified May 3 the kayaker, Hector Rios, 57, of Wichita, Kan., was missing and had searched since then until the body was found along the bank of the river under some brush about 4 p.m. Thursday, according to Keith Stephens, chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

5 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

FORT SMITH -- Two Sebastian County Sheriff's Office deputies are being treated at area hospitals after they were stabbed by an inmate Friday afternoon at the jail. The detention deputies were stabbed about 2:50 p.m. with an improvised cutting instrument, according to a news release from Capt. Philip Pevehouse, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries, Pevehouse said.

6 days ago | nwaonline.com | Penny Weaver

FORT SMITH -- A 10-year prison term with an additional 30-year suspended sentence were among penalties handed down following a Fort Smith man's guilty plea Thursday on drugs and weapons charges. The plea bargain this week came about two months after the suspect inked a different courtroom deal for sentencing on drug charges and was arrested days later on nearly identical counts, according to Sebastian County Circuit Court records.