Speaking of Arkansas

Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins says it’s time to look into the potential benefits of a regional jail for Northwest Arkansas. Deakins, a former Quorum Court member who took office as county judge in January 2023, discusses that idea as well as his proposal for a new form of zoning in Washington County. In this edition of Speaking of Arkansas, host Greg Harton speaks with Deakins about his desire to explore the regional jail concept that has, over the course of many years, generally been treated as a nonstarter among county and law enforcement leaders.

Washington County’s detention center population summary data cited by Deakins can be seen here and there’s also a story from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette when the county first posted those details.

Also, the latest new development involving the former Washington County jail’s use by the state and the pending closure of the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit can be found here.

Sept. 22-Oct. 23, 2023, is recognized by advocates of electric vehicles as National Drive Electric Week. Perhaps there’s no better time to visit with someone who has chosen to drive an electric car.

Gary Berger of Bentonville is the founder and a board member of the Tesla Owners Club of Arkansas, a group that advocates for electric vehicles overall and doesn’t require members to own a Tesla or any electric vehicle.

In this edition of the Speaking of Arkansas podcast, host Greg Harton discusses Berger’s experience owning an electric vehicle and many of the comments heard from skeptics, some of whom declare they will never own one as they question their viability.

For additional information about the club and an event mentioned in the podcast, visit https://teslaownersarkansas.com/ and https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/

Voters in Benton and Washington counties will be asked on Nov. 8 to support new taxes to pay for jail expansions.

This episode of the Speaking of Arkansas podcast features Sarah Moore, executive director of the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, and Mac Mayfield, a board member of the coalition and a leader of a new group called Neighbors Against New Taxation. They oppose jail expansions in both counties, advocating instead for judicial system reforms they say can hold people accountable while also addressing the root causes of their involvement in the judicial system.

To listen to an argument for the Washington County jail expansion, visit: nwaonline.com/105forjail/

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Voters in Benton and Washington counties will be asked on Nov. 8 to support new taxes to pay for jail expansions.
In this episode of the Speaking of Arkansas podcast, Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder and Chief Deputy Jay Cantrell, who becomes the sheriff in January, discuss the expansion proposal in Washington County.

To listen to an argument against jail expansion in Washington and Benton Counties, visit: https://www.nwaonline.com/105againstjail/

Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/

Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

On this episode of Speaking of Arkansas, Joanna Bell discusses her new role as the city of Fayetteville's arts and culture director as well as The Ramble, the city's voter-approved cultural arts corridor project. Join host Greg Harton, editorial page editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as they discuss charting a path for promoting and producing the arts in Fayetteville.